Habing Musika: An afternoon serenade in Intramuros, Manila

The Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra, Intramuros Administration and Patis Tesoro are teaming up to bring you Habing Musika, a concert celebrating music’s unique ability to connect and weave musicians and music lovers together. The event is set to take place on Sunday, August 14, 2022, 3:30 p.m., at Casa Blanca in Intramuros, Manila.

Along with the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra which will be conducted by Herrick Ortiz, Adrian Nicolas Ong will perform on violin, Paraluman with Natalia Araña on violin quartet, Theodore Julius Tan on violin, and Zeyee Rapadas on cello.

Classical music lovers will be treated to Concerto for Four Violins in B minor by A. Vivaldi, Concerto in D major by G. Goltermann, and Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003 by J.S. Bach, while film enthusiasts can look forward to Beauty and the Beast medley.

This is an event not to be missed by music fans of all ages. The ticket is priced at Php 500 (Php 350 for students) and may be purchased by calling +63 9064311407.

Artists to perform at Habing Musika

Adrian Nicolas Ong

Adrian is a promising young musician who has had the opportunity to study and learn from some of today’s most prestigious teachers. In 2017, he made his orchestral debut at age 17 with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) under conductor Yoshikazu Furumura before going on for an even greater performance the following year by performing at the 2018 Asia Region Suzuki Conference. He was accompanied once again by PPO.  In 2019, the renowned violinist accepted an invitation to join Curtis Summerfest Orchestra as a principal and concertmaster.

He is a graduating student at Mannes School of Music in New York. His widely anticipated solo concert in Carnegie Hall is slated for Spring 2023.

Despite his international success, Adrian remains connected to the Philippines. Being part of the young artists’ roster of the FilAm Music Foundation and a scholar of the Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP), he has spearheaded fundraising concerts for both groups at home and abroad. He continues to give back by being a mentor himself to the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra and many other young musicians.

Paraluman

Paraluman is a violin quartet composed of musicians who all grew up with music through the Suzuki method, joining countless recitals, summer camps, and conferences throughout their youth. The trio—consisting of violinists Kaitlyn Shu Too, Natalia Araa and Sophia Bantilan—had their first joint performance with encouragement from their teachers Janine Samaniego, Patrick Garcia and Carolyn Cheng. They made their debut performance in 2017 at the Konzertfest hosted by the Philippine Suzuki Association (PSA) at the Ayala Museum. 

Paraluman soon became a quartet following the addition of fellow violinist Maria Sophia Baysa in the ensemble. In 2018, they performed at GMS Gold, the 50th-anniversary concert celebrating decades of music education in the Greenhills Music Studio, where they represented students from Dekada Cinco. In 2019, the four went on to become founding members of the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra (PSYO) where they hold principal and leadership positions. 

Despite their decision to pursue other careers, music continues to play a significant role in their life. While Sophie continues to serve as an officer and concertmaster of the PSYO, Kaitlyn has joined the Blue Symphony Orchestra and the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra. In 2021, Natalia was one of 11 winners of the New York Times’ STEM Writing Contest for her essay, “Mycowood Violins: A Different Kind of Time Machine.” She is also preparing to leave for studies abroad, where she will be studying biology at Hokkaido University.

Theodore Julius Tan

Also called Master Teddy by his music friends, Teddy took interest in the violin after watching Elmo’s World episode on Violins. He then started taking lessons using the Suzuki Method at Greenhills Music Studio when he was 4 years old. At age 6, Teddy was among the selected few who performed for the visiting Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko Shoda in a dinner hosted by President Benigno Aquino III. 

Teddy is also a member of the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra and is the youngest soloist featured by the orchestra. He is currently under the tutelage of Prof. Gina Medina-Perez and Anna Janine Samaniego. 

His talent has not gone unnoticed. Teddy bagged First Place in the 2022 Vienna Virtuso Music Competition. In the same year, he also placed in major competitions in New York Young Performers and Medici UK Music Competition.  

Zeyee Rapadas

Zeyee Rapadas has been training rigorously in both classical and Suzuki cello methods, demonstrating his dedication and passion for mastering the instrument. As a cellist, he has trained under Ford Pundamiera and continues to receive instructions from Herrick Ortiz. 

Apart from being the principal cellist of the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra, Zeyee also plays for the Symphoenix Orchestra, Catholic Filipino Academy Orchestra, and Chordels of Mandaluyong. He is currently getting ready for his college studies and intends to continue his musical journey by joining a prestigious music conservatory in the future.

Catch these incredibly talented young musicians at Habing Musika on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Casa Blanca, Intramuros, Manila.

About the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra

The Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra (PSYO) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote classical music education and appreciation among children and young adults in the Philippines. The PSYO is made up of talented young musicians who are trained using the Suzuki Method, an internationally renowned approach to music education that emphasizes parental involvement and ear training.

The PSYO is a homegrown organization that is dedicated to promoting classical music in the Philippines. Its members are all talented young musicians who are passionate about their art, and it is this passion that drives the orchestra to excel and reach new heights.