It was a night to remember for 17-year-old Wilhelmina Lorraine Tan, who held her solo recital at the GSIS Theater in Pasay City on Oct. 18. For this defining moment, the young singer was accompanied by none other than the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO).
Presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Music Academy, the event showcased Wilhelmina’s growth as a vocalist—a years-in-the-making performance shaped by her early lessons and culminating in her confident appearance alongside one of the country’s most respected orchestras.
A student of both classical and contemporary voice, Wilhelmina has spent seven years at the academy mastering technique and expression. She also studies at the British School Manila, where she takes Higher Level Music under the International Baccalaureate program.
In 2025, she earned the ABRSM Level 2 Certificate in Music Performance with Merit, receiving an impressive total of 18 academic credits.
Beyond the stage, Wilhelmina has already explored the professional side of entertainment. Earlier this year, she completed a shadowing program with GMA Network, gaining firsthand experience in television and music production.
Speaking with Manila Standard Life, Wilhelmina opened up about her musical influences, her early training with the MSO, and her fascination with an unlikely icon, Elvis Presley.
“I really look up to Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo. But I also like Elvis,” she said. “He was one of the pioneers of the entertainment industry. He blended different genres in a way that felt ahead of his time. I actually did a research paper about him in school, which made me appreciate his artistry even more.”
Wilhelmina admitted that her admiration for Elvis grew after watching the 2022 biopic.
“I’ve seen the movie many times. It made me admire him even more,” she said.
Meanwhile, her connection with the MSO began when she was about nine or ten. And she credits the celebrated orchestra for helping her discover her artistic range.
“My voice teacher was also connected with the orchestra. Some of my classmates trained with him too, and that’s how I eventually joined,” she recalled. “When I started, it was mostly classical. Later, we began performing Disney songs, Broadway pieces, and eventually pop music. That variety helped me explore who I am as an artist.”
But Wilhelmina’s passion doesn’t stop at music. She is also the driving force behind an environmental project that turned plastic waste into something practical and inspiring.
As a Year 13 student, she spearheaded a student-led initiative at San Isidro High School in Santa Ana, Pampanga—transforming discarded plastic bottles into eco-brick benches for the school’s garden. The project involved over 1,100 students and produced around 1,900 eco-bricks, which were used to build 15 benches.
“When I was in 4th grade, my teachers introduced me to eco-bricks. We built a bench using plastic bottles filled with single-use plastics,” Wilhelmina, who is also a kart racing enthusiast, shared. “Even though I didn’t grow up in Pampanga, my mom and some of my relatives are from there. That’s why I wanted to help the community.”
Through collaboration with teachers and the local government, the project not only addressed waste management but also encouraged students to take part in environmental advocacy.
What used to be an unused patch of land is now a peaceful spot where students gather during breaks—a small but lasting reminder of how creativity and care can reshape communities.
