Since March of this year, the Malacañan Palace’s Goldenberg Mansion has continually hosted myriad concerts, with sterling singers and orchestral performers as guests. Lineups included nimble-fingered pianist Mariel Ilusorio and the well-regarded Manila Symphony Orchestra; the endearing alumni from the Santa Isabel College Conservatory of Music, Filipino-American pianist Victor Asuncion; violinist and Cultural Center of the Philippines artist-in-residence Diomedes Saraza Jr.; and up-and-coming musicians Adrian Ong and Jet Stephen Chong.

The heritage mansion likewise shone the limelight on the First Filipina soprano to graduate from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Myramae Meneses; renowned soprano, voice teacher and vocal coach Camille Lopez Molina; classically trained bass-baritone and accomplished voice coach Roby Malubay; Viva Voce Voice Lab board member and Manila Symphony Orchestra Music Academy and ACTS Manila educator Carlo Falcis; and The Hammerklavier Music Studio founder John Patrick de Jesus Reyes.

Completing the stellar roster were musical prodigies Aidan Baracol, Franz Jensen Andra, internationally-renowned Austrian-trained cellist Damodar Das Castillo, and even the highly-lauded Raul M. Sunico!

To cap off the year, the Goldenberg Concert Series spotlighted on the multi-talented Anya Lagman and the respected multi-awardee University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers in a fete called Himig ng Pasko.

The event series is the brainchild of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. The Malacañan Palace’s Social Secretary’s Office, headed by Bianca Zobel and assisted by Dina Arroyo-Tantoco, were the organizers.

Allow us to share some background on the historical palacete. The opulent mansion was originally built by the Spanish mercantile Eugster family. It was later acquired by the abogado José Moreno Lacalle, who went on a renovation spree to incorporate touches of Moorish architecture, all while utilizing Philippine hardwood. It was eventually used as the residence of Arthur MacArthur, the father of the legendary military czar Douglas MacArthur. Throughout its time, it had even exhibited some paintings of Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, among many other masters.

The ownership found its way to French-Jewish businessman Michael Goldenberg, who we learned personally witnessed the execution of Jose Rizal — an impetus for him to admire the hero and the country. Goldenberg’s heirs sold the mansion to then First Lady Imelda R. Marcos. It was restored to its prime grandeur by National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin.

Throughout the decades, the stately home hosted then-Prince Carlos and Princess Sofia of Spain, Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau of Canada, the United Nations Secretary General Kurt Maldheim, and King Hussein and Queen Alia of Jordan. Suffice to say, these hallowed halls are steeped in history, heritage and hospitality.

And now, back to the latest affair. The Philippine-born, US-based artist Anya Lagman was the featured pianist and host of the evening. The compositions of this composer, producer, and songwriter have been performed by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra in various venues. She likewise contributed to the Emmy Award-winning show Scavengers Reign.

Meanwhile, the UST Singers is the university’s premiere choral ensemble. Through their 32 years of existence, they have been to 37 concert tours across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific Region. The choir is the only one in the world who has won the highly-sought-after Choir of the World Pavarotti Trophy twice — in 1995 and 2010. They are under the baton of its founder and conductor Fidel Gener Calalang Jr.

Some Yuletide tunes included “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Sleigh Ride,” “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “A Christmas Carol” and “The Spirit of Christmas,” with arrangements by Lagman.

Local selections through the night were “Munting Sanggol,” “Sana Ngayong Pasko,” and “Heto Na Naman,” arranged by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, and “Pasko na Naman” as arranged by Calalang himself.

Of note, Lagman likewise premiered her own composed melody, entitled “Christmas in Manila,” as the finale. It mentions facts on the celebration of the iconic Filipino Christmas, such as the country’s longest Christmas season, decor put up as early as September the 1st, decorating malls with lights even before Halloween, and of course, our beloved Noche Buena.

The innovative and inclusive concert was held in two sessions. The first one was exclusively for students from the Bago Bantay Elementary School in the City of Manila and San Jose High School in Quezon City. The latter one had a list of guests from the arts and culture community, such as Juliet Romualdez, Maribel Ongpin, Ernest Escaler, Margie Moran-Floirendo, Carissa Coscolluela, Nes Jardin, Teresa Rances, Maja Olivares, Lisa Nakpil, and Anya’s parents Mike and Charmaine Lagman.

¡Enhorabuena, Goldenberg Mansion!

To learn more about the Goldenberg Mansion’s events, visit their Facebook at facebook.com/sosec.opgov and Instagram at instagram.com/sosecmalacanang.