PPO SUNSETS AT MAKILING 2018

PRESS RELEASE

April 20, 2018

PPO SUNSETS AT MAKILING

THE much-loved and most anticipated sunset concert at the Makiling is back, with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), the country's leading orchestra, serenading the crowds with classical music on May 5, 2018, 5:00pm at the Tanghalang Maria Makiling of the National Arts Center in Los Baños, Laguna.

A rare experience of live orchestral music set against the majestic backdrop of sunset in the mountains, the concert features works by the great classical music masters such as Franz von Suppe's Poet and Peasant Overture, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, KV550 Molto allegro, and Jean Baptiste Arban's Carnival of Venice, among others. The concert will be conducted by PPO resident conductor, Maestro Herminigildo Ranera.

This year, the PPO will be joined by trumpet player Rhoxene Octaviano who will perform Nicollo Paganini's Moto Perpetuo; banduria player Nikki Zen Obmasca performing George Frederic Handel's Concerto in B flat, Op. 4 No. 6, HWV 294 Andante-Allegro, and harpist Jane Banta, playing Jose Santos' Dalagang Pilipina, arranged by Ryan Cayabyab.

Dubbed “PPO Sunsets at Makiling,” the sunset concert is one of the CCP’s flagship outreach programs in the arts. It aims to bring the Philippine classical music, through the PPO, closer to audiences in Los Baños and other cities and towns outside Laguna.

Taking place at the open-air amphitheater overlooking the panoramic view of Laguna de Bay and Mt. Makiling during the summer month of May, the sunset concert is the perfect way to relax and enjoy quality time with family and friends, while listening to the beautiful music.

An open theater located in the slopes of Mt. Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna, the Tanghalang Maria Makiling is a National Arts Center structure that can accommodate up to a thousand audiences complete with state of the art lights and sound system suitable for low, medium and large scale productions and performances.

Established in 1976 as a haven for young and aspiring artists, the National Arts Center is tucked away in mythical Mt. Makiling, Laguna. Its various buildings and facilities are scattered over 13.5 hectares of the Makiling Forest Reservation and also houses the Philippine High School for the Arts, a government-run secondary educational institution for gifted young artists. The NAC’s unique location offers a perfect vacation hideaway and its laid-back and contemplative atmosphere sets the mood to relax, unwind and recharge one’s energies.

Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., the concert is free and open to the public. Jeepneys to the National Arts Center will be available at the Baker Hall of the University of the Philippines Los Baños from 2p.m. onward on May 5, 2017. Fare is Php50 (one way).

My Musical Experience of PPO Sunset at Makiling

Classical music is considered for the ones with cultured taste. I am also considered one but I have only few favorite selections. I was already oriented by another blogger about his experiences in Phil. Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) Sunsets at Makiling and it got me intrigued.

PPO usually has their performances at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) but they also have yearly performances at Tanghalang Maria Makiling at National Arts Center. I am drawn by the idea of PPO playing classic selections at the foot of the Mount Makiling as the sun sets in the horizon.

Usually, performances at CCP are for the rich because they are costly. But this is the time where CCP gives to the community quality performances for free in one of their outreach performances outside the Metro.

Each year, PPO Sunsets at Makiling have different selections and themes. But this time, it is about opera. Just like you, I am one of those people who do not have opera in their music selections in their devices but the purpose of this is to orient people about the arts including opera.

Mr. Andrew Fernando is the vocal director of the event. I got to meet him years ago because of common acquaintances at church. For the first time, Mr. Fernando said, that PPO will perform for students who studied and trained for opera. Not the professional ones and they are also diverse because they come from different schools besides UP and UST Conservatories.

Usually, opera is done in closed auditoriums and stages because opera singers are trained to sing even without microphone. Mr. Fernando said that the acoustics of the venue is good but since it is open air atmosphere, it requires breaking their discipline by using microphones.

But what I didn’t expect was that the classical selections played during the program are familiar to me because they are used as musical scores in movies or TV shows many times. The most familiar was the one they performed on encore which was “The William Tell Overture” which is associated in popular culture as “The Lone Ranger theme”.

I am glad I was able to experience this in the Los Banos atmosphere at the foot of Mt. Makiling. What I like about this setting was that you don't need to dressed up formally like in CCP. You just enjoy the outdoors and picnic with the family while the music is playing. There must be something magical with the place that has an effect for the performances held here. I admit I learn something new with classical and opera music and I could develop my taste with this.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Maestro Heminigildo Ranera. The PPO Sunsets Concert is brought to you by C.C.P. and the Filipinas Opera Society. This is the 2^nd concert of the Imelda Ongsiako Cojungco Concert Series. For more CCP events, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.