The holiday season in Cebu resonated with the sound of music as two youth orchestras, born from the vision of a single mentor, took to the stage in separate performances that showcased both local talent and international outreach.
CoMS Chamber's International Ministry of Music
From December 12 to 14, 2025, the Christ Our Mighty Savior (CoMS) Chamber embarked on a meaningful music tour to Hong Kong and Macau. Founded by Prof. Reynaldo Abellana, this ensemble of young musicians aged 9 to 21 presented their international music ministry concert, Praise in Harmony, under the poignant theme “Songs of Hope, Healing, Faithfulness and Advent Light.”
Their final performance on December 14 was a collaborative effort with the Hong Kong Adventist Academy Symphony Orchestra. The concert was thoughtfully structured, moving through reflections on global and local trials. It opened with a meditation on the wars in Israel, featuring classic Christian hymns like “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” and “In Christ Alone.”
The program then turned its focus to recent calamities that struck their home province of Cebu, specifically the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30 and Typhoon Tino on November 4. This segment offered solace through songs such as “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee” and “When We All Get to Heaven.”
A third portion remembered the victims of the November 26 fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, highlighted by “Side by Side.” The concert culminated in a celebration of the Advent season with Handel’s majestic “Hallelujah Chorus” and “Joy to the World.”
Classic Youth Orchestra's Evening of Classics
Back in Cebu, the Classic Youth Orchestra (CYO), also founded by Prof. Abellana, presented An Evening of Classics on November 16 at the San Carlos Seminary College. Under the baton of maestro Obette del Rosario, the orchestra displayed its range.
The program commenced with the vigorous first movement of Mozart’s Symphony No. 25, followed by works from Saint-Saëns featuring soloists Jaque Mabalcon on cello and Paul Gilbert Ramos on violin.
The Classic Orchestra Young Ensemble, conducted by France Mabalcon, then took over, performing playful pieces like Haydn’s “The Bird” and music from the beloved film My Neighbor Totoro.
The grand finale saw the combined forces of CYO and the Young Ensemble, bridging Western classics with Filipino pride. They performed the Tanging Yaman overture, Mga Awit Binisaya, and the patriotic “Piliin Mo ang Pilipinas” with the group 4 Voices.
A Legacy of Musical Excellence and Faith
These performances underscore a vibrant youth music scene in Cebu with deep roots. The CoMS Chamber is not just an orchestra; it is a music ministry representing the Seventh-day Adventist faith. Their tour adds to an impressive record of having performed in over 50 churches across the Philippines and in countries like Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Europe.
Together with the CYO, these groups exemplify how artistic training and spiritual expression can intertwine, creating powerful experiences that offer hope, honor resilience, and celebrate cultural identity during the holiday season and beyond.
