Singapore, 24 July 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Singapore celebrated Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (Philippine Music Week) with Mecosono: In a Chamber Concertino, held on 24 July 2026 at Sinagtala Hall of the Embassy’s redeveloped Chancery. The concert, attended by members of the Filipino community and Embassy personnel, marked the first musical performance staged at Sinagtala Hall.

Observed every last week of July pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 933, Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino promotes greater appreciation of Philippine music and recognizes its role in preserving the country’s cultural heritage while supporting the continued growth of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig highlighted the significance of hosting the first musical performance at Sinagtala Hall following the opening of the new Chancery. He noted that while the venue had recently hosted a high-level business meeting during the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the concert reflected the Embassy’s vision of Sinagtala Hall as a venue for both diplomacy and cultural engagement. 

Ambassador Macaraig also underscored this year’s Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino theme, “Musika at Himig Natin: Tradisyon, Industriya, at Bagong Tinig,” emphasizing the importance of preserving Philippine musical traditions, supporting emerging Filipino artists, and promoting Philippine music internationally.

The concert featured the Mecosono Chamber Orchestra, a young ensemble from the province of Rizal, Philippines, which was in Singapore to participate in the Singapore Poetry Festival at the National Library on 26 July 2026. Led by Executive Director Carlo Florendo and introduced by Mecosono President and University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra violinist William Khalid Vibar, the ensemble of young musicians on strings, winds, keyboard, and percussion presented a diverse repertoire featuring Astor Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, Filipino folk songs, well-loved Original Pilipino Music (OPM) classics, bossa nova selections, and contemporary arrangements. The performance concluded with an encore rendition of “Home,” a tribute to Singapore, which brought the afternoon concert to a warm and memorable close. 

The Embassy also highlighted the participation of Filipino musicians across Singapore in this year’s observance of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino through performances by Philippine-based instrumentalists Monching Carpio and John Raymond Sarreal, jazz ensemble SANPY led by Mar Dizon, and Singapore-based performers Yvette Atienza and the PsalmiDeo Chorale. 

Together, these performances showcased the richness, diversity, and continuing evolution of Philippine music, reinforcing Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino as a celebration of Filipino creativity, cultural identity, and artistic excellence. /END