Phnom Penh, 11 June 2025 - In celebration of the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence, the Philippine Embassy staged a concert and hosted an official reception on 10 June 2025 at the Shangri-La Hotel Phnom Penh.
Titled “Sabay-Sabay - A celebration of Philippine History and Music and Philippines-Cambodia Friendship”, the two-part program featured the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) and a soprano duo of the Philippine Madrigal Singers known as The Nightingales.
The MSJO, composed of 23 young musicians under the baton of Prof. Jeffrey Solares, impressed the audience with their skilled performance of classical and modern pieces, including Filipino kundimans and compositions of the beloved King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
The Nightingales captivated the audience with their virtuoso renditions of Filipino songs Sa Kabukiran, Paraiso, the Cambodian folk song Fan Blown by the Wind, and the Flower Duet.
Sabay-Sabay (sabay meaning happy in Khmer and together in Filipino) captures the essence of the centuries-old cordial ties between the Philippines and Cambodia.
At the diplomatic reception, Philippine Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo cited the great strides made in advancing bilateral relations and paid tribute to the Filipino community for their contributions to Cambodia’s national development. “Like the MSJO, Filipinos in Cambodia continue to make music with their Khmer hosts, especially in developing the so-called software of a fast-modernizing country. Inside this ballroom, we have with us Filipino teachers, engineers, management executives, doctors, nurses, architects, designers, accountants, auditors and manufacturing supervisors, to name a few -- who are devoting their best years to help put in place the building blocks for the prosperity of the Khmer people,” she said.
As Guest of Honor, H.E. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, acknowledged the enduring partnership between the Philippines and Cambodia, built on trust, respect, and mutually-beneficial cooperation across various fields, including politics, defense and security, trade and investment, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges. She also praised the delightful performance of the MSJO and the exceptional vocal talent of The Nightingales. The Minister was particularly moved by the song Paraiso which resonated deeply with its message of hope and resilience.
Representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Cambodian officialdom and Okhna Association (tycoons with royal titles), international organizations, the business community, and Filipino associations comprised over 350 guests of the twin celebration. Beyond food for the soul at the concert, they also enjoyed a thoughtfully curated spread of all-Filipino canapés and comfort food whipped up by Filipino chef Myles Sanchez to showcase the Philippines’ rich culinary heritage.
At the same time, Philippine companies doing business in Cambodia, including Liwayway, United Pharma, Davies Paints, San Miguel Beer, Galyon, Don Papa, and Philippine Airlines, proudly participated in the event by way of table-top displays.
“It is on occasions like these when one feels truly proud to be a musician, a teacher, and a Filipino,” MSJO Conductor Jeffrey Solares said of the Philippine Embassy’s cultural diplomacy program.
All around, Filipino attendees gushed with pride over the “elevated presentation of Philippine music, culture, and history,” while foreign guests appreciated the immersive Philippine experience created for them by the Embassy.
Composed of exceptional talents aged 9 to 25, the MSJO represents the future of classical music in the Philippines. The young orchestra has garnered prestigious recognition on the world stage, having recently won First Place with Outstanding Success at the 16th Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna and claimed both the Gold Prize and Grand Prix award at the 13th Bratislava International Youth Music Festival.
With their exceptional vocal prowess, the Nightingales have captivated international audiences with their unique bel canto style. The charming Filipino songbirds are deeply committed to sharing their talents by conducting workshops for music enthusiasts and aspiring singers.
The celebration of the 127th birth anniversary of the Philippine Republic continues in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with performances by the MSJO on June 12 and 13 at the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. END
