The festive month of May just got even merrier with the recent celebration of the Feast of the Ascension at the lush Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort led by its magnanimous and hardworking president and general manager Don Ado Escudero. Guests were clad in Filipiniana attire apt for the colorful barrio fiesta-style celebration, which started with a solemn Mass celebrated by San Pablo City Diocese’s Msgr. Melchor Barcenas, JCL vicar general. A procession from the Chapel of Ascension to the Labasin River was highlighted by a three-tiered pagoda escorted by a bamboo raft, which was a sight to behold for the guests viewing it from the coconut pavilion and on the deck leading to the Pag-ibig Hall. Traditional dance and musical performances from different groups such as the Villa Escudero Folkloric Group, Anak Zapote Marching Band, Villa Escudero Junior Rondalla, Coro Tomasino, actor Ricky Davao and seasoned performer Dulce entertained the special guests during the sumptuous luncheon at the Pag-ibig Hall. A procession of the Risen Image of Christ to the Escudero’s ancestral house followed by a marvellous fireworks display capped off the gathering.
Seen at the truly Filipino event were ambassador of Thailand to the Philippines Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya, Ambassador of the Philippines to Jamaica Mike Guerrero with wife Alice, Mitzi Piad, Junjun Ablaza, Bert and Nonie Basilio, and Muebles Italiano’s Noel and Eileen Gonzales, among many others.
A tutti-flutti evening
Classical music aficionados recently received a grand treat with the opening of Filfest Cultural Foundation’s “Season 3: Ensembles of Eight Tutti Flutti” led by its president Vicky Zubiri at the Insular Hall, Alabang. Global Pinoy awardee Tony Maigue, and eight other flutists and special guest performers Cristine Coyuito, pianists Caitlyn Coyuito and Mai Maigue with guitarist Lester Demetillo gave astonishing performances as part of the celebration of Insular Life’s 100th year.
I can’t wait to see another great show for the next season!