Singing Ambassadors

Eminent Belgian soprano Cristel de Meulder became an instant ambassador of goodwill when she graciously sang at a private concert hosted by Belgian Ambassador Christian and Gul Tanghe in the elegant residence of Belize Consul Helen Ong and her husband Dr. Luciano Ong.

Ms. de Meulder and famed Belgian organist Jan van Mol were in Manila for the 28th International Bamboo Organ Festival; Mr. Van Mol, however, could not perform at the preview concert presumably for lack of an organ. Young Filipino pianist Jonathan Arevalo Coo, who served as assisting artist, rendered the first movement of Chopin’s third Sonata. The soprano exquisitely sang Windmung (Dedication) by Schumann/Liszt, lieder by Schubert, a piece by Flemish composer L. Mortelmans, and an encore, Purcell’s "If Music be the Food of Love".

Lusty applause came from ambassadors of Sweden, Chile, NZ, UK, France, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Russia, the EU and their respective wives, as well as diplomatic representatives from Korea, Turkey and Belgium.

Among other music lovers were Andy and Tereret Liboro, Consuls Ramon Ilusorio, Fortune Ledesma, Evie Costa and Ceferino Benedicto, Paz Yuchengco, Masako Sumiya, Lourdes Montinola and Della Besa of the Bamboo Organ Foundation, Mita Rufino, Jimmy Laya, the Rockwell Gohus, Tony Pastor and Jose and Marilou Alejandro.

GM Helmut Gaisberger, David Thomas and Charisse Chuidian represented Mandarin Oriental whose excellent cocktail fare–Filipino and European specialties, sparkling champagne, French wines and Belgian beer–lived up, as usual, to expectations.

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It has been sometime since Ambassador Jacky Foo and his petite wife Dr. Su Yumian (a nuclear physicist) returned to Singapore for a new posting. Yet guests still vividly remember how the inimitable host George F. Sison–restaurateur, poet, book author, guru and art connoisseur–made the Singaporean couple literally sing for their supper. Or dinner, the epicurean repast served by the chef of Giorgio Restaurant and Bar having been a splendid one.

Lending Jacky and Yumian a collective and appreciative ear were Swedish Ambassador Ulf and Lena Hakans-son, Italian Ambas-sador Umberto and Clara Colesanti, Portuguese Ambassador Joao and Ulrike Caetano da Silva, Consul Helen Ong, Paz Yuchengco, Ping Valencia and educator Dina Paterno who became Yumian’s close friend when she taught nuclear physics at the UP.

Actually, the guests had been serenading the honorees (in a fashion)–Clara and Ping stood out among the serenaders–and George thought the honoree should reciprocate the gesture. Jacky responded immediately but the doctor hesitated; finally she agreed to sing–for the first time in public! Jacky listened in awe then teasingly remarked, "Look at my wife; I’ve never heard anyone else sing out-of-tune like she does yet with such confidence! I’m so proud of her."

To everyone’s surprise, George announced later in the evening: "Jacky and Yumian, there’s someone who has requested that he be allowed to serenade you, to show how much he appreciates both of you. Ladies and gentlemen, Willy Armis, the official driver of His Excellency at the Singapore embassy." Forthwith, Armis sang a touching Pilipino song that expressed his high esteem for his boss and his sadness at seeing him go. Both Jacky and Yumian had to fight back their tears. Who said no man is a hero to his valet?

Close to midnight, Jacky bade host and guests farewell, saying how much he had enjoyed the Philippines–its culture, its resorts, and most especially, its people. Turning to George, he ended thus: "We will never forget this evening."