ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
Advocates Philippines
MSO Marks 80 Years Of Philippine Republic With Historic Concert
Contributed Photo
The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) returned to one of its most historic stages as it celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Philippine Republic through its third centennial concert, "LIBERATION: Celebrating 80 Years of the Philippine Republic," held at the Metropolitan Theater on July 4.
The performance marked a symbolic homecoming for the country's oldest orchestra, rekindling its long-standing connection with The Metropolitan Theater, a venue closely tied to the MSO since the theater opened in 1931.
The concert also honored the orchestra's historic gala performance on July 5, 1946—held just one day after the inauguration of the Philippine Republic—making this year's event a tribute to eight decades of music, history, and national pride.
Led by guest conductor Jose Reyna Jr., the MSO opened the program with "Youth" by National Artist for Music Col. Antonino Buenaventura. First performed during the orchestra's 1946 gala, the piece reflects the hope and resilience of a nation rebuilding after World War II.
The evening continued with "Concerto in D Minor" by National Artist Lucio San Pedro, regarded as the first complete violin concerto written by a Filipino composer. The performance featured violin soloist Jeanne Marquez, a recent graduate of the Juilliard School, who brought the work's distinctly Filipino character to life.
Adding an international touch to the program, Filipino-American clarinetist Jason Marquez joined the orchestra for Artie Shaw's "Concerto for Clarinet," showcasing a blend of jazz and symphonic music.
The concert concluded with George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture," highlighting the influence of American orchestral music while reflecting the cultural ties shared by the Philippines and the United States over the past 80 years.
More than a celebration of the past, the event also underscored the orchestra's vision for the future by spotlighting a new generation of musicians and reaffirming its commitment to making orchestral music more accessible to Filipinos.
The concert was presented by the MSO Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance, with EastWest Bank and PAGCOR as co-presenters, and was co-produced by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and The Metropolitan Theater.
The performance marked a symbolic homecoming for the country's oldest orchestra, rekindling its long-standing connection with The Metropolitan Theater, a venue closely tied to the MSO since the theater opened in 1931.
The concert also honored the orchestra's historic gala performance on July 5, 1946—held just one day after the inauguration of the Philippine Republic—making this year's event a tribute to eight decades of music, history, and national pride.
Led by guest conductor Jose Reyna Jr., the MSO opened the program with "Youth" by National Artist for Music Col. Antonino Buenaventura. First performed during the orchestra's 1946 gala, the piece reflects the hope and resilience of a nation rebuilding after World War II.
The evening continued with "Concerto in D Minor" by National Artist Lucio San Pedro, regarded as the first complete violin concerto written by a Filipino composer. The performance featured violin soloist Jeanne Marquez, a recent graduate of the Juilliard School, who brought the work's distinctly Filipino character to life.
Adding an international touch to the program, Filipino-American clarinetist Jason Marquez joined the orchestra for Artie Shaw's "Concerto for Clarinet," showcasing a blend of jazz and symphonic music.
The concert concluded with George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture," highlighting the influence of American orchestral music while reflecting the cultural ties shared by the Philippines and the United States over the past 80 years.
More than a celebration of the past, the event also underscored the orchestra's vision for the future by spotlighting a new generation of musicians and reaffirming its commitment to making orchestral music more accessible to Filipinos.
The concert was presented by the MSO Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance, with EastWest Bank and PAGCOR as co-presenters, and was co-produced by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and The Metropolitan Theater.
Jul 6, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
