The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and Philippine Madrigal Singers (Madz) gave Pasigueños a night to remember as they performed a rich selection of local and international classical pieces in the "Musikang Handog" concert on Friday, Sept. 22.
The Philharmonic and Madz were warmly welcomed by the Pasig City local government and citizens with a full house attendance at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in the city.
The free concert, organized by the local government in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), was held as a tribute to the 450th anniversary of the city and the Pasig Cathedral.
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr., Rep. Roman Romulo, and the 11th City Council graced the concert, along with CCP President Michelle Nikki M. Junia, Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, Pasig Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Mar Baranda, and the Diocese of Pasig.
Rep. Romulo said it is the first time the city has once again hosted the Philharmonic and Madz after 25 years since they last performed in the cathedral.
The program, led by the initiative of the Comite de Festejos de Pasig 2023 and the Office of Rep. Romulo, was a chance for Pasig citizens to "witness music at its best," he added.
Mayor Sotto said the concert was "very timely" as Pasigueños "take time to go back to our history and culture."
"We are honored and privileged to have you here, and we are so blessed to be able to witness your performance. Truly this is a special and historic event for the City of Pasig," said Sotto.
As the city celebrates over four centuries of faith and devotion, CCP President Junia said the concert hoped to "give comfort and warmth to Pasig through music."
"La Immaculada Concepcion deserves to be sung with nothing but the highest of praises. And what better way to do so than with the country's leading orchestra, and one of the world's most awarded choirs," said Junia.
The Philharmonic was led by Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, and Madz was headed by Choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio.
The orchestra opened the concert with a bombastic version of "L'italiana in Algeri: Overture" by Gioachino Rossini, followed by "Spring from the Four Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi, "Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550 (Molto Allegro)" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and "Tanging Yaman Overture" by Fr. Manuel Francisco, arranged by Agripino Diestro.
A highlight of the concert was the triumphant rendition of "Mutya ng Pasig" by Nicanor Abelardo, arranged by Angel Peña, and sung by Soprano Leslie Anne Abordo, the musical director of Good Shepherds Voice from Don Bosco Parish Makati and a member of Madz.
The night continued with the orchestra playing selections from famous American musical "The Sound of Music," composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, ending with "Serenata" by Leroy Anderson.
The Madrigal Singers serenaded the audience with versatile renditions of "Magdiwang, Magpuri" by Jay-El B. Viteño; "Prayer of St. Francis" by Allen Pote, arranged by Robert Delgado; "Missio" written by Joey Gianan Vargas with music by Nikko Villanueva; and "Maria" by Fr. Carlo Magno, arranged by Ily Matthew Maniano.
The choir performed some of Ryan Cayabyab's famous songs such as "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika," "Da Coconut Nut," and "Baka Ikaw sa May Bintana" composed with Edith Gallardo, arranged by Nikko Villanueva.
As the nation enters the holiday season, Madz also sang joyful tunes like "Apat na Buwang Kapaskuhan" by Hamili Campos-de Castro, arranged by Robert Delgado, and ended with a version of "Permission to Dance" by K-pop group BTS, arranged by Ily Matthew Maniano.
Before taking their final bow, the Philharmonic and Madz played and sang together "Awit ng Pagsinta (Epithalamium)" from the musical "Rama Hari," lyrics by Bienvenido Lumbera and music by Ryan Cayabyab; and "Hibang sa Awit," lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes and music by Ryan Cayabyab.
Junia said the "Musikang Handog" is one of the CCP's efforts in "providing world-class artistic experiences to more Filipino audiences outside of the CCP main building," especially as the CCP complex undergoes rehabilitation until 2025.
"We are true to our mandate to preserve and promote the best of Filipino culture anywhere we go," she added, emphasizing the CCP's mission to promote music appreciation through outreach programs throughout the country.