Compilation

of Philippine
Choral Group
and Famous
Conductors
PREPARED BY: DESIRE A. OLAEZ
BSED – III MAPEH

PREPARED TO: MS. MARY ANN S. RECIO

INSTRUCTOR
Philippine Choral Groups

KORO PERPETUAL
The KORO PERPETUAL is the official singing group of the University
of Perpetual Help-Molino. It is composed of members coming from the
Senior High School and College levels of the University, and in the
recent years, it has bagged awards in different inter-school
competitions, including the Southern Luzon Colleges and Universities
Athletic Association (SLCUAA) Cultural Competition wherein it ranked
as the 1st Runner-Up in 2017 and 2018, and the 2nd Runner-Up in
2019. It has also sent its members to acclaimed skill improvement
programs such as those organized by the Children’s Museum and
Library, Inc. wherein its members were hailed as the best in singing
workshops in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Choir type:University choir
Genres:Jazz, Pop/Rock, Gospel, A cappella, Classical, Folk/Ethnic, Sacred

HIMIG SANGHAYA CHORALE

HIMIG means MUSIC and SANGHAYA
means SACRED or OF THE HIGHEST HONOR.
HIMIG SANGHAYA is a coined Tagalog
phrase for MUSIC OF THE HIGHEST HONOR.
The directors, conductors and members of
HIMIG SANGHAYA DO NOT TAKE SINGING
LIGHTLY. They are a group of very young
and talented artists who revel in their
music, nurturing it as if it were an integral
part of their being. They own up to a
technical and musical maturity only to be
surpassed by world-renowned and
seasoned performers. They train very hard
and continuously challenge themselves to achieve higher goals by aiming to master pieces of ever
increasing levels of difficulty, and never fail to enthrall their audiences with repertoire that ranges from
Renaissance to the 21st century, and experimenting with pieces influenced by lavish flavours of cultures
worldwide
Choir type:Community choir
Genres:Jazz, Pop/Rock, Gospel, A cappella, Classical, Barbershop, Folk/Ethnic, Sacred

SINIRANGAN CHAMBER SINGERS

Founded on February 2018, the
Sinirangan Chamber Singers is a community-
based vocal ensemble in Tacloban City
comprised of volunteers who share a love for
singing. The ensemble aims to promote
artistic excellence in choral music ranging
from classical to popular. It also aims to
provide an opportunity for passionate
singers to discover the voice as a singing
instrument, develop high-level musical skills
related to choral singing, influence choral music appreciation, develop cultural awareness, use choral
music as a tool for change in building a better community, and finally, to represent Eastern Visayas in both
local and international choral scenes. The Sinirangan believes that everyone can enjoy choral music and
hopes to connect people of diverse backgrounds and ages to this extraordinary art form. The Sinirangan is
multigenerational and welcomes singers of all backgrounds to audition. The members include professionals
and students from Eastern Visayas and are trained by, Mary Jeane Egloso, the founder and choirmaster,
and Dr. Stephen Lagarde, the assistant choirmaster and pianist. The ensemble is currently conducting its
rehearsals and meetings at the Leyte-Samar Heritage Center, UP Visayas Tacloban College. 
Choir Type:Chamber choir, Community choir
Genres:Pop/Rock, A cappella, Classical, Folk/Ethnic, Sacred

TINIG KASIBULAN
Tracing its humble beginnings in circa 2010, 'TINIG
KASIBULAN' (Voice of the Youth) or simply 'TIKAS' (abbreviated
as TK) is the official total performing singing chorus of Our Lady
of Mount Carmel Parish - Parish Youth Ministry under Committee
on Performing Arts, Department of Music (Quezon City,
Philippines). TK first started as Parish Youth Ministry Choir which
served the Tuesday 6pm Mass of the Parish. In 2011, in
cooperation with the Parish Children's Ministry, the group served
the Sunday 3pm Mass of the church with its novel name as 'Coro
Harmonico de Carmelo'. Inopportunely, the group rested for a few years for some reasons.
In 2016, the choir erected its sovereign renaissance as 'TINIG KASIBULAN' upholding unique skills in
simultaneously performing singing, dancing and acting
Choir Type:Church choir, Community choir, Show choir, Vocal Group, Youth choir
Genres:Jazz, Pop/Rock, Gospel, A cappella, Classical, Folk/Ethnic, Sacred

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES SINGING AMBASSADORS

The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA) is one of the Philippines' foremost choral
groups. In its 32 years of existence, UPSA has consistently brought honor and prestige to the country,
winning various prizes and awards in competitions in ITALY, SPAIN, FRANCE, NETHERLANDS, CZECH
REPUBLIC, BULGARIA, SLOVAKIA, BELGIUM, GERMANY, POLAND, WALES, HUNGARY and SWITZERLAND. It is
one of the only four Filipino choirs to have qualified to join the 14th European Grand Prix for Choral Singing
- the world'S most coveted choral prize. UPSA was also the official entry of the Philippines to the UNESCO
International Music Prize in 2005. 
In the Philippines, it was named the Best University Choir in 2012 and 2004 at the “Who’s Who in the
Philippines” 19th and 27th Consumers’ Choice Awards, respectively. Similarly, UPSA was also chosen as
Best Choir in 2011, 2010 and 2002 by
the ALIW Awards Foundation which
recognizes excellence and
achievement in the live
entertainment industry.
UPSA Conductor Ed Manguiat
founded the group in 1980 as a
freshman dormitory choir at the State
University. He has studied under
world-renowned choral musicians and
trained under respected names in
vocal pedagogy and choral
conducting in the Philippines. He has also won various international conductor's awards in choral
competitions.
Choir Type: Chamber choir, School choir, University choir, Show choir, Vocal Group, Female choir
Genres:Jazz, Pop/Rock, Gospel, A cappella, Classical, Folk/Ethnic, Sacred
PHILIPPINE MADRIGAL SINGERS
two-time European Grand Prix for Choral Singing Winner (1997 & 2007)
2009 UNESCO Artists for Peace
2006 Tours, France Grand Champion
2004 Torrevieja, Spain Grand Champion etc.
Choir Type: Chamber choir, University choir
Genres:Jazz, Pop/Rock, A cappella, Classical,
Folk/Ethnic, Sacred

ATENEO CHAMBER SINGERS

The Ateneo Chamber Singers (ACS) was
formed in 2001 by graduating members of the
Ateneo College Glee Club who had then just completed a very successful tour of Europe, bagging top
prizes in Italy, Ireland,
Slovenia, France,
Germany and Hungary.
Since then, the ACS has
established itself as a
formidable presence in
the Philippine musical
landscape. Their unique
specialization in sacred
choral music has opened
a richly eclectic mix of
European, American and
Asian choral literature
that spans medieval to
postmodern periods,
traditional to
contemporary styles, complex art music to highly-textured indigenous music, and moving sprituals to
psalmody hewn out of traditional Asian musics.
In 2006, the ACS made their mark abroad with Awit: The First ACS European Tour, representing the
Philippines in two important choral events: the Polyfollia in France, a biennial international choral festival
at Saint-Lo in La Manche, and the 38th Tolosa Choral Contest in Spain where they emerged as first prize
winners in the polyphony category, besting counterparts from France, the United Kingdom, Germany,
Spain, the United States, Indonesia and Puerto Rico.
They have completed two North American concert tours, visiting numerous cities and performing at
various music schools in Massachusetts (Berklee College of Music, Boston University and Harvard
University), Michigan (Calvin College), Indianapolis (Indiana University) the Bay Area (University of
California-Berkley).
They have also participated in THREE: A Biennial Choir Festival featuring Singapore’s Jennifer Tham and
the SYC Choral Ensemble and Japan’s Ko Matsushita and the Gaia Philharmonic Choir. To end the first cycle
of these concerts, the ACS had the honor of hosting these two choirs with a grand concert at the Cultural
Center of the Philippines last January 8, 2011 with President Benigno C. Aquno III as guest of honor.
The ACS has also released two critically acclaimed albums: Awit sa Panginoon (Song for the Lord) and
Umawit sa Kagalakan (Sing for Joy). In November 2010, it released its first Christmas album Ang Ating
Pasko (Our Christmas), a collaboration with the Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc. (JesCom). The
album features songs by renowned composers Ryan Cayabyab, Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ, Moy Ortiz, Jose
Mari Chan, Arnel De Pano, Trina Belamide, Fr. Arnel Aquino SJ and Dada De Pano-Supnet and orchestration
by multi-awarded movie scorer Von de Guzman.
The ACS will soon be launching its next album with JesCom in September of 2011. Two major concerts
are scheduled in September and December as well as Carols & Lessons, a recollection-concert in
collaboration with the Ateneo de Manila University’s Church of the Gesù, in November.
The ACS celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012. Major projects for their anniversary year include a joint
concert with the Capella Choir of Calvin College, Michigan in January and concerts in Korea to kick off the
next cycle of the Three Concert Series in December.
 Choir type:Chamber choir
Genres:Jazz, Pop/Rock, Gospel, A cappella, Classical, Folk/Ethnic, Sacred

HIMIG BATINGAW
CHOIR
The pioneer choral
group in the Lady of Pillar
Parish in Imus, Cavite.
Himig Batingaw was
founded in March of 1979
by group of graduating
students of Imus Institute
to sing for that year's
baccalaureate mass. In
the first few years of the
choir's existence, they
conducted rehearsals at
the church belfry; hence
the name Himig (melody)
and Batingaw (peal of
bells) was born. The choir
is very influential in the
rise and development of
choral music in the parish
and having introduced new pieces for liturgical use most of which are composed or arranged for the group
and having graduated noted local musicians from its ranks.
The choir began to tread new ground under the directorship of Mr. Edward Gerodias in the late 1980's
then on to Mr. Rey Roland Bergado in the late 1990's, both sought after pianists. This period witnessed a
string of successful concerts, and a Grand Prize at the first Paskuhan sa Imus Choral Competition. They
also participated in as long as there is Music- choral festival and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
outreach concerts of 1999 and 2000 in Imus Cathedral under the PPO Conductor Maestro Rugiero
BarbiSchoo
In 2001, the Batoon was passed to Mr. Jonathan Ayson by Mr. Rey Roland Bergado as the New Choral
Director of Himig Batingaw as the Latter Continue his study of Law at the San Beda Law School. 
In December of 2005 the Choir won the Grand Prize in the First Our Lady of Guadalupe Choirfest held in
Parañaque City. This triggers the choir to showcase their talent in other activities. They also participated in
the 3 leg concert series of Musicaviteño in St. Francis of Assisi Parish and in the Our Lady of Candelaria
Parish in Gen. Trias and Silang respectivKoron
The Choirs utmost peak were reach in 2006 by winning 3rd prize trophy in the 3rd Himig ng kabataan
alay kay Don Bosco held in Makati City, winning the Grand Prize of the Forte Choral Competition in De La
Salle University- Dasmarinas, and a Runner up trophy in Church Choir Category for the Annual Christmas
Competition in Vivere Hotel in Alabang. Because of those recognition the Choir where invited to sing on
Unang Hirit in GMA-7, the National Commission for Culture and Arts on Channel 4 and last but not the list,
at the Senate.
In 2007, the Himig Batingaw was one of the featured choirs in the 4th Colors of Worship, A festival of
Sacred Music annually done at the Philam Life Auditorium in Manila and the Choir Released its Debut
Album entitled “We’ve Only Just Begun” recorded lived at Imus Cavite.
December 1st of 2016, the core group competed in the first ever Grand Chorale Competition of Imus
City Mall — Anabu. Out of the 8 competing chorale groups, Himig Batingaw Choir has bagged the Grand
Prize.
In August 2017, Himig Batingaw Choir ranked 1st out of 20 Chorale groups who competed in Robinsons
Townsville - Imus, Wikawit: Tagisan ng Korong Kabitenyo.
At present, the choir is composed of talented students and young professionals from different fields,
giving spare time in the service of GOD. The Choir Sings regularly at the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass at the Our
Lady of The Pillar Parish in Imus, Cavite
Choir Type :Church choir, Professional
Genres: Gospel, A cappella, Classical, Folk/Ethnic, Sacred

Andrea Ofilada Veneracion (or Ma'am OA; July 11, 1928 – July 9,

2013) was a Filipina choral conductor and a recipient of the 1999
National Artist for Music award. She founded the Philippine Madrigal
Singers in 1963. She was also an adjudicator in numerous
international choral competitions and was an active force in choral
music before her massive stroke in 2005.
She was born on July 11, 1928, to Macario Ofilada and Raymunda
Carriaga. She was raised in Manila, Philippines.
She earned her Bachelor of Music degrees in Piano and Voice at
the University of the Philippines Diliman, graduating cum laude. She
was a lyric soprano soloist in various Oratorio works and in the Opera Stage. She was also a very
accomplished pianist and accompanist and was the accompanist of National Artist for Music, Jovita
Fuentes for a number of years. Apart from being an extraordinary musician, she was also an exceptional
athlete as a competitive swimmer. She was part of the Philippine swimming team who first competed
internationally in Hong Kong.

Gerard Imutan Salonga (born October 11, 1973) is an orchestral

conductor, musical arranger and orchestrator from the Philippines. He is
also the musical director of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. He is the
younger brother of the Tony Award-winning singer-actress Lea Salonga.
Gerard began his musical education, taking piano lessons, at the age of 5.
He joined his sister, the child prodigy theatrical singer Lea Salonga, singing
duets in her first album, Small Voice ("Happiness"), as well as taking part in
the 8th Metro Manila Popular Music Festival as interpreters for the song
entry, "Musika, Lata, Sipol at La La La" by Tess Concepcion in 1985, which
won second place. Gerard is naturally associated with Lea throughout the
length and breadth of her distinguished singing career, but had since
successfully established his own stature and identity in the Philippine music scene.

Ryan Cayabyab (born Raymundo Cipriano Pujante Cayabyab;

May 4, 1954), also known as Mr. C, is a Filipino musician, composer
and conductor. He was the Executive and Artistic Director for several
years for the defunct San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts.
He was named a National Artist of the Philippines in 2018.
His works range from commissioned full-length ballets, theater
musicals, choral pieces, a Mass set to unaccompanied chorus, and
orchestral pieces, to commercial recordings of popular music, film
scores and television specials.
 He is the executive director of the Philpop MusicFest Foundation Inc., the organization behind
the Philippine Popular Music Festival. This songwriting competition for amateurs and professionals puts the
spotlight on songwriters and encourages Filipinos to preserve their unique musical identity.
Ryan Cayabyab is a recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 2013. Pope Francisawarded him the
highest papal award for Laity for his many contributions in the field of religious-themed compositions and
sacred works. Among his ecclesiastical works are, "Eclesiastes" for choir and piano, his first large religious
composition; "Misa" for unaccompanied choir; stage musicals like "Magnificat," “Birhen ng Caysasay" and,
"Lorenzo;" and church songs such as or "I Believe in Peace," “The Prophet," “Asin ng Pamayanan," “Live
Christ, Share Christ," and "Icthus" in St. John's Mass.
He is also a TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) awardee for contemporary Filipino music in 1978.
He won the Grand Prize award at the first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival for the song "Kay Ganda ng
Ating Musika".
2001, Ryan Cayabyab is a laureate of the Onassis International Cultural Competitions(2nd Prize), having
won for original music composition for dance.
As of 2006, he has won three international Grand Prix awards for his compositions; in the First Seoul
Song Festival, in the Voice of Asia Song Festival in the former U.S.S.R., and in the Tokyo Music Festival.
*He won the Jingle of the Year award from the Philippine advertising industry
Bronze Awardee at the New York Film and Television Awards.
He has won a total of ten best movie score awards from the various film award-giving bodies.

He received in September 2019 the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award,highlighting "his

compositions and performances that have defined and inspired Filipino popular music across
generations...", being cited, among other achievements, "that have defined and inspired Filipino popular
music across generations."
On January 19, 2020, he was awarded The KDR Icon of Musical Excellence Award on the 5th Wish
107.5 FM Music Awards cited being "...given to an industry luminary who has left an indelible mark in the
music scene through his exemplary contributions."

Joy T. Nilo (born January 11, 1970) is a Filipino composer who specializes in a cappella choral music.
Also an orchestrator, his works range from traditional to modern, ethnic to
electronic, serious to popular. He is also a pianist, singer,
music conductor and educator.
His sacred composition Amami, a suite of 6 anthems based on the Lord’s
Prayer, is well-known among international choirs, and so are liturgical
music such as O Magnum Mysterium, Agtalnaca, Denggem, Apo,
Isalacannacam, and Umawit Kayo Sa Panginoon. Philippine Choirs
competing internationally sing his contemporary choral compositions and
arrangements of folktunes Bongbongtit, Kaisaisa Niyan, Pakawanem Ti
Basbasolmi, Duayya Ni Ayat, Pakiusap, Malinac Lay Labi, Manoc Con
Taraz. His popular church choir works Make My Life a Prayer, Glory,
Splendor and Majesty, and Come Live in Me are regular parts of church
choir repertoires.
Nilo has done commissioned works for the Philippine Philharmonic
Orchestra, Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society, UST Symphony Orchestra, Manila
Symphony and World Youth Orchestra. His choral works are sung by The Philippine Madrigal Singers,
Philippine Chamber Singers, The Ateneo College Glee Club, Philippine Chamber Choir, the San Miguel
Master Chorale, Loboc Children's Choir, Philippine Children's Choir from Mandaluyong, Ateneo Chamber
Singers, University of the East Chorale, Central UMC Festival Choir, Los Cantantes (Cebu) and his
own Chorus Philippines
 Professor Oscar C. Yatco (23 November 1930 – 1
July 2014) was a Filipino-born
German conductor and violinist.
Yatco obtained his music teacher’s diploma at the
young age of 16 from the University of the
Philippines in 1947. He trained with
renowned teachers such as Ivan Galamian
at Juilliardand with Wilhelm Stross at the State
Academy of Music in Munich, Germany. He won top
prizes in prestigious international competitions
in Germany, and eventually performed as a soloist.
Yatco served as conductor, concert
master, professor and music consultant for local
orchestras such as the Manila Symphony Orchestra,
the Cultural Center of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and overseas in Hannover, Germany.
Mark Anthony Carpio is a choral conductor, piano accompanist and a countertenor, who is the present
choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Kilyawan Boys Choir, Voces Aurorae and Pansol Choir. He is
also a faculty member at the Conducting and Choral Ensemble Department of the University of the
Philippines College of Music in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.

Philippines Famous Conductors

Eudenice V. Palaruan is
a Filipino conductor, composer, music educator.
Palaruan is one of the Philippines' most esteemed
church musician in the area of choral music. As
a choral artist, he has worked with the Philippines'
top groups. His compositions and arrangements are
highly sought after.
He taught at the University of the Philippines
College of Music in Diliman, Quezon City, and at St.
Paul University Manila, and served as the music
director at the Union Church of Manila. He was also
involved in early music performance practice as a
countertenor with the Berlin Monteverdi Chor in Germany and the Villancico Vocal Ensemble at the
International Bamboo Organ Festival in the Philippines. As a conductor he was a music director of the
Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club, assistant choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers under Andrea
Veneracion, principal conductor of the San Miguel Master Chorale and the Union Church of Manila Chancel
Choir. He was the resident conductor of the International Bamboo Organ Festival where he directed
Philippines’ leading choirs in the performance of early European music and the revival of Latin American
baroque music. As a composer and arranger, Palaruan writes contest pieces for choral competitions
including the 2019 Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Competition in Manila. His composition style
uses vocal tapestry by incorporating Asian speech sounds. Some of his widely used works are Gapas
(Harvest), Koyu No Tebulul (Bird Song), Pasigin (Fishing Song).Eudenice is the Choral Director of
the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since 2017 and is concurrently an Associate Professor at the School of
Church Music in the Singapore Bible College.
 Joel Magus P. Navarro (born 1955) is a Filipino-American conductor
and music educator. He is one of the Philippines' most esteemed choral
conductors. He is also a composer, singer, arranger, choral clinician,
writer, producer, music minister, and book editor.
Navarro is more popularly known as the former conductor of
the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club. Under his direction, the group
gave acclaimed performances in international events, won top prizes in
prestigious international choral competitions, and participated in the
2001 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing.
He specializes in 20th and 21st century choral music, but is equally
comfortable and adept in music of many epochs. An active performer of
music from different eras and ethnic traditions, he takes an ardent
interest in post-modern music, Southeast Asian music traditions, and
global hymnody.
Joel earned distinction as a choral conductor during his years with the
Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club from 1979-2001. Under his direction,
the choir rose to national prominence when they won First Prize in the College Choir category of the
National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 1980. He led the choir in several European
choral competitions from 1983 to 2001, garnered many top awards, and gave critically acclaimed
performances around the world.
He has also earned honor with The Capella of Calvin College. Under his direction, The Capella gave
many acclaimed performances regionally and internationally. In 2008, he led the choir to two 3rd prizes at
the Florilège Vocal de Tours international choral competition in Tours, France. Since The Capella's
inception in 1935, Navarro is only the fourth in the succession of full-time conductors of The Capella after
Seymour Swets, Howard Slenk, and Merle Mustert. Dr. Pearl Shangkuan succeeded him in the Fall of 2014
as the fifth conductor and the first female conductor of The Capella.
At Calvin College, Navarro also directed the Campus Choir which partners yearly with The Women's
Chorale of Calvin College (Pearl Shangkuan, director) in the Advent Service of Lessons and Carols held at
the La Grave Christian Reformed Church in downtown Grand Rapids. The third choir he directed was the
Calvin Oratorio Society, a community choir composed of students, faculty, alumni, and friends of Calvin
College. From 2003-2014, Navarro conducted the annual Handel's Messiah, accompanied by the Calvin
Orchestra and which featured professional soloists. He is succeeded by composer-conductor Sean Ivory in
both choirs.
He currently directs the SBC Canticorum (a community choir) and the SBC Chorale, succeeding his
predecessors Rev. Lee Chong Min and Dr. Virginia Tsai.

Nilo Alcala is a Filipino-American composer and 2019 The

American Prize Winner in Composition. He is the first Philippine-
born composer to be commissioned by the Grammy-
nominated Los Angeles Master Chorale, and also to receive
the Aaron Copland House Residency Award
Alcala has received a number of recognitions, including the 2009
POLYPHONOS Young Composer Award[1] given by the Seattle-
based vocal ensemble, The Esoterics. He also received a Young
Composer Award from the Asian Composers League,[2] in
cooperation with the Israel Composers' League in 2004. He won
Best Movie Theme Song[3] and was also nominated for Best Film
Score at the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival for his music in the
movie "Homecoming" by renowned Filipino director Gil Portes.
For the same movie, Alcala also received nominations from
the Golden Screen Awards of the Entertainment Press
Society and the Star Awards for Movies of the Philippine Movie
Press Club.
 Alcala is the first ever Filipino to be commissioned by the Los Angeles Master Chorale. His work Mangá
Pakalagián[4] was premiered at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on November 15, 2016.
As an arranger, his work in the Sony BMG released Album Acclamation of the renowned Philippine Madrigal
Singers was nominated for Best Vocal Arrangement at the 20th Awit Awards organized by the Philippine
Association of the Record Industry or PARI.
Alcala was member/soloist and resident composer/arranger of the two-time European Choral Grand
Prix winner and UNESCO Artist for Peace Philippine Madrigal Singers. The group has premiered Alcala's
compositions in prestigious international festivals and competitions, including the Florilege Vocal de
Tours in France, and the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in Arezzo, Italy.
Onomatopoeia: The Choral Works of Nilo Alcala" – Philippine Madrigal Singers, Mark Anthony Carpio –
Choirmaster