The performances of the OFY and Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz in the US merited stanThe performances of the OFY and Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz in the US merited standing ovationsding ovationsSeven senior members of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY) recently performed in a series of concerts in the US as part of the inaugural Ang Misyon Inc. international awareness and educational tour.

The chosen OFY representatives hail from Cebu, Parañaque, Marikina, Taytay, Malabon, Cainta and Navotas. They performed with the orchestra’s cofounder and artistic director, multi-awarded Filipino concert pianist Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, in New York, New Jersey and Washington DC.

As part of the three-week tour, the members took part in musical activities with the New York Philharmonic, the Harmony Program, the Very Young Composers Program, the Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the American String Quartet.

The tour was jointly presented by the board of trustees, patrons, visiting mentors and friends of Ang Misyon; the New York Philharmonic; the Philippine Consulate General New York; US-Philippines Society; Philippine Arts, Letters and Media Council; Xavier High School and the Class of 1984; and the Philippine Chamber Rondalla of New Jersey.

Ang Misyon began the search to audition and fill up the seats of the OFY in September 2012. The orchestra was formed with 40 talented kids from underprivileged communities who came from all over the country.

Since then, the foundation has developed a second performing orchestra, the Young Filipinos Orchestra; 13 satellite community ensembles; and several chamber groups which perform as quartets or quintets.

Today, Ang Misyon extends free music education to over 400 youths, giving performance opportunities plus transportation assistance, meals and values formation sessions. (Story/Photo by: Tinky Cruz)