If there’s one musical entity that truly embodies the rich musical heritage in the Philippines, it is none other than the world-renowned Las Piñas Bamboo Organ in Saint Joseph Parish Church in Las Piñas City.

Built between 1816 and 1824 by Fr. Fray Diego Cera, the bamboo organ’s pipes were uniquely made up of almost entirely of bamboo. His apprentices continued to build pipe organs after his death in 1832.

After numerous disasters, the musical instrument became unplayable for a very long time. But in 1972, with the efforts of national government and local community, the only surviving bamboo organ was shipped to Germany for restoration. Anticipating its return in 1975, the locals of Las Piñas started the International Bamboo Organ Festival, to truly celebrate the reborn of the instrumental heritage and its astounding sound. Today, the bamboo organ continues to amaze, especially with its annual International Bamboo Organ Festival, the only of its kind in the world.

“The first-ever Bamboo Organ Festival was organized by us in 1976. The parish initially owned the bamboo organ, but it was decided that the Bamboo Organ Organization would be separated from the Saint Joseph Parish Church Organization,” shared Leo Renier, executive director of the International Bamboo Organ Festival. “The reason was to strategically separate cultural activities from parish activities. The bamboo organ has given cultural identity to the people of Las Piñas.”

Renier shared that during that time, no Filipinos could play the bamboo organ. Piano teacher and organist Donna Ofrasio became the saving grace of the musical heritage of bamboo organ as she pulled out kids from her piano classes to learn how to play the bamboo organ. One of those chosen children was Armando V. Salarza, currently the Titular Organist of the Bamboo Organ of Las Piñas, an internationally acclaimed concert organist, and the only one left in the country who is certified to teach how to play the bamboo organ.

“I started playing piano when I was 7 years old. I was introduced to the bamboo organ at 9 years old. And had my first public performance at 11,” Armando shared. “It was very different for me at first, because when you press a key in bamboo organ, the harmony sustains for a long time, unlike with piano that you need to step on the sustaining pedal so the sound would prolong. With the bamboo organ, the harmony sustains beautifully, which is just perfect for church hymns. So playing these two very different musical instruments requires separate and unique techniques.” Immediately after high school, Armando was sent to the University for Music and the Performing Arts in Graz, Austria, as the first-ever scholar of the Bamboo Organ Foundation, Inc. Even as a student, he was specially selected by the Institute for Church Music to teach organ in the Diocese of Graz, as well as in other parishes as part of the institute’s outreach program. From 1988 to 1992, he went on to pursue a postgraduate course (Organ Concert Performance) at the University for Music and the Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria. Today, he teaches pipe organ at the UP College of Music and San Scholastica School of Music.

Armando has easily become one of the very few renowned organists in the world, and has become the mainstay of the International Bamboo Organ Festival.

“If you study the history of the bamboo organ, Father Fray Diego Cera built the instrument in 1816, and built a lot more bamboo organs in Baclayon in Bohol, Argao in Cebu, Loay in Bohol, Dimiao in Bohol and Loboc in Bohol, and just recently, we have learned that they also built some in Santo Tomas, Batangas. This reflects the rich history and culture in music of the Filipinos, as the instrument survived the Spanish era,” Renier shared. ”More than anything, International Bamboo Organ Festival is a celebration of the Filipino musical heritage, history and culture.”

The first-ever bamboo organ festival in 1976 was sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and highlighted Filipino artists. This year its 43rd anniversary showcases how the festival has grown into a full international music event. It features organists from around the globe, such as Guy Bovet of Switzerland, and Jan Van Mol and Cristel De Meulder of Belgium. World-class ensembles are also going to perform, such as the Villancico Vocal Ensemble, Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club, Manila Baroque Ensemble and Las Piñas Boys Choir and soloists, such as violin player Christian Tan and soprano Stefanie Quintin, to name a few. Resident conductress Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng is also poised to wow the audience.

“The only accomplishment we always want to achieve, and could be and have been proud of all these years, is when we inspire new talents to learn the bamboo organ, especially since it represents a very special part of the Filipino musical heritage and history,” Renier concluded. “We hope that through the festival, we continue to sustain the legacy of the bamboo organ.”

The International Bamboo Organ Festival will be held from February 22 to 28, with tickets sold at P600, P400 and P200. For more details, please contact the Bamboo Organ Foundation Inc. through 825-7190 and 820-0795, or visit www.bambooorgan.org.