The Singing Seniors in Concert

“To Sonata With Love” is one of the TriEvent organized by the Philippine Language and Cultural Association of Australia, Inc ( PLCAA ) funded through the Penrith City Council’s Community Assistance Program. This gift of love came as a surprise to the group called the “Sydney Sonata Singers” which started as a simple “barkadahan”. Grouping themselves regularly made them realize their potentials and formalize a chorale. Inspired by the songs arranged by Choirmaster Loy Tagudin, by the talent and determination each one has in their hearts and soul, by the discipline and focus inculcated by their Choir Coordinator Ester Creencia, the Sonata members were moulded together as one to form this singing group.

Just the word “ Concert”, gave each Sonata singer the feeling of excitement coupled with fear and worry. Doubtful of its success, the challenge was accepted. It was the time the group had been waiting for. Despite of their advancing ages, they proved to themselves that age is not a hindrance for them to make magic.

Hand-in hand, they made themselves into one strong body working for one specific goal: to stage the much awaited Sydney Sonata Singers’ Concert. Choirmaster Loy Tagudin took the challenge to direct the flow of the concert: Scene 1 – Heal our Land : to present patriotic regional songs and dances from Luzon down to Mindanao; Scene 2 – Charm of Yesteryear, to air and perform Kundiman and Cultural dances; Scene 3 – Sonata Delight, to present some favourite songs of today with the intermission of the much applauded “Subli” graceful dancers of the Penrith Community Filipino School (PCFS). On the other hand, Choir Coordinator Ester Creencia headed a planning committee to work on how to meet the additional expenses that may incur for a free concert, like sounds and lights, decorations, costumes. This committee listed groups they could approach for help to meet their concert needs. The Sydney Sonata Singers, “tho a small group were lucky to have these wonderful people supporting them, people with big hearts who feel that giving from their hearts is such a beautiful part of their living”.

As the day of the concert got closer, the feeling was immense leaving everything to the Lord. It’s their trust in the Lord with the strong foundation the PLCAA has offered that made them strong and got stronger and stronger each day to face the challenge.

To our Mentors & Supporters: “We cannot thank you enough. We only have our music and songs as our means of expressing our gratitude. You made this possible, and to you we attribute the bliss from a successful musical presentation”.

Thank you for being there for us. To the organizer Dr. Alexis Leones, the PLCAA and the Penrith City Council, for making this dream come true. To the Grand Prize donors: Atoy and Tess Sayas of Zignal Travels, to Connie Reyes and Cesar Aquino of Connie’s Childcare Centre, to Antonio Jr and Connie Atienza of Goldenhills Jewellery- Philippines, to Edwin and Dang Mangunay of In Optics Optical, thank you for your generousity.

Big thanks to our Stage and Technical Crew:
Rod Dingle the MC King- thank you for making our show a very wonderful one. Brian Lorenz Babon, the Choreographer- we love your artistic creation, Thank you.

Art Esposo of Mega Kristal Sound Recording (instrumental arranger)- Thank you for giving life to all our repertoire. With you around, Sonata still exists. Lionel Laserna, the decoration, sounds and light Director- You made a production out of your work of Art. You did a good job, everything was perfect. Maraming Salamat Danny Rosales, the Floor Director- the show was smooth sailing because of your expertise. Equal appreciation goes to your runners: Larry Capco, Shary Capco, Lee Candelario and Rowie Angkaya.

To our guest performers: the PLCAA, PCFS and Carinosa Dancers, our hearfelt appreciation for adding colour to our concert. Our special thanks to Marie Bandayrel of PLCAA and Elsa Collado of Ilocano Association of Australia for organizing these beautiful dances. To Noel Bernardo of PCC, guest dancer Imelda Rodriquez , Clarissa Bock, Rei Manaloto, the Bosworth Kids (Cohen, Olivia, Bridget), Fred Pineda and Romeo Monje of Senior Citizen organisations and not to forget Jasmin, the musical interpretation dancer. You are all a part of the success of the Sydney Sonata Singer’s Concert. You made it a very colourful one. Thanks!!!!

To our friends, relatives and retired members of the SSSingers (Emma Mudie and Noemi Teodoro), thanks for your support and concern.

To our families, thank you for always being there for us, your encouragement and never-ending financial support are greatly appreciated.

The Sydney Sonata Singers launched their CD albums and were taken for donations. Thanks to Connie Hyland and Rowie Angkaya for minding them for us. The copying was done by a huge production machine. If there's a problem with the CDs, please feel free to contact Loy Tagudin on 47270185 for a replacement.

What more can we say? Name it, everything was there because of these wonderful people. MABUHAY !!!! and “Maraming Salamat Po”…Until then.