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The show opened with the orchestra and a To celebrate the 100th birthday of the late Dr. Lucrecia
combined choir (Holy Family Chorale and Philippine R. Kasilag, FASO performed “Festival,” one of the
Chamber Singers) doing “Ave Verum Corpus, K. 618” composer and educator’s works.
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arranged by Eberhard For us, one of the highlights was the “Patriotic Fil-
Kraus with orchestration by FASO’s arranger-in- Am Medley” which Louie Ramos arranged and which
residence and Vice-President, Louie Ramos. was performed by Nayah Damasen, Mikaela Bautista,
We also loved the rendition of Maria Christina Erwin Andaya, and Gelo Francisco.
“Kit” Navarro and Joan Cano on “Duo Des Fleurs/ Ramos explained that the medley “consists of
Sous Le Dôme épais” and Navarro’s performance of patriotic songs from the Philippines and from the USA
“Fruhlingsstimmen Op. 410” by Johann Strauss II. in order of appearance: “God Bless The USA,” “America
We always wondered where that powerful voice was The Beautiful,” “Bayan Ko,” and “Handog Ng Pilipino Sa
coming from that petite body of Navarro whose voice Mundo.”
can make one transcend the environment and bring The second standing ovation of the night went
you to an idyllic location, a tranquil place filled with to the amazing seven-year-old belter Malea Emma
her melodious voice or make you get up and dance the Tjandrawidjaja who sang “Tomorrow.”
waltz. The young girl is known for belting “The Star
The excerpts from “Karim At Jasmine,” the first Spangled Banner” in an LA Galaxy-Seattle Sounders
original Filipino musical opera in the US, composed by game and sang the “Dreamgirls” showstopper “And
Dr. Ramon Sison Geluz, arranged and orchestrated by I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” with no less than
Naldy Rodriguez and performed by the dynamic trio Jennifer Holliday herself on ABC’s “Good Morning
of Christopher “Pete” Avendano, Cano and Navarro America.”
was also one performance that made us proud of the A very sweet and touching part of the show was the
Fil-Am talents. duet of former “Miss Saigon” stars Deedee Magno-Hall,
The first standing ovation went to Avendano whose who portrayed Kim, and her real-life husband, Cliffton
powerful rendition of “Granada” deserved praise and Hall, who played Chris. Now married for 15 years with
attention. their own Tams (Tam is Kim and Chris’ son in “Miss

Photo by Arnold Capati

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