The summer heat did not deter the crowd at the Risen Garden of the Quezon City Hall as UP Diliman (UPD), through the Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA), staged the second installment of its Himigsikan 2024 mini-concert series.
The concert celebrated several milestones: the 75th anniversary of the University’s move from the war-torn campus in Manila to the current main campus in Diliman, the National Heritage Month, and the 85th founding anniversary of Quezon City.
Speaking at the event, UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II underlined the symbiotic relationship UPD has with the people and the local government of Quezon City.
“Sinisimbolo ng hapong ito ang naging papel ng UPD sa mas malawak na pamayanan. Kaalinsabay ng layunin ng Pamantasan na manguna sa pagpapalaganap ng kaalaman sa larangan ng agham at sining, at iba’t iba pang uri ng kaalamang bayan, ang UPD ay patuloy na nagsisilbing lagusan, tambayan, pahingahan, at tahanan ng ating mga ka-lungsod. At inaasahan din namin ang patuloy na matiwasay na ugnayan at kooperasyon ng UPD at pamahalaan ng Lungsod Quezon sa mga susunod pang taon,” he said.
For her part, Quezon City Mayor Josefina Tanya “Joy” Belmonte said events like the Himigsikan are important venues for Quezon City performing artists to interact and exchange ideas with each other.
“Sa mga ganitong uri din ng programa, nabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating mga lokal na mga artista at grupo na magkita-kita, magkakila-kilala at ma-expose sa iba’t ibang panonood. Ang pagkakaroon ng angkop na lugar kung saan malaya nilang maiparirinig ang kanilang mga tinig at maipamamalas ang kanilang talento ay isa sa mga pangunahing layunin na patuloy na isinusulong at sinusuportahan ng ating lungsod,” she said.
The mini concert featured some of the best performers from both Quezon City and the University.
The Quezon City Symphonic Band brought the audience to their feet with a lively medley of classic and contemporary original Pilipino music, prompting random bouts of dancing in some sections of the audience.
They were followed by the UP Tugtugang Musika Asyatika, then the Tanghalang Quezon City University Chorale, the Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation, Inc. Concert Chorus, songwriting duo and UPD alumni Ileana and Gyle, and finally, the UP Dance Company. Keeping up the energy throughout the concert was host Charmaine Aranton.
The Himigsikan at the Risen Garden of the Quezon City Hall was held on May 9. Also in attendance were OICA Director Monica F. W. Santos, Quezon City councilors Irene Belmonte and Vito Sotto Generoso, City Administrator Mike Alimurung, and other Quezon City local government department heads.
The Himigsikan concert series is an annual OICA event. This year’s series consists of three events. The first was held at the UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences, Little Theater, Rizal Hall on April 29. The third and last installment will be held on July 5 on the UPD campus.