University the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) will hold a free concert at Capitol Commons on June 15.
Led by artistic director Jai Sabas-Aracama, UPCC will perform the same repertoire in their recent cultural goodwill concert in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
The concert was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur as a cultural diplomacy project for “the enduring friendship between Filipinos and Malaysians.”
The concert, performed by 28 singers and one pianist, was held at Dewan Recital of Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The repertoire included Filipino folk songs, pop, Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and Broadway songs.
UPCC was also joined by the Universiti Malaysia Sabah-School of Art Studies Choir.
Guests of honor included Siti Rubiah Datuk Abdul Samad, spouse of Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Sri Anifah bin Haji Aman; and Norlidah R.M. Jasni, spouse of Sabah governor Juhar Mahiruddin.
The UPCC also performed at Stairway to Hope, the learning facility organized by the Filipino community in Sabah for Filipino children who don’t have access to basic education.
Last year, UPCC held a concert, “A Celebration of Peace,” in KL, staged after the signing of the framework agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
51st year
Also last year, UPCC celebrated its 50th anniversary and won four awards in international competitions: first prize in the Folk category and second prize in the Mixed category of the Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros in Vic, Spain; and the gold diploma and the Audience Prize (People’s Choice Award) at the 9th Cantemus International Choir Festival at Nyíregyháza, Hungary.
It was chosen as one of the six best choirs at the IV International Harald Andersen Chamber Choir Competition in Helsinki, Finland, making UPCC the very first Asian choir to ever make it that far.
Locally, it was the recipient of the 2012 Aliw Awards Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award and is one of National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Ani ng Dangal awardees for 2013.
World-class
The concert concludes Capitol Commons’ “Festival of World Class Filipinos,” a series of free shows featuring performances by “Filipino artists who have received international acclaim for their talents.”
The 10-hectare mixed-used development is at Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, at the former site of Rizal Provincial Capitol. It is planned to feature condominiums, retail establishments and offices.
There will be a fashion show featuring the works of Michael Cinco, Amina Aranaz, Herbert Custodio, Roel Rosal and Albert Andrada.
A food market will be available, organized by Mercato Centrale.
UPCC’s free concert at Capitol Commons on June 15 starts at 5 p.m. (Call 4013332 or visit wwwortigas.com.ph.)
UPCC will also perform the same concert repertoire on July 12 at Abelardo Hall, College of Music, University of the Philippines. (Call 0917-8902736 or visit wwwupconcertchorus.com).
