Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Antique for cultural revival

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SIBALOM, ANTIQUE — The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) returned to Antique for a rousing cultural celebration on August 15, transforming the University of Antique’s Sibalom campus into a venue of musical excellence and local pride.

Spearheaded by Senator Loren Legarda in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the concert marked the PPO’s seventh performance in the province and reaffirmed Legarda’s commitment to making world-class art accessible to her fellow Antiqueños.

“Ang muling pagtatanghal ng PPO ay isang paanyaya para sa ating mga kasimanwa na magdiwang, mangarap, alalahanin na ang ating lalawigan ay isang makulay at mahalagang bahagi ng bansang Pilipino,” Legarda said in her keynote speech.

Legarda emphasized the concert’s deeper purpose: to celebrate heritage, inspire pride, and recognize the untapped creative potential of the province.

The evening began with a powerful performance by the Ati community of Tobias Fornier, who presented “Tatay Miroy Karinyosa,” a traditional tribal song and dance deeply rooted in the culture of Antique’s Indigenous peoples.

Under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, the PPO launched into a two-part repertoire blending classical pieces, film music, and beloved Filipino hits.

The first part featured Dvorak’s “Carnival Overture,” Leroy Anderson’s “Serenata,” Jenkins’ “Palladio,” and a poignant cello performance by Giancarlo Gonzales in Morricone’s “Sergio Leone Suite.”

Audiences were later treated to Ryan Cayabyab’s orchestral medley of Tagalog classics, followed by iconic show tunes from “Miss Saigon,” with Arman Ferrer and Shiela Valderrama performing “Sun and Moon” and “Last Night of the World.”

After a brief intermission, Valderrama returned to the stage with a stirring rendition of “Ikaw,” while Ferrer performed “Corner of the Sky.”

The second half of the concert featured cinematic scores including themes from “Harry Potter,” “Superman,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “Mission: Impossible,” as well as a medley of Filipino rock anthems.

“Music is much like the stories of our kasimanwa, patiently shaped and nurtured through moments of hope and hardship, until it fully blooms into something precious that we can share with the world,” said Legarda.

She likened music to the craftsmanship of Antique’s artisans — from the nito weaving in Sebaste and patadyong production in Bugasong, to Tibiao pottery and buri and banig weaving in Pandan and Libertad.

“Tonight is a celebration of our heritage, our hopes, and the belief that every musical score played and every heart touched brings us closer together,” she added.

The PPO’s previous Antique performances include Anini-y in 1993 and 2018, Tibiao and San Jose in 2018 and 2019, and Pandan in 2019.

Through these concerts, Legarda aims to bridge national institutions with local communities, ensuring Antique’s vibrant culture and identity continue to resonate across generations.

“The PPO’s music has reached far places, but their greatest triumph is when their songs touch the lives of ordinary Filipinos,” Legarda said.

She thanked the CCP and PPO for bringing global-caliber performances to Antique and for showing that “greatness grows here in our humble province, just as it has for centuries, from the mountains to the seas.”