by Christian George Acevedo
Jovita Fuentes was born on February 15, 1895 in what was then the town of Capiz, now Roxas City, in the province of Capiz. Long before Lea Salonga conquered Broadway, our very own Jovita Fuentes achieved stellar heights as a stage legend.
Following a music education in Manila and after a successful farewell concert in Manila, Jovita travelled to Milan, Italy to study voice.
On April 29, 1925, she debuted as Cio Cio San in Puccini’s Madam Butterfly and she was an instant hit. It took no time before Jovita conquered the theatre circuits in different European cities. From 1925 until 1927, she crisscrossed Europe – Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and so on, where established her reputation among the theatergoers, as well as the royalty and aristocracy.
She also traveled to the United States, where she became the first Filipina to perform in operas and recitals in the American subcontinent.
She retired from performing after World War II and instead taught music in Holy Ghost College, Santa Isabel, and University of the Philippines. Using her connections, she lobbied among lawmakers to pass a law that would create a foundation to promote music.
For her contributions to the Philippine music, she was honored as the country’s first National Artist for Music.
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