Last July 13, Julie Boschi invited me to attend a very special event of the Austrian Embassy at Shangri-La Plaza—an occasion that truly touched my heart. Her youngest daughter, Lucia, was set to sing, and I had the privilege of witnessing her performance alongside a remarkable screening of the silent film, The Life of Beethoven (1927).
What made this experience unforgettable wasn’t just the film itself, but the extraordinary way it brought people together through music, storytelling, and Lucia’s heartfelt solo. (Lucia has designated me as her godmother—though, in fact, her elder sister, Isabella, is my goddaughter.)
The sopranos
Apart from the silent movie, there was a live performance by a talented group of young artists—an ensemble inspired by the MED-EL Cochlear Implant Hearpeers program, which emphasizes peer leadership and collaboration. Remarkably, the group performed without a conductor, relying instead on simple cues and signs they have agreed upon, fostering a spirit of shared responsibility and teamwork.
Lucia Caterina Boschi
The other performers included Mariel Ilusorio and Sharlene Morta on the piano, The String Fusion Quartet, a talented group of sopranos: Mavis Tan, Dana Sy, Reese Chen, Paris Dy, Rhiannon Malpass (an ABRSM or Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music candidate), Evangeline Lao (Associate of the Royal Schools of Music or ARSM), Sherine Koa (ARSM), and Lucia Caterina Boschi (also under the ABRSM program).
ABRSM is a music examination board that originated in the UK. ARSM is a title awarded to singers who have completed the diploma program, allowing them to affix ARSM to their names.
Filipina pianist Mariel Ilusorio is an accomplished and multi-awarded pianist who has resettled in the country after a stellar career abroad. A first prize winner of the NAMCYA (National Music Competitions for Young Artists) Piano Category A-II in 1985, she continued her musical studies in America through various scholarships, earning a pre-college diploma from the Juilliard School in New York and her Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. In Germany for 10 years, she studied with eminent piano pedagogue Prof. Arie Vardi at the State Academy of Music Hannover, where she earned her Masters and post-graduate degrees. During this time, she garnered several prizes in Europe. Mariel has performed as piano soloist with various orchestras, including the Philippine Philharmonic String Ensemble, Juilliard Pre-College Symphony Orchestra, Oberlin Symphony Orchestra, Cantu Orchestra, Manila Chamber Orchestra, and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
Pianist Sharlene Morta graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Business Management from Meridian International Business, Arts & Technology College in 2023, with cum laude honors and the College Creative Service Award. Born with bilateral hearing loss, Sharlene wears a cochlear implant (MED-EL) in her left ear for profound hearing loss, and a hearing aid in her right ear for severe hearing loss.
Each soprano performed a solo for different segments of the film—Lucia’s voice is surprisingly mature and powerful despite her youth and being the youngest girl—adding emotional depth to the entire experience.
Perpy Heath was the music teacher of the sopranos, and prepared them for the program. A singing teacher at British School Manila since 2004, she has been with ABRSM UK. She is also an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (USA) and the Associated Music Teachers League New York.
Perpy’s students have won extensively, receiving highest honors in various international music festivals. In recent years, these have included the London Classical Music Competition, VAYA International Music Festival (Canada), the ODIN, North American Virtuoso International Music competition, MEDICI, Birmingham Music Competition, Royal Sound Competition, the 21st Century Artists Toronto, New York Young Performers Prize,
Quebec International Music Competition, London Classical Music Competition and the World Classical Music competition.
With these achievements, Perpy has received numerous official acknowledgements and recognition as mentor and teacher of these very young artists who share her commitment and hard work to continue to develop their art.
The performance culminated in a moving finale: All the sopranos united for an inspiring rendition of Ode to Joy, with a chorus of Deaf youth and sign language interpreters from Filipino Sign Language (FSL) for Inclusive PH (FSL4IPH), in partnership with Hearlife. FSL4IPH is a youth-led advocacy organization promoting FSL and Deaf inclusion, and is more than just a program. FSL4IPH provides a platform for Deaf individuals to come together, share experiences, and celebrate achievements.
Beyond the performances of the interpreters and Deaf youth, FSL4IPH also coordinated the FSL rehearsals and performances, raised funds for the team’s transportation and meals, provided a follow-spot during the event, offered interpreters for on-the-day guest registration, and set up an inclusive photo booth so everyone could remember the day. FSL4IPH also invited Deaf community members—filling over 100 seats for confirmed and additional walk-in guests—thanks to the generosity of Hearlife and organizers of the International Silent Film Festival Manila (ISFFM).
That finale was truly a testament to the unifying power of music and the importance of inclusive artistry. But what touched me most was the event’s emphasis on accessibility and community. A sign language interpreter translated the film for young Deaf audience members from the Hearlife Verein–MED-EL community, organizations dedicated to providing cochlear implants to Filipino Deaf children. Additionally, Bayani Generoso and Leah Apuli served as FSL interpreters, working alongside FSL4IPH and students from Commonwealth High School to ensure the event was accessible to all. Generoso may be familiar to televiewers as the sign language interpreter of 24 Oras. He is a strong champion of the Deaf community, who learned American Sign Language in Canada where he was based, and after moving here in 2012, he learned FSL. During the pandemic, he and his colleagues were active on television to ensure that the Deaf community was kept abreast of the news.
FSL is the natural language used by the Deaf community in the Philippines.
The silent film format itself made the experience more inclusive for Deaf viewers, underscoring the vital role of the arts in fostering understanding and accessibility.
The Austrian Embassy and Hearlife Verein’s overarching goal is to demonstrate how visual storytelling and live music can still captivate and inspire today—especially in an era that champions diversity and inclusion. It’s about breaking barriers, proving that stories and the creative ways we tell them can unite us across differences.
This collaboration with organizations like MED-EL Austria, HearLIFE (headed by Tosh Soliven), and the local Deaf community highlights the profound impact of international partnerships in promoting understanding, accessibility, and empowerment. It’s a powerful reminder that the arts have the ability to foster resilience, bridge cultures, and bring communities of all abilities closer together.
Attending this event deepened my appreciation for how art—whether silent films or live performances—can serve as a universal language of connection, understanding, and hope.
The author Maritess Enriquez (second from leftI with, from left, Glenna Guidicelli, Cris Navarro, Julie Boschi, Lucia Boschi, and Isabella Fernandez
Abel Galang, Mariel Ilusorio, Maritess Enriquez, Tessie Villarama, Lucia Boschi, Isabella Fernandez, Julie Boschi
