A 19th century evening/Serenaders: Cocoy, Lemuel

Guests relived a 19th century evening in Intramuros, with pedestrians, soldiers, guards, a bishop, a nun — all in authentic period attire — promenading in the courtyard fronting Casa Blanca, San Luis Complex. Even waiters and ushers were in turn-of-the-century costumes. Guests themselves went into the spirit of the occasion: Leslie Murray came as a Thomasite teacher; husband Brian was in an elegant barong tagalog. A singer enhanced ambiance with 19th century songs in Spanish and Tagalog.

Dinner and a tertulia followed in Casa Blanca where the atmosphere of the era was deepened by its architecture, décor, antique furniture, old chandeliers, indoor plants and the cuisine served.

Noted artists — sopranos Nenen Espina and Naomi Sison, guitarist Ruben Reyes, tenors Ramon Acoymo and Lemuel de la Cruz, pianist Ingrid Santamaria and flutist Ray Sison — zestfully interpreted period compositions. Ramon Obusan dancers in a putongan placed floral head-dresses on guests Brigitte MacDonald, Jenny Peña and Mickey Fenix, among many others.

The nostalgic RP Heritage Festival event was imaginatively conceived by director Bambi Harper, Intramuros Administrator, and President Mita Rufino, with Ronnie Merck and Jose Mari Chan assisting. Mrs. Harper’s welcome address was lustily applauded. Indeed, everything has vastly improved in and around Intramuros, including its buildings, since she took over.

“Serenading Moms”, an invitational Mother’s Day program at the Mega Atrium, featured eminent tenor Lemuel de la Cruz and icon Cocoy Laurel. Opera singers don’t usually use microphones but Lemuel — a distinguished member of Singapore Opera — used one so he could rise above the noisy crowd on five levels surrounding the improvised stage.

The tenor gave splendid, expansive renditions of Besa Me Mucho and Amapola, and the Neapolitan O Sole Mio, capturing their Latin flavor and emotional content, his voice full and vibrant. The audience was deeply moved by You Raised Me Up and Cuenco’s Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, their message meant for the mothers present. Every number drew rousing applause.

Even before Cocoy Laurel ascended the stage, a storm of applause greeted him. A veteran of musicals as singer, actor, dancer — his latest triumph was in Sydney as The Engineer in “Miss Saigon” for which rate the prolonged standing ovation reduced him to tears — Cocoy, in his usual manner, combined his multiple talents in each song — enriching it with furtive glances, bewitching smile, rapid turns — thus electrifying, magnetizing, enrapturing and bringing the house down in Edith Plaf’s La Vie en Rose, The Way You Look Tonight, Some Enchanted Evening, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.

Hewing closely to the theme, Cocoy devoted much attention to his beauteous mother Celia Diaz who was seated in front of him.

His encore piece, Lollipops and Roses, originally a movie duet with Nora Aunor, led to uproarious applause and near pandemonium! Indeed, Cocoy so compelled attention, even the security guards and bystanders on all floors overlooking the stage watched him.

The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under Rodel Colmenar contributed considerably to the program’s tremendous success. Alternately playing the piano and conducting, Colmenar drew breezy, scintillating sounds from the ensemble in Moon Medley (arranged by him), Medley of Tagalog Classics and Cinema Paradise. Further, the musicians’ verve and spirit reflected the singers’ own.

In sum, Cocoy, Lemuel and Rodel made for a marvelous performance that caused listeners to momentarily forget an increasingly maddening world. The Heritage Institute Center headed by Evelyn Cabanban and Melissa Y. Moran organized “Serenading Moms”.

Syjuco’s Uploads, Cacnio’s Danse

On You Tube may be viewed Cesare A.X. Syjuco’s “New Video Uploads” edited by Beatrix Syjuco for Monkey See Productions, and produced by Jean Marie Syjuco for Art Quest World Wide Inc.

The Alliance Francaise de Manille will present Ferdinand R. Cacnio’s Danse at the Alliance Total Gallery from May 19 to June 15.