A musical Christmas was celebrated at The Peninsula Manila as the hotel’s General Manager Mark Choon—with partners Store Specialists Inc., Citibank and Philippine Tatler and in cooperation with co-sponsors the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Lexus Philippines—assembled a stellar cast of the crème de la crème in Philippine popular and classical music that transformed the elegant and iconic lobby for two magical hours into a grand concert hall, revving the assembled guests’ festive spirits for the days of celebration ahead.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) under guest conductor Maestro Ruggero Barbieri (who flew in from Italy especially for this concert) led the way with special guest soloist Christine Allado who is currently starring in “HAMILTON: An American Musical” in London’s West End; soprano Rachelle Gerodias; tenor Arman Ferrer; University of Santo Tomas Singers; Pundaquit Virtuosi; and marimbist Benjamin Angeles who serenaded guests with classical, pop, and holiday-themed music.

The 2018 holiday musical program featured music by some of the best musical talent from the Philippines such as Philippine National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, and the world’s greatest composers like Vivaldi, Beethoven, Gounod, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, and Tchaikovsky.

The annual Christmas Concert at The Pen—perhaps one of the most enduring holiday traditions in Metro Manila—doubled as a fundraiser for the Hope for the Philippines advocacy of the hotel that continues to benefit the educational and livelihood projects of the families living in The Peninsula – Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Tanauan, Leyte.

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 44 Mariano Garchitorena, Bebeth Timbol, Ethel Timbol
Photo 2 of 44 Renna Angeles, Monica Dizon, Isabel Francisco, Reena Francisco, Chit Juan, Patsy Francisco,Dr. Randy Francisco, Raul Francisco, Joanna Preysler-Francisco & Irene Martel-Francisco
Photo 3 of 44
Photo 4 of 44 Monica Preysler-Dizon and Isabel Francisco
Photo 5 of 44 Bettina Huang-Hontiveros, Brian Hontiveros, Patrick Behrens
Photo 6 of 44 John Law, John Forbes, Evelyn Lim-Forbes (seated) Jodi Law and Madlen Faustmann
Photo 7 of 44 Patrick Jacinto, H.E. Amb. Mohammed Rida El Fassi of Morocco, Agnes Roscigno and Massimo Roscigno
Photo 8 of 44 Nes Jardin, Ping Valencia, Tessie and Baltazar Endriga
Photo 9 of 44 Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo 10 of 44 Becky Garcia and Joanne Matschuck
Photo 11 of 44 Maestro Ruggero Barbieri
Photo 12 of 44 Christine Allado, Victor de Leon, Ruzzel Clemeno, Arman Ferer, Katrine Sunga and Rachelle Gerodias
Photo 13 of 44 University of Sto. Tomas Singers
Photo 14 of 44 Nedy Tantoco, Mark Choon, Maritess Tantoco-Enriquez, Massimo Roscigno, Agnes Roscigno and Ursula Roscigno
Photo 15 of 44 Jill de Villa, Mariano Garchitorena, Loleth So
Photo 16 of 44
Photo 17 of 44 Nedy Tantoco, H. E. Koji Haneda with wife Mme. Ihoko and Patrick Jacinto
Photo 18 of 44 Patrick Jacinto, Renato Enriquez and H. E. Mohammed Rida El Fassi
Photo 19 of 44 Baltazar Endriga, Nedy Tantoco, Cecille Licad and David Endriga
Photo 20 of 44 Andrej Wisniewski, Annabel Wisniewski, Myrza Sison and Lilia Sison
Photo 21 of 44 Maestro Ruggero Barbieri
Photo 22 of 44 Raymond Rufino and Michael Huang
Photo 23 of 44 Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo 24 of 44 Jennifer Choon and Anna Palabyab-Rufino
Photo 25 of 44 Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo 26 of 44 Baltazar Endriga, Nina Huang and Peachy Miller
Photo 27 of 44 Dr. Randy Francisco
Photo 28 of 44 Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo 29 of 44 Mark Choon, Jennifer Choon, Franco Choon, and baby Margot Choon
Photo 30 of 44
Photo 31 of 44 Christine Allado
Photo 32 of 44 Maestro Ruggero Barbieri with the musicians from the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Photo 33 of 44 Rosemarie, Plet and Coke Bolipata
Photo 34 of 44 Migs Ayesa and Kathy Franco
Photo 35 of 44 Ursula Roscigno and Nikki Huang
Photo 36 of 44 H.E. Amb Koji Haneda of Japan with wife Mme. Ihoko
Photo 37 of 44 John Forbes, Evelyn Lim-Forbes and Freddie Santos
Photo 38 of 44 Anton Huang, Marie Belle Francia and Lexie Francia
Photo 39 of 44 Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo 40 of 44 Christine Allado
Photo 41 of 44 Denise Weldon Miñana and Manny Miñana
Photo 42 of 44 Mira Miller and Isabelle Huang
Photo 43 of 44 Pastraporn Behrens, Stephane deMontgros & Patrick Behrens
Photo 44 of 44