By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
Chris Cerna at the keys he can't see.
Young pianist inspires
By Susan Kreifels
with talent, ‘strong heart’
Star-BulletinIf ever music speaks to you from the heart, it comes from Chris Cerna. Listen to the young pianist's composition called "Strong Heart."
Look into his eyes, and you see how special he is.
Cerna, 16, has been blind since he was 18 months old. In 1991 the Aloha Medical Mission brought him to Hawaii from Cebu, the Philippines, for the state's first-ever operation to fill empty sockets with artificial eyes.
Even though Cerna still can't see, he's gained a clear view on life during his seven years here. The award-winning pianist has won the hearts of many for the inspiration he has provided.
"I'm strong in many other ways," said Cerna, moving quickly and easily from the piano bench to his bedroom to retrieve tapes he's made. "For me, having no eyesight was never a bad thing.
"I've been observing all these kids. All they think about themselves is 'I suck. I'm not good.' When I perform, I do it in hope to get teen-agers to see that 'if he can do it xxx I can do it.'"
To see the wide reach of his inspiration, read friends' messages scrawled across his Highlands Intermediate School annual of last year. Cerna was elected class vice president there and also at Pearl City High School, where he currently attends. His Highlands teachers chose him for the Most Inspirational Award.
"You have a very big heart," writes one classmate. "You've inspired me more than anyone else."
The Ellen Masaki School of Music has provided him a scholarship for several years. "He is absolutely a joy," Masaki said. "We just love him. He's always smiling."
Cerna has won piano competitions sponsored by the Hawaii Music Teachers Association and the Morning Music Club of Honolulu; been featured at a Honolulu Symphony Orchestra fund-raiser and inaugural festivities for Gov. Ben Cayetano; and played at numerous churches and benefits.
He was also the first Boy Scout in the nation to use the Braille edition of the Ad Altare Dei manual to earn his Catholic Scouting award.
In his home country, he was named 1990 Perlas Awardee by the Philippines Foundation Inc. for his community service and inspiration.
There are awards he can't win, but not because of his talent. Although he represented the Western Region for four years in the handicapped talent competition sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs, he can't take national honors because it requires citizenship. The federation has encouraged him to apply for citizenship, saying "without a doubt" he would be considered for top awards, and has offered to contact Congress on his behalf.
Citizenship is difficult without relatives in the United States to sponsor him, and congressional sponsorship is rare. Ten teachers and administrators from Highlands plus school friends and a Scout leader have written to Cayetano for his support, and 27 members of the Waikiki Singers have written to the Immigration and Naturalization Service on Cerna's behalf.
Right now he's staying in Hawaii on student visas, and his mother is allowed to work here to support him. He intends to continue studying music in university and wants to be a concert pianist.
But he hasn't seen his father or two brothers and one sister for seven years. Returning to the Philippines means losing his visa status. He also needs one more eye operation.
Cancer first stole his eyesight, then the life of his 5-year-old identical twin brother.
Nine months later, inspired by what he believes was his brother's passion for the piano, Cerna sat at a bench and played his brother's favorite song, "Immaculate Mary." His own healing began. "He is in me," Cerna said.
