Ang Kalatas Volume V June 2015 Independence Day Special Edition | Page 25

made up mostly of senior citizens. The achievements
were just remarkable: that includes a performance at the
Sydney Opera House and being awarded Resident Artists
of the Blacktown Arts Centre to name a few.
“It’s hard to believe but it’s a dream come true,” says
Tita Loy about their Opera House concert.
“My goal at first with this choir was just to enjoy
music with my peers, our own barkada, the retirees. But
unknowingly and surprisingly along the way, we just
found ourselves entertaining and recording our own
repertoire.”
Retired but not tired, they roll on with their serenades.
They are ready to give their own ‘Pamana’ – the title of six
CDs of over 60 musical arrangements by Tita Loy herself
(so far they’ve done 20). The choir is already booked for at
least six performances until next month.
sic.
They are also giving more than their music.
ntre,
“As Resident Artists of Blacktown Arts Centre,
whatever project they have, we are part of
it. We were blessed to use its theatre to put
or
up concerts to raise over 150,000.00 pesos for
Typhoon Haiyan victims to buy six fishing
boats marked, computers and printers for
recipient schools and some other items,”
Tita Loy lived in Cagayan in northern
Luzon before their family migrated to
Australia in 1987. Her husband Efren
hails from Batac, Ilocos Norte and they are
blessed with two sons, three grandchildren.
Her husband has been very supportive to
er
her and handles the group’s sounds and other
s.
technical requirements in their performances.
m
She says music must be in her genes from
her paternal side. During her early years as a
he
teacher in the Philippines, her superiors in the
Department of Education saw her potential
in music and gave her the opportunity to be
involved in the National Music Competition
for Young Artists (NMCYA). As a national
he
champion in 1983 at the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, she was sent as a scholar to do
her masters majoring in Music Arrangement
and Composition at the Philippine Women’s
University.

ANG KALATAS

Offstage and away from musical instruments and
recording sessions, Tita Loy is into planting vegies,
sewing, bonding with the grandkids, catching time with
friends, and yes, as one good Ilocana, making that great
Ilocano dish – Pinakbet.
Apart from being one of the coordinators of the
Ilocano Association of Australia, she is currently the VP of
the Sydney Australian Filipino Seniors Inc (SAFSI).
“it’s really my joy to share my passion without
expecting anything in return,” she says.