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A Fitting Gift to Bohol Island State University
By Loy Palapos

      The Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown takes another bow today to celebrate the 24th anniversary of Alturas Supermarket Corporation, the superstore that revolutionized the grocery wholesale and retail business in the Province of Bohol and the City of Tagbilaran. Now on its 22nd year, the Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown takes center stage as it entertains more than 30, 000 people who line up the streets and queue to the CPG Sports Complex to witness “The Greatest Show in Town”. With 18 contingents coming from the Visayas and Mindanao, today won’t just be an ordinary day.

      One man who is persistently pursued the objectives of the Showdown is Mr. Lorenzo Sarigumba, Dean of Cultural Affairs of the Bohol Island State University. A casual meeting with the gifted musician and mentor at the Island City Mall last Wednesday, November 18, ended with this interview.   
LMP: How long have you been involved in music? When and how did you   know you have musical talent?

LTS: I was involved in music during my elementary grades. It was then when  my father, who is a musician, taught me how to sing the solfeo. A Solfeo  is the basic learning of note reading and singing. I learned that I have  talent

   in music during my secondary days in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary when my fellow seminarians considered me a musician because I can read notes very well and can accompany them with their songs using guitar or keyboards during masses, music practices and  leisure times.

LMP: What did you do to nurture your musical talent?

LTS: I do not hesitate to help anybody who needs my services, like composing and arranging songs and being an accompanist during big activities, where Music is involved. I also did self-studies on almost all musical instruments. It has been my passion, not just an inclination. I enjoy  music. Music is a part of my life.

LMP: What makes the Municipality of Loboc conducive to musical development?

LTS: Because of the musical talents handed down from generation to  generation, Loboc now is considered the musical capital of Bohol. Loboc is  great in playing musical instruments, great in choir singing and great when

Music is involved. In these recent years, there existed plenty of  talented musicians who served as trainors. This is also being taken care of by the Loboc Music Foundation, some friends and benefactors that help in acquiring different kinds of wind instruments to be used by our young potential musicians. The Loboc Music Foundation initiates Music Education from note-reading up to playing musical instruments to all interested children, for free.

LMP: How long have you been associated with CVSCAFT/ BISU? What are the  subjects you have taught so far?

LTS: I started my teaching career in BISU, formerly CVSCAFT, on November  15, 1987. I taught P.E., Music, Philosophy and some Masteral Arts  Subjects. Then I was designated as the Dean of Cultural Affairs from 2003  up to the present. I am also given the task as the Director of Sports and  Cultural Affairs of the entire BISU system. I am also the trainor of the  school’s all-student band and the drum and bugle corps.

LMP: The “Alturas Dance and Bugle Corps Showdown” started in 1987. Were  you already involved in the first competition? What was your role?

LTS: I was not yet involved in the first competition since I just starting teaching  but I already witnessed BSAT as the champion during the 1st competition.  I remember it was Mrs. Grace Chiu who acted as the trainor and  choreographer.

LMP: Did you win in your first Showdown? What was your feeling?

LTS: I was assigned as trainor of the DBC in 1989. It was my first taste of  being a champion. It was a great feeling because I had given fame and honor to the school.

LMP: The Showdown has been on for 22 years. How many times did you win  the Championship Trophy? What effect did these winnings have on you?

LTS: The school won 12 times in this Alturas DBC. Honestly speaking, I  consider myself one of the great trainors of Drum and Bugle Corps and I  am known not only in the Visayas but also in Mindanao. Lots of schools  are asking for my services as trainor of their Drum and Bugle Corps. It’s  unfortunate that I don’t have enough time to accommodate all requests.

LMP: How about your students? Did these championships have a positive effect  on them? In what particular ways?

LTS: My students are very proud of themselves because not all schools can  have this achievement. They are proud they study in BSAT, CVSCAFT, now BISU. It is always a wholesome feeling to be a part of a winning  team.

LMP: Of the many prize winning performances your Corps made in the past,  which one is most unforgettable for you? Why?

LTS: I remember one instance when BSAT won the competition with only myself and my son, Rex Anthony Sarigumba as the trainor and choreographer. The father-son combination developed farther our aesthetic sense, but most important was the bonding we had.

LMP: I know that you love music. How about your students, especially the  Corps members? Do they imbibe the love of music and learn fast under your tutelage?

LTS: By the time I was the trainor of DBC in 1987 up to 2007, it was a great  surprise on my part as trainor to observe the instrumentalists learn very  fast. I kept on asking myself the reason why they are such, until after I  deliberated that maybe it was because the members of the DBC are a  congregation of screened students who are intelligent, disciplined and  respectful. These members are not really musicians. They started with no  knowledge in Music but because of these traits mentioned, they learned  fast. And perhaps, the method I see is effective.

LMP: What problems have you encountered in imparting the love and  knowledge of music to your students? How do you solve these problems?

LTS: So far, I have not encountered any major problems in imparting love and  knowledge of music to my student. I feel lucky in this situation.

LMP: Name the advantages CVSCAFT / BISU has over the other participants of  the Showdown.

LTS: Being near the contest venue, our school has a great edge over the other contingents because it is very easy for us to transport all our needed backdrops, handyprops and all other paraphernalia to the Garcia complex which is the venue of the competition. Besides, I am not the only one involved in training the students. We have a team coming from different disciplines who share their knowledge.

LMP: As per your observation, what have your students learned by being  members of your Drum and Bugle Corps?

LTS: My DBC members have learned the spirit of camaraderie, patience, and  endurance, respect and love to other members and to the school. Some  members who are also inclined to Music and were considered some of the  active members are now already hired as trainors of other school DBCs.  Some members also who are not anymore connected with the school still  exhibit their interest by forming another corps who becomes popular not  only in the city of Tagbilaran and Bohol also outside the province of Bohol.  They call themselves as the Pentagon. This is a legacy I feel so honored  to be a part of. We mentors don’t stay forever. Others must take over,  and it

         is happening.

LMP: What happens if a member of your group neglects his classes in favor of  being a part of the Corps, thereby neglecting his academic pursuits?

LTS: The administration sees to it that the members of the DBC will not neglect their classes. We schedule our practices during Saturdays. The Deans of the different department only grant these members to practice rigidly one week before the competition. We never run out of focus, in so far as  the student’s goals concerned.

LMP: What about the other members of the Faculty who are not involved in any  aspect of the Corps, are they supportive?

LTS: The school has spent thousands of pesos for this competition. In as much  as the school participated in this activity, all are in full support; even those  teachers who are not directly involved.

LMP: How about the administration? Do you have problems with some  administrators regarding your Drum and Bugle Corps?

LTS: The administration, especially the SUC President Dr. Elpidio T. Magante, the

         College Director, Fernando Restificar, the Dean of Instructions, Dr.  Regucivilla A. Bobar, the Administrative Officer, Dr. Trinidad A. Castolo,  the Academic Deans, Prof. Ambrocio Orillos, Dr. Zina Sayson, Dr.  Lilibeth Castil, Dr. Aida Casas and other deans of the different  departments

         are all supportive in this activity. I have no problem with any  of them.

LMP: How about you, how does the Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown  affect your profession as a Teacher? As a Musician?

LTS: As a consistent champion of the Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown, this helps in my promotion; because in SUC (State Universities and Colleges) achievements count much. I became a very popular musician. Nobody buys popularity. It happens to people with talents.

LMP: Do you believe that this annual Showdown should go on? Why?

LTS: I belive that this annual showdown should go on. On the part of the  Alturas Group of Companies, it is one way of showing or letting the  community feel that the company is expressing social responsibility. It is  considered such because the proceeds of this will go to the people who  are in need of financial help.

LMP: As far as youth development is concerned, do you believe the Showdown  is effective? Why?

LTS: It is very effective as far as youth development is concerned because it  helps our students not to be involved in drugs and other bad influences  because they keep themselves busy by practicing. We can encourage  students to become musicians. There are those who didn’t know they  have

         inclination to music, until they join the Corps.

LMP: Do you expect to win again in the 22nd “Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps  Showdown”?

LTS: We have spent much, we have prepared much, and we sacrificed much,  so it is our wish to win again. With God’s blessings, of course!

      Mr. Lorenzo Sarigumba stands alone as a pillar in fostering the development of students through the Drum and Bugle Corps. He understands that whatever talent an individual has, should be enhanced and shared. God has given a person talent that should be used for His greater glory. A man with talent should be grateful he has been singled out to possess it. But it should not be for himself alone, nor should it be utilized for evil purposes. Nor abused.

      The Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown, now on its 22nd year, is a part of his being an individual and a professional. The Showdown has become a showcase for his and his students talents, intelligence, and wisdom. Winning in the Showdown this afternoon would be his fitting gift to BISU (Bohol Island State University) as the institution soars high in its mission to untie technological knowledge to its students, and graduate productive professionals in a highly competitive world. 

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