"High art" seems worn but it does accurately describe Renato B. Lucas, who was destined for a career as a man of music.

Lucas is a University of the Philippines alumni. Among his mentors who earlier honed his skills were the late Maestro Modesto Maiquez and Herminia Atienza-Ilano.

Artistic passion manifested itself at a tender age when he joined Prof. Sales' Pasaknungan Chamber Orchestra and the Philippine Youth Orchestra of Prof. Sergio Esmilla, Jr. Eventually, the late Maestro Luis Valencia invited him to join the then CCP Philharmonic Orchestra. His early exposure to the demanding art of solo and ensemble playing paid off handsomely when he won first prize in the prestigious National Music Competition for Young Artist (NAMCYA) in 1978. The League of Filipino Composers likewise recognized him when he won the Chamber Music Composition Contest that same year.

Lucas studied abroad at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Bonnie Hampton, a protege of the legendary Pablo Casals. While a student, Lucas became principal cellist of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, under Edo de Wart. He had the privelege of participating in masterclasses of legendary cellists like Paul Tortelier, Zara Nelsova, Lorne Munroe, Anner Bylsma, Mstislav Rostropovich and the members of the Beaux Arts Trio. He also won in auditions to participate in the Spoleto Festival held in Charleston, USA and Spoleto, Italy.

Upon his return, Prof. Oscar Yatco extended him an invitation to be the Principal Cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He represented the Philippines in various Southeast Asian Arts Festivals. Lucas embarked on a concert tour of China with the PPO String Quartet in 1987. The following year, he was sent to Washington D.C. as the Philippine representative to the first World Cello Congress. He gave two recitals at the Philippine Embassy, as part of the Independence Day Celebrations, and at the IMF Visitor's Center. These recitals merited him the "Critic's Pick" from the Washington Post.

He lived and studied further in Germany with the renowned cellist Prof. Karine Georgian, courtesy of the German Academic Exchange Service. He pursued his conducting studies as well. The priveledge of being in the Solo Cello Class of Prof. Georgian, paved the concert opportunities with the Detmolder Kammerorchester to perform for various chamber music concerts.

Lucas returned to his post as Principal Cellist of the PPO and appeared as its soloists in various occassions. He was likewise invited to play solo with many ensembles including the Manila Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Manila, Metro Manila Symphony Orchestra, and the UST Symphony Orchestra. Lucas' outstanding Dvorak Cello Concerto capped the 1992-93 PPO concert season. He also played in various cello recitals and chamber music performances for the CCP's Filipino Artist Series, Coke Bolipata's Pundaquit Arts Festival, and the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ Festival, to name a few.

He was later sent by the British Council as a Fellow in Cello and Conducting to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where he had the opportunity to work with the best music professors from England. He also attended the 3rd International Cello Festival.

His versatility and wide experience was much sought after. He has worked with practically the whole spectrum of music: collaborating with pop icons Ryan Cayabyab, Basil Valdez, and Kuh Ledesma; contemporary avant-garde composers from the Asia-Pacific Region, collaborating with the Deconstruction Theatre Phillip Glass Ensemble; conductors Redentor Romero, Dr. Francisco Feliciano, and film scoring with Nonong Buencamino in Marilou Diaz-Abaya's masterpiece, "Rizal".