Nikolai Massenkoff

“The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how much they love them while they’re alive.” — Orlando A. Battista 

“ God bless the Philippines,
The people that we love,
You are the jewel of the orient,
The Russians will remember your generosity,
Your kindness,
Your compassion,
Your hospitality,
Your grace and bright face,
We are grateful to you my friend.” (to the tune of God Bless America)

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar — Nicolai Masennkoff, world-renowned singer, in his “Thank You Philippine Concert” replaced the lyrics of God Bless America with God Bless the Philippines and sang it as a way of thanking the people of the Philippines for giving them a place to stay 62 years ago, a temporary home in Tubabao island of Guiuan.

It was a sentimental journey for a man, who at 10 years old became a refugee in our country. An orphan at three years old he was taken cared of by John Maximonich, now known as St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, at an orphanage. In 1949, he along with 6,000 white Russians escaped communism in China and found a home in the island of Tubabao as their temporary refuge with the help of Philippine President Elpedio Quirino. It is interesting to note that it is only our country which answered the appeal of the International Refugee Organization (IRO) for a temporary refuge for the white Russians who were leaving China. They were called “white” Russians because they didn’t join the communist or Red Party.

Now at 72, Massenkoff paid tribute to the Guiuanons and the Filipinos in a free concert last September 30 at the town plaza. Amid cheers of the jampacked crowd, Nikolai said: “ I am happy to be back in Guiuan where I spent two of the best years in my childhood. Thank you Guiuanons and thank you Philippines for giving us a home during the turbulent times of our history. I am back as an adult to appreciate the beauty of this land and its people. I am very thankful to Mayor Kwan who never tires of looking for us white Russians in the internet. I am one of the first who responded to her message posted in the internet.”

He sang 20 international songs during the concert and surprised everyone when he serenaded the crowd with a Tagalog song “Gaano Kita Kamahal” perfectly. He boasts that he studied the lyrics and melody for two years before he perfected it.

After three years of staying in Tubabao, he went to San Francisco, California to gain his education. He studied hard and went to study Voice, Drama, Speech and Music. He received teaching credentials in Music and continued to study voice lessons in Italy and Austria.

With enough experience, he founded the Massenkoff Music Folk Festival, a festival that promotes Russian music, song and dances. The festival has performed in the different states in the United States and in several countries.

He has performed on stage with several international singers. Tenor Massenkoff received the Laureate of the First International Festival of Russian Songs, one of the accolades accorded to world celebrated singers, according to Guiuan Tourism and Development Officer Aurora de Los Reyes.

“Only one Guiuananon made an effort to look and reconnect with the White Russians and that is Mayor Kwan, “ said Massenkoff. Mayor Kwan said that when she assumed the mayoral post in 2004, it was her vision to reconnect with the white Russians and reunite them with the Guiuanons. The white Russians were welcomed by President Quirino when they arrived Tubabao island. They stayed from 1949 until 1951. Tubabao is only a 5-minute boat ride from mainland Guiuan. They set up refugee camp using US equipment left by the Americans after the just concluded World War II of 1944. They also built two churches.

Accompanying Mayor Annaliz Kwan during the concert aside from Tourism Officer de los Reyes were her brother, Eastern Samar Vice Governor Christopher “Sheen” Gonzales, Vice Mayor Jonas Abuda , Rodel Joven, chief of the Guiuan Water District, acclaimed journalists Waldy Carbonell and Ricky Soler, Eastern Visayas media personalities LSDE Editor Ven Labro, Ahlette Reyes, Lizbeth Arcelao(DyDW), Nimfa Patawaran of Bombo Radyo, Ian Vincent Batic(AAC), Lito Bagunas, Rey Grado, Roel Amazona, ESPEJO magazine managing editor Cristina Magallon and Gay Samson, among others.

By: Vicky C. Arnaiz(With special thanks to Lito Bagunas for the pictures)