Symphony in Motion: A dream come true

CEBU, Philippines - In 1991, multi-awardee and international pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria together with her siblings, Nito, Cheling, Bernabe and Astrid established the Salvador and Pilar Sala Foundation to uphold the memory of their beloved parents.

They then embarked on a 10-year Music Development Program that produced the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra which later became known as the Peace Philharmonic Philippines.

With the completion of the program the members of the orchestra pursued their own goals and dreams. A number went to Manila and a few even ventured to go abroad. They kept communications open and eventually the idea of having a reunion was discussed, pursued and just recently became a reality.

The Cinema One of SM Cebu was undoubtedly the only place to be. The expectant crowd knew better than to miss the much anticipated concert dubbed Symphony in Motion.

The guest performers were former conductors of the CYSO who were instrumental in the development of the Cebu-based orchestra consequently achieving a higher lever of musical accomplishment. The evening’s hosts Sam Costanilla and Mary Rose Villacastin Manghuyop introduced each one as the program unfolded. The opening number had Ariel Villaluz Perez, currently a coordinator of AB Music Department, College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern Philippines conducting Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. He was followed by Manila-based violin and viola instructor Jeffrey Solares with Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni. Then came Rodelio Flores, a professional violinist and presently a resident in America who came solely for the occasion with the Carmen Suite by Georges Bizet and lastly Roberto Giron del Rosario, a choir director/conductor of the University of San Carlos Choristers and University of Southern Philippines Chorale with Finlandia by Jean Sibelius. 

The highlight of a most memorable evening was the moving and warm tribute the entire orchestra rendered to its founding chair  Ingrid Sala Santamaria who graciously obliged with a couple of piano pieces , to the delight of the audience who seemed not to get enough of her performance. Encore upon encore, applause amidst more applause, Ingrid Sala Santamaria was beyond herself with joy and love.

Gratitude and special thanks must go to Susan Sala Montenegro, president of the Salvador and Pilar Sala Foundation and the entire Sala family for their unconditional support in making what was once a dream, a reality. Proceeds from the highly successful reunion concert will be for the benefit of the continuing music program of the foundation.