The CCP continues to nurture the country’s next generation of artistic talents through its prestigious International Scholarship.
The Philippines boasts a rich tapestry of talent that continues to flourish, inspiring young minds to pursue careers in music, theater, and dance, and garnering international recognition for their outstanding achievements.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), now in its 55th year, is steadfast in preparing the next generation of Filipino artists to tackle global artistic challenges through its prestigious international scholarship program.
The CCP, supported by its dedicated Board of Trustees, has provided financial and other crucial support to Filipino artists over the years. Established under Presidential Decree No. 15, the CCP International Scholarship aims to discover, assist, and develop talents in Philippine cultural pursuits, thereby creating opportunities for individual and national expression in cultural affairs.
Currently, CCP supports four young scholars in realizing their artistic dreams through further studies: Aidan Ezra Baracol, mastering piano at the Royal Academy of Music in London, United Kingdom; Adrian Nicolas Ong, refining his violin skills at the Royal Conservatory of Music – The Glenn Gould School in Toronto, Canada; Lizzie Bett Estrada, honing her vocal prowess at the Royal Academy of Music in London; and Mark Kenedy Rocas, specializing in flute at the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Massachusetts, USA.
These scholars, recognized for their outstanding academic and artistic achievements, have excelled in prestigious national competitions such as the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and have gained admission to renowned international arts academies. Integral to the scholarship are rigorous academic standards, active participation in CCP initiatives, and a commitment to contributing to Philippine cultural projects post-graduation.
From his early fascination with rhythm through drumming to his rapid immersion in piano lessons, Aidan Ezra Baracol’s musical journey has been marked by swift progression. Under Professor Godofredo Areza, he debuted with a solo piano recital at the SEARCA Auditorium at the University of the Philippines in 2017. He continued his music studies as a piano major under Professor Josue Greg Zuniega, through a full scholarship at the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA), Mt. Makiling. With further studies with Professor Anthony Say in 2019, Baracol garnered honors such as the Natatanging Gawad para sa Sining (Outstanding Student in the Arts) and the Ani ng Dangal awards. He has triumphed in 16 local and international piano competitions, including the NAMCYA Junior Piano Competition. Baracol is currently a student at the Royal Academy of Music, London, attending masterclasses with renowned instructors such as Roberta Rust and Wael Farouk.
Cavite-born flutist Mark Kenedy Rocas began playing the flute at 9. He later joined the Sta. Cecilia Band 89 and became a member of the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band from 2005 to 2012. Also a PHSA graduate, he performed his first recital at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) in 2011. Trained under Professor Enrique Barcelo, Professor Antonio Maigue, and Francisco Candelaria, he earned his music degree, majoring in flute, at the UP College of Music. He has also taken several masterclasses under renowned international artists such as Daniel Agi of the Handwerk Ensemble (Germany), Christoph Bosh of the Phoenix Ensemble (Basel), Michael Sitsky, Raphael Leone of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and Ulrich Muller Doppler. As a CCP Scholar, he is presently immersed in finishing his master’s in flute performance, under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed flutist Sooyun Kim at the Longy School of Music of Bard College.
Violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong is currently pursuing his artist diploma at The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School under Min-Jeong Koh and Paul Kantor. He has graduated with honors from the Mannes School of Music in New York City, under a merit-based scholarship. At 17, Ong made his orchestral debut with Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura. He later performed with the CCP resident orchestra at the 2018 Asia Region Suzuki Conference and became the first recipient of the NYC Recital Debut Award from the Fil-Am Music Foundation. He performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York in 2023, where he performed a solo recital at Weill Recital Hall with Victor Asuncion. He believes in giving back to the community through his music and participated in Helping Through Music: A Benefit Concert for Childhope PH and Museo Pambata in 2023. He also enjoys coaching and collaborating with the kids of the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra with Herrick Ortiz whenever he is back home for the summer.
Soprano Lizzie Bett Estrada is currently studying on a full scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London under Professor Susan Waters. She won first prize in the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Bursary for Young Singers Competition in 2023. Armed with fundamentals taught by Camille Lopez-Molina and Pablo Molina at PHSA, she has performed her first solo recital in the United Kingdom at St. Michael’s Church, Sittingbourne. The soprano soloist has performed Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Fauré’s Requiem, Gounod’s St. Cecilia Mass, and Vivaldi’s Gloria, and attended masterclasses by Susan Manoff, Hartmut Höll, Prof. Thomas Steinhöfel, and Filipino renowned tenor Arthur Espiritu. Being a CCP scholar, she has performed in the Center’s various events including the 100th birth anniversary commemoration concert for National Artist Lucresia Kasilag, PASINAYA Festival in 2019 as well as its virtual edition Tuloy Po Kayo during the pandemic, among others. She has performed in concerts at St. Mary’s Church Kilburn, London, and St. Leonard’s Church Streatham, London, and in the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt’s Virtual Independence Day Concert, Ating Kalayaan.
The four scholars were introduced by CCP Chairman Jaime Laya and CCP President Kaye Tinga at a press conference at the Admiral Hotel Manila – M Gallery in Manila. The four opened their mini concert with “Leron-Leron Sinta” by National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro. Rocas then performed solo playing “Pagsapit ng Tag-Araw” by Eduardo Parungao. Ong followed by performing “Habanera Filipina No. 2” by Ernesto Vallejo, who was the first Filipino violin soloist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Baracol performed “The Smuggler” in two parts, a piece he composed himself. Estrada showed her vocal prowess singing “O mio babbino caro” (Oh, my dear papa) from “Gianni Schicchi” by Giacomo Puccini with Baracol accompanying her on the piano. The four then got together once more to perform “Nahan” by Ernani Cuenco.
Experience the talents of these four young virtuosos at this year’s PPO Young People’s Concert on July 27th at 5 PM, hosted at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium. Admission is free and open to all. The concert is in partnership with Admiral Hotel Manila- M Gallery.
Visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph for the latest updates on CCP programs and shows. For more information about the CCP Scholarship Program, contact the CCP Arts Education Department through its Artist Training Division at [email protected].
Photos courtesy of CCP (unless stated); Banner photo by Pepper Teehankee, feature photo courtesy of CCP.
