By Hemmady S. Mora
When the lights dimmed at the Proscenium Theater last October 22, the atmosphere turned magnetic. The Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Centennial Concert V transformed the hall into an emotional sanctuary, where every bow stroke and vocal vibration echoed our shared humanity.
At the center of this spellbinding evening was internationally acclaimed Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas, whose presence was pure poetry. Bringing soulful artistry and raw emotion to the stage, her playing did more than captivate—it stirred the soul, proving how music transcends boundaries to heal and unite. Beside her, the powerful, angelic voices of the award-winning PUP Bagong Himig Serenata and the masterful direction of Principal Conductor Maestro Marlon Chen lifted the theater into an otherworldly trance.
The undisputed emotional peak of the night was the historic world premiere of Pasasalamat. Born from a profound collaboration between two cultural titans, the piece paired moving text written by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario on March 29, 2024, with a breathtaking musical composition finished two years later in March 2026 by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. As the orchestra and choir breathed life into Almario’s poignant verses—“Ipagpasalamat natin ang anumang pagkakaisa…”—the hall erupted in awe at this immortal tribute to unity, love, and perseverance.
Surrounded by a stellar audience including National Artists Dr. Ramon Santos, Alice Reyes, Benedicto Cabrera, Nonoy Froilan, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Virgilio Alamario and Ryan Cayabyab himself, the evening was a historic bridge across generations. Supported by Standard Insurance, EastWest Bank, DENZA Alabang, and the Embassy of France, MSO’s milestone marked a century of artistic excellence and set social media ablaze with heartfelt love for Filipino artistry.
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