Young Singers Join Batch 5 of AOV Sing Philippines Youth Choir

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Andrea O. Veneracion (AOV) Sing Philippines Foundation bring together 35 passionate singers from different parts of the country for a week-long music camp at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez from August 19 to 23, 2026.

Selected from 121 applications from all over the country, these young singers will be part of the fifth batch of the Sing Philippines Youth Choir (SPYC), sharing love for music and a commitment to uplifting local communities. Inspired by the legacy of the Philippine Madrigal Singers (MADz), these choir singers carry forward National Artist Andrea O. Veneracion’s heartwarming dream of a nation united in song.

The SPYC Batch 5 will undergo an intensive music camp to learn advanced vocal techniques, refine ensemble mastery, and build lifelong friendships under the gentle guidance of Prof. Mark Anthony Carpio, the choirmaster-conductor of Madz. The transformative week will culminate with a grand performance, as part of the 25th anniversary celebration concert honoring Prof. Carpio at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on August 22 and 23, 2026.

“This journey is a deeply personal one, a story of overcoming self-doubt, healing through music, and stepping into our potential. For many of us, the SPYC is far more than a personal milestone—it is a gift that we intend to pass on. Upon returning to our hometowns, schools, and church ministries, we plan to serve as mentors and guides, sharing the lessons, discipline, and joy we gained during the camp.

By bringing high-level training back to our roots, we hope to spark new hope in younger singers, raise local performance standards, and prove that talent from every corner of the Philippines deserves to shine,” collectively shared by some of the singers, namely bass Jacob Miguel Villa (NCR), bass Eljohn Capitan (Lanao del Norte), tenor Jeric Gianan (Catanduanes), altos Mary Gwyneth Gudes (Bohol), alto Dave Lacquio (Zamboanga del Norte), soprano Chin Aficionado Salmon (Iloilo), and soprano Kristine Intong (Kidapawan).

Since it was launched in 2014, the AOV SPYC has mentored 248 singers from 78 local communities nationwide, in five batches.

In 2022, the SPYC tour group, led by Prof. Carpio, competed and won second prize and a Gold Diploma for the Classical Mixed and Equal Category and a Gold Diploma in the Ethnic Category in the Busan International Choral Festival and Competition.

In 2024, they placed fourth among the 16 countries that competed in the Tolosa Choral Competition in Spain. They also performed for the Filipino overseas workers, migrants, and foreign nationals around Spain and Portugal.

In 2025 to 2026, the SPYC pursued its mission to share music with the local communities and conducted workshops and concerts in Tagum City, General Santos City, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Marikina City, and Hagonoy in Bulacan.

For more information, visit the official Facebook pages of CCP, CCP Cultural Exchange Department, and the AOV Sing Philippines Youth Choir.

Celebrate ASEAN Month 2026: Public Invited to Experience Southeast Asia Through Music, Dance, Arts, and Culture

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), together with its ASEAN 2026 Philippines partners, invites the public to join the month-long celebration of ASEAN Month 2026, featuring a vibrant lineup of cultural showcases, performances, workshops, and community events that highlight the rich heritage and shared identity of Southeast Asia.

Following the successful momentum of the SULONG SEAPop Music and Culture Caravan, the celebration continues this August under the ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together.” As ASEAN commemorates its 59th founding anniversary, Filipinos and visitors alike are encouraged to discover the traditions, creativity, and cultural diversity that unite the region’s eleven Member States.

As part of the celebration, participants who joined previous SULONG SEAPop Music and Culture Caravan events are encouraged to bring their SULONG SEAPop Passport to continue collecting stamps through the Stamp Rally at participating ASEAN Month activities. Those who complete the required stamps will have the chance to receive exclusive prizes, with winners to be announced during the culmination of the campaign in November 2026.

Throughout August, attendees can participate in a variety of free and accessible events across Manila, including:

August 6, 2026

ASEAN Corner at the Philippine High School for the Arts, featuring cultural exhibits alongside the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BOAPA).

August 7, 2026

Viet Nam Cultural Days in Manila at Centro de Turismo, Intramuros, with traditional water puppet performances, an interactive puppet workshop, ASEAN lectures, and cultural exhibits celebrating 50 years of Philippines–Viet Nam diplomatic relations.

August 8, 2026

59th ASEAN Day Anniversary and Viet Nam Cultural Days Public Cultural Showcase at Fort Santiago, featuring the Bayanihan National Dance Company and the Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre in a free public performance.

August 9, 2026

The Inauguration of the ASEAN Cultural Center in Manila at the Metropolitan Theater, followed by the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BOAPA) showcase.

August 20, 2026

Interagency ASEAN Month Celebration, bringing together government agencies in a grand showcase of regional cooperation, culture, and shared heritage.

The celebration reflects ASEAN’s enduring vision of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community,” encouraging people of all ages to deepen their appreciation of Southeast Asia’s cultural connections while strengthening regional friendship and understanding. Whether through captivating performances, immersive workshops, educational talks, or cultural exhibitions, ASEAN Month 2026 offers meaningful experiences that celebrate the stories, traditions, and artistic excellence of the region.

Admission to events above is free. The public is encouraged to register in advance for workshops with limited slots and to follow the official ASEAN 2026 Philippines and NCCA channels for schedules, registration details, and event updates.

Philippines Welcomes ASEAN Young Artists for BOAPA 2026

Delegates to perform with Alice Reyes Dance Philippines on August 9

Sharing the vision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in fostering a region that values peace, inclusivity, and mutual understanding, the Philippines will host the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BOAPA) 2026: Navigating Cultural Currents from August 5 to 9, 2026, in Manila and Los Baños, Laguna.

Organized by the Philippines’ ASEAN National Committee on Culture and Information - Sub Committee on Culture (COCI-SCC PH) through the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), BOAPA has been one of ASEAN's flagship cultural initiatives, bringing together emerging and young artists from across Southeast Asia annually to celebrate the region’s shared heritage while highlighting the unique culture of each of the ASEAN member states.

True to the vision of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community,” BOAPA has become a platform where young artists forge lasting friendships, exchange creative practices, and deepen their understanding of various cultures that make ASEAN a vibrant and interconnected community through the years.

From August 5 to 7, young performers from the 11 ASEAN member-states will gather at the National Arts Center in Los Baños, Laguna where they will participate in cultural exchange sessions, artistic workshops, collaborative rehearsals, cultural immersion activities, and interactions with the students of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA).

Their cultural journey culminates on August 9 at 6:00 PM with a performance at the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila that will be open to the public. Delegates from each of the ASEAN member-states will showcase their unique cultural traditions, and then join the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines in performing excerpts from Rama, Hari, directed and choreographed by National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes with music by National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab and libretto by National Artist for Literature, Bienvenido Lumbera.

“The Ramayana is part of the common heritage among the countries of Southeast Asia. The participation of the delegates in a production of the Rama, Hari, as well as their country presentations will showcase ASEAN’s rich culture and evolving heritage while providing opportunities for interaction among the region’s young artists,” said CCP Vice President and Artistic Director, Dennis N. Marasigan.

The delegates will also be guests at the inauguration of the ASEAN Cultural Center in Manila earlier that day, also at the Metropolitan Theater.

As the Philippines continues with its ASEAN Chairship in 2026, hosting BOAPA reflects the country’s longstanding commitment to strengthening regional cooperation through culture.

In bringing together the region’s next generation of cultural bearers, BOAPA 2026 affirms that the peoples of the ASEAN remain connected by stories and artistic expressions that enable them to navigate the cultural currents of a shared cultural community.

MSO brings back Carmen in Tagalog, commemorates Conching Rosals birth centennial

With its centennial season still in full force, the Manila Symphony Orchestra commemorates more milestones with Opera at Kundiman: The Legacy of Maestra Conching Rosal concert happening on August 29, 2026 7:00 PM at the FEU Auditorium.

Conching Rosal

The concert puts spotlight on soprano Conching Rosal who, like the MSO, is celebrating centennial anniversary of her birth this year.

Manila Symphony Ochestra

Back in August 29, 1956 at the FEU Audiorium, Rosal portrayed the title role of Carmen at the premiere staging of the Tagalog version by Manuel Carballo Santiago and Vicente Liwag of Georges Bizet's opera.

Rachelle Gerodias-Park

The 1956 staging was directed by dancer/choreographer Trudl Dubsky-Zipper, the wife of Herbert Zipper who succeeded founder Alexander Lippay as the MSO's music director. This all the more makes MSO's upcoming concert the 70th anniversary celebration of this historic opera moment right at the equally historic venue where it all happened.

Michelle Mariposa

Headlining the concert that will feature selections from Carmen in Tagalog along with well-loved kundimans by Nicanor Abelardo, Francisco Santiago, Leopoldo Silos, Constancio de Guzman, and Manuel Velez are a quartet of the country's most heralded opera artists namely soprano Rachelle Gerodias-Park, mezzo soprano Michelle Mariposa, tenor Arthur Espiritu, and baritone Byeong-In Park. They are joined by the FEU Chorale and the FEU Dance Company. MSO Music Director Marlon Chen conducts.

Arthur Espiritu

Born in San Jose, Batangas in 1926, Conching Rosal discovered her love for singing in her parish church before pursuing formal studies at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. She established herself as one of the Philippines' leading sopranos through acclaimed performances in productions such as Madama Butterfly, Aida, and Ang Kiri becoming one of the defining voices of 

Philippine opera from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Byeong-In Park

While Rosal earned acclaim on the operatic stage, she was equally devoted to kundiman. Through her concerts and recordings, she helped preserve and popularize many of the country's best-loved art songs, introducing generations of Filipinos to this treasured musical tradition.

Marlon Chen

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Auditorium served as the MSO's home throughout much of the 1950s. Celebrating its 98th anniversary this year, FEU remains one of the country's foremost educational and cultural institutions. Its auditorium, inaugurated in 1949, is a celebrated Art Deco masterpiece designed by National Artist for Architecture Pablo Antonio Sr.

FEU Chorale

Tickets are available at TicketWorld. Enter code CONCHINGEB20 for a 20% early bird discount valid until August 14, 2026, 11:59 PM. Standard discounts for students (50%); seniors, PWDs, and diplomats (20%) apply.

FEU Dance Company

The Manila Symphony Orchestra's Opera at Kundiman: The Legacy of Maestra Conching Rosal is presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance, co-presented by EastWest Bank, ACMobility, and BYD, in partnership with Far Eastern University.