Tabor Hill College (OAD) Choir of Talamban, Cebu, emerged Grand Prix Champion in the recently concluded Philippine International Choral Competition dubbed Sing ’n’ Joy Manila 2013.
Conducted by Dennis Gregory Sugarol, with Ritchie Asibal as vocal coach, the chorale also got a Gold-level III in the Musica Sacra competition, Gold-level II in the Folklore category, and a Gold-level I in the Mixed Choirs-Difficulty Level 1 division.
University of the Philippines Manila Chorale, steered by Emmanuel de Leon, was the winningest ensemble, capturing three category wins while earning a Gold-level V in Gospel Spirituals, a Gold-level IV in Musica Sacra, and Gold-level III in the Mixed Choirs-Difficulty level 1.
Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society, conducted by Joel Aquino, was named category winner for the Folkore competition, earning Gold-level IV while also taking home a Gold level II in the Pop category and Mixed Choirs-Level 1.
Kinaadman Chorale, the resident ensemble at the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University in Iloilo, earned a Gold-level III and was named category winner for Pop/Show Choirs. The group also took home a Gold-level II in the Folklore category and a Silver-level IX in the Mixed Choirs-Difficulty level 1.
Conducted by Roque Magsipoc, Kinaadman also emerged as the People’s Choice awardee, together with Indonesian choir Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.
St. Paul College Pasig High School Chorale under Sheila Fetalvero edged out MBC National Choral Competition Hall of Famer Hiyas ng Pilipinas for the top prize in the Youth Choirs of Equal Voices division. Both choirs had nearly identical scores to earn Gold-level II certificates.
Tining-ang Koro ng Letran Calamba, conducted by Lorenzo Gealogo, romped off with the category win among Mixed Choirs-Difficulty level 2.
The 2011-2012 MBC Champion Laoag City Children’s choir brought home the category win in the Children’s category, scoring a Gold-level IV in the process.
International jury
The international jury comprised of Kirby Shaw (USA), Dang Chau Anh (Vietnam), Tommyanto Kandisaputra (Indonesia), Ko Moe Naing (Myanmar), Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng and Jonathan Velasco (both from the Philippines) also gave out golds for various categories to Calasiao Children’s Chorus, Juan Luna Elementary School, Vox Angeli, Pasig Catholic College, Coro Obcento, Coro San Benildo, Regina Coeli, Mapua Cardinal Singers, Coro Amadeo, Cental Luzon State University Maestro Singers, University of Manila Singers, South Cotabato Chorale, Concordia Choir Univ. HKBP Nommensen of Medan, Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, and Ekklesia Polewali Mandar.
Earning silver certificates were Himig Bulilit, Ateneo Boys Choir, Agoo Children’s Choir, Lourdes School of Quezon City Choral Society, Vox Amigos de San Isidro Labrador, S.P.A. Music Ensemble of Oton National High School, Southern Leyte Singing Ambassadors, Olongapo Youth Choir, St. Mary’s University Choral Society, Coro San Nicoleno, Adventist Glee, University of Northeastern Philippines Chamber Singers, Voice of Soul, and the Ussy Pieters Choir. Lyceum of Alabang Chorale took home a bronze certificate.
Special awards for outstanding performances were given to tenor Greggy Quiocho of the UP Manila Chorale for “My God is So High”; Kinaadman Chorale for their rendition of “Piliin Mo ang Pilipinas”; and Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta for their performance in the Folklore division.
Sing ’n’ Joy Manila 2013 was presented by Manila Broadcasting Company, Interkultur Germany, and Philippine Choral Directors Association, with support from Star City, Globe Telecom, Krem-Top, 7-11, M. Lhuillier, Cebu Pacific, Master Sardines, SM City Manila, Shangri-La Plaza, Kamuning First United Methodist Church, and the Department of Tourism.