Ingrid’s Piano Museum

Last month’s many musical "happenings" were both onstage and off. Pianists Ingrid Sala Santamaria and Reynaldo Reyes played a movement from three concertos by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff–highlights from the 99 concertos they had thus far rendered in the hinterlands along the route of their "Romantic (Music) Journey". Thus, they were actually giving their 100th concert that afternoon!

Earlier, sponsors Meldy O. Cojuangco, Nenita Floirendo, Chona S. Montinola (representing Vermen Rowell), Joanne Andrada and Don Condrado ("Ado") Escudero officiated at the ribbon-cutting to inaugurate Ingrid’s Piano Museum in her Makati residence. The fascinating collection of hundreds of pianos, mostly miniature and in porcelain, had been gathered by Ingrid as she concertized abroad.

The ensuing despedida merienda honored Reynaldo who was resuming his concert career and his professional duties at the Towson State U. in Maryland. Distinguished guests were headed by Goethe Institut Director Volker Avenmarg and his charming Japanese wife.

The F. Buencamino Music Foundation, meanwhile, granted scholarships to voice students Carlo Facis and Ryan Roa, to mark the latest visit of Cecile Licad. The other scholar is pianist Hiyas Hila, now pursuing an M.A. degree in San Francisco.

The Foundation consists of Pilar Buencamino Larracas, the only surviving daughter of the composer, chairman; Amelita D. Guevara, president; Nanet B. Sinco, v-p; Rafael Pacheco, secretary and Ofelia Zamora, treasurer. Directors are Dolly B. Francia, Rosario B. Licad, Rosario B. Pardo–close relatives of the composer and Carmelita L. Perfecto.

The DV Joggers’ Club had a reunion again, this time to welcome the Palanca sisters Nenen, Lizzie, "Babydoll" and Olivia, daughters of Charlie and Mercen. The joggers also listened to their "idol" Nena del Rosario Villanueva who was giving them a preview of her performance for the Assumption College concert in honor of its foundress. On the second piano for the Chopin Concerto was the personable Rolly Guingona.

Hostess as usual was Dr. Meding Suntay. Guests, among them Henri Santos, Barbara Lichaytoo and Mimi Laurel bade goodbye to Meding at exactly nine so they could wake up on time for their early morning ritual.