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Thursday, May 08, 2003
Utzurrum: Fiery Felipe Ramirez, gregarious Grace Chan
By Chinggay Utzurrum
The scene
All roads lead to fiesta-filled Mandaue city today. Traffic can be horrific, but if its fiesta-fare you hanker for, suffer the consequences of fender-to-fender traffic jams!
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Tomorrow, May 9, Friday, two, events: one, a high-end wine-tasting soiree, and the other, a haute-society painting exhibit, will roll-out, at almost the same time.
Anthony’s Wines and Spirits Corp., and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, will churn barbecue delights in a “Barbecue Party” to introduce the world-renowned Robert Mondavi Wines to wine-loving Cebuanos. Yes, localites have learned to taste and love wines the correct way! Have you ever wondered why suddenly, there are wine-tastings almost every other week?
Anyway, the invites say “smart casual” attire and the time is 6 p.m. at the hotel’s Poolside Garden. Thanks, Renee!
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Everything seems to be happening at the Waterfront. One hour after, at 7 p.m., “Oriental Paintings” the 52nd one-woman exhibition of prestigious Japanese artist, Dr. Teruko Haga (of Tokyo, Japan) will be presented by the Metro Manila Council of Women Balikatan Movement, Inc.; Cebu Federation of Women’s Clubs, KGS Corp., KGS Philippine Corp.; Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation, Phils., in cooperation with the City of Cebu and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino (WCCHC).
A prominent array of guests of honor will cut the ribbon: Cong. Raul V. del Mar; Mayor and Mrs. Tomas R. Osmeña and president Takeo Kurematsu of KGS Corp., and KGS Phil. Corp.
We have known Dr. Haga for years, and her paintings are always 95% sellouts, and the best thing about her is that it all goes to a good cause… like this one: proceeds will go to projects for Women’s Cooperatives.
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On the subject of art and culture, March was a culturally-enriching month as the Arts Council had three events, to spice up musical appetites and jazz up mediocre evenings!
In cooperation with the Instituto Cervantes of Spain, the Council brought in towering artistic and talented hunk, Felipe Ramirez, who has international acclaim oozing from his genes… being a pianist and composer at the same time is no mean feat!
What was unique as well as impressive, was that he played the National Anthems of both Spain and the Philippines on the piano with such finesse! He had captured his audience’s undivided attention from beginning to end!
The evening swayed with the rhythm of classical masterpieces by some of Spain’s greatest composers, Granados, Albeniz, De Falla… and Ramirez, being the prolific composer that he is, did justice to his works, noticeably, “Recuerdo De Ubay” and “Momentos”.
Aside from Felipe’s obvious physical charm (boyishly good-looking, tall and an athlete), his astounding vitality is also on his “breadth of reach”, such long fingers… a true asset to any pianist!
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If Felipe R. was fiery, mezzo soprano Grace Chan was gregariously and lyrically riveting in her solos…”her artistry reaches new peaks with every performance”… is what folks in Canada (which has been her home since 1997) say about her.
Canadian-Filipino of Chinese descent, mezzo soprano Grace Chan was luckily “imported” by the Canadian Embassy, thanks to Ambassador Robert Collete, and flown to Cebu for a free concert billed as “Canadian Night of Music” where Grace was accompanied by Filipino pianist Najib Ismail.
The venue, City Sports Club-Cebu, was literally “bursting at the seams” with chairs being
added to the already packed ballroom…
Such intensity, such sensitivity, such passion was how they described her role of “Bloody Mary” in South Pacific”.
The so-familiar Broadway medley, set the audience humming along, and giving her a standing ovation! And how she loved Cebuanos’ reaction to her repertoire! Such a treat doesn’t come their way everyday!
When we spoke to Grace upon landing in her native Vancouver (Canada), her first words, were,”… I loved Cebu, can you invite me over again?”
Our answer Grace is a resounding “Anytime!”
Did you hear this, Canadian Honorary Consul (Cebu) Robert and Anna Lee?
(May 8, 2003 issue)
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