What a wonderful afternoon of iconic Filipino music at the Goldenberg Mansion we had on 2 March, with the First Lady of the Land, Liza Araneta Marcos, welcoming us to enjoy the warm hospitality that has become the hallmark of Malacañang Palace events.
My dear friend, virtuoso pianist Mariel Ilusorio, impressed the mesmerized audience with her rendition of various Filipino compositions. Her “Mayon Fantasy” by Francisco Buencamino was a big hit with all of us present and intently watching. Equally impressive were the young MSO artists, namely principal violinist Noreen Anne Yambao, violinist Danielle Cleme Caballero, violist Lance Morisson Tulagan, cellist Louis Talusan, bassist Lawrence Palad, and MSO concert master Sara Maria Gonzalez.
The First Lady was telling everyone she knew all the pieces including “Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan,” “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” and “Pangako Sa ’Yo.” In her usual disarming way, she shook hands and posed with the artists and guests for photo opportunities. She made sure to talk to the children who were present, all of them future musicians, and encouraged them to do their best in their musical studies. During the show, she was seated beside chairman Jaime Laya of the Board of Trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Earlier, I came upon the First Lady on the side patio of the Goldenberg Mansion, where she was in animated conversation with a group of high-profile ladies and achievers, namely, Josie Natori, Sofia Elizalde, Ging Montinola, Marilou Magsaysay, Ambassador Isabel Wilson among others. In various corners were Ching Cruz, Margie Moran, and, of course, busier than ever, were Malacañang Social Secretary Bianca Zobel and her deputy social secretary, Dina Arroyo Tantoco, who made sure that everyone was seated promptly before the concert began.
I had a one-on-one conversation with Mariel after the show. She shared how she has been working very hard. It came as a surprise to me because I always thought of her as the talented and rich little princess, but now, she seems to be more like the girl next door — just as talented — and who is trying to eke out a living as a mother who takes care of a daughter who is still in high school. No, don’t get me wrong, she lives very comfortably and she has piano students to attend to, but I am impressed that this is one lady who is so down to earth. More about Mariel soon, who will perform with Inna Montesclaros in a “Cuatro Manos” concert at Sunshine Place on 17 March.
The finger food served before the concert was my favorite cheese-pimiento sandwich, quite on the thick side, thankfully, and right after, a grand spread of Vongole pasta that tasted like one’s grandmother made it at home, cocktail prawns, chicken finger with pomodoro dip, bunless wagyu burger, mini crème brulee cake and fruits skewers with chocolate drizzle. What can I say? Congratulations to the chefs. While I do love the offerings of Gaita Fores and Florabelle’s, who are also caterers in Malacañang functions, the merienda cena’s scrumptious fare proved that the Malacañang kitchen staff is very much capable of whipping up a grand feast, with a hint of flavors of one’s own home.
A week earlier, I was one of the 350-plus who came to watch the iconic fashion show of Paul Cabral who, we understand, is one of the favorites of the First Lady. I had a chance to interact with Maricris Zobel, Rachel Arenas, Carissa Oledan Coscolluela, and the other socialites who had come in full force. They all said they were very impressed with Paul. More about what they said in my next Proust Redux, so watch for these best-dressed ladies’ thoughts on what may be dubbed the most exciting fashion show of the year, so far.
