Celebrated musician-composer Ryan Cayabyab performed with world-renowned UST Singers during the 14th edition of the yearly musical extravaganza held on December 1, 2016 at the UST Chapel, 7 p.m.
Aside from performing two songs on the piano with the UST Singers, Cayabyab also played some of his notable compositions, including the famous Filipino Christmas classic Kumukutikutitap, with the all-student UST Symphony Orchestra and choral groups from the UST Conservatory of Music: Coro Tomasino and Liturgikon Ensemble.
“Through the showcase of some of the finest Thomasian talents, the Christmas Concert is a way for the University to express its gratitude to its benefactors, friends, alumni, and the entire Thomasian community,” UST Museum Director and concert chair Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P. said.
The UST Junior High School Glee Club made its debut in this year’s Christmas Concert, performing Filipino carols with Emerson Hernandez as conductor. Spectators were serenaded by fresh voices from Thomasian soloists in the one-night event.
Multi-awarded conductor Prof. Herminigildo Ranera led the evening’s curtain-raiser with Victor Victorino performing on the pipe organ. It is a rare occasion that the chapel’s pipe organ is played, especially for the Christmas Concert.
“Every year, we make it a point to better song sets and line-up of performers so that people will feel that we are giving only the best and that we don’t settle for less,” Fr. Abaño said. He added, “We are also dedicating this concert to St. Dominic de Guzman, the founder of the Dominican Order, in the 800th Jubilee of the Order.”
This year’s concert was in cooperation with DivinaLaw as major sponsor.
The campus-wide lighting ceremony held at 6 p.m. preceded the concert.
