18th CENTURY PIANO OF LEONOR RIVERA NOW IN DAGUPAN

DAGUPAN CITY – The Neo-Classical 18^th century piano used by Leonor Bauson Rivera, sweetheart of the Philippine National hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, is now finally back in Dagupan and now under the care of the Arts and Culture Office at the city museum.

On  order of Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, Councilor Jeslito “Jigs” Seen, chairman of  Culture and Arts Committee of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), along with Culture and Arts officer Zenaida Sinlao,  brought the piano back to the city on November 23 from Malolos City, Bulacan.

LEONOR'S PIANO IS FINALLY HOME – This is the piano used to be played by Leonor Bauson Rivera, Jose P. Rizal’s sweetheart, when she was in Dagupan. Councilor Jeslito “Jigs” Seen (right), chairman, Culture and Arts Committee of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), along with Culture and Arts officer Zenaida Sinlao (left),  brought the piano back to the city on November 23 from Malolos City, Bulacan. (CIO photo by Jojo Tamayo)

Manolo M. Tenorio, curator, Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum disclosed that the piano has been on display at their museum since 1971,   brought there from Bustos, Bulacan.

It was labeled as the piano which used to be played by Leonor Rivera.

“All that we know was this piano belonged to Leonor Rivera. Since the piano has no connection with our history and culture in Bulacan, we decided to give it back to where it belongs, the city of Dagupan,” said Manolo.

Seen, who made a thorough research on the history of the piano, said this was once owned by Doña Carmen Villamil, a classmate of Rivera at La Concordia College.

“The piano was actually owned by Villamil and that the same was used to be played by Rivera whenever she visited Villamil at their residence,” said Seen.

Rivera was said to be a talented, mature and intelligent lady who can sing and play the piano.   

When the Villamil moved to Bustos, Bulacan they brought the piano with them, which explains how the piano reached the place.

Sinlao said the piano will be restored to its original form and will be displayed at the city museum for future generations of Dagupenos to see as part of Dagupan's colorful history. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO/Nov. 24, 2017)