|
By Rome Jorge, Lifestyle Editor
In Barangay Tala, at the heart of northern
Caloocan, a place resiliently provincial in these mad modern times,
is a shop no different from the common sari-sari store. But shade
yourself from the tropical glare, peer inside its iron trellis and
you will see neither stocks of canned goods nor shelves of snacks.
Instead of breads and buns, rows of violins hang from the rafters.
Instead of soft drink banners, posters of violins plaster the walls.
Come inside and you will find that the humble home is clogged by a
tumble of violin cases, a few hulking double basses as well as
bandurias and guitars. On the counter facing the trellis window and
street outside is a veritable operating room for violins with
various tools strewn about. Wood lathes and other heavy equipment
crowd the shack.
Angelito Mirano Gabote, known as Mang Anghel to
his clientele, is truly a Godsend to Filipino violinists. He is one
of just a handful of violinmakers in the Philippines. His prices are
just and affordable. His quality is topnotch.
As with any artisan, his clientele speaks of his
renown: Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kabayao family, Jay
Cayuca, the music departments of the University of Santo Tomas,
International School, De La Salle University and College of Saint
Scholastica to name a few. The Kabayao family has even entrusted him
to repair a rare Stradivarius violin.
For Gabote, crafting musical instruments is in
the blood. Besides violins, he crafts, repairs and maintains
guitars, bandurias, cellos, master bases and double bases. His
father Juan learned the trade from Cebu, an island famous for its
finely crafted guitars. His brothers continue the same profession in
the island of Mindoro.
Going a step further than his father and his
brothers, the 57-year-old Gabote apprenticed under European-trained
Amador Tamayo for 17 years and underwent a one-year workshop under
Lyric International. He has been making violins on his own for the
last six years.
Though admittedly no virtuoso, Gabote can play
reasonably well all the kinds of instruments he crafts. It is a
requirement for his line of work. “A craftsman must have an ear
for music,” he demands. He adds that violinmakers need to have a
background in woodcarving.
His only daughter, 18-year-old Angeline, is also
learning her father’s craft, though he admits he has his doubts if
this is a proper future for his daughter. “It is hard work,
especially for girl, to carve wood, especially for larger
instruments such as the bass. It takes strength. But then again, it
does not matter if you are a man or a woman, as long as it’s your
passion. They say female violinmakers are more meticulous,” he
explains. For her part, his wife Evelyn helps him navigate the
Internet to purchase online on their family computer the finest
German Maplewood from Hamburg and other quality raw materials he
uses for his violins.
The makings of a fine instrument
He advices those wishing to purchase a violin:
“They have to know the ability of the person playing.” There are
violin for novices and masters, varying greatly in material and
craftsmanship. Additionally, there are violin sizes for children as
well. Today, his most affordable violins cost P30,000, while his
finest works cost P60,000. “The difference is in the craftsmanship
and the quality of the wood used,” he explains.
He notes that, aside from the brilliance and
richness of the music it produces, the finest violin possess bodies
built with first class Maplewood that have deep and rich flame
patterns on its grain. Even the kind of wood used on a violin’s
pegs determines its reliability; those made with rosewood do not
distort with changes in humidity. Quality can be measured as well; a
premium violin’s fine craftsmanship shows in its lighter weight.
To care for one’s violin, he advices paying
particular attention to changes in humidity that can warp wood and
damage varnish. “When in very damp weather, put some silica gel
packets in the violin case. In very dry weather a damp cloth will
do,” he recommends. One should make a habit of opening one’s
violin case in a room, preferably air-conditioned, to let the
instrument inside “breathe.” Some premium violin cases have
built in hygrometers to measure humidity. Never place violins in
direct sunlight or places of extreme heat such as a car trunk.
Quality string and bows matter greatly as well.
One should never touch the horsehairs of one’s bows, rub it
frequently with rosin and unloosen its tension knob before storage.
With Angelito Gabote, we have one among a rare
handful violin makers you can trust to craft are repair quality
violins affordably.
For details regarding Angelito Gabote and his
products and services, call 496-6928, 0910-3270791 or visit his shop
at 15 San Isidro Street, Tala, Caloocaan City.
|
