Philippine Embassy Celebrates Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino with OPM Classics Sung By Award-Winning Choir
Philippine Embassy in Japan Charge d’ Affaires (CDA) Robespierre L. Bolivar led the celebration of the “Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino” by hosting a performance by the award-winning Central Luzon State University Maestro-Singers at the Embassy on 31 July 2023.
In his welcome remarks, CDA Bolivar highlighted the Filipino people’s world-renowned and incomparable musical skills. “Sa larangan ng musika, walang katulad ang mga Pilipino. Ang ating lahi ang tinaguriang mang-aawit ng mundo. The troubadours of the world. Kahit saang bansa tayo magpunta, may mga Pilipinong mang-aawit. Sa lahat ng sulok ng daigdig, kilala ang husay ng Pilipino sa musika. Kaya naman ang ating mga mang-aawit, mga bands, at mga chorale groups ay nakatatanggap ng iba’t-ibang mga mataas na parangal,” he said. (In the field of music, the Filipino people have no equal. Filipinos are known as the world’s troubadours, and their musical skills are celebrated in every corner of the globe. Which is why many of our singers, bands, and choral groups always receive the highest awards)
Fresh from their big wins at the recently concluded 2023 Tokyo International Choir Competition, the CLSU-Maestro Singers serenaded the audience with their powerful renditions of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) classics such as “Butuing Walang Ningning”, “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” and “Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas”.
The choir was awarded the Second Gold Prize for the Youth Choir and Contemporary Music Categories, the Best Interpretation in Compulsory Piece for Youth Choir Category, the Big Wave Award as the Most Promising Choir of the Year, the Audience Prize Award, and the Silver Prize for Video Presentation Category at the 2023 Tokyo International Choir Competition held on 28-30 August 2023 at Dai-ichi Seimei Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
In his remarks following their performance, Choirmaster and Conductor Dr. Florante P. Ibarra expressed the group’s appreciation for the Embassy’s continued support and assistance.
A recording of this performance of the CLSU Maestro-Singers at the Philippine Embassy is available at: https://tinyurl.com/CLSUMaestroSingersAtTPE
