The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performed nine concerts in 11 days, showcasing exceptional Filipino talent across England and Scotland.
From Bristol to Perth, across nine venues in 11 days, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) carried Filipino artistry and talent to British and Scottish stages with a clarity that left audiences and critics in awe. The PPO’s recent UK tour proved what many already knew but the world needed to hear: Filipino musicians are “truly world-class, and are on par with the very best orchestras in the world,” as Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President Kaye Tinga proudly declared.
The tour began at the Bristol Beacon in England on May 13, 2025 and concluded at the Perth Festival of the Arts in Scotland on May 24. The orchestra also performed at iconic venues including London’s Cadogan Hall, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, Guildford’s G Live arts center, Norwich’s Theater Royal, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, Sheffield’s City Hall, and Bradford’s St. George’s Hall.
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“It was a hectic schedule for the PPO,” shared Tinga, “but the orchestra was up to the challenge. They were inspired, and their performances showed it.”
Critical Acclaim for the PPO
Under the baton of Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, appointed three years ago following an extensive international search, the PPO has reached great artistic heights. In a review of their performance at the Perth Festival of the Arts, critic Garry Fraser emphasized the orchestra’s consistency: “They are as good as any [orchestra] you’ll hear and excellent in every single department, as fresh and engaging in the last bar of the Beethoven as they were in the first bar of the Bizet.”
The tour showcased not just orchestral excellence, but also the artistry of Filipino talent. The solo of PPO’s artist-in-residence and concertmaster Diomedes Saraza Jr., who is the first Filipino violin soloist to perform at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York, was a tour highlight. His encore performance of the folk song “Leron, Leron Sinta” was described by Fraser as “a blistering display of virtuistic dynamism and technical adeptness.” Edinburgh Music Review‘s Donal Hurley, also reviewing the Perth Festival performance, praised Saraza’s “flawless intonation, expressive vibrato, and the sweetest tone” in his interpretation of Bizet’s “Carmen,” while giving “full marks” to the PPO.
Cultural Bridge Building
The tour served as cultural diplomacy in action. CCP President Tinga noted the emotional impact of seeing “pockets of Filipinos in the audience” who “couldn’t be any prouder,” while the local UK audiences demonstrated music’s power to transcend cultural barriers. The PPO performed alongside international soloists including cellist Wen-Sinn Yang and pianist Mark Bebbington, creating musical conversations that highlighted both Filipino talent and global collaboration.
The success sets the stage for even greater ambitions. “We are preparing for an Asian tour in 2026,” Tinga announced, suggesting this UK triumph is just the beginning of a bigger international journey for this orchestra.
The PPO UK tour was presented by the CCP, in partnership with Okada Manila and IMG Artists, with special support from the Office of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, as well as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Manila Metropolitan Theater. The tour was sponsored by the Rustan Commercial Corporation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc., and Emirates.
Photos courtesy of The Cultural Center of the Philippines
