FILIPINO MUSIC. Participants in the 2nd Philippine Choral Festival are presented with awards in a ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Center on Sept. 6, 2024. Joining the event were diplomats, including Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar Lillibeth V. Pono, as well as various expatriate community groups and music enthusiasts. (Asian Telegraph Qatar)
DOHA – Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar Lillibeth V. Pono joined fellow diplomats, various expatriate community groups, and music enthusiasts in the sophomore edition of the Philippine Choral Festival held at the Qatar National Convention Center on Sept. 6.
Dubbed "Harmonic Horizons: Voices in Unity," the musical event featured stirring performances from the Maharlikans Vocal Ensemble Philippines, an award-winning collective of Qatar-based Filipino professionals led by Maestro Demy Solitario.
The Maharlikans were joined by other community singing and performing groups, including The Doha Players, Liahona Doha Singers, Qatar Concert Choir, The Sacred Voices, and Tanghalang Overseas Pinoy.
The two-hour concert was a musical journey that brought audiences to the Philippines with well-loved classics, such as "Dumbele" and "Bituing Walang Ningning," to the recreation of eclectic pop hits "Mapa" by SB19 and “This Is Me” from "The Greatest Showman."
In her message, Pono congratulated the performers for their passion and perseverance in pulling off the event, calling the Filipino talents "the best cultural ambassadors of the Philippines."
"Tonight, we witnessed the amazing power of music in transcending differences in culture, race, and beliefs,” she said. “We also witnessed how music promotes unity and harmony in diversity. May you continue to spread the message of love, peace, and unity through your voices." (Asian Telegraph Qatar)
