Music at the Marco Polo Cebu’s hotel of culture and heritage

CEBU, Philippines - Seated in silence, in the stillness of our minds, the music takes over our hearts.  And in those moments, for so long as their fingers touched the ivory, we achieve that which is almost always elusive—peace on earth. Those were my thoughts listening to the combined genius of Dr. Ingrid Sala Santamaria and her teacher-mentor, Maestro Reynaldo G. Reyes, at the “23rd Romantic Piano Concerto Journey Tour” held  last July 5 at the Grand Lobby of the historic Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

Towards the end of the classical two-piece concert, Ingrid Sala, a national treasure and pride of Cebu, said something that very well affirmed my ruminations whilst watching their riveting performance—that music unites the world. Indeed, we are united in agreement that music brings peoples together.

Before everything came to a close, the two esteemed musicians answered questions from the audience (a mix of music aficionados, art patrons, and members of the media) that were focused on but not limited to the Romantic Period (1800-1900). An assortment of interesting questions was asked by an audience left enthralled by the dynamic duo: from the more basic (Tchaikovsky’s most popular work), to those bordering on the controversial (his sexual preference). Either way, both the questions asked and the answers given were nothing short of illuminating.

Meanwhile at Café Marco nearby, guests were whisked aboard yet another culinary adventure, one that turned back the clock to our colorful (and flavorful) Castilian past. Culinary Journey’s  Sabores de España served a delicious array of colonial time favorites, tastes that continue to titillate the Filipino taste buds over four centuries hence. 

Speaking of the past, in relation to the present and future, Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, in my estimation, lays claim (and I dare declare) to being “Cebu’s hotel of culture and heritage.” Only this hotel has a continuing legacy from when it opened its doors to the world as Cebu Plaza Hotel in 1978—to the present, as Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, under the able leadership of its visionary General Manager, Hans Hauri. The hotel’s building celebrates its 35th year this year.

Perched atop scenic Nivel, like the leader it has always been, it has stood witness to the growing metropolis right below. As the cityscape evolved with the changing times, so did the hotel. And with this transformation, physical and existential, is a constant and consistent effort to strengthening its core, its character. Events like the piano concerto and Culinary Journeys only succeed in cementing Marco Polo’s long tradition even further, a testament to its being Cebu’s hotel of culture.(FREEMAN)