Members of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY) held recently their first concert of 2019 at the Sun Life Amphitheater within the Bonifacio Global Center Arts Center, Taguig City.
The orchestra is the performing arm of Ang Misyon, a non-stock corporation supported by Lopez Group companies ABS-CBN Corporation, First Gen Corporation and First Philippine Holdings Corporation.
OFY repertoire showcased during the performance that Sun Life Foundation sponsored included classic pieces by Wagner, Handel and Schumann, as well as local songs such as Rey Valera’s “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko,” one of the OFY’s crowd favorites.
In inset photo, Federico “Piki” Lopez (second from left), president and co-founder of Ang Misyon, and his wife Monina (extreme left) share a light moment at the concert with Benedicto Sison (third from left), Sun Life Foundation trustee, and Alex Narciso (right), Sun Life Foundation president.
OFY consists of young music scholars, many of them coming from less-privileged families and hand-picked for their talent, passion and need. Since its formation in 2012, Ang Misyon has helped more than 900 scholars in its continuing effort to provide programs and services, such as professional music lessons and materials based on Ang Misyon’s curriculum, instrument support, opportunities for local and international performances, and service as junior mentors to younger scholars.
The musical curriculum is also complemented by values formation and a counselling program. In 2018, the OFY had international performances at the Qatar National Library and the Katara Opera House in Qatar. Local OFY events last year included performances at the Robinsons Galleria, Shangri La Mall, Power Plant Mall and at the Qatar National Day in Makati Shangri-la.