Pundaquit Virtuosi, Orquestra Geracao Perform at the Philippine Independence Day Concert in Lisbon

  Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria  with Orquestra Geracao's Professor Antonio Wagner Diniz  and Pundaquit Virtuosi musical director Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata and members of both musical groups (Mabille Adriannne Sampaio photo)

LISBON 08 July 2019 – In commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon began its month-long Philippine Independence day activities with the showcasing of tuna gastronomic dishes by Filipino chef Don Angelo Colemenares at the annual Tuna Festival at Porto Santo in Madira, Portugal from 05 to 09 June. 

On 12 June 2019, Embassy officers and staff held its flag-raising ceremony at the Ambassador’s official residence.  The highlight of this year’s Independence Day activities is the performance in Portugal of the Pundaquit Virtuosi, a 27-member youth ensemble from San Antonio, Zambales, who also performed a joint concert with Portuguese youth orchestra Orquestra Geração at the Fudacao Museu do Oriente on 23 June 2019.

The Pundaquit Virtuosi in Portugal is part of their 2019 European tour under the Cultural Diplomacy initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs' Office of Strategic Communications and Research-Cultural Diplomacy Division, with the aim to not only present the musical talents of the young Filipino performers but also show Filipino culture at its best through the power of music.

Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria gave the remarks and welcomed the packed audience to the Philippine Independence Day concert.  “Let this celebration serve as a reminder to all Filipinos not only of the heroic acts of our forefathers who fought for our freedom, but also as an opportunity to rekindle our Filipino roots and heritage” said Ambassador Feria

The Ambassador also gave a brief social profile and cited the success behind the music programs of both the Pundaquit Virtuosi and Orquestra Geração in providing a healthy learning environment for the youth and giving them the opportunity to develop and hone their creative skills in the field of music with the goal of becoming productive social beings in the community.

“It is ways a pleasure to see two groups of young talent, from 2 continents, separated by thousands miles of ocean, yet be united by a common passion for music” noted Ambassador Feria. END

Orquestra Geração with their opera singer (Mabille Adriannne Sampaio photo)

A standing ovation was given to Pundaquit Virtuosi's performance. (Mabille Adriannne Sampaio photo)

(from left) Mr. Bolipata, Ambassador Feria and Professor Diniz. (Mabille Adriannne Sampaio photo)

For more information, visit https://www.lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinPortugal/.