The Johann Strauss Society Inc. (JSS), recently staged its Vienna Opera Ball and Presentation of Debutantes 2003, in cooperation with major sponsors Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Swiss International Airlines and Mandarin Oriental, Manila at the Le Pavillon, Metropolitan Park, Roxas Boulevard. The event is the local counterpart The Viennese Opera Ball which gathers distinguished members of Europe’s diplomatic, business and entertainment circles.
The well-attended and elegant affair drew a crowd of 700. It featured prestigious Austrian and Filipino musical luminaries, who alongside 14 lovely debutantes, shared their artistry for the benefit of a hospice care program for cancer patients of AKAP (Alay sa Kapwa Kilusang Pangkalusugan) headed by former DSWD Secretary Mita Pardo de Tavera.
Hosted by your columnist who is also an officer of JSS, the gala celebrated the music of legendary Austrian composers. It opened with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s moving rendition of One Night in Venice under the baton of renowned Austrian conductor Prof. Ernest Hoetzl.
Acclaimed mezzo soprano Agnes Barredo and tenor Frankie Aseniero Jr. rendered soulful interpretations of songs from Fledermaus and Merry Widow as did the Philippine Ballet Theatre with featured soloist Maritoni Rufino-Tordesillas.
Highlighting the show was the presentation of 14 debutantes and their escorts who performed enthralling waltz and polka numbers under the direction of Siegfried Schellander, a professional dance teacher from Austria. Alluring in their white ball gowns, the lovely ladies between 16 and 22 years included Trixie Ayson (escorted by Ramon Garcia); Juna Rebekah Cadungog (escorted by Jesus Vicente Magsaysay Jr.); Maria Victoria Corpus (escorted by Carlo Nieto); Paula Garcia (escorted by Paolo Nuguid); Deborah How (escorted by Victor Albert Lim Tiu); Marie Claire Lambino (escorted by Robert Raymond Bernal-del Rosario); Haidee Lee (escorted by Howell Quinn Lee); Regina Francesca Lejano (escorted by Carlos Concepcion); Jacqueline Michelle Lim (escorted by Juan Miguel Lim); Nicole Maria Ong-Muller (escorted by Lorenzo Camacho); Sabrina Gretchen Salgado (escorted by Miguel Morales); Tania Margaret Tuason-Tan (escorted by Trishan Cuaso); Krista Mae Victorio (escorted by Benjamin Escaler); and Jacqueline Yang (escorted by Tristan Tan).
Of good moral character and lineage, the young ladies, together with their families, have donated considerable funds for AKAP’s various programs.
No less resplendent and exuberant that night were the debutantes’ parents: Serge and Yoli Ayson; Jovito and Victoria Cadungog; Carlo and Raquel Corpus; Dupil and Carmelita Garcia; William and Milagros How; Marcelo and Mariles Lambino; Manuel and Susan Lee; Francisco and Rebecca Lejano; Gilda Lim; Hubert and Maria Muller; Gerard and Jo-Ann Salgado; Leo and Marilee Victorio; William and Grace Tan; and Antonio and Juliet Yang.
Five of the debutantes who were introduced at the 2000 Opera Ball also performed a waltz number with their escorts under the direction of Gener Caringal: Kimberly Baradi and Gio Ortiz Luis; Ileana Garcia and Eduardo Barrera; Amanda Sandoval and Felipe Cruz III; Dianne Sison and Jose Andres Lopa; and Melissa Varela and Ramon Ortiz Luis. (To be concluded)
Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Tessie Luz, Liding Oledan, Marlou Huibonhua and Jorge Araneta.
Advanced birthday greetings to Nanette Puyat and Jinggoy Estrada, Feb. 17; Bulletin’s Business editor Loreto Cabañes and Angadanan socialite Lourdes Guillermo, Feb. 18; Philippine STAR managing and business editor Antonio Katigbak and Lolita Villareal, Feb. 19; Charry Bagatsing, Leenie Laurel Castillo, Gina de Venecia, Bulletin’s Adrian Cristobal, Tony Antonio and Jay Lopez, Feb. 20; Lyra Rufino Maceda and Grace Padilla, architect Jorge Ramos, Feb. 22; Ellen Reyes, Christopher Lim and Dr. Lerwin Lloyd Landas, Feb. 23.
So, how was your week?