A celebration of music

"There is no such thing as small country. The greatness of a people is no more determined by their number than the greatness of a man is determined by his height." – Victor Hugo

The country’s young and promising artists had their day at the annual Artists and Friends Cocktail Musicale of the Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP). The program was held at the sprawling garden of architect Gerry Contreras, which was decorated with hanging plants on carved pedestals dotted with twinkling Tivoli lights. Special events chairperson Chit Gohu led the invocation, and FCCP president Mellie Ablaza gave the welcome remarks.

The featured artists were talents of The Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS), which has been a major beneficiary of the FCCP since 1985. Also performing were soprano Lena McKenzie and tenor Nazer Salcedo, talented students of Maestra Fides Cuyugan Ascencio, with Noel de la Rosa as assisting pianist. The guests, composed of members of the diplomatic corps and a host of music lovers, were all appreciative of the young artists’ performances.

Congratulations for a successful program! Keep on helping our young artists achieve their full potentials!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Lilibeth Virata, Linda Villanueva and Ampy Nepomuceno.

Advance birthday greetings to lawyer Chris Lim and Philippine STAR’s deputy managing editor Alex Fernando, June 13; Jullie Yap-Daza, statuesque Sam Eduque, FCCP’s Letty Syquia, Allure columnist Michelle Dayrit-Soliven, Margo Fragante, Amalie Azanza, Luis Tabuena, FCCP’s Carrie Bautista, and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, June 15; Jacqui Maniquis and Eva Estrada Kalaw, June 16; Jun Lagman, Zita Feliciano, and former Sen. John Osmeña, June 17; Marissa Rocha and Philippine STAR’s Tammy Mendoza, June 18.

Happy wedding anniversary to Joe and Marivic Concepcion, June 15; Alex and Marixi Prieto, June 17; lawyer Jerby and Pam Rebano, June 19. May you have many more years of wedded bliss.

So, how was your week?

(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)

Dad’s Day

Three daughters treated their celebrity dads to a day at Rustan’s Cosmetics as an early tribute for Father’s Day. The father-daughter pairs – businessman Basil Ong and Alexandra, former Tourism Secretary and Dean of the Consular Corps Vince Carlos and Nicole, and Bellevue Manila’s concert promoter-talent coordinator E.J. Litton and Angela – spent an afternoon at the Essenses Tea Bar which was followed by a shopping spree for grooming products all over the store.

Visit Rustan’s Cosmetics & Toiletries and Essenses for great gift ideas to show your appreciation for your favorite man.

Johnny Says, ‘Check This Out!’

Acoustic guitar icon and songwriter Paolo Santos hits the airwaves with the recent release of his fourth independently produced album, Rites of Passage. The album, with the carrier single Patawarin, is produced by Acoustic Gold Productions, distributed by Warner Music. While it has a number of notable cuts, the album is best heard in its entirety.