Internationally renowned pianist and organist, Willem Van Suijdam and Gina Ronquillo invited some close friends from the diplomatic corps, business and social circle to an evening of Christmas songs via a concert cum Christmas party held at their upscale piano store in Ronac Lifestyle Centre, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati. The introduction was made by the Hon. Marion Derckx, Netherlands Ambassador. The concert cum party started with an audience participation from the guests of the traditional “O Come All Ye Faithful” with Willem Van Suijdam on the organ. The opening prayer song was rendered by Lilibeth Garcia and was offered for the recovery and safety of our dear friend, crooner Arthur Manuntag, who collapsed during a concert for a brand car in Baguio City some few weeks back. Willem Van Suijdam performed several solo organ Christmas songs such as “O Holy Night,” improvisation on “Silent Night,” and pieces from the “Nutcracker, P.I. Tchaikovski,” “Air in D Major from Suite No.3,J.S. Bach,” and “Pachelbel’s Canon in D”. Other performers who performed that night were Ricardo Abapo who did a solo piano piece of “J.S. Bach, Fantasy and Fugue in A Minor,” Graham Dwyer on the harpsichord with his “Sonata for Organ and Harpsichord, Gaetano Piazza,” and “Sonata for Organ and Harpsichord, Giovanni Luchinetti,” Brian Berino, piano solo “Elude Tableau Opus 39 in D Major, S.Rachmaninoff,” Hiliodoro Fiel on the piano and Renato Lucas, cello with the piece “Dance of the Blessed Spirits, C.W.Gluck,” Dr. Oliver Salonga, piano solo of “Etude Tableau Opus 33 in C Minor, S. Rachmaninoff,” The University of Manila Singing Ambassadors Choir under the direction of Armand Joseph Villanueva rendered some traditional Christmas songs, and finally, Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, piano solo of “Chopin Ballade No 1 in G Minor Opus 23” who made everybody...... Read more on Full Issue!