The fourth anniversary celebration of senior recreation center Sunshine Place brought its members and audience around the world with performances inspired by the rich cultures and music of Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The senior center’s talented members and instructors took part in the Sunshine Travels anniversary show, which featured song numbers and dance acts showing everyone that talent indeed is ageless.
Sunshine Travels also served as a recital for members who are enrolled in the center’s various classes.
Maricor Mendoza, who was recovering from losing her voice a few years ago, found her voice and surprised the audience with a Mexican-inspired song-and-dance number.
The dance class students, meanwhile, took guests to the United States through a tap dance performed to the beat of an Earth, Wind & Fire medley, while Maryknoll Batch ‘68 Jubilarians and instructor EJ Villacorta took centerstage with a dance number inspired by the Broadway musical “A Chorus Line.”
Le Bran Elite students led by Bing Pimentel, Helen Siy, and Corazon Zamora danced to the foxtrot rhythm; while the Le Bran instructors performed a graceful Brazilian Samba.
Mother-daughter tandem Cecile and Marichi de Joya showed they were just as talented on the dance floor with their fiery flamenco from Southern Spain.
The Sunshine Place instructors also delighted the members and guests with classic folk songs from the Philippines—voice class instructor Isaac Iglesias with his rendition of “Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak” and piano teacher Cloi Sugano who sang “Sa Kabukiran.”
The guests also participated in the chair dancing session led by instructor Danny Vinculado swaying along a fun mix of OPM, K-Pop, Chinese, and J-Pop songs. The Social Ballroom and Yeba class members also enjoyed an impromptu performance with instructor Nikki Camasura.
One of the highlights of the event was a special tenor performance by Tony Pastor who sang and played the piano. He was later joined by brother Rafael Pastor.
Completing the anniversary show was the mini concert of the award-winning band, Rockin’ 60s, who sang jukebox hits of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, from The Beach Boys, Neil Sedaka, Ben E. King, Donny Osmond, Louis Armstrong, The Carpenters, and ABBA.
One of the best moments of the event was Rockin’ 60s’ rendition of “We Got It All” led by band member and composer of the iconic SM jingle Dero Pedero—as the audience sang along.