UMTC Harmonic Chorale wins Grand Prix
Local bets made the podium in the recently concluded Himig Handog International Competition held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
The Liceo de Cagayan University Senior High School Glee Club emerged as Champions in the Pop Category, Runners Up in the Youth Choir Category, and the Best Interpretation of the content piece (Triumph, arranged by Mr. Earl James Conde) which earned them a spot in the elite Grand Prix Finals.
The Liceo U Senior High School Glee Club was mentored b Musical Director/Conductor Ronald B. Baa; Assistant Conductor Junnil N. Mabalatan; Artistic Director: Kenneth A. Gorres, and Choir Consultant Ritchie A. Asibal (photo courtesy of Ronald Baa)
Aside from their winning rendition of the contest piece Triumph (Music by Ben&Ben, Arranged by: Earl James Conde), and Waka-Waka (music by Sharika, Arranged by: N. Arnel A. De Pano). For their runner-up finish in the Youth Choir Category, the group performed Deep Peace lines from the poem by Fiona Mcleod, Music and Arrangement by: Ralph Hoffman (Contest Piece), and Salidummay (Arranged by: Bienvenido Constantino, Jr.).
For their grand prix finals performance, the Liceo songsters performed Cantate Domino (Arranged by: Josu Elberdin0; Sa Kadagatan (Arranged by: Jandel M. Cabasura) and Triumph (Music by Ben&Ben, Arranged by: Earl James Conde ).
The Capitol University Glee Club also made the podium as 2nd Runner up in the Mixed Category.
The University of Mindanao Tagum College (UMTC) Harmonic Chorale won the Grand Prix, and also emerged as Champion in the Folkloric Category with the Best Interpretation of Contest Piece (Mga Wata Sa Ripag By Arwin Tan) and Runner-up in the Sacred Category. They also won Special Jury Awards with the Highest Scoring Piece (Petrus by Z. Randall Stroope) and Best Conductor for Prof. Mario T. Sabello.
The UM Tagum College is the largest private non-sectarian educational institution in Davao del Norte and the largest among the seven branches of the University of Mindanao.
The Capitol University Glee Club also made the podium as 3rd Runner up in the Mixed Category.
Musikahan sa Tagum
The Himig Handog International Competition was the showcase event of the three day Musikahan sa Tagum 2025 held at the Herminigildo C. Baloyo MD Hall, Tagum City Cultural Center on February 20-22, 2025.
Other core events included the Mindanao Earth Music Camp (Sound Healing and Meditation) at San Agustin Botanical Park, Bgy San Agustin; Musikahan Community Outreach (Feb 21, 10AM Makabayan Gym, Bgy San Isidro and 3PM, Orange Valley Gym, Bgy Magugpo South; Mindanao Earth Music Camp (Arts Workshop & Art Talks, Feb 21 San Agustin Botanical Park, Bgy San Agustin; SPA Presents: Mga Kuwentong Mindanao ni Gauss Obenza, Feb 21, 3PM/7PM, Tagum City Exhibition Center, Rotary Park; and Mindanao Earth Music Camp Concert Feb 21, 5PM San Agustin Botanical Park, Bgy San Agustin. b 21,
An international panel of distinguished judges chaired by Ralph Hoffman (Germany), Ken Steven (Indonesia), Foong Hak Luen (Singapore), with Tristan Ignacio, and Arwin Tan from the Philippines, lent prestige and flair to the affair.
Competitions covered six categories (Sacred, Folkloric, Mixed, Pop, Youth and Children’s) with the five most outstanding choirs competing for the Grand Prix.
Category Champions
The Voces En Harmonia Chorale of Tagum City emerged as Champion in the Sacred Category with the Best Interpretation of the Contest Piece (Ave Regina Caelorum By Ralph Hoffmann) with the UMTC Harmonic Chorale finishing second, and the University of Immaculate Conception Chorale from Davao City at third.
The Folkoric Category was topped by the UMTC Harmonic Chorale with their Best Interpretation Of Contest Piece (Mga Wata Sa Ripag By Arwin Tan), followed by the University of Southeastern Phils.(USEP) Harmonia Polifonica Chorale from Davao City at second, and Koro Krusyendo from Holy Cross of Davao College) at third.
Cagayan de Oro’s Liceo U High School Glee Club emerged champion in the Pop Category with their Best Interpretation of the Contest Piece (Triumph By Earl James Conde), with the Kaduyog Youth Choir of Davao City National High School (DCNHS) second, and Octave Voices at third.
Meantime, USEP Harmonia Polifonica Chorale topped the Mixed Category with their Best Interpretation of the Contest Piece (In Paradisum – Ily Matthew Maniano), with the JRMSU Dimasalang Choristers from Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Dipolog City as runners up, and Capitol University Glee Club, from Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro City at third.
Youth Category – February 21, 2025
Polomolok National High School Chorale from Bgy. Cannery Site, Polomolok, South Cotabato triumphed as Champions in the Youth Category with their Best Interpretation of the Contest Piece (Deep Peace By Ralph Hoffmann); followed by Liceo U High School Glee Club, Cagayan de Oro City, and League Of Young Voices from the Tagum City Comprehensive National High School.
Not the least, the Marbel Children’s Chorus from the City of Koronadal, South Cotabato emerged winners in the Children’s Category, with the Ma-a Central Children Choir from Ma-a, Davao City second and Matina Central Elementary School Children’s Choir from Talomo, Davao City, finishing third.
Champions in each Category received P25,000 prize money with first runners up getting P20,000, and second runners up P15,000 each, with the Best Interpretation Winners awarded with an additional P20,000.
Grand Prix Winners
UMTC Harmonic Chorale emerged as the Grand Prix winner over five other choirs which qualified in the elite level. In addition, they also emerged champions in the Folkloric Category (with Best Interpretation of the Contest Piece), 1st Runner Up in the Sacred Category, and Special Jury Awards for the Highest Scoring Piece (Petrus by Z. Randall Stroope) and Best Conductor for Prof. Mario T. Sabello.
Voces En Harmonia Choral (which also finished champion in the Sacred Category) finished in second place, while USEP Polifonica Chorale (which also emerged Champion in the Mixed Category and second in the Folkloric Category) was third.
The Grand Prix winner was awarded the P100,000 grand prize, while the first runner up got P75,000 and the second runner up P50,000.
Special Jury Awards
In addition, the following were awarded Special Jury Awards:
UMTC Harmonic Chorale for Petrus : Highest Scored Piece In The Entire Himig Handog International Choral Grand Prix (P20,000); Best Conductor- Prof. Mario T. Sabello (P25,000); Voces En Harmonia, Most Promising Conductor – Mr. Jeshua Drex Rafols (20,000); University Of The Immaculate Conception – Most Promising Choir P10,000; Munting Inig Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School Chorale -Promising Choir (P10,000); Tinig Visayan Children’s Choir (Promising Choir) and League Of Young Voices Tagum City National Comprehensive High School Choir for their Best Interpretation of Mindanao Piece (Tidtu) P10,000.
