NOEL FERRER
Pangungunahan muli ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) ang nationwide observance of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP).
Ang tema ng LMP 2026 ay “Musika at Himig Natin: Tradisyon, Industriya at Bagong Tinig.”
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 933, series of 2014, declaring the last week of July as LMP, the NCCA lined up several key events for this year: LMP Celebration, SUDI National Awards, Musika Talakayan sa LMP 2026, and Bagong Musika at Himig Natin: NCCA Composition Prize World Premiere Series.
MUSIKA AT HIMIG NATIN: ANG KONSIYERTO
Ang official opening program ay sa Hulyo 28, Martes, at 2:00 P.M. sa Metropolitan Theater (MET) ng Maynila.
Tampok dito ang University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers, UST Symphony Orchestra, Mandaluyong Children's Choir, PHILBANDA, Charina Balmores, Isay Alvarez, Reuben Laurente, Robert Seña, Rachelle Gerodias, at Bituin Escalante.
Their collective artistry reflects the diversity and excellence of Filipino music across generations and genres.
SUDI NATIONAL AWARDS
Sa parehong araw at 8:00 P.M. gaganapin ang SUDI National Music Awards doon din sa MET, kung saan kikilalanin ng NCCA ang exceptional contributions sa Filipino music.
Launched in 2020, the SUDI Awards celebrate exemplary musical achievements across genres and forms of production that have significantly shaped the Philippine music landscape.
While honorees are selected annually, the awards ceremony is held every three years.
A total of 12 awardees are set to receive their recognition.
Year 2021: Ben&Ben, The New Cebu Arts Foundation, Inc., at MSU-IIT Integrated Performing Arts Guild.
Year 2022: Alfonso "Coke" Bolipata, Gary Valenciano, Maria Alexandra Chua, Regine Velasquez, at SB19.
Year 2023: Dr. Marie Jocelyn Marfil, UST Singers, at Vincent de Jesus.
Meron ding pagkakalooban ng Lifetime Achievement Award for National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Foundation, Inc.
May special performances ang awardees sa seremonya. Sayang at hindi makakadalo rito si Asia’s Songbird dahil nasa Australia.
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MUSIKATALAKAYAN
Making its debut this year, MusikaTalakayan sa LMP 2026 introduces a two-part conference and concert series.
It brings together musicians, scholars, artists, cultural workers, and music enthusiasts to engage in meaningful conversations on the country's evolving music landscape.
Musika at Industriya: Pamana, Kaalaman, at Malikhaing Ekonomiya will take place on July 30 and 31, 9:00 A.M., at Centro de Turismo, Intramuros.
The discussion intends to explore Philippine musical heritage, education, documentation, and further understand the role of the creative economy in sustaining the local music industry.
The celebration continues with a concert at 4:00 P.M., entitled Pagtatanghal: Musika at Tinig sa Mas Malapit na Espasyo, an intimate concert designed to complement the festival's larger performances.
COMPOSITION PRIZE
After a week-long of championing Filipino music, LMP concludes on August 1 at the MET Ballroom with the Bagong Musika at Himig Natin: NCCA Composition Prize World Premiere Series.
The event features the world premiere performances of selected winning works from the NCCA Composition Prize.
The concert presents award-winning compositions across various categories, including chamber music, handbell choir, solo organ, solo piano, solo rondalla, solo string, and solo wind.
These newly commissioned works showcase the creativity of today's Filipino composers while contributing new repertoire to the country's growing body of contemporary Philippine music.
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GORGY RULA
Ipinagdiriwang din ng Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OMP) ang Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP).
Ang kanilang tema ay “Pinoy Coded,” which celebrates Filipino identity by highlighting how music reflects the nation’s culture, stories, and shared experiences.
The campaign aims to strengthen support for OPM and recognize the artists, songwriters, producers, music practitioners, and industry stakeholders whose contributions continue to enrich the Filipino music catalog and make it world-class.
Paliwanag ng OPM President na si Ogie Alcasid: “The theme this year was a product of being exposed to current trends and trying to engage with a younger core audience.
“But we still wanted to retain that love for our music and our culture. Hence, why we went with the theme Pinoy Coded.
“It celebrates Filipino music, but at the same time, it also acknowledges the ever-growing and evolving landscape and audience of our local music industry.”
This year’s festivities include the return of OPM Spotlight, a month-long concert series featuring OPM member-artists performing original compositions alongside iconic Filipino classics.
Expanding beyond the capital, the celebration also welcomes collaborations with regional partners such as Nine Degrees North in Baguio, Palawan’s Songwriters’ Community, and Passion8 Events & Services in Iloilo.
OPM Spotlight: LMP2026 runs from July 1 to 31, with performances across different venues including Kubo at JT’s Manukan in Quezon City, Burnt Edges branches in Makati City, Beach House Bar & Grill in Marikina, What’s Your Poison in Población, and partner-produced stages in Palawan and Iloilo.
Complementing the Spotlight series is the LMP2026: Rockwell Series, an all-OPM acoustic showcase happening from July 25 to 31 at Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati City.
It fearures 11 OPM solo artists performing a blend of original compositions and OPM favorites—Charm & Charl, Sab, Zsaris, Geca Morales, Jeri Vega Oro, Tiara Shaye, Paul Ortega, Francis Contemplacion, Dino Pascual, Toto Sorioso, and Lem. '
Aspiring musicians will also have their moment through LMP2026: OPM-ic Open Mic Night on July 29 at Backdoor, Maginhawa, where emerging artists and non-OPM members can perform original songs and OPM covers before fellow music enthusiasts.
Proceeds from the event will directly support Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit’s future programs and initiatives.
Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2026 is presented by Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit’s (OPM) and FILSCAP, with support from Power Plant Mall as a major partner as well as MBC Media Group and Soundesign Manila as LMP2026 partners.
OPM Spotlight and other music performances are made possible through collaboration with Nine Degrees North, Passion8 Events & Services, and the Palawan Songwriters’ Community. Promotional support is provided by DTI & Malikhaing Pinoy, IPOPHL, PRM, and PhilPop.
JERRY OLEA
Ginanap ang Pasasalamat: NCCA Thanksgiving Day for Partners (1st Semester) noong Hulyo 24, 2026, Biyernes, ng hapon sa Centro de Turismo Intramuros, Manila.
Pinasalamatan ng NCCA sa pangunguna ng chairman at executive director na si Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo ang mga katuwang sa pagdiriwang ng National Arts Month, National Literature Month, Filipino Food Month, at National Heritage Month.
Kinilala ng NCCA ang contributions ng LGUs, NGAs, CSO, mga tata-academe, media, Intramuros Administration, CITEM, NPDC, at mga ka-partner sa Art Fridates, Literature Tuesdate, Food Wednesdate, Purple Wednesdate, at Pamana Fridate.
Kabilang sa mga performers sa pagtitipon ang mag-asawang Gian Magdangal at Lara Maigue.
Ang nag-host ay sina Camil Escaño at Revo Eslava.
Inamin ni Dr. Zerrudo na ang celebrations ng NCCA sa first six months ng 2026 ay payak.
“Mula po nang nagkaroon ng isyu, concern, tumaas ang gasolina, nagkagulo doon sa Middle East, lahat po tayo ay nakatanggap ng memo mula kay PBBM, di ba?” pagmamatwid ni Dr. Zerrudo.
“And that BBM memo totally changed the activity landscape of government.
“But it was good enough, laging meron tayong excuse, ‘Wala hong budget. Wala hong budget. Wala hong budget.’
“But nonetheless, you know, Filipinos, we always find reasons to celebrate.”
Nairaos pa rin ang mga pagdiriwang para sa ating Sining, Kultura, Panitikan, at Pamana.
Para sa second semester (Hulyo-Disyembre 2006) ay mas malalaki ang pauga at payanig ng NCCA.
Pero sana’y maintindihan daw ng mga tao kung nandiyan pa rin ang dahilan ng NCCA na, “Wala hong budget.”
Kailangan daw na magtulungan ang bawat isa.
Ikinalugod ni Dr. Zerrudo na closer than ever ang national cultural agencies.
“Kaya po sa ating pagpapatuloy, pagsumikapan po nating suportahan at kalingain ang Kultura at Pamana ng ating sariling bansa upang matiyak ang pagkamalikhain ay manatiling nasa puso ng ating mga komunidad,” sabi ni Dr. Zerrudo.
"Para sa Agosto, ipinagdiriwang natin ang Buwan ng Wika at Kasaysayan.
"Sa Setyembre ang Creative Industries Month, at kabilang diyan ang Philippine Film Industry Month na pangungunahan ng Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
"Sa Oktubre ang Buwan ng Katutubong Pilipino, pati ang Museums and Galleries Month."