Some enchanted evening at The Pen

One of the most enduring holiday traditions in the metropolis is the Christmas Concert at The Pen, held every year on the second Saturday of December for the past 25 years at The Peninsula Manila’s grand lobby. The yuletide season couldn’t be heralded in a grander fashion than this. No other hotel in Manila can claim to be able to gather an 80-piece ensemble in its lobby.

But like many traditions whose origins are often taken for granted, very few are privy to how the hotel’s annual Christmas concert actually started.

In fact, it wasn’t a Christmas concert to begin with according to Mila Valenzuela, the hotel’s longest-serving public relations director, now retired. She said it was The Peninsula Manila’s second GM, Felix Bieger (1977-80), after whom the Peninsula Hong Kong’s Philippe Starck-designed nightspot Felix is named, who first planted the idea of a concert in The Lobby. He got this idea serendipitously one evening, all set to enjoy an open-air concert at the old Glorietta (remember the amphitheater where there was a Lingnam outlet on its side?), but the rains forced the evening’s show to be canceled. Rather than be disappointed, Bieger then invited the group to play at The Pen’s Lobby to resounding success. He toyed with the idea from then on, but unfortunately, before a concert could materialize, his term in Manila ended.

Luckily, his successor, an Italian named Fernando Buffa, was also musically inclined and was keen on staging a concert at The Lobby. It was to be a free concert, a means of thanking the public for patronizing the hotel. One of the hallmarks of the concert, which to this day is still carried on, is showcasing local talent — Filipino singers accompanied by a Filipino orchestra. “We wanted to promote Philippine art and culture,” says Valenzuela.

Over the years, many world-class local talents have been featured at The Lobby starting with The Manila Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of future National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro, Angono Symphonic Band, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under Ruggero Barbieri, along with various guest singers such as Regine Velasquez, Jose Mari Chan, Dulce, Nolyn Cabahug, Rachel Gerodias, Anna Fegi, Camille Lopez-Molina, Josephine Roces, Kyla, to name a few. Back in 2003, Mary Ann and I were lucky enough to witness the Loboc Children’s Choir as guest performers, then fresh from their feat at the Voices of the World competition held in Barcelona, Spain, where they won first prize.

This year ‘s concert (entitled “Silver Bells”) was held Dec. 13, featuring much-loved music from classical favorites to yuletide standards like Tschaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, the “Habanera” from Bizet’s Carmen, the “Triumphal March” from Verdi’s Aida, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, De Leon-Celerio’s immortal classic Pasko Na Naman, culminating in the glorious “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah.

 The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied critically acclaimed sopranos Rachelle Gerodias and Camille Lopez-Molina, renowned Germany-based tenor Abdul Candao and the multi award-winning University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC). This year’s concert, sponsored by Stores Specialists Inc., benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation which grants the wishes of children who have life-threatening illnesses.

 “The Peninsula Manila is proud to support Make-A-Wish Foundation,” says the new Peninsula Manila GM Jonathan H. Crook. “We have had a long relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation but want to continue and expand this tradition of charitable giving at our hotel that would involve our staff, guests and visitors. The Christmas Concert at The Pen — as well as the Peninsula-wide Trees of Hope campaign — is designed to add beauty to the hotel both musically, physically and spiritually, and to enrich the lives of the children touched by the Make-A-Wish Foundation this Christmas season.” As parting words of advice, Crook adds: “Since the concert is quite popular and we do not accept reservations, it would be wise to come early to secure a good seat.” But the chi-chi matrons have known that all along, dear sir. True to form, they sent their white-uniformed yayas as early as 1 p.m. to get the best seats.

Bewitching hour, still at The Pen

Still ongoing at The Pen Lobby is its Chocolate Buffet, held Friday and Saturday evenings (8:30 p.m. to midnight) till the end of December, 2008. Indulge yourself with this mouthwatering buffet of luscious chocolate creations including a variation called the PC&C (Peninsula Chocolates and Champagne), a perfect pair for the light, bubbly Peninsula Champagne and its exquisite chocolates.