International School Manila Bridges Academic and Professional Performance with L-Acoustics A Series International School Manila Bridges Academic and Professional Performance with L...

Meta-Tech delivers intuitive Milan-AVB networked system featuring A10i and X Series speakers, enabling seamless transitions from daily assemblies to full-scale theatrical productions 

MANILA, Philippines – January 2026 – International School Manila (ISM), established in 1920 as the oldest international school in Manila and the first in Asia to offer the IB Diploma program, has transformed its 920-seat Fine Arts Theater with an L-Acoustics A Series professional sound system. The upgrade addresses a critical challenge for educational performance venues: delivering professional-level audio quality for theatrical productions while remaining intuitive enough for daily school operations and student use. 

The newly renovated theatre serves as the centrepiece of ISM’s performing arts program, hosting everything from morning assemblies and student recitals to full-scale musicals and concerts. For the school, the audio system needed to support both the technical demands of professional-level productions and the practical reality of being operated by students and staff with varying technical backgrounds. 

A10i Delivers Professional Performance for Educational Programming 

Working with Singapore-based project consultants Alpha Acoustics Engineering, Meta-Tech, L-Acoustics Certified Partner in the Philippines, led the system design and installation. The team selected the A Series for its exceptional vocal clarity and versatility, essential attributes for a venue where spoken presentations are as important as musical performances. 

Damien Juhasz, Consultant Liaison and Application Manager at L-Acoustics, developed a detailed CAD model of the venue during the design process, then finalized the A Series system design using Soundvision to ensure optimal and uniform sound coverage throughout the theater. 

The installed system features four L-Acoustics A10i Focus and one A10i Wide per side as the main left-right arrays, with one A10i Focus and one A10i Wide flown centre as centre-fill. Two hangs of three KS21i subwoofers deliver low-frequency reinforcement throughout the theatre. 

Out-fill is provided by a pair of L-Acoustics X8i boxes rigged on each side of the stage, extending clarity to the side sections of the theater. A pair each of X6i and X8i speakers provide under-balcony fill to cover all the theater’s first-floor seats. On stage, performers receive accurate foldback from four X12 stage monitors. Main and fill systems are driven by LA7.16i amplified controllers, while LA4X controllers support the stage monitors, together offering flexible DSP, control, and amplification through the Milan-AVB network protocol with AES-EBU redundancy. 

Partnership Enables Tight Timeline and Comprehensive Training 

Installation of the audio system commenced in June 2025, with full calibration and commissioning completed by Jufri Price, Application Engineer at L-Acoustics at the end of July. 

“It was a breeze to work with Meta-Tech, with an open, two-way communication channel,” says Denis Lagdameo, Theatre Technical Advisor at ISM. “Implementing upgrade projects in the school usually means working in a very short window in the school’s schedule, but we were able to complete the system installation as planned. Meta-Tech’s responsiveness and adaptability made the difference, amidst our busy school program and activity schedules.” 

Understanding that educational venues require systems operable by users with varying technical backgrounds, Price provided comprehensive system orientation during calibration and handover, while Meta-Tech conducted multiple training sessions on proper use, management, and maintenance of the sound system. Meta-Tech continues to provide ongoing technical support to build confidence among the school’s technical staff. 

Educational Impact Extends Beyond Technical Performance 

For students, the audio upgrade creates learning conditions that mirror a professional theatre environment. Student actors, musicians, and technical crew now work with a professional audio system, gaining hands-on experience that prepares them for future careers in performing arts and production industries. 

For audiences – parents, faculty, and visiting guests – the difference is immediately apparent. Lagdameo describes the transformation: “The first time we used the system, everybody was floored. Many people, especially those in upper management, were pleased with the setup and overall outcome.” 

Learn more about Metatech Solutions and Systems Corporation at www.metatech.ph