Philippines Opens Terras Sem Sombra Festival as 2025 Guest of Honor with Tribute to Women
Filipina soprano Ms. Antoni Mendezona opens the 21st edition of the Terras sem Sombra Festival (Photo by Lisbon PE)
LISBON 20 March 2025 — The Philippines opened the 21st edition of the Terras sem Sombra Festival with a concert of Filipina soprano, Ms. Antoni Mendezona, on 15 March 2025 at the Igreja de Miserecordia do Arraiolos in the Municipality of Arraoilos, Portugal.
This year's festival theme, “Autoras, Intérpretes, Musas: O Eterno Feminino e A Condição Da Mulher Na Música (Séculos XIII-XXI)” (Authors, Performers, Muses: The Eternal Feminine and the Status of Women in Music, 13th-21st Centuries), found its expression through the performance of a Filipina opera singer.
In his welcome remarks, Chargé d’Affaires Lou Bryan R. Macabodbod underscored the commitment of the Philippine Embassy in honoring the extraordinary contributions of women across all fields, especially during the celebration of Women’s Month in March. He also expressed pride in showcasing a talented Filipina artist who embodies excellence and empowerment in the arts and culture, made even more meaningful by the event being held in a municipality led by women.
Mayor Sílvia Cristina Tirapicos Pinto, President of the Câmara Municipal do Arraiolos, expressed her profound appreciation to the Philippine Embassy and organizers of the Terras sem Sombra Festival for sharing an evening of renowned Filipina talent that will be remembered by the people of Arraiolos.
Dr. José António Falcão, Artistic Director of the Terras Sem Sombra Festival, recognized the Philippine Embassy’s unwavering support and commitment to enriching this year’s Festival program.
Ms. Mendezona, accompanied by the esteemed Portuguese Maestro Nuno Margarido Lopes, delivered a powerful performance entitled "Mundos Convergentes: A Canção Filipina e A Canção Europeia" (Converging Worlds: Philippine Song and European Song).
She began the concert with well-loved Filipino songs such as Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, a Filipino lullaby about the extraordinary power of a mother’s love and care composed by national artists Lucio San Pedro and Levi Celerio. She also gave a nod to two iconic Filipina coloraturas, Sylvia La Torre and Jovita Fuentes, by including Sa Kabukiran and Ay Kalisud in her repertoire. Ms. Mendezona also treated the audience to her renditions of great songs from European and Portuguese composers.
The event reached its emotional pinnacle as the Filipina soprano took the stage for her final performance of the evening—this time, holding her two children in a touching display of love, motherhood, and artistry. Her powerful voice filled the venue, weaving together a story of passion, perseverance, and the profound role of women in the arts.
The concert culminated in a resounding standing ovation from the audience of over 120 guests composed of local government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, residents from Arraiolos and nearby towns in Alentejo, members of the media, and followers of the Terras Sem Sombra Festival.
This concert marked the beginning of the Philippines' year-long program as Country Guest of Honor, wherein the Philippine Embassy aims to highlight the boundless ingenuity of Filipinos, foster mutual respect, and deepen people-to-people connections between the two nations. END
Chargé d’Affaires Lou Bryan R. Macabodbod underscores the Philippine Embassy’s commitment to honoring extraordinary contributions of women during his welcome remarks (Photo by Lisbon PE)
For more information, visit https://www.lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinPortugal/.