On December 1, the halls of Manila House Private Members Club will glow a little brighter, filled not only with holiday lights but with the spirit of generosity. A Christmas Overture, a special fund-raising concert in support of HearLife-Verein by Manila House Inc., invites guests to begin the Yuletide with music that resonates far beyond the season of giving.
This year’s program brings together an inspiring roster of musicians whose shared purpose goes deeper than performance. Their repertoire, spanning cherished Christmas classics to stirring orchestral pieces, offer one simple but profound gift — the gift of hearing.
Featured artists are vocal artists Evangeline Ng Lao, Lucia Caterina J. Boschi, Tara Bahukhandi, Mavis Jane Tan, Sherine Ann Koa, and pianist Sharlene Morta, a MED-EL Cochlear implant user.
Accompanying them are renowned musicians, namely violinist Mary Joyce San Juan, viola player Lauro Valentino Cad, cellist Irvin Roie So, flutist Raymundo O. Sison, and international concert pianist Dr. Abelardo Galang II.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit HearLife-Verein, a non-profit organization supporting the hearing and speech rehabilitation of children with cochlear implants, as well as deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, through professional development offerings to their medical carers and comprehensive support to their families.
Hearlife Verein provides a holistic approach aimed at empowering deaf children and their families at every step of their hearing journey. Its work, including hearing assessments, cochlear implant support, therapy scholarships, and community outreach, has been changing lives in ways that are deeply personal and quietly extraordinary. HearLife advocates early intervention, supports the use of appropriate technologies, provides rehabilitation services, and offers educational guidance.
“The holidays remind us that connection is at the heart of every celebration. HearLife helps restore connection in its purest form—through sound, communication, and the possibility of a fuller, richer life. For many of HearLife’s beneficiaries, this gift means the chance to hear a parent’s voice for the first time, to participate in school without barriers, or to finally feel connected in a world that had once been quiet,” said Maribel Mueller, Founder and President, Hearlife Verein, Buch in Tirol, Austria.
Set against the intimate charm of Manila House, A Christmas Overture opens its doors to welcome the holidays and promises an evening of warmth and elegance.
Guests are invited not only to enjoy the music but to become part of a larger story — one where each ticket, each note, and each moment of shared warmth contributes to a child’s first words, a family’s joy, and a future filled with new beginnings.
Tickets are priced at Php 2,700 for Members and Php 3,000 for guests. For reservations, email reservations@manilahouseinc.com. For other inquiries, contact (+63) 917-816-3685.
PROFILES OF THE FEATURED ARTISTS
DR. ABELARDO GALANG II is a Berlin-based Filipino pianist acclaimed for his expressive solo, chamber, and Lied performance across Europe and Asia. He holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate in music, with honors from Technische Universität Berlin. A 1992 Philippine Piano Competition prizewinner, he has performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Manila Symphony Orchestra, and Otto Symphoniker, and collaborated with members of the Berlin and London Symphony Orchestras. Dr. Galang teaches at the Berlin Piano School, directs music performance at the Philippine Women’s University, and lectures at the University of the Philippines.
MARY JOYCE SAN JUAN is an accomplished violinist with over 30 years of professional experience. She has performed extensively as both a soloist and orchestral musician across the globe. A graduate of St. Scholastica’s College Manila, with a Bachelor of Music in Violin, she has collaborated with renowned artists and performed at prestigious venues and luxury cruise lines, including the Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean. Versatile in classical, jazz, and contemporary styles, she brings passion and artistry to every performance.
LAURO VALENTINO CAD began violin lessons at six under Maestro Primitivo Marcelo and later trained at St. Scholastica’s College with Prof. Basilio Manalo and Arturo Molina, also completing soloist training through PREDIS. He has taught violin and viola at St. Scholastica’s and trained the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra (now Peace Philharmonic of the Philippines). He has performed in numerous operas and musicals, as well as with MSO, PYO, MNCO, and MSO II. He currently plays with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and String Fusion.
IRVIN ROIE SO began his cello studies in college under Assistant Professor Arold Josue. He initially pursued a degree in Piano Performance at the University of Santo Tomas, with cellos as his minor. But he shifted his focus to cello in his sophomore year. He graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Cello Performance. After graduating, So began teaching cello at the String Department, became an active member of String Fusion, and joined the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra.
RAYMUNDO O. SISON is a Filipino flutist whose artistry shines with both technical mastery and expressive warmth. Having performed with Andrea Bocelli as part of the MPO and later with MSO, he brings a radiant musical presence to every stage he steps on. His performances are marked by lyrical sensitivity, clear tone, and a natural joy in sharing music, making him as many describe a true musical sunshine.
EVANGELINE NG LAO trained in classical voice under Perpy Heath, she earned an associate degree in Performing Arts with distinction from the ABRSM. Her passion for music endured through a hiatus, leading to notable roles such as Bloody Mary in South Pacific, Angela in Patience, and performances in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has performed as soloist and chorale member locally and abroad, including in the Amici Vocal Competition.
LUCIA CATERINA J. BOSCHI is an Italian Filipino singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist who plays piano and ukulele. Under vocal coach Perpy Heath, she has performed at prestigious events. Inspired by Turandot, The Phantom of the Opera, and Hamilton, Boschi brings her love of opera and musical theater to every performance. She has earned top prizes in the International Schubert, Golden Prestige, and European Classical Music competitions, Birmingham International Music Competition, and World Classical Music Awards in 2025, among others.
TARA BAHUKHANDI is a Filipino Indian award-winning scholar and performer. She has earned top honors in international competitions including Red Maple, UK International, BACH International, and the World Grand Prix, along with multiple prizes from Clara Schumann International, 21st Century Talents, and Birmingham International contests. She holds ABRSM Certificates in Grade 8 Classical Singing and Grade 6 Musical Theater.
MAVIS JANE TAN is an ABRSM Grade 8 Singing Performance Candidate. She has performed in notable events such as the International Silent Film Festival 2025 (The Life of Beethoven 1927) and Masquerade: A Fund-raising Concert Recital (2024). Her musical achievements include a Gold Prize at the London Young Musician (2022-2023 Season 3), an Honor Prize at the Euterpe Music Awards (2022), a Silver Prize at the Vaya International Festivals (Fall 2022), and a First Place finish at the Red Maple Music Competition (Fall 2022).
SHERINE ANN KOA is an Associate of the Royal Schools of Music, and a multi-medalist at the 2013 World Championships of Performing Arts. She has also won prizes at the Vaya International Festival, London Classical Music Competition, Vienna Virtuoso Festival, and Odin International Music Online Competition. In college, she performed with Tanghalang Pilipino, Lyric Opera of the Philippines, and Ateneo Blue Repertory, earning the 2012 Loyola Schools Award for the Arts in Music.
SHARLENE MORTA graduated cum laude in 2023, with a Bachelor of Science in Music Business Management from Meridian International Business, Arts & Technology College, where she also received the Creative Service Award. Born with bilateral hearing loss, she uses a MED-EL cochlear implant and a hearing aid, continuing her family’s rich musical heritage. Introduced to music at age five by her grandmother Thelma Buencamino-Magno and trained by Cleofe Buenavista-Toribio, she completed the ABRSM Grade 8 Performance Examination.
