Philharmonic Orchestra holds flashmob performance at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - Passengers and airport and airline employees were treated to an unexpected musical experience as members of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) held a flashmob performance at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 departure area yesterday morning.

The event started with a brass band marching through the passenger terminal.

The PPO played the “William Tell Overture” and a medley from the “Sound of Music.” CCP employees, in color-coded t-shirts, then sang and danced as the orchestra played Ryan Cayabyab’s “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.”

PPO music director Olivier Ochanine, trading in his usual tuxedo for jeans and a denim shirt, led the orchestra.

“Amazing,” a departing foreign tourist described the performance.

“We appreciate it so much,” another passenger said.

Raul Sunico, CCP president, and Chris Millado, CCP vice president and artistic director, said the surprise performance at the airport is part of their 43rd anniversary celebration.

Sunico said the CCP brings “random acts of culture” to public places like the airport “to highlight the CCP’s vision of making art matter in the life of every Filipino.”

He said the CCP has strived to bring the “most exciting and engaging cultural experiences” in the Philippines and all over the world to audiences at the CCP complex, various venues in the regions and recently through its online programs.