If there’s one thing that is unique about Las Piñas City, it is the Bamboo Organ, which is considered a Philippine National Treasure. 

The Las Piñas Bamboo Organ, housed in the St. Joseph Parish Church, is the oldest, largest, and most unique pipe organ in the Philippines. 

As it celebrates its 200th anniversary this February, the Las Piñas City government continues to preserve this national cultural treasure and source of civic pride.

Milestones

The National Museum of the Philippines officially designated the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ as a National Monument on November 24, 2003. A panel of experts evaluated this instrument and unanimously decided to recommend the proclamation. 

In 2013, the City Council of Las Piñas City passed Ordinance No. 2013-002 establishing the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Foundation Inc. which is tasked with managing and maintaining the instrument. 

The city government has also provided over P48 million for the organ’s restoration and promotion as a premier music and heritage tourism destination.

Regular concerts at the Bamboo Organ Festival showcase this magnificent organ made of over 900 bamboo tubes to audiences locally and worldwide. The city also runs an annual competition for young organists to foster love for classical music. 

In 2022, Las Piñas officially inaugurated the Bamboo Organ Museum featuring the fascinating history of this unique Filipino treasure declared by UNESCO as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003.

On February 18, the vibrant notes from the International Bamboo Organ Festival will fill the air in Las Piñas, signaling the commencement of its 49th -anniversary celebration. 

This musical extravaganza is not just a commemoration of longevity but a harmonious blend of historical milestones, cultural exchanges, and educational initiatives.

At the core of this jubilation lies the illustrious Bamboo Organ, conceived as early as 1816 by Fr. Diego Cera and completed in 1824, which has evolved into a living testament to craftsmanship, enduring for over two centuries.

Related story:

https://pia.gov.ph/features/2023/03/15/time-to-visit-las-pinas-bamboo-organ-probably-the-oldest-and-biggest-in-the-world#:~:text=Considered%20as%20a%20Philippine%20National,bamboo%20as%20its%20primary%20material.

The Fr. Diego Cera Organ Builders, marking its 30th year, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of its founder. The revival of the "escuela de organeros" in Las Piñas has not only preserved the art of pipe organ construction but has led to the Philippines exporting these musical wonders worldwide. The journey comes full circle as carpenters, inspired by Fr. Diego Cera's teachings contribute to the creation of organs such as the one in San Agustin in Intramuros.

The festival also embraces the 300th anniversary of J.S. Bach's St. John Passion, a magnum opus in choral literature. 

Beverly Shangkuan Cheng, the resident conductor, and the Manila Baroque Ensemble join forces to perform this masterpiece in the Philippines, followed by a historic exchange with the Bach Academie Alden Biesen in Belgium.

In this exchange, six members of the Bach Academie will grace the Philippines, while five Filipino soloists, including Ms. Cheng, will perform in Belgium. This cultural bridge underscores the global influence of J.S. Bach's timeless compositions, echoing from East to West.

Returning to the Bamboo Organ Festival is the exceptional Australian organist Jennifer Chou. Alongside her husband, Joseph Yu, the duo is set to enchant the audience with a recital on February 23, showcasing their international prowess gained from performances across Italy, England, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and various festivals in Australia.

The Manila Baroque Ensemble, under the direction of Christian Tan, has been a trailblazer in resurrecting the music of the 17th and 18th centuries in the Philippines. Their dedicated night on February 29 promises a mesmerizing performance featuring concertos by Vivaldi, Sammartini, and Corelli. Organist Armando Salarza and conductor Noemi Binag add their expertise to this musical spectacle, followed by collaboration with Collegium Vocale Manila in the performance of J.S. Bach's Gloria and Cantata 140.

Recognizing the challenges of accessibility, the festival extends its reach beyond Las Piñas. This year, the Union Church of Manila in Makati serves as a secondary venue, providing a broader audience the opportunity to experience the festival's cultural richness. In collaboration with DZFE – Manila's Fine Music Station, the festival celebrates the 70th anniversary of the radio station with a special concert on March 2, 2024.

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Bamboo Organ involves a comprehensive educational initiative. A massive outreach program targets public and private schools in Las Piñas, bringing Diego Cera's legacy to the forefront. Physics teachers engage in specialized lesson plans, unraveling the mysteries of "how the pipe-organ works." Special concerts catered to teachers and pupils from diverse schools aim to ignite a passion for music and heritage.

The International Bamboo Organ Festival's golden jubilee is not just a celebration of longevity but a symphony of history, culture, and education. As the notes resonate through time, this musical milestone promises to be a crescendo of memories etched in the hearts of those who participate in its harmonious journey.