14 June 2012 - The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the participation of the Nebrija-Ramos Guitar Duo in the Grand Concert Series of the 2012 Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar (KTJ) International Youth Guitar Festival held on June 9 at the KTJ Auditorium in Sembilan, Malaysia.

Leo Nebrija and Joseph Ramos joined guitarists from Hong Kong, Brazil and Thailand and youth groups during the concert, where they performed in a well-applauded repertoire made up of Filipino and foreign compositions.

They played "Bayan Ko" and "Langit ang Ligaya", "Fantasie Op.54bis", "Café Para Dos" and "Introduction et Fandango".

Vice Consuls John Francis Herrera and Johann Veronica Andal and Cultural Attache Helen Grace Cuisia attended their virtuoso performance.

Also performing during the concert series were the KTJ Choir and the KTJ String Ensemble.

On its second year, the KTJ International Youth Guitar Festival ran from June 7 to 9 and featured a student recital, a master class from the foreign-based guitarists and a workshop.

Mr. Nebrija and Mr. Ramos also performed before the Filipino community, when they serenaded the crowds during the 2012 Fiesta sa Embahada on June 10 at the Embassy grounds.

This is the duo's first foreign performance, which also played in the 2012 Philippine International Guitar Festival and Competition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last January 26, and at the EDSA Shrine in October 2011.

Nebrija studied Bachelor of Music-Guitar under Professor Ruben Reyes. He is a pioneer of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Guitar Quartet (USTGQ) - one of Philippine's premier guitar ensembles. As a member of the USTGQ, he had the privilege to perform at concerts held at numerous venues such as the PCI Auditorium, Paco Park, Instituto Cervantes, Nicanor Abelardo Hall and Water Front Hotel. As a solo artist, Mr. Nebrija was featured with the UST Symphony Orchestra during the 1998 UST Summer Music Camp at Tagbilaran in Bohol, and also performed at the Cinco Siglos de Guitarra Recital at Instituto Cervantes.

Mr. Ramos graduated from UST with a Bachelor of Science degree in Math, Major in Computer Science. While working fulltime as an IT professional, he pursued his passion for classical guitar by enrolling at extension classes offered by the UST Conservatory of Music, also under the tutelage of Professor Reyes.