1 April 2016 - In support of young musicians, including Filipino-Canadian artists, Philippine Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia opened the doors of Tahanang Rizal, the Embassy's official residence, to a quartet from the Young String Performers Foundation and their patrons known as the Friends of the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Friends of NACO) on 30 March 2016.
Dubbed "Music to Dine For", the program provides a venue for classical music enthusiasts to promote music education and help finance scholarships and awards for budding musicians.
The string quartet regaled the Ambassador's guests with renditions of Mozart's Divertimento in D major, Joplin's The Entertainer, Anderson's Plink Plank Plunk and a Bach solo for cello featuring Filipino-Canadian Iñigo Gauthier Mamaril who comes from a well-regarded family of musicians. In her introduction, Music to Dine For Committee Chair Pamela Robinson recognized Ms. Joan Milkson as the driving force behind the featured young musicians who have gone from strength to strength.
"I am elated to host the Friends of NACO this evening and doubly charmed that a Filipino-Canadian was part of the string quartet that played beautiful music tonight," Ambassador Garcia said in her welcome remarks. "Our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, after whom this residence was named, would have been pleased by their excellent performance, as he himself studied the violin," she added.
A four-course dinner prepared by award-winning Filipino-Canadian chef Jil Aranas complimented the musical aperitif.
In his response, Friends of NACO President Robert La Fleur thanked Ambassador Garcia for supporting Music to Dine For, a project that has helped to significantly increase bursaries for young musicians. He likened the program to his core memory of the Philippines which struck him as a nation of families that work and socialize in groups all the time and everywhere.
Friends of NACO applauded the Philippine Embassy for a beautiful evening all around - from the charming musical performance to elegant settings and delightful food. END