Mon David is a strategic icon of the Kapampangan culture. He was given this cultural award by Holy Angel University, on March 8, 2023, in recognition of how he elevated Kapampangan original music compositions to national and international standards and developed decades-long successful career in the Philippines and the USA, composing and interpreting both jazz music in English and Tagalog while popularizing Kapampangan originals he created. He was recognized as a consummate artist in Kapampangan arts but also a dedicated honorable man to his faith and family.

The award was named after the Patriarch Juan D. Nepomuceno who developed the city and towns of Pampanga, its electric plant, housing subdivisions, and at the request of one of his children, founded and served as an earlier president of Holy Angel University.

Holy Angel University in Pampanga, Philippines is dear to my heart as it was one of the most tumultuous universities with labor unions going on strike against the Administration to now a top quality university in Asia.

Under the leadership of Dr. Luis Calingo (+), he ushered a Malcolm Baldrige quality measured culture in the university, founded on academic excellence and quality relationships, as if a cohesive and harmonious family and community.

The transformational changes are outstanding but the best example is that HAU has gone beyond an incubator of successful graduates with academic rigor, quality credentialed teachers in various disciplines and now a training center for other Asian based universities to emulate.

Where before HAU needed mentoring from excellent Asian universities, they are now the training sites for other Asian universities. It also has succeeded in creating collaborative relationships amongst its staff, employees, faculty and union workers.

Congratulations Mon David and other Awardees! I am certain Dr. Luis Calingo is smiling in heaven! Right, Gemeline Braga-Calingo?

He also composes original songs, like ‘Let Go,’ which he performed at the 2023 Jazz Excellence Awards night on March 5, providing grants to young student artists, ages 12 to 17 yo, to support their music education in Southern California. He shared the stage that evening with Dionne Warwick and Dianne Reeves, both 5x Grammy winners.

Another is a PAL airline theme song, love at 30,000 feet.

Just about every year or so, Mon David has launched albums and CDs. The latest was done during the pandemic with Josh Nelson called DNA (David Nelson Agreement).

Mon David was also recognized by then President of LA City Council and Jazzabrations as one of LA’s living jazz giants in 2017.