The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) continues its 100th Anniversary Season with Centennial Season Concert V on October 22, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Proscenium Theater, featuring internationally acclaimed Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas and the Philippine premiere of Pasasalamat, a new work by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab with text by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario.
Presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance, and co-presented by EastWest Bank and DENZA Alabang by ACMobility Premium Dealership Inc., the concert will be led by MSO Principal Conductor Maestro Marlon Chen.
Commissioned by the MSO for its centennial celebration, Pasasalamat explores gratitude not only as a personal emotion but also as a responsibility toward others and the wider community. Almario’s text reflects on values that shape shared life, including compassion, respect for differences, freedom, justice, culture, knowledge, and the openness to criticism and change. It also considers how being human is shaped by the choices and actions we make.
For the MSO, the work carries special significance as the orchestra marks a century of contributing to Philippine musical life and history. The text will be performed by the MSO’s featured choir, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Bagong Himig Serenata, adding a choral dimension to this centennial reflection.
The program also welcomes Camille Thomas, a Franco-Belgian cellist recognized for her expressive musicianship and technical artistry. A Deutsche Grammophon exclusive artist since 2017, Thomas has performed with leading orchestras and conductors across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Her recording Voice of Hope, created in partnership with UNICEF, reflects her advocacy for music as a means of connection and hope.
Thomas’ artistic outlook complements the themes of Pasasalamat, with both placing emphasis on music’s ability to connect people, encourage reflection, and foster compassion. Her appearance at the MSO’s centennial concert brings an international perspective to a program that also celebrates Filipino creativity and the continuing role of music in strengthening communities.
Thomas will join the MSO for Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33. Written in 1876, the celebrated work draws from the elegance of the Classical style while giving the cello soloist opportunities to demonstrate both lyrical expression and virtuosity.
The evening concludes with Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Op. 48, performed by the MSO with the award-winning PUP Bagong Himig Serenata. Rather than emphasizing fear and judgment, Fauré’s setting is known for its lyrical and intimate character, focusing on comfort, peace, hope, and rest.
Bringing together new Filipino music, international artistry, and works from different musical eras, Centennial Season Concert V reflects on the many ways music can bring people together. As the MSO celebrates 100 years, the program looks toward the future with a continuing commitment to music as a force for connection, reflection, and more harmonious communities.
Tickets are priced from Php 1,000 to Php 5,000 and are available through TicketWorld. Discount codes are available for students, senior citizens, and PWDs.
