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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Catching up

Catching up

Published Mar 19, 2025 11:32 pm

MEDIUM RARE 

Jullie Y. Daza

First lady Liza A. Marcos was walking fast, almost running, near the Goldenberg Mansion, one of the heritage houses that she has renovated and updated within Malacañang Park. I waved at her, “Why the hurry?” and she said she was late for a meeting. Trying to keep up with her pace, I blurted out another question from the other side of the street, “Who did you meet in Hollywood?”

Without slowing down, she replied, “Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians!” There was no time for a follow-up question, whether she had a chance to invite him to come for a visit and be amazed at our jade-and-emerald islands and beautiful people, some of them rich and crazy, but crazy fun! (I wondered if FL LAM had heard how, the last time a Hollywood production team came to film a movie, the crew complained that they had lost tools, cables and sundry other stuff.)

The reason I was at the Goldenberg last Friday, March 14, was its first anniversary as the venue of those once-a-month recitals or concerts, said to be produced by Irene Marcos Araneta. Once a month, such an event is held in the Mansion featuring musicians, including the famous ones as well as those described as up-and-coming. It will be recalled how the then first lady, Imelda Romualdez Marcos, sponsored the musical education of many, many talented young artists and musicians of her time, among them Raul Sunico, Cecile Licad, Rowena Arrieta.

Last Friday’s featured artists were Charisse Toledo, violin; Fatima Matas Aquias, violin; and Sheila Marie Ferrer, soprano. Each one so young and so talented! The program was divided into two parts: Western compositions and Filipino love songs. So guess which music had the audience humming and (silently) singing along? Who can argue with Ernani Cuenco, Nicanor Abelardo, Manuel Velez and their immortal music?

It has been a while since we heard their songs performed live before a large audience, although one radio station on the am band has been airing the “ultimate” promise to play our own romantic music throughout the day and long into the night.

Fortunately, Rowena Arrieta stayed long enough for a homecoming concert last Friday the 14th — it should’ve been headline news!

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