Cover The country’s premier and internationally renowned ‘koro’ at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila in their alumni homecoming concert for 2025 (Photo: Irvin Arenas / The Nightingales Facebook page)
The country’s premier and internationally renowned ‘koro’ at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila in their alumni homecoming concert for 2025 (Photo: Irvin Arenas / The Nightingales Facebook page)
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In celebration of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (commemorative week of Philippine music), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) gathers some of the finest local choir groups across the country to highlight the rich tradition of choral music
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) launches the first ‘Koro: Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino Chorale Competition’, a nationwide competition for adult choirs and a concert for children’s choirs, happening on August 2 at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila.
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 933, s. 2014, which designates the last week of July each year as Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino, the NCCA is the lead agency tasked with spearheading this nationwide celebration of Filipino musical heritage.
Read more: The Philippine Madrigal Singers in shaping the country’s choral music culture in 60 years and beyond
Above Poster for the upcoming ‘Koro: Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino Chorale Competition’ (Photo: NCCA)
Poster for the upcoming ‘Koro: Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino Chorale Competition’ (Photo: NCCA)
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Braving the heavy rains last Monday, July 21, NCCA hosted a press conference at the Centro de Turismo Intramuros with the presence of Intramuros Administrator Atty Joan Padilla, NCCA deputy executive director for operations Bernan Joseph Corpuz, commissioner for the NCCA subcommission on the arts Arvin Manuel Villalon, and the chief of program management division Renee Talavera, who expounded on the details of the SUDI National Music Awards and the awarding of the winners of the 2024 NCCA Composition Prize.
“As they say, the question is ‘why is music essential in our lives?’ Perhaps the answers are already around us. If there is no music, there is no sound, no life, no joy, no stories, and life is without meaning,” says Corpuz in his welcome remarks.
Above A man playing a string instrument in a forest (Photo: Pexels / Harold Villapana)
A man playing a string instrument in a forest (Photo: Pexels / Harold Villapana)
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The inaugural edition of Koro is envisioned to ignite a continuous highlighting of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) through a nationwide competition showcasing the beautiful harmony of music and the Filipino’s deep-rooted love for singing. It also serves as an avenue to promote the rich tradition of choral music, encouraging participation across all ages and sectors.
Divided into two categories, namely the children’s choir and adult choir, Koro aims to promote local choir groups from four geographic clusters: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Every participating group is expected to embody harmony, teamwork, and passion for Philippine music founded in eight (8) living music cultures of the Philippines: (1) music of the indigenous peoples; (2) music of the Bangsamoro peoples; (3) music of the lowland Philippines; (4) music of colonial influence (Spanish, American, Japanese, etc.); (5) music of the academe and Western tradition; (6) music of nationalism; (7) music of social transformation; and (8) music of popular culture and global influence.
Above The UST Singers performing ‘Ayug Ti Amianan’ (Scenes from the North)
Finalists for the adult choir category are as follows: Adamson University Chorale and Emilio Aguinaldo College Chorale in the NCR cluster, Bicol Voices Chorale and Bicol University Chorale in the Luzon cluster, Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod Kalinaw Chorale and Panag-uyon Adelante Singers in the Visayas cluster, and the F’lomolok Choristers and University of Mindanao (UM) Digos Chorale in the Mindanao cluster.
In line with its mission to recognise and uplift emerging Filipino choral groups and conductors, the competition is open exclusively to groups and conductors who have not previously won in any national or international choral competition, including special awards or recognitions in the field.
Complementing this is the workshop series “Musika Mula Pagkabata”, a three-day programme by the Philippine Society for Music Education focused on Philippine music pedagogy from July 24 to 26, which will explore established and indigenous music teaching methods, along with music integration across wellness, visual arts, and theatre.
Read more: Cultivating opera and orchestra music in the Philippines
Above Filipino P-pop group SB19, NCCA Youth Ambassadors and face of Sentro Rizal, is among the recipients of the SUDI National Music Awards (Photo: Sony Music Philippines)
Filipino P-pop group SB19, NCCA Youth Ambassadors and face of Sentro Rizal, is among the recipients of the SUDI National Music Awards (Photo: Sony Music Philippines)
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On July 27, the NCCA will recognise exceptional contributions to Filipino music through the SUDI National Music Awards at the historic Metropolitan Theater.
Launched in 2020, the SUDI National Music Awards recognise outstanding musical achievements across genres and disciplines that have significantly shaped the Philippine music landscape. Sudi, an Ilokano adjective meaning celebrated, famous, or renowned, reflects the spirit of the award and its commitment to honouring musical excellence. While honorees are selected annually, the awards ceremony is held every three years—making this year’s event the first formal conferment of the SUDI National Music Awards since the program’s inception.
11 awardees from 2021 to 2023 are set to receive their recognition, namely; Ben&Ben and Cebu Arts Foundation, Inc. (for the Cebu Popular Music Festival) 2021; Coke Bolipata, Gary Valenciano, Maria Alexandra Chua, Regine Velasquez, and SB19 for 2022; Dr Marie Jocelyn Marfil, UST Singers, and Vincent De Jesus for 2023. Additionally, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Foundation, Inc.
Above CEU Singers Manila performs ‘Bagani’, a composition of Ian Gabriel Corpuz, one of the winners of the 2024 NCCA Composition Prize
Meanwhile, the NCCA Composition Prize is a biennial award given to winning and/or deserving composers for each category. On July 29, the NCCA is recognising 17 talented winners in different categories for the year 2024 at the NCCA Leandro Locsin Auditorium in Intramuros.
Established in 2016, the biennial competition calls for extended compositions that utilise standard notation, allowing them to be published and interpreted in live performances.
The winners are: Cloyd Robinson Calucag as the Category Winner and Paul Earvin Bibal and Alejandro Consolacion II as the Special Jury Prize winner for the Composer category; Ian Gabriel Corpuz as Category Winner for Handbell Category; Erma Dianne Decena as Special Commendation for Multi-Percussion Solo; Lawrence Parcon as Special Jury Prize winner for Solo Piano Group A; Ralph Joseph Dauz as as Special Jury Prize winner for Solo Piano Group B; Mark Jericho Pacia as the Category winner for Solo Piano Group C; Alejandro Consolacion II as Category winner and James Willy Canoso as Special Jury Prize for Solo Organ; Jerome Quejano as Special Jury Prize winner, Cloyd Robinson Calucag, Joy Wendell Arco, and Gezer Santiso as Special Commendation winners for Solo Rondalla category; Patrick Paul Roxas as Category Winner and Alejandro Luis Del Corro as Special Commendation winner for Solo String category; and lastly Jouie Anne Reyes as the Category Winner for Solo wind.
Above Poster for the 2025 edition of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (Photo: NCCA)
Poster for the 2025 edition of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (Photo: NCCA)
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Villalon challenged guests to rethink what makes OPM truly Filipino. Contrary to popular belief, OPM does not only mean songs written in the Filipino language or composed by renowned Filipino artists. The subcommissioner reiterated the usage of Felipe De Leon’s eight living music cultures of the Philippines as a pedagogical framework in the NCCA subcommission on the arts. Villalon hopes that these varied kinds of Philippine music will be showcased in the upcoming commemorative week for Philippine music.
“As Filipino music continues to evolve and inspire, the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino remains a vital platform in celebrating the country’s vibrant musical heritage—bringing together creators, performers, and audiences in a united chorus of national pride,” the NCCA issued in a statement.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
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Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
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