Philippines Bridges Cultures at Finale Concert of Terras sem Sombra Festival
Vidigueira, Portugal, 29 November 2025 – The 21st edition of the Terras sem Sombra Festival concluded in Vidigueira with a finale concert at the Igreja da Misericórdia, featuring the Philippines as the Guest Country of Honor. The evening showcased Filipino talents, soprano Antoni Mendezona and tenor Romel Leo Alojado, accompanied by Ana Ferreirinho on piano, in a program celebrating the richness of Filipino musical and cultural heritage.
Philippine Ambassador Paul Raymund P. Cortes captured the essence of the evening by declaring that “(m)usic is the soul of a people. It is universal and unites hearts. It is deeply rooted in the hearts of Filipinos. Through music, we create bridges between people and cultures.” He highlighted how cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and music are interconnected, promoting creativity, inclusion, peace, and sustainability. Ambassador Cortes expressed hope that events like this will continue to strengthen partnerships between the Philippines and Portugal, fostering understanding and friendship across continents.
Father Pedro Rodrigues, Parish Priest of Vidigueira, welcomed the concert as a joyful start to Advent, noting the Philippines begins celebrating Christmas long before Portugal. Mayor Ricardo Bonito praised the festival’s cultural impact, saying that “Terras sem Sombra brings together people of different cultures, from places far apart, but always as brothers, enriching our culture and tradition.”
Dr. José António Falcão, Festival Director-General, noted that Vidigueira was a fitting venue, as Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer who opened routes between the East and the West, was its first Count. Reflecting on the historical and cultural links between Portugal and the Philippines since Magellan, he observed that the “concert brings many values of the Philippines: attachment to the land, to family, to freedom, and the revitalization of Christian traditions.”
The concert wove a narrative of community, devotion, and the warmth of the Christmas season, leaving the audience of over two hundred immersed in the beauty of Filipino culture and music as the singers performed Lucio San Pedro’s Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Ernani Cuenco’s Bakit ba Tayo Isinilang, and Felipe de Leon’s Payapang Daigdig, among other Christmas and opera songs.
The concert also marks the conclusion of the Philippines’ role as Guest Country of Honor of the Terras sem Sombra Festival. Throughout 2025, the Philippines has shared its rich musical and cultural heritage with audiences across Portugal, performing in Arraiolos in March and Castelo de Vide in June. These concerts, culminating in Vidigueira, have highlighted the Philippines’ deep ties to Portuguese culture and its enduring contributions to global music, creating a memorable cultural journey that bridges centuries, continents, and communities. END