The world-class performance of The Nightingales (duet) and JC Joya, violinist, served as one of the highlights of the Consulate General’s commemoration of the 119th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence at Kempinski Hotel in Xiamen City on 21 June 2017.
The Nightingales (Bianca Camille Lopez, and Ma. Rhina Paula Palma-Cruz) two of the youngest classical duets in the Philippines today combined musical forces with up-and-coming violinist JC Joya for a stellar performance. Through various costume changes, their powerful voices and accompanied by the enchanting violin of JC Joya, the troupe mesmerized the audience as they performed a non-stop rich and mixed repertoire of Philippine, classic, Chinese and pop songs. To highlight the Philippine Chairship of ASEAN this year, the troupe performed a medley of ASEAN folk songs which elicited a thunderous applause from the audience.
Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) of the Fujian Provincial People’s Government Deputy Director General Li Lin led more than 350 guests from Fujian Foreign Affairs Office (FAO), Xiamen, Jinjiang, Quanzhou and Shishi Cities Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (FOCAO) officials, members of the diplomatic corps (Royal Thai and Singapore Consulates General), Fujian and Philippine business representatives, Filipino community leaders and members, academe, students, the media and other official contacts as well as invited guests from the general public.
In brief remarks, Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores conveyed deep appreciation to the audience for joining in the concert which forms part of the Consulate General’s cultural diplomacy thrusts, including the promotion of world-class Filipino talents and artists which will contribute towards cultural cooperation as well as increasing people-to-people contacts between the Philippines and Fujian.
To cap the evening, Consul General Flores presented the Nightingales and JC Joya with a Plaque of Appreciation and bouquets of flowers in recognition of their valuable contributions as “Ambassadors of Goodwill” through their music and world-class performance.
The cultural troupe’s performance was a joint collaboration of the Consulate General and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts with the support of Philippine and Fujian sector in Xiamen.
The diplomatic reception cum concert was featured in Xiamen Express’s edition on 28 June 2017. END
