04 November 2022 – The Philippine Embassy led by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Francisco Noel Fernandez III supported the performance of Filipino Cellist, Mr. Mikko Pablo, during the Ottawa-leg of the Canadian concert tour of Silakbo Ensemble’s “Est-Ouest” on 03 November 2022 at the Kailash Mital Theatre, Carleton University.

Est-Ouest is a presentation of contemporary music inspired by the folk traditions of both Canada and Bulgaria. The concept is to connect foreign traditions, to find how they diverge or interconnect, whether by melody, rhythm, dress, dance, lyrics, or instruments, and apply it to modern classical artistic practices to honour the traditions explored.

Pablo began playing the cello in the Philippines at the age of 16 under the mentorship of Amador Tamayo. Two years later, he received a full scholarship to study with Bongshin Ko and Daniel Rothmuller of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Since 2016, he studies with Justus Grimm at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp in Belgium.  He regularly plays with Ensemble Silakbo including as a soloist with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra for the 2019 SoundMine Festival.