Seven groups compete at 2nd Las Piñas Chorale Festival

Seven choirs competed at the 2nd Las Piñas Chorale Festival at the Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno at Villar SIPAG, C-5 Extension Road, Pulang Lupa Uno, Las Pinas City.

The competing choirs were Adamson University Chorale, Ars Cantica Ensemble, Barasoain Camerata Philippines Chorale, Chorus Vocales Philippines, Holy Angel University Chorale, San Sebastian Chamber Singers, and University of the East Chorale.

The festival is an annual event held to honor St. Ezekiel Moreno, a Las Pinas parish priest in 1876 who was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1975 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1992. The festival was held in April, the birth month of the saint also known as the patron of cancer patients. St Ezekiel was born on April 9, 1848 in Logrono, Spain. He died of cancer on August 9, 1906.

"Now in its second year, we hope to generate nationwide interest and attract more choirs from different parts of the country as well as visitors to come to Las Pinas for this annual musical event," Sen. Cynthia Villar, director of Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), said.

"We are very proud of this event, which inspires the youth to hone their talent and to get together for a worthwhile activity," she added.

The winners and their corresponding prizes were: Grand winner - Adamson University Chorale, Trophy and P60,000 cash; 1st runner up - University of the East Chorale, trophy and P40,000 cash and 2nd runner up - San Sebastian Chamber Singer, trophy and P25,000 cash. Four consolation prizes worth P5,000 were given to each of the non-winners.

Each choir performed a side piece with the theme on inspiration and love (30%), and a contest piece themed on healing and faith (70%).

They were judged according to the following criteria: Interpretation (Manner in which the piece is internalized and presented) - 30%; Delivery (Quality of voice, fluency, pronunciation, blending and harmony) - 30%; Stage Presence (Stage poise, eye contact and audience impact) - 20%; Costume & Sounds (Attire is related to concept, sound production, mixed voices) - 10%; and Mastery of piece - 10%.

Last year, the Bataan State University Chorale was judged as the grand champion during the first Las Pinas Choral Festival. The other winners were Koro Ilustrado (Forbes Park), 1st runner-up; and TIP Chorale Society, 2nd runner-up.

The Board of Judges was composed of Prof. Armando V. Salarza, an internationally acclaimed concert organist and conductor of the Las Piñas Boys Choirs; Mr. Jerry Dadap, composer, conductor and director, and Mr. Gregorio Asilo, Jr. from the Corporate Accounting of Savers Appliance Depot.

The festival was organized by Villar SIPAG in line with its mission in the culture and the arts. It is a non-stock, non-profit organization which initiates projects for empowerment and poverty alleviation.