The Kasilag Guitar Quartet is one of the very few guitar quartets in the Philippines today. It is composed of Benchito Cari�o, Perfecto de Castro, Edgardo de Dios and Phil Valdez. All of them studied under one of the country's best guitar pedagogues, Maestro Jose Valdez, and are individual prizewinners of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA).
The quartet is named in honor of Philippine composer and National Artist Lucrecia Roces Kasilag, whose significant contributions to Philippine music are part of the nation's pride and treasure. Her outstanding leadership in cultural administration, leading the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for twenty years since its founding in 1969 and her pioneering works in the East-West idiom has truly made her the First Lady of Philippine Music.
The group's main thrust is to explore new possibilities in the art of classical guitar performance in the Philippines where the instrument is usually confined to the playing of standard Classical-Romantic styles. Also in line with this is the broadening of the instrument's repertoire through transcriptions and arrangements of music of all cultures as well as commissions from various composers.
On June 26, 2004, the quartet will give their inaugural concert under the new name and will also launch their first CD featuring works of Bach, Telemann, Prokofiev, Lauridsen, De Castro, Feliciano, Kasilag, and Valdez.
Benchito Cari�o
Chito is a graduate of Bachelor of Music major in Classical Guitar Performance at the PWU College of Music under the tutelage of Maestro Jose Valdez. He is also the holder of the prestigious Teddy Diaz Memorial Scholarship. Chito won 3rd prize in the 1993 National Music Competitions for Young Artists held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and was a member of the PWU Guitar Quartet and Ars Nova Guitar Quartet.
As a member of the PWU-Philippine Music Ensemble, he has toured with the group to Hong Kong (1993), Japan (1996), USA (1995,1997) and Canada (1997). He presently teaches at the PWU College of Music, Centro Escolar University and at the Colegio de San Agustin.
Perfecto De Castro
Perf is one of the Philippine's finest guitarist to date. His playing encompasses a plethora of styles from Blues and Rock to Classical and Flamenco. He is also a multi-awarded songwriter, composer, producer and sound engineer.
After shifting his focus to Classical Guitar and Music, Perf placed 3rd in the 1999 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Since then he has performed solo and with the PWU Philippine Music Ensemble and PWU Guitar Quartet in numerous prestigious concert halls such as Main and Little Theaters of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Philamlife Auditorium, Concert at the Park, Paco Park Presents, St. Cecilia's Hall of the St. Scholastica's College, PCIB Francisco Santiago Theater and the Luce Auditorium of Siliman University. He was also a featured artist and lecturer at the Sandugo International Guitar Festival held July 15-21, 2002 and hosted by the island of Bohol. He has participated in masterclasses by flamenco guitarist Adolfo Timuat and classical guitarists Dr. Angelito Agcaoili, Michael Dadap and Maestro Jorge Orozco.
At present, Perf is one of the few guitarists using the 10-string guitar; an instrument conceived and developed by the Spanish luthier Jose Ramirez, III and Maestro Narciso Yepes. He holds a Music Teacher's Diploma (MTD) major in Guitar under the tutelage of Maestro Jose Valdez and will soon be receiving Bachelor Degrees in Guitar Performance and Music Education, all from the PWU College of Music.
Edgardo de Dios
Dong is a graduate of the PWU College of Music with Bachelor degrees in Music Education and Classical Guitar Performance under Jose Valdez. He won 2nd prize in the 1993 National Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA).
In 1997, he won a special award for his composition Ngayon ang Araw ng Kalayaan (Today is the Day of Freedom) scored for mixed choir and orchestra. The NAMCYA Festival Chorus and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Prof. Joel Navarro in celebration of the centenary of the Philippine Revolution premiered this work. As the music director/member of the PWU-Philippine Music Ensemble, he plays an assortment of ethnic instruments and acts as script writer/arranger for the group.
He has traveled with the group to Hong Kong (1993), Japan (1996), USA (1995, 1997) and Canada (1997). His choral cycle entitled Bayang Malaya, Lahing Dakila ( Free Country, Noble Race), premiered at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, was a centennial offering for the group's latest tour in the USA and Canada. As a member of the PWU and Ars Nova Guitar Quartet, he has performed at various performance venues and occasions in the Manila area and in the provinces.
Dong presently teaches guitar, History of Western Music and Philippine/Asian Music at the PWU College of Music and Sta. Isabel Music Department while pursuing a Masters degree in Musicology. He is married to Sheryl Ann Botabara-de Dios, a piano teacher by profession and they have two children, Franco Em�l and Ernesto Lu�s.
Phil Valdez
Phil finished his Music Teacher's Diploma (MTD) with major in guitar under Maestro Jose Valdez. He has been a member of the PWU-Philippine Music Ensemble since 1990 and has traveled with the group to Hong Kong (1993) and USA (1995) as its music director.
He was also a member of the PWU Guitar Quartet, Ars Nova Guitar Quartet, and the PWU Chorale. In 1996, he won 2nd prize in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) held at the University of the Philippines. At present, Phil is a guitar instructor at the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music and the PWU College of Music, teaching both regular and special students.
First Guitar:
Dong - Demetrio Classical
Chito - Yamaha Classical
Phil - Cebu-made steel string
Perf - classical guitar from JB Music
Current Guitar:
Dong :1992 Toshihiko Nakade Classical Alaskan Yellow Cedar/Brazilian Rosewood
Chito :1996 El Viejo Artesano Red Cedar/Cambodian Rosewood
Phil :1994 Toshihiko Nakade 10 string Red Cedar/Brazilian Rosewood
Perf : 2003 Darren Hippner 10 string Red Cedar/Brazilian Rosewood
Strings used:
D'Addario Pro-Arte J45/J46
GHS LA Classique Medium tension
Savarez Alliance and Corum Cristals HighTension
Galli Normal and High tension
Hannabach 815 basses, thick gauge for extra bass strings
Hours of Practice:
As quartet: 3-6 hours a week
Individual: as much as our individual schedules allow
Number of years playing:
Dong: since high school (late 80's)
Chito: since 8 years old
Phil: since high school
Perf: since 13 years old (16 yrs.)
Advice for aspiring guitarists:
Dong:
Don't aspire, just get out and be what you aim for.
Chito
Enjoy what you play.
Phil
Keep practicing, play what you like and have fun.
Perf
The Guitar and Music in general is one wild ride, grab a hold of it with both
hands and don't ever let go.
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