Circuit Makati, Metro Manila (Oct. 29, 2024) – Spirits were high at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater on Tuesday evening as The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) commemorated their 25th anniversary with the special concert “Lights, Camera, Encore.”
Led by Maestro Rodel Colmenar, the 90-piece orchestra reminded the multi-generational audience of music’s timelessness as they journeyed through beloved melodies from musical theater and film. Among the musicians on stage that night were past and present members of the esteemed orchestra.
Act I was dedicated to Broadway classics like Wicked, Mamma Mia, and Hamilton, while Act II paid homage to iconic film and TV shows such as Game of Thrones, The Godfather, La La Land, Star Wars, Howl’s Moving Castle, and A Star is Born.
Photo Credit: The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
A testament to MPO’s tradition of high-quality performances, the concert featured the vocal and musical stylings of some of the Philippines’ finest musicians, many of whom trace their beginnings to their work with the orchestra.
Maestro Colmenar opened the show with a soaring rendition of Symphonic Dances from the film West Side Story, before calling on featured guests Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue for a duet of the musical’s iconic Tonight, Tonight.
“25 years ago, we started MPO because we wanted to bring the symphony closer to Filipino audiences… All this is a testament to how your support for the arts can uplift Philippine talent to world-class status, appreciated by all generations,” said Maestro Colmenar.
Photo Credit: The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
In between songs, the Maestro shared heartwarming stories from his 25 years of experience. Gesturing to the talented people on stage, he said that MPO serves as a rite of passage for budding musicians.
“I believe music can transform lives,” he said, asking cellist Dulcissimo “Dodong” Terrado to stand and be recognized. Colmenar met Dodong a decade ago during an outreach for underprivileged children in Tondo, Manila. Through their Children’s Orchestra Project, MPO provided Dodong with his first bass instrument and lessons. Now, he is a conservatory graduate and has toured Europe and Asia.
Legendary diva Bituin Escalante delighted the crowd with her solo renditions of hits from Wicked, My Funny Girl, The Bodyguard, and James Bond: Skyfall, living up to her nickname as the “queen of vocal acrobatics.”
The award-winning Philippine Madrigal Singers got the audience swaying with their lively Abba Medley. They also collaborated with the acclaimed University of Santo Tomas Singers, with a spine-chilling rendition of the Game of Thrones theme being one of the highlights.
To further showcase MPO’s versatility, the orchestra surprised the audience with a rock medley of I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith and Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls, both featured in the films Armageddon and City of Angels, respectively.
Photo Credit: The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
Towards the end of the show, Colmenar called on world-class virtuoso violinist (and present MPO member) Shiho Takashima for a moving performance of the theme from the 1988 Italian film Cinema Paradiso.
After a surprise encore of Let the Battles Begin from Final Fantasy VII and the Mission Impossible theme, the night ended with a standing ovation from the audience. “Lights, Camera, Encore” capped off a wonderful 25 years of bringing the symphony to a wider audience, while serving as an exciting look at what’s to come next for MPO.
“Lights, Camera, Encore” was presented by SMEG Philippines and made possible by The PARC Foundation, Globaltronics, Always In Motion Live, High Impact Events Enterprise, GDX Productions, LX Events Pro, Soundcheck, and YGG Pilipinas.
Follow Manila Philharmonic Orchestra on Instagram and Facebook. You can also sign up for the MPO Waitlist at bit.ly/LCEwim1 for exclusive access to pre-sales and their next concert series.
