FEU Bamboo Band celebrates libteration and heritage with Malaya: Songs of Freedom concert

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Center for the Arts proudly presents the FEU Bamboo Band in MALAYA: Songs of Freedom on September 26, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the historic FEU Auditorium.

This one-hour musical showcase honors the enduring spirit of liberty, national identity, and youth empowerment through the unique, resonant warmth of Philippine bamboo instruments. Malaya: Songs of Freedom honors Filipino resilience through Fortitude in past struggles and showcases Excellence in every piece. This journey inspires Uprightness, urging us to build a hope-filled future grounded in integrity and cultural pride.

FEU Bamboo Band

The evening's repertoire spans local traditions, social commentaries, and global anthems of peace. Featured pieces include David Benoit and Nathan East's Freedom at Midnight, Tropical Depression’s reggae classic Kapayapaan, the traditional Cordillera folk melody Salidumay, and the Scorpions' timeless Wind of Change. Highlighting the evening are collaborative performances featuring The Far Eastern University Chorale in the patriotic anthem Bayan Ko, as well as Ms. Heleina Kirstensen Li (IAS ‘27) from the FEU Theater Guild in John Lennon’s Imagine.

Norbie Cads

Led by FEU Bamboo Band Artistic Director Mr. Norbie Cads, MALAYA promises an unforgettable cultural experience for Tamaraws, music lovers, and the cultural community.

Ticket Prices:

Free - FEU Community with a valid FEU ID

Php 100 - FEU Alumni with a valid FEU ID

Php 200 - Non-FEU Community

(50% 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘕𝘰𝘯-𝘍𝘌𝘜 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘸/ 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘥 𝘐𝘋, 20% 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘯𝘴 & 𝘗𝘞𝘋𝘴 𝘸/ 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘥 𝘐𝘋)

FEU Bamboo Band and FEU Chorale

Register and reserve your tickets here:

https://forms.gle/JnL4zZBiGysD4ZJj6

Be part of an unforgettable night where every song echoes the meaning of MALAYA!

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.

NAMCYA at 50: Celebrating a golden legacy

The National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) kicks off its golden anniversary celebrations with a series of performances, seminars/workshops, and other music activities starting this March.

With the theme of Gintong Pamana: The 2023 NAMCYA Festivals and Competitions, an almost year long line up of activities is in store beginning this March. The golden year kicked off with a concert/press conference that included performances by past winners namely FEU Chorale with conductor Angelo Tangco (1st Prize Senior Choir 2019) French horn player Deiniel Sanchez (1st Prize Brass 2022), soprano Yelena Delena (Honorable Mention Junior Voice 2022), violinist Cedric Uson (1st Prize Junior Strings 2022), and pianist Reynaldo Reyes Gendrano (1st Prize Senior Piano 2021).

Dr. Renato Lucas, NAMCYA President 

Submission of entries for this year's competition opened at the start of March with the deadline happening in June 39, 2023. The categories for this year consists of Choir (Children’s and Senior), Guitar (Senior), Piano (Senior), Rondalla (Children’s Solo and Junior), Strings (Violins and Lower Strings: Viola, Cello, Contrabass), Traditional Music, Voice (Senior), Woodwinds (Open), and Composition, which is this year’s special category. Application forms may be accessed from the NAMCYA website.

French horn player Deiniel Sanchez

July sees the hybrid eliminations, to be followed by the semifinals in six regional clusters namely South-Central Mindanao (General Santos City), Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas (Bogo City, Cebu), Northern Luzon (Alcala, Cagayan), Southern Luzon, and the National Capital Region. The National Final Round will be held in November 21-26, 2023 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

The chairpersons for the competition are Dr. Arwin Tan (Choir), Nathan Manimtim (Guitar), Dr. Michelle Nicolasora (Piano), Mariefrance Ballester (Rondalla), Diomedes Saraza Jr. (Strings and Lower Strings), Dr. Felicidad Prudente (Traditional Music), Ma. Austregelina Alfornon aka Nenen Espina (Voice), Antonio Maigue (Woodwinds), and Mary Katherine Trangco (Composition).

Soprano Yelena Delena

Aside from the main competition, NAMCYA also presents a series of concerts beginning with Bata Ang Bukas (The Children, Our Future): Children’s Choirs in Focus featuring the UP Cherubims and Seraphims, Balon Dagupan Children's Choir, and the Loboc Children's Choir happening on April 29, 2023, 4:00 PM at the Ayala Museum.

Tumutubong Katutubo (Evolving Traditional Music Expressions), fearuring traditional music performed by the San Nicolas High School Cultural Ensemble, the Massalingga Dacalan Ensemble, the Puljus Udliwang Ethnic Ensemble, the Antonio D. Pendatun Elementary School and Upper Labay High School Music Ensemble, and Fataldao Banisil Colot IP Implementing Schools Music Ensemble will be held on May 6, 4:00 PM at the CCP Liwasang Kalikasan.

Violinist Cedric Uson

On August 12, 2023, 7:00 PM, Galing NAMCYA, Balik NAMCYA! Concert of Winners sees former winners of various categories perform at the Metropolitan Theater. Lastly, NAMCYA Extravaganza (Noon, Ngayon at Bukas): The Closing Ceremonies will have some of the newly crowned solo and group competition winners perform on stage on November 26, 2023, 3:00 PM also at the Metropolitan Theater. There are still a number of concerts, workshops, music camps on the horizon happening throughout the year that are yet to be announced.

FEU Chorale with conductor Angelo Tangco

Gintong Pamana: The 2023 NAMCYA Festivals and Competitions is presented by the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission On Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the National Youth Commission (NYC).

UP Los Baños Choral Ensemble wins 1st Asia Choral Grand Prix

UP Los Baños Choral Ensemble

As the lone Philippine choir up against a field, dominated by Indonesians, the UP Los Baños Choral Ensemble made history by bagging the 1st Asia Choral Grand Prix held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

UP Los Baños Choral Ensemble

UPLB Chorale Ensemble, conducted by Roijin Galaruan Suarez, beat the strong challenge posed by the five Indonesian choirs namely Brawijaya University Student Choir, e Deum Voice, Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Padjadjaran, Vocalista Harmonic Choir ISI Yogyakarta, and the St. Louis High School Choir.

The winners of the 4th Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival, as well as the two choirs qualifying for the 2nd Asia Choral Grand Prix, were also announced during the Award/Closing Ceremonies of the festival.

FEU Chorale

FEU Chorale, conducted by Karl Angelo Tangco, emerged as the biggest winners of the 4th Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival bagging a 1st Place finish at the Mixed Choir Category as well as a 2nd Place finish at the Folk Song Categories. The big wins unquestionably qualified the FEU Chorale to the 2nd Asia Choral Grand Prix  2021 to be held in Bali, Indonesia.

Boscorale

The boys choir Boscorale, conducted by Alvin Paulin, once again joined the winners circle by emerging at the top of the Equal Voices Category. Gasps among the audience were heard when the boys were announced to be headed to Bali as well for the 2nd Asia Choral Grand Prix 2021.

The Folk Song Category was won by the Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society conducted by Cyro Bon Cloui Moral. They also placed second at the Mixed Choir Category.

At the ceremonies, CCP Vice President/Artistic Director Chris Millado also announced that the Malaysia International Choral Eisteddfod  will be joining the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival, the Singapore International Choral Festival, and the Bali International Choir Festival thus expanding the Asia Choral Grand Prix circuit.

Here are the complete list of winners of the 4th Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival:

Mixed Choir Category

FEU Chorale

1st Place: FEU Chorale

2nd Place: Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Choral Society

3rd Place: Chorus Vocales Philippines

Equal Voices Category

Boscorale

1st Place: Boscorale

2nd Place: Miriam College High School Glee Club

3rd Place: St. Paul College Pasig High School Chorale

Folk Song Category

TIP Choral Society

1st Place: Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Choral Society

2nd Place: FEU Chorale

3rd Place: Chór Pueri et Puellae Cantores Ploncenses (Poland)

5th International Silent Film Festival

Film Festivals at the Shangri-La Plaza have been very popular among movie buffs because not only do they get the chance to see films that are unique but they get to see it for free. No wonder that a lot of people line up in order to get tickets to see these films and a lot of times, the time spent lining up to get the free tickets is actually longer than the duration of the film itself. Such is the appeal and drawing power of these film festivals and the 5^th International Silent Film Festival was no exception.

Richard Künzel, Director of Goethe-Institut Philippinen 

The films shown during this festival may be old but the addition of live music performance during the screening of the films makes it a unique experience that film buff dare not miss. And add to that the fact that each film is only screened once truly make tickets for each screening in such high demand. Fortunately for me, I didn’t have to worry about lining up and securing tickets thanks to the Japan Foundation, Manila and the Goethe-Institut Philippinen. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend the opening night of this festival but was glad nonetheless to be able to see both films that were shown that evening.

Brides of Sulu

Before the screening of this film, Teddy Co from Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA) had a detailed slideshow presentation regarding this movie that opened the festival. He said that based on his findings, there is a huge possibility that Brides of Sulu, marketed as a US production for years, is actually at least two earlier Filipino films from the silent era combined and edited to make it seem like one film. Even without this presentation, viewers would realize for themselves that the parts of the film didn’t seem to fit in well to become a cohesive whole. The parts that were probably taken from the film Moro Pirates, had a wider scope, was shot better and felt like a documentary. The acted out parts, thought to be taken from the film Princess Tarhata looked like the film lacked any financial backing taking into consideration the time that it was shot. The film as a whole felt really uneven and disjointed and I do think that the mystery regarding the origin of the movie was more interesting than the film itself. As for the music, Armor Rapista was supposed to be accompanied by the Panday Pandikal Cultural Troupe in providing the music but the group missed their flight and Rapista had to make do with a different set of musicians. Despite this setback, they were able to perform well providing memorable and distinct themes for every scene in the film. The native woodwind  phrases with rampaging drums during the chase scenes were nicely contrasted with the romantic theme coming from what sounded like a harmonica. And the music somehow made the film felt a bit more put together than it was.

Nosferatu

While the first film screened was an obscure one, the next film Nosferatu from Germany is one  popular silent film. It is a very faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula up to the ending but changes had to be made since during the production of the film, the novel was still not yet public domain and the studio wasn’t able to secure the rights to the novel. And knowing this made me realize that this film, along with the others screened during this festival, is indeed really old. For this film, the Far Eastern University Chorale performed the music of Stephane von Bothmer who also directed the choir.

The Far Eastern University Chorale

I was seated at the section where the subtitles were obscured by some members of the choir. But since the memory of the novel Dracula was still fresh, I was still able to follow the flow of the story. But my attention during the screening was more focused on the music and at von Bothmer along with the FEU Chorale. I think that the music composed by von Bothmer was scarier and creepier than the film itself. The film seemed so well polished that it didn’t scare me at all. Count Orlok did look scary but the film wasn’t able to set the mood in order to make everything a lot scarier. Since film making was still in its early stages back then, I was more forgiving. Thankfully, the music gave the film more character and was very successful in establishing the mood, conveying horror and suspense as well.

What really fascinated me the most about the two films was that they were glimpses of a time that has come and gone. I realized that everyone involved in these films are already dead and yet their work lived on. It’s just a shame that many more films from the silent era weren’t preserved and got lost never to be recovered. It’s odd that I was only supposed to watch a couple of silent films with live music accompaniment and yet my mind wandered off into thoughts of ages past. It might be that I’m getting older and getting more nostalgic but I’d like to believe that it’s just proof that there’s more to a film than what was just screened inside the theater.