14 January 2016 - The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco partnered with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in San Francisco (UPAASF) and held a mini-concert featuring the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus on the last working day of the year as thanksgiving to the Community for a fruitful and productive year, and to commemorate the death anniversary of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal.
The guests included Philippine Senate President Franklin Drilon and Mrs. Mila Drilon, members of the consular corps, the Filipino-American Community, and the press.
Philippine Consul General Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. informed the Community of the significant milestones that occurred in the past 12 months, such as (1) the White House celebration of Filipino-American History Month, honoring our people’s contribution to the United States; (2) the official declaration of October 26 as Larry Itliong Day in California, in honor of the man who was instrumental in sparking the Delano Grape Strike of 1965; (3) the transition of Alvarado Middle School in Union City to its new name - Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School, as a tribute to historic Filipino-American labor leaders Larry Itliong and Phillip Vera Cruz; (4) recognition of Victoria Manalo Draves, a Filipino-American Olympic diver, by dedicating a bronze plaque for her at the Victoria Manalo Draves Park in South of Market, and finally, the City’s recognition of SoMa Pilipinas, a district that would highlight more than 25 historic buildings, sites and objects to honor San Francisco’s South of Market as a center for Filipino-American culture in San Francisco.
The Consul General took the opportunity to inform the guests that every 30th of December, the nation commemorates the death anniversary of our Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. He also encouraged them to draw inspiration from a man who “exemplified love of country, and who took pride in being excellent in his work.” The Consul General added that the Community should “remember the sacrifices of Dr. Rizal and be inspired by his legacy and aspire for the ideals he espoused, such as nationalism, education and equality, as we move forward as a nation in 2016 and beyond.”
The Consulate General was proud to present to the Community the UP Concert Chorus, whose repertoire included songs from the various island groups of the country. Their heartfelt rendition of “Bayan Ko” brought tears to the eyes of a number of guests who joined the choir in song, some of whom recall fighting for freedom and democracy thirty years ago during the EDSA Revolution.
The UP Concert Chorus won the Grand Prix of the 6th International Krakow Choir Festival in Poland in July 2015, besting 23 other choirs from nine countries. END