Encore upon encore for this reunion concert

Cebu is the only city outside Metro Manila that has its own orchestra. It is called the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra/Peace Philharmonic Philippines and was organized by multi-awarded international pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria, chairman of the Salvador and Pilar Sala Foundation Inc. (SPSFI).

The SPSFI, established by the children of Salvador and Pilar Sala, embarked on a 10-year Music Development Program that began in 1991 and culminated in 2000.

The main objectives were to produce a group of highly qualified, committed and dedicated music tutors who would serve the community’s educational system and also provide performance opportunities for young artists.

What started as the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO) ultimately became the Peace Philharmonic Philippines (PPP). For over a decade, the orchestra performed beautiful classical music in different cities in the Visayas and in Manila at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Luneta Park and most importantly at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace.

Unfortunately due to a shortage of funding by its major sponsors, the PPP and SPSFI had to be downsized, giving way to the establishment of the Peace Philharmonic Philippines Foundation.

After a decade of absence, former members of the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Peace Philharmonic Philippines bonded together to present a reunion concert aptly called “Symphony in Motion,” which was held at SM Cinema One.

Guest performers included past conductors of the CYSO who were instrumental in the development of the Cebu-based orchestra, consequently achieving a higher lever of musical accomplishment. They included Rodelio Flores, a professional violinist and presently a resident in America who came to Cebu solely for the occasion. He was joined by Manila-based violin and viola instructor Jeffrey Rozon Solarez, Ariel Villaluz Perez, currently a coordinator of the AB Music Department College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern Philippines and Roberto Giron del Rosario, a choir director/conductor of the University of San Carlos Choristers and University of Southern Philippines Chorale.

The highlight of a most memorable evening was the moving and warm tribute the entire orchestra rendered for its founding chair and moving force, Ingrid Sala Santamaria, who graciously obliged with a couple of piano pieces, to the delight of the audience who, it seemed, could not get enough of her performance.

After encore upon encore, applause amid more applause, Ingrid was beyond herself with joy and love.

Gratitude and special thanks to Susan Sala Montenegro, president of the Salvador and Pilar Sala Foundation, and the entire Sala family for their unconditional support in making what was once a dream a reality. Proceeds from the highly successful reunion concert will be for the benefit of the continuing music program of the foundation.