21 November 2024 - The Philippine Embassy, in partnership with Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur City Hall), capped its year-long celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of Philippines-Malaysia Relations with a triumphant concert featuring Maestro Gerard Salonga, the Philippine Madrigal Singers (Madz) under the baton of Mark Anthony Carpio, the Orchestra for Filipino Youth, the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the Orchestra of Kuala Lumpur and Filipino-Malaysian singer Ms. Yazmin Aziz.

Dubbed Handog: A Concert celebrating 60 years of Philippines-Malaysia Friendship, the concert was held on 12 November 2024 at the Auditorium, DBKL in Kuala Lumpur and featured a program of Filipino and Malaysian songs. Guests included the diplomatic corps, government officials and Filipino community leaders.

In her welcome remarks, H.E. Maria Angela Ponce, Ambassador of the Philippines, said the concert is “a festival of song and music highlighting the shared bonds, history, culture, meaningful people-to-people exchanges and commitment of the Filipino and Malaysian peoples to friendship, peace, stability and prosperity, under the banner of ASEAN.” With the theme of “Handog”, she said the concert was “an offering of thanks and of affection” to the City of Kuala Lumpur, the Embassy’s partners and stakeholders and the Filipino community.

Under the baton of Gerard Salonga, the combined orchestra began the evening with Ilocandia by Ryan Cayabyab, Mindanao Sketches by Antonino Buenaventura and an arrangement of Evergreen Malaysian Folk Songs and popular Sarawakian folksong Puteri Santubong by Vivian Chua. Ms Yazmin Aziz then regaled the audience with her renditions of Malaysian ballads Getaran Jiwa (Pulses of the Soul) and Sejak Ku Bertemu (Since I Met You) and the legendary Freddie Aguilar anthem to families, “Anak.” Led by conductor Mark Anthony Carpio, the Madz took over with Riuh (Chaotic Joy), a Malay song written by Penang-born artist Bihzhu, the medley Baka Ikaw sa May Bintana as arranged by Nikko Oliver Villanueva and Ryan Cayabyab’s Paraiso.

The orchestra joined the Madz for a stirring interpretation of Rey Valera’s Pangako Sa ‘Yo (My Promise to You”), a song special to both Filipino and Malaysian audiences due to the popularity of the drama series of the same title. In the final section of the concert, the orchestra, Madz and Ms. Yazmin Aziz performed Standing in the Eyes of the World, made popular by the Malaysian Pop Queen, Ella, and Ryan Cayabyab’s homage to Filipino music, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika (Our Music is so Beautiful). Called back to the stage for an encore, they closed the show successfully with a rousing performance of the festive holiday ditty, Ryan Cayabyab’s Kumukutikutitap (Twinkling).

The Handog concert is one of many highlights of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Philippines-Malaysia diplomatic relations this year. Under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, bilateral ties have become even stronger, culminating in the Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting held on 15-16 October 2024.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is committed to fostering closer cultural, musical, and artistic bonds between the Philippines and Malaysia. END

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