When music becomes a gift at Manila House

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December 7, 2025 | 4:40pm

MANILA, Philippines — "A Christmas Overture," a benefit concert hosted by Manila House by Private Club Inc., was more than a festive gathering. It was a celebration of sound and a showcase of generosity, supporting HearLife-Verein, a nonprofit that helps children and adults with hearing impairments discover the world through music and speech.

The performers were nothing short of mesmerizing. The night opened with the familiar joy of "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," instantly warming the room with festive cheer. Tara Bahukhandi’s delicate rendition of Fauré’s "Après un rêve" floated through the hall like a whisper, her voice intertwined with Ray Sison’s flute in ethereal harmony.

Lucia Caterina J. Boschi brought serene wonder to "What Child Is This?" while Mavis Jane Tan illuminated M. Ponce’s "Estrellita" with a soft, nostalgic glow.

Baroque elegance followed as Sherine Ann Koa and Evangeline Ng Lao took the stage. Koa shimmered with lyrical grace in Handel’s "Oh, Had I Jubal’s Lyre," and Ng Lao soared triumphantly in Handel’s "Rejoice Greatly." Each solo performance was guided by the masterful accompaniment of Dr. Abelardo Galang II, whose presence elevated every note.

Pianist Sharlene Morta, herself a MED-EL cochlear implant recipient, added a touch of magic to Tchaikovsky’s "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." With every precise, delicate movement, she reminded the audience that music can transform life.

The ensemble of strings and flute — violinist Mary Joyce San Juan, violist Lauro Valentino Cad, cellist Irvin Roie So, flutist Raymundo O. Sison, and international concert pianist Dr. Galang II —brought Vivaldi’s "Allegro in G" to life. Their music rose and fell like winter winds, sweeping the audience into a spirited Christmas Medley that radiated pure joy.

Yet the most profound moments often arrived in quiet passages. Dr. Galang’s rendition of Liszt’s "St. Francis of Assisi: Sermon to the Birds" was tender, almost sacred, a reminder that music can convey what words cannot. The final choral numbers, "O Holy Night" and the beloved Filipino carol "Payapang Daigdig," united all five vocalists in harmonies that felt like prayers for peace, with Sison and Galang’s delicate accompaniment underscoring each note.

When the familiar strains of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" filled the hall, the concert space glowed with connection, generosity, and hope.

At the heart of this celebration was HearLife-Verein, quietly transforming lives through therapy scholarships, family support, community outreach, and professional training for medical carers. Their work changes not only the ability to hear, but also the ability to connect, learn, and experience life in full sound.

"A Christmas Overture" was a vivid reminder that music is more than entertainment. Each note, each harmony, each exchanged smile that night built a bridge for someone whose world was once silent. In the soft glow of Manila House, the audience witnessed something extraordinary: the gift of sound, shared through generosity, artistry, and the magic of the season.

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