Cover The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) bid farewell in the best way they know how (Photo: Cultural Center of the Philippines)
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) bid farewell in the best way they know how (Photo: Cultural Center of the Philippines)
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In a send-off concert, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra showcases the artistry and ambition it hopes to share across nine UK cities this May
In true Filipino fashion, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) bade farewell in the best way they know how—with a send-off concert at the Metropolitan Theater, Manila. The company will embark on its first-ever UK tour, performing in nine cities from May 13 to 24, 2025.
The special send-off concert showcased PPO’s musical prowess and world-class symphonic artistry, headed by their music director and principal conductor, Maestro Grzegorz Nowak.
The orchestra performed an exquisitely curated repertoire featuring works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Elgar, Delius and Ching. Renowned pianist Bebbington joined the concert to perform Delius’ Piano Concerto in C Minor.
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Above The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performed an exquisitely curated repertoire during their send-off concert (Photo: CCP)
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performed an exquisitely curated repertoire during their send-off concert (Photo: CCP)
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“I am really stoked about this experience; I hope to bring something new and fresh to the table—as a Filipino interpreting a piece they're already familiar with,” violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr tells Tatler.
“That’s something I am looking forward to. And of course, with the orchestra being Filipino, we know we are passionate, so I am confident we can be that ‘fresh breath of air’ for them,” he adds.
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Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) president Kaye Tinga spoke thoughtfully about the PPO’s upcoming tour, framing it as more than just a series of performances but a performance that rallies for Filipinos’ rich cultural resilience.
“For decades, the PPO has given us performance after performance of outstanding melodies. Beyond their regular concert seasons, they have been tireless ambassadors of music appreciation amongst Filipinos through regional outreach concerts and workshops. They have fulfilled our mandate at the Cultural Center: to showcase artistic excellence and actively develop an art-appreciating public across our nation,” Tinga said in her speech.
“The PPO’s tour embodies this principle perfectly, that our cultural identity transcends physical structures and finds life through the practices of our artists,” she explained further.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s UK tour send-off concert was co-presented by Okada Manila, with venue partner, The Metropolitan Theater and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The concert was sponsored by the Rustan Commercial Corporation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc, the Office of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and airline partner Emirates.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
