Chorale group from Cebu wins grand prix prize in choral festival in Korea

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Jose R. Gullas Visayas Chorale of Cebu City won the Grand Prix prize in the 2021 Busan Choral Festival & Competition in South Korea, the first virtual choir competition streamed online from October 21-24 represented by 21 participating choirs from South Korea, Indonesia, China, Malaysia and the Philippines with the tagline “NOTHING CAN STOP US FROM SINGING TOGETHER”.

In its official Facebook page @RGVisayasChorale the group thanked all the people who contributed in making the winning piece Saunder Choi’s “DINDIKAN” a world class music piece from the set of Three Philippine Children’s Songs (Tatlong Awiting Pambata) adapted from a Maguindanaoan folk theme.

The JRGVC is conducted by Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero the choirmaster, supported by Nena Gullas and the late Jose R. Gullas the founder of the group and they have been competing in various chorale festivals and competitions in many parts of the world.

JRGVC said it shares this win to all Filipinos that despite the pandemic, the group has remained resilient and once again conquered the international stage of chorale competition.  Three other participants from the other categories earned an award representing the Philippines.

They are Ryle Nicole Custodio with “Tagu-taguan” GoTld Prize winner under the composition category; Mapua Cardinal Singers with “Leron, Leron Sinta” Silver Prize winner under the acapella category; and a special prize for Baao Children & Youth Choir as the Artistic Director Prize.