By Precious Chyll Cabigan & Ahnica Claudeth Almanzor | The Paulinian
Photos by Enrico Cabalfin | The Paulinian
On December 8, 2025, at the newly inaugurated Pilar Nenuca Almira Center for the Arts, the College of Music and the Performing Arts hosted its Christmas Concert for its 85th anniversary, featuring performances from the SPUM Chorale, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, St. Paul Community String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble Class, and selected soloists.
This event marked a historic moment—the first performance to grace the halls of Pilar Nenuca Aira Center for the Arts. In Sr. Ma. Evangeline Anastacio’s, SPC’s Opening Remarks, she mentioned three significant celebrations: Sacred Peace, Solemnity, and Christmas. With the darkness the Philippines is facing right now, may the message of that light and hope Jesus brings dispel fears, strengthen courage, and fill everyone’s heart with love. Her remarks were followed by Dr. Raul M. Sunico’s welcome, thanking the donors and everyone who participated in the gathering.
When the remarks came to a halt, applause met the performers as everyone looked forward to a delightful concert.
The program was as follows:
Kampana ng Simbahan (Juan Silos, Jr.) Arr. Herminigildo Ranera-SPUM Chorale and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (Herminigildo Ranera, Conductor)
Christmas Symphonic Bells Arr. Herminigildo Ranera- St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (Herminigildo Ranera, Conductor)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Felix Mendelssohn)-St. Paul Community String Ensemble
We Three Kings/Silent Night-Guitar Ensemble Class; Adrik Cristobal, Professor
Pasko Na Sinta Ko (Francis Dandan) Arr. Adrik Cristobal-Khalistha Beatrix, Mezzo-Soprano; Guitar Ensemble Class; Adrik Cristobal, Professor
Minuet from Alcina (George Fredric Handel) Arr. Andrew Forest-Adrik Cristobal, Guitar;
Ellis Joseph Samano, Guitar; Ken Ronald Dela Peña. Guitar; Nathan Paul Copawa, Guitar; John Rey Dela Peña, Guitar
The First Noel Arr. Shigeo Kayo-Adrik Cristobal, Guitar; Ellis Joseph Samano, Guitar;
Ken Ronald Dela Peña. Guitar; Nathan Paul Copawa, Guitar; John Rey Dela Peña, Guitar
Christmas Medley (Adrik Cristobal)- Dino Decena, Violin; Adrik Cristobal, Guitar
Hooked on Classics (Louis Clark)-Paulune Aguila, Primo; Fe Marsha Nicolas, Secondo
We Wish You a Merry Christmas Arr. Kyunghoon Kun-Fe Marsha Nicolas, Primo; Paulune Aguila, Secondo
If I Were There / Away in a Manger / Angels We Have Heard on High Arr. Franz Lacquian-Janrell Aliyah Lamzon, soprano; Marllaine Ettzah Felice Uy, Soprano; Diana Rose Juan, Soprano; Patricia Anne De La Merced, Soprano; Roem Andrei Jovenes, Tenor; Rex Vincent Medrana, Baritone; Pauline Aguila, Collaborating Artist
Candlelight Carol (John Rutter)-Elisanta Cortes, Soprano; Si Tang, Soprano; Donna Baluyot, Alto; Harold Nikko Mejico Forton, Tenor; Ruzzel Clemeno, Bass-baritone; Greg Abelardo De Leon, Bass-baritone; Fe Mars Nicolas, Collaborating Artist
Sheep May Safely Graze (Johann Sebastian Bach) Arr. Leonard Duck-Mary Anne Espina, Primo; Najib Ismail, Secondo
Sleigh Ride (Leroy Anderson) Arr. Michael Edwards-Mary Anne Espina, Primo; Najib Ismail, Secondo
Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith) Arr. Rob J. Hume- Glober Calambro, Trumpet; Edwin Matias, Trumpet; Jay-Ar Mesa, Horn; Rickson Poonin, Trombone; Jun dela Peret, Tuba
Frosty the Snowman (Steve Nelson) Arr. Luther Henderson-Glober Calambro, Trumpet; Edwin Matias, Trumpet; Jay-Ar Mesa, Horn; Rickson Poonin, Trombone; Jun dela Peret, Tuba
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Johnny Marks) Arr. Arthur Frackenpohl-Glober Calambro, Trumpet; Edwin Matias, Trumpet; Jay-Ar Mesa, Horn; Rickson Poonin, Trombone; Jun dela Peret, Tuba
It’s Christmas (John Katt)-Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, SPU Manila Community; Sr. Ma. Theresa Asencio, SPC, Collaborating Artist
Hungarian Dance No. 5 (Johannes Brahms)-Dena Fernandez, Marimba; Julian Aquino, Collaborating Artist
Gypsy Airs (Pablo de Sarasate)- Dena Fernandez, Marimba; Julian Aquino, Collaborating Artist
Bohemian Rhapsody (Freddie Mercury)-Archie Lacorte, saxophone; Raul Sunico, collaborating artist
It’s Light (Mike Nield)-Elisanta Cortes, Soprano;Thea Perez, Soprano; Nenen Espina, Soprano; Ronan Ferrer, Tenor; Eugene Delos Santos, Tenor; Mary Anne Espina, Collaborating Artist
A Jingle Christmas Medley (Gustavo Castillo)-Elisanta Cortes, Soprano;Thea Perez, Soprano; Nenen Espina, Soprano; Ronan Ferrer, Tenor; Eugene Delos Santos, Tenor; Mary Anne Espina, Collaborating Artist
Diwa ng Pasko (Ramon Tapales) Arr. Lucio San Pedro-St. Paul University Manila Chorale; Oliver Rodriguez, conductor
Hail Mary-Teofilo Vinteres, CSsR
God Bless Us, Everyone (Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri) Arr. John Purifoy and Ted Ricketts-The Cast of Resounding Joy: A Christmas Jubilee; Oliver Rodriguez, Conductor
Joy to the World– The Cast of Resounding Joy: A Christmas Jubilee; Oliver Rodriguez, Conductor
Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit-The Cast of Resounding Joy: A Christmas Jubilee; Oliver Rodriguez, Conductor
Everyone stood in applause when the performances came to a halt. The curtain closed at 9:00 PM.
