GMA medal for Betsy/ Salcedo Village concert

Eminent Spanish painter and avid Filipinista Betsy Westendorp de Brias received the Presidential Medal of Merit from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through Philippine Ambassador to Spain Joseph Delano Bernardo, with HI chairman Ambeth Ocampo assisting, at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid last April 17.

The award is “in recognition of meritorious acts and exceptional services enhancing the prestige of the country by an international achievement through literature, the sciences, the arts or through other fields in civil society that increases national pride and artistic excellence; for intellectuals or artists who have served in the government, or for foreigners who have promoted Filipino culture, or for meritorious acts which enhance the prestige of the Republic.”

The prestigious award was established by President Elpidio Quirino, and its initial recipients on June 3, 1949, were Carlos P. Romulo, Maria Y. Orosa (posthumous), Francisca Tirona de Benitez, Aurora Aragon de Quezon (posthumous), Carmen de Luna, Jorge Bocobo, among others.

Betsy Westendorp, highly admired for her portraits of elite personalities (both in Madrid and Manila), her Philippine seascapes, landscapes, flora and fauna and still life, richly deserves the award.

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Off-hand, an unofficial and undeclared rivalry seems to exist among the Makati Villages in the presentation of free concerts. Dasmariñas Village listened to Rodel Colmenar conducting the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and some singers; Bel-Air Village heard the Manila Symphony Orchestra under Helen Quach, with violinist Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata as soloist.

Last week, Salcedo Village offered the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under Agripino Diestro, opera singers Rachelle Gerodias and Nolyn Cabahug, pop singers Ayen Munji-Laurel, Jon Joven and Jan Nieto.

Actually, the organizers of the Salcedo concerts — these were started by Nene Lichauco three years ago — allege that they aim to foster community spirit and camaraderie among Makati residents.

A reduced orchestra under the remarkably authoritative PPO resident conductor Agripino Diestro played familiar, standard classics: Strauss’ Die Fledermaus Overture, L. Anderson’s Trumpeter’s Lullabye — a pity the marvelous soloist was unnamed — and the ineffably exquisite Intermezzo from Mascagni’s Cavelleria.

The vastly admired soprano, Gerodias, fresh from her triumph as Lui in Puccini’s Turandot as staged in Vienna, and the similarly admired tenor Cabahug then took centerstage. Gerodias, in Sempre Libera from Verdi’s Traviata, awed listeners with vocal pyrotechnics, her voice in high or low register gloriously sustained, her continually varying dynamics superbly controlled. The aria was of incomparably sensuous and dramatic appeal as was O soave fanciulla from Puccini’s La Boheme, to which tenor Cabahug provided the exquisite “backstage” voice.

Cabahug opened the arias with Nessun Dorma from Puccini’s Turandot, his enormous, luminous, ringing resonant voice conveying breadth and grandeur.

For wider audience appeal, the latter half of the program was devoted to popular music, opening with Weber’s Phantom of the Opera. Forthwith, the personable Joven vibrantly sang Gines Tan’s Magsimula Ka (arr. by Naldy Rodriguez); Nieto followed with a similarly spirited Hanggang by Wency Cornejo (arr. by Chino Toledo).

Finally, the slim, attractive Laurel belted out in most lively and eloquent fashion Magbalik Ka Na Mahal from Rama Hari by Ryan Cayabyab. As the three singers were rendering Louie Ocampo’s Medley, the audience got so keyed up it could have joined them, more especially when Gerodias and Cabahug augmented the infectious trio. Conductor Diestro asserted his presence, contributing to the rousing finale with flair and brio.

Guests, who filled the park on the joyful occasion, were welcomed by CCP president Nestor Jardin, project director, and Chinggay Jasereno Bernardo, production manager.