Get to know the winners of the 2025 Andrea O Veneracion International Choral Festival (AOVICF)

Hailing from Surabaya, Indonesia, the Kirana Teenage Choir was formed in 2020 and comprises young singers aged 11 to 15, mostly residing in Surabaya, East Java. Despite being a relatively young ensemble, the group has quickly made a name for itself in the Indonesian choral scene through its discipline, vibrant musicality and heartfelt performances. The group is led by Redemptus Arzde Widartha, an accomplished choral conductor, vocal coach and educator with wide-ranging experience in training youth and adult ensembles.

In 2024 alone, the choir earned a Gold Diploma (2nd place) at the 9th FESPA UBAYA, became 2nd Prize Winner at the Sinlui Hot Choir Competition and brought home a Gold Medal (3rd place) in the Teenage Choir category at the 3rd Soegijapranata International Choir Competition.

Emerging as Grand Champion at the AOVICF 2025, Kirana Teenage Choir topped Sta Teresa College Children’s Choir from Batangas, Philippines (2nd place) and the Marbel Children’s Chorus from Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

Koro Ilustrado (Makati City, NCR), under the direction of Anna Abeleda-Piquero and Edmund Piquero Jr, emerged as the Grand Champion for the Equal Voices Category, beating Tarlac Männerchor (2nd Place) and the Miriam College High School Glee Club (3rd Place).

Koro Ilustrado is an all-male choral ensemble formed in October 2007 in Makati City. As a resident choir of Santuario de San Antonio Parish, Koro Ilustrado serves regularly at liturgical celebrations. It is also a recording artist under Jesuit Communications (JesCom) Inc, having released two albums and earned recognition in both national and international platforms. Notable for its versatility and vocal precision, the choir performs a diverse repertoire, from sacred classics and Filipino folk to modern pop and holiday music, tailored for the male voice.

Since its founding, Koro Ilustrado has garnered multiple accolades that reflect its musical excellence and artistry. In 2012, the group won the Grand Prize at the Araneta Center Holiday Hymns Christmas Choral Competition. Their success continued in the Philippine music industry when they were recognised at the Awit Awards, receiving the award for Best Performance by a New Group Recording Artist in 2014 and the award for Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist in 2015. From 2009 to 2011, Koro Ilustrado also participated in the MBC National Choral Competition, further establishing their presence and consistency in the local choral scene. These achievements underscore the choir’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of performance while promoting Filipino choral artistry.

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The Musica Sacra Category, which was participated by 19 choirs, hailed the Far Eastern University Chorale (Manila, Philippines), under the baton of Roijin Suarez, as Grand Champion.

The Far Eastern University Chorale is the official premier choir of Far Eastern University, under the FEU Center for the Arts. Composed of non-music students from various institutes, the group has earned local and international acclaim for their performances, while actively representing the university in cultural events and competitions.

Under the leadership of its former conductor Karl Angelo Tangco, the group gained recognition through notable victories in previous years, including the AOVICF and the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA). They also received awards at the Sing, Tarlac, Sing! Choral Festival and qualified for the 2nd ACGP held in Bali, Indonesia in 2023. That same year, they were honoured with the prestigious Ani ng Dangal Award.

Now under the direction of Suarez, the FEU Chorale continues to soar. In June 2024, they returned to the Sing, Tarlac, Sing! Choral Festival and emerged as Category Winner for both the Mixed and Equal Voices Categories, ultimately being declared Grand Prix Winner. Most recently, they were hailed as the first Grand Prix Champion at the Light of the North Choral Festival and Competition, held at Saint Louis University-Baguio.

In this year’s AOVICF, The Philippine Vocal Ensemble (Pasay City, NCR) claimed Second Place and the Eastern Chamber Singers also received Third Place. 

Choirmaster Normita Rio-Pablico led the St Louis University Glee Club (SLUGC) from Baguio City, Benguet to win the Folk Song and Indigenous Music Category, with the Letran Singing Ambassadors (Manila, Philippines) and the Tarlac State University Chorale earning Second and Third Prizes, respectively.

SLUGC is the official choral group of the Center for Culture and the Arts at Saint Louis University – Baguio. Founded in 1993 by Norman Moredo, the group has grown into one of the country’s most respected university-based choirs, known for its musical versatility, discipline and heartfelt performances.

Composed of students from different academic fields, SLUGC presents a diverse repertoire ranging from traditional and classical music to ethnic, sacred, pop and contemporary works. Over the years, the group has garnered numerous national and international distinctions, including First Prize at the 2005 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), multiple awards from the Manila Broadcasting Company Choral Competition and major wins abroad such as Grand Champion in the Mixed and Folklore categories at the 2013 Asia Pacific Choir Games in Indonesia, a Gold Medal and Grand Prix finalist citation at the 2015 Fukushima Vocal Ensemble Competition in Japan and a Bronze Medal at the 2018 Busan Choral Festival in South Korea. In 2015, they were honoured with the Ani ng Dangal Award.

Most recently, SLUGC represented the Philippines at the 2024 Yi-Lan International Children’s Folklore and Folkgame Festival in Taiwan. Beyond competitions, the group is also active in cultural exchange and theatrical collaborations. SLUGC is currently under the direction of Rio-Pablico, an accomplished pianist, arranger and choral conductor.

The Eastern Chamber Singers (ECS) of Antipolo City, Rizal, conducted by Anna Abeleda-Piquero, was declared the Grand Champion of the Popular Music Category. Alongside this, it also emerged Grand Prize winner in the Mixed Choir Category.

ECS is a community choir composed of alumni of the University of the East Chorale, students and working professionals who share a deep passion for choral music. Known for their innovative programming and commitment to premiering works by Filipino composers, ECS continues to make its mark both locally and abroad.

Since its founding in 2008 under the direction of Abeleda-Piquero, the group has grown from a community-based ensemble into an internationally recognised choir. They have earned numerous awards in competitions across Europe, including Austria and Italy, and have brought pride to the Philippines through their artistry and excellence. Beyond performance, ECS also supports choral development through initiatives like Musikalinangan, a music workshop that equips aspiring singers and conductors with skills in choral performance and vocal technique.

In the Popular Music Category, 2nd place was the Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society (Quezon City, NCR). Indonesia’s FLOICE won Third Place. Meanwhile, in the Mixed Choir Category, Koro Seraphim from Tagbilaran City, Bohol clinched the 2nd Place. It also earned the Special Prize for Best Interpretation of the Contest Piece, Umáy Gu-lai, penned by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. The Letran Singing Ambassadors (Manila, Philippines) received 3rd place.

The Eastern Chamber Singers and the Far Eastern University Chorale were also selected to become ACGP finalists in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

This year’s AOVICF also launched its first Choral Composition Competition with Salmo 96 by Jem Talaroc (Philippines) being declared the Grand Prize winner. Christian Bucal’s Sopas earned the Second Prize, while Thai composer Kawin Chinpong claimed the Third Prize with his composition entitled Pho Mueng Tai. These three songs were performed by the Philippine Madrigal Singers during the awarding ceremonies.

“AOVICF brilliantly demonstrates music’s power to bring people together. While proving that art knows no bounds, it opened our ears and unlocked our minds to welcome stories woven into melodies,” remarked CCP President Kaye Tinga in the festival’s awarding ceremonies.

AOVICF, while inciting inspiration from musicians across the globe, has always carried its namesake’s mission of singing from the heart. “It is her [Andrea O. Veneracion] love for the arts that flows through every performance. Through this festival, Ma’am OA’s legacy lives on and resonates with us,” shared CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan.

Marasigan congratulated the participating choirs and excitedly announced that the Philippines will host the prestigious ACGP again in 2027. Meanwhile, the 2026 edition of ACGP will be hosted by the Korea International Choir Competition.

The CCP, through AOVICF Manila 2025, continues to uphold its mission of distributing and promoting the nation’s cultural tapestry. While fulfilling its role as the Philippines’ leading arts and cultural institution, it nurtures talent and harbors a community bound by passion and artistry. 

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