RAd music blog

PPO presents rare harp concerto performance on Oct. 16 at the Met

2026-10-11T00:00:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra continues its 42nd concert season, Modulatio, with a rarelly seen harp concerto performance happening this October 16, 2026, 7:30 PM at the Metropolitan Theater.

Billed as Concert II: Elegance, the second concert of the season sees 14-year old harp prodigy Vien Ignacio as she makes her debut with the PPO under the baton of Grzegorz Nowak.

Vien Ignacio

Ignacio, who was introduced to the pedal harp when she was just three and a half years old, has since then been trained by Olga Shevelevich. She has won awards most notably First Place at the 2025 Scandinavian International Instrument Music Competition to go along with special diplomas for Best Performance of a Romantic Piece and the Child Prodigy awards. For her PPO debut, she will take on George Frideric Handel's Harp Concerto in B flat major, Op. 4 No. 6.

Other pieces to be performed include Redentor Romero's Philippine Portraits and Zygmunt Noskowski's Step (the Steppe), Op. 66.

Tickets for the PPO's Concert II: Elegance are available at TicketWorld outlets. PPO subscriptions can be availed by contacting salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph or by calling the CCP Box Office at +63 931-033-0880.

5th edition of KinoFest brings German cinema to Greenhills

2026-10-09T00:00:00.000+08:00

The Goethe-Institut's KinoFest, its annual German film festival, is making its way back to Manila this October 15-18, 2026. For its fifth edition, the festival will be hosted for the first time at GH Ortigas Cinema, Greenhills Mall in San Juan.

This year's program is an exploration of how people's lives are shaped by the spaces they move through and the burdens they carry, from their respective families and workplaces to their communities and the histories they inherit. Across stories of faith, memory, justice, care, and belonging, the films ask a central question: How do we create lives of our own when the realities around us are often imposed upon us?

Opening KinoFest 2026 is Rose (2026), the latest film by Markus Schleinzer, featuring award-winning actress Sandra Hüller in a remarkable lead performance. Presented in striking black and white, the film follows a woman striving to shape her own destiny within the rigid constraints of a historical society, exploring themes of identity, freedom, and self-determination. Hüller's powerful performance sets the tone for a festival that reflects on resilience, agency, and the search for belonging.

The main lineup brings together a diverse selection of films, including I Understand Your Displeasure (Ich verstehe Ihren Unmut), Sound of Falling (In die Sonne schauen), In Good Faith (Gotteskinder), Prosecution (Staatsschutz), Trial of Hein (Der Heimatlose), The Family Approach (Im Prinzip Familie), Circusboy (Zirkuskind), Luisa, and Heidi: Rescue of the Lynx (Heidi: Rettung der Luchse). Together, these films offer contemporary perspectives on work, family, belief, community, and the ways individuals navigate the social and institutional forces around them.

A special highlight of this year's Manila program is KinoFest Special: Intersections on October 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Cinema 1, GH Ortigas Cinema, Greenhills Mall. Bringing contemporary Philippine cinema into conversation with the German lineup, the program features Invisible Labor by Joanne Cesario, Raging (Rumaragasa) by Ryan Machado, and the Philippine premiere of Body Count by Cris Bringas. Together, the films explore themes of memory, labor, trauma, intimacy, and place, demonstrating how the questions raised throughout the festival resonate far beyond national borders.

The screening will be followed by an in-person talkback with the filmmakers, moderated by Julian Fuchs, Director of the Goethe-Institut Philippines, inviting audiences to engage in a conversation about the stories and experiences that connect people across cultures.

KinoFest 2026 lineup in detail:

Rose (2026)

Director: Markus Schleinzer

Cast: Sandra Hüller, Caro Braun, Marisa Growaldt, Godehard Giese, Augustino Renken

In 17th-century Germany, a scarred stranger arrives in a village claiming to be heir to a farmstead. Despite initial suspicion, he's accepted as a hardworking, Godfearing man his belonging built on a lie. The true story of a con artist born a woman who deceived an entire village.

Ich verstehe Ihren Unmut | I Understand Your Displeasure (2026)

Director: Kilian Armando Friedrich

Cast: Sabine Thalau, Nada Kosturin, Werner Posselt, Sadibou Diabang, Nigyar Velagic

Heike, 59, manages a cleaning company team under constant pressure to satisfy clients and her boss. When a powerful subcontractor threatens to pull his support unless she gives his team more work, Heike must decide whether to sacrifice one of her own employees to survive the job's demands.

Staatsschutz | Prosecution (2026)

Director: Faraz Shariat

Cast: Chen Emilie Yan, Julia Jentsch, Alev Irmak, Arnd Klawitter, Sebastian Urzendowsky

Prosecutor Seyo Kim survives a racially motivated attack and, defying official orders, conducts her own investigation. She brings a perpetrator to trial and uncovers a far-right network—and in the process learns just how much the state she serves applies double standards.

Der Heimatlose | Trial of Hein (2026)

Director: Kai Stänicke

Cast: Paul Boche, Philip Froissant, Emilia Schüle, Stephanie Amarell

After 14 years, Hein returns to his home island - but no one recognizes him, not even his former friend Friedemann. A village court is set to determine who he is. But the more contradictions that surface, the more desperately Hein searches for evidence to support his own memories.

Luisa (2025)

Director: Julia Roesler

Cast: Celina Scharff, Trixi Strobel, Dennis Seidel, Eva Löbau, Bernd Hölscher, Katharina Bromka, Hadi Khanjanpour, Martin Schnippa, Peter Lohmeyer, Michael Schuhmacher

Luisa lives in a residential facility for people with disabilities. She is 22 years old and curious about life. Unnoticed, Luisa becomes increasingly quiet; daily life in the residential group continues as usual until it is unexpectedly discovered that Luisa is pregnant. She doesn’t tell anyone what happened; she remains silent. Sexual abuse is suspected. A drama. A true crime.

Im Prinzip Familie | The Family Approach (2024)

Director: Daniel Abma

Almost like family, but always temporary: caught between parental love, bureaucracy, and child welfare services, three caregivers do everything they can to create a home for the children. A film about the superpower of raising a child and family in all its forms.

Zirkuskind | Circusboy (2025)

Directors: Julia Lemke, Anna Koch

Every day is magical when the circus is your playground. Santino, a circus kid constantly on the move, listens to his great-grandfather’s stories as his own life is just beginning. A documentary road movie woven with animation, Circusboy follows one of the last nomadic families in Germany through a full year and four seasons— capturing the joys and struggles of a life without a fixed address, and the enduring power of belonging.

Gotteskinder | In Good Faith (2024)

Director: Frauke Lodders

Cast: Flora Li Thiemann, Serafin Mishiev, Michelangelo Fortuzzi, Mark Waschke, Bettina Zimmermann, Thimo Meitner, Martin Lindow, Luna Schaller

Two sheltered siblings from a conservative household face personal revelations that challenge their family's strict beliefs, forcing them to navigate between authenticity and tradition.

In die Sonne schauen | Sound of Falling (2025)

Director: Mascha Schilinski

Cast: Lena Urzendowsky, Luise Heyer, Filip Schnack, Lea Drinda, Susanne Wuest, Luzia Oppermann, Konstantin Lindhorst, Lucas Prisor, Bärbel Schwarz, Hanna Heckt, Ninel Geiger

Four adolescent girls each spend their youth in the same farmhouse over the last century. Though separated by decades, resonances between their lives emerge: their desires and distress, secrets and truths, encounters with another’s gaze and defiant gaze in return.

Heidi: Rettung der Luchse | Heidi: Rescue of the Lynx (2025)

Director: Toby Schwarz

Free spirited Heidi faces forces beyond her years to protect her Grandfather and the alpine wilderness she loves from a ruthless businessman and the hungry jaws of his new saw mill.

KinoFest Specials: Intersections lineup:

Rumaragasa | Raging (2025)

Director: Ryan Machado

Cast: Elijah Canlas, Ron Angeles, Reynald Raisel Santos, Glenn Sevilla Mas

A young man’s quest for truth and justice intertwines with a plane crash mystery, uncovering a sinister plot that propels his desire to be heard but also threatens his community.

Body Count (2026)

Director: Cris Bringas

Paul, a Filipino nurse in Berlin whose brother was killed in Duterte’s drug war, hooks up with David, a former IDF soldier who has just fled Israel. They press record. As they tangle in bed, they discover a shared language of queerness and violence. But as their pillow talk deepens, intimacy fails to redeem brutality, revealing the living remains of wars both ongoing and never-ending.

Invisible Labor (2023)

Director: Joanne Cesario

Cast: Cay Piedad, Maribel Piedad, Rosb Guzman, Mary Ann Castillo, Julie Ann Gutierrez

Marcos then, Marcos now. Filipino workers unite and lead the struggle for economic and political rights, determined to shape the course of history. In between, a janitor painstakingly rewinds videotapes featuring these struggles, unknowingly aiding in the preservation of history.

Screening Schedule:

October 15, 2026 (Cinema 1)

7:00 PM Rose

October 16, 2026 (Cinema 1)

1:30 PM I Understand Your Displeasure

3:00 PM Prosecution

5:30 PM The Family Approach

7:30 PM Sound of Falling

October 17, 2026

12:00 PM Heide: The Return of the Lynx (Cinema 1)

12:30 PM Trial of Hein (The Screening Room)

2:00 PM Circusboy (Cinema 1)

3:00 PM Luisa (The Screening Room)

4:00 PM KinoFest Special: Raging, Body Count, Invisible Labor (Cinema 1)

5:00 PM Prosecution (The Screening Room)

7:30 PM In Good Faith (The Screening Room)

October 18, 2026

1:00 PM Circusboy (Cinema 1) | Rose (The Screening Room)

3:00 PM Heide: The Return of the Lynx (Cinema 1) | Sound of Falling (The Screening Room)

5:00 PM Luisa (Cinema 1)

5:30 PM I Understand Your Displeasure (The Screening Room)

7:00 PM Trial of Hein (Cinema 1) | The Family Approach (The Screening Room)

All screenings of KinoFest 2026 will take place from October 15 to 18, 2026, at GH Ortigas Cinema, Greenhills Mall, Cinema 1 and The Screening Room. Admission is FREE on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may be claimed at the KinoFest booth near Cinema 1 beginning one (1) hour before each screening.

KinoFest 2026 is jointly organized by the Goethe-Instituts in Southeast Asia and the Pacific and continues its commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue through film. By bringing German and Filipino perspectives together on screen, the festival invites audiences to reflect on how we love, care, belong, and imagine new possibilities for the future.

MSO premieres Ryan Cayabyab opus, welcomes cellist Camille Thomas

2026-10-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

There is so much to be thankful for as the Manila Symphony Orchestra presents the fifth concert of its Centennial Season happening on October 22, 2026, 7:30 PM at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

Topping the reasons to be grateful in this concert is the World Premiere performance of Pasasalamat for choir and orchestra by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario.

Ryan Cayabyab

Commissioned by the MSO for its centennial, Pasasalamat reflects on the meaning of gratitude not only as a personal feeling, but as a responsibility to others and to the community. Almario’s text considers the values that shape a shared life, from compassion and respect for differences to freedom, justice, culture, knowledge, and the willingness to accept criticism and change. At its heart is the idea that being human is not simply a given, but something we become through our choices and actions.

For the MSO, the work is particularly fitting, offering an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities that come with being the longest surviving institution that has been part of Philippine musical life and history for a century. The text will be brought to life by MSO's featured choir, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Bagong Himig Serenata.

Camille Thomas

Another reason to be thankful is that Franco-Belgian Camille Thomas will finally grace the Philippine stage after a long five year delay. Her originally announced performance with the MSO scheduled back in January 2021 was among the numerous cancellations brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Known for her expressive performances and technical artistry, Thomas is an exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist since 2017 who has performed with major orchestras and conductors across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Her recording Voice of Hope, released in partnership with UNICEF, reflects her belief in music as a means of creating connection and inspiring hope.

PUP Bagong Himig Serenata

Apart from Pasasalamat, the evening's program will also include Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 with Thomas as the featured soloist and Gabriel Fauré's Requiem in D minor, Op. 48. The award-wining PUP Bagong Himig Serenata joins the orchestra in the performance of the Cayabyab/Almario and Faure pieces while MSO Music Director conducts.

Marlon Chen

Cellist Camille Thomas with the MSO is presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance, co-presented by EastWest Bank and DENZA Alabang by ACMobility Premium Dealership Inc. and is sponsored by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Grand Hyatt Manila, National Performing Arts Grantee, and SM Hotels and Conventions with special thanks to JTI ALL IN, The Laufey Foundation, Austrian Embassy Manila, HSTL Foundation, EON Group, 98.7 DZFE-FM | The Master's Touch, and The Manila Times.

Película>Pelikula celebrates silver anniversary, honors actor Ronnie Lazaro

2026-09-28T00:00:00.000+08:00

My fascination with the Argentine men's volleyball team led me to dive into whatever Argentine culture I could get my hands on. The early years of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA, the Manila Spanish Film Festival provided the Argentine culture fix that I needed at the time when the watching entire movies online wasn't a thing yet. If I remember correcly, it was Daniel Burman's El abrazo partido at the 4th edition back in 2005 when I first patronized the festival for the very obvious reason that it was an Argentine film.

After more than two decades later with dozens of Argentine films screened since then, PELÍCULA>PELIKULA now celebrates 25 years of bringing the best of Spanish language cinema and more to the country this October 4-11, 2026.

Presented by the Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain, AECID Cultura, and other institutions, this year's festival will feature a total of 23 movies from eight different countries including the Philippines. The films range from recent Goya Award winners, titles from various Latin American countries, and a selection of shorts.

On October 4, 2026, Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros, Manila will serve as host to La Previa, a four movie marathon serving as a prelude before the main program screenings begin at the Power Plant Cinema in Rockwell, Makati on October 5-11, 2026.

As always, audience members get to vote on their favorite films and the one that gets the most votes will be screened again closing out the festival.

Ronnie Lazaro

New for this year is the inaugural Galardón XXV Aniversario (XXV Anniversary Award) to be presented to Filipino actor Ronnie Lazaro for his significant contribution in strenghtening the ties between the Philippines and the Spanish-speaking world through his work in cinema.

Nick Deocampo

PELÍCULA>PELIKULA is more than just the film screenings. Scheduled this year is a music performance by Merienda Jazz to kick of the festival on October 2, 2026, a film talk by film historian Nick Deocampo on October 6, 2026, 1:00 PM at the Power Plant Cinema, and a series of film-inspied workshops by Mexican artist Juan Pablo Chipe on October 4, 2026, 9:00 AM at Instituto Cervantes at Intramuros, Manila and October 6, 2026 at the SoFA Design Institute, 2nd level, Proscenium Retail Row, at the Rockwell Center in Makati.

Participation to Juan Pablo Chipe's workshops are free, but slots are limited. Interested participants can register at the links below:

Juan Pablo Chipe

October 4, 2026

Modeling Clay Workshop for Children

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/nf0jD15vd0o

October 6, 2026

Recycling Workshop for Adults

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/YW1HTU5YH6

Here are the films lined up for the 25th edition of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA.

El cautivo | The Captive (2025, Spain)

Director: Alejandro Amenábar

Cast: Julio Peña, Alessandro Borghi, Miguel Rellán, Fernando Tejero, José Manuel Poga, Luis Callejo, Roberto Álamo, Albert Salazar, César Sarachu, Luna Berroa

1575 Algiers, Miguel de Cervantes, a wounded 28-year-old Spanish Navy soldier, is held prisoner by Ottoman corsairs. Faced with a ticking clock, a cruel death awaits him should his fellow countrymen fail to pay his ransom soon; but within the confines of his cell, Cervantes discovers a surprising refuge - the art of storytelling. Crafted from resilience and hope, his stories enthral his fellow captives, and captures the attention of Hasan, the enigmatic and feared Bey of Algiers. Igniting a secret affinity between captor and captive, suspicions rise amidst growing tensions in the city, and Cervantes, driven by an unwavering sense of optimism, devises a daring plan for freedom.

La cena | The Dinner (2025, Spain)

Director: Manuel Gómez Pereira

Cast: Mario Casas, Alberto San Juan, Asier Etxeandia, Nora Hernández, Oscar Lasarte, Elvira Mínguez, Carmen Balagué, Eva Ugarte, Martín Páez, Carlos Serrano, Toni Agustí, Ferran Gadea, Eleazar Ortiz, Antonio Resines

April 15th, 1939. Two weeks after the end of the Spanish Civil War, lieutenant Medina bursts into the Hotel Palace with an unexpected announcement: Franco will dine there that night with his top generals. What they don’t know is that the dinner will be prepared by a group of Republican chefs who have just been given their last chance to escape the country.

Cyclone (2025, Brazil)

Director: Flávia Castro

Cast: Luiza Mariani, Eduardo Moscovis, Karine Teles, Luciana Paes, Magali Biff, Ricardo Teodoro, Helena Albergaria, Rogério Brito

Dayse, a Brazilian playwright known as Cyclone, wants to study in Paris. Having a career in theater is unthinkable for a woman in São Paulo in 1918. But her director doesn’t want her to go, as he would lose his mistress and ghostwriter. When she becomes pregnant by him, her dream starts to fade. An artist’s struggle for self-determination in a patriarchal society, based on the true story of Daisy Pontes and modernist Oswald de Andrade.

El desencanto | The Disenchantment (1976, Spain)

Director: Jaime Chávarri

Cast: Felicidad Blanc, Juan Luis Panero, Leopoldo María Panero, Michi Panero

Following the death of the official poet of the Francoist regime, Leopoldo Panero, his widow (Felicidad Blanc) and his three sons (Juan Luis, Leopoldo María and Michi) meet to remember his figure. Shot in the final stages of the Franco era, the film became an unwitting metaphor of a country that was starting to air its secrets and into an emblem of the Spanish Transition.

Los domingos | Sundays (2025, Spain)

Director: Alauda Ruiz de Azúa

Cast: Blanca Soroa, Patricia López Arnaiz, Miguel Garcés, Juan Minujín, Mabel Rivera, Nagore Aranburu

A young woman faces personal crossroads while exploring career possibilities, much to her family's concern.

Gigantes, una aventura extraordinaria | Giants of La Mancha (2024, Argentina)

Director: Gonzalo Gutiérrez

Cast: Micke Alejandro Moreno Lamprea, Cassie Glow, Mathew Moreno Lamprea

Alfonso Quixote is an 11-year-old boy with a big imagination. As the rightful descendant and legitimate heir to Don Quixote and just like his great, great, great, great, grand-father, he is constantly protecting his beloved town in La Mancha from monsters, which no one else can see.

La habitación de al lado | The Room Next Door (2024, Spain)

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Cast: Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Alessandro Nivola, Juan Diego Botto, Raúl Arévalo, Victoria Luengo, Alex Høgh Andersen, Esther McGregor, Alvise Rigo, Melina Matthews

Martha's strained relationship with her mother fractures completely when a misunderstanding drives them apart. Their mutual friend Ingrid sees both sides of the rift.

Lapönia | Welcome to Lapland (2026, Spain)

Director: David Serrano

Cast: Natalia Verbeke, Julián López, Ángela Cervantes, Vebjørn Enger

Nuria, who now lives in Lapland with her husband and daughter, decides to invite her sister Mónica, her husband, and their son to spend a dreamlike Christmas at her home. The plan seems perfect until her daughter tells her cousin that the white‑bearded man who supposedly leaves gifts for children doesn’t actually exist. The evening spirals into a full‑blown family battle that brings to light unspoken secrets and sparks a debate about what is more appropriate: telling the truth at all costs or preserving the illusion, even if it relies on lies.

L'Olívia i el terratrèmol invisible | Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake (2025, Spain)

Director: Irene Iborra Rizo

Olivia, navigates through her tumultuous life after her family's facing eviction from their apartment. Olivia conjures up a cinematic universe to protect her younger brother Tim from their harsh reality.

Mariposas negras | Black Butterflies (2024, Spain)

Director: David Baute

Tanit lives in Turkana, northern Kenya, where extreme drought forces her to move to Nairobi with her family. Valeria, from the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, must flee after the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma. And Shaila, on the Indian island of Ghoramara, sees her home and crops destroyed by rising sea levels, compelling her to migrate to the city. These moving stories of loss are bound by the shared experience of climate migration—fragile like butterflies, they struggle to survive in a world that no longer sustains them. A necessary look at the human impact of climate change.

Maspalomas (2025, Spain)

Directors: Aitor Arregi, Jose Mari Goenaga

Cast: José Ramón Soroiz, Nagore Aranburu, Kandido Uranga, Zorion Eguileor, Kepa Errasti

Mensaje en una botella | Message in a Bottle (2025, Argentina)

Director: Gabriel Nesci

Cast: Luisana Lopilato, Benjamín Vicuña, Benjamín Amadeo, Luciano Cáceres, Rafael Spregelburd, Eduardo Blanco, Inés Estévez, Gabriel Corrado, Luis Machín, Valeria Lois, Marina Bellati

A sommelier discovers she can send messages to the past-through bottles of wine-to fix a bad decision. But each change in the past, makes her present worse. Trapped in a spiral of cause and effect, she risks losing the life she truly wants.

Rondallas | Band Together (2025, Spain)

Director: Daniel Sánchez Arévalo

Cast: Javier Gutiérrez, María Vázquez, Judith Fernández, Tamar Novas, Carlos Blanco, Fernando Fraga, Xosé A. Touriñán, Marta Larralde, Lola López Rodríguez, Marcos Pereiro

A small town on the coast of Galicia, is shaken two years ago by the shipwreck in which seven of its nine crew members died. After two years of mourning, they decide to return rondalla, which brings a lot of joy and excitement.

Sirāt  (2025, Spain)

Director: Óliver Laxe

Cast: Sergi López, Bruno Núñez, Richard Bellamyun, Stefania Gadda, Joshua Liam Herderson, Tonin Javier, Jade Ouki

A father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa.

Tengo sueños eléctricos | I Have Electric Dreams (2022, Costa Rica)

Director: Valentina Maures

Cast: Daniela Marín Navarro, Reinaldo Amien Gutiérrez, Vivian Rodríguez Barquero, Adriana Castro García, José Pablo Segreda Johanning, Mayté Ortega, Jeniffer Fernández Cornejo, Sara Lefèvre

Eva can't stand the fact that her mother wants to renovate the house and get rid of the cat, which, disoriented since the divorce, pees everywhere. Eva wants to go and live with her father, who, disoriented like the cat, is experiencing a second adolescence. But like someone who crosses an ocean of adults without knowing how to swim, Eva has to face the rage that gnaws at her father. And now it is going through her too.

Los tigres (2025, Spain)

Director: Alberto Rodríguez

Cast: Antonio de la Torre, Bárbara Lennie, Joaquín Núñez, José Miguel Manzano Bazalo “Skone”, Silvia Acosta

Antonio and Estrella are siblings. Their father was a diver. They have spent their whole lives at sea. Antonio is known as The Tiger, an indomitable diver and the perfect buddy to have with you when you risk your life in only a few seconds, every day. Estrella helps her brother on the barge where they work. She keeps him grounded; out of the water, Antonio is a real mess. He has always lived in the moment, never thinking about the future, leaving him with barely a penny to his name. When Antonio has an accident, he is told that his diving days will soon be over. The future looks dark and complicated. However, this situation may just change when they find a stash of cocaine hidden in the hull of an oil tanker. Antonio sees no other option, but his sister Estrella has her doubts. As always.

Vino la noche | Night Has Come (2024, Peru)

Director: Paolo Tizón

A group of young men, many of them teenagers, voluntarily enlists in a rigorous military program within the Peruvian Armed Forces. They are driven by their desire to engage in an ongoing armed conflict in the VRAEM, an area with military intervention framed by a ‘war on drugs’ policy.

They aspire to become ‘men of war’ and embark on a transformative journey from hopeful adventurers into soldiers. Amidst the violence in the secluded military environment in Peru, intimate moments unfold beyond a prejudiced gaze, where compassion and care blossom among them.

We the Hispanos (2026, Spain)

Director: José Luis López-Linares

Documentary that explores and vindicates the diversity and depth of the Hispanic American legacy, proposing a journey through its intellectual, religious, artistic and political influence in the construction of the United States. At the same time, it analyzes the contemporary challenges facing the Hispanic community as a global actor, emphasizing its current role and projection within the United States.

Here are the short films for the Encunetros en el cine: En corto section of the festival.

¡Abre las piernas! | Spread Your legs! (2025, Mexico)

Director: Águeda V. Flores

Cast: Irina Bravo, Tony Corvillo

Paula, a martial arts enthusiast, attends a gynecological appointment with a weird and insensitive doctor.

Agapito (2025, Philippines)

Directors: Arvin Belarmino, Kyla Romero

Cast: Nour Hooshmand, Andre Miguel, Anton Nolasco, Jeremy Mayores, Veronica Reyes, Joel Garcia, Bullet Dumas, Rhon Mercene, Zee Narciso

It's the last day of the month. Bowlers flock to the lanes of a bowling alley that has seen better days. Mira, the manager, decides to close early. She's awaiting the arrival of a special visitor.

Elenita, Elena, Elaine (2025, Philippines)

Director: Gabriela Serrano

Cast: Agot Isidro, Gabby Padilla, Mariana Serrano

A pop idol prepares for what will become her final TV performance. A young graduate packs up her room to go work abroad. A call center agent lets her voice fade against a wall of noise. On this long night, in a reality where people have ceased to dream, three women’s mundane routines and subconscious worlds collide – revealing wishes, regrets, and versions of themselves that they keep from one other. Will dawn bring more silence, or a shimmering song?

Gilbert (2024, Spain)

Directors: Arturo Lacal, Alex Salu, Jordi Jiménez

Gilbert and Sullivan are neighbours on a small archipelago in the middle of the ocean where Sullivan plays the fiscorn, practicing all day long in front of his house, and Gilbert distributes the packages that fall from the sky. But one day Gilbert decides to keep a package that was intended for his neighbour. Inexplicably, that morning, Gilbert leaves his duty to one side and decides not to deliver the parcel to its addressee. This decision changes the course of their friendship forever.

Voz de trompeta | Trumpet Voice (2023, Chile)

Directors: Pilar Smoje Gueico, David Monarte, Serna

A middle-aged trumpet player, unable to communicate with the world in any other way than through his music. One day his trumpet is stolen by the demons with whom he lives every day and he will have to travel inside his mind, reliving his greatest fears and traumas in order to fight his demons and recover his precious trumpet.

PELÍCULA>PELIKULA screening schedule

October 4, 2026 La Previa

10:00 AM Gigantes, una aventura extraordinaria

12:30 PM L'Olívia i el terratrèmol invisible

2:00 PM Mensaje en una botella

4:30 PM Mariposas negras

October 5, 2026

2:00 PM Rondallas

5:00 PM La cena

7:30 PM El cautivo

October 6, 2026

2:00 PM El desencanto

5:00 PM La habitación de al lado

7:30 PM Maspalomas

October 7, 2026

2:00 PM Los domingos

5:00 PM Tengo sueños eléctricos

7:30 PM Vino la noche

October 8, 2026

2:00 PM Lapönia

5:00 PM Cyclone

7:30 PM Sirāt

October 9, 2026

2:00 PM We the Hispanos

5:00 PM El cautivo

7:30 PM Los tigres

9:45 PM Mensaje en una botella

October 10, 2026

2:00 PM Mariposas negras

5:00 PM Los domingos

7:30 PM La cena

October 11, 2026

2:00 PM L'Olívia i el terratrèmol invisible

5:00 PM Encuentros ne el cine: En corto

7:30 PM Premio del Público

Admission to the film screenings at Intramuros and Power Plant Cinema is for free. Films to be shown in their original language with English subtitles.

PELÍCULA>PELIKULA 2026 is a project of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, and AECID Philippines, in collaboration with the Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Film Academy of the Philippines, the National Book Development Board, Intramuros Administration, QCinema, Quezon City Screen Commission (Screen QC), the Embassy of Argentina in the Philippines, the Embassy of Brazil in the Philippines, the Embassy of Chile in the Philippines, the Embassy of Peru in the Philippines, Power Plant Cinema, Ayala Museum, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Mapúa University, MINT College, CIIT, FEU Manila - Institute of Arts and Sciences, UP Diliman Department of European Languages, UP Círculo Hispánico, UP Film Institute, the UST Department of Modern Languages, and SOFA Design Institute.

The Festival is sponsored by Acciona, Boysen, and Fundador.

FEU Bamboo Band celebrates libteration and heritage with Malaya: Songs of Freedom concert

2026-09-18T00:00:00.000+08:00

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Center for the Arts proudly presents the FEU Bamboo Band in MALAYA: Songs of Freedom on September 26, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the historic FEU Auditorium.

This one-hour musical showcase honors the enduring spirit of liberty, national identity, and youth empowerment through the unique, resonant warmth of Philippine bamboo instruments. Malaya: Songs of Freedom honors Filipino resilience through Fortitude in past struggles and showcases Excellence in every piece. This journey inspires Uprightness, urging us to build a hope-filled future grounded in integrity and cultural pride.

FEU Bamboo Band

The evening's repertoire spans local traditions, social commentaries, and global anthems of peace. Featured pieces include David Benoit and Nathan East's Freedom at Midnight, Tropical Depression’s reggae classic Kapayapaan, the traditional Cordillera folk melody Salidumay, and the Scorpions' timeless Wind of Change. Highlighting the evening are collaborative performances featuring The Far Eastern University Chorale in the patriotic anthem Bayan Ko, as well as Ms. Heleina Kirstensen Li (IAS ‘27) from the FEU Theater Guild in John Lennon’s Imagine.

Norbie Cads

Led by FEU Bamboo Band Artistic Director Mr. Norbie Cads, MALAYA promises an unforgettable cultural experience for Tamaraws, music lovers, and the cultural community.

Ticket Prices:

Free - FEU Community with a valid FEU ID

Php 100 - FEU Alumni with a valid FEU ID

Php 200 - Non-FEU Community

(50% 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘕𝘰𝘯-𝘍𝘌𝘜 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘸/ 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘥 𝘐𝘋, 20% 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘯𝘴 & 𝘗𝘞𝘋𝘴 𝘸/ 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘥 𝘐𝘋)

FEU Bamboo Band and FEU Chorale

https://forms.gle/JnL4zZBiGysD4ZJj6

Be part of an unforgettable night where every song echoes the meaning of MALAYA!

Newest batch of National Artists declared

2026-09-12T00:00:00.000+08:00

Ten (10) new National Artists were named by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. through Proclamation No. 1414 dated September 1, 2026, upon the joint recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

The newly declared National Artists are Gabriel “Gabby” Formoso for architecture; Rafael “Nonoy” Catalino Froilan for dance; Maria Beatriz “Patis” Fabella Pamintuan Tesoro for design and allied arts; Armando “Bing” Lao for film and broadcast arts; Gregorio C. Brillantes and Nicanor G. Tiongson for literature; Alfredo S. Buenaventura for music; Teodoro L. Hilado for theater; and Imelda Cajipe-Endaya and Nunelucio M. Alvarado for visual arts.

Formoso, Lao, Brillantes and Hilado are recognized posthumously.

The addition of the ten honorees brings the roster of National Artists to 91.

The New National Artists

Gabriel Formoso

Gabriel “Gabby” Formoso (1915-1996) is recognized as a leading figure in postwar Philippine architecture and tropical modernism. His climate-responsive designs combined modernist simplicity with deep overhangs, recessed windows, and natural ventilation. His major works include the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Main Complex, Asian Institute of Management, Manila Peninsula Hotel, Philippine National Bank Financial Center, Bank of America-Lepanto Building and Pacific Star Building. Through the firm now known as GF and Partners Architects, Formoso also helped professionalize architectural practice and mentored succeeding generations of Filipino architects.

Nonoy Froilan

Rafael “Nonoy” Catalino Froilan is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and actor who helped establish dance as a viable profession for Filipino men, thereby influencing and shaping new generations of dancers and choreographers. As principal male dancer of Ballet Philippines for about two decades, he performed more than a hundred leading roles in classical, modern, and contemporary works. He distinguished himself in productions by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, including Amada, Itim Asu, Ang Sultan, Carmen, Rama Hari and Carmina Burana. Froilan also served as a longtime faculty member of the Philippine High School for the Arts, training and mentoring younger generations of dancers.

Patis Tesoro

Maria Beatriz “Patis” Fabella Pamintuan Tesoro has devoted more than half a century to preserving and reimagining Filipiniana. Tesoro elevated the terno, Maria Clara gown and barong Tagalog through her use of piña, jusi, abaca, cotton and traditional embroidery. Working closely with weavers, embroiderers, farmers, and other craftspeople, she promoted indigenous materials, sustainable practices, and the continued transmission of traditional knowledge. Her work brought Philippine textiles and craftsmanship to local and international audiences while supporting and providing livelihoods for artisan communities.

Bing Lao

Armando “Bing” Lao (1948-2024), was a screenwriter, director, creative consultant and mentor who contributed significantly to the development of contemporary Philippine cinema. His notable works include Takaw Tukso, Itanong Mo sa Buwan, Pila Balde, Tuhog, La Vida Rosa, Minsan Pa, Kubrador, Serbis and Kinatay. He also directed Biyaheng Lupa and Dukit. Lao developed the influential “Found Story” approach to filmmaking, which emphasized research, immersion, actual locations and social environment. Through his workshops and mentorship, he influenced a generation of independent Filipino filmmakers.

Gregorio Brillantes

Gregorio C. Brillantes (1932-2025) was one of the country’s foremost writers in English. Born in Camiling, Tarlac, he explored faith, memory, mortality, war, and middle-class Filipino life with philosophical depth and formal precision in his works. Among his most celebrated stories are “The Distance to Andromeda” and “Faith, Love, Time and Dr. Lazaro.” Brillantes also had a long career as a journalist and editor. His works have been included in major anthologies, translated into several languages and studied by generations of readers and scholars.

Nicanor Tiongson

Nicanor G. Tiongson is a playwright, scholar, critic, editor, teacher and cultural administrator known for his extensive work in Philippine theater and cultural studies. He championed traditional dramatic forms such as the komedya, sinakulo and sarsuwela and demonstrated their continuing artistic and historical importance. His plays include Pilipinas Circa 1907, Realizing Rama, Labaw Donggon, Ang Banog ng Sanlibutan and Mabining Mandirigma. Tiongson also conceptualized and led the production of the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, a comprehensive reference on the country’s artistic traditions, practices and practitioners.

Alfredo Buenaventura

Alfredo S. Buenaventura is a composer, conductor, educator and cultural advocate who created more than a thousand musical works. His compositions encompass operas, operettas, symphonies, concertos, ballets, masses and pieces for choirs, bands and rondallas. He combined Western classical forms with Philippine legends, folk melodies and indigenous musical materials. His opera Maria Makiling received the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1964, while his Kayumanggi Symphony received the same distinction in 1972. As an educator, Buenaventura taught in numerous universities and conservatories and helped train generations of Filipino musicians.

Teodoro Hilado

Teodoro L. Hilado (1938-2015) is regarded as the “Father of Theater Lighting in the Philippines.” He elevated lighting design into an essential part of theatrical storytelling. Hilado worked with many of the country’s professional dance and theater companies. As technical director of the Folk Arts Theater and director of the CCP Theater Operations Department, he introduced systems and professional standards that influenced the development of technical theater in the country. He also trained generations of lighting designers and theater technicians. In 1997, he became the first recipient of the Gawad CCP for Excellence in Lighting Design and Technical Theater.

Imelda Cajipe-Endaya

Imelda Cajipe-Endaya is a feminist artist, printmaker, painter, installation artist, curator, writer, and cultural organizer whose works brought women’s experiences and social concerns to the forefront of Philippine visual art. Through prints, paintings, assemblages, and installations, she has examined history, colonialism, national identity, faith, political struggle, and the condition of Filipino women. Her notable works include Mga Ninuno, May Bukas Pa, Inay, Sa Lupang Golgota and Pasyong Bayan. Cajipe-Endaya helped establish KASIBULAN, or Kababaihan sa Sining at Bagong Sibol na Kamalayan, a pioneering organization of Filipino feminist artists. She is the first woman to be declared National Artist for Visual Arts.

Nunelucio Alvarado

Nunelucio M. Alvarado is a social realist artist whose work is rooted in the communities and sugarlands of Negros. His recurring images of sakadas and sugarcane depict exploitation, hardship, resistance, survival, and hope. Apart from painting, he produced posters, cartoons, and comics that made art and its social messages more accessible to ordinary people. Alvarado co-founded the Black Artists in Asia and became an important mentor and community organizer in Negros. He received the CCP Thirteen Artists Award in 1992 and won the grand prize at the Philippine Art Awards in 1997 and 1999.

The Order of National Artist

The Order of National Artist, or Orden ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, is the highest national recognition conferred on Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and culture. It was established through Proclamation No. 1001, signed on April 27, 1972, to give appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who distinguished themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters. Executive Order No. 236, or the Honors Code of the Philippines, elevated the National Artist Award to the status of a cultural order in 2003.

The Order is jointly administered by the NCCA and the CCP and is conferred by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of both institutions.

The selection of National Artists undergoes a rigorous process. Nominations submitted by qualified organizations and institutions are reviewed for completeness, after which a research group verifies and expands the information on each nominee. The candidates then pass through three levels of deliberation: evaluation by a Council of Experts; further review by a Jury of Experts; and final deliberation by the NCCA Board of Commissioners, CCP Board of Trustees, and living National Artists. Voting is conducted by secret ballot, and nominees who receive more than half of the votes at the final level are endorsed to the Office of the President for confirmation, proclamation, and conferral.

National Artists are recognized for their substantial and significant bodies of work, pioneering contributions to their respective fields, sustained artistic excellence, and role in developing Filipino nationhood and cultural identity.

The honor carries the rank and title of National Artist, a medallion and citation, financial and medical benefits for living awardees, a place of honor at state functions and a state funeral upon death. Posthumous honors are received by the awardees’ families or legal heirs.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific makes comeback for UST Conservatory of Music's 80th Anniversary

2026-09-11T00:00:00.000+08:00

Due to its overwhelming success and rave reviews from audiences and critics alike, Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific makes its highly anticipated comeback. Following its acclaimed Philippine staging by the UST Conservatory of Music as part of its 80th Founding Anniversary celebration, presented by the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, in partnership with College of Commerce and Business Administration, audiences once again have the opportunity to experience one of the most celebrated musicals in Broadway history.

Set in the South Pacific during World War II, this timeless masterpiece tells a powerful story of love, hope, courage, and the challenges of overcoming prejudice. Featuring unforgettable songs such as Some Enchanted Evening, Bali Ha’i, Younger Than Springtime, and Happy Talk, compelling characters, and a moving narrative, South Pacific has captivated audiences around the world for generations and remains one of the most beloved works in musical theatre.

This special comeback production is directed by Paolo O'Hara, and features singer, actress, and TV personality Ciara Sotto as Nellie Forbush, and acclaimed composer, music director, and classical-contemporary vocal artist, Jose Vera Perez as Emile de Becque, together with Nenen Espina as Bloody Mary, Sean Nolasco as Lt. Cable, and more, with the exceptional UST Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Daniel Bartolome, delivering Rodgers & Hammerstein's iconic score through world-class orchestral and vocal performances.

Listed below are the performance dates of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific to be held at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

September 12, 2026

2:00 PM & 7:30 PM Opening Night Gala

September 13, 2026

2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

September 18, 2026

7:30 PM (Exclusive)

September 19, 2026

2:00 PM & 7:30 PM Gala (Exclusive)

September 20, 2026

2:00 PM

Tickets can be purchased here:

https://ticketbooth.ph/event/1038-rodgers-hammersteins-south-pacific-the-comeback

Orchestra Center P5500

Orchestra Sides P4500

Dress Circle Center P2500

Dress Circle Sides P1000

Enter the following codes for discounted rates.

Students* 30% off - STUD30

Seniors* 20% off - SENC20

PWDs* 20% off - SPWD20

*please bring valid IDs upon entry

Block Seating of 50 seats or more can enjoy a 30% discount.

Da capo al fine: PPO announces 42nd Concert Season Modulatio

2026-09-09T00:00:00.000+08:00

After what seemed like forever, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra finally announces the lineup for its 42nd Concert Season happening this September 2026 up to April 2027.

With PPO principal conductor/music director Grzegorz Nowak at the helm, the upcoming season, billed as Modulatio, will feature highlights such as a rare harp concerto performance, more envelope pushing Jeffrey Ching works, the rescheduled all-Shostakovich program, and the highly anticipated return to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater stage.

“Our 42nd season is a celebration of Filipino talent, global artistry, and the power of music to connect us. Through the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, we bring the world to Manila and Filipino artistry to the forefront of the international stage,” said Kaye C. Tinga, the president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The season begins with Da Capo on September 25, 2026, 7:30 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. The concert promises something new with the World Premiere performance of Jeffrey Ching's What Happens in Every Classical Piece Explained in 15 Minutes (Sinfoniettina on G-C for Mozart Orchestra) and the Asian Premiere performance of Carl Czerny's Symphony No. 6 in G minor. The evening will also have a sprinkling of the familar courtesy of Spanish pianist Martín García García tackling the ever popular Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 aka the Emperor Concerto by Ludwig van Beethoven.

From the top (da capo) up until the end (al fine), here is the PPO's 42nd Concert Season, Modulatio, in detail.

Concert I: Da Capo

September 25, 2026, 7:30 PM

Samsung Performing Arts Theater

Martín García García
Photo ©Fadil Berisha - NYC Photoshooting

Martín García García, piano

Grzergoz Nowak, conductor

Jeffrey Ching What Happens in Every Classical Piece Explained in 15 Minutes (Sinfoniettina on G-C for Mozart Orchestra) (World Premiere)

Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 'Emperor'

Carl Czerny Symphony No. 6 in G minor (Asian Premiere)

Concert II: Elegance

October 16, 2026, 7:30 PM

Metropolitan Theater

Vien Ignacio

Vien Ignacio, harp

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Redentor Romero Philippine Portraits

George Frideric Handel Harp Concerto in B flat major, Op. 4 No. 6

Zygmunt Noskowski Step (The Steppe), Op. 66

Concert III: Boléro

November 6, 2026, 7:30 PM

Samsung Performing Arts Theater

Kaycee galano

Kaycee Galano, violin

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Claude Debussy Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun)

Camille Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No.3 in B minor, Op. 61

Maurice Ravel

Alborada del gracioso (Morning Song of the Jester)

Boléro

Concert IV: Destiny

December 4, 2026, 7:30 PM

Samsung Performing Arts Theater

Mario Galeani

Mario Galeani, piano

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Ludwig van Beethoven

Overture from Egmont, Op. 84

Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58

Symphony No.3 in E flat major, Op. 55, 'Eroica'

Concert V: Genesis

January 15, 2027, 7:30 PM

Samsung Performing Arts Theater

Natasha Paremski

Natasha Paremski, piano

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Jeffrey Ching Journey to the Alps and Victor’s Meditation from the Opera, Frankenstein (World Premiere, revised version)

Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30

Jerry Dadap Symphony No. 5 The Wrath of Prakrti (nature) & Ragatmika-Bhakti (devotion) (World Premiere)

Concert VI: Resilience

February 12, 2027, 7:30 PM

Metropolitan Theater

Diomedes Saraza, Jr.

Diomedes Saraza Jr., violin

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Dmitri Shostakovich

Festive Overture, Op. 96

Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77 (99)

Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47

Concert VII: Visions

March 12, 2027, 7:30 PM

Metropolitan Theater

Ju-Young Baek

Ju-Young Baek, violin

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Robert Schumann Overture from Manfred, Op. 115

Karol Szymanowski Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 35

César Franck Symphony in D minor

Concert VIII: Da Capo

April 16, 2027, 7:30 PM

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

Dmytro Udovychenko

Dmytro Udovychenko, violin

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Jeffrey Ching Lacrimosa, Sanctus, Benedictus, Osanna fragments from Mozart’s unfinished Requiem, K626 (World Premiere)

Edward Elgar Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61

Hector Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

Young Singers Join Batch 5 of AOV Sing Philippines Youth Choir

2026-08-12T00:00:00.000+08:00

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Andrea O. Veneracion (AOV) Sing Philippines Foundation bring together 35 passionate singers from different parts of the country for a week-long music camp at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez from August 19 to 23, 2026.

Selected from 121 applications from all over the country, these young singers will be part of the fifth batch of the Sing Philippines Youth Choir (SPYC), sharing love for music and a commitment to uplifting local communities. Inspired by the legacy of the Philippine Madrigal Singers (MADz), these choir singers carry forward National Artist Andrea O. Veneracion’s heartwarming dream of a nation united in song.

The SPYC Batch 5 will undergo an intensive music camp to learn advanced vocal techniques, refine ensemble mastery, and build lifelong friendships under the gentle guidance of Prof. Mark Anthony Carpio, the choirmaster-conductor of Madz. The transformative week will culminate with a grand performance, as part of the 25th anniversary celebration concert honoring Prof. Carpio at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on August 22 and 23, 2026.

“This journey is a deeply personal one, a story of overcoming self-doubt, healing through music, and stepping into our potential. For many of us, the SPYC is far more than a personal milestone—it is a gift that we intend to pass on. Upon returning to our hometowns, schools, and church ministries, we plan to serve as mentors and guides, sharing the lessons, discipline, and joy we gained during the camp.

By bringing high-level training back to our roots, we hope to spark new hope in younger singers, raise local performance standards, and prove that talent from every corner of the Philippines deserves to shine,” collectively shared by some of the singers, namely bass Jacob Miguel Villa (NCR), bass Eljohn Capitan (Lanao del Norte), tenor Jeric Gianan (Catanduanes), altos Mary Gwyneth Gudes (Bohol), alto Dave Lacquio (Zamboanga del Norte), soprano Chin Aficionado Salmon (Iloilo), and soprano Kristine Intong (Kidapawan).

Since it was launched in 2014, the AOV SPYC has mentored 248 singers from 78 local communities nationwide, in five batches.

In 2022, the SPYC tour group, led by Prof. Carpio, competed and won second prize and a Gold Diploma for the Classical Mixed and Equal Category and a Gold Diploma in the Ethnic Category in the Busan International Choral Festival and Competition.

In 2024, they placed fourth among the 16 countries that competed in the Tolosa Choral Competition in Spain. They also performed for the Filipino overseas workers, migrants, and foreign nationals around Spain and Portugal.

In 2025 to 2026, the SPYC pursued its mission to share music with the local communities and conducted workshops and concerts in Tagum City, General Santos City, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Marikina City, and Hagonoy in Bulacan.

For more information, visit the official Facebook pages of CCP, CCP Cultural Exchange Department, and the AOV Sing Philippines Youth Choir.

Celebrate ASEAN Month 2026: Public Invited to Experience Southeast Asia Through Music, Dance, Arts, and Culture

2026-08-06T00:00:00.000+08:00

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), together with its ASEAN 2026 Philippines partners, invites the public to join the month-long celebration of ASEAN Month 2026, featuring a vibrant lineup of cultural showcases, performances, workshops, and community events that highlight the rich heritage and shared identity of Southeast Asia.

Following the successful momentum of the SULONG SEAPop Music and Culture Caravan, the celebration continues this August under the ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together.” As ASEAN commemorates its 59th founding anniversary, Filipinos and visitors alike are encouraged to discover the traditions, creativity, and cultural diversity that unite the region’s eleven Member States.

As part of the celebration, participants who joined previous SULONG SEAPop Music and Culture Caravan events are encouraged to bring their SULONG SEAPop Passport to continue collecting stamps through the Stamp Rally at participating ASEAN Month activities. Those who complete the required stamps will have the chance to receive exclusive prizes, with winners to be announced during the culmination of the campaign in November 2026.

Throughout August, attendees can participate in a variety of free and accessible events across Manila, including:

August 6, 2026

ASEAN Corner at the Philippine High School for the Arts, featuring cultural exhibits alongside the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BOAPA).

August 7, 2026

Viet Nam Cultural Days in Manila at Centro de Turismo, Intramuros, with traditional water puppet performances, an interactive puppet workshop, ASEAN lectures, and cultural exhibits celebrating 50 years of Philippines–Viet Nam diplomatic relations.

August 8, 2026

59th ASEAN Day Anniversary and Viet Nam Cultural Days Public Cultural Showcase at Fort Santiago, featuring the Bayanihan National Dance Company and the Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre in a free public performance.

August 9, 2026

The Inauguration of the ASEAN Cultural Center in Manila at the Metropolitan Theater, followed by the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BOAPA) showcase.

August 20, 2026

Interagency ASEAN Month Celebration, bringing together government agencies in a grand showcase of regional cooperation, culture, and shared heritage.

The celebration reflects ASEAN’s enduring vision of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community,” encouraging people of all ages to deepen their appreciation of Southeast Asia’s cultural connections while strengthening regional friendship and understanding. Whether through captivating performances, immersive workshops, educational talks, or cultural exhibitions, ASEAN Month 2026 offers meaningful experiences that celebrate the stories, traditions, and artistic excellence of the region.

Admission to events above is free. The public is encouraged to register in advance for workshops with limited slots and to follow the official ASEAN 2026 Philippines and NCCA channels for schedules, registration details, and event updates.

Philippines Welcomes ASEAN Young Artists for BOAPA 2026

2026-08-06T00:00:00.000+08:00

Delegates to perform with Alice Reyes Dance Philippines on August 9

Sharing the vision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in fostering a region that values peace, inclusivity, and mutual understanding, the Philippines will host the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BOAPA) 2026: Navigating Cultural Currents from August 5 to 9, 2026, in Manila and Los Baños, Laguna.

Organized by the Philippines’ ASEAN National Committee on Culture and Information - Sub Committee on Culture (COCI-SCC PH) through the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), BOAPA has been one of ASEAN's flagship cultural initiatives, bringing together emerging and young artists from across Southeast Asia annually to celebrate the region’s shared heritage while highlighting the unique culture of each of the ASEAN member states.

True to the vision of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community,” BOAPA has become a platform where young artists forge lasting friendships, exchange creative practices, and deepen their understanding of various cultures that make ASEAN a vibrant and interconnected community through the years.

From August 5 to 7, young performers from the 11 ASEAN member-states will gather at the National Arts Center in Los Baños, Laguna where they will participate in cultural exchange sessions, artistic workshops, collaborative rehearsals, cultural immersion activities, and interactions with the students of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA).

Their cultural journey culminates on August 9 at 6:00 PM with a performance at the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila that will be open to the public. Delegates from each of the ASEAN member-states will showcase their unique cultural traditions, and then join the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines in performing excerpts from Rama, Hari, directed and choreographed by National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes with music by National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab and libretto by National Artist for Literature, Bienvenido Lumbera.

“The Ramayana is part of the common heritage among the countries of Southeast Asia. The participation of the delegates in a production of the Rama, Hari, as well as their country presentations will showcase ASEAN’s rich culture and evolving heritage while providing opportunities for interaction among the region’s young artists,” said CCP Vice President and Artistic Director, Dennis N. Marasigan.

The delegates will also be guests at the inauguration of the ASEAN Cultural Center in Manila earlier that day, also at the Metropolitan Theater.

As the Philippines continues with its ASEAN Chairship in 2026, hosting BOAPA reflects the country’s longstanding commitment to strengthening regional cooperation through culture.

In bringing together the region’s next generation of cultural bearers, BOAPA 2026 affirms that the peoples of the ASEAN remain connected by stories and artistic expressions that enable them to navigate the cultural currents of a shared cultural community.

MSO brings back Carmen in Tagalog, commemorates Conching Rosals birth centennial

2026-08-05T00:00:00.000+08:00

With its centennial season still in full force, the Manila Symphony Orchestra commemorates more milestones with Opera at Kundiman: The Legacy of Maestra Conching Rosal concert happening on August 29, 2026 7:00 PM at the FEU Auditorium.

Conching Rosal

The concert puts spotlight on soprano Conching Rosal who, like the MSO, is celebrating centennial anniversary of her birth this year.

Manila Symphony Ochestra

Back in August 29, 1956 at the FEU Audiorium, Rosal portrayed the title role of Carmen at the premiere staging of the Tagalog version by Manuel Carballo Santiago and Vicente Liwag of Georges Bizet's opera.

Rachelle Gerodias-Park

The 1956 staging was directed by dancer/choreographer Trudl Dubsky-Zipper, the wife of Herbert Zipper who succeeded founder Alexander Lippay as the MSO's music director. This all the more makes MSO's upcoming concert the 70th anniversary celebration of this historic opera moment right at the equally historic venue where it all happened.

Michelle Mariposa

Headlining the concert that will feature selections from Carmen in Tagalog along with well-loved kundimans by Nicanor Abelardo, Francisco Santiago, Leopoldo Silos, Constancio de Guzman, and Manuel Velez are a quartet of the country's most heralded opera artists namely soprano Rachelle Gerodias-Park, mezzo soprano Michelle Mariposa, tenor Arthur Espiritu, and baritone Byeong-In Park. They are joined by the FEU Chorale and the FEU Dance Company. MSO Music Director Marlon Chen conducts.

Arthur Espiritu

Born in San Jose, Batangas in 1926, Conching Rosal discovered her love for singing in her parish church before pursuing formal studies at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. She established herself as one of the Philippines' leading sopranos through acclaimed performances in productions such as Madama Butterfly, Aida, and Ang Kiri becoming one of the defining voices of

Philippine opera from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Byeong-In Park

While Rosal earned acclaim on the operatic stage, she was equally devoted to kundiman. Through her concerts and recordings, she helped preserve and popularize many of the country's best-loved art songs, introducing generations of Filipinos to this treasured musical tradition.

Marlon Chen

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Auditorium served as the MSO's home throughout much of the 1950s. Celebrating its 98th anniversary this year, FEU remains one of the country's foremost educational and cultural institutions. Its auditorium, inaugurated in 1949, is a celebrated Art Deco masterpiece designed by National Artist for Architecture Pablo Antonio Sr.

FEU Chorale

Tickets are available at TicketWorld. Enter code CONCHINGEB20 for a 20% early bird discount valid until August 14, 2026, 11:59 PM. Standard discounts for students (50%); seniors, PWDs, and diplomats (20%) apply.

FEU Dance Company

The Manila Symphony Orchestra's Opera at Kundiman: The Legacy of Maestra Conching Rosal is presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance, co-presented by EastWest Bank, ACMobility, and BYD, in partnership with Far Eastern University.

PBT revives, celebrates 30 years of Gener Caringal's Andres Bonifacio KKK

2026-07-30T00:00:00.000+08:00

Hoping to cultivate nationalism, empower the common man, and awaken the spirit of what it means to be a nation, the Philippine Ballet Theatre brings back Andres KKK this August 22-23, 2026 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

Matthew Davo

Choreographed by Gener Caringal, this ballet about Andres Bonifacio had its premiere back in 1996 in commemoration of the centennial of the Philippine Revolution. One of PBT's most widely toured productions, Andres KKK boasts a libretto by Lilia Quindoza Santiago and an original score by Jesse Lucas.

Jessa Tangalin

Dancing the lead role of Bonifacio are Matthew Davo and Dominador Delmo while Jessa Tangalin and Sophie Tiangco portray his wife Gregoria "Oryang" de Jesus.

Matthew Davo & Jessa Tangalin

PBT's Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario, who originated the role of Bonifacio during the 1996 premiere, says that the ballet has stoot the test of time because "PBT's version of history is not just pages of history in dance. It is a touching tribute to the struggles of the Filipino."

Sophie Tiangco

Jaynario still remembers how Caringal framed the hero: instead of portraying Bonifacio as an untouchable icon or an invincible warrior, Caringal reveals the man behind the monument. His Bonifacio struggles, questions, sacrifices, and perseveres. He is not defined by superhuman strength but by an unwavering belief in his people and their shared dream of freedom.

Dominador Delmo & Sophie Tiangco

Gener Caringal explains his Andres Bonifacio as a product of poverty, suffering, and love for his country. A hero was born because Bonifacio cared deeply for this land and its people. Moreover, in Caringal's vision, Bonifacio's greatest power does not come from standing above the people—it comes from standing among them. They were all heroes of their time, with Bonifacio serving as the symbol of their resolve.

Matthew Davo & Philippine Ballet Theatre

In revisiting Bonifacio's story, Philippine Ballet Theatre invites audiences to reflect on a question that remains as urgent today as it was more than a century ago: What kind of hero does our nation need—and what kind of people must we become to stand behind one? What would it take to make heroes of all of us?

PBT's Andres KKK will have a limited one weekend run on August 22-23, 2026 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell Makati. Tickets are available through TicketWorld. For ticket inquiries, call 0968-870-8887.

CCP opens applications for 14th batch of Kabataang Gitarista

2026-07-18T00:00:00.000+08:00

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Artist Training Division under the Arts Education Department, once again opens applications for Batch 14 of the CCP Kabataang Gitarista (KG) Program until August 25, 2026. An initiative designed for young musicians, the program provides FREE weekly classical guitar training that fosters understanding of the instrument and its repertoire.

Open to public high school students in the National Capital Region (NCR), the CCP KG program seeks aspiring classical guitarists in Grades 7, 8, or 9 who are eager to develop their skills. Applicants must be willing to commit to weekly training sessions on Saturdays at the CCP Annex Building and to dedicate time to self-practice on weekdays outside regular training hours. They must also be able to bring a nylon-stringed guitar to the lessons.

Interested applicants may complete and submit the online application form (through this link: https://tinyurl.com/ApplicationFormB14) on or before August 25, 2026 (Tuesday), 5:00 PM. They are expected to attend the onsite auditions on August 29, 2026 (Saturday), from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex. Walk-in applications will also be accommodated on the day of the auditions.

Applicants who successfully pass the onsite auditions will be invited, together with their parents and guardians, to attend an orientation and lecture on September 5, 2026 (Saturday), from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the CCP Annex Building.

Now in its 14th year, the CCP KG Program has provided young guitar players with quality classical guitar lessons and performance opportunities. Members of the ensemble have also performed across various CCP venues, selected public and private schools, outreach concerts outside Manila, and private engagements.

Several members have likewise distinguished themselves in local and international competitions, earning recognition for their schools and bringing pride to the country through their achievements. More than technical training, the program aims to develop a performing classical guitar ensemble and provide young musicians with opportunities to explore their musical potential.

For inquiries regarding the CCP Kabataang Gitarista Program, interested applicants may visit this link: https://linktr.ee/kabataanggitarista.official or contact the CCP Artist Training Division via email at kabataanggitarista.official@gmail.com. For updates and additional information, visit the official CCP website (https://culturalcenter.gov.ph/) and follow the CCP Arts Education Programs and CCP Kabataang Gitarista Facebook pages.

Philippine Ballet Theatre headlines Insular Life fundraiser

2026-07-17T00:00:00.000+08:00

For the very first time, Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT), the country’s National Performing Arts Company for Dance, will perform in the south through Insular Life’s special fundraising event, Passion and Purpose.The show will only have one performance at Insular Life, Tanghalang Haribon, Alabang on September 20, 2026, 6:00 PM.

Jess Tangalin and Dom Delmo

The landmark evening brings together world-class Filipino artistry, beloved Original Pilipino Music, and a meaningful cause supporting education and the arts. At the center of the program is On the Wings of Song, otherwise known as the Jose Mari Chan Suite—a signature mixed-bill production celebrating the timeless music of Jose Mari Chan through ballet and contemporary movement.

Matthew Davo and Gabrielle Jaynario

Audiences can expect to hear some of Chan’s most beloved classics, including Please Be Careful With My Heart, Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile, Perhaps Love, Beautiful Girl, Movie Fan, Tsuper ng Aking Buhay, and more—transformed into expressive dance narratives that celebrate Filipino warmth, romance, humor, and family life. Company artist Gabrielle Jaynario shares her thoughts about the show: “Passion and Purpose will allow the audience an opportunity to become grounded for a moment and revisit our local culture. Everyday stories, all told through a fusion of Filipino song and dance, are interesting ways to capture the Filipino spirit. Our JMC Suite is a crowd favorite, always eliciting heartwarming applause because of it’s relateability. And when we can make audiences relate to us artists, it becomes a much more rewarding experience. That said, we are always excited to perform in Muntinlupa”

Philippine Ballet Theatre

Adding a local dimension to the evening, Hampton Court Ballet School will present a special guest performance featuring the young dancers of Muntinlupa City in contemporary ballet works choreographed by award-winning choreographer Fred Fernandez.

More than a performance, Passion and Purpose also serves as a fundraising initiative benefiting:

Insular Life’s Education Program for the Youth
Philippine Ballet Theatre’s Adopt-a-Dancer Program
Hampton Court Ballet School Scholarship Fund

Organizers hope the event will further establish Muntinlupa City as an emerging center for arts and culture while providing more opportunities for young artists and students. Moreover, this is a chance to inspire young audiences to get up and dance as they see relatable art on stage.With limited seating available, organizers encourage you to check out the show and buy their tickets through Ticketmelon.

Sophie Tiangco and Julafer Fegarido

Ticket Prices:

P2,500 Front Orchestra Center

P2,500 Front Orchestra Side

P2,000 Back Orchestra Center

P1,500 Back Orchestra Side

P1,000 Balcony

NCCA opens call for proposals, conducts roadshow for 2027 Competitive Grants Program

2026-07-15T00:00:00.000+08:00

Tapping Indigenous Peoples (IP) youths to participate as cultural practices gets transferred to their generation, strenghtening and digitizing the cultural database to combat intellectual property infringements with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and getting music and the arts back into early education were just some of the topics and pressing concerns discussed as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) officially kicked off its Call for Proposals for the Calendar Year 2027 Competitive Grants Program.

Artists, cultural workers, researchers, local government units, educational institutions, indegenous people's organizations, non-government organizations, and other cultural stakeholers to submit project proposals from over 100 specific project categories that contribute to the peservation, promotion, development, and dissemination of Philippine arts and culture.

NCCA Chair and Executive Director
Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD

Anchored on Republic Act No. 7356, the Competitive Grants Program remains one of the Commission's core mandates in supporting cultural development across the country through the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA). The program provides financial assistance to projects that uphold Filipino creativity, safeguard cultural heritage, strenghten cultural communities, and expand access to arts and culture nationwide.

For the 2027 cycle, the NCCA encourages proposals that respond to the country's evolving cultural landscape while remaining aligned with the Commission's mandate and the strategic priorities of its four Subcommissions—Arts; Cultural Heritage; Cultural Dissemination; and Culural Communities and Traditional Arts. Through this annual program, the Commission continues to empower communities and institutions in creating meaningful cultural initiatives that enrich national identity and promote inclusive development.

Interested proponents must first secure an NCAA accrediation to ensure grants eligibility. Proponents must not have any unliquidated or derogatory records with the NCCA or any government agency. Complete project proposals maybe sumbitted through email or courier.

From L to R: Bernan Joseph Corpuz, May-i Padilla, Dr. Maria Alexandra Chua,
Dr. Lordinio Vergara, Emma Ray, Arwin Paul Lingat

The deadline for submission of proposals is 31 August 2026, Monday 11:59 PM (Philippine Standard Time) as posted in the official NCCA Website.

To assist prospective applicants, te NCCA is also set to conduct nationwide Competitive Grants Progam Roadshows, provide orientation and technical assistance sessions on project proposal writing and preparation, eligibility requirements, funding priorities, and the general application process. The roadshows aim to make the grants program more accessible by reaching cultural practictioners and organizations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The schedule of the roadshows is as follows:

July 21, 2026

National Capital Region

Online

Luzon Cluster

Baguio City

July 27, 2026

Visayas Cluster

Bacolod City

July 28, 2026

Mindanao Cluster

Davao City

QR codes can be scanned for pre-registration while exact venues fo all roadshows will be announced soon on the NCCA Facebook page.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the guidelines, proposal ctegories, and documentary requirements before submission.

Kontragapi

For the complete material on the Competitive Grants Program for 2027, visit: https://ncca.gov.ph/ncca-competitive-grants-program/

Italian Film Festival screens Paolo Sorrentino, Paolo Genovese works at the Shang

2026-06-19T00:00:00.000+08:00

The latest works by internationally renowned directors Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty, Youth) and Paolo Genovese (Perfect Strangers) are among the six contemporary Italian films lined up at the return of the Italian Film Festival this June 26-July 1. 2026 at the Shangri-La Plaza's Red Carpet Cinemas in Manadluyong.

Presented by the Embassy of Italy in Manila in collaboration with Elephant Pictures, Cineforum Robert Bresson, the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA), and Shangri-La Plaza's Red Carpet Cinemas, the festival continues its mission of promoting Italian culture and strengthening ties between Italy and the Philippines through the universal language of cinema.

Here is this year's selection of films in detail.

Le città di pianura | The Last One for the Road (2025)

Director: Francesco Sossai

Cast: Filippo Scotti, Sergio Romano, Pierpaolo Capovilla, Roberto Citran, Andrea Pennacchi

Two broke, bar-hopping fiftysomethings meet a shy and aimless architecture student. Together, the three men embark on a chaotic road trip through the Venetian plains where bad advice, hangovers and unexpected friendship shake up the young man’s future plans for life and love.

Elisa (2025)

Director: Leonardo Di Costanzo

Cast: Barbara Ronchi, Roschdy Zem, Diego Ribon, Valeria Golino

Thirty-five-year-old Elisa has been in prison for ten years, convicted for having killed her older sister and burnt her body for no apparent reason. She claims to remember little to nothing about her crime, as if she’d built up a wall of silence between her and her past. But when she decides to meet criminologist Alaoui and take part in his research, embarking on a tense and inexorable exchange, her memories begin to take shape and, amidst the pain of fully accepting her culpability, Elisa finds she might be able to take the first step towards potential redemption.

FolleMente | Madly (2025)

Director: Paolo Genovese

Cast: Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati, Emanuela Fanelli, Maria Chiara Giannetta, Claudia Pandolfi, Vittoria Puccini, Marco Giallini, Maurizio Lastrico, Rocco Papaleo, Claudio Santamaria

A romantic comedy that goes beyond appearances, diving into the minds of the two main characters, Piero and Lara, and revealing their most hidden thoughts and the inner battles that we all face.

Gioia mia | Sweetheart (2025)

Director: Margherita Spampinato

Cast: Marco Fiore, Aurora Quattrocchi, Martina Ziami, Camille Dugay

A young boy and an elderly woman are forced to spend a summer together. It's a clash of modernity and tradition, speed and slowness. A summer filled with fears and discoveries, but also adventures, milestones, and losses – a summer after which nothing will ever be the same again.

La grazia | The Pardon (2025)

Director: Paolo Sorrentino

Cast: Toni Servillo, Anna Ferzetti

Mariano De Santis is the President of the Italian Republic. No connection to any real-life presidents; he is entirely a product of the author’s imagination. A widower and a Catholic, he has a daughter, Dorotea, a legal scholar like himself. As his term draws to a close, amid uneventful days, two final duties arise: deciding on two delicate petitions for a presidential pardon. True moral dilemmas, which become tangled with his private life, in ways that seem impossible to unravel. Driven by doubt, he will have to decide. And, with a deep sense of responsibility, that is exactly what this remarkable Italian President will do.

La vita da grandi | Siblings (2025)

Director: Greta Scarano

Cast: Matilda De Angelis, Yuri Tuci, Maria Amelia Monti, Paolo Hendel, Adriano Pantaleo, Christian Ginepro

Irene is called back to Rimini, her hometown, to care for her autistic brother Omar. Determined to shape his future, Omar persuades Irene to help him become independent and chase his dream of fame as a rap singer.

Here is the schedule of screenings. Admission to all screenings is for free.

June 26, 2026

6:00 PM La grazia

June 27, 2026

6:00 PM FolleMente

June 28, 2026

6:00 PM Elisa

June 29, 2026

6:00 PM Gioia mia

June 30, 2026

6:00 PM La vita da grandi

July 1, 2026

6:00 PM Le città di pianura

For many years, the Italian Film Festival has served as an important platform for cultural exchange, introducing Filipino audiences to the richness and diversity of contemporary Italian filmmaking while creating opportunities for dialogue between artists, educators, students, and cultural institutions.

The festival is part of the broader efforts to promote Italian cultural heritage and strengthen people-to-people connections between Italy and the Philippines.

Festival Director Antonio Termenini continues to oversee the artistic direction of the festival and the selection of films presented to Philippine audiences. A film producer and cultural organizer, Termenini is the founder of Cineforum Robert Bresson, a Rome-based cultural association dedicated to promoting cinema and cultural exchange. He is also the creator of the internationally recognized Asian Film Festival in Italy and Managing Director of Elephant Pictures, a film production and distribution company. Through these initiatives, he has played an important role in promoting both Italian and Asian cinema and fostering cultural dialogue between Europe and Asia.

MSO celebrates 80 years of the Philippine Republic with Liberation concert on July 4

2026-06-18T00:00:00.000+08:00

The Manila Symphony Orchestra's Centennial Season, apart from delivering noteworthy performances by one of Asia's oldest orchestras, has also been a refresher course on Philippine history.

The next concert of the season is no exception as the MSO commemorates the post World War II years with Liberation: 80 Years of the Philippine Republic, happening on July 4, 2026, 7:30 PM at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

The upcoming performance looks back on the MSO's Gala Symphony Concert back in July 5, 1946 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium celebrating the inauguration of the Philippine Republic.

Featured in this concert are violinist Jeanne Marquez, her brother clarinetist Jason Marquez, and guest conductor Jose Reyna, Jr.

Jeanne Marquez

Jeanne will be the soloist at the rarely heard Violin Concerto in D Minor by Lucio San Pedro. She is an MSJO-Standard Insurance International Music Scholar and a recent graduate of the Juilliard School with a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance.

Jason Marquez

On the other hand, Jason, who is a principal clarinetist at Michigan and Texas, gets the spotlight at Concerto for Clarinet by Artie Shaw.

Jose Reyna, Jr.

Jose Reyna, Jr. is an American Prize-winning Filipino conductor, hailed as the “Filipino Toscanini” (The Manila Bulletin) for his panache and artistry on the podium.

Also to be performed at the concert is the opener Youth by former MSO Assistant Conductor Col. Antonino Buenaventura. Premiered at the 1946 MSO Gala Symphony Concert and conducted by the composer himself, the work portrays the youth as the epitome of vigor, energy, and love, standing at the threshold of life's journey". The evening wraps up with Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture by George Gershwin arr. by Robert Russell Bennett.

MSO's Liberation concert brings together works by Filipino and American composers whose music reflects the artistic exchanges and cultural connections that have shaped both nations over the past eight decades.

Manila Symphony Orchestra

The concert venue, the Metropolitan Theater, also holds significance to the MSO. The orchestra performed at the Met's inauguration back in 1931 making the upcoming concert a sort of homecoming for the MSO.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra's Liberation: 80 Years of the Philippine Republic is presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance; co-presented by EastWest Bacnk and PAGCOR in partnership with Bagong Pilipinas, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Metropolitan Theater.

Milan-based soprano Christiana “Tinette” Serafin de Ocampo returns for a series of homecoming concerts

2026-06-08T00:00:00.000+08:00

After watching Arthur Espiritu's return performance at MiraNila a month ago, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Christiana "Tinette" Serafin de Ocampo. I learned that she is an acclaimed spinto soprano based in Milan who is back in town for a series of homecoming concerts.

At the time when I met her, she has already wrapped up Ritorna Vincitor! Arias Unleashed and was gearing up for Curtains Up: Opera Meets Broadway later that month. I missed both but fortunately for me, she has a handful of performances already on the pipeline.

Due to the success of Ritorna Vincitor!, Christiana teams up once again with pianist Dr. Peter Porticos for a repeat performance in Encore!, an evening of opera arias by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Richard Wagner, Richard Strauss, and Jules Massenet. This happens on June 13, 2026, 6:00 PM at Manila Pianos Showroom located at the 4F Ronac Lifestyle Center, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati City. Contact 0917-4158876 for tickets.

Christiana then joins the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra in Celli Sentimental on June 14, 2026, 7:00 PM at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros, Manila. Conducted by Dr. Renato Lucas, she will be the featured soprano in the performance of Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 by Heitor Villa-Lobos that is rarely performed in its entirety. Also performing in this concert is cello wunderkind Damodar Das Castillo. Tickets are available at Ticket2Me.com.

Next up is Opera Up Close, a concert lecture with pianist Mariel Ilusorio happening on July 11, 2026, 6:00 PM at the Sunshine Place in Jupiter St., Makati. E-mail sandy.hontiveros@gmail.com for tickets.

The series wraps up with Canciones con Guitarra on August 8, 2026, 6;00 PM at Varlez Pianos, LGI Bldg., Ortigas Ave. For tickets, contact Richard Sy Facunda at 0917-415-8876 or rsyfacunda@gmail.com.

Christiana “Tinette” Serafin de Ocampo is a Filipino soprano whose international artistic career spans Manila, the United States, and Europe.

Born in Manila, she initially pursued pre-medical studies at Sarah Lawrence College and later at Columbia University before turning toward music.

She was awarded a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, where she completed her studies in vocal performance under the tutelage of Edward Zambara.

During her academic years in New York, she actively engaged in vocal performance, singing undertaking solo work. She also appeared as a soloist in church and concert settings, gaining early experience in sacred and recital repertoire.

In New York, she worked with the renowned Filipino soprano Evelyn Mandac, further deepening her artistic grounding.

Following her studies, she began professional engagements in the United States, including work connected with Washington Opera (now Washington National Opera). She also performed with Washington Concert Opera, as well as in concerts associated with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and related orchestral projects.

During this period, she attracted interest from major opera institutions, including the San Francisco Opera. However, due to visa constraints related to transitioning from student practical training to a working visa, she made the decision—following professional guidance—to continue her artistic development in Europe.

This led her to relocate to Vienna, where she could further immerse herself in the Germanic vocal tradition and Lied repertoire. Vienna marked a decisive artistic turning point. There, she worked with the legendary soprano Hilde Zadek, whose guidance confirmed her development as a dramatic soprano. Her repertoire focus expanded toward major dramatic roles including Tosca and Aida.

In parallel, her collaboration with pianist Norman Shetler opened a deep engagement in German Lied tradition, including Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, Mahler, and Wagner. In particular, Wagner became a bridge toward a more dramatic repertoire.

She further expanded her French mélodie repertoire with works by Hahn, Fauré, Duparc, Chausson, Poulenc, Ravel, and Debussy, building on earlier studies with Thomas Grubb in New York.

Her development continued with Margarita Lilova and later with Wessela Zlateva.

Her Vienna years were also marked by extensive exploration of somatic and movement practices, including the Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique, Yoga, and Rolfing. Initially encouraged by soprano Evelyn Mandac, she studied multiple yoga traditions, including Iyengar and Bikram, developing a holistic understanding of singing as an integration of body, breath, and mental focus.

She also worked with soprano Nelly Miricioiu, who further affirmed her direction as a dramatic soprano. Her performance work during this period included Tosca under conductor Uwe Theimer of the Wiener Volksoper and Musikhochschule, alongside concert and recital engagements across Europe. While her vocal identity did not conform to rigid classification, this period consolidated her artistic voice as a spinto drammatico soprano with a broad interpretive range.

She collaborated with conductor Marc Tardue, who invited her to perform Samuel Barber’s masterpiece Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with the Jenaer Philharmonie.

Over time, she increasingly focused on concert work and pedagogy. During the global pandemic, she relocated to Paris, where she re-established her artistic base and resumed both performing and teaching.

While in Paris, worked with Craig Sirianni, whom she credits for strengthening her engagement with spinto and dramatic repertoire. She then met her current teacher Howard Haskin, whose guidance reaffirmed her classification as a spinto drammatico soprano and supported a renewed technical approach based on the teachings of Marie-Henriette Dejean, which integrate physiological and spiritual aspects of singing.

After 4 1/2 years in Paris, she spent a period in Milan dedicated to intensive study and technical consolidation.

She now returns to Manila to present a series of concerts and masterclasses, establishing her Asian base while continuing an international career across Europe and expanding her artistic work throughout the Asia-Pacific region. This homecoming marks not a return in closure, but a continuation of an international artistic trajectory, bringing her accumulated experience into dialogue with audiences and emerging singers in the Philippines and Asia Pacific region.

For further information, check out the social media accounts at the following:

Facebook: Christiana Serafin de Ocampo

YouTube: @christianaserafindeocampo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serafinvocalacademy/

MSO goes from classical to romantic in From Mozart to Mahler concert this May 30

2026-05-20T00:00:00.000+08:00

The Manila Symphony Orchestra goes from classical to romantic for the second concert of its Centennial Season this May 30, 2026, 7:30 PM at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

Joshua Dos Santos

Billed as From Mozart to Mahler, the concert sees the return of Venezuelan conductor Joshua Dos Santos to the Philippine stage. Joshua was trained in Venezuela’s trailblazing music program El Sistema and was part of the Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra (when it was still a youth orchestra) that went viral online for its Mambo encore at the BBC Proms back in 2007. He has been appointed associate conductor of the Simón Bolivar Chamber Orchestra in 2023.

The concert begins with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 364 with violinist Emanuel John “EJ” Villarin and violist Christian Wrona as the featured duo taking center stage for this classical piece.

Emanuel John Villarin

EJ, a student at the Universität für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, is an award-winning violinist gaining 1st prize at New York Yong Performers Prize in 2021 and the NAMCYA in 2020. He performs with a Gencer Cerit Eskisehir violin.

Christian Wrona

Christian Wrona is a Filipino-Canadian violist, who also studies at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin. An Asian Youth Orchestra alumnus, Christian is mentored by renowned artists including Tabea Zimmermann and Kim Kashkashian.

Manila Symphony Orchestra

The MSO goes romantic for second part of the concert with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D major. For this Titan of a symphony that challenges both the orchestra and the audience, the MSO gets joined by select members of the UST Symphony Orchestra. This collaboration is in celebration of the UST Conservatory of Music’s 80th Anniversary and acknowledgment of the ties between MSO and UST. Many past and present members of the MSO have been students and faculty members at UST.

UST Symphony Orchestra

The evening is poised to showcase the precision, clarity, and refinement of the classical period along with the emotional, expansive, and richly textured music of the romantic period.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Concert II – From Mozart to Mahler is presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation Inc. and Standard Insurance, along with EastWest Bank, and in partnership with the Austrian Embassy and the University of Sto. Tomas, and media partners the Manila Times, 98.7 DZFE-FM | The Master's Touch, and EON Group.

Cine Europa makes early return this May; Slovakia debuts with Andy Warhol docu

2026-05-18T00:00:00.000+08:00

One of the country’s longest running foreign language film festivals makes an early return this year as the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines together with the EU Member States and the EU Cultural Institutes present Cine Europa 29 happening on May 28 up to July 4, 2026.

For the film festival’s 29th edition, a diverse selection of 20 full length films, including 3 documentaries, will be screened in partner venues in Metro Manila, Tacloban, and Cagayan de Oro. Slovakia joins the festival for the very first time offering a documentary about pop art icon Andy Warhol. On the other hand, Ukraine continues to be a guest country at the festival underscoring EU’s continued support for the nation.

Here is the selection of films in detail for Cine Europa 29.

Andy Warhol: American Dream (Slovakia, 2023)

Director: Ľubomír Slivka

The documentary traces the extraordinary journey of Andy Warhol, the son of poor immigrants from the Carpathian region, who rose from a Slovak-Rusyn community in Pittsburgh to become one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Beyond the well-known myth of the pop-art icon, the film explores the cultural and spiritual roots that shaped his life and work.

Campamento Garra de Oso | Bear Claw Camp (Spain, 2025)

Director: Sílvia Quer

Cast: Anabel Alonso, Carlos Latre, Edu Soto, Júlia Raya, Martín Abelló

The film is about Maia, an imaginative and lively girl, and Jan, a fearful city boy, who race against time to save the summer camp threatened by eccentric builder Sebastián Sebastián. In their mission, they relentlessly search for a bear they believe still inhabits the valley but remains unseen, aided by Fritz, a funny and grumpy talking skunk which will accompany them in this life-changing adventure.

The Dance Club (Sweden, 2025)

Director: Lisa Langseth

Cast: Nils Wetterholm, Matias Varela, Alva Bratt, Julia Franzén, Pernilla August, Evelyn Mok

Johannes, an eccentric psychology student, takes us on a twisted journey. Together with performance artist Rakel, he forms an unconventional club with his patients to help them fight back against those who have caused them pain. As the club grows, Johannes struggles to keep it together, while inconveniently falling head over heels for Rakel.

Four Mothers (Ireland, 2024)

Director: Darren Thornton

Cast: James McArdle, Fionnula Flanagan, Dearbhla Molloy, Paddy Glynn, Stella McCusker, Niamh Cusack

Edward, a novelist saddled with caring for his elderly mother, finally finds himself on the brink of literary success. Busy with the demands of his upcoming book tour, the last thing Edward needs is his friends leaving their mothers on his doorstep! Over a chaotic weekend, he has to juggle his burgeoning career with the care of four eccentric, combative, and wildly different ladies.

Gloria! (Italy, 2024)

Director: Margherita Vicario

Cast: Galatea Bellugi, Carlotta Gamba, Veronica Lucchesi, Maria Vittoria Dallasta, Sara Mafodda, Paolo Rossi, Stefano Roberto Belisari aka Elio, Natalino Balasso, Anita Kravos, Vincenzo Crea, Jasmin Mattei

Set in a girls' boarding school in Venice at the end of the 18th century, Gloria! tells the story of Teresa, a young visionary, who, together with a small group of extraordinary musicians, crosses the centuries and challenges the dusty catafalques of the Ancien Régime by inventing rebellious, light and modern music. Pop!

Head or Fails | Aimer Perdre (Belgium, 2024)

Directors: Lenny Guit, Harpo Guit

Cast: Maria Cavalier Bazan, Melvil Poupaud, Catherine Ringer, Axel Perin, Michael Zindel, Maxi Delmelle

Unemployed and up to her eyeballs in debt, 26-year-old Armande Pigeon is struggling in Brussels. On top of that, she has a penchant for gambling and doesn't hesitate to take risks because for Armande, all bets are good. All except one, perhaps the craziest bet she is still struggling to take: love.

Hidden People | Skriti Ljudje (Slovenia, 2025)

Director: Miha Hočevar

Cast: Blaz Sef, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Luka Marčetič, Barbara Ribnikar, Ana Urbanc, Igor Samobor

The film follows Guti, a struggling Slovenian man, and Sig, an Icelandic tourist suffering from memory loss, who wake up handcuffed together on a riverbank near Ljubljana. Blending absurd humour with emotional depth, the film portrays an unexpected friendship between two outsiders while reflecting on displacement, social marginalisation, and the search for belonging in contemporary Europe.

How Could I Live Without You? | Hogyan tudnék élni nélküled? (Hungary, 2024)

Director: Dénes Orosz

Cast: Franciska Töröcsik, Márk Ember, Péter Marics, Luca Márkus, Marcell Kirády, Harmat Kovács

Lili reads her mother Eszter’s diary and love letters, revealing Eszter’s summer romance with Geri, a musician, at Lake Balaton in the 1990s, defying her commitment to her boyfriend, impacting their lives and Lili’s.

Lampo the Travelling Dog | O psie, który jezdzil koleja (Poland, 2023)

Director: Magdalena Niec

Cast: Mateusz Damiecki, Dariusz Jakubowski, Kamila Jankowska, Joanna Jarmolowicz, Milena Lisiecka, Malgorzata Pieczynska, Monika Pikula, Adam Woronowicz, Liliana Zajbert

Get to know the story of Lampo – as faithful as Lassie, brave as Bella and funny as Beethoven, who from the time he was a puppy felt drawn to great adventure and touched millions of hearts with his rail journeys.

Loss of Balance | Utrata równowagi (Poland, 2024)

Director: Korek Bojanowski

Cast: Nel Kaczmarek, Maria Wróbel, Mikolaj Matczak, Oskar Rybaczek, Tomasz Schuchardt

Maja has devoted her entire life to acting, but she does not believe in her abilities. Therefore, after graduating from acting, he plans to apply for marketing and management. Everything changes when a new director crosses Maja’s path.

Maricel (Cyprus, 2025)

Director: Elias Demetriou

Cast: Zar Donato, Ntinos Lyras, Lenia Sorocou, Diomedes Koufteros, Daphne Alexander

A Filipino domestic worker is called to take care of an elderly couple in a Cypriot mountain village. What begins as a simple caregiving task gradually exposes a web of silent resentment, emotional dependency and unspoken histories, forcing her into the delicate, unsettling space between obligation and intimacy.

Nasty (Romania, 2024)

Directors: Tudor Giurgiu, Tudor D. Popescu, Cristian Pascariu

1972 was a turning point in Ilie Nastase’s career: winning US Open, reaching Wimbledon and Davis Cup finals. A portray of his victories, controversies, rebellious persona challenging tennis norms, and his influence as a tennis rebel icon.

Un ours dans le Jura | How to Make a Killing (France, 2024)

Director: Franck Dubosc

Cast: Franck Dubosc, Laure Calamy, Benoît Poelvoorde, Joséphine de Meaux, Kim Higelin, Emmanuelle Devos, Mehdi Meskar, Anne Le Ny, Anne-Lise Heimburger

Michael and Cathy accidentally witness a triple murder in the woods on Christmas Eve. A bag with two million euros and a pistol falls into their hands. In order to throw off suspicion, they are ready to accept the craziest ideas, without even knowing what absurdity they will result in.

Peacock | Pfau (Austria, 2024)

Director: Bernhard Wenger

Cast: Albrecht Schuch, Julia Franz Richter, Anton Noori, Maria Hofstätter, Theresa Frostad Eggesbø, Branko Samarovski, Salka Weber, Tilo Nest

Matthias is a master of his profession. Do you need a ‘cultured boyfriend’ to impress your friends? A ‘perfect son’ to influence your business partners’ opinion of you? Or maybe just a sparring partner to rehearse an argument? Whatever it is, just rent Matthias. While he excels at pretending to be someone else every day, just being himself is the real challenge.

Roter Himmel | Afire (Germany, 2023)

Director: Christian Petzold

Cast: Thomas Schubert, Paula Beer, Langston Uibel, Enno Trebs, Matthias Brandt

Leon and Felix’s plan was to spend the summer together in a holiday home on the Baltic coast. They wanted to be there as friends but also to work – one on his second book, the other assembling his art portfolio. But Nadja and Devid are also there, and they bring lots of positive vibes with them. Four young people experimenting with love, even though this does not come easy to Leon. His unfinished manuscript haunts him wherever he goes, whether he is at the summerhouse or the beach. The others’ good mood often causes his to plummet. A visit from his publisher is imminent. But, as the latter arrives in his nifty small car, the forest begins to blaze. It rains ash, the sky turns red, and a relationship-drama that merges physical intensity and artistic sublimation takes a turn into a new dimension.

Sentimental Value | Affeksjonsverdi (EU Parliament, 2025)

Director: Joachim Trier

Cast: Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas

The film follows an aging filmmaker who attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter by casting her in his next film. As they navigate unresolved tensions and emotional distance, the project becomes a deeply personal exploration of memory, grief, and the complexities of family relationships. Set against a reflective, intimate backdrop, the film examines how art can both heal and reopen wounds, blending meta-cinema with a poignant study of reconciliation and identity.

A Simple Soldier | Простий солдат (Ukraine, 2025)

Directors: Juan Camilo Cruz, Artem Ryzhykov

A Ukrainian filmmaker joins the army after Russia’s invasion, balancing his duties as a soldier with documenting the war and staying close to his wife. His dual role reveals raw insights into military life, loss, and moral challenges.

Sleeping with a Tiger | Mit einem Tiger schlafen (Austria, 2024)

Director: Anja Salomonowitz

Cast: Birgit Minichmayr, Johanna Orsini-Rosenberg, Maria Nicolini, Lukas Watzl, Oskar Haag, Josef Kleindienst

A painting. Green with conifers, the earthy tones of dry meadows and church walls. In the light streaming through her grandmother’s farmhouse, where Maria Lassnig spends her childhood, shines a cardigan in sky blue for the first time, shining as if not of this world. Growing up in southern Austria, Lassnig is drawn, via Vienna’s Art Academy, into the local post-war art scene. Sky blue, pink, jade green, fleshy red. Taciturn, stubborn among men who like to hear themselves speak, she feels her way into her own body and takes a look at the world. She paints. She films. Mercilessly and mischievously. Doggedly, she develops her career. She knows the value of her painting long before the art world follows suit with its verdict. Birgit Minichmayr embodies Maria Lassnig in Anja Salomonowitz’s filmic homage to the artist across all stages of her life and psychological states, fleshing out the “body awareness” of Lassnig’s art with a physical body that produces the art. An offbeat and complex biopic in hybrid form: acted scenes and documentary sequences interlock. The images are real.

Summer is Crazy | Elämä on juhla (Finland, 2025)

Director: Ulla Heikkilä

Cast: Pirjo Lonka, Aamu Milonoff, Jani Volanen, Ada Pesso, Ulla Tapaninen, Bruno Baer, Jussi Vatanen, Tommi Eronen, Pia Andersson

Set in the Finnish archipelago during the midsummer week, this ensemble film follows the dreams and disappointments of one family and their friends and lovers. After the bankruptcy of their fine dining restaurant, the Eerolas are stuck in the seaside village of Nauvo with no clear plan for the future.

The Waves | Vlny (Czech Republic, 2024)

Director: Jiří Mádl

Cast: Vojtěch Vodochodský, Tatiana a.k.a. Táňa Pauhofová, Stanislav Majer, Ondřej Stupka, Martin Hofmann

Prague, 1968. The International Editorial Office of Czechoslovak Radio is staffed by courageous journalists, celebrities of their time. Young Tomáš works amongst them, though it is his brother's dream job. Tomáš’ main concern is keeping them both safe with no idea that the editors are being targeted by the Secret Service. When a recording is discovered and broadcasting it could change the fate of many, the Secret Service focuses even more intensely on the newsroom. Will Tomas go down in history alongside the journalists or will he protect his younger brother, the last remaining member of his family?

Here is the schedule of screenings at the Red Carpet at Shangri-La Plaza.

May 28, 2026

6:00 PM The Waves (Czech Republic)

May 29, 2026

1:00 PM Lampo the Travelling Dog (Poland)

3:30 PM Four Mothers (Ireland)

5:30 PM Sentimental Value (EU Parliament)

May 30, 2026

12:30 PM Campamento Garra de Oso (Spain)

3:00 PM Maricel (Cyprus)

5:30 PM Rotter Himmel (Germany)

May 31, 2026

12:30 PM Hidden People (Slovenia)

8:00 PM A Simple Soldier (Ukraine)

June 1, 2026

3:00 PM Peacock (Austria)

5:30 PM How Could I Live Without You? (Hungary)

8:00 PM The Dance Club (Sweden)

June 2, 2026

12:30 PM Nasty (Romania)

3:00 PM Andy Warhol: American Dream (Slovakia)

6:00 PM Summer is Crazy (Finland)

8:30 PM Heads of Fails (Belgium)

June 3, 2026

12:30 PM Loss of Balance (Poland)

3:00 PM Gloria! (Italy)

5:20 PM Sleeping with a Tiger (Austria)

7:40 Un ours dans le Jura (France)

After the Red Carpet at Shangri-La Plaza run, Cine Europa 29 will have screenings in Tacloban on June 11-15, 2026, the Rizal Park on June 15-20, 2026, and Cagayan de Oro on June 29-July 4, 2026.

Admission to the film screenings at all venues is for free on a first come, first served basis.

Cine Europa 29 is presented by Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines together with the EU Member States and the EU Cultural Institutes along with partners namely the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Shangri-La Plaza Corporation, Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban, Liceo Cagayan de Oro University, and the National Parks Development Committee.

A tale of two masterclasses

2026-05-10T00:00:00.000+08:00

Suzana Stefanović

Shortly after the Easter weekend, I found myself back at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Sto. Tomas attending a cello masterclass conducted by Suzana Stefanović, principal cellist of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Radio Televisión Española. I have been a supporter of her orchestra for almost three decades now and with the encouragement of her cello co-principal Javier Albarés Alberca, I went to observe her masterclass which was the first time I set foot on the conservatory in almost a decade.

Marco Peria and Suzana Stefanović

Watching Suzana impart her knowledge to three young cellists made me remember how much I've missed attending these masterclasses. There had been several given by a handful of visiting artists ever since the pandemic lockdowns eased. Yet I found myself regretting not even bothering to check any of them out all this time.

Fortunately, there is another masterclass in town. But this one is different since it is actually a play presenting a fictionalized account of the 1972 Juilliard masterclasses by the legendary and larger-than-life soprano Maria Callas.

This play is the award winning Master Class by Terrence McNally that is running from May 15-30, 2026 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza in Makati.

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Maria Callas

Presented by the Philippine Opera Company as part of its 25th season, Maser Class stars Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Maria Callas. In Master Class, Menchu adds the legendary (and temperamental?) diva Maria Callas to the countless roles that she has portrayed over the years including Eva Peron (Evita), Fantine (Les Miserables), Maria (The Sound of Music), Dina (The Band’s Visit), and Anna (The King and I), Miss Hannigan (Annie) just to name a handful.

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Alexandra Bernas

Joining her in Master Class are the trio of Alexandra Bernas (Sophie de Palma), Arman Ferrer (Anthony Candolino), and Angeli Benipayo (Sharon Graham) as the three students having a masterclass with Menchu’s Callas, Louie Angelo Oca as the accompanist Manny Weinstock, and Nelsito Gomez tackling the role of the Stage Hand. Directing the play is Jaime del Mundo, without a doubt one of the biggest opera nerds in the country making him the perfect guy to be at the helm of this production.

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo

Attending/observing a music masterclass at a university requires a certain access but for the the play Master Class, being an audience member is just a ticket purchase away.

Alexandra Bernas, Karla Gutierrez, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo,
Jaime del Mundo, Arman Ferrer, Louie Angelo Oca

Philippine Opera Company’s Master Class by Terrence McNally runs this May15-30, 2026 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza, in Makati.

Entering the Kaleidoscope with Spanish techno and Italian Neoclassical music

2026-05-01T00:00:00.074+08:00

As the scent of sandalwood and lavender from a lit candle perfumed the room, I dared to tread a realm of music way outside my comfort zone. With a video playlist totalling almost three hours, I stepped into the world of electronic music courtesy of Spanish DJ Pablo Bolivar and the fusion of neoclassical piano with electronic by Italian DJs Lorenzo Travaglini and Davide Sammarchi of the Bosco Studio collective to immerse myself in the kaleidoscopic experience that is Medium Rare.

Medium Rare is a multi-sensory cultural event of music, gastronomy and art that will hold its latest edition, billed as Kaleidoscope, this May 9, 2026 at the Salon de Ning at The Peninsula Manila.

DJ Chele

Medium Rare, now on its seventh edition, is spearheaded Chele Gonzalez, a fixture in Manila's culinary and creative scene and developed with Samantha Nicole, a prominent figure in the underground music community.

Samantha Nicole

From 7:00 PM until 4:00 AM, the three international artists headline along with a diverse lineup of local DJs transforming Salon de Ning into a space filled with live music, culinary creativity and artistic expression simultaneously. Or simply put, a one-of-a-kind kaleidoscopic experience.

Salon de Ning

Now on to the international guest musicians.

Pablo Bolivar

Hailing from Spain, Pablo Bolivar is internationally known for his deep and atmospheric blending of techno and ambient music. With more than two decades in the underground electronic scene, Bolívar has developed a distinctive sound balancing hypnotic rhythms with emotional melodic structures. He is also the founder of influential labels Seven Villas Music and Avantroots Records, which have played a role in shaping the deeper side of contemporary electronic music.

Bolivar's first professional visit in the country is supported by the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.

Lorenzo Travaglini

Italian composers and pianists Lorenzo Travaglini and Davide Sammarchi, from the Bosco Studio collective add to the kaledoiscopic experience of Medium Rare with their brand of music exploring the intersection of neoclassical composition and cinematic sound.

Travaglini, founder of Bosco Studio, focuses on emotionally driven piano works that blend classical tradition with modern sonic landscapes.

Davide Sammarchi

Sammarchi complements this approach through atmospheric textures and expressive minimalist structures. Together their performances create immersive musical narratives that move between classical sensitivity and contemporary sound design.

Bosco Studio's first ever Asian visit is supported by the Philippine–Italian Association.

Medium Rare Kaleidoscope edition happens on May 9, 2026, 7:00 PM until 4:00 AM at the Salon de Ning, The Peninsula Manila.

Pianist Kate Liu makes Philippine debut on May 2 at Ayala Museum

2026-04-23T00:00:00.014+08:00

Classical piano music lovers in Manila can't help but feel spoiled as yet another Laureate of the XVII International Chopin Piano Competition makes their way to the country. After Tony Yike Yang and Szymon Nehring's performances some months ago, it's now Kate Liu's turn to dazzle audiences in her Philippine debut on May 2, 2026, 7:00 PM at the Ayala Museum

Presented by Veniccio.com, in partnership with MA Piano Academy, Kate Liu's concert will see her perform Frédéric Chopin's 4 Mazurkas, Op. 30 and Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35, Robert Schumann's Arabeske in C major, Op. 18, and Johannes Brahms' Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1.

Kate Liu

Rising to international acclaim after winning Third Prize at the XVII International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Kate Liu also received the Best Mazurka Prize and the Audience Favorite Prize through the Polish National Radio. Since then, she has toured extensively, performing at world-renowned venues including the Seoul Arts Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Warsaw National Philharmonic, La Maison Symphonique de Montréal, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, and many more.

Kate Liu has collaborated with esteemed orchestras such as the Warsaw Philharmonic, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Cleveland Orchestra, and Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra. She is a regular invitee to the Chopin and His Europe Festival in Warsaw, and in 2024 she was awarded the Olivier Berggruen Prize at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival.

Born in Singapore, Kate Liu began piano studies at age four and trained at the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, earning her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Artist Diploma. In 2025, she released her debut album featuring Beethoven and Brahms sonatas with Orchid Classics.

Here is a video of Kate Liu from the 3rd round of the XVII International Chopin Piano Competition performing my favorite Chopin piece ever.

Tickets for Kate Liu's concert are available at:

https://www.veniccio.com/products/kate-liu-in-recital

Vienna Boys Choir concert celebrating 80 Years of Austria-Philippines Friendship set on April 26-27

2026-03-26T00:00:00.001+08:00

After ten years, the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir (Wiener Sängerknaben) will return to Manila for a special concert on April 26 and 27, 2026, at 8:00 PM, in the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Celebrating the strong cultural ties between Austria and the Philippines, the concert will be held in anticipation of the 80th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries in 2026.

With a history spanning more than five centuries, the Vienna Boys Choir is regarded as one of the most distinguished choirs in the world. Known for their remarkable musicality, purity of tone, and rich tradition, the young singers perform a wide-ranging repertoire that includes classical masterpieces, sacred music, traditional Austrian works, and international favorites.

The upcoming Manila concert will mark the choir’s long-awaited return to the Philippines since their last performance in the country a decade ago. The event promises an evening of exceptional music and cultural exchange, highlighting the shared appreciation for the arts that has long connected Austria and the Philippines.

“The Vienna Boys Choir is one of Austria’s most treasured cultural ambassadors,” said H.E. Johann Brieger, Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines. “Their return to Manila after ten years is a wonderful opportunity to share Austria’s rich musical heritage with Filipino audiences and to celebrate the longstanding friendship between our two countries, especially as we look ahead to the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Austria and the Philippines in 2026.”

The concert is presented by Ovation Productions through a collaboration with the Austrian Embassy in Manila and the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Tickets are available via smtickets.com and SM Tickets outlets.

Audiences can look forward to a captivating program featuring classical European choral works, traditional Austrian pieces, and beloved international selections. More than a concert, the Vienna Boys Choir’s return to Manila represents a celebration of shared history, artistic excellence, and the lasting friendship between Austria and the Philippines.

About the Vienna Boys Choir

Founded in 1498, the Vienna Boys Choir is among the most famous choirs in the world. Based in Vienna, Austria, the choir consists of around 100 choristers between the ages of 9 and 14, divided into touring groups that perform regularly in leading concert halls and festivals worldwide. The choir maintains a tradition closely linked to Vienna’s rich musical heritage, once associated with composers such as Mozart, Schubert, and Bruckner.

Don’t miss this extraordinary musical event!