Ballet Manila’s Florante at Laura made a triumphant return to the Aliw Theater stage on Oct. 3 to 5, earning praise for its seamless fusion of ballet, orchestral music, and classic Filipino literature.
The production, restaged in celebration of Ballet Manila’s 30th anniversary, featured the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY) performing National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab’s original composition live under the baton of conductor Toma Cayabyab. The collaboration brought a fresh emotional depth to the ballet, which retells Francisco Balagtas’s timeless story of love, heroism, and patriotism.
First staged in 2024 to critical acclaim, Florante at Laura featured choreography by Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Martin Lawrance, with artistic direction by Lisa Macuja Elizalde. This year’s encore performance once again drew sold-out crowds, lauding the young OFY musicians for their passionate and precise delivery.
Adding to the celebration, the official Florante at Laura soundtrack—recorded by OFY under Maestro Gerard Salonga at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez—was released digitally on Oct. 1. The album is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and major streaming platforms, allowing global audiences to experience the production’s stirring score.
The OFY, the main performing arm of Ang Misyon, continues to empower young Filipino musicians through world-class mentorship and training. Many of its members come from underprivileged backgrounds, representing regions including NCR, Central Luzon, Cebu, and Calabarzon.
Founded by non-profit group Ang Misyon, the OFY provides world-class music education and performance opportunities for young Filipino musicians, many from underprivileged backgrounds. Under the artistic direction of Salonga, the group’s training includes individual lessons, sectional workshops, and masterclasses.
OFY members hail from across the country, including the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Cebu, and Calabarzon, continuing the group’s mission to nurture musical talent and discipline through the transformative power of orchestral music.
