A magical musical night

What is it about faith that inspires men to scale the heights of artistry? Faith has inspired all of the art forms, from the visual arts to dance, from architecture to music. One need only look at dazzling, imposing baroque or Gothic cathedrals, or listen to music from Gregorian chant to Handel’s Messiah to realize the extent with which faith motivates the creation of works of art that stand the test of time.

Expect a thrilling evening of great music, then, when the formidable trio of concert pianist/composer-arranger Raul Sunico, soprano Maria Rachelle Rivera Gerodias, and tenor Lemuel De la Cruz perform this Saturday, June 25 at 7 p.m. at the St. Francis Xavier Parish Church in Nasugbu, Batangas. Inspired by faith to raise funds for the Greek and Roman-inspired church, these artists, upon the invitation of the concert’s prime movers Dr. Alberto Wonchai and Parish Priest Msgr. Alfredo Madlangbayan, will perform in a concert of classics.

The concert aims to raise funds for the ongoing construction of Nasugbu’s parish church, which is expected to be finished by 2006. Construction of the new church was initiated over eight years ago by then Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Ben Percano assisted by the Church Construction Committee led by former Nasugbu Mayor Charito Apacible, who has continued her leadership as chairman. After Fr. Percano’s death, the construction was zealously continued over the next half decade by the next parish priest, Msgr. Alberto Boongaling.

"If they only realize the caliber of the performers and what a rare chance it is for the three to get together, music lovers will surely not miss this night," says Dr. Wonchai. "At the same time they can help in the continuing construction of the church."

Indeed, a peek at the trio’s credentials will attest to their talents. Internationally-esteemed Dr. Raul Sunico, now dean of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory of Music, is a University of the Philippines (UP) graduate with degree in Music, cum laude (in addition to Math and Statistics). He has hauled awards from piano competitions worldwide. He also has 30 recordings to his credit, including Filipino kundimans and folk songs and is author of two music books.

Meanwhile, soprano Maria Rachelle Rivera Gerodias was a scholar at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Here she earned a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance and Literature. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree at UST. She has also proven her versatility by taking on a wide range of operatic roles worldwide. She is a faculty member of the UST Conservatory of Music and UP College of Music.

Tenor Lemuel De la Cruz is a UST Music graduate. He finished his professorial diploma in opera studies (with distinction) at the Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts under the Duchess of Kent Scholarship grant. Having tackled a variety of operatic roles, Lemuel also chalked up recordings with varied orchestras. He is a faculty member of the UST Conservatory of Music and is completing his Masteral studies in Music.

"I hope this concert will only be the start of a series of (artistic) fund-raising activities for our church," adds Msgr. Madlangbayan.

Why not? Msgr. Madlangbayan knows only too well that faith even the size of a mustard seed is enough to move mountains.

(For inquiries, call the Parish of St. Francis Xavier, Nasugbu, Batangas at tel. no. (043) 931-5186/412-0025).