It could have been just an ordinary night filled with music at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) last Oct. 8, 2022. But it turned out more than that as it was a serendipitous occasion filled with meaning and purpose—a celebration of young talent on stage courtesy of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY), and a statement from the people who trooped to CCP’s main theater, confirming that after a long drought, there is a thirst (and demand) for music that is essential for the soul and spirit.
It was very heartening to see the mixed crowd at the CCP main theater, mostly young individuals and their families, who listened as the OFY regaled them with music from master composers and our own National Artists for music. The OFY celebrated 10 years of music with a concert dubbed “OFY X” with Gerard Salonga as conductor, who also serves as the group’s music director.
The OFY is the “main performing arm of Ang Misyon, a non-profit organization that supports the musically talented, less privileged youth,” according to its souvenir program. The organization believes that “social change is sparked through the learning of orchestral music.”
Since 2012, Ang Misyon has already “helped over a thousand scholars and continues to provide programs which focus on orchestral training and instrument support. Scholars are given opportunities for local and international performances and to serve as mentors to young members.” In the past, the OFY was able to play in countries such as Malaysia, Qatar, and the US. It is also the “first Filipino symphony orchestra to have played in the Katara Opera House in Doha, Qatar.” In the country, aside from the CCP, it has performed in Iloilo, Dumaguete, and Batangas.
Majority of the members of the OFY are also participants or winners of the NAMCYA or the National Music Competition for Young Artists. NAMCYA, which is celebrating its 49th year and is the presenter of OFY’s 10th year concert, is designated as the national youth development program for music by virtue of Republic Act 11915. According to Virginia Nañagas-Bactad, chairperson of NAMCYA, the group is delighted to “present the talents of Ang Misyon’s OFY, which shares NAMCYA’s advocacy of discovering, fostering, and nurturing young FIlipino musicians.”
Renato Lucas, president of NAMCYA, noted that the past two years were “years of infamy when most of NAMCYA’s activities were restricted by the hard lockdowns.” Nevertheless, he said, “Looking back, they were two good challenging years: something to contemplate upon the value of what we had—especially music.”
NAMCYA also extended its special thanks to Federico Lopez, chairman and founder of Ang Misyon, the foundation of which the OFY belongs. There’s also support from the NCCA, the CCP, and DepEd.
“Tonight, Oct. 8, 2022, we are witnessing the triumph of the human spirit. Although technology assisted us to survive that temporary loss of experiencing live music, nothing beats live. Tonight, musicians are back! Let’s savor music-making from our young artists,” Lucas said.
Indeed, the audience of that Oct. 8 night were in for a treat as the OFY played classical pieces from the greatest orchestral pieces composed by Ludwig van Beethoven and Russian composer Mikhail Glinka. During the second half of the program, the audience were transported back to the homeland, with magnificent pieces from three National Artists—Antonino Buenaventura’s Mindanao Sketches (complete with the use of gongs, clapping of hands, human voices, and other percussion instruments), Lucio San Pedro’s Lahing Kayumanggi (a powerful tribute to the Filipino race and spirit), and Ryan Cayabyab’s Tsismis (Salonga’s playful arrangement of an original song from Cayabyab’s seminal One album). An encore ensued, with OFY indulging the audience with another masterpiece, this time from Mexican composer Arturo Márquez with his delighful piece Danzón No. 2.
Closing one’s eyes to savor the music, one is transported to another plane—the uplifting symphonic world, where each note is placed in its correct order. Opening one’s eyes will show a stage filled with young artists holding their own musical instruments with love and care. Passion brims. Indeed, the future of music in the hands of these young talents is guaranteed to be safe and sound.