A full calendar of concerts and performances are part and parcel of a merry Filipino Christmas, but none are quite as splendid and magical as the Christmas Concert at The Pen.
Arguably having the most timelessly beautiful hotel lobby in Manila, The Peninsula Manila impressively transforms its lobby from five-star dining destination to Makati’s Christmas capital, keeping its status as one of the city’s most anticipated Christmas spectacles.
(The Peninsula Manila’s iconic lobby | Photo from The Peninsula Manila website)
2016’s Christmas season is an especially meaningful one for the luxury hotel, as this year marks The Peninsula Manila’s 40th anniversary and their Christmas concert tradition’s 33rd year.
As their general manager Mark Choon puts it, “We thought this would be the perfect opportunity to revisit and revive some of the most loved pieces that have been played in our lobby during the course of our Christmas concert’s 33 year history.”
In this revisiting of beloved Christmas performances, guests will marvel at the world-class musicians of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra who will be under the baton of Maestro Ruggero Barbieri, the perfectly pitched 50-voice University of Santo Tomas Singers, as well as Peninsula Christmas concert firsts Bituin Escalante, soprano Stephanie Aguilar, mezzo-soprano Krissan Manikan, tenor Randy Gilongo and jazz singer Phoebe Bitoon. Directing the concert is Freddie Santos.
Classic Filipino Christmas hits such as Ryan Cayabyab’s Isang Taong Lumipas, Levi Celerio’s Namamasko, Juan Silos’ Kampana ng Simbahan, Gounod’s Je Veux Vivre from Romeo et Juliette, Orff’s O Fortuna from Carmina Burana and Verdi’s Triumphal March from Aida will be on the program, among many others.
“We are fortunate every year to have as our partners SSI Group Inc., Philippine Tatler and Citibank as well as the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in mounting a holiday season concert filled with hope,” says Mr. Choon.
“Without their help and the generous assistance of concertgoers who will be asked to contribute a P1,650 consumable fee that comes with selections from a festive merienda menu, the hotel would not be able to raise the money needed for the ‘Hope for the Philippines’ fund that continues to benefit the families living in The Peninsula – Gawad Kalinga Village in Tanauan, Leyte,” he concludes.
For more information, interested parties can call The Peninsula Manila at (02) 812 34567 or visit http://manila.peninsula.com/en/
(Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra)
(Maestro Ruggero Barbieri)
(Randy Gilongo)
(Stephanie Aguilar)
(Krissan Manikan)
(Bituin Escalante)
(2016 University of Santo Tomas Singers)
