A ball to recall
“In every man’s heart there is a secret nerve that answers to the vibrations of beauty.” — Christopher Morley
The prestigious Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines’ 2010 Opera Ball and the Presentation of Debutantes biennial event was recently held at the NBC Marquee in Fort Bonifacio. The invocation, led by Consul Agnes Huibonhoa, remembered the late Chit Gohu, a member of the Ball Committee. The evening opened with welcome remarks from Johann Strauss Society (JSSP) chair Consul Fortune Ledesma, JSSP founder Kay Siazon and Ambassador of Austria Wilhelm Donko while JSSP president Olga Martel described in great detail the mission and vision of JSSP.
The debutantes were composed of Alessandra Adina, Kyle Tinga, Francesca Valdecañas with Cristina Afzelius and Sheree Chua (both 2008 Ball alumnae), Anna Guingon, Monica Manganti, Katrina Salao, Grace Singson and Gwenaelle Zamora.
Hosted by your columnist, the evening was made more pleasant with the showcase of world-class talents led by Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s Austrian conductor Dr. Ernest Hoetzl. Soloists flutist Marianne Hoetzl, baritone Andrew Fernando, tenor Lemuel dela Cruz and soprano Rachelle Gerodias all left the audience in awe with their superb musical prowess. Joint chairpersons Consul Agnes Huibonhoa and Cristina Belton closed the evening with an affirmation of the uniqueness of the Opera Ball as it localized the famous European tradition to reflect cultural and historical relationship between the Philippines and Europe.
Cheers!
Greetings
Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Bummer Santiago, Herminio Aquino, FCCP’s Erlie Gamboa and Conchita Toda.
Advance birthday greetings to Dr. Ariston Bautista, Alejandro Oppen, IG Summit Holdings’ James Go, lawyer Danny Labrador-Gapasin Jr. and Marisa Cojuangco, April 26; Cesar Gabaldon and Marty Lopez, April 27; Jesus “King King” Celdran and Johnbee Sales, April 28; STAR Lifestyle columnist Tingting Cojuangco, April 29; Malou Fores, Tessie Daza, Minnie Advincula and Chito Lozada, April 30; Zita Feliciano, Sander Tantoco and restaurateur Louie Cruz, May 1.
So, how was your week?
(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)
