Silaynons experience great evening of music with Philippine PhilHarmonic Orchestra

THE people of Silay City experienced a great musical event dubbed “A Christmas Concert,” featuring the world-class performance of the Philippine PhilHarmonic Orchestra (PPO) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) held at the Natalio Velez Sports and Cultural Center Monday evening.

The PPO is the country’s leading orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the top musical ensembles in the Asia-Pacific region.

It has performed with many of the world’s renowned conductors and has premiered Filipino compositions, and has also featured works by foreign composers not yet performed in the Philippines.

The PPO continues to promote music appreciation through outreach concerts in schools, parishes, government agencies, and undeserved communities in Metro Manila and in different regions in the country.

The orchestra wowed the 2,300 Silaynons and guests who filled venue, listening to the orchestra’s play on both Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and foreign sounds.

Mayor Mark Golez said the event, enjoyed by Silaynons for free, was organized through the efforts of the City Government of Silay, CCP, Filipino Heritage Festival, Mita Bantug-Benitez, Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez, and corporate sponsors.

The City Government and the CCP brought PPO to Silay to bring the best to the Silaynons, the mayor added.

During the concert, the PPO performed Light Calvary Overture, Carmen Suite No. 3, Prelude, Aragonaise, Les dragons d’ Alcala, Les Toreador, Air from Suite no. 3 in D, Waltz from Masquerade Suite, La Boda de Luis Alonso, and Christmas Festival under the baton of music director and principal conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura.

Fukumura, recognized as one of the most famous maestros in Japan, received a national recognition in Japan for conducting the NHK TV Concert series entitled “Music of the World” in 1970.

Another great performance from PPO that was greatly applauded was the music conducted by associate conductor Herminigildo Ranera, a multi-awarded performer and a two-time prize winner of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 1982 and 1983 as a performer in trombone and baritone categories.

He was also a prize winner of the 1983 League of Filipino Composers competition for young composers, collaborating with fellow composer, Fr. Manuel Maramba, for various productions of the CCP.

The orchestra under Ranera played A New Day Has Come sang by Katrine Jamar Sunga; MI Mancherai-Nella Fantasia sang by Frederick Angelo Matuan; and OPM Christmas Hits sang by both artists.

Golez also took pride in presenting the Kabataang Silay Rondalla Ensemble.

They performed Philippine Medley No. 2, You Raised Me Up, pop medley, Visayan Aires arranged by Alfredo Buenaventura, Harry James Lucero, and Jegger Anjao, respectively. Nelson Quirit played Czardas with the PPO.

The group was organized in 1994, starting with 36 primary school students, who passed the auditions.

As the young cultural ambassadors of Negros Occidental, Kabataang Silay is instrumental in promoting tourism and youth development.

Golez said the group has also traveled abroad representing the Philippines and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Silay City.

They had performed in China, Singapore and Scotland, where they were given the “Award of Excellence” in 2001, and at the 2010 Aberdeen International Youth Festival.

With the warm reception of Silaynons to the PPO, Golez said he is hoping for more performances, not only from the PPO, but also from other orchestras since the city is known as the “seat of culture and arts.”

“Events like this are very much like Christmas,” the mayor said. “Seldom at the close of the year do we have the opportunity and privilege to experience an occasion like this that lifts up our feelings with joy and gladness.”

Bantug-Benitez, one of the major sponsors of the event, said the CCP decided to bring PPO in Silay City and also in Victorias City for an outreach concert.

She said the orchestra had been to Bacolod City several years ago, but this is the first time the PPO performed in other cities in Negros Occidental.

With the successful staging of the event, Bantug-Benitez expressed her gratitude to everyone who made the event possible.