It just had to be the grandest and totally enjoyable happening at the end of 2011. Moi is talking about the UST Christmas Concert Gala, which kicked off the closing ceremonies of the University of Santo Tomas’ one-year celebration of its 400th anniversary, dahlings.
The concert was superbly organized by UST’s Rector Magnificus Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, OP, with the dedicated co-chairs, gorgeous Maricris Zobel and Fr. Isidro Abano, OP, and the magnificent help of investment banker Andrew Gan and internationally renowned interior designer Jonathan Matti, no less.
Last Dec. 1, all roads led to UST, which is the Philippines’ and Asia’s oldest university. It was extra-special since the university was marking its “Quadricentennial.”
The 9th Christmas Gala got on a roll with the lighting of the UST Christmas Tree and campus led by Maricris and Fr. Didoy Abano, with Manille’s Mayor Alfredo Lim, après which members of high society and leaders of business moved to the UST Chapel for the awesome Christmas concert, dahlings.
The UST Chapel was dazzling, which had major concert sponsor Dr. Vicki Belo of Belo Medical Group (herself a proud UST alumna) and major UST donor Ricardo Murillo grinning from ear to ear.
Maricris said she had been thinking about resigning from the organizing committee and passing on the baton, so to speak. So during his short speech, Father Rector De la Rosa asked the audience if they wanted Maricris to continue as chair of the event, Loud applause and yells of “yes, yes!” indicated everyone’s sentiment.
The incredible thing was that all the performers were students, faculty or alumni of UST—now how many schools could top that, palanggas?
Performers were UST Music Dean and Cultural Center of the Philippines president Raul Sunico, Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble and UST Symphony Orchestra.
Korean soprano Sim Sung Hye sang a beautiful “Ave Maria.” Archimedes Lacorte on alto sax played “Pasko na Sinta Ko.”
The world-renowned and multi-awarded UST Singers brought a tear to many an eye with their superb singing. Rachelle Gerodias, as always, was impressive.
Alex Cortez directed and Gino Gonzalez did the sets, which everyone said “were the most beautiful yet.”
Part of the proceeds would go to scholarships at the UST Conservatory of Music, which is brimming with talents, and as Filipinos, we should all be very proud of them, palanggas.
Proceeds would also fund UST’s heritage conservation efforts.
UST Seminary treat
The last treat was at the UST Central Seminary hall and gardens for the cocktail reception and dinner buffet.
Matti worked again with Robert Blancaflor to decorate the place, and they outdid themselves.
Also great was the dinner menu from La Tasca, natch! Champagne overflowed.
Dancing followed, provided by MOBB.
Congrats, too, to the hardworking Gala 2011 Executive Committee led by Giovanna Fontanilla and adorable Michaela Lagniton, no less.
The bottom line of this end-of-the-year event, as always, depended on how much good artists and musicians could do and how much generous donors could give! N’est ces pas?
Major sponsors were Belo Medical Group and San Miguel Corp. Corporate sponsors were the TMF Group, RCBC, Pioneer Insurance, Ayala Corp., KFC, Beacon Holdings Inc., Jonathan G. Matti Design Associates, Divina & Uy Law Offices, Jojie Dingcong and moi for the little help I could do, dahlings.
Dinner with the Picassos
Cosmo Manille’s art enthusiasts flocked to Manille’s Metropolitan Museum for the “Suite Vollard,” Pablo Picasso’s awesome set of 100 prints made in Paris in the 1930s. Wow!
At the Tall Galleries, we sipped chilled champagne and viewed with pleasure “Foto A Foto,” a show on Spanish contemporary photography.
Dedicated Met Museum director Gerry Torres toured us around for the first-ever Picasso show in the country, allowing us to see this incredible pieces up close, dahlings.
The Met’s two partners—Fundacion Santiago and Fundacion Mapfre—were cited for their generosity in bringing this collection to our shores.
Naturellement, the co-host of this happening and event partner was woman of stature and substance Dr. Vicki Belo. “I am honored to be part of beauty, art and of my particular affinity to Picasso,” she said.
Vicki Belo is an avid art collector herself, and has an impressive collection of art.
My pal, Jojie Dingcong, Belo Group’s marketing and imaging consultant, masterminded the whole affair.
Inside the Met was a heavy red curtain for Pantone 87. It set off dramatically the black and white prints that lined the walls of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gallery.
At the center of the space was a table for 44 chosen guests, including Chaco Molina of Fundacion Santiago; MET board vice chair Corazon Alvina, Met board member Patrick Reyno, and artist Gordon Lee.
An excellent menu of Spanish dishes was served, with the best wines from the region, while a guitarist played Spanish songs in the background, natch!
