How orchestral music stays relevant in the Philippines
Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra delivers a stunning performance in Antique
By Poch Eulalia
Published Aug 25, 2025 12:03 pm
At A Glance
- There was an air of excitement as students and adults alike let out their cries of joy. Even after the PPO's encore performances, there were clamors to hear more.
CULTURAL MASTERS Maestro Herminigildo Ranera conducting the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
Even when pop music dominates the charts, orchestral music continues to leave a lasting impact.
Just think back to when you last watched a movie. When you see Superman flying in the sky, it’s almost impossible not to hear John Williams’ soundtrack blasting in the background. Every bit of music is what brings life to the media that we consume and enjoy. Such was the excitement we felt when we flew over to Antique to witness a live performance by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO).
STARTING THE NIGHT Members of the Ati community of Tobias Fornier open the night with a performance of 'Tatay Miroy Cariñosa'
It was through the collaborative efforts of Senator Loren Legarda and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) that the PPO was able to deliver a stunning performance at the University of Antique Sibalom. Throughout the night, the PPO graced the entire court with their rendition of classics like Antonín Dvořák’s “Carnival Overture,” Broadway hits from “Miss Saigon” and “Pippin,” and timeless movie soundtracks from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Mission Impossible,” “Harry Potter,” and “Superman.” There were also performances of OPM classics during a portion dedicated to Filipino rock.
HAPPY CROWD Audience members chant and sing gleefully alongside familiar tracks
Normally, such performances are reserved for quiet indoor venues, with the crowd only cheering in full during pauses in between or at the very end of the show. In this case, however, there was one applause after another throughout the night. At times, there would even be people standing up to dance and sing along, treating the music like an extravagant karaoke session. There was an air of excitement as students and adults alike let out their cries of joy. Even after the PPO’s encore performances, there were clamors to hear more. It was a heartwarming sight to see such enthusiasm being put out for classical performers.
FOR THE ARTS From left: Arman Ferrer, Sen. Loren Legarda, Shiela Valderrama, Herminigildo Ranera, CCP president Kaye Tinga, and University of Antique president Dr. Pablo Crespo Jr.
While making the arts accessible to every corner of the Philippines might seem like an afterthought for most, the reactions of those present during the PPO’s special performance show how much people yearn for it. When we make the arts accessible through initiatives such as these, we are paving the way for a generation of Filipinos eager to create and express themselves.