MANILA, Philippines — PATTS College of Aeronautics recently celebrated its 43rd Foundation Day with theme “Biyaheng PATTS Lalong Lumalakas, 43 taon napo ang Aming Nilalandas.”

The event,  held last Feb. 15 and 16,  at its campus in Parañaque City kicked off with a Holy Mass and the ceremonial ribbon-cutting by guest of honor Rene Philip H. Banzon, Singapore Airlines Engineering Philippines deputy general manager. He delivered his keynote speech to about 6,000 PATTS students and alumni, along with their families and friends.

Other activities included the departmental exhibits, the opening of booths and bazaars, job fair, and the coronation night of Mr. & Ms. PATTS 2012 Pageant.

On the second day, basketball skills exhibitions by PATTS alumni and faculty members and employees were held followed by the awarding ceremonies of the 2011 ARV Bowling Tournament, academic competitions, best exhibit, as well as a raffle draw for its Semester Early Bird Enrollment promo. The celebration ended with a cultural competition and a rock concert by the Kamikazee.

Philippine-German culture festival on 

The German Embassy in Manila is celebrating the Philippine-German Month with a series of musical performances and film showings.

Soprano Minette Padilla and pianist Aries Caces will serenade audiences today, Feb. 17,  at the Paco Park in Manila with the classical pieces of German composers Mozart, Beethoven, interspersed with compositions of Filipino legends F. Buencamino and E. Cuenco.

Renowned chamber musician Professor Rolf Dieter Arens is set to grace the Philamlife Auditorium in Malate on Feb. 23 for a one-night concert showcasing his world-class talent and esteem.

Prof. Arens has had an extensive concert career as a musician. He performed as a soloist for the Berlin Symphony Orchestra (1986-1991), played with famous conductors such as Kurt Masur, Herbert Blomstedt and Neville Marriner, and toured in various European, American and Asian countries. He also has been a juror for several international competitions.

On Feb. 24, world-renowned pianist Leonor Kilayko will be performing German classics at the Paco Park. The concerts start at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, award-winning German films will be shown on all weekends of this month for NPDC’s Cinema in the Open Air at the Rizal Park open auditorium in Manila. Screening starts at 7 p.m.

The Philippine German Month 2012 is a joint cultural project of the German Embassy Manila, National Parks Development Committee, Goethe Institute, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce.

A Joint Declaration of Intent for Cultural Relations between Germany and the Philippines that was signed recently by Federal Minister Guido Westerwelle and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario in Berlin encouraged the conduct of such a festival. It resonates the two countries’ commitment to foster cultural cooperation by an open exchange of literary and cultural publications, performing arts, cinema and television, education, etc.

For tickets and more information, call the Goethe Institute at 440-1021.

CEU-PACE conducts training on voice usage

The Centro Escolar University (CEU) School of Education-Liberal Arts-Music-Social Work in coordination with the CEU Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) will conduct a training for professional voice users on Feb. 23, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Librada Avelino Hall (LAH) of CEU-Manila.

The training will focus on voice mechanics, the art of the human expression and presentation, and vocal health. It aims to help participants value the infinite potential of the human voice and its use in performance as well as gain some knowledge of the physical framework and the basic aspects of vocal anatomy and physiology. The seminar will enable participants to get to know the vocal instrument better, realize the practical implications of such knowledge, develop vocal common sense and healthy voice use; and perform easily with ease as speakers, presenters, or performers.

Topics to be discussed are about Making Sense of Vocal Mechanics and the Art of Vocal Expression. Maria Camilla Lopez-Molina, two-time Aliw Awardee and one of the most in demand Filipina sopranos in the country will conduct the training.

Singers, actors, teachers/lecturers/facilitators, choral conductors, public speakers (radio/TV announcers, lawyers, ministers and priests), and Music teachers are encouraged to attend. For inquiries and reservation, call (02) 735-7072 or email pace@ceu.edu.ph.