An enchanted evening with Mozart

"Music should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music." – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Hardworking Mandarin Oriental, Manila GM Helmut Gaisberger has come up with another great event, this time working in conjunction with lovely belle Letty Syquia – a fundraising evening for Santuario de San Antonio parish dubbed An Evening with Mozart. Legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart would have smiled at the scintillating performance and huge turnout! Held jointly with the Johann Strauss Society, Inc., the performance featured a cast of 120 artists composed of Austrians and Filipinos. Indefatigable event chair Letty led the hardworking committee in achieving the goal set by dynamic parish priest Fr. Tony Rosales, OFM, to raise funds for the rebuilding of the chapel in St. Bernard in Guinsaugon, Leyte that was buried by landslides, and for the parish’s other outreach programs.

Dapper Helmut worked closely with guest Austrian conductor Dr. Ernest Hoetzl and program committee chair Amelita Guevarra in developing the concert program and repertoire, which was performed by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Austrian Ambassador Herbert Jaeger together with effervescent fiancée Martina, and Makati Mayor Jojo and Dr. Elenita Binay led the audience, composed of the diplomatic corps, parishioners, businessmen and music lovers who were in rapt attention until the last note of the encore was sung.

Congratulations for a wonderful and successful fundraising concert!

A year of jubilees

His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal recently celebrated his "Year of Jubilees – in Life, Journey, and Stewardship" at the Manila Hotel, marking his 50th year as a priest, his 25th year in the Archdiocese of Cebu, his 35th Episcopal Anniversary and his 21st year as a Cardinal in the Philippines. The Eucharistic Celebration was followed by a dinner-concert featuring the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and Master Chorale under the musical direction of maestro Ryan Cayabyab. The successful engagement, organized in line with Wilbros Entertainment Group, was well attended by VIPs, including President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro, Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Cardinal Jose Sanchez and Papal Nuncio Fernando Filoni.

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Barbie Atienza.

Advance birthday greetings to jet-setter Mayenne Carmona, Ambassador Ramon del Rosario Sr. and Tats Manahan, July 25; FCCP’s Annabelle Adriano and Anna Maria Tirol, July 26; Manila Bulletin publisher Napoleon Rama, July 27; Golem Silverio and Baby Araneta Fores, July 28; and Ideaz Plus’ Bob Zozobrado, July 29.

Belated birthday greetings to Kitchie Benedicto, July 16.

So, how was your week?

(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)