ANTIQUE – Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda joined the holiday festivities of Antiqueños as she conveyed her warm wishes to the participants of the first-ever “Paskwa Musika Halad sa Antiqueños” headlined by the Pandan Bay Youth Band, noting this as a testament of Filipinos’ shared love for music and the arts.
“Our culture is undeniably rich, and it is my sincere hope to share this wealth with all of you. Through this concert, I hope to inspire many young Antiqueños and even the older generation to explore and embrace their musical talents,” Legarda said in a video message.
The said project is one of the senator’s joint ventures with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to further promote and boost the country’s rich culture through a night of classical music.
The four-term senator provided a P2 million grant for the concert and training of the young Antiqueño musicians through the NCCA.
“We had the privilege of experiencing the remarkable performance of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. It was during this event that the vision to nurture the talents of our young Pandananons took shape,” Legarda shared.
“Eager to foster and refine the abilities of our youth, I immediately engaged the National Commission for Culture and the Art to provide training in both classical and modern music,” she added.
Just last year, Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 836 that pushes for the creation of the Music Development Council of the Philippines, citing the music industry as an integral part of the Philippine culture since native ancestry.
Under the bill, the council is projected to emphasize the music industry’s contribution to the country’s cultural landscape, societal development, and overall economic growth./PN
