REVIEW: A Journey Through Bagong Musika - Reflections on the NCCA Composition Prize World Premiere Concert
The National Commission of Culture and the Arts celebrates its awardees for the Composition Prize through a world premiere concert performance at the Metropolitan Theater.
Manila, Philippines — Attending the Bagong Musika: Himig Natin NCCA Composition Prize World Premiere Concert Series at the Metropolitan Theater Ballroom felt like witnessing the bright future of Filipino classical music unfold in real time. Featuring a massive showcase of brand-new original works, the evening highlighted the incredible depth, creativity, and diversity of our local composers.
Orion’s Belt | Cloyd Robinson Calucag (Performed with the Kulintang Ensemble)
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
This piece takes you on an absolute cosmic ride! The ensemble plays brilliantly with tempo, starting with a fast, breathless energy before gently slowing down to let the music breathe. The quiet section is breathtakingly, feeling like a single firefly trying to rekindle its light after a storm. Just as you settle into the calm, the music erupts into a lively, "parliament-style" debate where instruments intentionally clash in the most glorious way. Listening to Orion’s Belt feels like floating through deep space completely free, dreaming, and soaring among the stars.
Ang Mga Itim Na Nota | Mark Jericho Pacia (Performed by Zion Pe-Montebon)
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
Clever and full of personality, this work stands out for its expressive play on tension and dramatic contrast. Pacia skillfully uses accidentals to build a rich narrative arc, creating sudden shifts in mood that keep you completely hooked. The intricate dynamics make every single note feel deliberate, dramatic, and full of musical purpose.
Gahum | Patrick Paul Roxas (Performed by Angelica Vinculado)
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
Living up to its name (“power”), this composition delivers commanding phrasing with immense, undeniable presence. Roxas channels an intense energy through solo passages that feel bold and uncompromising. Vinculado’s performance breathes life into every phrase, filling the room with a resonant strength that captures the sheer force of artistic determination.
Journey of a Hopeless Romantic | Alejandro Luis Del Corro (Performed by Dr. Renato Lucas)
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
The piece began with a delightful exchange between a male and female voice, each contributing to the melody in their own unique range. I truly appreciate the precision with which this piece is written by Alejandro, it beautifully conveys its message in a way that's easy to grasp.
Additionally, knowing who performed this piece is Dr. Renato Lucas, it became more emotional. A few days before this piece premiered, Dr. Renato said to me that the piece is very great yet hard. Once I heard the music I understood immediately why.
Unapologetically melodic and emotionally lush, this piece opens as an intimate conversation between two musical voices, weaving its core theme across distinct ranges. Having spoken to Dr. Renato Lucas a few days before the premiere, he mentioned how incredible yet technically demanding the piece was to master and hearing it live made total sense! Through rich cello textures, the performance moves effortlessly through longing, drama, and tender resolution.
Batanes: Julian Aftermath | Erma Dianne Decena (Performed by Arvin Olete & John Benedict Marcelino
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
Though I’m having a hard time immersing myself in the music due to lack of proper acoustics, luckily for me as a percussion player, this was not a problem. This piece is a programmatic work provides a deeply moving narrative of resilience and quiet strength following a storm.
Decena paints a vivid musical landscape where gentle, brooding melodies gradually give way to moments of hope. The duet performance conveys a profound sense of communal healing, leaving a quiet, lasting impression on everyone in the room.
Fantasia | James Willy Canoso (Performed by Christian P. Dino)
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
Bringing whimsical agility and virtuosic flair to the middle of the concert, this piece bursts with playful energy. Canoso weaves intricate melodic runs with rapid shifts in color, giving the performer plenty of room to dazzle. It acts as a delightful spark of brightness, offering a lighthearted yet technically impressive breath of fresh air.
Poong Matayog | Jouie Anne Reyes (Performed by John Karlos Dela Cruz)
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
Offering a noble, meditative pause, this piece anchors the evening with its regal, sustained lines. Reyes crafts a deeply spiritual atmosphere that encourages quiet reflection. The long, expansive phrasing creates a sense of timeless tranquility, allowing the audience to slow down and absorb the reverent beauty of each held note.
(VII) Variations on a Filipino Folk Tune | Alejandro Consolacion II(Performed by Alejandro Consolacion II)
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
Demonstrating exceptional structural craft, Consolacion takes a familiar traditional motif and reimagines it through a series of ingenious transformations. Each variation reveals a new perspective, blending playful rhythmic tweaks with sophisticated harmonic depth. It serves as a masterclass in how classical forms can give cherished local melodies fresh, vibrant life.
Triptyque | Alejandro Consolacion II(Performed with Renan Manalastas)
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
Exploring complex dialogic textures, this three-part work creates a captivating dynamic between the performers. Consolacion builds layered musical conversations that shift fluidly between tense counterpoint and seamless unity. The performance showcases brilliant ensemble balance, highlighting both technical rigor and a shared emotional depth that keeps the narrative compelling from start to finish.
Sonata for Kulintang and Piano | Paul Earvin Bibal(Performed by Kierre Medina & Benedict Magboo)
Collage from Photo: National Commission of Culture and the Arts / Facebook
Closing the compositional showcase, this piece presents a seamless, celebratory fusion of traditional gongs and Western classical structure. Bibal bridges two distinct musical worlds without letting either lose its identity. The striking resonance of the kulintang paired with the piano creates a triumphant, energetic finale that honors heritage while boldly looking forward.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
While the artistry on display was undeniably world-class, sitting through a 3.5-hour continuous program—even with brief guest intermission performances by the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir and Musiko Filipino Rondalla—was a true test of physical endurance. By the final works, concert fatigue made it tricky to give those last beautiful compositions the sharp attention they deserved. Still, Bagong Musika proved beyond a doubt that the future of Philippine composition is vibrant, daring, and full of heart.
A Very Special Thank You to the
National Commission of Culture and the Arts
for inviting Tipunan Magazine to this prestigious event.
About the Author
Kian Arthur Angcos
Kian Arthur Angcos is a Filipino music writer, concert reviewer, and music educator dedicated to chronicling the vibrant classical and orchestral music scene in the Philippines. Combining his deep music insight with a musician’s sharp ear, Kian provides readers with a front-row seat to the country's most significant symphonic events.
His writing spans from deep-dive critiques of traditional masterpieces like Mozart and Mahler to reviews of boundary-pushing crossover concerts, including symphonic pop tributes and video game music events.
Beyond that, Kian is an active force in the local musical community. He has directed collaborative youth and church ensembles—such as the Pasay District Symphony and Banda Kalayaan 1901—and creates custom orchestral arrangements that bridge classical traditions with contemporary pop.
Through his contributions, Kian aims to make orchestral music accessible, engaging, and deeply appreciated by modern audiences.
Find him on Medium: https://medium.com/@kianarthur
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