CEBU, Philippines - Cebu’s pride, the University of the Visayas Chorale, won top awards at the first-ever Cultural Center of the Philippines National Choral Competition held last August 18 to 22.
From among 22 contenders, the UV Chorale emerged as one of only two groups that bagged three gold certificates from all the categories they were entered—Mixed Voice, Musica Sacra and Folk.
The other choir was Imusicapella, a seasoned choir made of professionals from Imus, Cavite. Gold certificates were awarded to choirs that accumulated the highest marks (or a total of 85-100 points) from the board of judges.
For the Folk category, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology’s Octava Choral Society, Tarlac State University Choir and Himig Sanghaya Chorale also got gold certificates.
Apart from the certificates, the winners also received cash prizes.
“For us, the CCP contest was as tough as the international competitions we had, because we all know that Filipino choirs are the best in the world,” said choir member Sherwin Sulla.
For their big win, the UV Chorale and Imusicapella were given the center stage at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) on awards night last Saturday for a grand closing concert.
UVC choir director Anna Piquero, for her part, said that more than just the awards, their successful participation in the CCP competition goes to show that “we somehow achieved our goal in making the UVC’s presence felt in the national choral scene.”
The Manila-based choirmaster and former Philippine Madrigal singer enthused that “if there was a prize that came from the public, the UVC would have probably won it.”
Piquero added, “You should have seen the way the audience gathered around them every after their performance. And the composers fell in love with them. Halos lahat ng nag-describe sa kanila sinasabi ay ‘elegant,’ magaling ang programming at entertaining. Cebuanos really have that inimitable charm as performers.”
Award-winning Cebuano conductor Dennis Gregory Sugarol of the Mandaue Children’s Choir also said, “[It was] truly a great experience listening to the group… proud to be Cebuano.”
Participating choirs included Anima Christi Chorale, Coro Basilica de Malolos, Coro Tomasino, UPLB Choral Ensemble, University of the Philippines Medicine Choir, UP Vocal Ensemble, among others.
The international set of jurors came from Indonesia, Singapore, Germany and the Philippines. The event also marked the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ 40th anniversary.
After the CCP competition, the UV Chorale is looking to participate in another international competition in Busan, South Korea come November and in Europe next year. — Nathalie M. Tomada, Entertainment Editor/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)