IT is one week away today from the much-awaited Toyota Classics and I can’t wait to watch it.
Scheduled on October 16 at the Solaire Theatre at Entertainment City in Parañaque is the world-renown Budapest Operatta and Musical Theatre, performing for us the enduring classics Phantom of The Opera and West Side Story.
As in past Toyota Classics offerings, this one will once again electrify an audience steeped in classic musical erudition and discriminating enough to differentiate the sound of an oboe from a horn. To be there is education-beyond-classroom in music’s timeless magic, while, at the same time, affording chamber-lovers the luxury of a much-needed break from the roar of a traffic boom, and of being freed from the noise and tangle of a boardroom drool.
I don’t remember missing even one of the 25 previous Toyota Classics, each one a truly soulful experience, I tell you with all candor and honesty. Such a once-a-year show is not to be missed by anyone enamored with a music that calms the mind and caresses the heart. Call me a hopeless romantic and I am guilty as charged.
Over the past several years the Toyota Classics has embraced a different approach, as to consistently choose a special beneficiary for the show’s sales proceeds.Mostly now, it is geared toward humanitarian reasons.
Yulo & Seña to perform, too
THIS year is no different as the occasion, put up once again by Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), has selected Yolanda-hit Eastern Visayas as the favored one. How fitting.
Perennially called “Music that Moves Lives,” the show’s proceeds will go this time to the International Care Ministries, Gawad Kalinga and the Philippine Red Cross for their continuing efforts at helping rehabilitate scarred lives as a result of that 2013 tsunami-triggered tragedy that struck Leyte and Samar. Aside from the Budapest Operatta and Musical Theatre, featured dancers and operatic singers include Hungarian performers Anita Lucaks, Szilvi Szendy, Zsold Vadesz and David Szabo, plus our very own Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Robert Seña.
This will be a first on Philippine soil that both classic Hungarian operattas and modern musicals are to be featured in a one-night performance only. Miss it, and you will regret it for the rest of your life.
Now for more meat on what the show’s “hidden” mission is, let us give way to Jade B. Sison, TMP’s whirlpool of a press relations officer, to the eternal delight of her bosses J. Ariel Arias, Sherwin ChuaLim and Carlo Ablaza:
Highest-grossing year
“ASIDE from enriching lives through the promotion of classical music, the concert also makes a profound difference in the social milieu as ticket-sales proceeds go to various humanitarian organizations, namely, International Care Ministries, Gawad Kalinga and Philippine Red Cross.
“Last year was the highest-grossing year, as the 2014 Toyota Classics edition sold P1.5 million. And, as by tradition, TMP doubled the amount and handed it to Gawad Kalinga and Plan International.
“Toyota’s partnership with Plan International, a child-centered humanitarian organization that banners education, child health, child protection and youth engagement, was facilitated by Metrobank Foundation. The collaboration centered on rehabilitating schools devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda [Haiyan] in Leyte and Samar. While other organizations funded the reconstruction of schools, the Toyota Classics donation was allocated to equip schools with necessary furniture and other fixtures.
“To date, half of the donation has already benefited seven schools, with 25 classrooms furnished with furniture. Already, each classroom has 50 armchairs, one teacher’s table, two electric fans, blackboards, audio-visual system, voice amplifier, plus other fixtures. The newly furnished 25 classrooms are now being utilized by over 900 student-beneficiaries coming from eight barangays.
New school buildings built
“AFTER only less than a year of construction, new school buildings now stand sturdy in barangays Arado and Carabasan Daku, providing anew for a conducive environment for learning. “In one of the school-building turnover ceremonies, DepEd [Department of Education] Region 8 representative Dr. Ordilla Urbino encouraged the youth to value education, saying: ‘You are the future of our nation, so study hard as you have a good classroom now.’ She expressed her gratitude to Toyota and all other benefactors as she reminded the parents and teachers present to work hand in hand in maintaining the facilities in good condition at all times.
“For her part, Plan International interim country director Maja Cubarrubia said, ‘There are no small roles in the recovery process of the Haiyan-affected communities. Without everyone’s support, we will not overcome the various challenges we face. We must build, rebuild and sustain our efforts for the future of our children.’
“With still more than a million pesos left unspent, the 2014 Toyota Classics proceeds will surely benefit more communities in the coming days as Plan International continues its rehabilitation efforts in Samar and Leyte.”
Need I say more?
PEE STOP. From Volkswagen is the testy Tiguan, nicknamed “Outstanding Versatility,” that comes at a zero-down, zero-interest promo when purchased between today and October 31. VW dealerships are now at BGC, Quezon Avenue, Alabang and Cebu…. The 4×2 A/T Diesel Chevy Captiva can be had at an “All-In Low Down Payment” P98k at Alabang Town Center from October 16 to 18 and Glorietta from October 23 to 25….And at finally, late as it is, congrats still to the Honda City VX NAVI for being No. 1 in 1.5L sedan segment in 2014 sales, and as winner for best overall adult occupant protection (small family) and best overall child occupant protection in the Kuching, Sarawak Grand Prix Awards. Cheers!