13 June 2016 – Filipino piano virtuoso and President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Dr. Raul Sunico enthralled an audience of 250 guests with his exquisite interpretation of French, European, and Philippine classical favorites during his concert at the prestigious Studio 105 of Maison de la Radio France in Paris on June 07.
In celebration of the 118th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Paris organized the solo piano concert of Sunico, who is hailed as one of most prominent pianists of the country.
Distinguished guests for the evening event, which started off with a cocktail reception, were Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps in France, namely bilateral, UNESCO and OECD, officials of the French government, CEOs and representatives of French companies doing business in the Philippines, and leaders of the Filipino Community. The Embassy was especially honored by the presence of Madame Brigitte Ayrault, wife of the French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, both long-standing friends of the Philippines.
In her speech, Philippine Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, shared that Filipino free-thinkers and great Filipino artists such as National Hero Jose Rizal and painters Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo had been further inspired by ideals of democracy and love of the arts during their stay in France in the 1800s. She remarked that, “We, Filipinos, are great appreciators not only of the visual arts but also of performing arts, especially music. And tonight, Dr. Raul Sunico – one of the finest Filipino pianists of all-time – is here to celebrate with us two things that the Philippines and France hold dear: freedom and the arts.”
Ambassador Lazaro also noted the Philippines’ and France’s “continuously flourishing relations on the political front and economic front” and expressed the Philippines’ “fervent desire to establish a truly meaningful people-to-people exchange among our citizens in the fields of culture, higher education, health cooperation, defense cooperation, among others”.
Juilliard-trained and holder of degrees in Music, Mathematics and Statistics, Dr. Sunico had performed fourteen compositions – including Filipino classics “Bato sa Buhangin” and “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan” by Canseco as well as Philippine folk songs “Bahay Kubo” and “Leron Leron Sinta.” The 90-minute concert ended in a standing ovation followed by a brief encore performance featuring a famous French song. END
