CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas Chorale bested seven other choirs from different regions in the Philippines in the final round of the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) National Choral Competition 2011 to bag the championship title. The competition was held Friday, Dec. 9 at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.
The group won a trophy and the P150,000 prize money.
Second place went to St. Louis University of Baguio, third place went to Koro Illustrado and Colegio de San Agustin of Iloilo won fourth.
Both The UV Chorale and Koro Illustrado are under the tutelage of Choir Conductor Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero.
Last September 24, 2011, the UV Chorale garnered an average of 96.3 percent and won under the Open Category during the regional competition at the Marcelo Fernan Press Center. The group received P50,000 as well as the honor to represent the region.
The group also hurdled the semifinal round last December 7.
This is the second year that the UV Chorale won the MBC National Choral Competition. They first won the title in 2009. In 2010 they placed second, before reclaiming the championship title this year.
“Tonight is very crucial. It’s already the MBC Finals. Please don’t be intimidated by your other competitors, just stay focused, have presence of mind in every song, dedicate your songs to the Lord and pray hard so that the choirs of angels in Heaven will join you tonight just like what happened in Busan, Korea. Just enjoy, don’t be nervous, just do all your best and God will take care of the rest. We continue to pray for your success, to reach your dreams for 2012. Tonight is only the beginning. As we always say to all of you, ‘We fight best when the odds are greatest. Go UV Chorale. Keep the UV Spirit high!” UV Chorale manager Nena Gullas told the group before the competition.
UV Executive Vice President Jose ‘Dodong’ Gullas told The FREEMAN, “Now it can be said, that the UV Chorale is the best choir in the country.” (FREEMAN)