3 November 2014 - Ms. Lea Salonga, world-renowned Filipina singer and actress, performed as the guest artist at the Il Divo Concert entitled “A Musical Affair” on October 03 at the 02 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.
A day before the concert, Ms. Salonga went around Prague in the company of Cultural Attaché Ramon Gaspar to see the city’s attractions. She wrote of her experiences in her column in Inquirer dated October 23, where she narrated the following experiences:
Friends who had previously visited, including the members of Il Divo, told me that Prague was an absolutely gorgeous city. Truth be told, those words don’t do it justice. It is breathtaking, stunning, incredibly beautiful, striking awe in every visitor.
On our first day, immediately after our arrival at the Augustine Hotel, we headed to the Prague Castle, just up the hill from where we were staying. On the way there, we passed the Wallenstein Gardens, with its lovely bronze sculptures and peacocks patrolling the grounds.
Afterwards came the long uphill walk leading to our destination: St. Vitus Cathedral. Here’s the thing … there isn’t a hint of the cathedral as you head up the hill. You finally see it in its full splendor only as soon as you get there.
And it is awe-inspiring. My husband Rob and I needed to take the time to sit and appreciate the architecture. There isn’t a shortage of photos that each of us took: “Oh look up, there’s a gargoyle. Hon, check out the spires. How does this photo look? Wow, it does change color in the sunlight.”
The following day, taken around by Philippine Embassy staff cultural attaché Ramon “Bong” Gaspar, we went to Vysehrad to see the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, and the grave site of composer Antonin Dvorák.
We then headed down to the Sto. Niño Church and the Charles Bridge. We walked part of the way until we came to the statue of St. John of Nepomuk. It’s a custom in Prague to touch the statue to ensure one’s eventual return to this beautiful city.
Needless to say, I touched the statue. This is definitely one city that I want to come back to.
Philippine Ambassador and Mrs. Vic Lecaros, together with Cultural Attaché Mr. Gaspar, attended the Il Divo Concert, where Ms. Salonga sang famous Broadway hits together with the Il Divo.
The evening was a huge success – with the Arena almost full to the rafters with fans not only from the Czech Republic, but also from other parts of Europe and beyond. END