Monday, July 5, 2010

Potenciano Gregorio Sr. Historical Marker

Potenciano Gregorio Sr.

Potenciano Gregorio, often referred to as Potenciano Gregorio, Sr. was a Bicolano musician. He was the composer of Sarung Banggi (One Evening), the most famous song in the Bikol language. 

It is claimed that Potenciano Gregorio composed Sarung Banggi when he was 17 years old. There are different versions as to how he composed this song. Hilario Balilo, the former town mayor stated that the composer wrote the music and lyrics of the song one night after hearing a bird chirping and the leaves rustling. He based this version on information he received from Justo Gregorio, a nephew of Potenciano. Resurrecion Gregorio, a grandson of Potenciano however claimed that the song was written during the 1897 eruption of Mayon volcano and initially the composer wanted to dedicate the song to his then fiancée Dominga Duran whom he later married.

8 comments: