INCOMPARABLE. It was a show like no other. Veteran crooner Jose Mari Chan, whose roots are from Bogo City, mesmerized the members of the audience that came to the grand ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug with his mellow voice and wonderful repertoire of his own compositions. To me, Chan is incomparable when it comes to entertaining the spectators and catching their attention from start to finish of the concert.
KUNDIMAN. Chan opened his show with Deep in My Heart, one of his hit songs. This was followed by more of his beautiful compositions that the concertgoers had to sing along with.
Chan also revealed his love for kundimans, one of which he rendered his way. He sang Kahibulongan, a song that his grandfather Fernando Alfon and Mil Villareal composed together.
That was the only Cebuano song that was included in his repertoire last Wednesday evening. Chan was also a very effective one-man standup comedian by cracking short jokes in order to keep the concertgoers fully awake.
CONCERT I. Tomorrow, Tuesday, there’s a concert that we should not miss. I’m referring to Himaya (Glory), the fifth anniversary Christmas concert featuring the Cebu Institute of Technology University Choir under the baton of Maestro Niño James Bañares, conductor. During the show, the university’s dance troupe as well as its rondalla will appear as guest performers. Tomorrow’s concert at the university auditorium starts at exactly 6 p.m.
CONCERT II. Then on Dec. 10, it will be the turn of the Cebu Normal University’s (CNU) Integrated Laboratory School and the CNU Children & Youth Choir Parents’ Council to entertain all music lovers with the show titled Atong Saulogon (Let’s Celebrate) Christmas Special. The university’s String Ensemble and the J Band will provide the live accompaniment. Venue is the SM Seaside City Centerstage.
Matinee show starts at 2 p.m. and gala is at 7 p.m. Again, Bañares is the choir conductor.
EXCHANGE. Taboan Cebu 2016: Pagbinayloay (Exchange) is another important event that we should not miss. Come Dec. 8, Pagbinayloay will be staged at the Atrium of Robinson’s Galleria featuring a book fair, poetry readings from different writers’ groups and a moderated conversation with Cebuano cultural writers.
I admire the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the University of San Carlos Cebuano Studies Center for joining forces in putting up this commendable day-long activity.
I hope the young would be encouraged to actively participate in this event. (For comments, call or text 0932-277-8771)