John Van De Steen Male Choir Regales Crowd During FSI’s Cultural Wednesdays
MANILA 29 July 2024 – The John Van De Steen (JVDS) Male Choir took center stage at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on 17 July 2024 as the featured artist for the Foreign Service Institute’s (FSI) Cultural Wednesdays.
The JVDS Choir, led by Former Tourism Undersecretary Atty. Oscar Palabyab, regaled the crowd with a diverse repertoire that included liturgical songs, Broadway classics, and Original Pilipino Music. Among the choir’s distinguished members is Mr. Domingo Ramon Enerio III, fondly known as Chicoy, who had served as Philippine Tourism Attaché in Tokyo, Paris, London, and Frankfurt.
The carefully curated repertoire showcased the choir’s experience and versatility. Their dynamic and powerful performance was a testament to the deep camaraderie built over the years of the group’s artistic collaborations. In between suites, attendees were also treated to impeccable instrumental performances by Mr. Carlo F. Florendo, Mr. Karl Rafael Chaves, and Mr. Rhon Dave J. San Diego, adding a rich and melodic layer to the afternoon.
Madame Pamela Louise Manalo, Chair of the DFA Ladies Foundation and International Bazaar Foundation, Inc., led the audience, which included Senior Undersecretary Maria Regina Victoria F. Lagdameo of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, and other distinguished guests. The audience brimmed with enthusiasm as they bore witness to an afternoon filled with soulful renditions of the JVDS Choir.
Established in 2009 by choirboys mentored by Father John Van De Steen from the 1960s to the 1980s, the JVDS Choir is dedicated to preserving the Church’s timeless tradition and in moving people’s hearts to deeper contemplation and prayer through Gregorian chants and classical sacred music. Demonstrating their versatility, the Vandesteens also perform mainstream and contemporary choral pieces that showcases their broad musical range.
“Cultural Wednesdays” is a regular FSI activity designed to offer training and immersion in Cultural Events Management, enriching the cultural landscape and providing a platform for artistic expression. END
