CONRAD POPE
Composer & Orchestrator
Hollywood, California, USA
"Von De Guzmán’s music takes you on a journey. Perhaps it is a journey of lyrical, passionate music with a broad emotional range, or a journey of action that is driven by an energetic, propulsive soundtrack. Regardless of genre, Von never fails to compose music that will serve and elevate a picture. If you don’t know Von’s music, please seek it out. Filmmakers: If you’re seeking a score that embodies not only the art of film scoring but it’s craft as well: Call Von!"
RYAN CAYABYAB
National Artist for Music
“Von was a standout in my Theory and Composition classes at the U.P. College of Music. He did not only use his head but he honed his intuition as well. Many years later when we met for lunch in uptown Manhattan he had shown a glowing and progressive confidence in his musical style, as he showed me his works as a student in New York University. When he returned to the country and I had the opportunity to recommend him to do his 1st cinema score for the esteemed cinema director Joel Lamangan, I was so sure he would do an excellent job. He not only excelled, he even won the best cinema score in the annual festival, thus establishing the benchmark for succeeding music scores of the ‘Mano Po’ series.”
RICARDO LEE
National Artist for Film & Broadcast Arts
"Having worked with Von in some of my films and in a stage musical, I was impressed by his wide display of range. His music has that rare quality of being melodiously accessible yet difficult to pigeonhole in a box."
JOEL LAMANGAN
Film Director
“One of the most accomplished film composers of contemporary Philippine cinema. A young artist whose musical wizardry uplifts the film’s intrinsic emotional richness, and celebrates its wits and the richness of its satirical mirroring of contemporary reality. A very professional attitude towards work is also a trademark of this artist! Indeed a pleasure to work with.”
ERIK MATTI
Film Director
"The music of Von is lush and nuanced. He can make a seemingly small and unimportant moment come out significant and emotional with just a few notes of his music. Von’s classical training assures any filmmaker that his work has a strong foundation anchored to not just our local, indigenous music but to global music as well – instead of just getting a series of random notes that can resemble a decent piece of music that one might get from just any unschooled musician.”
MAC ALEJANDRE
Film Director
"His original score doesn't only provide emotion and texture, it helps give depth and meaning to what the film wants to impart. On another level, Von de Guzman's music helps in "manipulating" time and space in the world the film aims to create, whether, an approximation of reality or a fantasy made to feel and look real. His extensive education on film and music have always served him well in developing his art and craft but his greatest asset is his heart. His music reflects his understanding of humanity. His music has compassion. And based on need, his music can be affecting, disturbing, simple, complex, ambitious, or larger than life, but always with clarity of meaning and intent. I've always called him a genius which i believe he is. He has scored many of my films and series since I was introduced to his work. Von de Guzman's music is elegant and meaningful in form and content. It is always a pleasure to collaborate with him."
"I also admire his commitment as an educator. His dedication to teaching the next generation of musicians speaks a lot of him and the kind of artist he is."
LAURICE GUILLEN
Film Director
"His musical genius is so malleable that he can adapt and embrace any kind of genre -- from classical to musical theater to culture specific; from full orchestration to a single instrument. His musical score manifests this. He is a joy to collaborate with."
BUTCH NOLASCO
Film/ Television/ Documentary Director
Writer
"Archival materials can often seem distant and static to viewers. That is why in historical documentaries, I consider music to be a crucial element. Von De Guzman, in the two projects we’ve worked on, has always been able to give my docus that much-needed emotional dimension, thus making for a more absorbing and totally engrossing viewing experience. "
ROSELLE MONTEVERDE-TEO
Film Producer
“Von always delivers an exceptional work. Despite the pressures and impossible deadlines, he manages to deliver a really impressive output. His music reflects genuine hard work, passion, and dedication. His music is well researched and well thought out - the mixture of elements brings spice and life to each scene. Von is one of the industry’s most talented composers. The ingenuity in his music has played an important role in the various merits we have earned for our movies. I am proud to say that his work has always completely transcended my expectations. My heartfelt thanks to Von for exerting such valuable efforts in our movies.“
MANNY VALERA
Supervising Producer for Film
“When I was looking for a musical director for ‘Mano Po’, Professor Ryan Cayabyab highly recommended Von De Guzman. Mr. C was right. Von won for the Best Musical Score in that year’s Metro Manila Film Festival – his first scoring project. Many movies and many awards followed. It is never difficult to work with Von. He is a true blue professional. A joy and a blessing to Philippine movies. Mabuhay!”
JAY ABELLO
Film Director
“Von is the easiest person to work with and it's always an honor to work with him because he has been around so-to-speak and his work shows it. His work speaks world-class.”
JAY HALILI
Film Editor
"Von did the scoring for the 2005 and 2006 installments of ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ and I must say that his work definitely added a new dimension to the scary feel of the two films. An easy person to work with, he always listens to suggestions and has no issues with collaborating with the creative team to make the work better."
NOEL NUÑEZ
Sound Engineer
“I've engineered for Von on several of his movie scoring projects, and it was always a pleasure to work with someone who knows what he wants and knows the technical aspects of recording and mixing. That way nothing is lost in the communication. Looking forward to working with him again.”
EUGENE DOMINGO
Film & Television Actress
“Von de Guzman is patient with us non-singers but is strict enough for us to try our best. Kasi nakakadala yung nakapikit siya sa recording habang kumukumpas at dinadama ang artist…. nakaka flatter….haha. Thanks Von for sharing your time and talent.”
JOSE B. CAPINO, Ph.D.
Professor of Film Studies
University of Illinois, USA
“Von De Guzman understands drama. His intelligent grasp of theater and film narratives allows him to create music that moves stories forward and makes emotions soar. A generous artist, superb technician and an amiable collaborator, Von is bar none the best composer working in Philippine theater and film today.”
JONATHAN VELASCO
Conductor
Ateneo Chamber Singers
"I am an avid fan of Von de Guzman’s music, especially his choral compositions. He wrote several sacred and inspirational songs for the Ateneo Chamber Singers, and we premiered his Ama Mi (Our Father) at the 50th anniversary of the Tolosa Choral Competition in Spain. His writing is always well thought out: exquisitely beautiful lines for all the voices, and melodic phrases that tug at the heartstrings. The songs he wrote for the Liturgy of the Mass continue to be favorites, and mass attendees would always approach us after the mass and tell us how they were totally moved by Von’s songs."
JOEL NAVARRO, DMA
Professor of Music
St. Paul Univeristy
"Von's orchestrations strike me as constantly generating interest in the way that he develops thematic and rhythmic material. There is a stream of energy, unpredictability, combinatorial but interesting oddities, oftentimes wowing the listener for its often-compelling impact. A sense of Filipinism pervades in his arrangements--the sort of innocent sentimentality and urbane smarts that let you know that there is both a sophistication of the heart and a sensibility of expression in his musical outcomes…His Christian faith exudes in his music. Whenever the texts express a soul aching for God, or an experience manifesting the work of the Spirit, you will always hear rich musical metaphors and a sense of the grandeur of God and His engagement over human existence. The Confucian adage ‘If you want something done, give it to a busy man’ applies to Von. He is one of the most dependable arrangers out there who will go out on a limb for you on a budget, and who will deliver the goods in a timely manner."
RODEL COLMENAR
Founder & Music Director
Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
“It’s a pleasure working with Von. His talent and the originality of his compositions impress me. His compositions are a great contribution to original Filipino music and the Philippine movie industry. More power and God bless.”
ANTONIO "BENJIE" BAUTISTA
Violinist
“Von is a great composer and arranger. He comes up with the best musical passages that go well with his work. He works with passion and perfection. Great friend too.”
FREDDIE SANTOS
Stage & Television Director/ Writer
“No question about his extraordinary talent. No question about his fantastic musicality. No question about his relentless passion. Von De Guzman…no question at all!"
AUDIE GEMORA
Stage Actor/ Director/ Producer
President of STAGES
“I was part of two projects which Von composed music for. A recording of ‘Lam-Ang’ and the musical ‘IL Divino.’ He truly understands the musical theater genre as his melodies move the story forward and appropriately captures different characters.”
SHIELA VALDERRAMA-MARTINEZ
Musical Theater Actress
"One of my favorite musical directors in the country. His compositions have such beautiful melodies that you’ll remember the songs long after the shows are done. His songs have so much depth and emotion that it carries the story. And as an actor, it’s truly a delight to sing and act to his music. Von also loves to challenge his singers and brings out their full vocal potential."
ANA VALDES-LIM
Stage Director
“Von is someone I wish to work with again and again. He is an exceptional talent. It’s a super experience with him. You are sad when it ends.”
VICENTE GARCIA GROYON
Writer
“One does not collaborate with Von so much as learn from him. He brings the full measure of his artistry to every project, whether major or minor – and his making it seem effortless only bespeaks the breadth of his talent.”
BRIAN FEINSTEIN
Composer
New York City, USA
"Von is an extremely versatile composer; chameleon-like in his ability to shift styles and tones to support the needs of the material. His gift for melody shines in everything he writes."
PERRY OJEDA
Actor & Writer
Hollywood, California, USA
“Von's music is incredible! Exciting and a pleasure to sing. The singing actor's dream come true.”
JOHN PATRICK MULHALL
Theatre Actor & Teacher
"An innovative visionary who brings music to the stage with stunning artistry."