UST hosts “A Night of Classical Music and Gratitude” for members of the diplomatic corps

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) staged an orchestral performance of enchanting classical music and grand arias for foreign diplomats last October 15, 2015 (Thursday), at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.

Opening the musical program was the UST Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Prof. Herminigildo Ranera. They enthralled the members of the diplomatic corps with a dazzling performance “Bacchanale,” a showpiece from the opera Samson and Delilah.

A rare performance from internationally renowned pianist and Conservatory of Music dean Raul M. Sunico, PhD, President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, followed. Sunico played the 1924 composition “Rhapsody in Blue,” a composition by Gershwin, who combined classic and jazz music.

Thea Perez (soprano) and Ronan Ferrer (tenor) performed “Libiamo ne’ liete calici” (Let’s drink from joyful cups) from one of the best-known opera melodies La Traviata. They were joined by Coro Tomasino and the orchestra.

Capping the event was a rendition of “Champagne’s Delicious Bubble” from Die Fledermaus by Elisanta Cortes and Ma. Austragelina Alforno (sopranos) and Conservatory of Music assistant dean Eugene de los Santos (tenor).

Among other guests, gracing the musical spectacle were:
- Philippine Apostolic Nunciature Chancellor sgr. Chibuike Onyeaghala
- French Ambassador Thierry Mathou
- Spanish Ambassador Luis Antonio Calvo Castaño
- South Korean Ambassador Kim Jae Shin
- Argentine Ambassador Robert Sebastian Bosch
- Bangladeshi Ambassadfor Maj. Gen. John Gomes
- Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa, Jr.
- Danish Ambassador Jan Top Christensen
- Egyptian Ambassador Mahmoud Mostafa Ahmed
- Iraqi Ambassador Ahmed Kamal Hasan Al-Kamaly
- Timor-Lestian Ambassador Juvencio de Jesus Martins
- European Union deputy head of mission Mattias Lentz
- American Embassy deputy chief of mission Mr. Michael Klecheski
- German Embassy cultural attache Moroten Gottfriend
- Indian Embassy counselor N. Rama Krishnan
- Nigerian Embassy’s Duru Christian Mahakwem
- South African Embassy counselor Tshireletso Kau
- Thai Embassy minister counselor and consul Somjai Taphaopong
- Venezuelan Embassy charge d’ affaires Yelitza Ventura Polanco
- Poland consul Dino Tanseco Lising
- Guatemala consul Amelia Ablaza
- Vietnamese Embassy third secretary for cultural affairs Nguyen Tuan Linh
- Zambia consul Luis Ablaza, Jr.
- Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office director Jerry Chuang

The gathering was UST’s way of saying “thank you” to the members of the diplomatic corps—UST’s partners in the formation of the youth. So far, the University has 102 existing linkages with universities in more than 24 countries all over the world.

The University’s top officials, namely Rector Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., Vice-Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., Secretary-General Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P., Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Clarita D. Carillo, PhD, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Maribel G. Nonato, PhD, International Relations and Programs associate director Karen Santiago, PhD, and Public Affairs director Giovanna Fontanilla, welcomed the distinguished University guests.