By Roy Mabasa After barely a month of crisscrossing the European continent, the University of the Philippines (UP) Singing Ambassadors captured at least two major prizes in separate choir contests, the latest of which at the 64thh International Habaneras and Polyphony Competition in Torrevieja, Spain. UP Singing Ambassadors (via Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) Led by famed conductor Edgard Lumbera Manguiat, the UP Singing Ambassadors garnered first prize under the Habanera category (Primer Premio Ricardo Lafuente) with €12,000 and a trophy and were also awarded first prize under the Polyphony category (Primer Premio Juan Aparicio) with €10,000 and a trophy. In addition, the singing group won the Public´s Choice Award with the prize €2,000. According to the Philippine Embassy in Spain, the UP youngsters won the top slot among the 12 short-listed choirs from 11 participating countries, out of around a hundred applications received by the Torrevieja Municipal Patronage of Habaneras and Polyphony Technical Commission. The International Habaneras and Polyphony Competition of Torrevieja has become a point of reference in the world of choir music, serving as host of annual international choir performances since 1955. The Spanish Ministry of Commerce and Tourism later declared it as an international tourism of interest in 1994. During the competition, the group performed “La Cubana del Manglar,” “Tú” and “Noche” composed by various musicians, and Pamugun arranged by renowned Filipino composer Francisco F. Feliciano. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) also joined the international music festival as guest choir for this year’s edition. Founded in 1980, the UP Singing Ambassadors previously performed at the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) and at Sydney Opera House during the Olympic Games held in Australia. Previously, the group has already won many awards, including the Guido D´Arezzo International Polyphonic Competition in Italy and the International Music Award in Paris. While on tour in Germany last month, the UP Singing Ambassadors also won the grand prize at the Sing! Berlin International Choir Competition. The UPSA was also named the category winner in the Sacred Music and Mixed Choirs competition. “We dedicate this victory to all the people who supported us in this musical journey! We promise to continue working hard in our endless pursuit of excellence,” the group said in a message posted on its Twitter account. Held on July 4 to 8, the Berlin choir competition also featured groups from the United States, Germany and Sweden, among others.