“More, more!” – our fellow Filipinos shouted as the Orchestra of the Filipino winded down their performance at the Katara Royal Opera House in Doha, Qatar last October 26, 2018. Maestro Joshua Dos Santos obliged with two more pieces much to the joy of the audience. The OFY was treated like rock stars as the audience waited for them at the lobby for photos and chats.
A perfect way to cap five-day tour of Doha, Qatar in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs!
Following a first performance in May 2018 at the DFA Auditorium, the DFA partnered with Ang Misyon for a 2-performance tour of Doha, Qatar as part of their cultural diplomacy program. This marks the first ever international tour of the full orchestra since its founding in 2013.
69 members of the OFY, 10 staff and 1.5 tons of instruments left Manila on October 24, 2018 on board Philippine Airlines for a direct flight to Doha, Qatar.
Qatar National Library. An impressive library that envisions housing 1,000,000 titles hosted the OFY’s first performance in Doha. An international audience estimated to be 300 saw an international audience of all ages. OFY’s repertoire was composed of an international selection from Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Austria, Spain and the Philippines. The OFY is the first Philippine group to ever perform at the QNL which was inaugurated only in April 2018!
Katara Royal Opera House. Located at the Katara Cultural Village, the Katara Royal Opera House and the Philippine Embassy hosted the gala performance of the OFY where it performed Shostakovich Symphony No. 12 to a capacity audience from the diplomatic corps, Qatar business and Filipino communities.
OFY wishes to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs for making its first international tour possible. Equal thanks also go to Philippine Airlines, Penshoppe, Rockwell Land Corporation, Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, First Philippine Holdings and First Gen for their support.