An evening with Johann Strauss

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up."– Mark Twain
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Ardent lovers of classical music were treated to a night of stirring Johann Strauss masterpieces at a gala concert held in the grand ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental, Manila.

Organized by the Johann Strauss Society (JSS), the concert featured the performances of renowned pianist Nena del Rosario-Villanueva and the Manila Symphony Orchestra II under the baton of resident conductor Arturo Molina and Austrian guest conductor Ernest Hoetzel.

Professor Hoetzel provided interesting snippets about the immortal works in the repertoire which included Emperor’s Waltz, Moulinet Polka, Perpetuum Mobile, Chain Bridge Waltz, Thunder and Lightning, and the most famous Strauss classic, Blue Danube.

Chairpersons for this event which raised funds for the overseas training of talented MSO II members were Consul Fortune Ledesma and top jeweler Helen Ong, also the treasurer of JSS. They were assisted by committee members Cez Manalo, Mandarin Oriental GM and JSS vice president Helmut Gaisberger, and Wolfgang Harwalik of the Austrian Trade Commission, who is also honorary vice chairman of the JSS. Likewise present to lend their support were JSS trustees Manuel and Chito Madrigal-Collantes, secretary Letty Syquia, and esteemed members Consul Evie Costa of Togo, Thelma Gana, Mellie Ablaza with husband Louie, and Alice Guerrero with husband Miguel.

The concert was made even more splendid by the presence of countless members of the diplomatic corps, top business executives and Manila’s high society.

JSS founder and president Kay Siazon flew in from Japan with Ambassador Domingo Siazon Jr. especially for the event. Among the diplomatic envoys visible that night were Austrian Ambassador Christian Krepela (honorary chairman of JSS) and his wife Irmgard; Russian Ambassador Anatoli Khmelnitski; Portuguese Ambassador Joajo Caetano da Silva; Dutch Ambassador Theo Arnold; and Swiss Ambassador Werner Baumann. The latter four ambassadors came with their wives who are also JSS members: Valentina Khmelnitski, Ulrike da Silva, Kessara Arnold and Susanna Baumann.

The other foreign dignitaries were Cambodian Ambassador Ek Sereywath and his wife Khov Sang; Singaporean Ambassador Jacky Foo and his wife Dr. Su Yumian; Swedish Ambassador Ulf Hakansson and his wife Lena; Mexican Ambassador Enrique Hubbard and his wife Marianne; Belgian Ambassador Roland Van Remoortele and his wife Sylvia; Turkish Ambassador Veka Inal; Brazilian Ambassador Claudio Lira; Chilean Ambassador Carmen Lynam; and Austrian Consul General Harald Ulbrich.

Adding more pomp to the event were people of style Imelda Cojuangco; Yoli Ayson; Celia Cuasay; Tereret and Andy Liboro; fashion czar Pitoy Moreno; Nene Quimson; Offie Recto; and Marietta Santos.

To the Johann Strauss Society and the Mandarin, our compliments!
Greetings
Happy birthday to our celebrator today, businessman Raffy Rufino and Jayelles Holdings (Phils.), Inc.’s Bing del Rosario Morelos.

Advanced birthday greetings to Belle Litton, April 22; Carlos Perez-Rubio, April 23; Roger Wilson, April 24; Bummer Santiago, Herminio Aquino, Teresita Araneta and Conchita Toda, April 25; Dr. Ariston Bautista, Alejandro Oppen and IG Summit Holdings’ James Go, April 26; Cesar Gabaldon and Marty Lopez, April 27.

So, how was your week?

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