Music in the life of Tita Lorns

by Wein P. Gadian

Lorna Fe Pet – Lopez is no ordinary musician, teacher and mother. She is a musician, teacher and mother that values commitment and dedication.

Beside her piano, holding her recognitions as one of the Most Outstanding Couple of Jaro

Being the first born to late musicians Domingo Pet and Consuelo Tingzon, music runs in her blood.

At seven, she was already into music, together with her brother Leo Pet and sister Luna Pet.

And by teens, she was already teaching voice and piano lessons to children, and was singing at weddings, parties and other special occasions.

And what's more, she has composed songs for children.

Now at 72, music is still very much part of her life.

Her music are always inspired by the romantic representation of Frederick Chopin, “I love his free expression in music.”

She has been teaching music and humanities to college students at the Colegio de San Jose since 1998. She also does tutorial lessons in voice and piano to children, teens and adults at the same school.

Her piano was a wedding gift from her father

Her expertise in music is not confined to playing the piano.

She has written eight books for secondary levels:four relating to PEHM (physical education, health and music) and four for MAPE (music, arts and physical education).

All published by Rex Printing Press, the books are being used in private schools.

Currently, she is working on a textbook both for high school & college students.

She is also a member to the Iloilo Arts Council, Philippine Dance Society and Health Education Society.

Awards

Her life as a musician is that of 'no good deed goes unnoticed.'

Self-portrait hanging above her piano

Her dedication and commitment earned for her various awards and citations.

She has received the following awards: Certificate of Recognition by IRPSTA, December 1992; Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Performance in Music, December 1995 given by IDIMCA, DECS, Division of Iloilo; Award for Merit, March 2000 by University of Iloilo; Award for Original Works, January 2001, by Colegio de San Jose; Certificate of Recognition as the author of a best-selling textbook for High School, SY 2002-2003 given last December 23, 2002 by the Rex Group of Companies; and the latest is the Most Outstanding Couple of Jaro, given December 17 th , 2004 by the Jaro Cultural and Heritage, Tourism Foundation, Inc.

In her 33 years of service, she was given a Service Award in January 1995. Her service also held positions as a PESCAR Institute Director in 1993, Musical Director to the University Chorus and “Panayana”, an original musical production of West Visayas State University since 1968 – to the present.

Educational background

'Tita Lorns or Maam Pet' as she is known to her friends, family and students, is intertwined with education just as she is to music.

A few of her published textbooks for Highschool

While she was taking up BS Education at the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus, where she majored in Physical and Health Education, she was teaching high school and college students at the now defunct Philippine Women's University.

After graduating from UP-Diliman, she took up Bachelor of Music at the Philippine Women's College of Iloilo in 1962. She majored in piano and music education.

While still studying at the PWCI, she tied the knot with Graciano L. Lopez.

Her marriage to Graciano sustained her success, instead of hindering it.

Although 'burdened' by her family life, she was able to finish Bachelor of Music, Major in Voice at the University of San Agustin in 1973.

“I never expected the blessings which God has bestowed.I didn't thought that I'd go this far, especially when I finished my M.A. in Education at West Visayas State university in 1982, and the 30 units i've earned leading to Doctorate degree. He (my husband) was always part, (as well as) my children and the Almighty Father.”

As a mother

Her expertise in the craft blessed her as an educator and a musician. Though kept busy by the various activities she's involved in, she was always a compassionate mother to her children. She never missed a smile to start the day and a serenity that has inspired her children as well as her students. Although a wife, a mother and being an artist is a tough job, she managed to fill her home with all the love, care and support her family needs.

Tita Lorna, working on her soon to be released textbook

They have four children.

Their eldest daughter is O' Ma. Consuelo L. Padilla, who was born in 1961.

Two years later, she gave birth to her second daughter, Gay Margaret L. Lavalle, M.D.,

Oscar Domingo P. Lopez was born three years after.

Mia Fe P. Lopez, their youngest, was born in 1968.

At her age now, and having celebrated her 45 th wedding anniversary just recently, she is still busy and much more happier.

Her kindness and warmth has lighted her home and brought hope even in the hardships she experience.

“I believe that there is no perfect marriage. What matters is not the hardships but rather how you handle the hardships. God will always be there despite the hardships, you just have to be calm,” she advised.

As a mother, she made it sure all her children have an inclination for her craft, though none had a musical degree.

“All of them were exposed to the arts and loved it,” she added, “I always make sure, each of them will have the experience of playing the piano, singing or dancing.”

With years of sharing her musical talents to people, Tita Lorna's only wish is “good health, that I could still share what I have, my music to more people from all walks of life.”