AKLANONS can look forward to an unforgettable night of music as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) serenades them live in concert on November 29, 2023, 7pm, at the Aklan Provincial Capitol, in front of the Godofredo P. Ramos Park, in Kalibo, Aklan.
Billed Hala Bira PPO sa Kalibo, audiences can catch the PPO, led by Dr. Herminigildo G. Ranera, perform familiar tunes like Mikhail Glinka’s “Russian and Ludmilla Overture”, Johannes Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5”, Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, Camille Sains Saens’ “Danse Bacchanale” from the opera Samson et Dalila, Selections from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music”, and Ernani Cuenco’s “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal”. Surprise numbers are included in the repertoire especially programmed for the Aklanon audience.
“Asia’s Golden Girl” and three-time Aliw Award winner soprano Gerphil Flores-Libana and classically-trained tenor and musical theatre actor Arman Ferrer will be the guest performers in the Aklan concert.
Known for their colorful Ati-Atihan Festival, the Mother of all Filipino festivals, Aklanons shout “hala bira” which means “let’s go crazy!” or “let’s party!”. It is also an expression of joy and excitement during the celebration Aklanons boast on a vibrant and artistically inclined culture, especially in music, with well-developed courtship songs or kundiman, wedding hymns, and funeral rituals.. They are also widely known for their creativity and skilled craftsmanship evident in their traditional arts and crafts.
Everyone is invited to attend and experience this free concert presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in partnership with the Local Government of Aklan through the Office of Mayor Juris Sucro.
Hala Bira PPO sa Kalibo is part of the CCP’s Outreach Program in its mission to promote and preserve the best of Filipino Arts and Culture by embodying the values of Katotohanan (truth), Kagandahan (beauty) and Kabutihan (goodness).
The CCP outreach program, under the CCP Office of the President, focuses on expanding the Center’s reach to the regions by showcasing the CCP brand of productions and shows in the country, while nurturing the next generation of artists and cultural workers, engaging the public to address art education and appreciation, and creating critical conversations and cultural exchanges among stakeholders to usher in national development, especially among the youths.
Established in 1973 as an accompaniment for the performing artists at the CCP , the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra has become the country’s leading orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the best in the country. It has performed with world’s renowned conductors including Mendi Rodan, Piero Gamba, Enrique Batis, Sebastian Bereau, and Nicholas Koch, as well as performed with the best foreign and Filipino artists such as Van Cliburn, Renata Tebaldi, Judith Engel, Anthony Camden, David Benoit, Cecile Licad, Raul Sunico, and Lea Salonga.
The PPO toured Europe in 2001 and participated in the Asia Orchestra Week in September 2002 held at the Tokyo Opera City Hall upon the invitation of the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras. It performed at Bangkok’s National Theater in September 2004 upon the invitation of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vandhana of Thailand. In June 2016, PPO made history when it became the first Filipino orchestra to perform at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the PPO will be in Nueva Ecija on December 9, and Bulacan on December 18 for its next outreach concerts.
Visit the CCP website (culturalcenter.gov.ph) or follow the official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates.
