Quartet Manila Performs in Kyla’s “Hanggang Ngayon: The Timeless Music of Kyla”

A night filled with celebration, soulful riffs, powerful vocal runs and heartfelt emotion came alive at the Newport Performing Arts Theater when Quartet Manila joined “Hanggang Ngayon: The Timeless Music of Kyla.”

Held on July 3, 2026, at 8:00 p.m., the concert celebrated the timeless artistry of Kyla, widely recognized as the Philippines’ Queen of R&B. Audiences experienced an evening of soul, nostalgia and vocal excellence, supported by an outstanding live band and a professional string quartet in Manila.

For Quartet Manila, performing in this major production was both an honor and an opportunity to help tell Kyla’s musical story through expressive live strings. Every violin line, viola harmony and cello phrase was shaped to support the songs without overpowering the voices at their center.

The result was a concert experience that felt intimate and expansive at the same time—an evening in which voice, rhythm and strings worked together to bring familiar music to life in a new way.

A Timeless Celebration of Kyla’s Music

“Hanggang Ngayon: The Timeless Music of Kyla” took place at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Newport City, Pasay, Metro Manila. The official venue listing described the production as an evening of soul, nostalgia and vocal excellence.

The concert placed Kyla’s unmistakable voice at the heart of the performance. Her smooth tone, intricate runs and emotional delivery have made her music an important part of Philippine R&B and OPM. Live string arrangements added another emotional layer, allowing familiar melodies to feel fresh while preserving the qualities audiences love.

A skilled string quartet in Manila can do more than provide background music. In a concert production, the strings become storytellers. They can build anticipation before a chorus, add warmth beneath a quiet vocal passage and transform a climactic moment into something even more powerful.

That was the responsibility embraced by Quartet Manila throughout this performance.

Quartet Manila’s Musicians for the Kyla Concert

Quartet Manila’s four-piece string section featured:

• First violin: Genesis Marquez

• Second violin: Tracey de Vera-Buenviaje

• Viola: Claudia Berenguer

• Cello: Josef Raymundo

  
  

Together, the musicians formed the classic string-quartet configuration of two violins, one viola and one cello. Each instrument contributed a distinctive voice.

The first violin carried important melodic lines, while the second violin reinforced the arrangement through harmony, countermelody and rhythmic movement. The viola provided warmth in the middle register, connecting the brighter violins with the deeper sound of the cello. The cello supplied resonance, weight and emotional depth.

Creating a unified sound demands more than individual technique. The musicians must listen closely, match their phrasing and respond to the singer, conductor, band and live audience. That sensitivity is essential for any professional string quartet in Manila performing in a large theatrical production.

A Remarkable Group of Filipino Guest Artists

The celebration became even more memorable with appearances by special guests Dash, KZ Tandingan, Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

Each artist brought a recognizable musical identity to the Newport stage. The presence of these celebrated Filipino performers gave the concert a broad emotional and stylistic range, from soulful R&B and expressive pop to rock energy and soaring ballads.

Working with several vocalists requires flexibility from a live string ensemble. Every singer approaches rhythm, dynamics and phrasing differently. The musicians must support those differences while maintaining a consistent ensemble sound.

Quartet Manila’s role was to complement each performance with musical precision and sensitivity. Instead of treating every song in the same way, the string section responded to the personality and emotional direction of each number.

The Creative and Musical Team

The concert was directed by John Prats, with musical direction by Jem Florendo and production by Cornerstone Entertainment.

Jem Florendo also served as the first keyboardist. He was joined by Jay Agustin on second keyboard, Ardie De Guzman on guitar, Ritchie Ramos on bass and Rickson Ruiz on drums.

The backing vocalists were Brenan Espartinez, Suey Medina and Ana Angelica, while Tots Tolentino performed on saxophone.

Bringing this many artists together requires careful musical preparation. Rehearsals help shape transitions, balance instrumental textures and make sure every person understands the direction of each song. For the Quartet Manila musicians, the process involved studying the arrangements, refining articulation and synchronizing closely with the complete band.

The apparent ease of a polished live performance is built long before the audience enters the theater. Every detail from a quiet entrance to the release of a final note depends on preparation, communication and trust.

More Than a UST String Quartet

Quartet Manila was established at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, but the ensemble’s identity and experience extend far beyond a single institution.

Its musicians have developed their artistry at respected music conservatories in the Philippines and internationally. Members also bring experience associated with leading Philippine orchestras, including the Manila Philharmonic and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

This combination of Filipino roots, international training and professional performance experience gives Quartet Manila a wider musical perspective. The ensemble is grounded in the discipline of classical music while remaining comfortable with OPM, R&B, pop, jazz, contemporary arrangements and large concert productions.

Quartet Manila is therefore not limited to musicians from UST or to one academic tradition. Its growing community of artists brings together different educational backgrounds, professional experiences and musical influences from the Philippines and around the world.

This diversity enables the group to adapt its sound to the artist, audience and occasion.

Whether a performance calls for classical refinement, cinematic intensity, modern rhythm or the emotional familiarity of Filipino music, the musicians can shape an appropriate live experience.

From an Intimate Quartet to a Complete Entertainment Ensemble

Although the group began as a string quartet in Manila, Quartet Manila has expanded its services to include solo musicians, duos, trios, string quintets, six-piece and eight-piece string orchestras, jazz groups, singers and full-band configurations.

Clients can select an ensemble suited to the venue, program and desired atmosphere. Available instrumental combinations include piano and violin, piano and cello, guitar and violin, guitar and cello, piano and saxophone, and larger arrangements involving strings, keyboards, contrabass and other instruments.

This flexibility allows Quartet Manila to support:

• Concerts and theatrical productions

• Weddings and wedding receptions

• Corporate events and conferences

• Brand launches and gala dinners

• Diplomatic and government functions

• Birthdays, proposals and anniversaries

• Recordings and media appearances

• Hotel events and private celebrations

The ensemble has performed for events in Makati, BGC, Taguig, Pasay, Manila, Intramuros, Tagaytay, Batangas and other Philippine destinations. Its musicians have also supported celebrations at prominent venues such as Grand Hyatt Manila, Shangri-La The Fort, Manila Marriott Hotel, Ayala Museum and Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Why Live Strings Transform a Concert

Recorded strings can provide texture, but live musicians bring movement, responsiveness and human emotion. A live string quartet can follow subtle changes in tempo, react to a vocalist’s phrasing and adjust its intensity in real time.

In an R&B concert, this responsiveness is especially valuable. The genre often depends on expressive timing, melodic ornamentation and changes in emotional intensity. Strings can answer a vocal phrase, hold tension beneath a run or expand a chorus into a cinematic moment.

During “Hanggang Ngayon,” the combination of Kyla’s voice, her special guests, the live band and Quartet Manila created a layered sound that belonged specifically to that evening. It could not be reproduced in precisely the same way by a recording.

That sense of presence is what makes live music memorable.

Professional String Quartet in Manila and Across the Philippines

Quartet Manila provides customized music for clients searching for a professional string quartet in Manila, Metro Manila or other destinations in the Philippines.

The musical setup can be adapted according to the event program, venue, preferred repertoire and desired mood. An intimate gathering might require a violin-and-piano duo, while a luxury wedding or corporate gala may benefit from a full string orchestra with piano and contrabass.

Concert producers can also work with Quartet Manila when they need musicians capable of reading arrangements, following a musical director and integrating with a live band.

Every performance begins with understanding the purpose of the event. The objective is not simply to play music, but to create an atmosphere and help the audience connect with the moment.

A Proud Moment for Quartet Manila

Performing at “Hanggang Ngayon: The Timeless Music of Kyla” was a proud milestone for Quartet Manila. Sharing the stage with Kyla, her special guests and a respected creative and musical team demonstrated what Filipino musicians can achieve through preparation, collaboration and artistic discipline.

For audiences looking for the string quartet behind Kyla’s 2026 Newport concert, the musicians were Genesis Marquez, Tracey de Vera-Buenviaje, Claudia Berenguer and Josef Raymundo performing together as Quartet Manila.

From its foundation at UST to the broader international training and professional experience represented across its roster, Quartet Manila continues to build a musical identity that is proudly Filipino and globally informed.

For concerts, weddings, corporate functions, recordings and private celebrations, Quartet Manila delivers live music designed around the story, space and people at the center of every event.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who was the string quartet at Kyla’s Hanggang Ngayon concert?

Quartet Manila provided the four-piece string section. The musicians were Genesis Marquez on first violin, Tracey de Vera-Buenviaje on second violin, Claudia Berenguer on viola and Josef Raymundo on cello.

When and where was “Hanggang Ngayon: The Timeless Music of Kyla” held?

The concert was held on July 3, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Newport City, Pasay, Metro Manila.

Who were Kyla’s special guests?

The announced guests were Dash, KZ Tandingan, Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

Who directed the Kyla concert?

John Prats served as creative director, while Jem Florendo handled musical direction. Cornerstone Entertainment produced the concert.

Is Quartet Manila composed only of UST-trained musicians?

No. Quartet Manila was established at the UST Conservatory of Music, but its artists represent broader educational and professional backgrounds. The ensemble’s musicians have developed their craft at respected conservatories in the Philippines and internationally, bringing varied experiences and global musical influences to the group.

Does Quartet Manila perform outside Metro Manila?

Yes. Quartet Manila serves events in Metro Manila and destinations across the Philippines. The ensemble setup can be adjusted according to the location, venue, program and technical requirements.

Can Quartet Manila perform with singers or a complete band?

Yes. Quartet Manila offers instrumental ensembles as well as arrangements with singers, keyboardists, guitarists, saxophonists, drummers, bassists and complete bands. The appropriate configuration depends on the production and preferred sound.

What events can Quartet Manila perform at?

Quartet Manila performs at concerts, weddings, corporate events, diplomatic functions, product launches, recordings, birthdays, proposals, anniversaries, hotel events and private celebrations.

How can clients book Quartet Manila?

Clients can send an inquiry through www.quartetmanila.com with the event type, date, location and preferred ensemble. Providing these details helps the team recommend a suitable musical setup.