The Sangguniang Panlalawigan took advantage of the Holy Week vacation of kundiman diva Carmen Camacho last week to present her with a resolution honoring her musical legacy.
In a brief ceremony at the Provincial Capitol, Governor Joseph Cua presented the framed copy of SP Resolution No. 164-2024 to Camacho, the 84-year-old native of Sapang Palay, San Andres who now spends most of her time in Quezon City where she resides.
Also present during the awarding were PBM Rafael Zuniega, PBM Jan Ferdinand Alberto, PBM Joselito Alberto who authored the resolution, PBM Fred Benedict Gianan, SP Secretary Atty. Gilbert Suarez, Provincial Tourism Officer Carmel Bonifacio-Garcia, and Canada-based former Virac Rural Bank manager Amado Mendoza, who accompanied Camacho to the Capitol.
In the Alberto measure, the SP said the singer, born Carmen Toledo, deserves tribute and recognition to accomplished Catandunganons who have achieved remarkable feats and brought pride and honor to the province of Catanduanes.
It said Camacho’s illustrious career in music began in the 1950s as a member of the Mabuhay singers, recording her first album in the early 1960s and collaborating with Villar Records in producing a repertoire of timeless songs.
Her dedication to the craft and her unparalleled talent earned her the distinction of being hailed as “The Country’s Top Kundiman Diva” by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a testament to her enduring impact in Philippine music, PBM Alberto stated.
Among her notable works as timeless classics such as “Nagkamali Ako” (1966), “Kapuspalad ng Isilang” (1967), “Katkatawami’t Kasta Unay” (1968) and “Nagpaitem ni Lagip” (1969) as well as Cebuano song “Dakung Kasalanan” in 1968.
She likewise participated in the Golden Collection Series: The Best of Bicol Songs, contributing the “Pantomina” and “Si Nanay, Si Tatay” as she showcased her versatility as an artist using her native tongue, PBM Alberto added.