Cipriano “ Zip ” de Guzman is well-travelled , as he is in pursuit of music excellence in all parts of the world . From the Philippines to Japan , the US , Canada and soon to Spain , de Guzman pursues music with passion and fervour , and hopes to improve his art as he travels .

De Guzman recently performed a concert in Vancouver for the Philippine Nurses Association and the victims of the Marawi siege , and PNT had a chance to talk to him about his pursuits .

PNT : Where were you before coming to Vancouver ?

De Guzman : I was pursuing a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at the Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima , Japan under baritone Hiroharu Orikawa . I received a scholarship grant from the Loyola Memorial Scholarship and Catholic University Scholarship .

PNT : What is the extent of your education in music ?

De Guzman : I finished my Bachelor ’ s Degree in Communication Arts at the University of the East Manila as an Academic Scholar , then pursued my MA . I hold three bachelor degrees : BA in Communication Arts from University of the East ; and Bachelor in Music Education , Voice Emphasis minor in Piano , cum laude , and Bachelor in Music in Vocal Performance minor in Choral Conducting , cum laude , from University of Santo Tomas . I am on my way to Barcelona

, Spain for another series of studies .

PNT : Have you brushed up on your Spanish yet ?

De Guzman : ( Smiles and chuckles ) I am trying to get my Catalan straight , but it ’ s still in progress !

PNT : Did you perform in Japan while you were there ?

De Guzman : Yes , in fact I had series of concerts in November at Hiroshima International House Festival , and l also performed at Sanata Dharma University in Indonesia , representing the Elisabeth University of Music . In March 2017 , I was in the role of Schaunard in Puccini ’ s “ La Boheme ” staged by the Hiroshima City Opera .

PNT : Was music part of your life growing up ?

De Guzman : Yes . My exposure to music began when he joined a church chorale group in Pasig as a young boy . Choosing music as a

career path was not easy for me because my family was reluctant to support him since a life of music often meant minimal earnings and lack of financial stability , but my parents saw my love for music , the gift of talent combined with hard work , and they finally let me pursue music .

PNT : How did your love for the opera develop ?

De Guzman : After I earned my degrees , there were limited opportunities for me in the Philippines , so , I went abroad and was able to land a key role in the opera , “ Carmen ”, in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia . My role as ‘ Escamillio ’ was well received and exposed me to the world stage .

PNT : How did you come to Canada ?

De Guzman : My first visit to Canada was in 2012 as a member of the Manila

Chamber Singers when we competed for the XV Kathaumixw International Choral Competition in Powell River , British Columbia . I was the vocal coach and chorister of his group , and we won two 1st places for Contemporary and Folklore , and a 2nd place in the Mixed Category . I was also the only Asian finalist contestant at the open category of the Vocal Solo in the competition . In June 2014 , I came back to Canada for concerts sponsored by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver . These were held during the celebration of the Philippine Independence month .

PNT : And now you are on your way to New York ? And Barcelona ?

De Guzman : Yes . I won the first prize , opera category , in the 7th American Protégé International Vocal Competition last June . Part

of my prize is to participate in the winners ’ concert to be held at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall in New York City on Dec . 17 . After that , I ’ m on my way to Barcelona after a short stay in the Philippines .

PNT : Being so well travelled , do you think you ’ ll ever settle in one of the countries you visited ?

De Guzman : I ’ m not sure yet . I love the Philippines . I do some work there , in particular hosting Concert at the Park , but there is so much opportunity for musicians like me abroad . We ’ ll see where this leads me .

De Guzman is truly a figure to watch in the world of opera and classical music . With determination and passion for the art , we are certain he will succeed in anything he pursues . We hope we see more of him in Vancouver soon .

Cipriano “ Zip ” De Guzman Jr . performed to raise money for the Philippine Nurses Association ( PNA ) and the victims of the Marawi siege . The project was made through Tribu Productions . Cliff Belgica , producer of Tribu , says it was not difficult to ask de Guzman to perform for Vancouver .

“ He told me he was on his way to New York to perform at the winners ’

concert to be held at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall in New York City slated on Dec . 17 ,” Belgica shares . De Guzman won the first prize , opera category , in the 7th American Protégé International Vocal Competition last June .

De Guzman got the second prize ( vocal category ) in the 10th Yokohama International Music Competition at the Tokyo Gotanda Cultural Center last

August . The baritone also got the special prize in 8th Tokyo International Vocal Competition held at Tokyo Sunny Hill on Oct . 10 . De Guzman is on his way to Barcelona , Spain , to study more music .

“ When I told him what the concert was for , he immediately said yes , and told me he will perform for the fund raiser ,” Belgica explains . Belgica says that the PNA asked for help because

despite the end of the siege in Marawi City , the nurses there still do not have homes or a hospital to serve in , as the hospitals there are still in disrepair from the war . “ I had thought of this project as a start for more projects next year to help the nurses and Marawi , in general .”

The concert was held at St . Michael ’ s Anglican Church on East Broadway in Vancouver . Accompanying

de Guzman was UBC pianist Hannah Han .

Belgica says Tribu Productions will have more concerts lined up for 2018 to raise awareness and funds for Philippine disasters and war-torn areas .

“ I hope that the Filipino community can help alleviate the lives of our countrymen who are in dire need of our prayers and assistance ,” Belgica adds .