Eternally Yang

When I started singing, I was no young chicken anymore,” said tenor slash taipan George Yang during his invitational gala concert entitled “Yang Klassics” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Yes, he is no young chicken, because he is Mr. McChicken himself.

We went to the CCP quite early, early enough to get a sneak peek of the concert’s final run-through, as director Freddie Santos briefed the cast and the star of the night, George himself. ”I’m very nervous,” he confessed to us backstage. “Care for some McNuggets?”

Onstage, the nerves didn’t show. I have witnessed Uncle George onstage countless times, and each time is an unforgettable experience. This particular concert, however, was very special. It came straight from the heart. It started with beloved classics and arias from the world’s most famous operas. The stage had two giant screens with English subtitles that made the audience appreciate the arias even more. To make the concert an even more sensory experience, another giant screen filled with images seduced the audience,which slowly swayed with the symphony of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and the man of the hour, fulfilling his dreams while paying tribute to the loves of his life: his family and his music.

After a flamenco dance by Nuevo Flamenco Manila, George toured us around the world in 30 minutes via Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Filipino classics. The Filipino aria, Bituing Marikit, was particularly well-applauded because it featured his granddaughter Krystle Ashley Yang, or Kay for short, assisting her grandfather on the piano. “Since the day she was born into our lives 16 years ago, we knew our family would have a promising future.” I was particularly proud, eyes welling with tears, because I have witnessed both grandfather and granddaughter spending their Sunday family days over music. Uncle George would be vocalizing, and Kay would be on the other side of the room, playing the piano. George, the ever-gracious performer, then gave the stage to his little girl, who enthralled the crowd with her rendition of Chopin’s Revolutionary étude while the screens showcased her paintings, from her early works as an art student, to the deep and mature strokes of a young adult immersed in an environment that nurtured both love and strength.

During intermission, I first saw her parents Kenneth and Cindy, and both were teary-eyed and extremely proud. The other people in the CCP Main Lobby having cocktails were composed of a mixed group from business and politics, family and close friends. They were all agog over the next part of the program which further showcased Yang’s breadth as a singer. From a suite from Carmen to Broadway classics, George showed a classy breed of vocal calisthenics — the fruition of years of hard work and dedicated experience, just like the life of the man himself. In between, he paid tribute to his wife Kristine, who, according to him, is the source of the musical notes of his life. Naturally, this elicited cheers from the audience, as the classy and elegant wife of George just quietly smiled and watched her husband onstage as he serenaded her.

George had other surprises up his multi-faceted sleeve. It was a sheer delight experiencing Rachelle Gerodias onstage, his very own voice teacher. Dr. Raul Sunico did a special number, and so did Kuh Ledesma, who interpreted Streisand’s People and Somewhere from West Side Story, while images of her Hacienda Isabella bombarded the screens. George did a duet with Kuh as they sang The Prayer, and ended the night with a stirring rendition of O Sole Mio and Con Te Partiro, his performance eliciting a standing ovation from the audience. As an encore, he thanked the audience with a song, You Raise Me Up, as he made his final bow, completing the night filled with great music from a man who has pursued a life filled with love and music.