The Embassy of Italy
The Philippine-Italian Association
In cooperation with the
St. Scholastica College of Manila
Present a concert
“In loving memory of
Ms. Zenaida ‘Nedy’ Rustia Tantoco”
patroness of the Italian culture, friend of the Embassy of Italy in Manila
and President of the Philippine-Italian Association
Wednesday, 15th of May 2024 6:00 pm
St. Cecilia’s Hall - St. Scholastica College of Manila
2560 Leon Guinto St., Malate, Manila
The Remarkable Life of Zenaida “Nedy” Rustia Tantoco
In her lifetime, she devoted much of her passion preserving the legacy of
the Tantoco family business, a pioneering luxury retail conglomerate in the
Philippines. The name Rustan’s is synonymous with quality lifestyle
merchandise, offering exquisite customer service like no other for 72 years.
Yet her love for culture and the arts unquestionably made her a true
patroness for the Italian culture and a loyal friend of the Embassy of Italy in
Manila. After all, the bond of Italy and the Philippines, two countries
geographically so far apart, stemmed from the many commonalities of its
people, foremost among them is the love for a good, sweet life or ‘la dolce
vita’.
The Philippine Italian Association (PIA) was founded on February 19, 1962.
In August 30, 1991, she was conferred the “Cavaliere” in the Order of
Merit by the President of the Republic of Italy, a prestigious award given
to individuals who have acquired distinction in Philippine-Italian relations.
In 2004, she and her Dad, Ambassador Bienvenido R. Tantoco, Sr., who
was President of PIA for 7 years, were conferred the Ordine della Stella
della Solidarieta Italiana with the rank of Knight Commander by
the Italian President through H.E. Ambassador Umberto Colesanti, for their significant contribution to the
enhancement of the prestige of Italy and the diffusion of Italian culture and lifestyle.
‘Nedy’ Tantoco worked tirelessly in preserving the Philippine Italian relations, promoting the best of what
both cultures have to offer as President of the Philippine Italian Association since 2002 until her passing.
She breathed life to PIA’s mission by engaging cultural, educational and technological exchanges as well as
humanitarian and business services. The organization works very closely with the Embassy of Italy on
cultural and language programs, with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, with Uni-Italia
for the promotion of Italian universities, and many other institutions including the Cultural Center of the
Philippines (CCP), National Library of the Philippines (NLP), National Commission for Culture and the
Arts (NCCA), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and National Book Development Board
(NBDB).
Such passion is closely evident in the numerous major cultural and charity projects she chaired to ensure
that objectives were met, loyal sponsors were happy and proceeds realized in favor of the project
beneficiaries and communities to be served. She was equally focused on each project she undertook,
ensuring that these socially relevant projects never lost their meaning.
During her presidency, many landmark projects and partnerships were established. In 2021, an important
agreement was signed between the Patronato ACLI (headquartered in Italy) and PIA, making PIA the first
Patronato in the Philippines, and for that matter, in South East Asia. The opening of the office was
inaugurated in January 2022. A Patronato assists persons who qualify for Italian pensions, through
guidance and information sharing, processing, and ensuring that pensions are received.
The year 2022 marked a watershed in the expansion of the PIA Italian Language school when it was
qualified to officially give Italian language proficiency exams (CILS) in cooperation with the University for
Foreigners in Siena. It forged partnerships with the De La Salle University, Manila and the Lyceum of the
Philippines, Cavite, adding the Italian language in their curriculum. That year saw recognitions and
significant accolades for the organization by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Center for the
promotion of the Italian language in the Philippines, and by the Department of Foreign Affairs to teach the
Italian language to Philippine diplomats and Embassy personnel assigned to Italy and the Vatican. The
following year saw the continued expansion of the PIA language school with the Polytechnic University of
the Philippines.
She single-handedly brought popular consciousness and appreciation for the Opera in the Philippines, like
no other, with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Embassy of Italy. The Opera
performances that were elaborately staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines were her handiwork,
landmark cultural projects that culminated in showcasing the world renown 'Turandot' in 2022. It is safe to
say that it is to her credit that such prestigious opera events in Manila succeeded in transforming the
cultural landscape in the country to a higher plane.
Born and raised to be a leader, she took pride in having been taught by her parents to cultivate a vision that
would set her sights for greater things and ensure a brighter future whether in their family business or
organization involvements.
Her dynamic leadership of PIA was an endless story of exciting adventures, steering the organization to
loftier heights with great determination, together with the Board of Directors and project officers. Even
during the pandemic, PIA remained steadily active with partners through a variety of programs introduced
online.
Love for family complemented her business acumen and served as an underlying commitment to be the
best in whatever projects she would embark on. She drew strength from the legacy of her parents and the
solid support of her entire family and colleagues.
She graduated Cum Laude for her Degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from
Assumption Convent and Summa Cum Laude for Curso de Extranjeros (Special Course for Foreign
Students) in Colegio de Sta. Maria del Camino in Madrid, Spain.
She held the fort for Rustan Commercial Corporation as Chairman and CEO since 2008 until her passing.
She was also equally ‘hands on’ as Chairman and CEO for Stores Specialists, Inc., Rustan Marketing
Corporation, and Rustan Marketing Specialists, Inc.
She was President and CEO for the Tantoco-Rustia Foundation and was a moving force behind various
socio-civic works as Board of Trustee for the Cultural Center of the Philippines for 19 years, President for
the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc., and Adviser for the Club Bulakeno Foundation, among
others.
Zenaida R. Tantoco lived on her standards of excellence and would not settle for anything less. Dedicated
and very hardworking, she would pursue countless projects with such passion and enthusiasm that it was
simply hard not to keep up with her dynamism to make things succeed even against all odds.
A few months after her passing, she continues to be among us, leaving a profound lesson of “making a life
by what she gave”. It would be hard to fill in her shoes and even harder to realize that she left a world that
she gave so much love.
She may be gone now, but her memory and her precious life, lives in our hearts forever.
PROGRAMME
Invocation
Philippine National Anthem
Welcome Remarks
Sr. Christine Pinto, OSB
President, St. Scholastica’s College-Manila
Concerto in A minor, Op. 3 No. 6, RV 356 ……………………………………. A. Vivaldi
(1678-1741)
I. Allegro
Opening Remarks
Mr. Marco Clemente
Ambassador, The Embassy of Italy in Manila
Ave Maria ……….…………………………………………………………………....… C. Gounod
(1818-1893)
Crisantemi ……………………..……………………………………………………..... G. Puccini
(1858-1924)
***INTERVAL***
Remarks
Mr. Conrad Calalang
Vice-President, the Philippine-Italian Association
&
Mr. Anton Huang
President & CEO, Rustan Commercial Corporation & SSI Group, Inc.
Stabat Mater ……………………………………………………………………. G. B. Pergolesi
(1710-1736)
I. Stabat Mater dolorosa
II. Cajus animam gementem
III. O quam tristis et afflicta
IV. Quae moerebat et dolebat
V. Quis est homo, qui non fleret
VI. Vidit suum dulcem natum
VII. Eja mater fons amoris
VIII. Fac ut ardeat cor meum
IX. Sancta Mater, istud agas
X. Fac ut portem Christi mortem
XI. Inflammatus et accensus
XII. Quando corpus morietur
ARTISTS
SSC FACULTY & ALUMNI
CHAMBER MUSICIANS
SOPRANO Myramae Meneses
ALTO Camille Lopez Molina
CONDUCTOR Louie Angelo Oca
VIOLIN I Ralph Waldo Taylan
Leigh Cellano
VIOLIN II Christian Tan
Paul Gilbert Ramos
VIOLA Christine Laron
Vanessa Clemente Santos
CELLO John Paolo Anorico
Hannah Millen Isaga
BASSO CONTINUO Armando Salarza
GOUNOD’S AVE MARIA
SOLOIST Rachelle Gerodias-Park
CHAMBER SSC Faculty & Alumni Chamber Musicians
PREDIS KIDS
VIOLIN Zoelie Marrie C. Cabredo
Brianna Solenn E. Limson
Ysobel M. Alcantara
Ariadne M. Alcantara
Isabela Jilleanne Y. Cabredo
Margaux Leila G. Joson
PIANIST Armando Salarza
TRANSLATION
Ave Maria - Gounod
LATIN ENGLISH
Ave Maria Hail Mary
Gratia plena Full of Grace
Dominus tecum God is with thee
Benedicta tu in mulieribus Blessed art thou amongst women
Et benedictus And blessed
Fructus ventris tui, Jesus Is the fruit of thy womb (Jesus)
Santa Maria, Santa Maria Holy Mary, Holy Mary
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus Pray for us sinners
Nunc et in Now and in
Hora mortis nostrae The hour of our death
Ave Maria Ave Maria
TRANSLATION
Stabat Mater - Pergolesi
LATIN ENGLISH
1. Stabat Mater dolorosa 1. The grieving Mother
juxta crucem lacrimosa stood weeping beside the cross
Dum pendebat Filius. where her Son was hanging.
2. Cujus animam gementem 2. Through her weeping soul,
Contristatam ac dolentem compassionate and grieving,
Pertransivit gladius. a sword passed.
3. O quam tristis et afflicta 3. O how sad and afflicted
Fuit illa benedicta was that blessed Mother
Mater unigeniti! of the only-begotten!
4. Quae moerebat et dolebat, 4. Loving Mother, who was grieving
et tremebat, cum videbat And suffering, while she beheld
Nati poenas inclyti. The torments of her glorious son.
5. Quis est homo qui non fleret, 5. Who is it that would not weep,
Christi matrem si videret seeing Christ’s Mother
In tanto supplicio? in such agony?
Quis non posset contristari, Who could not be saddened
Piam matrem contemplari If he should behold the Mother of Christ
Dolentem cum filio? Suffering with her only Son?
Pro peccatis suae gentis For the sins of his people,
Vidit Jesum in tormentis She saw Jesus in torments
Et flagellis sub ditum And subjected to stripes.
6. Vidit suum dulcem natum 6. She saw her own sweet Son,
Morientem, desolatum, Whose dying caused his desolation,
Dum emisit spiritum. While he yielded up his Spirit.
7. Eja Mater, fons amoris! 7. O Mother, fountain of love,
Me sentire vim doloris make me feel the power of sorrow,
Fac, ut tecum lugeam. that I may grieve with you.
8. Fac, ut ardeat cor meum 8. Grant that my heart may burn
In amando Christum Deum in the love of Christ my God,
Ut sibi complaceam. that I may greatly please Him.
9. Sancta Mater, istud agas, 9. Holy Mother, may you do thus:
Crucifixi fige plagas place the wounds of the Crucified
Cordi meo valide. deep in my heart.
Tui nati vulnerati Share with me the pains
Tam dignati, pro me pati, Of your wounded Son
poenas mecum, divide. Who deigned to suffer so much for me.
Fac me vere tecum flere, pie Make me lovingly weep with you,
Flere crucifixo con dolere, To suffer with the Crucified
Donec ego vixero. So long as I shall live.
Juxta crucem tecum stare, To stand with you beside the cross,
Te libeter so ci a re And to join with you in deep lament:
in planctu desidero This I long for and desire.
Virgo virginum praeclara O Virgin all virgins excelling,
Mihi tam non sis amara Be not inclement with me now;
Fac me tecum plangere. Cause me to mourn with you.
10. Fac ut portem Christi mortem, 10. Make me to bear Christ's death,
passionis fac consortem, sharing in His passion,
et plagas recolere. and commemorate his wounds.
Fac me plagis vulnerari Let me be wounded by His wounds,
Cruce hac inebriari, Cause me to be inebriated by the Cross
Ob a morem filii. And the Blood of your Son.
11. Inflammatus et accensus 11. Inflame and set on fire,
per te, Virgo, sim defensus may I be defended by you, Virgin,
in die judicii. on the day of judgment.
Fac me cruce custodiri Let me be guarded by the cross,
morte Christi praemuniri armed by Christ's death
confoveri gratia. and He is cherished by His grace.
12. Quando corpus morietur, 12. When my body dies,
fac ut animae donetur grant that to my soul is given
Paradisi gloria. Amen. the glory of paradise. Amen.
“In loving memory of
+ Ms. Zenaida ‘Nedy’ Rustia Tantoco”
That in all things
God may be glorified!
