Louie J. Ocampo received the Excellence in Music Award from the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra on August 17 at the Disney Concert Hall
Celebrated Filipino composer Louie J. Ocampo (LJO) was honored by the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FA-SO) with an Excellence In Music Award held last August 17 at the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
FASO is a federally recognized non-profit organization that has been providing music programs to the multicultural constituencies of Southern California for 16 years. FASO is known for its growing education and outreach program serving a lot of youth in their music skills and its excellence in music awards given to exemplary artists not only for their artistic excellence, but more importantly, to highlight Filipino contribution to the American cultural landscape. Prior to Louie Ocampo, the past awardees include Jose Mari Chan and the APO Hiking Society.
How did LJO feel when he received the letter from FASO last May? “Of course I was very honored and flattered knowing that FASO was giving me the Excellence in Music Award, most especially for recognizing my work as a com-poser-musical director for the past decades.
“After letting it all in, I had to carefully think if it was possible for me to even attend the event since I was coming from a Sarah Geronimo -Bamboo Australia Tour. Of course, I didn’t want to miss out on this opportunity especially it was gonna be at the Walt Disney Concert Hall so I just told myself, hey it will just entail a lot of travelling and I love to travel… so let’s do this.”
Given LJO’s very rich catalog of beautiful songs, how was the repertoire chosen? “We had a couple of meetings for the repertoire. Of course, I wanted them to feature some of my popular songs as well as my instrumental composi-tions. I suggested things and they immediately approved them. As for the interpreters, we came up with a list and checked on their availabilities,” LJO shared.
Here are the composer’s top picks from his Ocampo classics, along with the reasons behind each selection:
“Ikaw”: Because it’s such a beautiful classic love song and not a break up song. Theme song sa kasal.
“Ewan”: Aside from “Ewan” being one of my “happy” songs, “Ewan,” after garnering the 2nd prize in the 2nd Metropop Festival, opened so many doors for me as a young, budding songwriter and inspired me to keep writing songs. It also gave me an affirmation on what I’d like to be doing for the rest of my years.
“Babalik Ka Rin”: I’d like to think that this song touches the heart of most Filipinos living abroad. Whether it is their desire to go back home or not, I think it still gives them that “kurot sa puso” feeling of being Filipinos.
“Tell Me”: Syempre kasi theme song ng mga brokenhearted. After the event, a lot of people approached saying “Tell Me” was their theme song when they were teens.
“You Are My Song”: Heto pa isang love song na hindi ganu’n kasakit because it isn’t a break up song. Feel-good siya.
With all the recognitions and awards bestowed on LJO, how special is this FASO tribute?
“It means a lot, because I never expected it. You know it’s always nice when someone surprises you with good news, and this wasn’t only good news, it was great news. Plus the fact that I got to play with the orchestra in a well known venue,” LJO gushed.
As always LJO’s schedule is packed these days. Aside from a couple of private events, he will be in important concerts this month. Not known to many, LJO has such a kind heart that he engages in fundraising events for good causes and friends in the industry. He just had one in “Pardon My French” for a friend’s eye surgery. On September 20, he will be in a fundraising concert for a church with Jed Madela and Bituin Escalante. On September 27, he will serve as the musical director for Martin Nievera’s “King 42ever” at the Araneta Coliseum.
At this point in LJO’s life and career, he is looking forward to composing more songs, creating more instrumental works, and writing a new musical. Being a judge and musical director in concerts has become second nature to him, so the challenge now is maintaining a balanced workload between work and leisure.
“I also don’t mind doing concert tours because it gives me the opportunity to perform in front of people, which, by the way, I really enjoy. Plus syempre the travel, shopping and airline mileage,” said the composer in his signature lighthearted LJO fashion.
As his friend for more than three decades now, LJO has always been grounded on family. A loving husband and fa-ther, he now devotes most of his time with them even if they are in different parts of the world.
“I have always been a familyman. Spending time with them is like heaven. So whenever I have the time to be with my kids or even just travel with my wife, I grab it. It’s not that I don’t want to work, I just want and need that bal-ance at this point in my life.” Family, good health, work, and play are what occupy LJO’s life now. And if there’s one word that defines him today, it’s “home.”
Amidst all the well-deserved honors and the recent FASO tribute, LJO emphasizes his life credo: “Simple lang ako. I love my family, my country, my work and my play. Most of all, I love God!”
That’s why we love all love LJO!
