In celebration of its 15th year of promoting Philippine art and culture, the Filipinas Heritage Library, one of the leading one-stop electronic all-Filipiniana libraries in the country, held a special musical event on October 19. Entitled Himig / Diwa, the event featured some of the most acclaimed classical and pop musicians in the country today.

Himig / Diwa was organized for the benefit of OurLibrary, FHL’s flagship community program, which aims to develop community libraries in various parts of the country.

The title, Himig / Diwa, was inspired by some of FHL’s key commitments—promoting Philippine art, history, and culture, including our rich musical heritage; championing Filipino artistry and ingenuity; and instilling a sense of pride in being a Filipino.  

The program featured an engaging mix of classical pieces and Original Pilipino Music (OPM), as interpreted by soprano Naomi Sison, tenor Randy Gilongo, pop singers Arms Cruz and Jan Nieto, pianist Ann Espina, and violinist Gina Medina.

Timeless pieces by Nicanor Abelardo, such as “Mutya ng Pasig” and “Kundiman ng Luha,” were among the highlights of the intimate concert. Also performed, to the delight of the crowd, were some of the country’s most popular contemporary love songs, such as “Ikaw” (by Louie Ocampo and George Canseco) and “Bukas na lang Kita Mamahalin” (by Jimmy Borja). The finale featured the performers coming together for a heartfelt rendition of “Bayan Ko” by Fulgencio Tolentino and Severino Reyes.  

Launched in 2009, OurLibrary is an initiative that seeks to build partnerships in developing libraries in various communities. Through this project, FHL aims to contribute to the improvement of literacy rates in the country, as well as inspire in the youth a love of reading and an appreciation of and respect for local history and culture.