Belgium National Day 2013 feat. Marco Polo, An Untold Love Story

Belgian Ambassador Christian Meerschman (5th from left) along with guests

Never have I imagined that I would find myself joining the Belgians and the rest of the diplomatic community when they celebrated the Belgium National Day over at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati. This opportunity came because of the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s last concert, The Trumpet Calls that was presented in cooperation with the Embassy of Belgium. Right after the performance, I had the privilege of meeting Belgian Ambassador Christian Meerschman, and the rest is history.

The cocktail reception, hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Greta Meerschman became a lot more interesting for me when I learned that one of the highlights of the evening was the performance of excerpts from the soon to be staged musical, Marco Polo, An Untold Love Story. I’ve been hearing a lot about this musical from Kuya Manzano who is part of the cast but I haven’t heard any of its music yet. So this reception was the perfect time for me to listen to snippets of this work before everyone else.

The excerpts were presented in concert staging with the cast not being in costume. They were accompanied by a fifteen piece orchestra consisting of some musicians whom I know. The lead roles in the musical were played by David Bianco, Stephanie Reese, Chinggoy Alonso and Gina Respall. It was nice seeing David once again and although I’ve seen him in straight plays before, this was the first time that I’ve ever heard him sing even though I know that he has a music background as well. The music of Marco Polo An Untold Love Story was a mix of Eastern and Western styles and melodies and it made me more curious to see and hear it in its entirety.

Marco Polo, An Untold Love Story is written and composed by Belgian-Filipino Rogelio Saldo Chua and produced by Belgian Olivier Leonard and it will feature a 50 member international cast and artistic team made up mostly of Filipinos who are veterans in the field. It is a dramatization of an untold love story of Marco Polo and Princess Kogajin, the daughter of Kublai Khan. It will also consist of over twenty songs and dance numbers, combining modern scenography and traditional light, set and sound design.

Jos Jalbuena and Kuya Manzano

Another highlight of the evening was Mrs. Greta Meerschman’s first painting exhibit held just outside of the ballroom. The paintings were also up for silent auction for the benefit of Touch of Life for Children Education Association Davao.

Angola Consul Helen Ong, Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma
and Panama Ambassador Roberto Carlos Vallarino

It was also nice seeing on that night Israeli Ambassador Menashe Bar-On, Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma, Italian Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission Alfonso Tagliaferri, French Embassy’s Cultural Attaché Ariane Tricaud and Audiovisual Attaché Martin Macalintal. A handful of theater actors were also present namely Miguel Faustmann, Liesl Batucan and Jennifer Blair-Bianco.