UP Symphony Orchestra Captivates in DFA Concert
PASAY 25 June 2019 — In its first performance outside of the University of the Philippines, the UP Symphony Orchestra (UPSO) lived up to its tag of being the “Orkestra ng Bayan” (Orchestra of the People) as it regaled Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials and staff, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests in a concert held at the DFA’s Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini on 25 June 2019.
“I would like to think that Apolinario Mabini, the founding Secretary of the DFA, or more accurately, the then “Department of External Relations, Marine and Commerce,” and in whose honor this auditorium is named after, may be looking down on all of us this afternoon, pleased to note the achievements that his agency has attained through the years, and happy to see all of us together, celebrating the friendships of our nations strengthened even more through music and the arts,” said DFA-OUA Officer in Charge J. Eduardo Malaya.
The concert was also held as part of the DFA’s celebration of its 121st Founding Anniversary, and was co-sponsored by the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA) and the Office of Strategic Communications and Research-Cultural Diplomacy Division.
“This performance is an apt and fitting display of ‘soft power to highlight the Philippine brand on the international stage: a unique, diverse and vibrant nation, kind and generous people more given to ornaments rather than monuments. The DFA understands the profound capability of culture in forging and nurturing relationships, initiating and deepening dialogue, and promoting mutually beneficial interests between nations,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella said.
“It is a truism that music and the arts are what nourish the roots of culture, and as the words of Carlos P. Romulo, who led this Department in two different decades said, “…being Filipino means having as rich and noble a heritage of language, culture, patriotism, and heroic deeds as any nation on earth.”,” DFA-OUA Officer in Charge J. Eduardo Malaya added.
The 65-member UPSO kept the audience entertained with its repertoire of the classics, contemporary and Filipino pieces, with DFA staff members Grace Fernandez, Mylah Rubio and Miguel Luis Moreno accompanying the orchestra in select songs.
Tagged as the orchestra for the people, the UPSO was approved by the University of the Philippines Board of Regents during its 1337th meeting on 30 August 2018. The orchestra embodies the university’s commitment to excellence and is the brain-child of UP President Danilo L. Concepcion. Its main functions are as a repertory orchestra for musicians, laboratory orchestra for Filipino composers and a training orchestra for young conductors.
Proudly identifying itself as the “Sixty-Five Strong”, clearly inspired by the “Sixteen Strong” nickname of the UP Men’s Basketball Team, the UPSO is under the direction of UP College of Music professor Josefino “Chino” Toledo. Its members consist of 24 alumni, 34 students, six faculty members and one UP staff member coming from the university’s constituent campuses of Diliman, Manila and Los Baños.
The orchestra’s musical lineup is not only pleasing to listen to, but also challenge the musicianship of both the members and conductor. They are the only orchestra in the country that regularly performs Filipino, Asian, contemporary and new works in addition to the standard orchestra repertoire. END
(Photos by Philip Adrian Fernandez, DFA-OSCR)