Myramae: Each song a gem/ A show in aid of F. Rivera/ Francisfest: A family affair

The prime of youth, a smiling countenance, a pretty face, a charming personality instantly won audience sympathy and admiration for soprano Myramae Meneses.  Yet, she had even more to offer:  a crystalline, luminous tessitura, technical skill, and expressive artistry.  She impressively demonstrated these in an art song, operatic arias (standard and modern) a sample of bel canto, Filipino songs variously dwelling on love, the Almighty, nature, the wish to live, while evoking diverse moods and emotions.

Making up the challenging program were songs by Mozart, Schubert, Roger Quilter, Menotti, San Pedro, Saint-Saens, arias by Bellini, Puccini, Verdi and Gounod.  Myramae’s interpretations underscored the stylistic differences of each composer.  Her ability to sustain top notes with intensity and power and to imbue subtle nuances to the phrases were marvelous and possibly the envy of many far more seasoned singers.  Further, the vocal pyrotechnics particularly in the arias were superbly executed, calling to mind how a polished coloratura would have sung them.

Her joie de vivre in Gounod’s aria from Romeo et Juliette; her breath-taking end note in San Pedro’s Bituin and Puccini’s aria from Le Rondine, her deftness and fluency in florid, ornamental notes and tremolos were amazing; her sotto voce was exquisite.

Twice, while singing a very high note, her voice slightly lost its focus, but on the whole her performance was enthralling; each song a gem. Besides Myramae’s unusual inherent talent, she is obviously receiving excellent training from the eminent soprano Camille Lopez Molina of SSC’s College of Music.

Collaborating artist Mary Anne Espina’s accompaniment was unassailable, establishing splendid rapport between her and the soloist.  The audience at Ayala Museum was exultant throughout.

The recital was part of MCOF’s Young Atists’ Series headed by Baltazar Endriga.

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Herewith is an urgent letter of appeal from cultural icon Cecile Guidote Alvarez for ailing brilliant artist Frank Rivera.

FRANK Rivera, an outstanding artist teacher, a dedicated cultural worker, a brilliant actor, animateur of Sining Kambayoka, an original member of PETA Kalinangan Ensemble, a retired director of the National Council for Children’s Television and a very dear friend has been stricken with lymphoma cancer.  He has been 5 months in the hospital and he has just completed six cycles of chemotherapy.  We are all praying for his victory over this deadly disease.  Quick, appropriate medical care; the loving compassion of colleagues and faith in God have kept him alive.  He is in full fighting form and we are organizing a benefit show serving as well as a tribute to salute his invaluable service to his people through his creative lifetime achievement work of 45 years.  His last works as a director are the multi-awarded modern Zarzuela’s “Baler sa Puso Ko” and “Something to Crow About” which toured successfully the U.S.  Everyday he still sends his text tula commentary on burning issues of the day.

We are depending on former students, colleagues, friends, fans, constituents he has connected from Batanes to Jolo in our cultural caregiving services to vulnerable groups to help us raise Two Million pesos to cover an outstanding debt to Manila Doctors Hospital to complete eight cycles of chemo plus medication.  We have scheduled the voluntary offering of time, talent and energy in a special show October 18, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Emilio Aguinaldo College, Ermita, Manila through the patronage of Lamp of Culture Awardee, Danny Dolor.  It is organized by many partners led by the Philippine Center of International Institue (ITI) where Frank serves as a member of the Executive Board.  The program will be broadcast in DZRH Radyo Balintataw on October 20 and all who gave support shall be duly credited for their generosity.

We have five forms of support with complimentary tickets:

Angel (P100,00) = 25, Benefactor (P75,000) = 20, Sponsor (P50,00)  = 15, Patron (P20,000)  =10, Donor (P5,000) = 4.   The general public ticket is P1,000.  Check donations may be addressed to Dr. Arthur P. Casanova, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Savings Account # 3919-0917, Libertad, Domingo Guevara Branch, Mandaluyong City.

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Francisfest:  A family affair

The flu prevented me from attending the event.  Herewith, the report of my personal assistant, Evelyn R. Garcia — RLO

The patriarch of Santuario de San Antonio Parish, Fr. Joel Sulse said the opening prayer of thanksgiving on its 60th Foundation Anniversary. Brief remarks were given by Mike Limpe, President of SSA Parish Pastoral Council and Randy Limjoco, Francisfest 2013 Chairman.

During the 1945 liberation of Manila, the original church of San Francisco de Asis was destroyed.  In 1953, the Franciscan Friars started building the Santuario de San Antonio on the property donated by the Ayala Corporation.  In 1975, it was officially declared a parish.

The musical program hosted by Franco Laurel opened with Coro de San Antonio, Franciscan Friars and OLAS Seminarians Glee Club appropriately singing “Come Build My Church” under the direction of Amelita Guevara.  

Narratives of the church’s history unfolded throughout  the night, alternately with the musical program featuring  soloists Gaby Vasquez, Nonon Baang, Reynabel Baquero, Cocoy Laurel and tenor George Yang who shone showing vocal control, and filling the church with renewed hopes while singing “I Dreamed a Dream”.

The night offered many surprises. To audience delight The Health Care Ministry Danzercise Group rocked the house with its dance performance to “We are Family”. Chorale groups: Youth of San Antonio, Vocalismo, Filipino Tenors entertained.  Koro Illustrado’s all-male choir, the best vocal ensemble, captured the audience with its excellent enthusiasm and control.       

The Laurel family of singers may very well be our local Von Trapp family, headed by charming Cocoy Laurel.

The successful event written and directed by Joel Trinidad and Onyl Torres closed with a composition of Jose Mari Chan “Pax et Bonum” with all the choirs  and soloists headed by Jose Antonio Chan, Cocoy Laurel, George Yang and The CompanY.

A parish is not only built once. Every day, every year improvements are required, FAITH is nourished and its followers nurtured continuously, especially with the moral challenges of the twenty-first century. More power to Fr. Joel Sulse and his ministries, advocacies and beneficiaries.

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