By Joseph Pimentel
JANUARY 4, 2008
Asianjournal.com
A Matter of Perception
LOS ANGELES — Poet William Blake When the Asian Journal interviewed Chris,
once said: “If the doors of perception were he was on his way to go target shooting.
cleansed, everything would appear to man “They place a metronome behind the
as it is - infinite.” For 26-year-old Filipino target for me,” he said.
concert pianist Chris Cerna, this quote is has Chris was a member of the Boy Scouts for
been his motto. five years. In 2000, he received Eagle Scout
“Maybe it’s because I’ve been blind since honors, the highest honor a Boy Scout can
an early age and this is all I know,” said Chris get. Only three percent of all Boy Scouts
Cerna. “But my family never treated me any receive the honor. He was also the first Boy
different because of my disability. I grew up Scout in the nation to use the Braille edition
with the idea that I could do anything I want of the Ad Altare Dei manual to earn his
as long as I put my mind to it.” Catholic Scouting award, according to other
Born in Cebu, Philippines, Chris and his reports about Chris.
twin brother Chuck Cerna were born with Of course, Chris admits all of his
cancer in the eyes. Doctors diagnosed both achievements haven’t been easy.
with retinal blastoma. Only 18 months old, To some he is an inspiration. To others
doctors removed both of Chris’ eyes to keep he’s just a handicap.
the cancer from spreading. His brother, Medical Mission treating patients in Cebu “I just laugh it off,” he said about the
however, was not as fortunate. Chuck’s discovered Chris. Rebel soldiers had just negative comments. “It doesn’t bother me.”
cancer spread while doctors attempted captured the island trapping the medical ‘She is my eyes’
the same procedure. He passed away a few mission group. Cebu locals brought Chris to For the past 16 years, Chris and his mother
years later. entertain the group. Carmenita had a true mother-son bond. As
Before Chuck’s passing, he showed The medical mission paid back the the only two members of the Cerna family in
musical talent on the piano. Chris had never generous hospitality, promising to have the US, Carmenita would attend all of Chris’
shown the same amount of interest in reconstructive surgery done on his eye performances. Earlier this year, Carmenita
playing the piano as his twin. sockets. In 1991, mother and child left passed away at the age of 53 in Hawaii.
“I took one lesson, and the teacher said it for Hawaii and Chris’ sockets were given “She sacrificed a lot for me. She always
wasn’t for me,” he recalls. “My twin brother artificial implants made from sea coral. made sure that I practiced,” Chris said.
was the who could play really well at an Musical prodigy “She was the backbone that supported
early age.” Living in Hawaii, Chris received the everything I did,” he added.
Nine months after his brother passed opportunity to pursue his dreams of Since her death, Chris has been more
away, before their fifth birthday, Chris music. In high school, he received a State motivated and inspired to become a great
got the urge to play his brother’s piano scholarship to attend the Ellen Masaki pianist. Before she passed away, she made
and played his brother’s favorite song, School of Music in Honolulu. him promise her.
‘Immaculate Mary.’ Chris admitted that he enjoys composing “She asked me to bring my family here.”
“It’s hard to say [why],” he said. “We had his own music. Besides the piano, Chris Currently, he is studying for his Bachelors
a bond. I look at it as a gift from God. It’s excelled in other instruments – mandolin, in Music at the University of Hawaii and
definitely a miracle that I began playing.” tuba, vibraphone, harmonica, accordion, performs regularly in Hawaii and across the
Since then, with his mother, Carmenita’s, samisen, Indian drum, flute, guitar, laud, US.
encouragement he began to play in church banjo, recorder, lap steel guitar, violin and To Chris, everything that has happened in
choir’s and town events. More than 700 other string instruments. his life is truly a blessing.
people attended Chris’ first concert at the He has won competitions sponsored by “It’s definitely an honor and a privilege
age of seven. He also received the Perlas the Hawaii Music Teachers Association and to share my music,” he said. “Whatever gifts
Award as the Valuable Filipino for Special the Morning Music Club of Honolulu. He’s God gave to us, we have to always share.
Talent from The Philippines Foundation, Inc. been featured by the Honolulu Symphony Just because I lost my eyesight, it’s doesn’t
for harnessing his gift of music and sharing Orchestra and performed in front of mean it’s the end of the world that I’m not
his talent and skills with the community, Government officials. Only his immigration supposed to do anything. I still have my
particularly those who need inspiration status has prevented him from winning legs.”
to live productively despite a physical more awards since some competitions “A lot of people, unfortunately, lose
handicap. require US citizenships. something and they think that it, it’s over
Medical mission But Chris is not all about music. “I love to and that’s all there is to it,” he added. “You
In 1989, the Honolulu-based Aloha go hiking and camping,” he said. have to adapt.” (AJ)
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