What a homecoming it was, to be back in the Metropolitan Theater and relax under its ceiling of Art Deco mangoes, for a long overdue concert.

Maan Hontiveros, president of the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, called it the orchestra’s centennial season, in gratitude for 80 years of an independent republic and its people’s love of music and making music.

For one, there was Tony Pastor, who came all the way from Batangas to take his seat in the 11th row of the theater. He joined the rest of the audience – everyone seemed to be on time! – in displaying a rush, a hush of excitement, as if they were each and all similarly on the edge of their seats waiting for the music to begin: Jeanne Marquez, violin; Jason Marquez, clarinet; and Jose Reyna Jr., conductor.

When it did, the notes came floating down, in little currents and big waves, threatening to engulf the audience and then, just as dramatically, liberate them from the swell of the tide.

It was my first time to see and hear Jeanne, a bedimpled teenager who earned her bachelor of music degree a mere two months ago from Juilliard School of Music, and oh, how she took my breath away! Her bowing technique was something to watch – I wondered how many horsehairs were separated from her bow during her performance.

For the July 4 show, Jeanne paid tribute to Antonio Buenaventura with “Youth” and to Lucio San Pedro with his Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 51.

Clarinetist Jason should come home more often from Texas to thrill us with his solo performances. Not only is he a winner in several competitions, he is, after all, committed to nurturing young musicians after conducting a series of workshops and masterclasses in the Philippines.

‘Tis a brave and lonely dream, to wish that the classical music scene will boom, bloom and continue to bloom. When you hear someone say So-and-So “plays” an instrument, you have to make sure they’re referring to a musical instrument, not a social media app or something like that.

Once upon a time, a little girl I know was interested in tapdancing, while her kid brother talked about beating a drum, but there has been no followup ever since.