A celebration of music, movies, and musicians
The Samsung Performing Arts Theater’s recent much-anticipated fundraising show, “Music, Movies, Magic,” brought cinematic melodies to life.
Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc. (PPOSI), the evening celebrated a dreamscape complete with a visual spectacle and the voices of some of the best Filipino musical and theater artists.
“Music, Movies, Magic” aimed to help preserve Filipino culture, with proceeds supporting the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s development and promotion initiatives.
The event featured a star-studded lineup of artistic luminaries. Under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga, the PPO transported the audience to a filmic odyssey, beginning with Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus Overture from “The Great Waltz.”
From opera to film classics, performers Camille Lopez-Molina, Cris Villonco, and Arman Ferrer brought emotional depth to the evening, captivating attendees with their artistry. Highlights included Lopez-Molina’s moving rendition of “La Mamma Morta” from “Philadelphia,” Villonco’s medley of Michel Legrand’s film compositions, and Ferrer’s interpretation of “Be My Love” and “Mi Mancherai.”
The Philippine Madrigal Singers and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines also added magic to the stage with their performances, culminating in a grand collaboration on Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story: Tonight Quintet.”
The show ended on a festive note with the PPO and the Madrigal Singers’ performance of John Williams’ themes from “Home Alone.”
The PPOSI will channel the proceeds into its scholarship program for PPO members, musical instruments and uniforms for the orchestra, and retirement benefits for the musicians.
