The delegation of the European Union in the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas through the Office of Public Affairs, and COMCO Southeast Asia, collaborated on holding a choral festival titled 鈥淪ounds of Celebration: Sixty Years of EU-PH Relations鈥� at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom on April 26, 2024.聽
Seven choral groups enchanted the audience with Filipino and European songs, with Los Cantantes de Manila emerging victorious with the EU-PH Cultural Award after showcasing the traditional Visayan song 鈥淩osas Pandan鈥� and the German chorale song 鈥淧etrus鈥�, a reflection piece surrounding the biblical Peter, with their conductor Mr. Darwin Vargas while the Ambassador鈥檚 Choice Award went to Minstrels Rhythm of Hope, Inc.鈥檚 performance of the Ilocano folk song 鈥淧amulinawen鈥�, and the choral masterpiece by Franz Biebl titled 鈥淎ve Maria鈥� under the baton of Mr. Anthony Go Villanueva.
Aside from celebrating 60 years of EU-PH relations, this cultural event was also part of the roster of programs celebrating the 413th anniversary of the University of Santo Tomas in April.
鈥淭hrough this celebration, we aim to showcase the vibrant cultural heritage and musical diversity at the core of both identities of the European Union and the Philippines,鈥� said UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL.
H.E. Luc V茅ron, Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines, shared that the event 鈥渃elebrates deep musical linkages between our regions and the importance of multilingualism in safeguarding our unique cultural identity and heritage. Music transcends language barriers, uniting us all.鈥�
Performers included Himig Rose帽a, with their conductor Ms. Jarzinha B. Ines, who sang their rendition of Ben&Ben鈥檚 鈥淪abel鈥� and the Finnish song 鈥淜uka Nukkuu Tuutussasi鈥� (Who is sleeping in thy cradle?) while UST Chorus of Arts and Letters, with their conductor Mr. Nathaniel Morada, presented the Ibaloi folk song 鈥�Salidummay鈥� and the popular farm song of Basque Country, Spain, 鈥�Segalariak鈥� (The Reapers).
St. Scholastica鈥檚 Academy Marikina Glee Club and their conductor Mr. Danilo Monte, Jr., performed the Cebuano version of the Lord鈥檚 Prayer, 鈥淎mahan Namo鈥� and the German madrigal 鈥�Wohlaf, ihr g盲ste鈥� (Well Then, Good Guests), the Wesleyan University Philippines Chamber Singers presented Ryan Cayabyab鈥檚 鈥淪aan Ka Man Naroroon鈥� and Domenico Mondugno鈥檚 classic Italian song 鈥�Volare鈥� (To fly) conducted by Mr. Nathanael Arnel de Pano, and Rizal Technological University鈥檚 Himig Rizalia sang the Cordilleran folk song 鈥�Chua-ay鈥� and a choral song and love story from Basque Country, Spain titled 鈥�Izar Ederrak鈥� (Beautiful Star).
Witnessing the captivating performances were the NCCA Secretary Hon. Victorino Manalo, DFA Undersecretary Hon. Eduardo De Vega, and EU Delegation to the Philippines Head of Cooperation Mr. Christoph Wagner.
The competition鈥檚 panel of adjudicators included the founder and conductor of the University of Santo Tomas Singers, Prof. Fidel G. Galalang Jr.; the founder and conductor of the UP Singing Ambassadors from the University of the Philippines, Dr. Ed Manguiat; a board member of the Philippine Choral Directors Association, Mrs. Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero; and singer, songwriter, and artist Ms. Eunice Gatdula, also known as Huhsmile.
草榴视频 of Santo Tomas Singers, two-time winner of the Choir of the World Grand Prize – Luciano Pavarotti Trophy, graced the event with a special intermission led by maestro Fidel Calalang, Jr.
– H.E. Luc V茅ron, Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines
– University of Santo Tomas Singers founder Prof. Fidel G. Galalang Jr.; UP Singing Ambassadors conductor Dr. Ed Manguiat; Philippine Choral Directors Association board member Mrs. Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero; and singer, songwriter, and artist Ms. Eunice Gatdula serve as the adjudicators.
Ambassador V茅ron and Fr. Coronel present the EU-PH Cultural Award to Los Cantates de Manila and their conductor Mr .Darwin Vargas
The Minstrels Rhythm of Hope, Inc. and conductor Mr. Anthony Go Villanueva receive the Ambassador鈥檚 Choice Award from H.E. Luc V茅ron and Fr. Coronel.
– The participating choirs with the adjudicators, Fr. Coronel, and the EU Ambassador H.E. Luc V茅ron
A special intermission performance by the UST Singers
– Himig Rose帽a
Chorus of Arts and Letters
St. Scholastica鈥檚 Academy Marikina Glee Club
Wesleyan University Philippines Chamber Singers
Rizal Technological University鈥檚 Himig Rizalia
