From the Heart

Cecile Licad's performances are a heartfelt journey, transcending mere academics. With her world-class artistry, she taps into deep emotions, leaving a lasting impression that resonates with the audience's hearts long after the final note

- By Franz Sorilla IV

If there is one way to put into words how Cecile Licad summarises her enduring career, it is that she finds herself a “Missionary of Music”.

From the revered Carnegie Hall in the US to the tucked-away theatres in Tuguegarao and Zamboanga, among many others throughout the country, the renowned pianist has shared her artistry with the people. Whether her audience consists of experts in classical music or ordinary concertgoers who recognise her name as one of the most celebrated Filipino artists but have never seen her or an orchestra perform live, Licad ensures that she can connect with her audience's hearts.

“It's a responsibility for me as a musician to get out there and engage with the people, even those who are not familiar with this kind of music, telling them: 'listen,” Licad says. “I believe music enlightens people and makes them feel something. There are so many emotions that they can feel when listening to music, especially when life gets hard.”

What sets Licad apart from other musicians is her bravery in experimenting to achieve a particular emotional atmosphere in her concerts, pushing the limits of her physical body to bring to the fore the depth and range of her selected pieces, telling their story through the dynamics of the piano at hand.

This she demonstrated exactly at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila when she commenced her series of outreach performances for the year with a dazzling benefit concert. Conducted almost annually, the tours of Licad have fostered a deeper appreciation for classical music in recent years, thanks to the efforts of the late Nedy Tantoco, who served as president of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. With the beloved patroness of arts and culture having passed the torch to her son, Anton Huang, Licad embarks on continuing this endeavour as she is determined to continue playing the piano for the rest of her life.

“I feel like a real missionary,” Licad tells