The Rotary Club of Makati ushered in the holiday season with its Classical Christmas Concert recently at The Fifth at Rockwell, featuring a blend of traditional and contemporary carols performed by renowned Filipino and international artists.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), conducted by Herminigildo Ranera, set the tone with a stirring rendition of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The Coro Tomasino Choir, led by Mark Raniel Agpasa, added angelic harmonies to the evening with performances of “For Unto Us a Child is Born” and other beloved carols.

Renowned soprano Rachelle Gerodias-Park delivered soulful renditions of “What Child is This” and “Light of a Million Mornings.” She also collaborated with the Coro Tomasino Choir on several numbers, including “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Joy to the World.”

International baritone Byeong In Park lent his warm and resonant voice to the concert, performing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and sharing a duet with Gerodias-Park on “Panis Angelicus.”

Filipino artists also graced the stage, with celebrated tenor Sherwin Sozon performing nostalgic favorites like “Pasko Na Sinta Ko” and “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit.” The PPO delighted the audience with a lively rendition of “Kumukutikutitap.”

Nomher Nival, a sought-after classical soloist, opened his performance with a stirring “Adeste Fideles” and captivated the audience with his powerful rendition of “O Holy Night.”

Classical crossover singer Gerphil Flores-Libanan brought vibrancy to the stage with her dynamic opening act alongside the Coro Tomasino Choir on “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.” She also dazzled the crowd with solo performances of “What Child is This,” “First of May,” and a spine-tingling rendition of “Ave Maria.”

Mezzo-soprano Krissan Manikan-Tan touched hearts with her stirring interpretation of “Stille Nacht” and later joined Gerodias-Park and Flores-Libanan in a delightful performance of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

The concert concluded with a showstopping ensemble performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus,” where the audience joined in singing.

The visionary behind this musical extravaganza was Eduardo “Eddie” H. Yap, a past president of the Rotary Club of Makati. The concert was organized by the Rotary Club of Makati under the chairmanship of Tony Albie Lopez and the leadership of President Keith A.D. Harrison.

The event raised funds to benefit indigent students at Sisters of Mary, a school dedicated to providing free, high-quality education to children from impoverished families.