FILIPINO CHRISTMAS CHEER AT KENNEDY CENTER, CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON PUTS THE PHILIPPINES ON CENTER STAGE

PRESS RELEASE
WDC-85-2025

19 December 2025

Embassy Press and Information Section

info@phembassy-us.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez attended the O Night Divine concert and gala presented by the Choral Arts Society of Washington at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.. The event marked a highlight of the Society’s 2025–2026 season, during which the Philippines serves as Partner Country.

The O Night Divine program featured exceptional choral performances that celebrated the shared language of music and its power to foster cultural understanding. The evening took on a distinctly Filipino flair as Choral Arts Society of Washington Artistic Director and Conductor Marie Bucoy-Calavan led the Kennedy Center audience in a singalong,  reminiscent of a Filipino karaoke session. The program also showcased Filipino Christmas songs such as “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit” and “Payapang Daigdig” giving the audience a vibrant glimpse into the Philippines’ rich musical traditions.  

Following the concert, Ambassador Romualdez joined distinguished guests, artists, and supporters of the arts in an evening gala that underscored the enduring role of music diplomacy in strengthening people-to-people ties between the Philippines and the United States.

In his remarks at the Gala, Ambassador Romualdez highlighted the enduring cultural ties between the Philippines and the United States through its partnership with the Choral Arts Society of Washington during the 2025–2026 season. He added that the collaboration was especially meaningful as the Philippines and the United States prepare to commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, a milestone reflecting decades of friendship, shared values, and cultural exchange.

Ambassador Romualdez emphasized that the partnership with the Choral Arts Society brings Filipino music and artistry to broader audiences in Washington and beyond. The collaboration is further enriched by the leadership of Ms. Bucoy-Calavan, whose Filipino-American heritage embodies the deep kinship between the two nations and infuses the choir’s performances with both cultural authenticity and universal appeal.

Ahead of the O Night Divine Concert and Gala on 13 December 2025, Ambassador Romualdez, in partnership with the US-Philippine Society, hosted a cocktail reception at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex in Washington, D.C. The reception featured a special preview performance by a Choral Arts Society ensemble, offering guests an exclusive early glimpse of the music and artistry showcased in the O Night Divine concert.

Looking ahead, the Embassy anticipates continued collaboration with the Choral Arts Society, with Filipino music serving as a beacon of light, warmth, and joy to audiences in Washington, Manila, and around the world.

The Choral Arts Society of Washington is one of the nation’s leading choral organizations, known for its artistic excellence and dedication to expanding access to choral music through performances and community engagement. You can learn more about the Society here: https://choralarts.org/

If you missed the chance to experience O Night Divine last 15 December, you can still listen to the choir on 24 December 2025 through the Choral Arts Society of Washington website here: https://choralarts.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket#/events/a0SPa00000LFgqsMAD