(13 June 2024, Jakarta) - The Philippine Embassy and Sentro Rizal Jakarta, in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Gitanada School of Music, successfully hosted a guitar masterclass and workshop featuring Mr. Jeffrey Malazo and Ms. Jenny De Vera also known as the LakBai Guitar Duo on 13 June 2024 at the Gitanada School of Music.

The guitarist couple from Pilipinas Got Talent Season 6 garnered awards and praises since 2014, and has performed all over the Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, South Korea and the US. The duo received the Ani ng Dangal for Music in 2016 from NCCA. In 2019, they joined the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, walking 800 kilometers from France to Spain carrying their guitars and playing for fellow pilgrims for 30 days. In all these experiences, the duo has sought to revolutionize the classical guitar by exploring other musical styles.

During the masterclass, the duo shared their expertise and provided insights and techniques with the Gitanada classical guitar students to enhance their skills. The duo also discussed Philippine guitar folk music and the important role that the guitar plays in our cultural heritage as highlighted in one of the most known guitar folk music, Harana. Harana is a traditional Filipino courtship ritual where a suitor sings to his beloved under her window accompanied by a guitar or other string instruments. It often includes kundiman songs and reflects the expressive and romantic nature of Filipino culture. The guitar plays a crucial role in setting the mood and enhancing the emotional appeal of the serenade. 

The masterclass was in conjunction with the celebration of the 126th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence and the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Indonesia. END