A Quadricentennial Christmas at UST

CEBU, Philippines - Fr. Isidro Albano, O.P., the Executive Director for the Quadricentennial Activities and Highlights at the University of Santo Tomas, considered the UST Christmas Concert Gala 2011 as "… the apex of the series we started nine years ago."

Naturally, he was commenting on the much-honored tradition that I myself - like so many other music lovers - have religiously followed, having been consistently wowed by the talented musical performers, who have never ceased to floor me, with the power of their endearing presentations, year after year after year.

Always elegantly carried out at Christmastime, the latest glittery concert gala, staged to bring pure joy and express sincere gratitude to the contributors and benefactors of the University's Heritage Conservation efforts and the Conservatory of Music's Scholarship Fund, was faced with a very special occasion that only the Pontifical University has the prestige and the privilege to commemorate - its 400 years of existence.

And how better to celebrate such a sterling milestone than to adhere to the European practice of holding grand concerts in magnificent cathedrals and impressive churches and fill the UST Chapel, otherwise known as the Santissimo Rosario Church, with a memorable programme, showcasing the most gifted singers and choirs together with accomplished musicians to ever be connected with Asia's oldest university.

Joining the Dean of the UST Conservatory of Music, the current President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and pianist extraordinaire, Raul Sunico, was a stellar cast of performers such as sopranos Maria Rachelle Gerodias, Nenen Espina, Thea Perez-Prosia, Naomi Paz-Sison, tenors Lemuel Dela Cruz, Ronan Ferrer and Eugene de los Santos, baritone Andrew Fernando, boy soprano Patrick Packay and alto sax player Archimedes Lacorte.

Also featured were the Coro Tomasino, which is composed of a set of music students gifted with voices that sing at various occasions in and out of the university premises, in and out of the country; the UST Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, a pack of singers whose vocal expertise lies in the rendition of solely liturgical and sacred music; and the Conservatory of Music Chorus, a large ensemble mentored by their professor, Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan.

To top all that, the globally multi-awarded UST Singers were likewise present to infuse our souls with the beautiful spirit of Christmas, under the expert baton of Fidel Gener Calalang Jr.

Providing accompaniment was their very own UST Symphony Orchestra, which has the distinct notability of being a resident performing group of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

After the ninth installment of their annual Christmas Concert Gala, one truly wonders how they can surpass this last rendition in ambition, scope and splendor for after all, it is not every year that the bastion of learning gets to celebrate its quadricentennial.

But believe you me, with the leadership and inspiration of the UST Rector, the Reverend Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P. with the passionate event Co-chair, art patroness Maricris Zobel and Fr. Isidro Albano, O.P., ably supported by members of their hard working committee that include Andrew Gan and John Matti, among others, plus the perennial Presenting Sponsors such as, San Miguel Corporation, The Belo Medical Group, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, The Ayala Group of Companies and The Pioneer Insurance Corporations, we can be certain, we will be pleasantly, awesomely surprised for yet another enchanting evening simply beyond forgetting. (FREEMAN)