A song for a school

ENJOY AN EVENING OF LIGHT OPERA AND MUSICALS AND HELP BUILD A SCHOOL.

That is the invitation of Toyota Motor Philippines as it presents the 16th Toyota Classics concert on November 13 at 6:30 pm at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater.

The Japanese car giant this year presents the Hungarian State Budapest Operetta Theater Orchestra together with two tenors, two sopranos and four ballet dancers. They will be joined by Filipino coloratura soprano Alegria Ferrer as guest artist.

The Budapest Operetta Theater Orchestra is well-known throughout Hungary and Europe, an acknowledged exemplar of vibrant European musical tradition. The musicians are expert soloists on their own and music teachers.

The evening of music and dance will include Hungarian suites by Brahms and Liszt, and songs from Hungarian composer Kalman, as well as selections from musical favorites "West Side Story", "Funny Girl", and "My Fair Lady".

Proceeds from ticket sales to the one-night-only concert–a full amount of P1 million–will be donated to Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School in Sta, Rosa, Laguna, where the Toyota plant is located. Through the Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF) and Sta. Rosa Mayor Jose Catindig, the school will get a new six-classroom building.

Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School, established in 1957, has an enrolment of over 2,000 students but only 36 classrooms. It is TMPF’s partner under the Adopt-a-School program of the government.

The foundation’s scholarship program has graduated over 400 students, with 50 more still currently enrolled. It also helps schools in building libraries and other school facilities, as well as teacher training.

Environmental preservation is enhanced through TMPF’s continuous rehabilitation of the Silang-Sta. Rosa River, responsible waste management and various tree nursery preservation programs.

"At Toyota, we are committed to contributing to a prosperous society through Monozukuri–manufacturing of value-added products and technological innovation," says Toyota Motor Philippines president Nobuharu Tabata. "With different distributors all over the world, one of Toyota’s values is respect for the culture and customs of the nations in which we operate. Likewise, part of Toyota’s guiding principles is our determination to contribute to economic and social developnment through various corporate activities. The Toyota Classics reflects these principles and our desire to be a model corporate citizen."

In the past, Toyota Classics has presented th New York Symphonic Ensemble, the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, the London Festival Orchestra, the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, and last year the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra.

After Manila, the Hungarian State Budapest Operetta will perform in Bangkok, Jakarta, Seoul, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Seri Begawan and Taipei.

For tickets, contact Ticketworld at tel 891-5610.