A symphony of support: Okada Foundation and YMDO champion young filipino musicians
A stirring finale to the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band’s (PYSB) 24th Summer Youth Music Camp unfolded recently at the Kasilag Theater in the National Arts Center, as 80 young musicians from across the archipelago brought the house to life with a culminating concert that celebrated not only technical mastery, but a shared journey of growth, purpose, and possibility.
The event, a hallmark of the Philippines’ enduring commitment to cultural preservation through youth development, was attended by key figures including Ms. Irene Marcos-Araneta, Program Director and Chairwoman of the Young Musicians Development Organization (YMDO), and Mr. James Lorenzana, President of the Okada Foundation Inc. (OFI).
Now in its 24th year, the PYSB Summer Youth Music Camp has become a vital institution for nurturing musical talent across the country. Participants aged 8 to 24 engage in an intensive nine-day residency designed not only to sharpen musicianship but to instill values that transcend the stage—discipline, resilience, and civic consciousness among them.
PYSB Manager, Bombie Custodio, explained that the program focused not only on advancing musical talent but also on instilling core values to shape participants into better individuals.
Indeed, the program’s alumni tell a compelling story of success beyond the podium. Many have become influential educators, performers, and conductors, while others now serve in the military, local government, and civic institutions. Each, Custodio noted, carries forward the ethos of excellence and public service nurtured within the camp’s intensive training environment.
Of the 80 participants, 60 are selected each year to comprise the core of the PYSB—representing the best of the next generation of Filipino musical talent.
The concert also marked the deepening of a pivotal partnership. Chairwoman Marcos-Araneta acknowledged the steadfast support of Okada Foundation Inc., whose recent ₱25 million pledge to YMDO signals a significant investment in the future of Philippine arts and youth development.
“It is a privilege to witness the transformation of these young musicians,” Marcos-Araneta said. “Their energy, their discipline—it all points to a brighter future for Filipino culture.”
For Lorenzana, whose foundation is among the country’s most active philanthropic institutions, the experience was deeply moving.
“I am amazed by the talent on display. Supporting YMDO’s mission aligns with our vision of empowering the next generation,” he said. “In uplifting these young artists, we safeguard the cultural soul of our nation,” Lorenzana concluded.
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