Pumanaw na ang National Artist for Music nominee at well-known violinist na si Gilopez Kabayao sa edad na 94 nitong Sabado, Oktubre 12.
Inanunsyo ito ng kaniyang asawang si Corazon Kabayao sa pamamagitan ng isang Facebook post.
Ani Corazon, pumanaw si Gilopez noong Sabado sa kanilang lugar sa Iloilo City matapos ang “brief illness.”
“The heavens must be rejoicing to welcome another child of God, a committed follower of Jesus Christ who spoke of His blessings in a most powerful way through the gift of music, bringing the soaring melodies of his Stradivarius violin wherever people cared to listen. The precious legacy of the Philippines’ violin virtuoso and musical crusader, GILOPEZ KABAYAO, has inspired thousands to love and appreciate beautiful Filipino and classical music and his virtuosity on the violin has brought singular honor and prestige to the Philippines,” ani Corazon.
Bitoy, ibinahagi ang mensahe sa likod ng 'Hilaw'
“After more than seven decades of sharing his music propelled by the generosity of spirit that he so selflessly gave to his audience from all walks of life, the curtain now closes on this artist with a mission,” dagdag niya.
Base sa ulat ng Manila Bulletin, si Gilopez ang pinaniniwalaang kauna-unahang Pinoy na tumugtog sa prestihiyosong Carnegie Hall sa New York City sa edad lamang na 19-anyos.
Pagkatapos nito, nakapag-perform na rin siya hindi lamang sa iba’t ibang dako ng Pilipinas kundi maging sa iba’t ibang mga siyudad sa Europe, North America, at Asya.
Iginawad din sa violinist ang 1972 Ramon Magsaysay Awards at 1969 Presidential Award of Merit.
Dahil sa kaniyang naging malaking kontribusyon sa musika, nito lamang ding 2024 nang i-nominate ng Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) si Gilopez para sa Order of National Artist.
