Film music galore at Manila Symphony Orchestra's A Night in Hollywood concert on June 28

Film music has made a significant mark in music history ever since sound got integrated in motion pictures. This has resulted in scores that not only provided soundtracks in countless movies but also material for orchestras to perform at concert halls all over the world. Renowned composers whose works have become part of the orchestral repertoire include Erich Korngold, Max Steiner, Dimitri Tiomkin, Miklós Rózsa, André Previn, Aaron Copland, Henry Mancini, Maurice Jarre, John Williams, Ennio Morricone, Alan Menken, Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, Joe Hisaishi, among many others.

Music composed for movies take centerstage as the curtain rises for the Manila Symphony Orchestra's A Night in Hollywood happening on June 28, 2025, 7:30 PM at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex in Pasay.

The second installment of the MSO's 2025-2026 concert season sees Hungarian cellist Zoltán Onczay, American conductor Angel Velez, as well as composers and conductors from the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (LAFCI) gracing the event that will have some of the most iconic film scores as well as new music composed for cinema performed.

The evening's program includes David Popper's Hungarian Rhapsody with Onczay as the cello soloist. Seven original compositions by the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (LAFCI) namely Heart of a Warrior by Sophia Bass, Seeming Chrysalis by Julia Sanchez, Theme from Stolen Realm by Jennifer Jolley, Sigh of Spring’s Farewell by Yuxuan Liu, Concert Prelude on "Chan Mali Chan" by Mohamad Rasull, Journey Through the Celestial Gate by Robin Raisch, Mosaic Mambo by Noah N. Zubia-Sanchez, to be conducted by Ricardo Reyna will be performed as well.

The concert also celebrates John Williams' music with performances of Tribute to the Film Composer, Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter, End Titles from Seven Years in Tibet with Onczay as cello soloist, Adventures on Earth from E.T., Theme from Schindler's List with Alessio Benvenuti as violin soloist, Theme from Superman; his arrangement of Carlos Gardel's Por Una Cabeza with Jeanne Rafaella Marquez as violin soloist, Theme from Jurassic Park, the Olympic Fanfare and Theme.

Below is more information about the guests artists for A Night in Hollywood.

Angel Velez

Angel Velez is one of today's most sought-after conductors for film and television and guest conducting for pop concerts around the world having given world premiere concert performances for hits such as Captain Marvel, Green Book, Tom and Jerry in New York, The Book of Boba Fett and many more. In addition to his work in the studios of Los Angeles and as conductor of the Hollywood Studio Chamber Orchestra, he has served as music director for the Los Angeles Live Score Film Festival, American Society of Cinematographers Awards, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Miss World 2022, one of the largest televised events in the world. He has produced concerts such as Silent Films LIVE, Star Wars: Past and Present and HBO's film For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story LIVE IN CONCERT starring trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval. He has recorded for the Varese Sarabande and Sudwestrundfunk labels and continues to work in the entertainment industry on shows such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels, Family Guy, Jane the Virgin, The Mandalorian and many others, including the recently released MGM superhero film Samaritan starring Sylvester Stallone.

Zoltan Onczay

Zoltán Onczay received his diploma at the Liszt Music Academy Budapest in 2004 in the class of László Mező, cellist of the famous Bartók Quartet. Afterwards, Zoltan received his soloist diploma as a Hindemith scholarship student in Berlin at the UDK in 2008, in the class of Wolfgang Boettcher. He received the Yamaha Award from the European Yamaha Music Foundation, one amongst his numerous awards. He also won the Martinu Award during the Semmering Summer Academy and the Wiener-Classic and Kodaly Award. He also received a prize at the international competition of European Music for Youth in Oslo. He considers his mission to be the promotion of Hungarian and contemporary music locally and abroad, as well as to teaching and supporting young talents. In addition to classical music, he is also engaged in electroacoustic and improvisational music.

Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (LAFCI)

The Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive is dedicated to advancing the art of conducting by providing workshops and access to online resources to help media composers succeed on the podium. LAFCI is dedicated to providing exceptional training based on sound pedagogical practices, designed to create an opportunity for media composers to further their skills as conductors and to provide them with resources and training to help them grow as a conductor. They offer workshops with experienced professional faculty that allow for firsthand opportunities to work with some of the top professional musicians in Los Angeles. Programs are geared toward media composers (film/television/video games) to assist and provide free access to their online Resource Center, which includes "An Inside Look", a series of in-depth interviews with professional conductors sharing their personal perspective on the craft of conducting.

Japanese Singer-Songwriter Ito Kashitaro to Perform in PH, Headlines Fête de la Musique

Japanese singer-songwriter Ito Kashitaro is set to return to the Philippines following a successful debut visit in 2023, this time with more venues and collaborations.

The masked singer will perform from June 21-25 across different venues in Metro Manila, Los Baños, and Baguio. Notably, he will be performing at the main stage of Fête de la Musique PH on June 21, 2025, held at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati. Please check Fete de la Musique PH’s Official site for more info www.feteph.com

Ito Kashitaro first gained popularity online posting covers on video streaming platforms. In the

years since, he has garnered critical acclaim, releasing multiple studio albums and contributing to various anime soundtracks. After his major debut, he transitioned to creating original compositions and flourished as a singer-songwriter.

Central to Kashitaro’s appeal is his work on anime soundtracks. Filipino fans will recognize his

music in “Vita Philosophica” and “Tsukikage Okuri,” the ending themes of Netflix’s My Happy Marriage. “Kioku no Hakobune” from Deca-Dence. “Shinjuiro no Kakumei” from Deep Insanity:

The Lost Child. “Silent Minority,” the opening theme for Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of

Otome Games Is Tough for Mobs. “Hinata no Kuni”, “Neko Neko Biyori”, and “Aisazu ni wa Irarenai” for Nights with a Cat.

Ito Kashitaro

As a highlight of the tour, the Japanese singer-songwriter will be performing with Filipino rapper OG Sacred and the Tondo-based rap collective Tondo Tribe. He will also be performing at Philippine High School for the Arts in Los Baños, Laguna and University of Baguio in Baguio City.

Event Dates and Venues:

June 21, 2025 - Fête de la Musique, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati

June 22, 2025 - Happyland, Tondo, Manila

June 23, 2025 - Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna

June 24-25, 2025 - Baguio City

Fête de la Musique is open to all, and the public is highly encouraged to visit and pre-register on their website! Other dates are special sessions; we will share backstage peeks on our social media accounts soon.

Ito Kashitaro Live 2025 – Soul of the Streets is proudly presented by The Japan Foundation, Manila. For the latest announcements and updates, please visit our official website and social media pages:

The Japan Foundation, Manila Official Website - https://jfmo.org.ph/.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jfmanila

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jfmanila

Italian Film Festival 2025 brings contemporary Italian cinema to SM Aura

The Italian Film Festival 2025 returns this year with a curated selection of acclaimed films that celebrate the charm, wit, and emotional depth of contemporary Italian cinema. The festival will take place on June 6 and 7, 2025, at Cinema 2, SM Aura.

Presented by the Embassy of Italy in Manila, in partnership with the Philippine-Italian Association, the festival showcases three standout films that have made waves in Italy and beyond:

Enrico Piaggio: Vespa (2019)

Director: Umberto Marino

Cast: Allessio Boni, Violante Placido, Francesco Pannofino, Beatrice Grannò, Roberto Ciufoli

The life of Enrico Piaggio and the story of the most famous scooter in the world “VESPA”

Quasi orfano (2022)

Director: Umberto Carteni

Cast: Riccardo Scamarcio, Vittoria Puccini, Antonio Gerardi, Grazia Schiavo, Chiara Di Benedetto, Nunzia Schiano, Adriana Pappalardo, Bebo Storti, Paolo Sassanelli

Valentino founded a very famous Milanese brand. Valentino, of Apulian origin, has progressively cut ties with his family, to the point of declaring himself an orphan and changing his surname. His colorful and numerous family runs a farm holidays with the lowest rating on TripAdvisor. Nicola, his elder brother, tries to reconnect, hoping for an economic help from Valentino to the disastrous economic activity of the family.

Momenti di trascurabile felicità | Ordinary Happiness (2019)

Director: Daniele Luchetti

Cast: Pierfrancesco Diliberto aka Pif, Renato Carpentieri, Federica Victoria Caiozzo aka Thony, Francesco Giammanco, Angelica Alleruzzo

Paul is granted, after his death, to return to earth for an hour and thirty-two minutes. Ninety-two minutes of final balance. Will he have time to deal with the important things in his life, or will just moments of negligible happiness come back to him?

More than just a series of screenings, the festival aims to strengthen cultural ties between Italy and the Philippines through the universal language of cinema.

“Cinema has the power to provoke thought, to make us laugh, and to inspire reflection in equal measure. With this festival, we want to open a window into Italian culture and invite people in—not only to watch, but to connect.”

“This year’s edition places a special emphasis on comedies in contemporary Italian cinema, celebrating the genre as one of the most honest and revealing forms of storytelling—tackling serious subjects with wit, empathy, and sharp social insight.”

— Ambassador Davide Giglio

As part of the celebration, visitors can also enjoy an Italian cinema-inspired exhibit at SM Aura’s main atrium (upper ground level) from June 6 to 15, 2025. The exhibit will feature:

Iconic Italian imagery, including Vespa scooter displays and photo spots showcasing the country’s breathtaking vistas and charming locales

A curated collection of reimagined film posters by MINT College students, highlighting Italian classics and contemporary movies filmed in Italy

The opening film, Enrico Piaggio: Vespa, will be screened by invitation only. Screenings of Quasi orfano and Momenti di trascurabile felicità are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

June 7, 2025

3:00 PM Quasi orfano

6:00 PM Momenti di trascurabile felicità

The Italian Film Festival 2025 is a joint initiative of the Embassy of Italy in Manila, Philippine-Italian Association, Società Dante Alighieri, SM Supermalls, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Vespa, and MINT College.

Viva il cinema italiano!

Pianists Mariel Ilusorio, Abelardo Galang to relive the Biedermeier Salon spirit in Laguna concert

Pianists Mariel Ilusorio and Abelardo Galang bring back the spirit of the Biedermeier Salon in Four Hands One Soul, an intimate performance on June 22, 2025, 4:00 PM at Sta. Rosa Laguna.

The Biedermeier Salon was the stylish living rooms of the middle class in Central Europe during the Biedermeier period (1815-1848). These salons served as the hubs where the middle class gathered to engage in discussions, exchange ideas, and watch performances that included chamber music performances. This was the time when culture flourished among the middle class and became no longer exclusive to the royals and the nobles. Music performances had found its way from the royal courts to the Biedermeier Salon.

A more specific type of the Biedermeier Salon is the Schubertiade where performances of the works of the composer Franz Schubert were the centerpieces. And indeed headlining Ilusorio and Galang's Four Hands One Soul is Franz Schubert's Fantasia in F minor D.940 (Op. posth. 103). Also to be performed this afternoon are works by Astor Piazzolla and Anton Arensky.

Tickets are priced at P2500 with discounted rates for teachers (P600), students (P500) and seniors (P500). One can register and avail of the tickets by scanning the QR code at the poster or via this link.