Philippine Embassy in Prague Celebrates Independence Day with performances by the UP Concert Chorus and Violinist Chino Gutierrez
Prague—Philippine Ambassador Victoriano M. Lecaros reported to the Department that an estimated 300 dignitiaries from the diplomatic corps, Czech Republic's government ministries, and the Prague-based Filipino community attended the highly successful celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence held at the Narodni Dum na Vinohradech in Prague on June 10, 2015 and dubbed as the “Evening of Philippine Violin and Choral Music”.
Munich-based violin prodigy, Joaquin "Chino" Gutierrez, and the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus gave an astounding and exceptional performance to an appreciative crowd, who were generous in their shouts of bravo, thunderous applause and standing ovations. I can definitely say it was another "Proud to be Filipino" moment.
Bursting with guests the neo-Renaissance Rais Hall could fit no more, and so latecomers had to settle for "standing room only" at the back.
Joaquin "Chino" Gutierrez, accompanied by Czech pianist, Jitka Frankova, filled Rais Hall (Raisuv Sal) with a breathtakingly beautiful violin sound, which teased and titillated the audience with its fortissimos, pianissimos, and precise and seemingly effortless runs.
According to Gina Jocson, a Filipino expatriate in Prague said that “I could tell that the audience warmly appreciated Sa Kabukiran, Mutya ng Pasig, Paruparong Bukid and Bayan Ko, even if the majority were probably hearing these Filipino pieces for the very first time”. But certainly, it was Chino's brilliance in Polonaise Brillante No. 2 in A major (Wieniawski) and Tzigane (Ravel) that drew the shouts and a long standing ovation at the end of the program.
The UP Concert Chorus, dressed in costumes inspired by the ceremonial wardrobe of indigenous tribes in the south of the Philippines, closed the double-bill program with much-applauded (and much-photographed!) renditions of Kruhay, Ummah Sallih, Bagong Umaga, Hataw Na, One More Day and Skyfall. It seemed like the entire Narodni Dum shook with the enormity and wholeness of the group's vocals, not to mention the dance moves and percussion instruments (bamboo drum, plastic bins, Coke bottles, spoons and forks!!!). It was a fantastic way to showcase Filipino choral music.
After the concert, the guests were treated to Filipino dishes specially prepared by members of the Filipino community. END
Violinist Chino Gutierrez in his rendition of “Bayan Ko” accompanied by Czech pianist, Jitka Frankova
The UP Concert Chorus struts their way in their Choro-acapella that wowed the audience.
Ambassador Victoriano M. Lecaros and Mrs. Melissa Lecaros (middle) with First Secretary & Consul Juan E. Dayang, Jr., Cultural Attaché Gracia Perenyi, Attaches Milette Flores-Olimpo Maximo Ortiz, and Doris
