Barcelona, Spain – The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona marked National Arts Month 2025 with Pag-ibig, Amor & Love, a special Valentine’s Day concert held on 14 February. Featuring six Filipino artists from Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicante, the event highlighted the richness of Filipino music and culture while fostering connections within the Filipino community and beyond.
In her welcome message, Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro emphasized the role of overseas Filipinos in preserving and sharing their cultural heritage. She noted how Filipino creativity continues to transcend borders, inspiring deeper appreciation for the country’s artistic traditions.
The concert featured a carefully curated program blending kundiman, Original Pilipino Music (OPM), and Broadway classics. The performers—Dr. Julianne Eris Navarro, Mariz Tan, Sheena Maria Alisla, Romel Leo Alojada, Joseph Romeo Alfaras, and violinist Miguel Antonio Davao—come from diverse professional backgrounds and have varying levels of classical training in music. Their moving renditions of Filipino classics by Antonio Molina, Lucio San Pedro, and Levi Celerio captivated the audience, with a standout moment being the Spanish rendition of Francisco Santiago’s Pakiusap, which resonated with Spanish-speaking guests. Other highlights included beloved OPM hits such as Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin and Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko, as well as international favorites from Cinema Paradiso, Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, Miss Saigon, and Contigo Aprendí. The evening culminated in a rousing performance of Nonong Pedero’s Isang Mundo, Isang Awit, joined by Cultural Officer Bernardo Bagalay, reinforcing the event’s theme of unity through music.
To enrich the audience’s experience, program notes provided details on each song’s lyrics, composer, and meaning. Love notes in Filipino, English, and Spanish were placed around the venue, adding a lighthearted Valentine’s touch. The event also featured a testimonial in support of the Love the Philippines tourism campaign, where an audience member shared their memorable experience visiting the country.
The celebration concluded with a reception featuring traditional Filipino cuisine, offering guests the opportunity for cultural exchange.
With the success of Pag-ibig, Amor & Love, the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona reaffirms its commitment to promoting Filipino arts and culture, strengthening the bonds of the Filipino diaspora, and fostering goodwill between the Philippines and Spain, as well as the international community in Catalonia.
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The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona
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IN PHOTOS
Audience members from the Philippines, Spain and countries from all over the world
Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro welcomes attendees to the concert
Cultural Officer Bernardo Bagalay introduces the six Filipino performers
Dra. Julianne Eris Navarro performs the well loved song “Contigo Aprendi”
Mariz Tan sings OPM classic Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Mo
Sheena Maria Alisla performs I Can Hear the Bells from the broadway play Hairspray
Violinist Miguel Antonio Davao performs Antonio Molina’s Hatinggabi
Romel Leo Alojado performs the Kundiman classic Pakiusap, as the audience follows the lyrics through the digital program notes provided by the Consulate.
Joseph Romeo Alfaras gives an emotional rendition of an OPM favorite Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin
Joseph Romeo Alfaras provides piano accompaniment to Romel Leo Alojada in their rendition of the Ilonggo folk song Pinalangga.
Attendees partake of the Filipino food served during the cultural event
Creative love notes placed in the reception area of the Consulate
Valentine’s Concert for the National Arts Month Celebration with program notes