PPO holds outreach concerts in Nueva Ecija and Dumaguete

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) is bringing the joy of live orchestral music to the communities of Nueva Ecija and Dumaguete with its upcoming outreach concerts in the regions. These events aim to bring PPO’s brand of music to different regions, broadening its audience reach and making world-class orchestral music accessible outside the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex.

Under the baton of Resident Conductor Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, the orchestra will present a vibrant program, with each concert highlighting a distinct theme. In Nueva Ecija, audiences will be swept into the festive spirit of the Christmas season through the PPO’s lively performances. Dubbed Himig ng Pasko, Alay sa Inyo, the PPO Nueva Ecija concert will feature home-grown performing groups such as the Voices of the City of Muñoz and the CLSU Maestro Singers with opera singer Gerphil Flores and soloist Giancarlo Gonzales. The concert will begin at 6:00pm on November 26 at the Science City Gymnasium in the Science City of Muñoz.

Flores is an award-winning classical crossover singer known for her captivating vocal artistry. She completed her Bachelor of Music, major in Voice, Cum Laude, at the University of the Philippines College of Music, and later continued her academic pursuits with studies in Art History at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She rose to international prominence as the 2nd runner-up on Asia’s Got Talent, and in 2015 received the Aliw Awards’ “Entertainer of the Year.” Since then, she has performed in numerous solo and collaborative concerts across Asia and North America.

Gonzales, the assistant principal cellist of the PPO, recently completed his Artist Diploma in Cello Performance at Texas Christian University (TCU), where he studied under Dr. Juliette Herlin and served as Principal Cellist of the TCU Symphony Orchestra, performing with the ensemble when it won First Place in the university division of The American Prize for Orchestral Performance. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Memphis, In the Philippines, he has trained under respected mentors including Amador Tamayo and Herminia Ilano. A NAMCYA prizewinner and former member of the Asian Youth Orchestra, Gonzales has performed across Asia and appeared with major Philippine ensembles, including the PPO’s historic 2016 Carnegie Hall concert.

Following their performance in Nueva Ecija, the PPO will continue its outreach tour in Negros Oriental with a series of concerts at Silliman University, titled LEGACY: Music for Silliman’s Bicentennial, on December 11 at 7pm and December 12 at 2pm and 7pm. The Dumaguete program will serve as a tribute to the legacy of Dr. Horace Silliman, an American philanthropist and industrialist who played a pivotal role in the founding of Silliman Institute, now Silliman University, on his birth anniversary.

Soprano Katrina Saga, with local talents soloists James Alkene Lamuna, Julia Faith Joaquin, and Joven Edward Aquisap will perform alongside the national orchestra.

Saga is a distinguished soprano and vocal specialist, a graduate of Silliman University’s College of Performing and Visual Arts, and an alumna of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, celebrated for her exceptional technique and artistry. Aquisap is PPO’s viola player and holds a Master of Music in Viola Performance and Chamber Music from the University of South Florida. Lamuna is a tenor with extensive performance experience in Dumeguete City, while Joaquin, a singing champion from Bohol, has gained national recognition as a finalist on It’s Showtime: Tawag ng Tanghalan.

Established in 1973, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is the country’s leading orchestra, celebrated for its artistic excellence and commitment to fostering Filipino musical talent. Through concerts, outreach programs, and education initiatives, the PPO brings orchestral music to audiences nationwide.

The concert in Nueva Ecija is free and open to the public. Reserve your tickets for the Dumaguete concert through cac@su.edu.ph.

Follow the CCP and PPO official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates.

Cellist Giancarlo Gonzales in next PPO Recital Series

The Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra present cellist Giancarlo Gonzales in the latest installment of the PPO Recital Series premiering online on March 25, 2022, 8:00 PM at the CCP and PPO's Facebook pages and at the CCP YouTube channel.

Music to be performed at the recital includes Svante Henryson’s Black Run from Colors in D - Suite for Solo Cello and Claude Debussy’s Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor which Gonzales will perform with collaborating artist Mary Anne Espina.

Giancarlo won the First Prize at the 2008 National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). He was a member of the Asian Youth Orchestra in 2007 and 2008. He is currently the Assistant Principal cellist of the PPO.

PPO presents monthly recital series

Since the usual Philippine Philharmonic Orchetsra subscription concert series at the Cultural Center of the Philippines is still not yet possible despite the lowered alert level in Metro Manila, the orchestra still finds a way to bring classical music to audiences via the PPO Recital Series.

Running from November 2021 until June 2022, this monthly recital series will feature eight members (either principals or assistant principals) from the orchestra performing music pieces that are carefully curated by the PPO's Music Director and Principal Conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura.

Each new episode will premiere at 8:00 PM on the last Friday of the month at the PPO and CCP Facebook pages.

Flutist Hercules Santiago

The series opens with principal flutist Hercules Santiago performing Otar Taktakishvili’s Sonata for Flute and Piano in C Major on November 26, 2021.

Clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana

On December 31, 2021, principal clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana plays Robert Schumann’s Fantasiestücke Op. 73 and Michele Mangani’s Pagina d’ Album for Clarinet and Piano.

French horn player Ernani Pascual

French horn player Ernani Pascual ushers in the New Year with his take on Hermann Eichborn’s Sonate für Waldhorn und Klavier, Op. 7 on January 28, 2022.

Trumpet player Glober Calambro

Trumpet player Glober Calambro will render Paul Hindemith’s Sonata for Trumpet and Piano on February 25, 2022.

Cellist Giancarlo Gonzales

On March 25, 2022, cellist Giancarlo Gonzales interprets Claude Debussy’s Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, L. 135 and Svante Henryson’s Black Run.

Violinist Dino Akira Decena

Orchestra concertmaster Dino Akira Decena performs a couple of Nicanor Abelardo's works namely the Sonata for Violin and Piano, and Romanza on April 29, 2022.

Violist Rey Casey Concepcion

In May 27, 2022, the spotlight will be on violist Rey Casey Concepcion as he performs Paul Hindemith’s Viola Sonata in F, Op. 11, No. 4 and Max Bruch’s Romanze in F Major for Viola and Piano, Op.85.

Contrabass player Ariston Payte III

Principal contrabass player Ariston Payte III wraps up the series with a performance of Adolf Misek’s Sonata No. 2 in E minor, Op. 6 on June 24, 2022.

Pianist Mary Anne Espina

Pianist Mary Anne Espina is the collaborating artist for the entire recital series.

Winners' concert for NAMCYA's 46th anniversary

In celebration of 46 years of discovering and showcasing Filipino talents, the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) presents Alab ng Musika: Wagi #galingNAMCYA”  , a concert of winners happening on August 23, 2019, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

Leading the lineup is cellist Giancarlo Castrillo Gonzales, a two-time NAMCYA winner. He will perform Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 with the UST Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dr. Renato Lucas, the current NAMCYA President and former principal cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Other performers at the concert include the award winning choir DYCI Galak conducted by Nelson dela Cruz and the Pundaquit Virtuosi under the artistic direction of Alfonso "Coke" Bolipata.

NAMCYA aims not just to encourage Filipinos to present their gift of music to people, but also to honor the nationalism and Philippine culture by fostering of diverse musical heritage. Through their training and competitions, young artists get to improve and advance on their skills as performers as well as broaden their knowledge and perspective in music education.