Is There a Neurological Benefit to Hearing Cecile Licad Play?

Dr. Joven Cuanang was last seen cheering Cecile Licad and the PPO at the Met while earlier catching up with the matinee of the opera Lucia di Lammermoor at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

- PABLO A. TARIMAN

At his age now, he is professor emeritus in Clinical Neurosciences, College of Medicine, UERM Memorial Medical Center and president of the Pinto Art Museum and Arboretum in Antipolo City.

He is very much a supporter of the arts, while remaining adviser of the board of trustees of St. Luke's Medical Center and running the Sitio Remedios Heritage Village in Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

Two years ago, he was one of the recipients of the Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters of France by the French Embassy for the promotion of arts and culture.

Then French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said that individual initiatives like Pinto Art Museum are exemplary, especially since most museums are funded and run by government or by private foundations.

Having presented Licad at Pinto Gallery many times in the past, one hastens to ask him: does he think both music and medicine have healing powers?

Dr. Cuanang told the STAR: "Music is an integral part of one's sense of self. We are naturally drawn to music because music surrounds us from womb to tomb. As we go on with our life, music has the power to transform. Music is important in maintaining equanimity and mental health. In a stressful state, music can reduce the blood pressure, reduce heart rate and diminish the harmful effects of stress by stabilizing cortisol levels in the body. When these are increased, it has a damaging effect to our body. Thus, music is useful to obviate the stresses of life."

He quotes a Chinese proverb: "A bird does not sing because it has an answer — it sings because it has a song."