An enchanted evening of music
Cebu City’s only five- star accommodation property, the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, recently showcased the latest edition of its widely anticipated one-of-a-kind signature event of the Champagne Series entitled “Music without Borders.”
The event was a seamless fusion of admired Oriental classics and favorite European melodies that filled the grand ballroom. The spellbinding performers were three internationally acclaimed artists, father-daughter tandem of maestro Ying-Kuan Hong and maestra Chi-Ying Hung together with maestro Jiovanney Cruz.
Acclaimed baritone bass singer Ying-Kuan Hong beautifully accompanied on the piano by his accomplished daughter Chi-Ying Hung sang 12 classic Taiwanese folk and art songs that included popular pieces such as Mr. Bo, Yearning for Love, I Miss You and How can I not think of her?
Cruz, one of the most internationally awarded Filipino concert pianists with an unprecedented number of awards from international competitions and constant recipient of scholarships in his over 40 years of performing, interpreted three piano pieces — Granada y Asturias by Isaac Albeniz, Liebestraume No 3 by Franz Liszt and Etude in E Major by Frederic Chopin.
The affair was attended by the active members of the Arts Council of Cebu, headed by its president Petite Garcia, Spanish honorary consul Jaime Picornell, Vivina Yraztorza, Elvira Luym, Marissa Fernan and the island’s society icons Rosebud Sala and Teresin Mendezona.
Following the very entertaining concert, Marco Polo general manager Hans Hauri, recently awarded as the Hotel General Manager Personality of the Year by the SKAL Makati, and his ever-supportive wife Bo, played host to an intimate cocktail reception at the Manila Room.
The event was a perfect setting where successful leaders of the corporate world and the movers of industries were able to establish quality relationships, while being entertained.
Previous series concerts included performances by European Christina Mueller, Filipino baritone Jack Salud and international pop and jazz singer Isabella.
