After last year’s hiatus, Musica FEUropa returns as a month-long choral festival on the virtual stage! Before the event kicks off this evening, join DZFE’s Daniel on MAESTRO FILIPINO in the first of two programs on Musica FEUropa 12. He speaks with some of the event’s acclaimed panel of adjudicators—Ma. Theresa Roldan, Anna Piquero, Mark Anthony Carpio, Jonathan Velasco, and Ramon Lijauco, Jr.—on why they keep coming back to the festival. Also joining them to talk about the genesis of this year’s special Musica FEUropa are Martin Lopez, director of FEU's President's Committee on Culture, and festival chair Karl Angelo Tangco. 
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All music on the program features with permission from the artists.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 21 0515 | Musica FEUropa 12, Part 1

Tune in today’s CULTURE CAROUSEL with Irene Obligacion for an interview with Mark Carpio, the choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers (also known as MADZ). He talks about the 2021 Sing Philippines Youth Choir virtual music camp and performance. We’ll also hear recordings of batch 1 to 3 of the Sing Philippines Youth Choir with choirmaster Mark Carpio. Songs from the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ recently released digital album F.L.O.W. (Faith Lives on Wondrously) are also in the program.  
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All music on the program features with permission from the artists.

CULTURE CAROUSEL 21 0710 |  Sing Philippines Youth Choir Virtual Music Camp

It is difficult to overstate Tagumpay de Leon’s influence as a champion of rondalla music in the United States. Over the decades, he has performed with various ensembles, co-founded the Rondalla Club of Los Angeles, and taught at the University of California, Riverside. All of this work came to a head last year when he was named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts.

And yet, it was to support his family, not to play music, that Tagumpay de Leon—son of National Artist for Music Felipe de Leon—migrated to the US fifty years ago. However, although he did not go to America to look for a rondalla, it was the rondalla that found him. On MAESTRO FILIPINO, we are privileged to hear from Tagumpay de Leon as he recounts his experiences leading up to his recognition by the NEA, and shares insight on the rondalla music that he so loves. DZFE’s Daniel is the host.
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All music on the program features with permission from the artist.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 22 0101 | Tagumpay de Leon: National Heritage Fellow

Irene Obligacion is joined by violinist and educator Denise Huang on today’s edition of CULTURE CAROUSEL. Huang is the Strings Division Chair for the National Music Competitions for Young Artists. With 20 years of teaching experience, she has taught children as young as 5 years old, to those in the collegiate level. Huang has played concerts throughout the Philippines, the USA, and Egypt. She was part of several orchestras such as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Manila Symphony Orchestra, and Filharmonika. Hear her performances of LV Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in D, Op. 12 and Jules Massenet’s Meditation from Thaïs. 
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All music on the program features with permission from the artist.

CULTURE CAROUSEL 22 0108 | Violinist Denise Huang

The elegiac music of Nilo Alcala and a recent string transcription by the dynamic young composer are heard and discussed on this week’s MAESTRO FILIPINO. DZFE's Tiffany presents. 
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All music on the program features with permission from the composer.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 22 0409 |  Composer Nilo Alcala

The white beaches of Boracay are home to the Ati—or Ata, as they call themselves. The Ata have harnessed music in the struggle to preserve their island home, which was recorded by Dr. Maria Christine Muyco in the album, The Music of the ATA/ATI of Boracay. Joining DZFE's Daniel, she shares how their music connects the Ata to the land, and upholds their identity.

Music of the Ata of Boracay (Dr Maria Christine Muyco for HAIN 2023)

Two months after Bangkok, guitarist Radlee Laquian competes again, this time in the Saigon International Guitar Festival and Competition. He joins DZFE’s Daniel on MAESTRO FILIPINO to perform, and walk us through, his contest piece: the breathtakingly intricate Libra Sonatine by Roland Dyens.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 23 0930 | Radlee Laquian

Rising like the breeze it is named after, Ily Matthew Maniano’s Amihan is a gentle, understated piece. Far from a display of technical bravura, it nonetheless won the top prize in the 2022 Busan International Choral Festival Composition Competition. We’ll hear that work on MAESTRO FILIPINO, where Maniano also shares the process behind his deceptively simple work. DZFE’s Daniel is the host.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 24 0302 | Ily Matthew Maniano: Amihan

Having performed with various ensembles—including the Asian Youth Orchestra, the Ring of Fire Chamber Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth where he once served a concertmaster—violinist Jose Marie Eserjose now sets his eyes on the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He shares his reasons for studying abroad, and its challenges, on CULTURE CAROUSEL with Irene Obligacion.

CULTURE CAROUSEL 24 0310 | Jose Marie Eserjose goes to Indiana

All roads lead to Vienna for the concert, Harmonies of the Heart—mounted by the non-profit organization, Hearlife Verein, whose headquarters are in the Austrian capital, and featuring soprano Isabela Madero, who will soon be joining the Vienna Opera Academy as an understudy. Isabela and Hearlife program director Tosh Jacob-Soliven join DZFE’s Daniel on MAESTRO FILIPINO to share what went into Harmonies of the Heart, the fruit that it bore, and the Vienna stint that is just around the corner for Isabela.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 24 0622 | Harmonies of the Heart

After their radio stint last December, the kids of the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra are back behind the mic to talk about a recent trip to Italy for their anniversary concert tour, Circle of Fifths! Listen to THE PSYO IN ITALY, a radio collaboration.

DZFE PSYO - In - Italy Pt01

Young musicians of the ensemble Pasipo have arranged a pageant of some of opera's colorful heroines. Ahead of the Cultural Arts Events Organizer concert 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎 𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 on May 3, sopranos Angeli Benipayo and Marielle Tuason, together with Pasipo's musical director, pianist Gabriel Ferros Paguirigan, join DZFE's Tiffany on MAESTRO FILIPINO (Sat 1200h / replaying Sun 2400h, Thu 2000h) for studio performances and an interview. 

MAESTRO FIILIPINO 25 0426 I Pasipo: Opera Heroines

Formed over a decade earlier by music-loving Japanese expats, the Manila Chamber Music Ensemble stepped out into new territory last year with a public concert ushering in an exciting era of engagement with local audiences and Filipino artists. The ensemble's violist Hideki Nagae and pianist Mariko Okeda are joined by clarinetist Herald Sison in a trio offering of Mozart, Bruch and Glinka this coming July 27. DZFE’s Tiffany presents. 

MAESTRO FILIPINO is DZFE's program on the Philippine classical music scene. (For a broadcast schedule, visit dzfe.febc.ph.) Music on the program features with permission. 


MAESTRO FIILIPINO 25 0719 | Manila Chamber Music Ensemble with Herald Sison (interview & music)

In a feat of artistic derring do, the vocal ensemble PASIPO launches its most ambitious project yet — a full staging of Mozart's 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑖̀ 𝑓𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑒. Studio performances and an interview grant us a glimpse of the upcoming performances, set to unfold September 6, 10, 12 & 13. PASIPO joins DZFE's Tiffany this MAESTRO FILIPINO. 

MAESTRO FIILIPINO 25 0830 | Pasipo: Cosi fan tutte

From meme to mortality to music-making: The award-winning male choir ALERON joins DZFE's Tiffany this MAESTRO FILIPINO (Sat 1200, Sun 2400, Thu 2000) to talk about the craft of "giving voice to the human experience" — in particular, for the group's largest project yet, the Oct 3 & 4 concert 𝑨𝒔 𝑰𝒕 𝑾𝒂𝒔 and upcoming workshops to be led by German conductor Jan Schumacher. Guests are Schumacher, Aleron's manager Kevin Maske, resident conductor Karl San Jose and trainer Ryan Arcolas. (*Music features with permission.)

MAESTRO FIILIPINO 25 0920 | As It Was: Aleron & Jan Schumacher

The UP Symphony Orchestra opens a new academic year with 𝑻𝒖𝒏𝒐𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝑲𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒚 on October 3, bringing together an evocative program with visual art for a charitable cause. Orchestra manager Bernice Go and assistant conductor Noemi Binag join DZFE's Tiffany on MAESTRO FILIPINO to muse on the connections between music and image, the orchestra's commitment to new music, and the projects laid out for the season.  

MAESTRO FIILIPINO 25 0927 | UP Symphony Orchestra: Tunog at Kulay

The last time Male ENsemble Philippines featured on DZFE in 2023, the ensemble had no idea they would be taking home laurels from their first international competition just months later. We have them back as they prepare to set off on tour this year — and just in time (as of the first airing of this program) for their send-off concert, 𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗨𝗦, happening tonight. MEn's Ily Maniano, Tomas Vertucio and Amiel Liwanagan join DZFE's Tiffany on MAESTRO FILIPINO (Sat 1200, replaying Sun 2400 & Thu 2000h).

MAESTRO FILIPINO 25 0531 | Male ENsemble Philippines

"𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐽𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔." This Reformation Month, Dr Mikel Del Rosario joins DZFE's Tiffany to explore the historicity of Jesus' divine claims— the subject of his new book, 𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝑱𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒔 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑺𝒂𝒚 𝑯𝒆 𝑾𝒂𝒔 𝑮𝒐𝒅?  Dr Mikel Del Rosario is professor of Bible and theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and host of The Apologetics Guy Show. More about Dr Mikel, his YouTube channel and his book (available from Oct. 23) can be found here: https://apologeticsguy.com/about/

Reformation Month 2025: Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? (feat. Dr Mikel Del Rosario)

There's no reason to be scared of classical music, and this duo has set out to prove it with a debut offering of Paganini sonatas and other beguiling fare. Violinist Alessio Benvenuti and guitarist Iqui Vinculado, each a familiar figure with a following, are a new violin-and-guitar tandem. They join this MAESTRO FILIPINO to deliver a mini sampling of music from their August debut and to chat with DZFE's Tiffany.  

MAESTRO FILIPINO 25 0913 | Alessio Benvenuti & Iqui Vinculado, Duo Debut

Behind some of the most remarkable Filipino violinists of the last few decades is the violinist, conductor and teacher Basilio Manalo. Ahead of his centenary in 2027, the Filipino String Teachers Association is mounting a tribute concert set for October 21 at the Metropolitan Theater. Two familiar violinists in the leadership of FSTA, Gina Medina and Bernice Go, join DZFE's Tiffany this MAESTRO FILIPINO.

#classicalmusic #maestrofilipino #dzfe #MastersTouch

MAESTRO FILIPINO 25 1004 | Remembering Basilio Manalo: Filipino String Teachers Association

Well-established and loved as a pianist, pedagogue, composer and arranger, Sir Agot has managed to evade much of the limelight that is due him. But on October 16, he makes a rare appearance as a soloist playing a full concert of his own music. 𝑬𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝑬𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒐 is a benefit concert for cancer-stricken missionaries of the Translators Association of the Philippines. Augusto Espino and TAP Executive Director Ptr. Joseph Villaflor join this MAESTRO FILIPINO with DZFE's Tiffany. 

#classicalmusic #maestrofilipino #dzfe #MastersTouch


MAESTRO FILIPINO 25 1011 | Espino plays Espino

What goes on in musical studies and what advantages do our musicians gain from pursuing them abroad? Jenna Salliman — a science high school product and Statistics degree holder with undergraduate and master's degrees in music — fell in love with the process and is looking to take her commitment further in doctoral studies. She lifts the lid on the craft in an interview with DZFE’s Tiffany.

#classicalmusic #maestrofilipino #dzfe #MastersTouch


MAESTRO FILIPINO 25 1018 | Jenna Salliman

Job Polvoriza's steps are set toward Germany, where he will embark on further studies in baroque cello—a pioneering decision for a musician from our country, where historically informed performance is a path still barely trodden several decades into the movement. Meet the Baguio cellist, and the baroque cello, on this week's MAESTRO FILIPINO. 

#classicalmusic #maestrofilipino #dzfe #MastersTouch


MAESTRO FILIPINO 25 1025 | Job Polvoriza & the baroque cello

Jonathan Velasco has been making things happen on the choral scene for decades. In the wake of the recent national convention of the Philippine Choral Directors Association and its affectionate recognition of his contributions with a lifetime achievement award, Sir Jojo muses on his choral roots, Philippine choral sound, and much more, in an interview with DZFE’s Tiffany. 

#classicalmusic #maestrofilipino #dzfe #MastersTouch


MAESTRO FILIPINO 25 1108 | Jonathan Velasco

During the 1960s and 70s, many schools in the country cultivated rondallas. On part two of our MAESTRO FILIPINO feature on the Celso Espejo Rondalla, Maestro Celso looks back on his early days teaching young ensembles and talks about his book—the only published work on the Philippine rondalla method. The program also features the CER in arrangements of works by Waldteufel, Salustiano, and Monti.

*Copyright of the Celso Espejo Rondalla's performance of Salustiano's Serenata and Monti's Czardas belong to DZFE and the artist. The recording of the group performing Waldteufel's Estudiantina belongs to the CER and is featured here in full with permission.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 17 0729 | Celso Espejo Rondalla (Pt 02)

MAESTRO FILIPINO closes the Nativity season with a lovely spill of English, Tagalog and German Christmas carols sung by soprano Ena Maria Aldecoa at an intimate Christmas recital, recorded by the Laureate Concert Group*, earlier this December at the residence of His Excellency the German Ambassador to the Philippines Dr Gordon Kricke.
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*Copyright of the music belongs solely to Laureate Concert Group and features here with kind permission.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 17 1230 | A German Christmas with Ena Maria Aldecoa

Our guest this MAESTRO FILIPINO represents a craft that is still taken too much for granted in our local classical music ecosystem. Holland Buela is a recording engineer specializing in classical music recordings. This program and the next, we'll listen to a a sampling of recordings he has made (this week, of the Manila Philharmonic and Manila Symphony Orchestras performances, including Nilo Alcala's commissioned piece for the MSO) and hear some of his thoughts on going from musician to "recordist", his love of classical music, and some of the challenges of recording classical musical performances here. Part one of two programs. 

*The music on the program features on this online version of the show with the permission of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, the Manila Symphony Orchestra and Holland Buela.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 18 0512 | Holland Buela, Recordist (Pt01)

Prof. Alfredo Santos Buenaventura hails from the magisterial era of Filipino composers and remains as active as ever, writing, playing, teaching. On the cusp of his 90th year, MAESTRO FILIPINO devotes a series of three programs to sampling the bountiful and wide-ranging canon of Prof. Buenaventura, beginning with the opening movement from his Symphony "Dakilang Lahi" and two of his piano "Emotions". Over the course of the series, we'll also hear Prof. Buenaventura share his perspectives, beginning with a few pithy remarks on what Filipino music ought to be.
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*The music on the program features on this online version of the show with the permission of Prof. Alfredo Buenaventura.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 18 0609 | Prof. Alfredo Santos Buenaventura (Pt1/3)

Now almost 90 years old, Prof. Alfredo Buenaventura began arranging and composing as a youth and fondly remembers his musical childhood — the band culture of his home town in Bulacan, as well as his formative years as a "tiple" at the Sto. Domingo church in Intramuros. MAESTRO FILIPINO (1200) is the second in a three-episode spotlight* on Prof. Buenaventura. We'll hear one of his overtures for band, a folksong arrangement for rondalla, and the central movements of his "Daklahi" Symphony.
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*The music on the program features on this online version of the show with the permission of Prof. Alfredo Buenaventura.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 18 0616 | Prof. Alfredo Santos Buenaventura (Pt2/3)

This Christmas week on MAESTRO FILIPINO, we are joined by Quorista, a parish-based choir from Muntinlupa City. Conductor Ronnie Abarquez and members Karoll Juan and JC Pilande talk about their recipe for making music—working hard and having fun! Quorista also treats us to a delightful mix of Christmas songs, including Les Brown's We Wish You the Merriest and a Winter Medley.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 18 1222 | Christmas : Quorista

Born to Finnish and Filipino parents, Tarmo Peltokoski is an up and coming pianist and conductor currently styuding at the Sibelius Academy under luminaries like Atso Almila and Sakari Oramo. This MAESTRO FILIPINO, we meet Tarmo, who gives a glimpse of the Finnish music scene and performs for us his own arrangement of Finlandia by Sibelius and his composition, the etude "Neoclassical Impression".

MAESTRO FILIPINO 19 0309 | Tarmo Peltokoski

It is only fitting that our first MAESTRO FILIPINO since coming back on-air at restored power should be about quality audio. DZFE's Tiffany is joined by Holland Buela, who is currently recordist for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He shares two hitherto unreleased master recordings of the PPO that have passed the meticulous standards of the orchestra's maestro, Yoshikazu Fukumura, and talks to us about the maestro's essential ingredient for a good recording.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 19 0629 | First Listen: The PPO in Berlioz and Wagner

Soprano Mheco Manlangit ushers in the month of love with L’Amour: An Evening of Love Songs. The event isn’t just about treacly romance, however. More than that, it features songs of patriotic love from Felipe de Leon’s Noli Me Tangere, and helps fund this year’s medical mission of Lord Jesus Christ Bible Gospel Church. Mheco Manlangit joins DZFE's Daniel on today's MAESTRO FILIPINO.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 20 0125 | L'Amour - An Evening of Love Songs: Mheco Manlangit

What if we told you that, in a very real sense, the destiny of the nation's string players rested in the hands of one man? It is incredible, but true.
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For decades, violinists, violists, cellists went to cellist, teacher, and the country's only German-trained luthier, Amador Tamayo, for the service and crafting of their instruments. And then in September, came the long-dreaded catastrophe: Felled by his heart condition, Amador Tamayo passed away. This and the next MAESTRO FILIPINO, DZFE's Tiffany talks to three well-known musical figures—beginning with violinist Gina Medina-Perez and pianist Mayos Esmilla—for a portrait of a singular man, and to grasp the extent of the vacuum he has left behind. We'll also hear music from a rare recording featuring Amador Tamayo as cello soloist.
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All music on the program features with permission from the artists.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 20 1003 | Remembering Amador Tamayo, Pt01

It's been a month now since the passing of Amador Tamayo. The loss is keenly felt in the music community, and will be for some time to come, after his decades of quiet and dedicated service as the country's only German-trained luthier. The question on every mind is, What now? 
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This MAESTRO FILIPINO, "Remembering Amador Tamayo" Pt02, DZFE's Tiffany hears from Taiwan-based cellist Victor Coo, who began his journey as a cellist under the tutelage of Amador Tamayo, and whose friendship with the luthier endured until the end. We'll also hear more of Amador Tamayo's playing, from a rare performance recording.
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All music on the program features with permission from the artists.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 20 1010 | Remembering Amador Tamayo, Pt02

98.7 DZFE-FM "The Master's Touch", Metro Manila, is the classical music service of Far East Broadcasting Company, Phils. It is a donor-supported, non-commercial station whose terrestrial broadcast covers the Greater Metro Manila area; it can also be heard over the internet.

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