Culture and the arts flourish at Solaire
A resort and entertainment complex may not be immediately associated with culture and the arts, but for Solaire, which redefined the concept of the resort casino in Manila when it opened in 2013, these refinements are fundamental to its world of luxury which hopes to ennoble and inspire. There is always art to contemplate in its public spaces, from paintings and sculptures of Philippine and international artists, and at its state-of-the-art Theatre at Solaire, the wonders of the performing arts never cease—from Broadway and West End imports to our top artists in music and dance, providing a stage for artistic excellence and a gateway for audiences to experience the power of live performance.
Just last month, music lovers sold out the tickets for Liyab, Mga Himig ng Dakilang Pag-Ibig, a tribute to National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, bringing his iconic catalogue to life on a grand scale, combining the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra with a massive 200-voice chorale composed of the country’s eight top choirs and an extraordinary roster of singers that include international star Lea Salonga together with some of the Philippine’s finest artists: Martin Nievera, Bituin Escalante, Jed Madela, Ogie Alcasid, Sofronio Vasquez and Arman Ferrer. This was a concert like no other, not just for the unique assembly of talents all on one stage but because it featured rarely performed pieces like Cayabyab’s sacred works, all given due reverence with video projections of related accomplishments of other National Artists.
Another rare experience is the blending of the world of music and cinema, a novel offering in the mix of live productions that encourage audiences to explore artistic forms they may not otherwise encounter. In January, the 92-piece Filharmonika Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Gerard Salonga, performed the beloved scores of John Williams and Hans Zimmer. For a series of film concerts, the orchestra played in sync with the showing of Witcher 3: Wildhunt in March, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in June, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in September and Moana in October (Home Alone is coming in December, featuring the Philippine Madrigal Singers). What a luxury to watch these films in high definition with live orchestral music!
Classical music lovers also got their fill with Tokyo-based New Japan Philharmonic who performed in Manila in June for the first time to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Philippine-Japanese diplomatic relations, followed by the Filharmonika’s July concert of The Symphonic World of Studio Ghibli. Still in Japanese mode, actor Mackenyu, known globally for playing Roronoa Zoro in Netflix’s live action One-Piece series, received ardent admirers at a fan meet.
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Zoomers were just as taken with street styles at Stella Dance Jam: Philippines x Japan Friendship featuring world-renowned choreographer Rhie Hata and a collaborative performance with the Philippines’ hot P-pop band, SB19. Their counterpart from Thailand, LYKN, brought the “Dusk & Dawn Concert” to the Philippines in September for a stunning production with electrifying energy.
On a more classical note, Ballet Philippines opened its 57th season with 1,001 Nights, bringing Middle Eastern folktales to life with the choreography of Mikhail Martynyuk.
New dance movements, on the other hand, were showcased at Anima: Unleash the Wild Divine from Beast House Philippines, blending contemporary dance and aerial arts that include aerial hoops and trapeze. Creative boundaries were also pushed through innovative choreography at Dance Supremacy, an international platform for open-crew street dancers.
For pop and alternative music fans, The Dawn, the legendary Filipino rock band, marked four decades in a special concert in June; and in August, Sitti Navarro, Nyoy Volante and Juris got together for “Sessionistas: The Live Playlist.” The American singer and songwriter Peabo Bryson regaled R&B and soul aficionados in his concert in March while ABBA fans sang along to iconic hits like Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen at the “Bjorn Again: Abba Forever Tour” concert.
Theater enthusiasts need not travel to London or New York ever since the Theatre at Solaire opened with the 2014 run of the acclaimed musical Chicago and has consistently brought in major productions like Hamilton and The Phantom of the Opera, through its partnership with GMG Productions. This year started with Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular which brought Victor Hugo’s timeless story of redemption in a new concert format with powerful performances that included Filipino greats Lea Salonga, Rachelle Ann Go and Red Concepcion who all came just for the Philippine run.
We were just as elated with the showing of Jesus Christ Superstar in May, having missed this Regent’s Park Open Theater production in London. Filipino talent was showcased once again with the special participation of Gab Pangilinan joining the international cast as Mary Magdalene. Another Filipino theater mainstay, Karylle, also held her own in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which delighted the young and young at heart with its heartwarming story, eye-popping visuals, cutting-edge 3-D effects and immersive stagecraft. Just recently, audiences were treated to Cirque Alice, a reimagination of the Lewis Carroll classic through theatrical storytelling and gravity-defying circus acts. Coming up is The Play That Goes Wrong, the Olivier-Award winning comedy musical from Nov. 6-22 and 2027 will start with a bang with Heathers: The Musical, the high-octane pop-rock spectacle in January followed by the 30th Anniversary Global Tour of Chicago: The Musical in March.
Aside from being totally entertaining, these productions are so inspiring for their technical and artistic innovations that are appreciated not just by theater aficionados but particularly by students and practitioners in the industry. With its mix of shows, the Theatre at Solaire connects Filipino audiences with local and international artistic traditions, create opportunities for artists and help strengthen the country’s creative industries, playing an important role in the Philippines’ art and culture landscape.
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October 28, 2026