Baguio Insider

For all you guys who will be up in Baguio this Christmas Season, good news!

You are all invited to what promises to be a wonderful evening of classical music with Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, internationally acclaimed Filipino concert piano artist, performing at the Baguio Country Club Ballroom on 28 December 2007. Be captivated by his music… while helping the worthwhile projects of this concert’s beneficiary, WE CARE Services.

We have received remarks in recent years, from both Baguio visitors and the residents themselves, that there has not much to do in Baguio in the evenings, absent a casino or decent bars that cater to a crowd other than the hordes of young students studying here. And it’s true! When the sun sets, does Baguio expect everyone to sleep?

So when I was contacted, as Go Baguio! webmaster, and requested to post an event at the website, I was extremely elated to see that it was none other than John-M (that’s how we’ve always known him) who was going to perform! The Go Baguio! Festivals and events page lists Baguio events for free, as a matter of public service. We currently have the SLU Boys High Reunion Nov 3 Homecoming reunion posted there, as well as Professor Divina Bautista’s Delphic Games.

However, this time I volunteered to help promote this concert via a write-up in Baguio Insider because I know for a fact how wonderfully John-M plays the piano and what a lovely evening December 28 will be. You see, I first heard him play when he was a child prodigy at 7 years old! I was a not-so-talented piano student at 9 and anything I played sounded like “chopsticks’ compared to his talent.

Later on, I discovered he was my brother’s (’Alfredo’ and we call him Dits — long story) grade school classmate in Ateneo de Manila. And here is a funny story that I think you guys should read about.

Our family restaurant in Manila hosted the Miss Universe candidates in 1974. And it was my brother’s dream to replicate my father’s coup of sorts. So 20 years later, when the Philippines hosted the Miss Universe pageant once again, Dits threw a luncheon for about 50 beautiful ladies at our Makati branch, which was just about to open. So the these ladies were our first guests.

After planning all the meals, having other restaurateurs like Gene Gonzalez of Cafe Ysabel volunteer to bring his delectable cakes for dessert in order to gain entry to the private luncheon, and having all my married law school buddies hate me for inviting only eligible bachelors, we realized it would be wonderful if we were able to invite an artist to perform for them.

Enter grade school kababata and eligible bachelor, Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, who happened to be in the country at that time. Dits invited him to the party and he graciously agreed to play a few pieces for all of us.

On that wonderful day, the Miss Universe candidates all stood up as he was about to play, surrounded him on the grand piano, he said a few words in dedication to the ladies, and proceeded to play. Later on, over a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black that he and Dits attempted to consume fully in celebration of a highly successful event, he remarked, “That was the first time I ever missed a note in my life. I was just surrounded by so many — boobs!

So here we are in Baguio, 13 years later — and 30+ years since I first watched him, as a tiny little boy, with his feet barely reach the pedal, perform with such talent, emotion and control — totally excited that he is coming to perform for this little town of ours. It would be a shame for anyone to miss this rare occasion.

Please know also that I am not in anyway connected with the organizers or their charities, or even John-M for that matter. I am just happy to announce the event and invite everyone who’ll be here on December 28 to get their tickets early. The event details and contact information are available at the Go Baguio! Festivals and Events Page.