The Peninsula Manila’s annual Christmas spectacular—Christmas Concert at The Pen 2024—featuring Philippine musical theater star and Aliw awardee Bituin Escalante, Hong Kong Disneyland actor, singer, and musician David Ezra with the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the helm of National Artist for Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, kicked off the city’s holiday celebration in the hotel’s iconic lobby last December 1.
Bituin Escalante belts out season’s showstopper.
David Ezra
Ryan Cayabyab
Joining the stars of Philippine music were the Ateneo Chamber Singers.
The famed holiday musical performance featured joyful renditions of holiday carols and orchestral pieces from Broadway hits, Hollywood blockbusters in a two-hour production. Maestro Cayabyab’s well-loved Kumukutikutitap perfectly captured the sparkle and whimsy of Christmas, while Francisco Dandan’s Pasko na Sinta Ko, a sentimental holiday favorite, gave the audience a teary-eyed and poignant moment. Famous composers like John Williams who wrote the score of Superman, They’re Playing Our Song’s Marvin Hamlisch, Burt Bacharach of Say a Little Prayer, and Leroy Anderson of A Christmas Festival were also crowd favorites. A standout was the surprise mash-up of ’80s hits Gold (Spandau Ballet), Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears), and Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler) that had everyone on their feet, singing along, and embracing the magic of the moment.
Christmas Concert at The Pen wouldn’t have been complete without George Frederick Handel’s Hallelujah chorus from his classic oratorio, Messiah. Since its debut nearly three centuries ago, Handel’s Messiah has reigned as the ultimate celebration of holiday joy.
From left, Bituin Escalante, The Peninsula Manila managing director Kevin Tsang, Ryan Cayabyab, David Ezra, and Ateneo Chamber Singers conductor Jonathan Velasco, with the Manila Symphony Orchestra
The Peninsula Manila’s Christmas Concert at The Pen, one of Manila’s longest-running holiday concerts, is known for bringing together a wealth of Filipino talents every year. Kevin Tsang, managing director of The Peninsula Manila, put it, “Together with the very best musicians and musical artists of the Philippines, every year we bring the holiday spirit into the hearts of our audience through music celebrating the joy of the holiday season, providing a festive finale to the year.”
Christmas Concert at The Pen 2024
Next year should be the much awaited Christmas Concert as The Pen celebrates its 40th anniversary.
From left, Dr. Arnel Quiambao, Marco Protacio, Paolo del Rosario (standing), and Dr. Fremont Base
From left, David Day, Maribel Ongpin, and Dr. Elizabeth Chan
Standing, from left, Teresa Rufino, Rosanne Prieto, Pablo Rufino, Charlie Rufino, and Danny Siegle; Seated, from left, Ellie Licaros, Leandro Rufino, Matti Licaros, Abe Licaros, Nini Licaros, Becky Garcia, and Dr. George Sarakinis
From left, Alexander Nestle, Aubrey Jacob, and Kam Tou Pang
Karla and Millie Reyes
From left, Kevin Santos, Camille Narcelles, Aubrey Jacob, and The Peninsula Manila managing director Kevin Tsang
Standing, The Peninsula Manila managing director Kevin Tsang, Kun Koo; seated, Shao Ming Chen
