HER WORLD IS MUSIC

Beautiful. Tall. Talented. Intelligent. Ageless. Articulate. Sophisticated. Learned. Compassionate. All these, and more, describe Enriqueta Borja-Butalid. She embodies the modern Filipina: updated on issues, reasonable on trends, replete with artistic ambience, a delightful presence, good conversationalist, exquisite dresser, with urbanized tastes; never a wall flower even in the world of glitz and glamour. An epitome of what a woman of today should be gifted…aware and involved.

Equet was born in Tagbilaran City to Gerardo Manigque Borja and Petra Gabines Buma-at. She was brought up in a devotedly religious home. All her brothers and sisters excelled in their professions. Jaime was an Architect whose career was highlighted by being the City Engineer and City Councilor after retirement. Cecilio joined the US Navy. Florencio finished a course in Mechanical Engineering, while Heracleo was an Accountant. Flora B. Apalisok had a Master's Degree in Music Education, raised her family in the United States , where she expressed her love of Music by organizing and conducting choirs after her office work, and came back to Bohol to retire. Luz B. Gaviola was a Pharmacist, while Epifania B. Magaro was a Master in Mathematics and Statistics. Emilio is an Electrical Engineer.

Enriqueta Borja married Atty. Rolando Butalid. The couple stayed in Manila for a number of years where Atty. Butalid, had a brisk law practice, until politics beckoned. Prodded by their relatives and friends, they came back to Tagbilaran where Rolly ran for Mayor. He made it, and she commenced life as a wife of a politician. She was the First Lady of the City, and had several obligations to fulfill, but she never abandoned her first love, Music. Then Rolly became Governor of the Province of Bohol . Her responsibility increased as the First Lady of the Province, but this did not deter her from being deeply involved in cultural activities, especially those associated with Music. Rolly and Equet have four children. The eldest, Dominic, has a Masters in Business Administration from AIM (Asian Institute of Management). Claire also has a Masters in Business Administration from Ateneo de Manila. Val studied and finished a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering at the University of San Carlos . The youngest, Tim, is a Business Administration graduate from the University of the Philippines .

Equet took up formal piano lessons, together with sister Flora, under Mrs. Rosario Dejaresco. She was only eight years old, and her father was the person she accredits her inclination to music. Her elementary and secondary educations were with St. Joseph College (College of the Holy Spirit, now Holy Spirit School). Already convinced that she belonged to the musical world, she went to Manila and enrolled at the College of the Holy Spirit. She finished Bachelor of Music under the main tutelage of Sis. Cyrilda Ferriols, S.Sp.S.

At the College of the Holy Spirit she had the distinction of being the only student who performed with the faculty in some concerts. She also was privileged to perform in various Manila organizations during her free time. These achievements earned for her the admiration of music aficionados. After graduation in 1971 the Rotary Club of Manila and the Society for the Promotion of Fine Arts accorded her awards for her contributions to music, songs, and music aficionados. After graduation in 1971 the Rotary Club of Manila and the Society for the Promotion of Fine Arts accorded her awards for her contributions to music, songs, and dances. It was also during this time when she was a pianist to Dr. Eliseo Pajaro, a composer, conductor, and professor of the University of the Philippines . While he lectured on the works of Chopin, Rashmaninoff, and other great artists, it was Enriqueta whom he handpicked to play their masterpieces on the piano. With her teaching music, it was a life fulfilled; until the family moved back to Tagbilaran.

With Mayor Rolly Butalid engrossed at the helm of the City, Mrs. Enriqueta Butalid was appointed by Governor Lino Chatto as a Music Consultant. Her main job was to revive the love of music and dance among Boholanos. She delivered lectures and spearheaded competitions on indigenous Boholano performing arts, like Nilambay, Balitaw, and Kuradang. Her name became a by-word when she formed a select group of professionals and joined “Sanghimig,” a national choral competition, in 1975. Bohol won as Champion from entries all over the country, including the Metro Manila area. The feat was duplicated the following year; which brought Bohol to the limelight.

So well-received was the success of the Bohol-Tagbilaran Choral Group that requests for concerts all over the Municipalities of the Province followed, for which Mrs. Butalid did not have the heart to reject, knowing that talent should be shared. There were also performances in Manila (University of the East, Philam Life), Cebu ( Sacred Heart School ), Davao , and Butuan. In these tours she included not only classical, but also contemporary music, for popular appeal. From 1980 to 1984 she represented the province as Coordinator of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). It was an opportunity she could not miss. She went even to the grassroots of Bohol and organized children's choirs, with she herself battling for improved performances. She was elected Vice President (Visayas) of the Cultural Planners Association in the Philippines . Simultaneously she was the adviser and consultant of the Music Teachers of the Province. Her efforts paid off. In the Regional Children Choral Competition in Dumaguete City , the contingents of Bohol took the grand slam by winning all the first three places.

Any cultural organization being formed always considers Mrs. Enriqueta B. Butalid as head. She was responsible for an exhibit of the paintings of Picasso. She brought Lucresia Kasilag, then President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines , to lecture on ethnic music. In return she brought to the Folk Arts Theater some Boholano talents to perform native dances. She was a member of the Philippine Cultural Delegation to China . Presently, she is in her best elements as Head of the Center for Cultural Arts and Development (CCAD).

She organized the local Cultural Planners Association of the Philippines , and the Bohol Cultural Society, which metamorphosed into the Bohol Arts Council. Even in the First Bohol Pop Music Festival, she contributed her talent in the screening committee. The musical landscape of Bohol would not be complete without Enriqueta Borja-Butalid enthroned as the prime-mover in an act that defines all ages. Music is a universal language, and in its universality she reigns supreme in this island province known for the Loboc Children's Choir, the Dimiao Rondalla, and Alicia's Pangkat Kawayan. Being married to a very accomplished individual usually results to a wife basking in the shadow of her husband. In the case of Mrs. Enriqueta Borja-Butalid, this is not so. She is her own woman, who can hold a candle to any man, while remaining a fulfilled wife and mother. In her world of music she plucks her glory.

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