BY far, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the only president I know who has made special mention of directing more attention to the creative industries and culture. It was heartening to watch his interview with Ms. Toni Gonzaga on YouTube last week.

He also mentioned the accompanying jobs that go with events production — the drivers, the crews, equipment suppliers, who have all suffered immensely from the drastic loss of jobs, especially during the pandemic.

Anywhere you go, there is a Filipino musician. I know so.

His keen understanding of the plight of culture and cultural workers must have been the product of:

– His mother’s deep appreciation of culture and the arts;

– His sister Irene’s exposure to the performing arts;

– His sister Imee’s legislative support for culture; and

– His own personal exposure to music as a teenager.

No one can deny that culture took the front seat during his parents’ term as president and first lady. Classical music, both foreign and local, also enjoyed a huge success during this golden age of Philippine music. Whether everyone agrees or not, it is a fact that Original Pilipino Music flourished during this time, by both supporters and critics. I love Florante’s “Handog.”

It was my good luck that I personally witnessed the performances of various symphony orchestras. I had the opportunity of training with world-class conductors like Jiri Starek as well as our very own professors/ violinists/conductors Billy Manalo, Sergio Esmilla Sr., composer Lucio San Pedro, Col. Antonino Buenaventura, Prof. Rizal Reyes, Prof. Rizalina Buenaventura, the UP String Quartet and Maestro Oscar Yatco.

We were the pioneering group of the well-respected Philippine Youth Orchestra.

We had exhaustive cultural exchanges with our Asean counterpart musicians at the then newly built National Arts Center in Mount Makiling, our major venue for serious music workshops and international exchanges. The culmination — a combined selection of musicians from Asia (Australia included) collectively known as the Asian Youth Orchestra, the crème de la crème of youth orchestras.

From classical pianists like Van Cliburn, to popular composers Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini, The Lettermen (no space to mention the hundreds), the Philippines was a popular music destination that boosted tourism as well.

I am glad that Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco recognizes the potential of culture in promoting the country.

Many of our neighboring countries had earlier started utilizing this creative component and have come out with multimillion revenues. The Filipino artist is a big force to reckon with. Given the right programming, success is a guaranteed outcome of this endeavor.

The President’s sister Irene trained at the UP College of Music. She still supports many cultural groups and orchestras, and is one of the most quiet, low-key supporters that I know of.

In the mid-1970s and early 1980s, I was at the peak of my musical undertakings.

Together with musicians who had the same passion for music, we set out to conquer the hotel circuit, landing a long-term engagement at the Hyatt Hotel’s Calesa Bar on Roxas Boulevard.

The President, then a young student, would be something of a weekend fixture in the audience with his close friends. And he would join us on stage and sing songs with us (he sings Jim Croce’s “Operator” quite well, I must say) and there would be times when he would bring his flute and jam with us.

Then EDSA happened, and we missed the Marcos children for many years. I imagined the exile must have been really tough on them. And when they finally were able to return to the Philippines, the times that I would see them, they were still the same, albeit older now and more mature in the sense that they understood and accepted the harsh reality, with graciousness and dignity.

Ate Imee ventured into politics, and we worked together for the passage of the Optical Media Law. Irene’s name would come up in many fundraisers for musicians.

And when former senator Bongbong entered the political arena, I knew that he was good presidential material. It was quite eerie that he had the mannerisms of his father in public speaking, even the gestures and the voice! The rare times that we talked, I determined this man to be a very kind person without any rancor whatsoever. Of course, it helped that we are a few years apart (I am three years older, belated happy birthday, sir!) so we more or less spoke the same language generationally. And I cannot forget what he told me when we were reminiscing with old friends — “John, I have grown up, we all have grown up. Those were the good old days and now it’s time to be responsible.”

And so I know our country is in good hands.

I wish you the best, Mr. President.