When it is Christmastime, I am a willing captive of these cultural gatherings. A holiday concert, an orchestra in full dress, the promise of voices filling the hall? Count me in!

Add the solo violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr., the CCP’s artist-in-residence, Philippine Madrigal Singers, and Grzegorz Nowak on the podium, and the evening immediately felt spoken for. A Festive Symphony, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s special Christmas concert, barely needed further persuasion — so off I went.

Staged as a special concert for the benefit of The Brain Foundation of the Philippines at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, it unfolded before a full house, completely sold out!

Hazel Zuellig, president of the Brain Foundation of the Philippines, welcomed the audience by framing the moment as “an unforgettable evening of glorious classical music combined with goodwill and philanthropy.” She spoke of the collaboration between the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Foundation as one that shone “an unexpected but welcome spotlight” on their mission, made all the more fitting by Christmas, “the season of faith, hope and love.”

Zuellig outlined the work of the organization, composed of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscientists who have delivered neurological care to indigent patients across the country since 1979. From malignant brain tumors and aneurysms to strokes, epilepsies, congenital anomalies, and traumatic head injuries, the scope of care is vast and extensive. 

In recent years, the association has expanded its focus to education, advanced subspecialty training, and neuroscience research, all aimed at raising local neurological practice to international standards. 

The program itself leaned joyfully festive. We were greeted by Johann Strauss Jr.’s Die Fledermaus Overture, followed by Adele’s “Mein Herr Marquis” (Laughing Song) from Die Fledermaus, plus the Annen-Polka, Op. 117.

Karl Millöcker’s Der arme Jonathan, “Ach, wir armen Primadonnen,” added operetta sparkle, while Strauss returned with the Der Zigeunerbaron Overture.

One of the evening’s defining moments arrived with Jacques Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann, Olympia’s aria “Les oiseaux dans la charmille.” Soprano Katarzyna Dondalska brought the house down. A coloratura soprano who began her musical life as a violinist at the age of five, Dondalska later pursued Voice with equal rigor, as she completed her studies in both disciplines with distinction and earned a Meisterklasse diploma from the State Academy of Music in Würzburg, Germany.

Her brilliant career has been marked by international recognition, to include finalist placements and awards at elite competitions such as the Internationaler Musikwettbewerb der ARD, the Cardiff Singer of the World Festival, and the Sylvia Geszty Coloratura Singing Competition.

Her portrayal of Olympia drew on a repertoire she has honed across major opera houses worldwide, with celebrated roles such as Mozart’s Queen of the Night and Constanze, Richard Strauss’s Zerbinetta, Offenbach’s Olympia, and Rossini’s Rosina. Her agility, precision, and fearless control were met with prolonged applause that simply refused to fade quickly.

After intermission, the concert resumed with Johann Strauss II’s Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, Op. 214, Arthur Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, “Poor Wand’ring One,” and Strauss’s Unter Donner und Blitz-Polka, Op. 324. Krzesimir Dębski’s Song of Helena (from With Fire and Sword) offered a lyrical turn before the evening moved into its choral heart.

Selections from George Frideric Händel’s Messiah (1741), “For unto us a child is born” and the “Hallelujah” chorus, gave the Philippine Madrigal Singers — instead of appearing as guests for a few select numbers, they occupied the entire stage — their fullest expression, the sound expansive yet disciplined. The standing ovation felt inevitable.

Johann Strauss II’s An der schönen blauen Donau (The Blue Danube), Op. 314, and Carl Orff’s masterpieces Carmina Burana, “Dulcissime” and “O Fortuna,” closed the night with sweep and theatrical force.

In their joint program message, CCP president Kaye Tinga and vice president and artistic director Dennis Marasigan reminded audiences that “this season is ultimately about sharing and giving,” thanking partners and benefactors for making the collaboration possible.

We were in it for a stellar show. What unfolded was that, and more —  all for a noble purpose.

¡Enhorabuena, The Brain Foundation of the Philippines and the CCP!

Bravo, Katarzyna Dondalska, Diomedes Saraza Jr., the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and the PPO!