Tiongco Brothers

Christmas Greetings

 

Side A
White Christmas
The Christmas Song
Silver Bells
Jingle bells
Sta. Calus Is Coming To Town
Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Side B
Silent night
O little Town Of Bethlehem
Joy To The World
O Come All Ye Faithful
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
We Three Kings Of the orient Are
O Holy Night
The First Noel
Deck The Hall


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Long before the Jonas Brothers, there were the Tiongco Brothers — siblings Jun, Emil, and Arthur — who achieved pop star status because of their harmonious blending of voices. Belonging to the prominent Tiongco clan of Sta. Rosa, they brought Philippine music to the world with performances in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and the US.

They were star performers at the opening of the Tokyo Hilton, the first Filipino entertainers to sing at the iconic Sydney Opera House, performed for ARAMCO guests in Saudi Arabia, and gave a command performance for the King of Jordan, and were part of the Baliksaya Troupe sent by the national government to tour the US and Canada. They were named Ambassadors of Goodwill and were elevated to the country’s Tinig Hall of Fame.

While they have traveled extensively, their roots remain in their hometown, and here they share their remarkable musical and cultural tradition with us. This is their Sta. Rosa. This is their SM.

Music is very much part of the tradition of Sta. Rosa and our family. We would say that Sta. Rosa has the best brass band, as well as many rondallas and singers.

We also come from a family of musicians and singers. Our great grandmother, Maria Carpena, was the Zarzuela Queen of her time and the first Filipino recording artist of RCA Victor in 1912. Our father, Fernando Zavalla Tiongco was a notable piano and saxophone player of his time, and until his retirement, was the musical director of the Ateneo Glee Club. Our mother, Teodora Medina-Tiongco sang in Zarzuelas. Everyone in the family can sing.

We were able to develop our singing talents through constant practice and exposure. There were many opportunities to perform brought about by the rapid growth of Sta. Rosa, and these helped us in improving our voices.

If we would bring guests around Santa Rosa, we would bring them to the Santa Rosa de Lima Parish Church, which was built around 1796. It is known for its hexagonal belfry with a globe and its intricately carved doors.

We were all baptized in this church, and have been singing here at every Misa de Gallo during Christmas time for the past 54 years.

One important stop for our guests would be the town plaza, which was our playground when we were young. It is also the place where we started singing and playing the guitar.

-philstar