Children’s choir from Mandaue wins in int’l tilt
The Children's Paradise Montessori Choir, a newly-formed choir in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City recently brought honor and pride not only to the city but to the country as well after winning in the 2014 Asian Cantate International Choral Group competition.
The event was held last June 14 to 16 in Hong Kong and organized by Konzert Inc.
The choir was declared as the champion in "equal voices" category and received a gold trophy beating 14 choirs from China, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The 28-member school choir with ages ranging from 6 to 13 and grades 1 to 7, with Maestro Dennis Sugarol as trainer, also won silver medals in two other categories: children's choir and folklore.
The winning choir was supposed to pay a courtesy call yesterday morning to Mayor Jonas Cortes but the latter was recovering from a fever.
They instead presented two of their winning pieces, namely "Better World" and "One Voice" before the City Council at the start of their council session last Wednesday afternoon.
"We stand proud because we are the lone choir representing the country," said Marivic Bathan, president of the school who accompanied the students in Hong Kong.
She said their choir performed during the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Hong Kong upon the invitation of newly appointed Filipino Consul-General Bernardita Catalla.
The choir members were accompanied by their parents and shouldered their own expenses.
"We thank the Sto. Niño for the success and safety of the group as we pray for more successful endeavors for the good of the country," added Bathan.
The choir was organized only a year ago and its members who were supposed to spend their summer vacation for outings spent a six-hour daily practice.
The group is slated to present a Filipino-based musical theatre show this September at SM Cinema 1 as a fundraising initiative for future international competitions. —