What a wonderful afternoon of iconic Filipino music at the Goldenberg Mansion we had on 2 March, with the First Lady of the Land, Liza Araneta Marcos, welcoming us to enjoy the warm hospitality that has become the hallmark of Malacañang Palace events.

My dear friend, virtuoso pianist Mariel Ilusorio, impressed the mesmerized audience with her rendition of various Filipino compositions. Her "Mayon Fantasy" by Francisco Buencamino was a big hit with all of us present and intently watching. Equally impressive were the young MSO artists, namely principal violinist Noreen Anne Yambao, violinist Danielle Cleme Caballero, violist Lance Morisson Tulagan, cellist Louis Talusan, bassist Lawrence Palad, and MSO concert master Sara Maria Gonzalez.

The First Lady was telling everyone she knew all the pieces including "Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan," "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas" and "Pangako Sa 'Yo." In her usual disarming way, she shook hands and posed with the artists and guests for photo opportunities. She made sure to talk to the children who were present, all of them future musicians, and encouraged them to do their best in their musical studies. During the show, she was seated beside chairman Jaime Laya of the Board of Trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Earlier, I came upon the First Lady on the side patio of the Goldenberg Mansion, where she was in animated conversation with a group of high-profile ladies and achievers, namely, Josie Natori, Sofia Elizalde, Ging Montinola, Marilou Magsaysay, Ambassador Isabel Wilson among others. In various corners were Ching Cruz, Margie Moran, and, of course, busier than ever, were Malacañang Social Secretary Bianca Zobel and her deputy social secretary, Dina Arroyo Tantoco, who made sure that everyone was seated promptly before the concert began.