Inspired by his late dad, Jose Yorong, who fronted a Filipino rondalla string ensemble years ago, Julian Yorong Sr. carved out a professional career in music before taking a machinist's job at Pearl Harbor.

Six years ago, Yorong formed his own rondalla and since has made it a personal mission to keep the flame burning.

The rondalla dates back to Hawai'i's sugar plantation era, when the music form thrived.

"Kids don't take interest in things of the past," said Yorong, 60, now retired. "By performing around town, at least we get the music out there."

The Julian Yorong Rondalla Group will perform at Sunday's "Pasko!" celebration at McCoy Pavilion. And he hopes the appearance will stir the younger generation of Filipinos into delving into their culture.

"I was formerly president of the United Visayan Club of Waipahu," said Yorong, a Hawai'i Kai resident. "So I thought I should pursue the rondalla, since no one else that I know of was doing it."

He got the word out and organized a five-member string ensemble that plays traditional Filipino songs as well as American standards — plus marching-band music.

"I think there were a lot more rondalla groups in the old days, because way back then, in the 1940s, there was no TV, just music for entertainment."

His rondalla includes Frank Mamalias, bandoria player; Anacleto Popa, bass player; Joe Engbino, tenor guitarist; and Rolando Aton, guitarist.

"Together, we have over 300 years of musical experience," said Yorong, who plays a variety of instruments and can move to any other slot in the group.

His flexibility on instruments dates back to the 1960s, when he was a principal player and substitute musician with a number of Waikiki acts. He rattled off a roster: Berne Hal-Mann, Herb "Ohta-san" Ohta, Wally & the Whalers, Family Tree. Even Germaine's Lu'au.

"We really want to entice and encourage Filipino students to (discover) the rondalla," Yorong said.

That's why Yorong has revved up a slate of appearances in a variety of venues, such as a gig Dec. 4 at the Philippine Consulate, a Filipino Bicentennial celebration Dec. 10 at the Hawai'i Convention Center, and a Jan. 28 event at Kapi'olani Park.

His father's rondalla, called the 'Aiea Rizal String Band, won first place in a statewide contest decades ago and toured the Neighbor Islands as part of the prize. Yorong said that victory marked a turning point in his life.

"His winning inclined me to get into music, so at 12, I started taking clarinet lessons. Then there was a demand for bass, so I switched. And then I learned to play 'ukulele, guitar, mandolin and vibraharp."

He said his dad was special. "He played a right-handed guitar with his left hand — upside down. In a way, I'm ambidextrous, too. I write and eat with my left hand but play mandolin with my right."

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.