The UP Singing Ambassadors

As always, upon their arrival from another successful European tour, the UP Singing Ambassadors visited Manila Bulletin to serenade us with a few of their winning songs.

Head and conductor of the group, Ed Manguiat surprised us with their visit last Thursday afternoon, and we’d like to thank them for giving us that much-needed break from the pressure of deadline and press work.

Everything stood still at our editorial office as we listened in rapt attention to their rendition of choral songs as well as the popular regional song "Waray-Waray."

We returned to work later with our spirits uplifted by the power and charm of beautiful music.

Proudly donning their Filipino costumes, the UPSA came hugging close to their hearts the awards they received from their 6th European Tour that started May 19 and ended Sept. 22, during which they garnered several top prizes including five Grand Prize Qualifications, two Grand Prizes, seven First Prizes and three Third Prizes from five prestigious international competitions. These were held in Poland, France, Wales, Hungary and Switzerland.

At the 4th International Choir Festival Mundus Cantat Sopot 2008 held in Poland from May 21-25, UPSA was proclaimed the Best Choir of the festival, winning the coveted Grand Prize of the competition as well as sweeping all First Prizes in the Sacred Music Category, Folk Music Category and Spirituals, Gospel and Jazz Music Categories.

UPSA’s triumph in their choral competitions could not have come at a more fitting time, as its alma mater is celebrating its centennial this year.

The group’s musical artistry shown at the 12th Festival Choral International de Neuchatel held in Neuchatel, Switzerland last Aug. 5-10 where the multi-awarded group was honored with the Grand Prize of the festival, aside from winning First Prize in the Mixed Choir Category.

At the Llanggollen International Musical Eisteddfod held in Llangollen, North Wales in the United Kingdom from July 8-13, UPSA became the only choir to win two first prizes in the festival in the Chamber Choirs Category and the Folk Song Choirs Category. UPSA was also a strong finalist for the title of "Choir of the World," the grand prize of the competition.

At the Bela Bartok 23rd International Choir Competition and Folklore Festival in Debrecen, Hungary (from July 30-Aug. 3), they reached grand finals for winning First Place in the Mixed Category. The Grand Finals is a competition for all the first prize winners in the major categories of the said competition. UPSA also won third place in the Chamber Category.

At the 37th Florilege Vocal dee Tours held in Tours, France from May 29-June 1, UPSA fared strongly by topping the Eliminations (Free Program Category) and winning third prizes in the said category and the Mixed Choir Category.

Aside from participating in the prestigious international competitions, UPSA also engaged in outreach activities. In France, the group shared its music with the aged at the Establissement Public de Sante in Ensisheim, Residence les Magnolias: Maison du Retraite in Wintzenhaeima, and Maison du Retraite in Obernai. UPSA also sang at the Home Medicalise de Clos-Brochet in Neuchatel.

Choral workshops/clinics here and abroad have always been part of UPSA’s Outreach Program. Sharing choral techniques and experiences and performance of competition pieces resulted in effective interactions between UPSA and the local choirs of France, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium.

So far, they’ve been very successful in their participation of international competitions, especially this 6th European Tour but Ed Manguit said "this tour couldn’t have been possible without the support of our major sponsors: Madame Imelda O. Cojuangco, San Miguel Corp. and Ramon Ang; Pagcor and Chairman Efhraim Genuino, Ambassador Philippe and Jean Henri Lhuillier of the Lhuillier Foundation, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco and AY Foundation, and Washing Sycip & the SGV Foundation."

Their other sponsors include Frank and Lou Tansengco, Del and Cheche Lazaro, Ms. Guia Gomez, Joselito Tapay, Mon Abad and SM Supermalls.

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‘Cory’ musical, a gift from the Filipino people

It is sheer destiny that Mrs. Lourdes "Bing" Pimentel, president of the Buhay Isang Awit Foundation would produce "Cory" as her seventh musical project. Every venture she would get into seemed to be blessed and this is no exception. Presented by San Miguel Corp. with premiere sponsors Senate President Manny Villar, PLDT, ABS-CBN, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, "Cory, The Musical" goes onstage on Nov. 29 and 30, and Dec. 1 at the Meralco Theatre.

Mrs. Pimentel is a home-grown self-taught composer who has produced and composed the musical plays "Nasaan si Hesus," "Huwag Pumayag sa Dagdag-Bawas," and "Pag-ibig sa Bayan" and others in the past. She said that when she learned the former president Cory Aquino had contracted cancer, she felt it was time for people to demonstrate their love and appreciation of the sacrifices she had undergone through a gift. "But Cory already had everything in terms of material goods. So I thought of gifting her with a musical," Mrs. Pimentel said, explaining that it was not for her alone but from the Filipino people.

Once again, Mrs. Pimentel partners with her "kababata" and "kababayan" Nestor U. Torre who is writer and director of the musical. Torre has collaborated in all by one of her musical projects.

Torre has made significant contributions in the various fields of theater, radio, TV, film, media education, arts and entertainment journalism, and talent development. In the musical theater, his original Filipino musicals include popular and critical hits "Magsimula Ka," "Magnifcat," "Katy!," "Birhen ng Caysasay," "Awit ni Kadugnung," "Ang Bagong Bituin," "Pinoy," "Sino Ka Ba Jose Rizal?" "Ay Kasingkasing Ko!," and "Tsinoy Kaisa Ka Nga."

Cory will be played by acclaimed singer-actress Isay Alvarez who made a name in the original London production of "Miss Saigon." She has also appeared in "Himala, The Musical," "West Side Story," "A Chorus Line," "Once on This Island," "They’re Playing Our Song," and recently in PETA’s "Skin Deep," a take on the Filipino penchant for cosmetic beauty enhancement.

The other major lead roles in "Cory" will be essayed by Sherwin Sozon as Ninoy, Robert Seña as Ferdinand Marcos, and Pinky Marquez as Imelda Marcos. In other significant roles are Tommy Abuel, Andy Bais, Edmund Sicam, Rito Asilo, and Lou Veloso. Musical director, conductor, and arranger is Leo Quinitio.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 30, go to former Sen. Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Gemma Cruz Araneta, Sari-paz Villar Tan, Baby Santamaria, Thelma San Juan Sioson, Virgilio Gonzales, Gerry Contreras, Arthur R. Lingad, Leonida Andrade, Teresita Brazil of PCSO, Baby Vidal Lavarro, Ruben Silvestre, MB’s Ma. Cristina Maralit, Edwin G. Trompeta of DOT Reg. V1, and Denise Laurel of Star Magic…