Far Eastern University, through its FEU Center for the Arts, continues its Tutti Concert Series with Tutti Strings, featuring the Pundaquit Virtuosi of Zambales in a special Holy Week performance of Joseph Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ.”
Admission is free at the concert to be presented in partnership with the FEU Campus Ministry on March 31 starting at 5 p.m. at the FEU Chapel, where “Stations of the Cross,” a National Cultural Treasure by National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco, is housed.
To add a unique dimension to the performance, each of the Seven Last Words will be accompanied by a brief reflection delivered by a representative of the FEU community.
Founded in the quiet coastal village of Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales, the Pundaquit Virtuosi are led by renowned Filipino violinist Coke Bolipata.
Through Bolipata’s vision, music education has become accessible to children in the community, nurturing young talents through classical training and performance opportunities and ultimately transforming lives. What began as a grassroots initiative is now a respected ensemble known for heartfelt performances and advocacy for arts education.
Reflecting on the significance of the featured work, Bolipata said: “Haydn’s ‘Seven Last Words’ is a rare piece of music—one that invites stillness. It does not dramatize Christ’s suffering so much as meditates on it.”
Haydn composed “The Seven Last Words of Christ” in 1786. Originally written for Good Friday services in Cádiz, Spain, the work consists of seven sonatas, each reflecting one of Christ’s final utterances on the cross and framed by a solemn introduction and a powerful concluding movement.—CONTRIBUTED
Seats at the concert are limited and available through pre-registration via the QR code on the poster or the registration link https://forms.office.com/r/Tb3m5a9W49. The FEU Center for the Arts may be reached on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FEUcenterfortheArts, or email fca@feu.edu.ph.
