Enlightenment through LUCE: Literary Understanding and Cultural Exposure (2)

Wednesday evening was another experience for Luce. From school, she changed from school uniform to a dainty dress (thanks, Uncle Keith, for the dress!), and off we went to the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Tatta had to drive carefully to transport us from Marikina to Manila, to rendezvous with Owwo for a night of music with Philippines’ own world-class pianist Cecil Licad and German cellist Alban Gerhard, with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Her attention would dwindle in between pieces, but overall, Luce was appreciative of the show. During intermission, she got to request Alban to sign her program. He asked if Luce plays an instrument, and we told him she’d learn the piano soon. After the show, I was able to get their picture together. A few moments later, Luce approached Cecil fore autograph, and I only managed a candid shot of them, since Cecil was already deluged with fans and greeters. Earlier, Luce had fun with Cecil’s encore performances. “Ayan, ayan, lalabas ulit. Sabi na nga ba e. I told you!” she’d quip the four times Cecil came back onstage. A couple of years after watching a Snow White ballet and a year after a Cinderella musical, the CCP offered Luce another memorable cultural exposure to a little night of music.