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.

PBT revives, celebrates 30 years of Gener Caringal's Andres Bonifacio KKK

Hoping to cultivate nationalism, empower the common man, and awaken the spirit of what it means to be a nation, the Philippine Ballet Theatre brings back Andres KKK this August 22-23, 2026 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

Matthew Davo

Choreographed by Gener Caringal, this ballet about Andres Bonifacio had its premiere back in 1996 in commemoration of the centennial of the Philippine Revolution. One of PBT's most widely toured productions, Andres KKK boasts a libretto by Lilia Quindoza Santiago and an original score by Jesse Lucas.

Jessa Tangalin

Dancing the lead role of Bonifacio are Matthew Davo and Dominador Delmo while Jessa Tangalin and Sophie Tiangco portray his wife Gregoria "Oryang" de Jesus.

Matthew Davo & Jessa Tangalin

PBT's Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario, who originated the role of Bonifacio during the 1996 premiere, says that the ballet has stoot the test of time because "PBT's version of history is not just pages of history in dance. It is a touching tribute to the struggles of the Filipino."

Sophie Tiangco

Jaynario still remembers how Caringal framed the hero: instead of portraying Bonifacio as an untouchable icon or an invincible warrior, Caringal reveals the man behind the monument. His Bonifacio struggles, questions, sacrifices, and perseveres. He is not defined by superhuman strength but by an unwavering belief in his people and their shared dream of freedom.

Dominador Delmo & Sophie Tiangco

Gener Caringal explains his Andres Bonifacio as a product of poverty, suffering, and love for his country. A hero was born because Bonifacio cared deeply for this land and its people. Moreover, in Caringal's vision, Bonifacio's greatest power does not come from standing above the people—it comes from standing among them. They were all heroes of their time, with Bonifacio serving as the symbol of their resolve.

Matthew Davo & Philippine Ballet Theatre

In revisiting Bonifacio's story, Philippine Ballet Theatre invites audiences to reflect on a question that remains as urgent today as it was more than a century ago: What kind of hero does our nation need—and what kind of people must we become to stand behind one? What would it take to make heroes of all of us?

PBT's Andres KKK will have a limited one weekend run on August 22-23, 2026 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell Makati. Tickets are available through TicketWorld. For ticket inquiries, call 0968-870-8887.

CCP opens applications for 14th batch of Kabataang Gitarista

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Artist Training Division under the Arts Education Department, once again opens applications for Batch 14 of the CCP Kabataang Gitarista (KG) Program until August 25, 2026. An initiative designed for young musicians, the program provides FREE weekly classical guitar training that fosters understanding of the instrument and its repertoire.

Open to public high school students in the National Capital Region (NCR), the CCP KG program seeks aspiring classical guitarists in Grades 7, 8, or 9 who are eager to develop their skills. Applicants must be willing to commit to weekly training sessions on Saturdays at the CCP Annex Building and to dedicate time to self-practice on weekdays outside regular training hours. They must also be able to bring a nylon-stringed guitar to the lessons.

Interested applicants may complete and submit the online application form (through this link: https://tinyurl.com/ApplicationFormB14) on or before August 25, 2026 (Tuesday), 5:00 PM. They are expected to attend the onsite auditions on August 29, 2026 (Saturday), from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex. Walk-in applications will also be accommodated on the day of the auditions.

Applicants who successfully pass the onsite auditions will be invited, together with their parents and guardians, to attend an orientation and lecture on September 5, 2026 (Saturday), from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the CCP Annex Building.

Now in its 14th year, the CCP KG Program has provided young guitar players with quality classical guitar lessons and performance opportunities. Members of the ensemble have also performed across various CCP venues, selected public and private schools, outreach concerts outside Manila, and private engagements.

Several members have likewise distinguished themselves in local and international competitions, earning recognition for their schools and bringing pride to the country through their achievements. More than technical training, the program aims to develop a performing classical guitar ensemble and provide young musicians with opportunities to explore their musical potential.

For inquiries regarding the CCP Kabataang Gitarista Program, interested applicants may visit this link: https://linktr.ee/kabataanggitarista.official or contact the CCP Artist Training Division via email at kabataanggitarista.official@gmail.com. For updates and additional information, visit the official CCP website (https://culturalcenter.gov.ph/) and follow the CCP Arts Education Programs and CCP Kabataang Gitarista Facebook pages.

Philippine Ballet Theatre headlines Insular Life fundraiser

For the very first time, Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT), the country’s National Performing Arts Company for Dance, will perform in the south through Insular Life’s special fundraising event, Passion and Purpose.The show will only have one performance at Insular Life, Tanghalang Haribon, Alabang on September 20, 2026, 6:00 PM.

Jess Tangalin and Dom Delmo

The landmark evening brings together world-class Filipino artistry, beloved Original Pilipino Music, and a meaningful cause supporting education and the arts. At the center of the program is On the Wings of Song, otherwise known as the Jose Mari Chan Suite—a signature mixed-bill production celebrating the timeless music of Jose Mari Chan through ballet and contemporary movement.

Matthew Davo and Gabrielle Jaynario

Audiences can expect to hear some of Chan’s most beloved classics, including Please Be Careful With My Heart, Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile, Perhaps Love, Beautiful Girl, Movie Fan, Tsuper ng Aking Buhay, and more—transformed into expressive dance narratives that celebrate Filipino warmth, romance, humor, and family life. Company artist Gabrielle Jaynario shares her thoughts about the show: “Passion and Purpose will allow the audience an opportunity to become grounded for a moment and revisit our local culture. Everyday stories, all told through a fusion of Filipino song and dance, are interesting ways to capture the Filipino spirit. Our JMC Suite is a crowd favorite, always eliciting heartwarming applause because of it’s relateability. And when we can make audiences relate to us artists, it becomes a much more rewarding experience. That said, we are always excited to perform in Muntinlupa”

Philippine Ballet Theatre

Adding a local dimension to the evening, Hampton Court Ballet School will present a special guest performance featuring the young dancers of Muntinlupa City in contemporary ballet works choreographed by award-winning choreographer Fred Fernandez.

More than a performance, Passion and Purpose also serves as a fundraising initiative benefiting:

• Insular Life’s Education Program for the Youth
• Philippine Ballet Theatre’s Adopt-a-Dancer Program
• Hampton Court Ballet School Scholarship Fund

Organizers hope the event will further establish Muntinlupa City as an emerging center for arts and culture while providing more opportunities for young artists and students. Moreover, this is a chance to inspire young audiences to get up and dance as they see relatable art on stage.With limited seating available, organizers encourage you to check out the show and buy their tickets through Ticketmelon.

Sophie Tiangco and Julafer Fegarido

Ticket Prices:

P2,500 Front Orchestra Center

P2,500 Front Orchestra Side

P2,000 Back Orchestra Center

P1,500 Back Orchestra Side

P1,000 Balcony

NCCA opens call for proposals, conducts roadshow for 2027 Competitive Grants Program

Tapping Indigenous Peoples (IP) youths to participate as cultural practices gets transferred to their generation, strenghtening and digitizing the cultural database to combat intellectual property infringements with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and getting music and the arts back into early education were just some of the topics and pressing concerns discussed as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) officially kicked off its Call for Proposals for the Calendar Year 2027 Competitive Grants Program.

Artists, cultural workers, researchers, local government units, educational institutions, indegenous people's organizations, non-government organizations, and other cultural stakeholers to submit project proposals from over 100 specific project categories that contribute to the peservation, promotion, development, and dissemination of Philippine arts and culture.

NCCA Chair and Executive Director
Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD

Anchored on Republic Act No. 7356, the Competitive Grants Program remains one of the Commission's core mandates in supporting cultural development across the country through the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA). The program provides financial assistance to projects that uphold Filipino creativity, safeguard cultural heritage, strenghten cultural communities, and expand access to arts and culture nationwide.

For the 2027 cycle, the NCCA encourages proposals that respond to the country's evolving cultural landscape while remaining aligned with the Commission's mandate and the strategic priorities of its four Subcommissions—Arts; Cultural Heritage; Cultural Dissemination; and Culural Communities and Traditional Arts. Through this annual program, the Commission continues to empower communities and institutions in creating meaningful cultural initiatives that enrich national identity and promote inclusive development.

Interested proponents must first secure an NCAA accrediation to ensure grants eligibility. Proponents must not have any unliquidated or derogatory records with the NCCA or any government agency. Complete project proposals maybe sumbitted through email or courier.

From L to R: Bernan Joseph Corpuz, May-i Padilla, Dr. Maria Alexandra Chua,
Dr. Lordinio Vergara, Emma Ray, Arwin Paul Lingat

The deadline for submission of proposals is 31 August 2026, Monday 11:59 PM (Philippine Standard Time) as posted in the official NCCA Website.

To assist prospective applicants, te NCCA is also set to conduct nationwide Competitive Grants Progam Roadshows, provide orientation and technical assistance sessions on project proposal writing and preparation, eligibility requirements, funding priorities, and the general application process. The roadshows aim to make the grants program more accessible by reaching cultural practictioners and organizations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The schedule of the roadshows is as follows:

July 21, 2026

National Capital Region

Online

Luzon Cluster

Baguio City

July 27, 2026

Visayas Cluster

Bacolod City

July 28, 2026

Mindanao Cluster

Davao City

QR codes can be scanned for pre-registration while exact venues fo all roadshows will be announced soon on the NCCA Facebook page.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the guidelines, proposal ctegories, and documentary requirements before submission.

Kontragapi

For the complete material on the Competitive Grants Program for 2027, visit: https://ncca.gov.ph/ncca-competitive-grants-program/

Italian Film Festival screens Paolo Sorrentino, Paolo Genovese works at the Shang

The latest works by internationally renowned directors Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty, Youth) and Paolo Genovese (Perfect Strangers) are among the six contemporary Italian films lined up at the return of the Italian Film Festival this June 26-July 1. 2026 at the Shangri-La Plaza's Red Carpet Cinemas in Manadluyong.

Presented by the Embassy of Italy in Manila in collaboration with Elephant Pictures, Cineforum Robert Bresson, the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA), and Shangri-La Plaza's Red Carpet Cinemas, the festival continues its mission of promoting Italian culture and strengthening ties between Italy and the Philippines through the universal language of cinema.

Here is this year's selection of films in detail.

Le città di pianura | The Last One for the Road (2025)

Director: Francesco Sossai

Cast: Filippo Scotti, Sergio Romano, Pierpaolo Capovilla, Roberto Citran, Andrea Pennacchi

Two broke, bar-hopping fiftysomethings meet a shy and aimless architecture student. Together, the three men embark on a chaotic road trip through the Venetian plains where bad advice, hangovers and unexpected friendship shake up the young man’s future plans for life and love.

Elisa (2025)

Director: Leonardo Di Costanzo

Cast: Barbara Ronchi, Roschdy Zem, Diego Ribon, Valeria Golino

Thirty-five-year-old Elisa has been in prison for ten years, convicted for having killed her older sister and burnt her body for no apparent reason. She claims to remember little to nothing about her crime, as if she’d built up a wall of silence between her and her past. But when she decides to meet criminologist Alaoui and take part in his research, embarking on a tense and inexorable exchange, her memories begin to take shape and, amidst the pain of fully accepting her culpability, Elisa finds she might be able to take the first step towards potential redemption.

FolleMente | Madly (2025)

Director: Paolo Genovese

Cast: Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati, Emanuela Fanelli, Maria Chiara Giannetta, Claudia Pandolfi, Vittoria Puccini, Marco Giallini, Maurizio Lastrico, Rocco Papaleo, Claudio Santamaria

A romantic comedy that goes beyond appearances, diving into the minds of the two main characters, Piero and Lara, and revealing their most hidden thoughts and the inner battles that we all face.

Gioia mia | Sweetheart (2025)

Director: Margherita Spampinato

Cast: Marco Fiore, Aurora Quattrocchi, Martina Ziami, Camille Dugay

A young boy and an elderly woman are forced to spend a summer together. It's a clash of modernity and tradition, speed and slowness. A summer filled with fears and discoveries, but also adventures, milestones, and losses – a summer after which nothing will ever be the same again.

La grazia | The Pardon (2025)

Director: Paolo Sorrentino

Cast: Toni Servillo, Anna Ferzetti

Mariano De Santis is the President of the Italian Republic. No connection to any real-life presidents; he is entirely a product of the author’s imagination. A widower and a Catholic, he has a daughter, Dorotea, a legal scholar like himself. As his term draws to a close, amid uneventful days, two final duties arise: deciding on two delicate petitions for a presidential pardon. True moral dilemmas, which become tangled with his private life, in ways that seem impossible to unravel. Driven by doubt, he will have to decide. And, with a deep sense of responsibility, that is exactly what this remarkable Italian President will do.

La vita da grandi | Siblings (2025)

Director: Greta Scarano

Cast: Matilda De Angelis, Yuri Tuci, Maria Amelia Monti, Paolo Hendel, Adriano Pantaleo, Christian Ginepro

Irene is called back to Rimini, her hometown, to care for her autistic brother Omar. Determined to shape his future, Omar persuades Irene to help him become independent and chase his dream of fame as a rap singer.

Here is the schedule of screenings. Admission to all screenings is for free.

June 26, 2026

6:00 PM La grazia

June 27, 2026

6:00 PM FolleMente

June 28, 2026

6:00 PM Elisa

June 29, 2026

6:00 PM Gioia mia

June 30, 2026

6:00 PM La vita da grandi

July 1, 2026

6:00 PM Le città di pianura

For many years, the Italian Film Festival has served as an important platform for cultural exchange, introducing Filipino audiences to the richness and diversity of contemporary Italian filmmaking while creating opportunities for dialogue between artists, educators, students, and cultural institutions.

The festival is part of the broader efforts to promote Italian cultural heritage and strengthen people-to-people connections between Italy and the Philippines.

Festival Director Antonio Termenini continues to oversee the artistic direction of the festival and the selection of films presented to Philippine audiences. A film producer and cultural organizer, Termenini is the founder of Cineforum Robert Bresson, a Rome-based cultural association dedicated to promoting cinema and cultural exchange. He is also the creator of the internationally recognized Asian Film Festival in Italy and Managing Director of Elephant Pictures, a film production and distribution company. Through these initiatives, he has played an important role in promoting both Italian and Asian cinema and fostering cultural dialogue between Europe and Asia.

MSO celebrates 80 years of the Philippine Republic with Liberation concert on July 4

The Manila Symphony Orchestra's Centennial Season, apart from delivering noteworthy performances by one of Asia's oldest orchestras, has also been a refresher course on Philippine history.

The next concert of the season is no exception as the MSO commemorates the post World War II years with Liberation: 80 Years of the Philippine Republic, happening on July 4, 2026, 7:30 PM at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

The upcoming performance looks back on the MSO's Gala Symphony Concert back in July 5, 1946 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium celebrating the inauguration of the Philippine Republic.

Featured in this concert are violinist Jeanne Marquez, her brother clarinetist Jason Marquez, and guest conductor Jose Reyna, Jr.

Jeanne Marquez

Jeanne will be the soloist at the rarely heard Violin Concerto in D Minor by Lucio San Pedro. She is an MSJO-Standard Insurance International Music Scholar and a recent graduate of the Juilliard School with a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance.

Jason Marquez

On the other hand, Jason, who is a principal clarinetist at Michigan and Texas, gets the spotlight at Concerto for Clarinet by Artie Shaw.

Jose Reyna, Jr.

Jose Reyna, Jr. is an American Prize-winning Filipino conductor, hailed as the “Filipino Toscanini” (The Manila Bulletin) for his panache and artistry on the podium.

Also to be performed at the concert is the opener Youth by former MSO Assistant Conductor Col. Antonino Buenaventura. Premiered at the 1946 MSO Gala Symphony Concert and conducted by the composer himself, the work portrays the youth as the epitome of vigor, energy, and love, standing at the threshold of life's journey". The evening wraps up with Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture by George Gershwin arr. by Robert Russell Bennett.

MSO's Liberation concert brings together works by Filipino and American composers whose music reflects the artistic exchanges and cultural connections that have shaped both nations over the past eight decades.

Manila Symphony Orchestra

The concert venue, the Metropolitan Theater, also holds significance to the MSO. The orchestra performed at the Met's inauguration back in 1931 making the upcoming concert a sort of homecoming for the MSO.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra's Liberation: 80 Years of the Philippine Republic is presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance; co-presented by EastWest Bacnk and PAGCOR in partnership with Bagong Pilipinas, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Metropolitan Theater.