In the prestigious auditorium of the green-and-gold community, the sound of drums echoes as the Far Eastern University Drums & Bugle Corps (FEU-DBC) provides a performance driven by passion and perseverance. On its comeback to the stage, assistant artistic director Koowie Ison Relevo was given the chance to play and share his passion for music and experience. The concert that took place at the FEU Main Auditorium mesmerized not just the Tamaraw community, but also alumni and guests last September 28. 

FEU-DBC assistant artistic director Koowie Ison Relevo was also a former team member throughout his college years. As he pursued his studies in Human Resource Development Management under the Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance, he was granted a scholarship for being a valuable member of the cultural group.  Aside from that, he became an arranger and assistant conductor of the Bureau of Fire Protection Marching Band as a Fire Officer 3. 

Honing skills through interests

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Relevo shared that the University offered him to teach and guide the FEU-DBC in developing their music skills. 

“Bumibisita ako from time to time kahit may work na ako and tumutulong ako [sa DBC]. Right after no’n, inofferan ako ng FEU to teach them,” he said. 

Former baritone player Relevo admitted that when he heard about the offer, he was hesitant to accept it due to prior commitments and responsibilities. He pondered whether he could fulfill the duties as their teacher, given his existing job and family to take into consideration. 

Despite having these challenges, he accepted the offer and took the risk with the help of his fellow alum and the encouragement of team members. Once again, he was able to express his love for music while teaching and sharing his passion to the team, which, in return, allowed him to gain new learnings at the same time. 

“I’m happy sa mga naging result ngayon kasi na-express ko ‘yung pagkagusto ko sa music. ‘Yung love ko for music, na-express ko by teaching them [FEU-DBC members] with the help of Sir Kevin, which is ‘yung artistic director namin. Marami rin ako natutunan sa kaniya. Ang nangyayari, nagtuturo ako then natututo rin ako from our artistic director [at] hindi lang ako basta employee (I’m happy with the results right now because I can express my interest in music. I can express my love for music by teaching the FEU-DBC members with the help of Sir Kevin, who is our artistic director. I learn a lot from him. What goes on is, I am teaching but also learning from our artistic director at the same time, and I am not just an employee),” Relevo explained. 

Additionally, third-year Medical Technology student and FEU-DBC trumpet player Yesuah Dane Doniego expressed that the presence of the assistant artistic director in the team greatly contributed to their development as  he was able to bring out the skills they have not yet discovered.

“Maganda [‘yung pagdating niya] kasi alam ko sa sarili ko na kaunti pa lang [ang] alam ko, [pero] pinakita ni Sir [Relevo] na meron at meron pa rin akong matututunan. Kahit ‘yung start pa lang ng fundamentals namin, ang laking tulong no’n para mag-come up kami sa ganitong klaseng playing. So ang laki ng jump, ang laki ng improvement, at ang laki ng development simula nung unang pumasok si Sir up until now (His arrival was great because I know to myself that I only know little, yet Sir Relevo showed me that I could still learn new things. Even during the start of our fundamentals, it was already a big help to come up with this type of performance. So there's been a big jump, a big improvement, and a big development since he joined up until now),” Doniego shared. 

As a student and as a musician 

Relevo grew up in a family surrounded by musicians, which influenced him to take an interest in music. He tried using it as a tool to lead himself to success and fulfill his dreams. 

“Before pa ako mag-college, inclined na ako sa music. From childhood pa lang, tinuruan na ako ng mga cousins and uncles ko [kaya] noong nakita ko ang Drums & Bugle Corps, nandito na ako… I’ve been a scholar since the first year until I graduated (I was already inclined to music even before entering college. My cousins and uncles have been teaching me since childhood, so when I saw Drums & Bugle Corps, I immediately joined… I’ve been a scholar since the first year until I graduated),” the alum recounted. 

With this support, the assistant director was able to join competitions abroad that expanded his experiences and shaped who he is today. 

“Remarkable sa akin ‘yung experience ko with FEU na ipadala ako abroad. I was part of it three times, [isa na roon ay nung] sinend kami ni FEU for workshops sa Indonesia (The experience with FEU where they sent us abroad was remarkable for me. I was part of it three times, we were sent for workshops in Indonesia),” the assistant director reminisced. 

He utilized these learned skills, experiences, and knowledge to influence and encourage FEU-DBC members to strive harder and explore new opportunities, even while facing difficulties. 

During the preparation for their concert, one of the challenges the team faced was juggling their time between rehearsals and academic commitments. 

“Medyo loaded sila dahil sa [pag-aaral ng] music theories, note reading, so medyo gumaan [ang rehearsals] dahil tinuruan namin sila how to read notes. So kung mabigat loads nila sa school, pagdating ng rehearsal, mahirap na load ulit (They’re loaded because of studying music theories, note reading, so the rehearsals were also easier since we already taught them how to read notes. So if their duties in school are heavy, they have another set of difficult tasks during rehearsals),” Relevo added. 

Even so, amid the demands of Doniego's program, he and the team efficiently managed both rehearsals and academics.

“Ang hirap niya i-explain kasi hangga’t kaya ko, hangga’t kaya ng katawan ko, at kaya ng isip ko, tinatry ko pa rin i-manage na makakapag-review pa rin ako kahit late na ako nakakauwi. Kasi alam ko na paggising ko at pagpunta ko sa school, may quiz na naman, or may exam na naman. So, ang hirap na hindi ka talaga makakapag-aral (It’s hard to explain because as long as I can, as long as my body can, and as long as my mind can, I still try to manage to review even if I go home late. Because I know that when I wake up and go to school, I have another quiz or exam to take. So, it’s really hard if you weren’t able to study),” she said. 

Subsequently, Relevo advises the members that the need to study and rehearse simultaneously is challenging; they have to keep in mind that they are students first before becoming a member. 

“Tulad nga ng sabi ng artistic director namin, si Sir Kevin, and assistant artistic director Sir Koowie, estudyante ka muna bago ka maging musician. So, mas okay na nag-aaral ka muna bago tumugtog. Kasi, hindi ka magiging musician dito kung hindi ka consistent na estudyante (Like what our artistic director Sir Kevin and assistant artistic director Sir Koowie said, you’re a student first before a musician. So, it is better to study before playing. Since you won’t be a musician if you’re not a consistent student),” the trumpet player added. 

The collective effort of the FEU-DBC team led to their success as they serenaded their audience during their first concert at the Main Auditorium.

Thus, the assistant artistic director expressed his gratitude to the entire team as they all exceeded their limits, performing a whole piece that they could be loud and proud of. 

“‘Great,’ one word, ‘great.’ So happy kasi kahit non-music course sila, they delivered,” he proudly commended. 

Pressure and burden are overwhelming feelings that cause a starting note which triggers one to consider, and one to prioritize in every commitment they make. So, just like in every rehearsal and academic task, there will always be highs and lows, but Relevo embodies the masterpiece one must possess—to pursue what you want to do. As long as it makes you happy, as long as it makes you feel fulfilled, everything can be as sweet as a soothing melody. 

– Mariah Louise Miciano
(Photo by Shane Claudine Rodulfo/FEU Advocate)