August 18, 2025 | 12:00am
In the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 10, I had the privilege of attending a special preview concert at the newly opened Proscenium Theater at Rockwell, Makati. The invitation came from ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez and featured a performance by the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY).
I was especially eager to go — not only to experience the Proscenium Theater for the first time, but also to support Mickey Muñoz, executive director of Ang Misyon Inc. (AMI), the organization behind the concert and a former colleague from ABS-CBN.
Unknown to many, OFY is the performing arm of Ang Misyon, Inc. (AMI), a non-profit dedicated to empowering musically gifted, primarily underprivileged youth through free, high-level orchestral training. Since its inception in 2012, AMI has supported over a thousand scholars by providing music education, instrument support, and invaluable performance opportunities.
Mr. C with fellow AMI board member, ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez. AMI executive director Mickey Muñoz. Maestro Gerald Salonga is OFY conductor and AMI music director.
As of June 2025, OFY has 81 young musicians under its wing. Every Saturday — and on performance days — they travel to their rehearsal space in Rockwell, Ortigas, coming from all over the country: 13 from the National Capital Region (NCR), seven from Region 3 (Zambales and Bulacan), 59 from CALABARZON, and two from Cebu. Remarkably, only 20 percent hail from Metro Manila. The rest demonstrate incredible commitment — some journey as much as five hours one way, and a few even fly in and out of Cebu to attend lessons and rehearsals. The orchestra is composed of 50 males and 31 females, with the youngest scholar just 12 years old. Most are between 19 and 25 years old.
When I took my seat for the concert, I was pleasantly surprised to find National Artist Ryan Cayabyab and his wife Emmy seated beside me. It was a treat to exchange pleasantries, and Mr. C pointed out the absence of microphones on stage and the solid wood panels on the walls and ceiling — designed to enhance the theater’s natural acoustics. With its 600-seat capacity, the state-of-the-art Proscenium Theater is the first of its kind in Makati. Its acoustics, designed by renowned German firm Müller-BBM — credited for the acoustic upgrade of the Sydney Opera House — truly set it apart.
The concert, aptly titled “New Worlds, New Horizons” had three parts. The first part, Peña, the Philippine Festival Overture, was a tribute to Filipino composer, arranger and double bass player Angel Peña. Written in 1993, the overture was one of his last compositions for orchestra and was based on the first fourteen notes of Bahay Kubo.
The tribute to Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini was the second part. Introduced by conductor Gerard Salonga, the piece gained popularity thanks to the film “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. That afternoon, it was brought to life by 19-year-old pianist Benedict Magboo, who delivered a breathtaking performance — playing entirely from memory with stunning passion and technical brilliance. The audience responded enthusiastically with a standing ovation, prompting Maestro Gerard to invite him back for an encore. Benedict obliged with a powerful rendition of Malikmata by Antonio Molina. I turned to Mr. C and remarked, “Benedict will one day be an international concert pianist.”
Benedict is only 19 years old and currently in his third year at the University of Santo Tomas, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Performance, majoring in Piano.
Antonín Dvo?ák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World, was the program’s majestic conclusion. Dvo?ák’s iconic work was rendered beautifully by the OFY, its soaring melodies and complex textures a testament to the skill of these young musicians.
A special commendation goes to Gerard Salonga, OFY conductor and music director of AMI. Despite his commitments as Resident Conductor of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in Kuala Lumpur, he continues to generously lend his time and expertise to mentor and inspire the OFY musicians in our country.
Equally deserving of praise is the board of directors of Ang Misyon, Inc., led by its chairman and co-founder Piki Lopez, President of First Philippine Holdings. Their collective vision to democratize access to culture and the arts is commendable. Joining him on the board are vice chairman Audie Gemora, National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Charo Santos-Concio and Mark Lopez.
Congratulations to the OFY and AMI for an unforgettable Sunday afternoon filled with world-class music and inspiring talent. The performance was made even more special by being staged at the newly opened Proscenium Theater — a fitting venue for such a powerful showcase of Filipino artistry and dedication. I look forward to many more exceptional performances from these gifted young musicians in this incredible space.
