A CHORAL CONTEST for children, ?Himig Bulilit,? is steadily making headway, and has now become a byword in the musical-cultural life in Parañaque City.

Started four years ago, the contest was conceptualized exclusively for children in the elementary level to expose them to choral singing. This is a virtue the organizer, Foundation on Arts and Culture and Education of Parañaque Inc. (Facepi), aims to inculcate among the young for their cultural literacy in music.

Since choral singing is the favorite form of music-making practically all over the land, the exposure and the training these youngsters get are excellent preparation for singing in an adult choir, which they will soon join.

This year?s theme is ?Pangangalaga sa Kalayaan (Taking Care of Freedom).? The contest is a paean to the heroic deeds of the country?s heroes, said Rosalio S. Riate, Facepi chair.

It is a virtue that should be inculcated among the young, said Yvette B. Evangelista, the contest coordinator.

The contest is held as part of the foundation?s contribution to the celebration of the National Arts Month of February. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), which organizes the Arts Month, is a sponsor of the contest.

Mayor Florencio M. Bernabe Jr. briefly keynoted the competition, hailing it as the pride of Parañaque. He said material development was amply complemented by the culture, of which choral singing is a strong pillar.

The competition?s contest piece was ?Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo,? composed by Jim Paredes.

Ten finalists from the city?s elementary schools vied for the top three prizes: Camp Claudio Elementary School; Col. E. de Leon Elementary School; Don Galo Elementary School; Escuela de San Dionisio; F. Serrano Sr. Elementary School-Sun Valley Annex; La Huerta Elementary School; Parañaque Elementary School; St. Andrew?s School; Sto. Niño Elementary School and Tambo Elementary School (Main).

Marvelous interpreter

At Paco Park Presents recently, another strong pillar of Philippine music, Lucrecia R. Kasilag, National Artist for Music (1989), and Robert Schumann, whose 200th birth anniversary is being celebrated this year together with Frederick Chopin, were honored in a solo piano concert rendered by pianist Jonathan Coo in celebration of the Philippine-German Month.

Jonathan is fast emerging as a marvelous interpreter of Tita King?s works. The concert featured ?Elegy,? ?Serendipity,? Burlesque, ?Passacaglia,? First Rondo and Rondeau.

These works were played in the first part of the program, followed with Schumann?s Fantasiestucke, Op.12 including ?Feurigst,? which the pianist said in his oral annotation was discovered in 1986. It was an absorbing ?Informance,? with Jonathan himself giving oral accounts of the pieces he played.

The encored Kasilag piece, ?April Morning,? was a revelation. It was scored in the romantic vein. It was one of the earliest works of the late composer, in her brief journey to the Romantic world. Eventually, she did a tour de force, fusing East and West in her works, which became the shining hallmark of her creations.