PHL Madrigals, PPO bring rock-star swag to the Pasinaya Festival

World renowned Filipino performers, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, were like rock stars to the young audience that filled the Cultural Center of the Philippines for the annual Pasinaya Open House Festival on Sunday.

"The Madz" were met with with resounding applause and cheers as soon as they hit the stage.

It certainly helped that they started their set with their unique rendition of that all-time favorite "Bahay Kubo," then moved on to the emotional and powerful take on Freddie Aguilar's "Anak."

The audience was in stitches with their version of "The Coconut Nut," a Ryan Cayabyab composition. It was not a surprise that there were cries of "Bravo" with some shouting "More" as the crowd enjoyed and cherished the perfect performance of a multi-awarded choir.

Another act that drew cheers, applause and enticed audience participation was the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

The country's leading orchestra veered away from the formal set up with the members, in casual and very colorful outfits, performing one contemporary song after another.

The orchestra started off with local pop songs including "Rock Baby Rock" by VST and Company, to which the audience, clearly entertained, were swaying to and clapping to the familiar beat.

The orchestra brought the house down and got the audience singing to Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud", Justin Bieber's "Love Yourself" and "Sorry," and "Twerk It Like Miley" ala Miley Cyrus.

Ballet Philippines then hit the stage and also represented.

The performances were part of the "13th Pasinaya Open House Festival: Palabas at Palihan" that showcased 200 music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature shows.

Cris Millado, CCP Vice President and Artistic director, said there were 4,000 performers from 150 groups with 20 of these from various regions in the country.

The other performers, included the Kadayon Dance Troupe from Bacolod City and the La Salle Filipiniana Dance Company from Dasmariñas in Cavite. — DVM, GMA News