MANILA, Philippines - The Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines (JSSP), in cooperation with Philippine Tatler, will present 12 debutantes at the Opera Ball 2010 is slated on Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m. at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City.
Designed to capture the magnificence and grandeur of a Viennese Opera Ball, Opera Ball 2010 will be a vibrant display of traditional Austrian music and dance.
JSSP president and over-all chair of the Opera Ball Olga Severino Martel said the beneficiaries for this year’s ball are the Bayanijuan at Calauan, Laguna, a relocation center for informal settlers living along esteros and waterways; the Duyan Project at Marillac Hills, a rehabilitation center for abused girls age six to 17; ChildHope, a program for the education of street children; and the Mother & Child Project of Virlanie Foundation.
The musical program that will precede the presentation of debutantes will feature the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Austrian conductor Dr. Ernest Hoetzl, and an impressive lineup of musical artists: flutist Marriane Hoetzl, soprano Rachelle Gerodias, tenor Lemuel dela Cruz and baritone Andrew Fernando.
Austrian artistic director Katharina Mackh will choreograph the debutantes’ dance in collaboration with Jeremy Vallejo.
Sponsors are Container Port, SM Inc., CATS Motors, San Miguel Corp., Imelda Cojuangco, Grand Asian Shipping Lines Inc., BA Securities, Meralco, Pagcor and Millennium Travel Corp.
Chairpersons of the Opera Ball 2010 are Consul Agnes T. Huibonhoa and Cristina Belton.
The steering committee members are Fortune Ledesma, chairman; Olga Severino Martel, president; Cristina Belton, Agnes Huibonhoa, Betty Chua, Mila How, Helmut Gaisberger, Lilibeth Campos, Ed Yap and Gerry Contreras.
Tickets at P3,000 and P5,000 are available at the JSSP Secretariat. For reservations, call Angie at 864-0365.