Free performances and occasions await followers for this 12 months’s Filipino music celebration
MANILA, Philippines – Right this moment’s Unique Pilipino Music (OPM) affords a melting pot of genres, influences, and voices, with some native artists even making a reputation for themselves internationally.
As Filipino music practitioners face each challenges and alternatives to achieve new heights, the Nationwide Fee of Tradition and the Arts (NCCA) reaffirms its dedication to rejoice the business’s previous, current, and future by holding the annual Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP).
This 12 months, from July 28 to August 1, there will probably be free performances and occasions for the general public to take pleasure in, in addition to recognitions and awards for artists that followers can sit up for. Right here’s a rundown of what to anticipate.
Packed opening day on the MET
Kicking off this 12 months’s celebration are two occasions on Tuesday, July 28, on the historic Metropolitan Theater (MET), the place distinguished and rising figures within the OPM panorama will probably be honored.
Musika at Himig Natin: Ang Konsiyerto on the MET will carry collectively famend voices and rising artists on one stage to pay tribute to the wealthy historical past of OPM and current its shiny future.
Starting at 2 pm, audiences will be capable of take pleasure in free performances by Bituin Escalante, Charina Balmores, Isay Alvarez, Reuben Laurente, Robert Seña, Rachelle Gerodias, the College of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers, UST Symphony Orchestra, Mandaluyong Kids’s Choir, and PHILBANDA. Collectively, these artists will set the celebratory tone for the week.
After the opening program, the NCCA will maintain the distinguished SUDI Nationwide Music Awards, which acknowledge distinctive contributions and achievements in Filipino music.
First launched in 2020, honorees throughout a number of genres and types of manufacturing are chosen annually for his or her impression and affect. Nonetheless, the awards ceremony is barely held each three years, making this 12 months’s ceremony much more particular.
Twelve awardees from 2021 to 2024 are set to obtain their recognition:
- Ben&Ben, The New Cebu Arts Basis, Inc., and MSU-IIT Built-in Performing Arts Guild for 2021
- SB19, Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Alfonso ‘Coke’ Bolipata, and Maria Alexandra Chua for 2022
- Dr. Marie Jocelyn Marfil, UST Singers, and Vincent de Jesus for 2023
- Nationwide Music Competitions for Younger Artists (NAMCYA) Basis, Inc. for the Lifetime Achievement Award
The awardees can even grace the Metropolitan Theater stage with performances starting at 8 pm.
Free convention
This 12 months’s Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino can even launch the MusikaTalakayan sa LMP 2026, a two-part free convention and live performance sequence on the nation’s dynamic and evolving music panorama.
Held on July 30 and 31 at Centro de Turismo, Intramuros, the sequence will probably be a venue for musicians, artists, cultural employees, and music fans to have significant conversations concerning the challenges and alternatives for Filipino music.
At 9 am, the convention will sort out the theme Musika at Industriya: Pamana, Kaalaman, at Malikhaing Ekonomiya, to provoke discussions on Philippine musical heritage, schooling, and documentation, and the way the artistic financial system has an important function in sustaining the native music business. It can even be a possibility for contributors to converse, join, and collaborate throughout a number of sectors of the Filipino music group.
Later within the day at 4 pm, the live performance Pagtatanghal: Musika at Tinig sa Mas Malapit na Espasyo, will current intimate performances as a technique to complement the pageant’s bigger performances. By the smaller and extra targeted listening experiences, the artists’ expressive depth might be higher appreciated and celebrated with friends and music fans.
The full of life and celebratory Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino 2026 will conclude on August 1 with the Bagong Musika at Himig Natin: NCCA Composition Prize World Premiere Collection, an occasion the place chosen profitable works from the NCCA Composition Prize will probably be carried out for the primary time.
Starting at 5 pm at The Metropolitan Theater Ballroom, the free live performance will current compositions throughout varied classes equivalent to chamber music, handbell choir, solo organ, solo piano, solo rondalla, solo string, and solo wind. This showcase of creativity and expertise amongst at present’s Filipino composers additionally highlights the rising repertoire of latest Philippine music. – Elise Suarez/Rappler.com
Elise Suarez is a Rappler intern from Puerto Princesa Metropolis and a Humanities scholar of the College of Asia & the Pacific.
