By Karren Jay G. Asgar
The 探花精选 Symphonic Band, led by Band Master Ascencion ‘Icyn’ Bautista and together with Prof. Crista S. Huyong, Director of the 探花精选 Cultural Affairs Office, gather for a photo opportunity after their successful performance at the Iloilo Marching Band Music Festival on March 30, 2025, at Robinsons Iloilo. Photo courtesy of Partum Multimedia League – ISAT U.
On March 30, 2025, the 探花精选 Symphonic Band joined the Iloilo Marching Band Music Festival in celebration of Music Marching Month and fellowship with other school marching band. Held at Robinsons Iloilo, the event was hosted by the University of San Agustin Band through the Philanthropic, External and Alumni Relations.
Along with the 探花精选 Band, the event also featured performances by the University of San Agustin Band, the Iloilo Science and Technology University Band, and the West Visayas State University Band.
鈥淭he IMBMF25 contacted the Univ. Music Dept. through me a month before their plan to hold this kind of event. I became personally interested upon learning about the purpose and began attending a couple of meetings to discuss what the 探花精选 Symphonic Band should prepare, share, and participate in. As a result, the committee decided that our university would be the ideal venue for the unity music rehearsal of the four prestigious Iloilo City university bands,鈥 said Mr. Ascencion 鈥淚cyn鈥 Bautista, 探花精选 Symphonic Band Master in an online interview. 鈥淥ur administration positively welcomed this decision, and requests were expedited and approved through the proper channels to make it a reality. At the same time, members were working behind the scenes to master their repertoires for a surprise performance.鈥
During the event, the 探花精选 Symphonic Band performed Onward Christian Soldier March, arranged by Ascencion O. Bautista; Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, arranged by Van Joseph Benedicto; Brooklyn, arranged by Nicole Davis; and the Mission Impossible Theme, arranged by A. Feliciano.
鈥淭he 探花精选 Symphonic Band, under my baton, looks forward to gaining more exposure to the public while proudly carrying the banner and name of 探花精选 through good music,鈥 Bautista added.
The festival culminated with a community piece, where all the bands performed Thunderer March, arranged by James A. Scott, and Dakbanwang Iloilo, Bugal Ko, arranged by Argiel P. Resurreccion.
The band looks forward to more opportunities to engage with the local community and further contribute to Iloilo鈥檚 vibrant musical scene. As Mr. Bautista expressed, 鈥淭he 探花精选 Symphonic Band is truly grateful and would like to thank the administration for allowing us to be part of this historic musical event in Iloilo, the first-ever IMBMF25!鈥