A captivating musical soiree recently took place at the magnificent home of gracious Muebles Italiano president and CEO Noel Gonzales and lovely wife Eileen. Brilliant Cultural Center of the Philippines president, artistic director and UST Conservatory of Music dean, Dr. Raul Sunico, regaled everyone with classical pieces and some of his original piano arrangements while guest violinist Joseph Cimafranca and collaborating pianist Greg Zuniega both dazzled the audience with their stellar performances. What a truly splendid evening of music thoroughly enjoyed by everyone!
Bravo Noel and Eileen!
Faces at the museum
Ongoing at The Lopez Memorial Museum (LMM) is About Face, an exhibit that explores the idea that the face represents the persona with which one confronts the world and how penetrable these public facades can be. Featured artists are xVRx (Vermont Coronel), Renan Ortiz, Louie Talents and Alvin Zafra who used and incorporated portraits from the museum’s collection and library archives including works by Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Macario Vitalis, Ang Kiukok, Vicente Manansala and the most treasured Rizaliana — in light of the 150th birth commemoration of our national hero Jose Rizal. Members of the Lopez clan came in full force on opening night with other guests that included Deanna Ongpin-Recto, Rafael Alunan III and Energy Development Corp. president and COO Richard Tantoco. The About Face exhibit will run until Aug. 27.
Maniya directs ‘Romeo & Juliet’
The country’s pioneer ballet organization, the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT), continues to uphold its reputation for having only the best in its fold. At the helm of its season opener Romeo & Juliet at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is prima ballerina Maniya Barredo. A reception honoring her and the two principal dancers David Kiyak and Naomi Hergott was hosted by US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. recently at his Forbes Park residence. It was an evening enjoyed by kindred spirits PBT chairman Chingbee Kalaw and president Cha-Cha Camacho, CCP president Raul Sunico and former Sen. Jun Magsaysay, among others. Maniya hopes to establish a satellite school of Georgia-based Metropolitan Ballet Theatre (where she is the artistic director) here in cooperation with the PBT.
More power to Maniya and the Philippine Ballet Theatre!
Meaningful reasons to celebrate
To pay tribute to the ideal, loving and nurturing mothers who have helped shaped our society today, well-loved lifestyle chronicler, society columnist and fashion editor Resty Vergara recently invited his good friends to the first “Dakilang Ina ng Bayan Awardees Year 2011.” This event was held at the Muebles Italiano in Makati City through the generosity of president and CEO Noel Gonzales. The “Dakilang Ina ng Bayan” awardees were Dr. Elenita Binay, former Rep. Cynthia Villar, well-known philanthropists Nonie Basilio, Nini Valdez, Mimi Valerio, Nene Leonor, Chit Salud and Lion’s International governor Baby Bayani Ortiz. The celebration was coupled with Resty’s joyful birthday bash and his surprise announcement of what he called the “Women of Love and Compassion” that went to lawyer Manette Agbayani, Ana Sia and Geena Zablan.
During the joyful affair, guests thoroughly enjoyed the sumptuous merienda cena and the beautiful musical entertainment rendered by Dulce and Faith Cuneta, among others.
Congratulations to all the awardees and happy birthday, Resty!