ILOILO City – The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), one of the country’s versatile orchestras, will have back-to-back musical treats for the Ilonggos.
The “Salamat Musika” featuring the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ resident orchestra company will be held on Jan. 13 and 14 – prelude concerts to Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2023.
According to Gabriel Felix Umadhay, co-chairperson of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival, the two-day concert in this southern city is free and open to all in a first-come, first-served basis.
On Jan. 13, it will be held at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON) at 6:30 p.m. after the Dinagyang opening salvo, which signals the start of the festivities.
Umadhay said 1,500 seats will be made available for the ICON concert.
The second night of the concert of the PPO on Jan. 14 will be at the Plaza Libertad. One thousand seats are available.
With Maestro Herminigildo Ranera as conductor, the PPO will perform with special guests: The Nightingales and Iloilo local artists Annabelle Pamacol Castro (soprano) and Jomel Garcia (tenor).
Umadhay said this musical treat is an initiative of former senator Franklin Drilon with the help of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI).
For Umadhay, this event is very significant as this allows Iloilo City to be the center of tourism activities in the Philippines.
“We have spaces available for concerts, ang mga tawo appreciative of arts and talents because we want to be an art capital. It is not just visual arts but also music and dances. All of these gina-showcase ta sa Iloilo City because we want to show that the city is ready for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences/conventions, exhibitions/events) activities and other tourism activities,” he said.
The PPO first held an outreach concert yesterday at the Guimaras Museum Grounds in Barangay San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.
“Gina-imbitar naton ang tanan nga magtan-aw kag mag-upod sa aton sa Dinagyang celebration. Umpisahan ta sa Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra… come as you are. This is a night of appreciating music,” Umadhay said./PN
