It is difficult to overstate Tagumpay de Leon’s influence as a champion of rondalla music in the United States. Over the decades, he has performed with various ensembles, co-founded the Rondalla Club of Los Angeles, and taught at the University of California, Riverside. All of this work came to a head last year when he was named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts.

And yet, it was to support his family, not to play music, that Tagumpay de Leon—son of National Artist for Music Felipe de Leon—migrated to the US fifty years ago. However, although he did not go to America to look for a rondalla, it was the rondalla that found him. On MAESTRO FILIPINO, we are privileged to hear from Tagumpay de Leon as he recounts his experiences leading up to his recognition by the NEA, and shares insight on the rondalla music that he so loves. DZFE’s Daniel is the host.

MAESTRO FILIPINO is DZFE's program on the Philippine classical music scene.

All music on the program features with permission from the artist.