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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Sunset serenade

Sunset serenade

Published Mar 13, 2025 02:25 am

MEDIUM RARE 

Jullie Y. Daza

Surrounded by tall, impressive structures in Bonifacio Global City, a cozy two-story building glows with mellow lights on Rizal Drive. It is soon after sunset, shortly after cocktails, and guests have started streaming into the building’s 120-seat theater.

Singapore’s embassy glows like a jewel that does not need to advertise itself. Ambassador Constance See is attending to her guests who are here to watch “Strings and Keys: A Singapore-Philippines Serenade,” suggesting a fusion of harp and piano, which it is. More than the two instruments, more than the two countries, it’s International Women’s Month and time to celebrate the beauty of music, whose language is universal.

Dr. Ning Hui See, Singaporean pianist, and Vien Ignacio, Filipino harpist who considers Singapore her second home, have chosen a repertoire to represent their two countries but included a duet to tie up the symbolism behind the title of the recital. With Dr. Ning on piano and Vien on harp, their collaboration is a special arrangement of Singapore’s cultural icon Dick Lee’s “Home,” which Singaporeans consider an unofficial anthem of sorts.

What a delight to watch a musical performance from the second row of the theater — my first time to be so close to the stage! On piano, Dr. Ning played “Mayon Fantasy” by Francisco Buencamino, a playful interpretation that the audience loved. On her harp, the 13-year-old Vien played a dreamy piece which she adequately, perfectly described in one word — “ethereal.” You said it, Vien! 

Vien has been playing the harp since she was three. (At that age, how did her right shoulder accommodate the weight and size of her harp?)

Among the musicians’ delighted audience were Mely Ablaza, Fortune Ledesma, Rosalind Wee, Marivic Rufino – and we all agreed we’ve been missing the kind of getting-together that Ambassador See has just provided us, and on a silver cocktail tray, at that, with keys and strings attached.

There was another group of guests that Ambassador See invited, and from what I could see, they were all boys: members of youth orchestras and bands, including Orchestra of the Filipino Youth, Philippine Youth Symphony Band, Makati City Youth Orchestra, Quezon City Lucrecia Kasilag Senior High School performing arts students.

Madame Ambassador, you’ve hit the right note! Thank you, brava!

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Jullie Y. Daza Medium Rare
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