2 December 2022, The Hague – The Philippine Embassy in The Hague brought Christmas cheers to Filipinos in the Netherlands with the staging of a three-city tour of “Himig ng Pasko: A Christmas Concert by The Nightingales” featuring sopranos Ms Bernadette Mamauag and Ms. Katrina Saga.
The Nightingales performed at the Embassy’s Kalayaan Hall on December 2 and at the St. Bavo Church in Rotterdam and the Amstelkerk in central Amsterdam on December 3.
The Nightingales have enthralled audiences around the world, including in the United States, Canada, China, Africa and Europe, with their wide-ranging repertoire of opera arias, Broadway classics, folksongs and popular standards, all performed in their unique bel canto style of singing.
The performance at Amstelkerk as most special as some 170 people packed the former church whose wooden structure makes the best acoustics for concerts. Some 70 community leaders and Dutch friends attended the performance at the Kalayaan Hall, and a similar number in Rotterdam.
From the moment the Nightingales opened with the operatic “Pie Jesu” (Holy Jesus), they were met with prolonged applause. They continued on with equally appreciated renditions of classical, contemporary and Christmas songs. The repertoire included “Memory,” “Flower Duet,” “Flight of the Nightingales,” “Shine,” and “Sa Kabukiran” as well as “Stille Nacht,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Pasko Na Naman,” “Payapang Daigdig” and “Kumukutikutitap.”
In his opening remarks, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya thanked the Filipino-Dutch community for their strong partnership with the Embassy, including sharing with the Dutch society a deeper appreciation of the Philippines’ rich music and culture.
“Ang “Himig ng Pasko: A Christmas Concert” ay ang aming pamamaraan upang pasalamatan kayo. It is our way of saying thank you for your support and for being part of our collective work this year 2022,” Ambassador Malaya said.
“Bahagi po kayo ng aming maganda at matagumpay na kwento sa taong ito, at inaasahan po naming na patuloy ang ating pagtutulongan sa mga susunod na taon [You are all part of our beautiful and successful story this year and I hope that our partnership will continue in the years to come],” the Ambassador added.
Filipino-Dutch artist Abbi Amanda Butron performed a piano intermezzo of “Christmas in our Hearts” at the Kalayaan Hall program, while artists Joyce San Mateo, Camille Enriquez, Francis Pana Finstad, Kylie Intong and Ann Antonio were the guest performers at Amstelveld.
In a surprise number, Ambassador Malaya took to the piano and accompanied the Nightingales’ in singing “Pasko Na Sinta Ko” (It’s Christmas my dear).
The Filipino LGBT Europe also held a special recognition ceremony for the Netherlands Red Cross, Dokters van de Wereld (Doctors of the World), Sant’ Egidio Nederland and community volunteers on their “Ayuda sa Amsterdam” program. Plaques of appreciation were presented to them, in the presence of Ambassador Malaya.
The concert tour was undertaken in collaboration with the MEND: Music For Environment and Nation Development (MEND). Fr. Dennis Cagantas, Chairperson of MEND, the partner organization of the Nightingales, introduced the audience to their advocacies and programs, notably Peace Engagement at Limasawa Island” and “Trash to Treasure Movement: Advocacy for the Environment and Sustainability.” Mr. Rommel Taniegra, MEND Secretary, also did a musical number.
“A heartfelt thanks to the Philippine Embassy The Hague and MEND for organizing this excellent showcase of Filipino talent, bringing the warmth of our culture to this side of the world. Indeed, music heals, at wala pa ring tatalo sa ating Paskong Pinoy,” said Atty. Sandra Magalang, Associate Counsel of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
Organizers for the Rotterdam leg was the Filipino Catholic Community of Rotterdam and Ms. Grace Dagaraga Cabactulan, while the Filipino LGBT Europe Foundation led by Chris Sta Brigida Kopp coordinated the preparations for the Amsterdam program.
Other sponsors included the Philippine Consulate General in Amsterdam, Beagley Copperman and the Ufda Netherlands. //END