A Symphony of 300 Voices: Celebrating World Choral Day at SM Seaside

“Music is the universal language of mankind.”

This is the season to listen to the 300 voices that filled the room as Cebu’s finest choral groups united in celebration of the World Choral Day at SM Seaside. In this article, we would like to introduce to you the top eight performing groups who brought the holiday spirit to life with their beautiful voices. Ing ana jud ang Pinoy! Dili magpapildi.

Los Cantantes Cebu 

Los Cantantes Cebu is a community based choral group whose sole purpose is to serve the Lord with their burning passion in music. The choral group has a YouTube channel that features their performances in various competitions and also has their own Apple and Spotify playlist that has their top songs and covers. The choral group also posts their relatable content on Tiktok and Instagram about their daily life as a choir group and song covers.

UP Serenata 

UP Serenata is the official choral group of the University of the Philippines-Cebu and it is composed of students and alumni from the university. The choral group’s repertoire predominantly comprises Cebuano music with the advocacy to sustain, continue, and propagate Cebuano culture, inside and outside of the Philippines. Under the leadership of Doctor Catherine Rodel, the group has not only won numerous awards throughout the years, but also continually makes an effort to help non-governmental organizations by having fundraising concerts.

In 2017, UP Serenata firstly partnered UP Ambassadors (UPSA), one of the best leading choirs in the country for their concert at the International Eucharistic Convention. The UP Ambassadors under the leadership of Professor Edgardo Manguiat, have also reaped several awards abroad. UP Serenata placed second place at Gawad Pangulo Choral Competition and “Best Interpretation of a Contest Piece.” In 2016, the choral group had their first Broadway concert entitled “Music of the Night” in celebration of its 16th founding anniversary and for the benefit of the orphans of My Refuge House Ministry. For more than 16 years, Serenata has garnered awards, won different contests, and performed several benefit concerts.

Koro Teknoy

Koro Teknoy is the official choral group of the Cebu Institute of Technology – University. The choral group proudly participated in the celebration of World Choral Day at SM Seaside along with other fellow chorister groups to kick off the holiday season. On December 4, they recently partnered with Rotaract of Metro Cebu Institute of Technology University for Project Solis in making an effort to create positive change. Koro Teknoy has also performed in various events in Cebu City. 

Huni Habagat 

Huni Habagat is the official choral group of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation. Other than being one of the participants in the World Choral Day Celebration, the choral group has also recently performed at the M Lhuillier Christmas Tree Lighting on December 3. Huni Habagat also has a Spotify and Apple playlist where you can listen to their rendition “Mahal Ka Namin, O Senor Santo Nino.” 

CTU Choristers

CTU Choristers come with the introduction “We Sing, We Serve, We Perform” as the choral group of the Cebu Technological University – Main Campus. The group had the honor of joining their fellow choristers on stage for the World Choral Day Celebration at SM Seaside. The special day became even more meaningful as we celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, reflecting on gratitude and faith while lifting their voices on a song. Underdogs in the past years, in 2017, the choral group headed to nationals after their win against the defending champions against another Cebu State University.

CNU Chorale 

The CNU Chorale live by their mantra, “We sing to express, not to impress” other than being the choral group of the Cebu Normal University, one of the oldest institutions in Cebu. True to their mantra, the CNU Chorale achieved remarkable success this year at the 13th Bali International Choir Festival, marking their first international competition with a series of outstanding performances that reaped mutiple prestigious awards. 

This series of awards afforded them a spot to the Grand Prix, a significant recognition that placed them among the best choirs in the competition. They made history by winning the first ever Conductors Choice Awards in the BICF, received by their talented adviser and conductor Ms. Darlane Yap. CNU Chorale success highlights the rich cultural and musical heritage of Cebu on the international stage. 

UC Chorus

The UC Chorus is the official choral group of the University of Cebu, they’re also known as the “New Singing Ambassadors,” established in 1970 as a High School Glee Club which developed into an in-house Choral organization with members coming from the High School and different colleges. Its programs include “Production work for school programs; Outreach programs by performing in events outside of school; Technical Services” Sound System provision; promoting excellence by joining competitions; Development of music repertoire; income generating projects and formation of an artists’ cooperative. 

Salazar Singing Ambassadors

The Salazar Singing Ambassadors is a choral group from the Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology. This year,  the SCSIT performers brought the beauty of Chinese culture and long-standing historical ties between the Filipino and Chinese communities through weaving diverse cultures through dance and music. Together with Sidlak Dance Troupe joins the Gabii sa Kabilin 2024 at the Fo Guang Shan Chu Un, a buddhist temple at the top of the hill in Rama Avenue, Cebu City.

Gabii sa Kabilin is a program established by RAFI in 2007 with the aim to preserve Cebu’s unique culture and traditions. This year’s Gabii sa Kabilin theme, “Padayon,” emphasizes why the Cebuano race, spirit, and personality have thrived in the face of several crises and hardships. The whole Salazarian community takes immense pride in nurturing talented individuals who never fail in showcasing their talent in various fields. 

There’s really something in the waters of Cebu that brought these eight wonderful choral groups to shine in their own light this Christmas season as we celebrate “World Choral Day” and sharing the stage with their fellow choristers group is already an honor itself. It has brought great pride to our selves as Cebuanos, as we continue to nurture our passions every step of the way and represent our country in various competitions locally and abroad. This is just the tip of the iceberg as we continue to discover more on the musicality of Filipinos and the rewards they have reaped in the past.