Acclaimed Filipino Tenor, Music Therapist, and Classical Music Hall of Famer
December 17, 1966 – December 28, 2021
Conrado Calnea Ong III, or also known as Dondi to his friends and colleagues in the music industry, was born on December 17, 1966. Dondi started playing piano at the age of six, but never sang except during family gatherings or friendly sing-alongs. He was the only musician in the family, with his mother who was an educator and his father who was an engineer.
Ong took up Bachelor of Music major in Voice at University of the Philippines Diliman and graduated as magna cum laude. He started his career as an amateur chorister, performing with different groups including the Power Voice Three which consisted of Upsilonians Dondi, Thad Lliamson, and Joseph Olfindo, singing in various venues like private parties, classical, and Broadway, until he was discovered and trained as an opera singer with the UP Singing Ambassadors, Kasarinlan Philippine Music Ensemble, Philippine Chamber Choir, and the Philippine Madrigal Singers. He performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Concert at the Park, or also known as Paco Park Presents. With Kasarinlan, Dondi traveled the United States and several European countries.
The acclaimed Filipino artist had been featured as a vocal soloist in numerous programs for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Manila Chamber Orchestra, and Clarion Chamber Orchestra. Dondi also performed the roles of King Rayo in Lucrecia Kasilag’s Why Flowers Bloom in May, and Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini’s Le Bohème under the joint production of the Philippine Opera Company and CCP. He also portrayed Bonifacio in the San Andres B. He became the first Filipino to sing at the Mahikari Grand Ceremony in Japan in 2013.
Dondi also trained as a music therapist to help children with learning disabilities.
On December 28, 2021, at the age of 55, Dondi has passed away.
Heartwarming messages poured from his friends and coworkers. His fraternity Upsilon Sigma Phi wrote, “We join the country in remembering his passion and contributions to the Filipino music industry. Brother, when we see you in the sun, we shall tell you much.”
Here is another tribute message from Felipe Mendoza de Leon. Dondi’s dear friend said, “Wherever you are now, Dondi, we are sure your voice will continue to resound with the joys of life, light, and love. Padayon, Dondi, kaibigan at katuwang sa pagmamahal at pagsusulong sa ating sariling wika.”
“We were a bunch of rowdy college kids in the mid-80’s that made the Reyes residence at the Sikatuna Bliss our headquarters. After three decades of sporadic and short-lived contacts, we found each other again and reconnected digitally to bridge the time zones that physically separate us now,” Oscar Pantaleon, another friend, has reminisced. “Losing Dondi this time has made us feel that pain again, but we know that they are in a better place now.”
In 2011, Dondi was given the Presidential Distinguished Alumni Service Award by UP Alumni Association. In 2012, he was the only Filipino to join the touring cast of the Phantom of the Opera, chosen by the international musical director Guy Simpson to play the role of Piangi, the principal tenor of the production. During 2016, Dondi was elevated to the Aliw Awards Hall of Fame after winning the Best Male Classical Performer of the Year Award thrice in 2009, 2011, and 2014.
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