Piano played on by Leonor Rivera finally in Dagupan
THE neoclassical 18th century piano that Leonor Bauson Rivera played on is finally back in Dagupan and now under the care of the Arts and Culture Office at the city museum.
On Mayor Belen T. Fernandez’s directive, Councilor Jeslito Seen, chairman of Culture and Arts Committee of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) and Culture and Arts officer Zenaida Sinlao, brought the piano back to the city on November 23 from Malolos City, Bulacan.
Manolo M. Tenorio, curator, Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum said the piano has been on display at their museum since 1971, brought there from Bustos, Bulacan.
Councilor Seen with Sinlao
It was labeled as the piano that used to be played on by Leonor Rivera, sweetheart of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
“All that we know was this piano belonged to Leonor Rivera. Since the piano has no connection with our history and culture in Bulacan, we decided to give it back to where it belongs, the city of Dagupan,” said Tenorio.
However, Sinlao, who made a thorough research on the history of the piano, said it was not owned by Rivera but by Doña Carmen Villamil, a classmate of Rivera at La Concordia College.
“The piano actually owned by Villamil was what Rivera played on whenever she visited Villamil at their residence,” said Sinlao.
Rivera was said to be a talented, mature and intelligent lady who could sing with the accompaniment of the piano.
When the Villamils moved to Bustos, Bulacan they brought the piano with them, which explains how the piano reached the province.
Seen said the piano will be restored to its original form and will be displayed at the city museum for future generations of Dagupenos to see as part of Dagupan’s cultural history. (CIO/ JCB)
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