MANILA, Philippines - She swept into the multipurpose hall of the Cultural Center of the Philippines looking like a nerd with her eyeglasses, but dressed like a jeprox with what was described to me as a sun dress, whatever that is, ?naka-décolleté pa nga,? long hair in a bun: concert pianist Cecile Buencamino Licad, no less.

She had this deep alto voice, and I asked if during her student days she had ever joined a choir?

?I didn?t dare because my parents were around,? she breathed. ?But I do karaoke. In fact, two weeks ago, I sang ?Moon River?.?

I was appalled, frankly.

My wrist watch caught her eye. ?What is the brand of your watch?? she asked.

?Valentino,? I replied. ?It costs P350 in Santa Cruz, Manila.?

Conductor laureate Oscar C. Yatco was vastly amused. ?That?s good of you,? he chortled.

Whereupon Licad flounced off for a cigarette break with CCP president Nestor O. Jardin. I understand she is a chain smoker, like her mother Rosario (who was around). ?They bum cigarettes from each other,? a friend of the family said.

The occasion was a luncheon which turned out to be a press conference to announce Licad?s latest concert at the CCP (March 28, 8 p.m.), for the benefit of the Francisco Buencamino Music Foundation. Licad is a granddaughter of the eminent composer Buencamino Sr. (1883-1952).

She will interpret Beethoven?s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Rachmaninoff?s Piano Concerto No. 2, with Yatco leading the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Rice-driven

The pianist eats a lot of rice (?I need the energy, especially after practicing??) and likes to cook Filipino food.

?My paella is good,? she boasted. ?I cook adobo, paella, anything with vinegar and bagoong [fish paste]. Pork sinigang is my favorite.? In fact, she planned the menu at the luncheon, which included halaan soup and boneless paksiw na bangus.
What is her most memorable performance? ?When I mess up,? she quipped.

Then she remembered a concert in Cincinnati, USA, ?when the zipper of my gown snapped. I had to ask someone to adjust it but first I finished the movement!?

She added: ?Actually the best performance is when you will know how it comes out. That?s why I like to play, and why I?m still playing.?
Once she heard a recording of some pianist who was playing brilliantly. ?I think she?s copying me,? she thought to herself. The pianist turned out to be her!

Doting on Octavo

Doting mother Cecile and son Octavo Meneses, now 20, teamed up in a celebrated concert last year at the CCP. ?I was more nervous than him,? Licad recalled.
A student at Brooklyn College, USA, Octavo is deep into philosophy and English literature: ?He?s a very good writer. He argues with his teachers when he does not get an A.?

Mother and son converse often. So what do they talk about?: ?How to balance criticism [with the praise] and still keep yourself? how to take criticism. Of course, as an artist you?re vulnerable??

Octavo ?is still deciding what to do pero mahilig sa [but he likes] music. He?s not a professional, he?s very good, having studied almost by himself, but I don?t know if he?s serious. I wish he had more drive but it will come??

She concluded: ?He?s my adviser when I am depressed.?