It was a demonstration of musical harmony and a display of warm friendship among neighboring nations and cultures.
“Taiwanihan: An Encore,” was the Oct. 10 show of the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus and the Taiwan LongTan Philharmonic Orchestra — one of Taiwan’s leading orchestras — at the Ignacio B. Gimenez-Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura Theater, UP Diliman. This was a follow-up to UPCC’s “Taiwanihan Awakening” tour in January that had over 20 performances.
The concert, which coincided with Taiwan National Day, featured five numbers from UPCC, seven from LTPO, and a tutti with two encores and the closing, “UP Naming Mahal.”
UPD College of Music Dean Ma. Patricia Brillantes-Silvestre, in her speech, credited Professor Emeritus Jose Dalisay Jr. with coining the term “Taiwanihan,” which she said was a fusion of the Filipino bayanihan spirit with Taiwanese culture. “A greater, deeper, more meaningful relationship has been forged — one that highlights support, respect, and understanding.”
Music as a universal language was mentioned by Prof. Janet Sabas-Aracama, UPCC conductor and artistic director; Ambassador Vanessa Shih, LTPO adviser; and Ambassador Wallace Minn-Gan Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines.
Aracama said that through music, the event will showcase the ties between the Philippines and Taiwan. For Shih, music transcends borders and “has the power to unite people, foster cultural understanding, and create lasting bonds.” Chow similarly pointed to music’s power to go beyond borders, that it “connects hearts and souls.” He added, “Music not only entertains but unites us. It reminds us of our common humanity and our shared hopes for peace, friendship, and understanding.”
Dr. Eing Ming Wu, whom Brillantes-Silvestre described as “relentlessly serving as a bridge for Taiwanese-Filipino artistic intercrossings,” was the last to speak before the concert started. The visiting professor at the UPD National College of Public Administration and Governance, and senior managing adviser of Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association, spoke of country exchanges on a broader scale — from higher education to professional development in various industries. “What the Philippines needs, Taiwan has it, but what Taiwan needs, only the Philippines has it.”
He cited the previous day’s launch of the UP flagship program, Ventures for International and Transformative Academia, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, which was spearheaded by the UP Open University. UP VINTA provides higher and continuing education opportunities to Overseas Filipino Workers for career development and better employment opportunities. On this initiative, Wu said, “We are designated to transform OFW. No more OFW, Overseas Filipino Worker. We want to transform OFW into OFS — Overseas Filipino Specialist. We are ready to be working with you.”
UPCC performed the following: “Cantate Domino” by Josu Elberdin; “Mga Wata sa Ripag” by Arwin Tan; the traditional Pangasinan song, “Malinac Lay Labi,” arranged by Joy Nilo; “Manila” by Rene Garcia (composer) and Dennis Garcia (lyricist), arranged by Annie Nepomuceno; and the medley “Hibang sa Awit/Salamat Musika” by Ryan Cayabyab/Gary Granada, arranged by Nhick Ramiro Pacis.
LTPO, on the other hand, performed “Spring Colors Over the Hills” by Chen Chiu-Lin; “Auf der Jagd” by Johann Strauss Jr.; “Zigeunerweisen” by Pablo de Sarasate, featuring violinist Shan-Hsin Chang; an encore with Chang, “Tema d’amore” from “Cinema Paradiso” by Ennio Morricone; a medley of Teresa Teng songs, “A Tribute to Teresa Teng,” arranged by Mika Yoshida; “Anak” by Freddie Aguilar, arranged by Jeffrey Solares, featuring cellist Liu Yu-Chen.
The tutti finale was “The Moon Represents My Heart” by Weng Ching-hsi (composer) and Sun Yi (lyricist), with orchestral arrangement by Allen Chang and choral arrangement by Calvin Capacete. This was followed by two encores, “I Will Survive” by Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren, and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio.
The event was presented in collaboration with TECO, CMu, UP Symphony Orchestra, and the United Committee of the Taiwanese Overseas Community in the Philippines.
