Filipino-Aussie artists celebrate mothers with classical and contemporary music

On a day dedicated to celebrating mothers, a concert brought together a fusion of musical genres to demonstrate the versatility of Filipino-Australian artists and performers.

Key Points

• Marcus Rivera's concert, titled 'Uncovered', aimed to push the boundaries of musical expression and showcase his versatility.
• He encouraged aspiring artists to pursue their passions, highlighting the importance of following one's dreams and finding happiness in creative expression.
• The concert will return on the 19th of May

On Mother's Day, Marcus Rivera, a Filipino-Australian theatre actor and performer, delivered a concert at the Lennox Theatre, Parramatta Riverside, honoring mothers and showcasing his musical talent.

Rivera is a 2022 Sydney Theatre Award nominee and won Best Actor at the 2019 Made in the West Film Festival for his lead role in the short film "Tom Girl." He also starred as The Engineer in the musical "Miss Saigon" in various productions in Australia and New Zealand.

He also played ‘Elias’ in the Sydney production of ‘Noli’ and as ‘Jovy Ejercito’ in award-nominated play ‘Ate Lovia’.

His concert, titled 'Uncovered', featured a diverse mix of opera, pop jazz, soulful Filipino ballads, and contemporary hits.

"This has been a long process in the making. We thought about this 12 months ago. I've got a wonderful team behind me, including Chi De Jesus, Michelle Baltazar, and Ellen Buckley as our musical director," Marcus said.

Concert Director Chi De Jesus explained the production's unique approach, "We wanted to uncover songs and make them shine in different genres while keeping their original intention."

A special highlight of the evening was when Rivera serenaded mothers in the audience with the song "Sayo Lamang" after handing them bouquets.

The audience was also treated to a delightful surprise with the performances of featured guest singer and actress Chaya Ocampo, acclaimed for her recent roles in "Godspell" at Hayes Theatre Co. and Sydney Theatre Company's "Chimerica."

Another standout moment was his rendition of Avicii's "Wake Me Up," transformed into a ballad. This song holds personal significance for concert director Chi De Jesus.

"It's a song that strikes a chord with many, delving into themes of fear and uncertainty, while also reminding us that everyone has a place in life," expressed De Jesus.

Performing songs outside his usual repertoire, Rivera admitted, "I was nervous about singing them tonight, but I'm glad it was well received by the audience."

Audiences enjoyed Marcus's performances of songs by famous Filipino singers like Lani Misalucha and Regine Velasquez.

Reflecting on the concert afterward, Marcus thanked the Filipino community for their support and attendance, making the event a memorable celebration of music and motherhood.

"It was an exhilarating show, and I thank them with all my heart."

The concert, titled 'Uncovered', will return on the 19th of May with a mix of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), opera, musical theatre, pop, and rock.

Encouraging aspiring artists, Marcus highlighted the importance of pursuing one's passion.

Just go for it. Whatever makes you happy, just go for it. Otherwise, somebody else will do it for you.

Marcus Rivera

De Jesus echoed Rivera's sentiment, underlining the significance of producing high-quality shows.

"I believe Filipinos deserve the best. We put in the hard work to ensure that our productions meet the highest standards. I hope our efforts inspire others to appreciate the value of excellence in the arts."

They also announced that the concert will be returning on the 19th of May, expressing their hopes that everyone will have the opportunity to experience it.