After its successful metamorphosis for its recently concluded 38th concert season, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) turns gold.

Established in 1973, the country’s leading orchestra looks back on its humble beginnings through its PPO 50th Anniversary Gala, slated on May 12, 8 p.m. at the Metropolitan Theater, the temporary home of the PPO, while the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Building is undergoing rehabilitation.

For this milestone, the CCP resident orchestra recreates in part its very first concert, which happened on May 15, 1973. That debut concert of the orchestra was under the baton of Maestro Luis C. Valencia, its first music director, with Julian Quirit as concertmaster.

In the 1973 concert, the PPO performed Alfredo S. Buenaventura’s “Bathaluman” and National Artist for Music Lucrecia Kasilag’s “Divertissement for Piano and Orchestra.” The late national artist was the president and artistic director of the center back then.

Made possible through the auspices of former first lady Imelda R. Marcos, the concert also featured Manuel de Falla’s “Noches en los Jardines de España” and G. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” with guest performer pianist Benjamin Tupas.

Initially intended to accompany performing artists at the CCP Theater when the orchestra was founded in 1973, the PPO was reorganized in 1979, with professor Oscar C. Yatco at the helm. Three years later, the PPO was born with a new vision—to be ranked among the best in the world. From then on, the PPO has grown to become the country’s leading orchestra.

First concert

Under the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenar, the PPO will once again relive the first concert, performing Buenaventura and Kasilag masterpieces, with young pianist Aidan Ezra Baracol as guest performer.

Known as the founder and music director of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), Colmenar has further proven his great skills and passion for music on international platforms and has collaborated with several outstanding local and foreign classical artists. As a conductor, he is significantly involved in the Kurt Masur Conducting Workshop in Detmold, Germany, and in the masterclasses of French conductor Jean Sebastien Bereau and Italian conductor Piero Gamba.

Young virtuoso Baracol is currently a Grade 12 scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts. He has won 16 local and international piano competitions over the last three years, notably the Junior Piano category of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (Namcya). He is currently a scholar of the CCP.

Critically acclaimed Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu will perform “Salut! Demeure Chaste et Pure!” from “Faust” (Charles Gounod), “Che gelida manina” from “La Boheme” (Giacomo Puccini) and “Kundiman ng Langit” (Augusto Espino).

Renowned for his impressive vocals and great presence on stage, Espiritu has performed in various operas, concerts and recitals across the United States and other countries, showcasing his versatility and range as a performer. He performed in the CCP opera production of “Lucia di Lammermoor” in 2020.

Must-watch performance

The anniversary concert will culminate with a must-watch performance of renowned pianist Dr. Raul Sunico, playing G. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” under the baton of PPO resident conductor Herminigildo Ranera.

A former CCP president, Sunico has brought home several awards in piano competitions held abroad, including a silver medal in the 1979 Viotti International Piano Competition in Vercelli, Italy. He has also given solo recitals in Canada, Mexico, France, the United States and Australia, among other countries.

The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines Awardee for Music in 1986, he has recorded around 50 compact discs, including his piano transcriptions of Filipino folk songs and kundimans, concertos by Grieg, Saint-Saëns, Ravel and Lucino Sacramento; solo classical pieces; popular American songs set to piano; chamber and duo piano music; and original compositions.

A multi-awarded performer, Ranera was a three-time prize winner of the Namcya. He is the founder of the Philippine Band Association, a board member of the Asia-Pacific Band Directors Association and the adviser of the Band Conductors League of the Philippines.

Coinciding with the gala concert, the CCP and PPO partnered with Widescope Entertainment to launch “Serenata,” the seven-track album consisting of well-loved Philippine folk songs and melodies from various regions of the country, on Spotify. The album was originally released in 2014. National Artist Ryan Cayabyab gave a fresh interpretation to the seven well-loved folk songs, without compromising their traditional musical characteristics and making them multi-layered compositions.

The decision to release “Serenata” on Spotify is in line with the CCP’s continuous efforts to awaken the consciousness of Filipinos to Philippine cultural heritage, and encourage the development and enhance public interest and appreciation of arts in various fields.

Tickets to the anniversary concert are available at the CCP Box Office, located at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, Vicente Sotto Street, from Tuesday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or at TicketWorld via ticketworld.com.ph.