GOVPH

ZAMBALES-BASED STRING ORCHESTRA PUNDAQUIT VIRTUOSI ‘STIRS THE SOULS’ OF AUDIENCES IN FRANKFURT

19 June 2019 – As part of its cultural diplomacy efforts in Southern Germany and in celebration of the 121^st Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt organized three separate performances of Pundaquit Virtuosi from 16 to 18 June 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany.

The Zambales-based string orchestra, composed of youth from modest backgrounds and led by renowned Filipino violinist Alfonso ‘Coke’ Bolipata as their artistic director, ‘stirred the souls’ of Filipino and German audiences during their performances in Frankfurt. Their repertoire included both Filipino and classical musical pieces, such as Lucio San Pedro’s Sa Ugoy ng Duyan and German musician Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto No. 3.

Pundaquit Virtuosi proves its world-class talent with its concert performance before the Filipino community of Frankfurt at St. Ignatius Church on 16 June 2019.

On 16 June 2019, Pundaquit Virtuosi held a concert at St. Ignatius Church for the Filipino community’s Independence Day Celebration. An estimated 300-400 attended the concert. The concert was organized in cooperation with the Filipino Catholic Community of Bistum Limburg, Frankfurt. It was followed by a merienda cena and other community presentations.

“It is a good opportunity for the members of the Filipino Community in Frankfurt and neighboring areas to celebrate Philippine Independence Day again after a long time. We truly appreciate the re-opening of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt and its efforts to bring Pundaquit Virtuosi here in Frankfurt and promote Filipino talents,” Father Mario Estrella, the Filipino priest assigned in Bistum Limburg said.

Their second performance was held at the Consulate General’s Independence Day reception and the inauguration of its new office, with Senator Loren Legarda as the guest of honor. The group serenaded the members of the Consular Corps and the local government officials of Frankfurt and Rhineland-Palatinate with both classical and Filipino musical pieces.

The music of Pundaquit Virtuosi sets the mood during the celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and Inauguration of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany on 17 June 2019.

Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia conveyed her appreciation of  the group’s musical achievements. “Music knows no boundaries nor does it discriminate. It inspires and provides a stepping-stone to self-discovery and personal development. Pundaquit Virtuosi has exemplified this through its admirable musical achievements,” she remarked.

To cater to a much younger audience, Pundaquit Virtuosi  performed at the end-of-school-year program of Lessing-Gymnasium, a local Frankfurt City music school. The group had an opportunity to interact with local German students after the show.

Prior to Frankfurt, Pundaquit Virtuosi performed in Vienna, Austria. The group is set to perform in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain after the Frankfurt leg of their European Concert Tour.