In celebration of the U.S.-Philippine friendship through music, the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific visited Manila, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija from April 6 to 10 for a series of performances, including a special live concert with the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
In Manila, the Band of the Pacific joined forces with the PAF’s Marching Band and String Ensemble at the SM Mall of Asia Sky Amphitheatre on April 6, delighting mallgoers with their renditions of rock classics such as “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses, as well as Filipino favorites like “Sumayaw Sumunod” by The Boyfriends. The Airmen Musicians also provided entertainment during the Cope Thunder exercises in Pampanga.
“We are here to affirm the friendship of our two countries. We want to emphasize—through music—that this friendship is strong and enduring,” said Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Hansen, Commander of the Band of the Pacific, in his remarks delivered in Filipino.
While the band is based at the historic Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Oahu, Hawaii, some of the members have a deep connection to the Philippines. Guitarist Master Sergeant Daniel Santos hails from Bulacan, and drummer Senior Airman Brennan Tolman lived in Pangasinan for two years. The band members who visited the Philippines are part of the Small Kine ensemble, an electrifying four-member rock band.
“Thanks to the U.S. Embassy team, we were able to deliver the Pacific Air Forces’ message of peace, security, and friendship to the people of the Philippines. As a Philippine-born U.S. Airman, I felt blessed that I had this opportunity to link our two nations through my love of music and my belief in service for greater good and peace,” said Master Sergeant Santos, the band’s guitarist.
In Pampanga, the band performed for children at the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth and at SM City Clark. They also traveled to Nueva Ecija, where they performed at SM City Cabanatuan and participated in Central Luzon State University’s week-long 118th Foundation Anniversary celebration.
The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific is one of the military musical units in the Indo-Pacific, comprised of musical groups that perform throughout a large and diverse area of responsibility, including locations such as Singapore, Australia, Wake Island, Papua New Guinea, American Samoa, Beijing, New Zealand, Guam, and the Kwajalein Atoll.