The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
However virtual and physically in absentia, a Filipino participation in a special Valentine concert in the United Kingdom is a cherished one.
Nikko Oliver Villanueva, a tenor of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, popularly known as Madz, is a major virtual participant in a Valentine show billed “What I Did for Love?” featuring Sinag Himig Chorale in London on February 15, 2025.
Nikko is the arranger of the songs to be rendered by Sinag-Himig Chorale, a singing group composed mostly of Filipinos, Fil-Brits and multiethnic music performers in the UK.
“It’s my honor to be included in this concert mostly by our kababayans in London for a cause. It is a very rare chance to be given an opportunity to perform with Sinag Himig Chorale,” said Oliver Villanueva in an interview.
Nikko might be invisible in the entire show but his music is palpable enough to his fellow performers, the production creatives and the audience.
His body is in the Philippines but his soul is in UK.
How did he get to participate in the gig in the West?
“May kaibigan po ako na nagrekomenda sa akin sa (I have a friend who recommended me to) Sinag Himig,” he beamed.
All Nikko did was to arrange and rearrange existing music pieces sent to him by Sinag Himig.
After treating them the Villanueva way, Nikko sent them back to London for familiarization, interpretation, rehearsals and final performances.
If any from among the Sinag Himig had questions about his works, he readily answered them online.
Sinag Himig was impressed and inspired by Oliver Villanueva’s arranging of songs, both classical and pop, Filipino and English, originals and adaptations.
According to Nikko, Sinag Himig was the one responsible in the copyright of the music.
Oliver Villanueva is currently enrolled at the University of the Philippines’ College Music.
He is also the conductor of the St. John Bosco Church Chorale.