The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), in close collaboration with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc. (PPOSI) promised an evening of music, movies and magic, and they triumphantly delivered on all fronts.

From the moment the auditorium lights dimmed and the first few notes were played, the audience certainly knew — without a doubt — they would be entertained, enthralled, and enraptured.

Let the curtain rise!

The excellently-crafted program, curated with artistic sophistication and absolute precision, took us on a sentimental journey through the masterpieces of classical music and well-loved film scores. Guest conductor Gerard Salonga helmed the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), as they performed con mucho gusto y valor several classical compositions which elevated cinematic storytelling. The repertoire included the opuses of Mozart, Strauss, Elgar, Massenet, Giordano, Dvořák and Bernstein, alongside beloved pieces by National Artists for Music such as Ryan Cayabyab and Ernani Cuenco, plus the lauded George Canseco.

While some attendees expressed mild disappointment at the absence of themes from box-office hits like James Bond or The Sound of Music, we personally felt they showcased an ideal balance of the popular and the eclectic. Could it be that the programming under the auspices of Salonga wished to demonstrate how classical music could elevate the musical enhancement of films?