Filipinos have continuously shown to the world that their skills and talent in the field of the arts are world class, and there’s no better way to celebrate and create a platform for these talents to shine for the global audience to see than during the festivities of the 121st Philippine Independence Day here in Abu Dhabi.
During the Philippine Diplomatic Reception spearheaded by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, several Filipinos have shown their remarkable talent in the visual and performing arts. Here’s a quick rundown of each artist who performed during the evening:
Maestro Baldemor: “Islamic Philippines”
Maestro Manuel Baldemor is a renowned Filipino artist referred to by art connoisseurs as “The Chronicle of the Motherland” for his accurate depiction of the beauty of the Philippines’ sights and landmarks. For his exhibit in the UAE, he created 30 new, unique paintings under the theme “Islamic Philippines” which shows a glimpse of the lives of Filipino Muslims back home. Maestro Baldemor’s works will continue to be displayed at Etihad Modern Art Gallery.
Distinguished Filipino pianist Prof. Josue Greg Zuniega and violinist Christian Tan
The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Sentro Rizal Abu Dhabi, has also featured distinguished Filipino pianist Professor Josue Greg Zuniega and violinist Christian Tan who performed the following pieces during the evening
Excerpts from Sheherazade (Arabian Tales) by Rimsky-Korsakov
Habanera Filipina (Spanish-inspired Filipino Dance) by Vallejo
Sa Kabukiran (In the Philippine Countryside) by Velez arranged by Romero
Sana’y Wala ng Wakas (Hoping that Love Will Never End)
Iconic Filipino songs
The distinguished duo also performed a number of memorable Original Pilipino Music (OPM) songs that evoked emotions of the audience during their performances. UAE-based Filipino singers Patrick Stephen Digo, Alain Almonte, and former X Factor UK contestant Ivy Grace Paredes performed the following songs:
Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan (Till the End of time) – vocalist: Patrick Stephen Digo (with piano accompaniment)
Hanggang (While There is Love) – vocalist: Alain Almonte (with piano and violin accompaniment)
Anak (Child) – vocalist: Ivy Grace Paredes (with piano accompaniment)
Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi at Musika (We are One) – all vocalists
The evening was attended by representatives from the UAE government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and was graced by more than 50 representatives from diplomatic and consular missions of various countries in the UAE, along with Filipino community leaders.
