MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The acclaimed immersive event series Medium Rare returns on May 9 with a new edition titled Kaleidoscope, transforming Salon de Ning at The Peninsula Manila into a multi-sensory night where music, gastronomy and art converge.
Running from 7:00 PM until 4:00 AM, the one-night event will bring together international and local artists in an elegant cross-cultural experience designed to expand Manila’s cultural nightlife. With limited tickets available, the event promises an intimate yet vibrant atmosphere for music lovers, creatives and tastemakers seeking something beyond the ordinary.
The Kaleidoscope Concept
This edition is titled Kaleidoscope to reflect the philosophy behind the event. Just as fragments inside a kaleidoscope rotate to create new patterns, different artistic elements come together to form a unified and unexpected picture.
At first glance, neoclassical piano and hypnotic electronic music may seem worlds apart, yet when placed side by side they reveal a compelling harmony. Combined with gastronomy and visual art, these elements create a living cultural composition where contrasts transform into beauty.
International Artists
This special edition will feature Spanish electronic music producer Pablo Bolívar, internationally recognized for his deep and atmospheric blend of techno and ambient music. With more than two decades in the underground electronic scene, Bolívar has developed a distinctive sound balancing hypnotic rhythms with emotional melodic structures. He is also the founder of influential labels Seven Villas Music and Avantroots Records, which have played a role in shaping the deeper side of contemporary electronic music.
His participation in Medium Rare is supported by the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, highlighting Spain’s commitment to cultural exchange and presenting contemporary Spanish artistic voices to Filipino audiences.
Joining the lineup are Italian composers and pianists Lorenzo Travaglini and Davide Semmarchi, representing Bosco Studio, an Italian creative collective exploring the intersection of neoclassical composition and cinematic sound.
Travaglini, founder of Bosco Studio, focuses on emotionally driven piano works that blend classical tradition with modern sonic landscapes. Semmarchi complements this approach through atmospheric textures and expressive minimalist structures. Together their performances create immersive musical narratives that move between classical sensitivity and contemporary sound design.
Bosco Studio’s visit to the Philippines is supported by the Philippine–Italian Association, which helps foster cultural dialogue and artistic exchange between Italian and Filipino creative communities.
Their appearance at Medium Rare marks their first performance in Asia, introducing Manila audiences to a distinctive voice within today’s evolving neoclassical movement.
A Curated Cultural Experience
“Medium Rare is a curated sensory experience that unites three worlds: music, gastronomy and art. This unique event brings together Manila’s food lovers and music community into one sophisticated, flavorful and unforgettable experience.”
The concept behind Medium Rare is to blur the boundaries between cultural disciplines, creating an immersive environment where audiences experience live music, culinary creativity and artistic expression simultaneously.
Medium Rare was created by Chele Gonzalez, whose passion for gastronomy and music inspired the project.
“Medium Rare began as a personal idea to merge two art forms I deeply care about: gastronomy and music,” Gonzalez explains. “The word ‘Medium’ represents the space between disciplines where they meet, while ‘Rare’ reflects our desire to present something unique beyond the mainstream.”
The project is developed together with Samantha Nicole, a prominent figure in Manila’s underground music community who has been actively shaping the city’s alternative cultural scene through music-driven events and collaborations.
Together they bring international artists and Manila’s creative community into one carefully curated environment.
Event Details
Event: Medium Rare – Kaleidoscope Edition
Date: May 9
Time: 7:00 PM – 4:00 AM
Venue: Salon de Ning, The Peninsula Manila
City: Manila, Philippines
Tickets are limited.
BOSCO STUDIO AND ITS MUSICIANS
Bosco Studio is an Italian creative project exploring the intersection of neoclassical music, contemporary composition and cinematic sound design. Founded by composer and musician Lorenzo Travaglini, the studio combines artistic research, recording sessions and live performances that bring together acoustic piano, ambient textures and modern electronic elements.
Based in the Italian countryside, Bosco Studio also functions as a creative residency and recording space, where musicians are invited to collaborate and perform live sessions that are later shared through the studio’s digital platforms. The project reflects a growing movement within contemporary music that blends classical tradition with experimental sound exploration.
Through its productions and collaborations, Bosco Studio aims to create immersive musical experiences that move between intimate piano expression, atmospheric sound design and modern cinematic composition.
Lorenzo Travaglini (Founder of Bosco Studio)
Lorenzo Travaglini is an Italian composer, musician and sound designer whose work explores the dialogue between classical music, electronic sound and contemporary media composition.
He began studying classical piano at an early age and later expanded his artistic path toward film scoring and sound design. In 2021 he graduated in Film Scoring from the G.B. Martini Conservatory in Bologna, after which he began composing original music for short films, theatre productions and multimedia projects.
His compositions combine emotional piano writing with experimental electronic textures, creating immersive sound environments that bridge traditional musical language with contemporary sonic exploration.
In 2023 he released his debut album “Airplane Songs”, followed by a unique Airport Tour, during which he performed concerts in major European airports, concluding with a special event in collaboration with Rome Fiumicino Airport.
In 2024 he launched Bosco Studio, a recording and creative residency project designed to bring musicians together for live sessions and artistic collaborations.
Davide Sammarchi (Composer and Pianist)
Davide Sammarchi is an Italian pianist and composer from Tuscany whose music blends classical piano, ambient soundscapes and electronic influences.
He graduated in Piano and Electronic Keyboards from the Luisa D’Annunzio Conservatory in Pescara in 2022 and later completed a master’s degree in Electronic Music in 2025.
Sammarchi released his debut album “And in Silence I Found My Voice” in 2021 through the label Memory Recordings, founded by renowned Italian neoclassical composer Fabrizio Paterlini.
Since then, he has continued developing his artistic voice through several releases, including “The Floating World,” “The Art of Life,” and “Entelechia,” while also composing soundtracks for film projects.
His music is characterized by delicate melodies and atmospheric textures, inviting listeners to slow down and experience sound as an emotional and reflective space.
First Visit to Asia
The performance at Medium Rare – Kaleidoscope Edition will mark the first visit to Asia for the musicians of Bosco Studio.
For Travaglini and Sammarchi, the trip represents an exciting opportunity to introduce their music to new audiences and to take part in a broader cultural dialogue between European and Filipino creative communities.
Their appearance in Manila reflects a growing global interest in neoclassical music, a genre that bridges classical tradition with contemporary sound and continues to gain recognition across international cultural scenes.
Pablo Bolívar
“A modern master of house and techno, Seven Villas founder Pablo Bolívar is known equally well as an album artist and prolific remixer, but perhaps foremost as a world-class DJ. With artistic breadth and worldwide appeal, it is clear that Pablo was born to create music, always with attitude and always with quality as a standard.”
With almost three decades connected to electronic music culture and more than two decades releasing music, Pablo Bolívar has become a respected figure in the international underground electronic scene. Born in Santander, Spain in 1981, he began his path in music through sound engineering studies at Barcelona’s Crash Institute, later working as a professional audio engineer before fully dedicating himself to music production and performance.
Early in his career, Pablo worked with one of Spain’s recognised electronic music imprints, Decoder Muzique, gaining deep insight into the technical and artistic side of music production. His debut album Anjanas, released in 2006 on the Barcelona label Regular, introduced listeners to a distinctive sound that would later become synonymous with his work: hypnotic techno structures infused with melodic depth and ambient atmospheres.
In 2009 he released the critically acclaimed album Recall, also via Regular. The record reflected influences from seminal European techno labels such as Kanzleramt and Chain Reaction while also carrying a deeply personal emotional layer, inspired by the passing of his father.
Over the years Bolívar has continued to expand his musical language, releasing on respected international labels including Curle Recordings, Desolat, Culprit, Einmusika, Moodmusic and Endless, while also building his own creative platforms. He founded the label Seven Villas Music and co-founded Avantroots Records, both dedicated to supporting deep, atmospheric electronic music and emerging artists from the global underground scene.
Known for his refined sonic storytelling, Pablo Bolívar’s music sits at the intersection of hypnotic techno, ambient soundscapes and cinematic electronic composition. His productions move fluidly between introspective listening experiences and powerful dancefloor moments, creating immersive sound environments that have resonated with audiences worldwide.
Beyond production, Bolívar has built a strong reputation as a meticulous DJ. His performances combine his own productions with carefully selected records discovered through years of crate digging, often blending hypnotic techno with atmospheric and emotionally driven electronic music.
His artistic approach reflects a fascination with texture, emotion and landscape. In recent years, inspiration from the natural environment of northern Spain has played an important role in shaping the atmospheric depth and introspective character of his music.
Bolívar’s appearance at Medium Rare in Manila represents a special cultural moment. It will mark his first professional visit to the Philippines, bringing his distinctive sound to a new audience. The event also carries a personal dimension: over the years Pablo and chef Chele González have grown creatively alongside each other within the Spanish cultural community abroad, making this collaboration a natural meeting point between music, gastronomy and art.
DJ Chele
Chele Gonzalez began his journey as a DJ in 1997, immersing himself in the dynamic nightlife of San Francisco. His talent and passion for electronic music soon took him back to Spain, where he became a leading figure in the northern Spanish music scene during the early 2000s. His club MONTREAL, founded in 2002, quickly became an iconic venue in Santander, recognized for its innovative approach to electronic music.
Not just a DJ, Chele also combines his culinary expertise with his musical creativity, bringing an unexpected and captivating edge to his events. His eclectic music style ranges from Disco, Funk, House, and Techno, to more contemporary sounds like Afro, Organic, and Electronica, making his sets diverse and dynamic.
In Manila, Chele has established himself as one of the most sought-after DJs, playing regularly at high-profile venues like Nokal, Geronimo, Dr. Wine BGC, and House Unite Us while also running his own event brand, MEDIUM RARE. His deep knowledge of vinyl, underground sounds, and global music trends continue to shape his eclectic and energetic style, keeping his sets fresh and engaging.
In his latest project, GotSoul MNL, he is a co-founder and curator. Here Chele merges both passions together; creating an experience where food and music come together. Where tapas meet vinyl, and soul is served in both sound and flavor. A space he plans to personally spend time in playing music, cooking, and connecting with equally passionate people. Each plate is seasoned with story, layered like a well-mixed set: bold, expressive, and meant to be shared. It’s a passion project; a space where Chele gets to express himself fully, side by side with friends and respected DJs from the local scene. A community rooted in creativity and connection.
PREVIOUS MEDIUM RARE EVENTS
May 9 | Salon de Ning, The Peninsula Manila | 7PM – 4AM
The event is designed as a two-part experience, with two ticket options available:
Full Experience Ticket (from 7PM)
Includes access to the full evening program:
• Live performance by Italian neo-classical musicians
• Ambient and neo-classical sets by local DJs
• Pass-around food by Chele Gonzalez
• Seamless transition into the dance segment
• Full access until 4AM
Pricing:
Early Bird: PHP 2,200
Regular / Door: PHP 2,500
Dance Experience Ticket (from 10PM)
• Special live-to-DJ transition set combining neo-classical performance and electronic music
• Medium Rare residents, local and guest DJs
• GES DJs
• Headline set by Pablo Bolivar (Spain)
A curated dance experience blending genres and atmospheres.
Pricing:
Early Bird: PHP 1,200
Regular / Door: PHP 1,500
Please note:
Capacity is limited. We highly recommend securing your tickets in advance.
