Legal luminaries in concert / SPU marks its centennial

“Legal Luminaries in Concert” is set for Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. at the UP Film Center in Diliman QC. Diane Franco, co-chair of the event, has sent me some concert notes on the occasion, and on how the legal luminaries started singing together.

I attended the first concert which, having highly impressed me, led me to wonder why the participants did not go into singing careers instead.

Atty Franco writes: the “Legal Luminaries in Concert” was first produced in 2009 by LAWASIA (Phil) headed by Raoul Angangco ’80, ASEAN Law Association headed by Avelino Cruz of ACCRALAW; the Academy of American International Law Alumni Association of the Southern Methodist University of Dallas (The Dallas Group) headed by former Ambassador Raul Goco and PEZA Director General Lila de Lima, and the Transparency International headed by Judge Dolly Español ’59. We initially conceptualized the concert together with CA Justice Magdangal de Leon.

Most of the participants/singing talents are the same lawyers in this concert, who all graduated from UP College of Law. The other singers/musicians were: BID Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, Jr., a classical guitarist, Homer Mendoza, who did an Elvis Presley number and Antonio Pastor, tenor-pianist. Those who were present and many who missed the concert were clamoring for a repeat. They could not believe that the Legal Luminaries could sing as well as any of the professional singers in Philippine theatre and show biz.

The new additions to the roster of singing Legal Luminaries are Dean Danny Concepcion, who missed the 2009 show as he was abroad, former Senator Dick Gordon and Deputy Ombudsman Wilbert Candelaria — and of course, the Charivari, and the Singing Professors.

The musical genes that run through these legal minds cannot be contained even though they have chosen a career path different from their artistic inclinations. Consider that: CA Justice Magdangal de Leon, a baritone and former Madrigal singer, has National Artist Felipe Padilla de Leon for a father. Sopranos Marivic Benedicto and Kay Balajadia were both classically trained in bel canto style by the UP College of Music, where they obtained their Bachelor’s degrees major in Voice Performance.

Dot Gancayco was discovered by famed baritone, the late Prof. Aurelio Estanislao, while she was a high school student at St. Joseph College. Former Senator Joey Lina has always sung as part of the three Singing Tenors, with former MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando and the late General Angelo Reyes.

Mario Andres was a folk singer at the Butterfly (a watering hole in Diliman) while in law school. The rest have always immersed themselves as members of a choir before they became lawyers. Toto Africa is a late bloomer as a lounge singer with perfect French diction. The Dean had taken singing lessons with soprano Josie Bailen. Dick Gordon has always been a cheerleader in Ateneo, but even his sister, Barbara, has expressed surprised that “Dick sings??!!” But, why not? It runs in the family. His sisters have always been into the arts — theatre arts!

The stellar cast’s performance is a fitting finale to the 100-year celebration of the UP College of Law!!!

This second production of Legal Luminaries was made possible by the Centennial Commission, Dean Danny Concepcion, Prof. Myrna Feliciano, and the Faculty of the UP College of Law.

The Charivari (UP alumni) consists of Kay Balajadia, Caryl Miriam Lopez, Neil Simon Silva Ferdinand Redulla and Asryman Rafanan. Assisting artist is Prof. Augusto Espino.

Magdangal de Leon will be joined by brothers-in-law Oscar Palabyab, Ronnie Reyes and Irineo Lorin, Jr. The Chorus Juris consists of Bernard Lopez, Juan Orendain Butid, Ariel Magno, Tin Abejo, Al Oxales and Mario Santos.

The program follows: Part I: The First Four Decades, Opera Classics and Pilipino Suite; Part II: The 50s, 60s and 70s; Part III: The New Millennium.

The Singing Professors are Myrna Feliciano, Chita Jardeleza, Ed Labitag, Gigi Reyes, Pat Daway, Rowena Morales, Bing Guanzon and JJJ Disini. Guest artist is guitarist Lester Demetillo.

* * *

St. Paul University will celebrate its centennial and among its highlights are the Blessing and grand opening of the SPU Manila Museum and Archives, Jan. 25 2-3 p.m.,the Unveiling of Centennial Marker and Statues, 3-3:30 p.m., Festival of Bands, 4-6 p.m.

Jan. 26, Service Awards, 9:30-11:30; Kantiyawan, 2-4 p.m. (matinee), 5:30-7:30 (gala). Jan. 29, Grand Centennial Alumni Homecoming, centennial message by Sr. Lilia Theresa L. Tolentino, SPU Manila President; Launching of “A Hundred Thousand Miracles” by editor Marionette Ocampo-Martinez.