UST, SPU celebrations

Drawing from its vast reserve of alumni, faculty members and students, the UST Conservatory headed by Dean Raul Sunico presented at the CCP “Love Unspoken” — “an operatic setting of excerpts from (foreign) operas, operettas and Broadway musicals”, with the UST Symphony Orchestra under Herminigildo Ranera assisting.

The widely diverse group of performers exhibited varying degrees of competence, skill and excellence, the latter quality applying to soprano Rachelle Gerodias and mezzo-soprano Clarissa Ocampo, baritone Andrew Fernando — whose solos constituted concert highlights — and bass Jun Francis Jaranilla.

Other highlights were the Rigoletto Quartet featuring Gerodias, Ocampo, Fernando and tenor Randy Gilongo, and the Lucia Sextette featuring Nenen Espina, Naomi Sison, tenors Lemuel dela Cruz and Eugene delos Santos, Jaranilla and student Christoval Tan, baritone, their voices ringing resonantly in the two musical dialogues.

The Carmen Quintet had a mixed cast: faculty member Elisanta Cortes, alumna Ferleoni Medina, promising students Tan, Nohmer Nival and soprano Minette Padilla.

Irma PE Potenciano was a model of poise and grace in an aria from Adriana Le Couvreur; Gloria Dizon Coronel could still hit the high notes in the Jewel Song from Faust. Vibratos occasionally emanated from both senior faculty members.

Ronan Ferrer, tenor, Jaranilla, bass, sopranos Patrice Pacis and Thea Perez Prosia were a delight in the Boheme Quartet. The entire cast and chorus elicited immense pleasure as they emoted and sang with infectious zest, spirit and flair in “Masquerade” from Phantom of the Opera. So did Cortes, Gerodias, Pacis, Prosia and Sison in “I Feel Pretty” from Westside Story.

Tenors dela Cruz, Ferrer, Gilongo and bass Jaranilla filled the air with virile voices ringing to a robust, pounding, energizing beat in “Stouthearted Men” from New Moon.

Operetta and Broadway medleys ended the concert; earlier, Ranera wielded the baton in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus Overture with flamboyance and aplomb. Stage director Floy Quintos was behind the swift, smooth pacing; Ruel Beronio and Ricardo Cruz were respectively responsible for the lighting effects and stage design.

The grand, splendid production marked a year short of UST’s 400th anniversary.

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“Celebration!”, a choral-dance concert presented by the Sisters of St. Paul at the Fleur de Lis Theater featured the SPC Sisters Choir augmented by the Chorales of St. Paul U. Manila, Tuguegarao and Quezon. The massive vocal ensemble of about 200 filled the entire stage, the voices resounding and reverberating thunderously.

The original compositions in “Celebration!” by the St. Paul sisters were arranged by Eudenice Palaruan and sung by Michelle Valeriano, mezzo-soprano, Sr. Teresita Orlino, soprano, tenors Russel Indab and Palaruan, and a double quartet: Srs. Jesusa Tacad and Corazon Bunagan, sopranos, Mercilyn Jabel and Jessica Formacion, altos, Comon and Indab, tenors, Mark Jacinto and Joel Daquiaog Jr., basses.

Rocky Reambonanza’s Alab ng Puso, arranged by Jeddi Celeste, with lyrics by Emmanuel Valdoz, was sung by the SPU Chorale and tenor Reambonanza, assisted by pianist Beah Gumarang and flutist John Senase. Jenny Medina conducted. San Pedro’s Minsan sa Isang Taon was arranged by Sr. Maria Asencio. Stylized and theatricalized folk dances in a barrio fiesta setting were joyously performed by the St. Paul Dance Troupe in elegant costumes.

Considerable surprise was provided by the utterly lyical compositions of Sr. Maria Anunciata Sta. Maria in Misa ng Sambayanan arranged by Raul Sunico. It consisted of Panginoon Maawa Ka, beautifully sung by Sr. Orlino, Papuri sung by tenor Ronan Ferrer, the “Hymn of Origin and Life” with lyrics by Sr. Marie Mallilin and arranged by Oliver Rodriguez, and Te Deum. Sr. Anunciata herself conducted the vast choir with vigor and vibrance.

Leo Quinitio’s “Prayer for Peace”, was sung by soprano Regine Garabiles who was assisted by pianist Gumarang, with Medina conducting. “Rejoice!”, composed by Sr. Orlina, with lyrics by Sr. Bernadette Racadio, was arranged by Sunico.

In her introductory remarks, Wynna Marie Medina, alumni president, observed that “Celebration!” was an expression of the Paulinian spirit. More significantly, it was a glorious exaltation of the Filipino spirit, showcasing most impressively our world-renowned talent in dance and music.