A lifelong lover of Music, LRV longed for the day when original Bicol Music would be played constantly and where a new generation of composers would create the next Bicolano masterpieces. Villafuerte (LRV)'s most enduring legacies. In those days, except for a few Bicol classics like "Sarung Bangui" and "Ranga", there were hardly any Bicol songs to be performed. Bicol region was practically a music
al desert. The Bicol Music Festival which he organized, became the wellspring from which Bicolano creativity would gush forth... so abundantly. The First Bicol Music Festival alone produced modern masterpieces like "Bicolano Ako", "Boses ni Lolo", "Magayon an Musikan Bikolnon" and "Ika Sanang Namumutan". Those songs proved that Bicol Music is at par with the best in the country- and the world. Subsequent Bicol Music Festivals would further contribute to the ever increasing number of original Bicolano music. Today, many towns in Bicol have their own Music festivals, inspired no doubt by the vision of LRV. The infusion of so much creativity and originally in Bicol Music have inspired a generation of Bicolano choirs and conductors, singers and bands - resulting in national and international recognition. Once a musical desert, Bicol Region is now a thriving musical oasis. And we can thank LRV for that.
