Peninsula chic

It has always been a pleasure to be at the Peninsula Manila Hotel’s traditional Christmas concert in their humongous lobby. But this year it was even more pleasurable with an overflow crowd of music enthusiasts that filled up all the three floors of the hotel with an air of anticipation and good cheer.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) was led by visiting Italian conductor, Ruggero Barbieri, who has been a friend of the Philippines for many years along with soprano Camille Lopez-Molina, another Peninsula veteran.

As Jonathan Crook, the hotel’s general manager, said, “It’s the best of the old and new, with some music and tradition thrown in for good measure. What better way to celebrate the holidays!” 

Citibank was the main sponsor and as country officer Sanjiv Vohra mentioned, “This tradition celebrates in music the wonder and beauty of the holiday season. Indeed, in this most special time, when the world engages in a conspiracy of goodwill, we are grateful for world-class Filipino talent and the special joy their music brings to our hearts and souls.”

* * *

“Christmas Concert at The Pen” was supported by Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI), the country’s leading purveyor of designer brands, Philippine Tatler and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Some of the proceeds of the concert will go to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), which has been spearheading relief efforts for victims of recent calamities.