Third time’s a charm! πŸ™‚Β  For the past two years, I have been excited to catch the UST Christmas Concert Gala, and every time the formal invitation would arrive I would eagerly pencil it down. But December being one of the busiest times for designers, work would always get in the way.

This year, Ito’s and my schedule thankfully worked in our favor and we finally got the chance to enjoy an amazing evening of music that really ushered in the holidays and brought on the spirit of Christmas (on the first day of December too!).Β  Happily, it also coincided with the celebration of UST’s 400th year–wow! The oldest university in Asia looked really spiffed up that night, with the gardens and chapel grounds all beautifully lit up.

The Christmas Concert Gala is on its ninth year, and is a by-invitation-only event chaired by Father Isidro AlbaΓ±o and Maricris Zobel, for the benefit of the scholarship fund of the university’s Conservatory of Music, as well as to help in the conservation of the many heritage sites and historical monuments within the university.

We were caught in traffic and arrived late, but thankfully still caught most of the concert πŸ™‚

The UST Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Herminigildo Ranera, played traditional classic Christmas songs

The gorgeous altar of the beautiful UST Santisimo Rosario Parish Church

The Christmas concert featured performances by distinguished alumni of UST’s Conservatory of Music as well as choral groups led by the internationally multi-awarded UST Singers

The concert helps in supporting the university’s many talented scholars & musicians

The orchestra played a truly beautiful instrumental version of “Pasko Na Sinta Ko”…sigh πŸ™‚ We’re totally feeling the spirit of Christmas now!

Fashion side note:Β  I wore the same Chantilly-lace terno dress I designed twice within one month!Β  But anyway it was with a totally different crowd πŸ˜‰

A scrumptious buffet spread with flowing champagne & cocktails followed in the decked out UST seminary hall and had guests going back for seconds, thirds & fourths

I loved the elegant, old-world decor.Β  Over-sized silver centerpieces were adorned with fresh flowers–gorgeous!

Some of the musicians of the UST Symphony Orchestra that performed that evening–clap, clap, clap!

The historic, four-centuries old university was lit up and decked out with pretty, festive lights

I must have an old-soul because I really loved the beautiful, traditional feeling of the whole evening.Β  As much as I believe in modernizing classics, I also believe that some things are best preserved for future generations to appreciate, and our musical heritage and national historical sites are just some of them πŸ™‚

*Photos by Ito Ocampo

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