PPO graces Iloilo and Capiz

ILONGGOS and Capiznons can look forward to magical nights of musical bliss as the Cultural Center of the Philippines brings the country's leading orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, to the city of Iloilo and the province of Capiz this January.

In time for the annual Dinagyang Festival, the PPO, under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, takes center stage in a one-night-only concert, billed The Dinagyang Musical Concert, on January 19, 7pm, at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand in Iloilo City. The group then moves to Capiz for the Kumpas, Tunog kag Kiay sa Roxas City! outreach concert, slated on January 21, 6pm, at Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center.

“As always, music enthusiasts can expect an extensive program repertoire from the PPO. We want to expand our reach to a bigger number of audiences and continue what our past CCP presidents have done in terms of doing outreach programs. Now that the CCP building is being rehabilitated for preservation and retrofitting, it is important to bring CCP to the various regions to make them feel that CCP is present. We are bringing the soul of the CCP to a greater number of people around the country," said CCP president ad interim Michelle Nikki Junia.

The concerts are made possible with the support of the City Government of Iloilo, the Provincial Government of Iloilo; the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.; the City Government of Roxas, the Provincial Government of Capiz, and Uswag Ilonggo.

The concerts consist of two parts: the first part features classical music such as Ride of the Valkyries, Oboe Concerto in C Major, Symphony no. 4 Allegro con Fuoco, Tristch Tratsch Polka, among others, while the second part spotlights contemporary music, OPM songs, and Broadway.

Soprano-songwriter Lara Maigue and singer-actor Gian Magdangal will serenade the crowds in both concerts, performing well-loved Filipino classics, Visayan songs, and other popular music. 

Lara Maigue has performed with notable orchestras in a variety of performance halls in Asia and the Philippines over the years. Opera, Kundiman, jazz standards, Broadway, OPM, and her original compositions are among the songs in her arsenal. She recently rose to fame after her version of Mozart's “Queen of the Night” aria garnered over 30 million views on Instagram, following the success of her version of “The Flower Duet” with her mother (Nanette Moscardon), which garnered over 6 million views.

A Filipino singer, performer, theater, and television actor, Gian Magdangal has worked in a variety of reputable theater shows and other productions. He reprised his role as Hector in the most recent staging of the musical Ang Huling El Bimbo, which undoubtedly continued to solidify his career in 2023.

The PPO concerts form part of the CCP’s outreach programs, with the mission to promote and preserve the best of Filipino arts and culture by embodying the values of katotohanan (truth), kagandahan (beauty), and kabutihan (goodness).

The CCP outreach program, under the CCP Office of the President, focuses on expanding the Center’s reach to the regions by showcasing the CCP brand of productions and shows in the country, while nurturing the next generation of artists and cultural workers, engaging the public to address art education and appreciation, and creating critical conversations and cultural exchanges among stakeholders to usher in national development, especially among the youths.

The concerts are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.