MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation Children’s Choir and St. Louis University Glee Club emerged champions in the MBC National Choral Competition grand finals held recently at the Star Theater in Pasay City.
With a stellar roster of judges that included Jonathan Velasco, Fidel Calalang Jr., Jai Sabas-Aracama, Ed Manguiat and Sebastian Trinidad, QCPA topped Koro del Pilar of Malolos, with Coro Angelitos of Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School taking third, and Commonwealth Elementary School settling for fourth place.
In the Open category, Baguio-based SLU took sweet revenge over University of the Visayas with a unanimous win that gave them a clear 1.8-point margin over the Cebuanos despite three-point deduction on their six-minute overtime. 2009 champion UV, in turn, edged out sister group Koro Ilustrado by one point, with St. Scholastica’s College High School Glee Club coming in fourth over-all, ahead of seasoned veterans University of San Agustin Troubadours, Ateneo de Davao, Ramon Magsaysay-Manila Youth Choir, and the FEU Chorale.
With QCPA’s win, Nick Infante has become the winningest conductor in the competition’s history. From 2007-2009, he delivered three straight wins for Hiyas ng Pilipinas, which has since been elevated to the Hall of Fame.