The Canberra Reprter The Canberra Reporter APRIL2017 | Page 3

2017 THE CANBERRA REPORTER | 3
‘Come back to inspire
the band in any capacity’
COVER STORY
Roy Ramirez
shows his form
as the former
conductor and
founding member
of Rondanihan.
SOME SAY FOUNDER MAY HAVE LEFT TOO SOON
By MARILIE
BOMEDIANO
THE founder and former conductor of
Rondanihan may have left the Filipino
string band too soon - and many mem-
bers would agree.
The lovable Roy Ramirez, who
formed with his wife Dolly what Fili-
pinos know as a “rondalla” in 2002,
named the string band ‘Rondanihan’.
After serving seven years as Rondani-
han’s conductor, Ramirez retired “to
give others a chance to lead and con-
tribute as I did in my capacity”
It was time, he said.
The multi-talented maestro has dab-
bled in everything from music as a
singer and instrumentalist to commu-
nity service as president of the Filipino
Brotherhood Association of Australia;
in sports playing basketball and tenpin
bowling; and membership in a Catho-
lic church choir as he earned a living as
the family’s breadwinner.
He also worked in a call centre, also
as a timber yard foreman with Bun-
nings and went into business as a book
disrtributor.
Ramirez earned a university diploma
in drafting technology and a degree in
architecture in the Philippines
Today he works in Canberra’s Parlia-
ment House as a CAD (computer aided
design) and documentation officer.
“In am happy to say that all mem-
bers of my family work for the Federal
government in Canberra: my wife at
with Department of Human Services,
my eldest and youngest sons with the
Department of Defence, my daughter
with the Department of Industry, and
my son-in-law with the Department of
Immigration and Border Protection.
Ramirez can count as one of his
strongest supporters the current
president of Rondanihan, Ian Bull,
who said he would welcome the
founder’s return.
“Roy’s good, very good for Ron-
danihan,” Bull said.
A former band member, who still
has his children playing with Ron-
danihan, said the Ramirez was not
only good at conducting but also
Rondanihan’s inspiring spirit.
Ramirez was born in Kibawe,
Bukidnon, Mindanao, the second
child of four siblings. His father died
when Ramirez was four. He was raised
by his grandparents, and went to St
Vincent’s College before moving to
Manila.
The Ramirez family emigrated to
Australia in 1991. n
n Younger musicians of
Rondanihan at rehearsal.
VISUAL ARTS
With a touch of Filipino culture
By GLORIA
ROSS
IN A huge feature display area
of the one of the world’s best art
galleries, the National Gallery of
Australia, in Canberra, Rodel
Tapaya (pictured) from the
Philippines drew a large crowd
of art critics and members of the
general public with his own art
on Saturday, March 18.
Tapaya’s artworks have gained
renown and critical acclaim,
winning awards in several
regional art contests and exposure
in international exhibitions.
His art provocatively brings to
life Filipino cultural history as
well as contemporary life and
issues, both at the forefront of
the Filipino mind and also go to
the core of a Filipino’s spiritual,
cultural and mythical beliefs.
n Pictures on page 5
COMMUNITY
Event explores the wonders
of Filipino women weavers
PHILIPPINE FABRICS AND ACCESSORIES GO ON SHOW
A CELEBRATION of Philippine fabrics
and accessories took place at an exclusive
club on Forster Crescent, Yarralumla, on
March 14.
On display were an attractive collection
of Philippine fabrics and accessories of the
embassy’s staff minister Nina Cainglet.
The exhibit paid tribute to the art and
resilience of weavers and artisans among
Filipino women.
From pre-colonial times, the Filipino
weavers
have
been
transforming
indigenous fibres like abaca, pineapple and
banana into fabrics of unique beauty and
global appeal.
Across generations of women from north
to south of the Philippine archipelago, they
have woven their lives, livelihood and
dreams with their culture and history.
They have also begun using weaving to
respond to natural disasters.
Ambassador Minda Calaguian-Cruz
gave a talk on the history and culture of
Philippine weaving over afternoon tea he
Filipino community and member