Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, Michael Paulo and Enrique de la Cruz
“I hate a song that makes you think that you are not any good. I hate a song that makes you think that you are just born to lose. Bound to lose. No good to nobody. No good for nothing. Because you are too old or too young or too fat or too slim. Too ugly or too this or too that. Songs that run you down or poke fun at you on account of your bad luck or hard traveling. I am out to fight those songs to my very last breath of air and my last drop of blood. I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for a dozen loops, no matter what color, what size you are, how you are built, I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself and in your work.” – Woody Guthrie, New Year’s 1942-1943. From a 72-page composition book with a letter to his love, Marjorie. “Bound for Glory”.
“One is born with talent, an accident of birth. One makes oneself an artist. I believe in art. I believe art has the power to heal the broken spirit. To sucker the frightened soul. To redeem not just the listener but the artist as well. To make sense of the chaos. To hold a mirror to the world when the world forgets what it looks like – to issue both a warning and an exaltation.“ Janis Ian, a Grammy award winning Songwriter of Songwriters, 2010.
The front row folks, mostly African Americans, were irrepressible and expressive about their appreciation on August 19, 2023. This was a very touching week for most, raw emotions from watching Lahaina communities wiped out by the wildfires, and compounded this weekend with boarded up storefronts, as we got warned about Typhoon Hilary.
Precious Moments of Incandescent Jazz Time
But, not this irrepressible audience. This audience got the artists’ back, to which Tia Carrere openly shared her appreciation for. They came to watch with every fiber of their being. Some of these fans went to school at Oakwood University in Alabama and are friends with Mark Kibble, a classmate of one of them, a founder of Take 6, the best acapella group that garnered 10+ Grammy awards.
When they closed the evening’s summit of jazz performances, they took us to the heights of their passion, singing without musical charts, and in synchrony with each other, taking turns to express their melodies, and ever respectfully taking turns to give space to the other.
Their repertoire was seamlessly sung, to give predominant messages: “Change the World”, “Got to Get You Into My Life”, “Back in Love”, “I’ve Got Life/Spread”, “Stand by Me” and “Roof Garden”. Amazing mastery of sounds, vocal chords, and musical lyrics that no one was prepared for. They were not just masters of their craft; they were also mentoring one of the youngest artists, Chris Chatman, who stood out for his fashionable style.
Michael Paulo with Chris Chatman, taken by Ruben V. Nepales
“Bumpin”, “One Passion”, and My Heart and Soul”, were the opening numbers of Michael Paulo. He dedicated the last piece to Rene Paulo, his dad, whom he credited with, teaching him everything about music and ultimately, leading him to his life’s passion: music.
I watched both father and son captivate Filipino Americans in Hawaii, decades ago, at a FANHS conference with “The Heart and Soul” piece. It was a special moment in time that got us all sobbing.
When he played ‘Heart and Soul,’ a tribute to his old man, his dear father, Rene Paulo, who recently passed away, his earnest sounds on the saxophone made us cry. He also cried as he played his saxophone, even as laments his passing, and with his best efforts and young boundless energies, he conveyed his love for him.
Michael was tonight’s music director and his wonderfully-in-synchrony-band mates: Tateng Katindig (lead for Melissa Morgan and Chris Chatman), Kimo Cornwell (lead for Peter White and Tia and Daniel), Dave Inamine, Fred Schreuders and Land Richards, who all mirrored his dynamism.
I marveled at the prowess and sustained agility of Michael Paulo onstage, holding his breath for minutes, playing his saxophone, gyrating movements, light on his feet and with flexibility would bend backwards his torso, simulating the curves of his saxophone, forming a curved circle.
Michael Paulo Photos courtesy of Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz
It was quite beautiful to watch a man in control of his playing instrument, and the saxophone behaving in synchrony with this artist.
Michael got us sobbing, and Alvin Reyes shared that he cried, when he saw Michael shed tears, who played one of his three gold plated saxophones, onstage, to be grabbed at any moment in time.
These three opening numbers grabbed the hearts of many, compelling the audience to rise up and to give Michael Paulo an early standing ovation. I too sobbed at that Heart and Soul piece.
Some of these fans fashionably came in their Sunday’s finest, ready to sway, and they did uncontrollably moved, even while seated. One even said, “I did not know Filipinos play jazz.” That must have been a compliment in disguise.
Self-Made Artists Belong To An Aristocracy of Merit
Janis Ian, the songwriter of songwriters, got the First Liberal Arts Tribute award from Berklee College of Music in 2010, wherein she asserted, “artists belong to an aristocracy of merit. One makes oneself an artist.” She spoke about how an artist’s heart makes the art that is then reflected back to the audience. Such is Ted as the other artists he asked to perform.
“Who is this Ted Benito,” the front row audience folks asked me? “Remember his name as he produces shows that respect the artists, the audience, and the venue, “ I emphasized, visualizing Ted’s passionate sharing of his production events.
In my prior interview, Ted shared: “I formulated how The Romance of Magno Rubio [a play he produced to honor the farmworkers] appears to be a fusion of my parents’ story: promoting the arts and artistry, rooting for Filipino talent, and giving back to the less fortunate.”
Ted is a well – respected impresario, an artist connoisseur of musical events who was nurtured by his mom, steeped in the arts, since he was 5yo. It was in 1987 when my husband and I were introduced to his cache of talents: scriptwriter, actor, and historian. He did all three substantial roles at UCLA’s Pilipino Cultural Night. To this day, three decades later, the scenes of tribute for the farmworkers are etched in my memory. Identity, history and representation are strong features of his productions.
Fast forward to Jazzmopolitan in 2010 at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater. He described it as American jazz meets Filipino flavor: “Jazzmopolitan: Filipino Gentlemen of Jazz”, an evening of finger-snapping, toe-tapping evening that showcases Ner de Leon, Raffy Lopez, Tateng Katindig, Mon David and headlined by Michael Paulo whose distinct “saxpertise” to a virtual who’s who of artists: Al Jarreau, James Ingram, Rick Braun, Peter White, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Johnny Mathis and more.”
Tonight’s summit of jazz in 2023 happened when Ted Benito was offered by Disney Hall’s programming team a slot, 85% of whom were self made artists from Hawaii. Some are childhood friends, who went to school with Michael Paulo; some he met while on a shuttle airport stop, others while performing with Al Jarreau, like Take 6.
If Janis Ian would have seen Take 6, Michael Paulo, Peter White, Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho, she would easily say these artists’ unforgettable performances belong to that exclusive ‘aristocracy with merit’ that she described in her keynote speech. These are artists who stayed true to their craft and even gave birth to new projects during the pandemic. The pandemic did not freeze nor cage in their talents.
Michael Paulo and Tia Carrere Photos courtesy of Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz
Michael Paulo did it again as he accompanied Melissa Morgan and their interaction consisted of a dialogue with Melissa singing a note, pausing, with Michael responding with the musical tunes. Was it F or was it G, I truly did not know – only that their interaction created a beautiful exchange of their humanity being together.
Melissa Morgan and Michael Paulo Photos courtesy of Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz
When Peter White came onstage, one Japanese woman next to me described him as the wild partner of Michael Paulo. I was not prepared for Peter White ‘s own composition, ‘San Diego/Bueno Funk” with 007 James Bond theme song& Get Up Stand Up by Bob Marley) eliciting joy, as the crowd roared with catcalls and applause.
The photos I took seemed like dance numbers of both artists, Michael and Peter, several shots I shared here, as they played music on the guitar and the saxophone, but in a synchrony of body movements, almost like a dance scene.
Peter White and Michael Paulo Photos courtesy of Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz
It was unforgettable to hear the harmonica and bird tweets, all done by Peter White. When I congratulated him for a memorable performance and told him that I bought his CD, he took out his highlighter and said, “Did you want me to sign your CD?” Oh my, how wonderful was that?
So many unforgettable performances now from Peter White, Melissa Morgan and Michael Paulo! The crowd is focused and nobody was feeling restless but simply immersed in the beauty of these jazz sounds.
When Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere performed their Hawaiian favorite songs: “He Aloha Mele”, “Aloha Oe” and Tia’s original composition “I’m still here” her soothing voice had the audience‘s heartstrings pulled in many directions to connect to Lahaina, where wildfires wiped out communities and homes, just a week ago.
Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere Photos courtesy of Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz
Tia’s heartfelt, unforgettable, and haunting performance moved folks, that after, they were queuing to get her to sign the cds. I told her that when I babysit my 8-month-old grandson, her CD elicits the serenity of the trade winds, the ocean waves, and the blue skies’ imaginary ambiance. Tia, we love you! Equally endearing is how she is so warm and accessible to her fans, and patiently takes selfies with them.
Did I share earlier that Janis Ian’s description of artists is that they belong to an aristocracy of merit and that their hearts are so absorbent of pain and triumphs that they are the first to respond with their gentle humanity? Aloha is more than a hello, it is an extension of love, kindness, and compassion.
Michael Paulo informed us that the yearly September Temecula show he organized has now become a full-blown fundraiser, raising $14,000 in ticket sales, with so many artists volunteering to perform.
Nothing prepared us for the 10+ Grammy award winners, ‘Take 6’, who were introduced as Michael’s friends, that he met 30 years ago while performing for Al Jarreau. He introduced them as the best acapella group.
Take 6 Photos courtesy of Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz
Indeed, hands down, Take 6 is the best acapella group I have ever heard! But what was even more endearing is how humble ‘Take 6’ was: accessible, so down to earth and certainly “did not require us, the fans, to be on the list, “to take photos with them, as in that recent Broadway controversy. Thanks to the producer who encouraged us to meet with the artists to say hello.
I could go on and on but it is 1am, I am still on a high and tomorrow, I have a date with my granddaughter to take her to see a play.
Ted Benito and Rex Sampaga, you outdid yourselves with this magnificent lineup of artists, and may I dare describe them as self-made artists who belong to an aristocracy of merit?
I salute you both that despite Hurricane Hilary, the Writers Guild Strikes, this first Jazzmopolitan in Disney Hall was unforgettably outstanding! Disney Hall absolutely is one of the acoustically balanced-venues and the most desired amongst artists, like their heavenly summit of stages to perform at.
The two reasons behind #iylagranola as a business concept suggested by a business major graduate from Fordham University are shown here: my granddaughter and grandson.
I made granola as Christmas gifts to friends and family. I did not see the business potential at all.
My young friend suggested that I make it into a business and sent me a photo of the granola that she buys in New York.
Fast forward, a year later, I have made 41 batches now, over 492 bags sold now, with few hundreds as gifts.
#iylagranola has traveled to Spain, London, New York, New Jersey, Temecula, Oceanside, Florida, Washington, D.C, Chino Hills, Philippines, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Canoga Park, Porter Ranch and more.
I made it into a social enterprise, where 85% of the ingredients get reimbursed and 15% donated to my clients. In turn, they donate to the college funds and some give generously. It has become a ‘Circle of Grace’ network where #graceupongrace show up as continued blessings.
Our days of taking care of our grandchildren are not easy. One demands resilience and flexibility. The youngest required yesterday to be held and to even have a warm body to take his nap. I also changed him so frequently that consciously to interact requires energy. With no teammate I could have not done it.
But we did, including hubby preparing and participating in a webinar that he had to skip breakfast. Then, he had to pick up our #princess2015la now in 2nd grade and I had to make dinner for all 3 of us. After, hubby did homework with our #princess2015la where everything is so easy for her.
We had a somewhat challenging evening as our granddaughter lost his dog to kidney failure. Bailey was our guest, my hubby’s exercise buddy who would run miles on a trail while they camped in the wilderness. Having Bailey allowed us peace, serenity, security plus playfulness. Our granddaughter was not a happy camper. She just wanted to be left alone yet she still interacted at dinner though unusually critical prickly.
I just bought Bailey his treats and now 2 bags of jerky are catching my attention and early morning tears.
We lost our buddy. His last days were hard on Bailey’s owners who lovingly altered his diet for a year and enabled him lesser stomach issues. Then, Bailey stopped eating and drinking. We all said our goodbyes and then the vet and another assistant did their jobs. As cleanly as it might seem, our sadness is so palpable.
I managed to make the #iylagranola and did it with more love. Is that even possible to give more love when you are grieving?
I found photos of Bailey. He was vibrant, lean, joyful and more. He likes all of us and fellow dogs he hang out with.
Happy day to all! May Bailey be in heaven to greet us when the time comes.
Jazz critic Roger Crane writes: “Like Mark Murphy whose singing he at times resembles, [Mon] David can swing you into bad health and then, turn around and break your heart with a ballad.”
“Mon David is no ordinary singer. He is an artist with the command of music theory, as well as an understanding of the larger socio-cultural/historical milieu that shape the songs he sings. And he’s humble and down to earth.” – Nonoy Alsaybar, Ph.D., retired teacher of music and a former violinist for the Manila Symphony Orchestra
These quotes describe the interior alignment of Mon David, synchronized within, to give his best to the decades-long craft of composing, making music, and singing jazz, a fusion of music theory and practice. But not without personal cost to his family time.
“When our four kids were toddlers, Mon was busy earning a living, doing shows with Apo Hiking Society, as their vocal coach, drummer and music arranger. They did shows around the Philippines and travelled around the world for a decade. He wasn’t able to devote as much time to the kids as he does now to our grandchildren. Mon is such a loving, caring and a very patient grandpa. ’Every child should feel the love and warmth of a grandparent,’” Mon’s wife Ann wrote to me.
David’s genius nurtured by parental harmony and by a caring ecosystem
Holy Angel University’s March 2023 Award to Mon David
There is no dissonance in what Mon does, as the Holy Angel University‘s vetting process, which included the university’s trustees, concluded how in early decades, Kapampangan songs were casually sung prior in school programs, in church hymns, liturgies, novena festivals, karaoke parties, and played in radios and streets and in pirated CDs.
Enter Mon David, “The Kapampangan equivalent of Elvis Presley,” who elevated the Kapampangan music to national and international stages of Japan, London and the United States, with high quality and sustained excellence. He was granted the Juan D. Nepomuceno Award for Cultural Award for Kapampangan Arts on March 8, 2023, the day after International Women’s Day, celebrated for and to elevate women’s rights around the world with Andy Alviz receiving the award on Mon’s behalf.
The award was named after Juan D. Nepomuceno, the Old Man Nepomuceno who literally built Pampanga, its electric plant, its subdivisions and even served as one of the presidents of Holy Angel University.
To be recognized in the same light as the award was named for, should guide one’s awareness that Mon David’s excellence is considered a strong pillar of cultural development in Pampanga, but also in the U.S. and around the world.
Today, Holy Angel University serves as a training incubator of academic excellence in Asean-based universities and has used technology and appropriate infrastructural building changes to provide current realities and simulations in different industries like hospitality, animation, digital arts, communications and more to prepare their thousands of students to be highly competitive in the real world.
Every human talent is influenced by both genes and experiences, writes Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., in “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.” much like Mon David. He grew up listening to his parents sing together.
“I did not see them fight,” Mon said. “Iinstead, I heard them sing a lot, I remember as early as five years old.”
Beyond ancestral genes and a caring ecosystem, Grit’s author describes 67 traits of geniuses, but synthesized grit as the combination of persistence of motive: working actively towards a definite goal, without seeking change, nor the tendency to abandon tasks from changeability, instead a degree of will and perseverance to stay the course and the passion to not abandon the task, in the face of obstacles and of course, the power of experiences, where grit is learned from overcoming struggles of climbing the mountain and after ascent of the summit after struggling, a confidence is gained to try something harder, something new.
Who other than his caring and loving spouse, Ann, would witness this evolution of grit through several decades in Pampanga, Manila, London and several countries in the world?
Ann described to me in a message at early dawn: ”Mon recorded ‘Himno Ning Capampangan’ which is considered the Kapampangan national anthem sung in schools and government institutions after the Philippine National Anthem, ‘Lupang Hinirang.’ He also recorded the now iconic ‘Kapampangan Ku!’ with the musical theater group ‘ArtiStaRita’ founded and directed by kabalen and friend Andy Alviz who wrote it and was one of the past recipients of this excellence award. Mon has also recorded several anthems like ‘Himno Ning Sto. Tomas’ (his hometown at Himno Ning Candaba. Three Kapampangan albums were made by Mon. This is while immersing himself in different genres (classics and jazz pop), all while nurturing his love for the Kapampangan language, songs, poetry which explains his latest CD, ‘Tagimpan’, poems that he transformed into songs.”
Mon’s jazz CD, “DNA (David Nelson Agreement),” released August 7, 2020, at the height of the pandemic, was a beautiful collaboration with Josh Nelson. The synchrony within Mon comes alive with Josh Nelson, and together they become a singular unit, not overtaking or swallowing one another, tackling life’s ascents and descents with their craft of creative musical expressions, making Roger Crane’s observations quoted above, so alive and so relevant, as Nonoy Alsaybar’s.
How many of us felt broken down by the pandemic that we seemed frozen, enumerating the deaths around us?
I was one of those, after nearly a 28-year career in the public health arena, where we believed one death was one too many and where urgency was our work response. Yet, I slowed down from submitting 52 articles in the last 12 years to 10 articles in the pandemic years as an Asian Journal columnist.
But, there’s no slowing down with Mon David!
Not this 2006 London International Vocal Jazz Competition winner, vesting this recognition, amongst a hundred singers who competed around the world.
Nor this 2017 Los Angeles City Council’s Recognized LA Living Jazz Giant.
Nor this March 2023’s Holy Angeles University’s Juan D. Nepomuceno Awardee for Excellence in Kapampangan Arts.
Dianne Reeves with Mon David at Jazz Excellence Awards at The Citadel
Seeking motivation to inspire and to keep his creative juices going, he sang Let Go, at JEXA Excellence Awards night on March 5, 2023, a stage he shared with five-time Grammy winners: Dianne Reeves who sang “I am all Smiles” and “Skylark” and received the JEXA Jazz Vocal Artist award, while Dionne Warwick handed 5 Young Artist Awardees: Kahlil Childs – alto sax; Alexander Flores – piano and tenor sax; Daniela Lopez – jazz vocalist; Taichi Okumura – alto sax; Kaman Richardson – percussionist and emerging artist award to Kenneth Brown.
At my dinner table was Daniela Lopez, a jazz vocalist winner, Antonia Bennett, daughter of the legendary Tony Bennett who inspired Mon David in his early musical career years, and my retired violinist friend, Nonoy Alsaybar, who performed as a backup orchestra to this icon singer in the 1970s, as a violinist for the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
When Mon got on stage, with Kevin van den Elzen and a 17-member VDE Big Band, with confidence and vigorous enthusiasm, he sang ‘Let Go’, music and lyrics he composed:
Let go of all your hang-ups
Let go of all your fears
Let go, now’s the time
Let go!
Let go of all ill feelings
Embrace all that is good
Let go, start your life anew
Well it’s about time you
stopped holding back
There’s no need to worry
‘bout what you may lack
Let go of all “I should
have…I could have done that”
It’s never too late my friend
Live your life, move on
Let go!
Uncommonly good man: Loyal to faith and family
In the music world, we hear addictions to drugs, alcohol, and womanizing.
Yet, in the jazz community that Mon lives in, there are no addictions nor sensationalized controversies.
Cathy Segal-Garcia in 2019, said, “Mon David is, as I‘ve always said, royalty. This human being is so huge and generous; he’s overwhelmingly deep and dear to me. And it comes through his music, and that is why people are so moved by him. He’s a consummate musician, dedicated and committed to art, quality and communication. His family and friends are the obvious result of him. He touches my heart, and I will always consider him one of my truest friends.”
The David family embodies love and friends’ support. Roy, a 72-year-old fan, lovingly calls himself Mon’s jazz wife, sometimes with Roy’s wife in attendance, watching Mon’s concerts, while some fans fly in from the Bay Area and sometimes, from Japan to watch him perform.
My classmates — Lolita (San Francisco), Elsa (Oceanside) and Natimarie (Chicago/Temecula) — recently traveled to watch Mon perform alongside his children, Nicole and Carlo.
Mon sang a trio with his children, at Gardenia in Hollywood, where their rendition of Joey Ayala’s “Walang Hanggang Paalam (Never Ending Goodbye)” symbolic of forever love, got us sobbing. They dedicated it to Linda Rozales, 71, our high school classmate at St. Rita College, who recently died.
Jazz critic Roger Crane writes: “Like Mark Murphy, whose singing he at times resembles, David can swing you into bad health and then, turn around and break your heart with a ballad.”
Mon has that “heartbreaking” effect as an authentic performer fused in dedication to his God, his faith, and his beautiful family, sweet and loving wife Ann, with four children (Paolo, Nicole, Carlo and Mika), to include five grandchildren. If you include their spouses and partners, 16 are tightly woven in play, walking trails, playing puzzles, watching concerts together, and celebrating every family member’s milestones, including an upcoming wedding of Mika to Dallas.
I particularly love the twins: Nico and Leo, just 5 ½ years old, both quietly paid attention to their mom, Nicole and their uncle, Carlo sing at “Siblings Revelry.” When I asked Nico how he felt watching them, he said: ”I loved it.”
Especially endearing was catching Jake, Nicole’s husband, with adoration and smiles, watching Nicole sing.
Lolita, the grandmother and matriarch (Ann is Lolita’s daughter), asked to pose with me for a photo. After, she shared that she is filled with joy watching her children and grandchildren perform, supportive of one another. “I admire how they all get along.”
Like a well-tuned orchestra in harmony, all the component chords of the David family are well-adjusted to the frequencies of sounds and they are all on pitch!
My nephews did a great job of remodeling their midcentury house into a model home with most spaces utilized. They are now my pro bono design consultants for a house project. They have great synergy of input, improvements, creativity and they verbalize what’s in my heart and mind. My heart says yes to their inputs! They bring light and joyful energy to Sunday morning brunch.
I made blueberry pancakes that look like crepes but light and flavorful with blueberries, bacon glazed lightly with maple syrup, fresh fruits of grapes, strawberries and dragon fruit, Pinoy fruit salad and a frittata with leeks, mushrooms, red pepper and cabbage.
My nephews requested a light simple breakfast. Thank you so much J and J!
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.
