GEORGE SISON-TAGLE

The Singing Painter Turns to Contemporary

The name alone gives it away. George Sison-Tagle is a painter in his own right. The son of renowned painter E.R. Tagle and producer-philanthropist Beth Sison-Tagle, George has had exhibits since 1995 at various galleries here and abroad. His first one-man exhibit was held in 1995 at the Lopez Museum, followed by several Father-son and fundraising exhibits for Foundation of the DILG. He has joined several group shows in the US and around Asia, and also teaches art and voice lessons to students of all ages at his studio at the Galleries of Fine Arts in White Plains, Quezon City.

Although principally a painter, George could not resist the call of music. He discovered his passion for singing as early as 4 years old when he sang “My Way” in tune, to the surprise of his parents. At 12, while studying at the James Denman Middle school in California, his own professor, Ms. Washington, noticed his musical talent and placed him in the school in choir. That 30-students choir ended up winning several singing competitions with George as one of the main performers. He started singing professionally in 1998, becoming a male vocalist for different show bands such as Option, Prelude, 8th Avenue, and Fabuloso.

He soon expressed a preference for classical singing, and has had as mentors the late Al Mendoza of the Ryan Caybyab Music School, Abet de los Reyes, Nolyn Cabahug, and Philippine Opera Company founders Jay Greyoso and Karla Gutierrez with whom he performed with as Prince Tamino in Mozart’s Opera, “The Magic Flute”. Currently, he is taking lessons with premiere soprano Rachelle Gerodias.

George was formally introduced as a solo singer during Ivy V. Violan’s Valentine Show in 2004, which was followed by his first solo concert at the Hard Rock Café in November. In the same year, he received a nomination for Best New Artist at the Aliw Awards.

As a Solo Artist, George, now popularly known as the “Singing Painter”, has so far participated in over 20 shows where he was either solo or guest. He has performed alongside Cabinet secretaries Angelo Reyes and Joey Lina, and MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando at Salute to the 3 Tenors! concert-for-a-cause series from 2003-2005, which were conceptualized and produced by his mother, producer-philanthropist Beth Sison-Tagle. This was followed by other notable performances which include “Bataan: Bayani at Banal” at the Manila Hotel, NCAA Cultural Summit at the Manila Pavilion where he performed “Kurakot”, at the winning song of the 2005 NCCA Songwriting contest, and the “Hearts in Motion” Valentine Concert at the Captain’s Bar, Mandarin Hotel with Ivy V. Violan, Dulce and Janet Basco. In early 2007, was front act for the Lettermen concert at the Crowne Plaza, also produced by Beth Sison-Tagle.

Last September 13, 2007, George had his first major concert entitled “Salute to George!: First Major Concert with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra”, at the Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom. There, he introduced the country’s first classical-pop tenor group which he co-founded with world-champion pianist Angelo Ortiz, called Angelos. The same night, George started his classical-pop recording career as he launched his first self-titled light CD which includes original compositions by master composer Vehnee Saturno such as “Sa Panaginip Ko”, “Make You Mine Again”, “You’re Supposed to Love Me”, “Give You All My Love” and a revival of Jaya’s “Dahil Tanging Ikaw”.

The compositions are pop, but George renders these songs with his signature classical voice. He aims to bring classical music closer to the hearts of the general Filipino audience through the classical-pop genre. “Classical need not to be boring,” says George. “I want Filipinos to appreciate classical music by making it more contemporary. I want to be able bring this type of music to the world, so that even abroad Filipino musical talent will always shine,” he adds.

According to Saturno, George enjoys the distinction of being the very first classical singer in the country to record an album in the classical-pop genre. Clearly, this is only the start for George. Expect more from this multi-talented Tenor in the near future.