Goldenberg Concert Series XIV : Songs my Mother taught me

The Office of the Social Secretary is proud to present the fourteenth installment from the Goldenberg Concert Series featuring decorated and renowned artists : Mr. Alfonso Encina, Mr. Charmers Bersaba, Mr. Clartrome Jacalan, Mr. Michael Estrella, Mr. Randolf Lopez, Ms. Sara Maria Gonzales & Mr. Rudolf Golez.

Alfonso Encina started his violin lessons when he was 11 years old under Ernesto Isagan, in his hometown, in Leyte.  In 2010, he became a member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra while studying at the St. Scholastica’s College School of Music where he is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Music; String Pedagogy.  He is a licensed professional teacher and has participated in Suzuki Teacher Trainings and Workshops  facilitated by the Philippine Suzuki Association and Korea Suzuki Association.  He is a faculty member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra Music Academy and the Philippine Research for the Development of Instrumental Soloists [ PREDIS ].

Charmers Bersaba started as a young Suzuki Violin student of Mr. Homer Ilao in Laguna before studying at Saint Paul University under Proceso Yusi.  He graduated in 2023 as a violin student of Jeffrey Solares, and afterwards, shifted to the viola and became part of the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra [ MSJO ] where he was able to tour various European countries and won the Grand Prix at the Bratislava International Youth Music Festival and 1^st Prize at the Summa Cum Laude International Music Competition. At present, he is in the viola section of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

Clartrome Jacalan is a cellist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra and the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra [ MSJO ] and was part of the award-winning tour group in 2018 and 2024.  Hailing from Cagayan de Oro City, he started as a cello scholar of Lourdes College Strings before proceeding to study at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music with the degree of Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance under Arnold Josue, where he graduated cum laude in 2024.  He was a prize-winner of the 2023 National Music Competitions for Young Artists [ NAMCYA ] and has attended masterclasses with Claus Kanngeiser from Germany and from Victor Coo from Taiwan.

Michael Estrella has been a French horn player of the Manila Symphony Orchestra  [ MSO ] since 2014 and is currently the principal of the horns section.  Over the years,      he has showcased his talent in a wide range of performances—including gala concerts, ballet productions, outreach programs, and both national and international tours. He has been recognized for performances and competitions such as :

• Featured soloist of the MSO concert series in April 2022, performing Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3 under Maestro Marlo Chen
• First runner-up at the Philippine Horn Society’s First Leopoldo Lopez Horn Competition in 2020
• Second place winner in individual Brass–French Horn/Mellophone Open Class, Asian Virtual Championships in 2020, the grandest marching band virtual competition in Asia
• Performed in MSO’s first international concert at the 5^th Hunhe River Bank Symphony Art Festival, held at the Shenyang Grand Theater in Shenyang, China in 2019
• Regular performer in MSO gala concerts and ballet production
• Participated in the MSO Visayas Concert Tour and the Candon Music Festival

Randolf Lopez is the principal clarinetist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra [ MSO ] and has been a member of the MSO since 2001.  He has performed with the orchestra in its gala concerts, special concerts, productions, and tours, including MSO’s first international concert tour in the 5^th Hunhe River Bank Symphony Art Festival held at the Grand Shengjing Theater, Shenyang, China in 2019.  In 2010, Randolf was the featured soloist at the premiere of Sonata for clarinet organ during the renowned Bamboo Organ Festival.  He was also the clarinet soloist in the same festival in 2006. Aside from his work in MSO, Randolf has been the associate conductor of Banda San Jose since 1996 and the band conductor and mentor of Statefield School Inc. since 2001.  He was the band instructor of the Mary Immaculate Parish Band from 2002 to 2010.  He also plays for the Pasay City Symphonic Band.

Sara Maria Gonzales, a talented violinist and concertmaster of the Manila Symphony Orchestra and a faculty member of the MSO Music Academy and the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music.  Her accolades include the following :

• First place winner for Solo Violin Category C of Quarteto Espressivo in 2008
• First place winner in Chamber Music as part of Quarteto Espressivo in 2005
• Winning multiple times in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists [ NAMCYA ]
• First place winner as a lead member of the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra [ MSJO ] at the 12^th Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival in Vienna

She is a regular guest faculty at Korea Suzuki Association music camps and is a regular guest musician of the Sun Symphony Orchestra in Hanoi, Vietnam. She is also a sought after violin teacher with several prize-winning students under her care.

Rudolf Golez began his musical journey at the age of four, taking piano lessons from his mother.  At 13, he went to Juilliard School in New York to study under Seymour Lipkin.  By the age of 17, he made his orchestral debut with the Manila Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Sergio Esmilla. Later on, he continued his training in Graz, Austria, and finally graduated with a Master’s degree in Music from the University of the Philippines.  Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards in international piano competitions and has performed extensively around the world.  Notable highlights of his career include :

• Prize winner at the First ASEAN Chopin International Competition in Malaysia
• Special performance for the then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos at the Coconut Palace
• Featured soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra [ PPO ] and the Manila Symphony Orchestra [ MSO ]
• Concert performances across the Philippines, Australia, China, and the United States.

Currently, Rudolf Golez serves as the Vice President for Cultural Affairs at  Liceo de Cagayan University.

The beautiful concert took place on the 2^nd of May 2025, at the majestic Goldenberg Mansion.  The show had two sets with a special audience from various educational institutions at 2pm and 5pm.

The 2pm show welcomed musically inclined students from Technological University of the Philippines, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, BAMA Music School, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, University of Santo Tomas, Unibersidad de Manila, and Tondo High School.

The students were left in awe of the highly esteemed and decorated group of musicians whose long list of musical accolades were on full display.  They enjoyed the stellar performances held at the enchanting Goldenberg Mansion.