A Magical Evening

A Magical Evening

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra pays tribute to Sen.Edgardo Angara

The illustrious senator Ed­gardo Javier Angara, who established the Philippine Phil­harmonic Orchestra (PPO) Society Inc. in 1985, was recently accorded a spe­cial tribute by the PPO, in cooperation with the Cul­tural Center of the Philip­pines (CCP) and the Uni­versity of the Philippines. Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society presi­dent Nedy Tantoco head­ed this invitational concert, with maestro Yoshika­zu Fukumura as conduc­tor. Two commemorative sculptures by famed artists Ramon Orli­na and Impy Pilapil were presented by the organizers to the family of the late senator, represented by his gen­teel wife Gloria Angara and dash­ing son Sen. Sonny Angara.

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Internationally acclaimed pianist and former CCP president Raul Su­nico rendered George Gersh­win’s “Concerto in F” together with the PPO. It was significant that National Artist for mu­sic Dr. Ramon P. Santos conducted the PPO with his composition “Awit ng Pagdiriwang,” a piece he made for the inauguration of Senator Angara as pres­ident of the University of the Philippines. The three choirs who joined the Philippine Philharmonic were The UP Concert Cho­rus (Jai Sabas Aracama), UP Singing Ambassador’s (Ed Man­guiat), and UP Cherubims (Ele­na Mirano).

Sen. Edgardo Angara carved out a place for himself in the history of music as a steadfast and generous supporter for both the PPO and the programs of the CCP. His leader­ship was unparalleled. He was presi­dent of the Senate of the Philippines, chairman of the Philippine National Bank, secretary of Agriculture, sena­tor from 1987-1998 and 2017-2018, and special envoy to the European Union from 2017 to 2018.

For Sen. Angara’s work to revive a sense of nationhood and social co­hesion, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts granted him the “Dangal ng Haraya” award, the NC­CA’s highest distinction given to an individual for his significant contribu­tion to arts and culture. Also notable was Sen. Angara’s concern for the welfare of the PPO members, with gratuity funds for retiring mem­bers. Six months before he passed, he awarded two PPO members with grants to attend a master class in the US and a doctorate degree in music at UP. As patron of the arts and culture, he kept alive public appreciation for music and performing arts.

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