“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.” — Robert Fripp
Not everyone knows that as a young boy, the dream of astute businessman and philanthropist George Yang was to one day perform at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. That dream did come true with the recent success of his invitational gala concert dubbed Yang Klassics, featuring top CEO and talented tenor George Yang himself performing in a concert of vintage classics, opera, arias, duets and contemporary favorites. With guest performers Rachelle Gerodias, Kuh Ledesma, Dr. Raul Sunico, Kay Yang and the Klassikal Music Foundation (KMF) Scholars: Carl Trazo, Fiona Galliano, Joseph Carillo, Elaine Vibal, Cipriano de Guzman Jr. and Joy Ann Cacayan with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenor as masterfully directed by Freddie Santos. Proceeds of the concert were donated to the scholars of the KMF and for the continuing support of young talented Filipinos.
Congratulations and bravo, George!
Reflections of a pure artist
After a five-year hiatus, the Madrid-based painter Betsy Westendorp recently held an exhibit dubbed Reflections at the Sapphire room of the Mandarin Oriental Suites in Gateway Mall. This was her first exhibit since getting the Presidential Medal of Merit for Art and Culture at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, an honor reserved for artists who are not eligible for the title National Artist because of their nationality. Open to the public, it featured over 100 paintings covering a wide range of subjects including a selection of portraits of “Manila’s elite.”
Congratulations!
Greetings
Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Nerissa Carbonel Berba, beauty queen Gloria Diaz and Irene Martel Francisco.
Advance birthday greetings to Angela Lopez-Guingona, April 6; 72 Traders’ Charlie Morelos, celebrity golfer and actor Richard Gomez, Donnie Ramirez and Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., April 7; HMI’s Ernest Rufino Jr., lawyer Johnny del Rosario and Moet Hennessy’s Randy Uson, April 8; Cyndy Tan-Jarabata, Dinah Ventura, Isah Red and Dusit Hotel’s Liezel Zialcita, April 10; Robby Mananquil, Rissa Mananquil and past FCCP president Thelma Gana, April 11.
So, how was your week?
(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)