Mayor Lim’s newest role/Liceo as hub/ A concert

Determined to give Manilans the best governance ever, Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, so early in his tenure, has cleared Baywalk of its restaurants — any doctor will tell you those unsightly restaurants were insanitary because they had no running water — removed vendors from sidewalks which are meant for pedestrians, and as he did before, he is waging a valiant campaign against corruption.

Tomorrow morning, Mayor Lim will assume a socio-cultural role by inaugurating the new annex of the Museo Pambata of which Museo he is the very involved chairman.

The Museo, with Nina Lim-Yuson as president-ceo, was founded in 1993, and is the first of its kind in the country. It has welcomed almost three million visitors, and its traveling exhibits have been seen by over 300,000 children.

In 2005, its administrative offices were taken over by the Manila Dance Center, and the Museo had to build the annex which Mayor Lim will inaugurate, along with its reading room, workshop areas and dance studio, and doubtless help immeasurably in the Museo’s continued growth.

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According to reliable information, the Liceo de Cagayan University, specifically its Rodelsa Hall, is now the hub of eminent performing artists foreign and local, who immensely perk up the city’s cultural life.

The Rodelsa Hall is Mindanao’s first auditorium for the performing arts. Its inauguration in 2005, which highlighted the 50th anniversary of the university’s founding, had CCP President Nes Jardin cutting the ribbon, assisted by pianist Ingrid S. Santamaria.

The big event was heralded by a presentation of “The King and I” under the direction of Guam-based Benjie Diola, with talented Liceans making up the cast, and an all-Liszt concert by pianist Rodolfo Golez, son of the university founders, the late Atty. Rodolfo Pelaez and Elsa Pelaez-Pelaez.

Since then, Rodelsa Hall — whose name is derived from those of its founders has become the venue of international and local performances, including those of Rafael Orozco in cooperation with Instituto Cervantes, a  British theater group, courtesy of the British Council, a “Romantic Music Journey” concert by Ingrid and Reynaldo Reyes, concerts by pianist Jiovanney Cruz, sopranos Evelyn Mandac — the only Filipino to have sung at NY’s Metropolitan Opera House — and Joscephine Gomez.

The Soloists’ Series, meant to be an annual event, opened last July 15 with a Reyes recital which garnered considerable success. Reyes last played in Cagayan in the 1960s, and the audience of students and music aficionados highly appreciated his unique and illuminating lecture-recital. The much-awaited concert of Raul Sunico on Sept. 1 follows his performances in the 1980s and 1990s. Rodelsa Hall, which seats over 700, has two concert grand pianos.

Doubtless, the city’s arts scene has been enhanced and enlivened by the Liceo University which distinguishes itself by its holistic approach to education whose academic dimensions are balanced by the humanities to enrich the students’ learning experience. To the community at large it is an offering of goodwill, a celebration of the human spirit. Cagayanons now enjoy quality presentations comparable to those of the NCR.

How remarkably the Liceo U. serves as a legacy of its founders!

Concert pianist Victor Santiago Asuncion who has performed in Canada, Japan and Mexico will interpret Berg, Ravel and Liszt at the GSIS Museum tomorrow, 6:30 p.m. His orchestral debut at 18 was with the Manila Chamber Orchestra, his NY debut was at Carnegie’s Weil Recital Hall in 1999. He has played with major US and European conductors, heads the music department of Memphis U, and has given masterclasses and concerts in US universities. His doctor’s degree in music is from Maryland U.

The concert is free; donations to Musika Ibarang are welcome.