Cebuano musicians shine on the global stage in Malta

Music knows no borders, and Cebu’s Classic Youth Orchestra (CYO) proved just that as they joined a prestigious international collaboration in Malta. Performing alongside the Hong Kong Adventist Academy Symphony Orchestra (HKAASO), the Japan Junior Orchestra and the St. Paul Metropolitan Orchestra, the CYO helped mark the 60th anniversary of the bilateral agreement between Malta and Japan with a grand symphonic showcase on March 30, 2025.

Five delegations participated — Japan, the Czech Republic, Malta, Hong Kong and the Philippines — bringing together talented young musicians in a cultural exchange through music. Representing Cebu was violinist Kesler John Ababon from CYO, while HKAASO featured violinist Yige Liang, cellist Chuwei Hu and flutist Yan Ting Leung. The ensembles were led by Reynaldo Abellana, a professor who founded CYO and currently leads HKAASO as its director, along with his wife, flutist Geraldine Abellana.



Held at the historic Imperial Sliema, an 18th-century hotel near Malta’s capital, Valletta, the concert was a stunning fusion of cultures. The first half celebrated Japanese music, featuring theme songs from beloved anime such as “Ultraman,” “Doraemon,” “Detective Conan,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Castle in the Sky” and “Sailor Moon.” The second half transported the audience to Western classical traditions, with moving renditions of “O Mio Babbino Caro,” “Ave Maria,” “Nella Fantasia” and “I’ll Walk with God.

” The repertoire also included Intermezzo from “Cavalleria Rusticana” by Mascagni, “Voi Che Sapete” from Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” and the iconic “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot.Beyond the main event, the Christ Our Mighty Savior (CoMS Chamber) ensemble performed in a special collaboration with the HKAASO at Malta SDA Church March 29, adding another highlight to this musical exchange.Legacy of Cebuano excellence in musicFor CYO, participating in this international festival is another milestone in its growing legacy.

Founded in 2014, the orchestra is composed of students from the Classic Orchestra Music Studio and young musicians across Cebu. Since its inception, CYO has built a reputation as one of Cebu’s premier classical ensembles, performing piano concertos, symphonies and classical masterworks at a professional level.The group made its international debut at the International Youth Orchestra Festival in Thailand in 2015 and has since performed in Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Vienna.

Cebu’s orchestral training dates back to the 1990s, when the Salvador and Pilar Sala Foundation Inc. played a key role in nurturing young classical musicians, paving the way for groups like CYO to thrive.Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Adventist Academy Symphony Orchestra is quickly making its mark on the international stage.

Composed of students and teachers from Hong Kong Adventist Academy, the orchestra was formed in 2024 under professor Abellana’s leadership. It made its first international appearance at the International Youth Festival Concert in Saitama, Japan, in November 2024, demonstrating its ability to perform at a global level.As CYO and HKAASO continue to bring Cebuano and Hong Kong musicians to world stages, their performances in Malta stand as a testament to how music fosters international friendship, talent and cultural appreciation.

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