UP Manila Chorale to honor National Artists in concert

UP Manila Chorale
The University of the Philippines Manila Chorale performs “Memento Mei, Domine” (from Two Lenten Motets by Lokaszweski) and “Pagtulog Na, Nene." —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

The University of the Philippines Manila Chorale (UPMC) pays homage to the works of National Artists for Music in a three-part concert celebrating the ingenuity of Filipino composers whose timeless classics continue to touch Filipinos’ hearts.  

Under the baton of music director John Steven Verrosa and with accompaniment by Martin Sean J. Inanuran, the multi-awarded chorale will deliver renditions of classics composed by Ryan Cayabyab, Ramon Santos, Levi Celerio, Lucio San Pedro, and Lucrecia Kasilag. 

The “Tanglaw: Pamana ng Himig” concert was timed to coincide with the celebration of this year’s Buwan ng Wika. It will be presented on Aug. 16, 7 p.m., at the Adamson University Theater in Manila. 

“This concert is our way of giving thanks to the Filipino artists who have shaped our cultural heritage,” said Verrosa. “We are incredibly proud to be able to celebrate the gifts of history.

He added: “We hope that through pieces like ‘Pokpok Alimpako’ and ‘Tuksuhan,’ we can help everyone appreciate the beauty and depth of our National Artists’ world-class artistry.”

The UPMC is composed of alumni and students enrolled in different colleges in the university. Guided by its mission to advance artistic excellence and social advocacy, it has represented the country on the local and global stage. 

Chorale members and conductor John Steven Verrosa (center in black) receive the Gold Diploma for the Mixed Category and the Grand Prize for the musical festival.

In 2024, the group bagged the grand prize at the 59th Prof. Jan Syzrocki International Choral Festival in Poland. It also received that year the Gintong Parangal from the Office of the President and the Ani ng Dangal award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. 

The UPMC received the 1st prize for the Contemporary category and 2nd prize for the Mixed category in the 2nd Tokyo International Choir Competition in 2019.  

For inquiries to tickets to “Tanglaw: Pamana ng Himig,” visit https://upmchorale.helixpay.ph/.

Read more: A Brazilian guitar and cello concert on an August night

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