The year has just begun yet musical director Gerard Salonga is already neck-deep in various projects, including composing and conducting the orchestral score to the Philippines’ first 3-D animated feature film, “RPG.”

“If there’s the term ‘wall-to-wall carpet,’ then I could describe the score of ‘RPG’ as wall-to-wall music because there’ll be music playing from start to finish. ‘RPG’ is an action-fantasy film and much music is needed to enhance almost all the scenes,” he said in an interview held Jan. 25.

“RPG” tells the story of a boy who was sucked inside a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG).

Originally intended for a 2009 release, it has been pushed back to late 2010.

Aside from creating an apt soundscape, what’s even more challenging for Gerard is integrating his idea for a score, with that of the film director's.

“Musicians, like writers, usually work alone especially during creation part. Working on scores, however, is different because we take our cue from the director. The director is like the beacon, the anchor. He knows how the music should contribute to the film because he sees the over-all intention of the project.”

It’s the same principle that Gerard applied in rearranging the Rey Valera tune, ”Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” for the ABS-CBN soap opera of the same title.

According to him, he initially rearranged the song to have a quiet ending, which the soap’s director and executive producer did not take to.

“They wanted one with a grandiose finale and so I gave them that. Looking at it all now, I realize that, yes, a grander, bigger ending fits that teleserye better. It also served as a reminder that your say on things is not the only one that’s valid,” said Gerard.         

Gerard is one of few musicians who understand that sometimes the art part of his craft should be balanced by a bit of business sense. As he puts it, "if the client is happy, I’m happy."

The prized musician also knows how to differentiate between projects that would simply fulfill him and one that will push his career forward. Gerard said that his biggest reason for accepting the “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” job is the mileage it will give him and his orchestra, FILharmoniKA.

“Such projects...they always start out as a job—but it’s not just a job. Eventually, you get into it only because you know it will bring joy to people.

“You hope that when they hear your work, they allow the strength and power of the music to take over and take them away, even if briefly,” said he.

Meanwhile, Gerard is also involved in projects that cater to his first inclinations. In February, he will be leading FILharmoniKA through its first symphonic season at the PhilAM Life Theater in Manila.

Among the top rate artists collaborating with the orchestra this season is one of the world’s greatest cellists Richard Bamping, on April 17 for Dvorak’s Cello Concerto.  Internationally renowned pianist Cecile Licad will join the orchestra on July 2 and 3 for Gershwin’s Piano Concert.

It is recalled that FILharmoniKA participated in the 2008 and 2009 seasons of FILFEST. They also recently gave memorable performances based on the works of Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and Igor Starvinsky.

As for Gerard, he was recently bestowed the Parangal Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award for his outstanding achievements in the field of arts and culture.

Gerard has been tapped several times to conduct for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.