The Nightingales Enthrall Audiences at Independence Day Activities in Bahrain
Philippine Ambassador Anne Jalando-on Louis (4th from right), and spouse, Dr. D. Gerard Louis (3rd from right), together with (L-R) Indonesian Ambassador Ardi Hermawan and spouse, Madame Yulina Puspasari, Madame Zuraina Abd Ghani and Malaysian Ambassador Shazryll Zahiran, Director of Information and Follow-up of Capital Governorate Yousuf Lori, Ms. Bernadette Mamauag, Ms. Katrina Marie Saga, Coordinator and Administrative Manager of the Madrigal Singers Ms. Margarita Galura (2nd from right), and Thai Ambassador Piyapak Sricharoen (rightmost) after the concert held at Bahrain’s Cultural Hall on 09 June 2023. (Manama PE Photo)
MANAMA 26 June 2023 –– The Philippine Embassy in Manama with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), organized several activities in Bahrain with the performance of the singing duo, “The Nightingales”, in commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence. These activities also highlighted the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Philippines-Bahrain Diplomatic Relations this year.
On 09 June 2023, a concert featuring “The Nightingales” was held at the Cultural Hall, one of the premier concert venues in Bahrain. The Embassy extended its thanks to the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) for providing the said venue.
More than 560 guests attended the concert, including the ASEAN Ambassadors and other diplomats, officials from the Capital Governorate and BACA, representatives from the medical facilities that conducted free medical missions for Filipinos in Bahrain, students and teachers of the Bahrain Music Institute, other foreign guests, and Embassy personnel and their dependents.
During the concert, the Embassy showed the video featuring the official theme song of the commemoration of the 125th Philippine independence produced by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), entitled, “Samot-Saring Iisa”.
In her remarks during the concert, Philippine Ambassador Anne Jalando-on Louis noted the significance of commemorating Philippine Independence Day each year. She thanked the NCCA for working with the Embassy in bringing the world-class talent of The Nightingales to Bahrain, showcasing Philippine culture and the arts through music.
The Filipino community band, composed of Filipino musicians working in Bahrain, played the National Anthems of Bahrain and Philippines. The Band also rendered a 15-minute performance of the Filipino songs, Usahay, Jopay, Sampaguita March, and the Arabic song, Fel A’ali, before the one-hour concert of The Nightingales.
The Nightingales’ renditions of the following songs were met with resounding applause from the audience: Aria, Flower Duet, Flight of the Nightingales, Habanera, Sa Kabukiran, Ili Ili Tulog Anay, Regine Velasquez Medley (Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Narito Ako), Runaway, Shine, Paraiso and the Arabic song, Give Me the Flute or “Aatini Al Nay”.
The event was widely hailed and acknowledged by the guests as a success based on the big turnout of attendees and positive feedback from the audience, who were amazed by the talent of The Nightingales.
On 08 June 2023, The Nightingales also conducted a lecture-demonstration on the evolution and characteristics of Filipino Music at the Bahrain Music Institute. The Institute is a music school founded in 2000 and licensed by the Ministry of Education. The lecture was attended by several students and parents of the BMI. Two students of the Institute also performed at the end of the lecture. Ambassador Louis presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Institute for collaborating with the Embassy on the lecture, while the Institute also presented a Certificate of Appreciation to The Nightingales.
The Embassy also organized a vocal workshop by The Nightingales for the members of Filipino choirs in Bahrain on 10 June 2023. A total of 58 Filipino choir members participated in the workshop. The Nightingales taught facial muscle and voice exercises as well as the song, “Pag-alabin”, to the participants. The latter extended their appreciation to The Nightingales and also to the Embassy for giving them the rare opportunity to learn from the expertise of the visiting Filipino artists.
The Nightingales capped their visit to Bahrain with their attendance in the weekly Flag Ceremony of the Embassy on 11 June 2023. They led the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, and also rendered the song, “Iduyan Mo”, which was greatly appreciated by the Embassy’s clients and personnel.
The Nightingales expressed their appreciation to the Embassy and to the NCCA for the opportunity to bring their music to Bahrain, contributing to a wider appreciation of Filipino culture, music and arts by foreign audiences and inspiring members of the Filipino community. END
The Nightingales, Ms. Bernadette Mamauag (left) and Ms. Katrina Marie Saga (right), during their performance at the Cultural Hall in Bahrain on 09 June 2023. (Manama PE Photo)
The Nightingales serenading the guests with their repertoire of classical, Philippine folk songs, OPM and contemporary music. (Manama PE Photo)
A video featuring the song, “Samot-Saring Iisa”, the official theme song of the commemoration of the 125th Philippine Independence produced by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) was shown at the concert. (Manama PE Photo)
Left photo: Mr. Ronald Banaag, Head of the Filipino community band, and 5-year-old Hezekiah Lindberg C. Reyes, who played the drums during the Band’s rendition of the song, “Japoy”. Right photo: The Filipino community band performing during the concert. (Manama PE Photo)
The Nightingales receiving a standing ovation at the end of their performance. (Manama PE Photo)
Ambassador Louis (4th from left, 2nd row), The Nightingales, Ms. Katrina Marie Saga (5th from left) and Ms. Bernadette Mamauag (5th from right), and Ms. Marketá Dietzová (3rd from left), Managing Director of the Bahrain Music Institute, with several of the participants of the Lecture-Demonstration held at the Bahrain Music Institute on 08 June 2023. (Manama PE Photo)
Ambassador Louis (3rd from right) and spouse, Dr. D. Gerard Louis (2nd from left) with (L-R) Cultural Officer Jiemarie Mortel-Ladrica, Admin Coordinator and Managing Director of Madrigal Singers Ms. Galura, Ms. Saga, Ms. Mamauag, and the members of Filipino choirs in Bahrain during the Vocal Workshop held at Sentro Rizal Manama on 10 June 2023. (Manama PE Photo)
The Nightingales with Ambassador Louis at the Sentro Rizal Manama. (Manama PE Photo)
For more information, visit https://www.manamape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain or https://www.instagram.com/phlinbahrain/.