Our Story

Ang Misyon, Inc (AMI) is a non-profit organization that supports the musically talented, less privileged youth. It was founded in 2012 by ABS CBN Chairman Emeritus Eugenio Lopez III, First Philippine Holdings Chairman Federico R. Lopez, and internationally renowned concert pianist Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz.

The organization believes that social change is sparked through the learning of orchestral music. Since its founding, it has helped over a thousand scholars and continues to provide programs which focus on orchestral training and instrument support. Scholars are also given opportunities for local and international performances and to serve as mentors to younger members. Through Ang Misyon, they are able to share the values and skills they have learned from their mentors and peers.

Ang Misyon offers music programs that aim to develop music skills and talents at an early age. Children and youth are introduced to the world of music and its possibilities, preparing them to eventually progress to professional levels. The values of commitment, discipline and community are ingrained in their orchestral training, which empowers them to become responsible members of society.

Board of Trustees

Music Director

Gerard Salonga

Music Director

2021 - Present

Gerard Salonga is currently the Resident Conductor of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in Kuala Lumpur, a position he has held since January 2019. For two seasons he served as Assistant Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra from 2016 to 2018 where he was appointed by Maestro Jaap van Zweden, having been selected from a field of over 170 international applicants. He also served as Music Director of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in Manila from 2012 to 2020. In January of 2021, Gerard began his term as the Music Director of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth.

He has assisted and covered distinguished conductors such as Jaap van Zweden, Jun Märkl, Hans Graf, Yu Long, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Mark Wigglesworth, and Leonard Slatkin, and has conducted the Philippine Philharmonic, Shanghai Opera House Orchestra and Chorus, Kunming Nie-Er Symphony, Evergreen Symphony of Taiwan, Bangkok Symphony, Singapore Symphony, South Denmark Philharmonic, Queensland Camerata, Orchestra Victoria, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

His orchestral arrangements have been performed by orchestras such as the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, Singapore Symphony, RTE Concert Orchestra, New York Pops, Guangzhou Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, BBC Symphony, and Royal Philharmonic. Gerard has also collaborated as arranger or conductor across different styles with artists like Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Wang Leehom, Wu Tong, Cecile Licad, Tengku Irfan, Michael Ball, Blake, Il Divo, Danielle de Niese, TaikOz, Ksenija Sidorova, Shen Yang, Llŷr Williams, James Ehnes, Jing Wang, Jan Lisiecki, and The Beach Boys. In 2012 Gerard was honoured as one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), the Philippines’ highest civilian award to achievers under the age of 40.

In 2021 he was named one of the recipients of the SUDI National Music Awards by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

For 2022, engagements include concerts in Manila, the UK, and Singapore, along with continuing his work with the MPO and OFY.