Jess on Rockefeller / Christmas cornucopia

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( Second of two parts )

A pernicious case of influenza kept me from attending the dinner for David Rockefeller III at which no less than President GMA was present. Former Ambassador Isabel C. Wilson had graciously invited me to the occasion, saying, "You’re so involved with culture and the arts. I’m including your name in my list of invitees."

Mr. Rockefeller’s name is synonymous with the arts, especially in the Third World; in fact, several Filipino academicians and artists are Rockefeller grantees. His meaningful post-dinner remarks have subsequently been quoted, and in a recent awarding ceremony, German Ambassador D. Jess – himself an art patron of the first order – quoted the eminent visitor thus: "I agree with David Rockefeller III who said: ‘Today, the arts play a very special role in allowing us to honor and celebrate that which is special and distinct in each of us while, at the same time, recognizing and appreciating – and yes, sometimes lamenting – our shared human condition’."

Circumstances prevented me likewise from listening to the all-Tchaikovsky concert of the San Miguel Philharmonic whose debut this year has made a tremendous impact. Albert Tiu was soloist for Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra, with Russian Conductor Dmitry Liss wielding the baton. Knowledgeable sources report that both gave outstanding performances. Visiting Joseph Esmilla, our richly-talented violinist, served as concert master.

Also played were the Polonaise from the opera Eugene Onegin (third act) and the Symphony Pathétique. Liss, conductor of the Ural Philharmonic, is also associate conductor of the Russian National Orchestra. Incidentally, Cecile Licad graciously honored her friend and peer Albert with her presence.

Our Christmas cornucopia offers no less than three free concerts. In Martin E. Lopez’s offering at the Philamlife on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. (not Dec. 11 as inadvertently announced by me earlier), the audience will listen to the UP Med Choir and the Hiraya All Men’s Chorus. Be generous with your checks which will benefit the mental retardates of Ang Arko Foundation headed by MCO Director Armando Baltazar, the orphaned and destitute children of Basilan, and the handicapped, both young and old, under the care of the Divine Mobile Center.

The second free concert, at the Pen lobby, is also on Dec. 14 (5-7 p.m.). It will feature the SSC Chamber Orchestra, Luz Morete-Martinez (soprano), Lionel Guico (baritone) and Sheila Francisco, the sensational Bloody Mary who starred in the National Theater production of the Broadway musical South Pacific at the West End in London.

The Pen program, a fusion of classic and pop, consists of Grieg’s Holberg Suite, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins and String Orchestra, duets and arias from Verdi’s La Traviata, Broadway hits, love tunes, jazz and Christmas songs.

The third free concert, on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Folk Arts Theater Lawn, titled Christmas and Gershwin will feature the PPO under Conductor Ruggero Barbieri in carols and old favorites by George and Ira Gershwin. Bituin Escalante and the Mandaluyong Children’s Chorus will sing.

It was a unique private concert Nena R. Villanueva gave last Sunday to mark the inauguration of the latest of Dr. Meding Suntay’s many houses. Nena, our country’s first international concertist – she is still in excellent fettle – was to have given a mini-recital for the select audience. Feeling rather indisposed, she presented instead a video of her performance last May at the Musée de l’Armée in Paris where she shared honors with the brilliant soprano Margarita Gomez. Ambassador Hector Villaroel and the Filipinos in the concert hall had reason to be extremely proud of their artists. Indeed, Nena, who is far from being old, has become a living legend.

The FCCP’s Home Concert Series II was again the familiar fusion of classic and pop, with internationally acclaimed concertist Raul Sunico performing with fast-rising soprano Camille Lopez and the Ateneo Alumni Glee Club and members of the FCCP Ladies' Chorale with Chinggoy Alonso interpreting selections from Broadway hits.

The venue was the elegant residence of Chito Madrigal- Collantes, FCCP’s founding chairman, first president and chairman emeritus. FCCP President Chloe Romulo Periquet, in her remarks, quoted Chito thus: "Whenever there were dangers of selfish ambition and vainglory, we brought instead wholeness and sincerity. To our noble intentions, we added hard work."

On her own, Chloe, after recognizing the presence of academe, artists including Leonor O. Goquingco, National Artist for Dance, and the diplomatic corps, said: "One cannot help but appreciate our God-given resources through the arts. FCCP has not stopped in its relentless pursuit of the fulfillment of its mission and vision, nor has it skipped a beat, to the tempo set by our founding chairman."