Old Hobby

Octavina

I suddenly miss my old hobby. It was my stress reliever before when I was a student.

I was a Rondalla member during my younger days. I started playing the instrument when I was in Third Grade. I started with a Banduria. It has 14 strings, high pitched and is being plucked to play. 

When I was in sixth grade, I realized that Banduria is not the instrument for me. So I shifted to Octavina. The string count is the same with Banduria but it is one octave lower. Unlike the Banduria this instrument is not the "superstar". When played as a group, Octavina is one of the "support" instrument that gives one music piece give harmonic tunes.

I really loved playing this instrument though it is bulkier, heavier than the Banduria. I was still living in Bulacan that time and during the time of practice I have to bring it home. But if you really want to do something, nothing will stop you from doing it. Especially if you feel complete after you accomplished the task.

We joined a lot of competitions. It was really fun. I had the chance to meet new people. Different students from different schools. During Christmas, we do the traditional carolings. Sometimes you really have to give up some time in weekend to practice especially if you have competition. Time management and discipline was always the key.

I remembered when I had rondalla competitions and "sabayang pagbigkas" competition coming. Gahd! That time was really hectic. I had to adjust the schedule to practice. The two rehearsals should not over lap! Or else I AM DEAD. Haha. Good thing, we were able to finish all and at the end we won the competition.

When we reached high school, we studied in different schools. But luckily I had the chance to still continue with my hobby. But now under another supervision. This time it was a little tougher because we had to stay whole day at school and after that do the rehearsals. We were getting some invitations to play at certain gatherings or programs. Then, our manager wanted us to join NAMCYA (National Music Competitions for Young Artists) and when we learned about it, we are all like "HELL DAYS are here AGAIN!" Not to mention that, when the competitions start, it is EXAMINATION WEEK. So tell me what now?! We are going to undergo the "qualifiers" round. In this, we have to place first in order to compete for NAMCYA. All the effort has to be put in. Our pieces were really hard. Yeah. harder than the usual. We really had to extend rehearsals in order to perfect the piece. There was a time  when I got home at 1 AM just because of the practice. My mom was really angry and was telling me that after the competition we really have to talk. She told me that this can't work out.


At the end, we end up second. The feeling was unbearable because the winning piece was not even perfected by the winning group. But we had to accept. We can't have it all. And during that time I was in dilemma. My mom wanted me to stop the hobby. For her, it was a distraction. I have to choose if I want to go to college or do this hobby. At the end, I gave up the Rondalla membership and went to college. I also had to sell my instrument because nobody will be using it anymore. 


I just miss the old times that's why I created this post. It was a very memorable experience. I wonder how my former groupmates are doing? How's our instructor? I just wish we can see each other sometime. :)