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.

 

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Live Concert at The CCP Grounds

 

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra live at the CCP Grounds

Measures taken worldwide to curb the spread of coronavirus or Covid-19 have seen numerous classical concerts and events postponed and cancelled, and concert halls around the world closed for indefinite periods since March 2020.

Countries banned gatherings, tightened their borders, and many have now seen various lockdowns for month. Some things are slowly starting to open up, but seeing live music still remains a rare treat.

As some of us are continuing to stay at home to work, self-isolate and look after the family, things may be slowly opening up and going live around the world, but we’re lucky that some classical concerts and events are being held in outdoors and streamed online for everyone to see—for free in many cases. It’s something that continues to bring comfort, solidarity and some beautiful relief in trying times…

PPO Concert Program

And when I was given the opportunity to see the highly distinguished Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra [PPO] at the Cultural Center of the Philippines [CCP] concert right at the front lawn of the CCP grounds, I immediately said yes. After all, it was the first outdoor concert at the CCP Grounds and I wanted to be part of it. 

Seats were on a first come, first served basis. And strict health and safety protocols were in place during the duration of the event. It was even livestreamed via the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ official Facebook page so that even those fans in the comfort of their homes can watch and enjoy the show and the group’s performances.

The PPO gearing up for their first ever concert at the CCP grounds