Harnessing heritage and harmony: Choir competition headlines NCCA’s Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino celebration

Choir competition headlines NCCA’s Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino celebration

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is launching a national choir competition and recognizing musicians for outstanding new works and contributions to Filipino music as part of the celebration of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP), or Filipino Music Week.

The national government’s cultural agency is designated to lead the LMP celebration, in accordance to Presidential Proclamation No. 933, which declares the last week of July as Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino. Signed by then President Benigno S. Aquino III in December 2014, the proclamation emphasizes that “the promotion and development of the local music industry not only advances Filipino art and culture, but also contributes to the development of the economy, providing employment and revenue stream, and supporting other local industries,” and that “there is a need to revitalize government efforts to promote Philippine music.”

In a press conference on 21 July at the Centro de Turismo Intramuros in Manila, the NCCA announced three flagship events for this year’s LMP—the Sudi National Music Awards, the NCCA Composition Prize, and the Koro Chorale Competition—which will be held in August and September. The NCCA hopes that these are among the ways to define Filipino music.

“Lingid sa kaalaman ng iba na kapag sinabi mong original Filipino music, hindi lang ito iyong komposisyon na nasa Filipino. Parang ang malaking question, what makes it Filipino?...What makes it Filipino ay ginagamit namin itong framework na ito para dito sa ating taon na ito iyong eight living music cultures, na hango po kay Propesor Felipe de Leon, Jr., na kapag sinabi mong what makes it Filipino, ito ang mga sumusunod na mga musika naming ginagamit sa National Committee on Music (Unknown to many, when we say original Filipino music, it doesn’t only refer to compositions written in Filipino. The bigger question is—what makes it Filipino? We are using this framework for this year: the eight living music cultures, which are based on the work of Professor Felipe de Leon, Jr. So when we ask, ‘What makes it Filipino,’ these are the types of music we use in the National Committee on Music),” Dr. Arvin Manuel R. Villalon, head of the NCCA National Committee on Music (NCM) and Subcommission for the Arts, shared.

He explained: “Una, ang musika ng mga katutubo sa buong bansa. Pangalawa, ang musika ng Bangsamoro o Moro, or Muslim peoples. Pangatlo, ang musika ng ating mga lowland cultures…Pang-apat, huwag nating kalimutan din iyong musika bungad ng kolonisasyon. Ibig-sabihin, impluwensyang Kastila tulad po ng choir, isang genre na influence po ito. Ganoon din po ang impluwensya ng Amerikano—bodabil. Ganoon din ang impluwensya ng Japanese…’Yung panglima, ito iyong musika na tinatawag nating Western music or music of the academe. Ito iyong formalist na noong araw, parang kapag hindi ka nakatugtog nito, parang hindi ka musiko. Ito iyong, mga halimbawa, kapag tutugtog tayo from Renaissance or Baroque music…Iyong susunod naman ito iyong musika ng mga social reform. So sometimes you call it protest music na uso po ito hanggang sa kasalukuyan…Tapos mayroon ding related dito, iyong pang-pito, musika ng nasyonalismo, pagiging makabayan. So, kasama rito iyong mga anthems, themes. Kahit LGU mayroong ganoon pero mayroon din talagang makabayan na mga awitin para ito’y magbigay ng pagpupugay sa ating bayan. So ito iyong mga marubdob na awitin sa nationalism…At pinakahuli, ito iyong musika ng globalisasyon, iyong popular music (First, the music of the Indigenous peoples across the country. Second, the music of the Bangsamoro or Moro, or Muslim peoples. Third, the music of our lowland cultures…Fourth, let us not forget the music that emerged from colonization—meaning, music influenced by the Spanish such as the choir, which is a genre shaped by that influence. The same goes for American influences—like vaudeville—as well as Japanese influences…Fifth is what we call Western music or music of the academe. This is the formalist type where, in the past, if you did not play this kind of music, you weren’t considered a real musician. Examples include playing Renaissance or Baroque music…Next is the music of social reform—sometimes called protest music—which remains relevant today…Then we also have, as the seventh, the music of nationalism or patriotism. This includes national anthems or theme songs. Even local government units have these kinds of songs, but there are also truly patriotic songs meant to pay tribute to the nation. These are the passionate songs of nationalism…And finally, the eighth is the music of globalization—popular music).”

Villalon said past celebrations have focused on popular music. This year, they are exploring other genres, one of which is choral music.

“So ngayong taon na ito, ano kaya kung gamitin natin iyong genre instead of band na popular? What if we use the choir form or the choral form na very popular sa buong Filipinas, at hindi lang sa Filipinas, kinikilala tayo sa buong mundo. Dahil nga tayo’y nananalo sa mga choral competitions (So this year, what if we use a genre instead of a popular band? What if we use the choir form or choral form, which is very popular throughout the Philippines—and not only in the Philippines, we’re also recognized around the world because we win in choral competitions),” he said.

Koro: National Choral Competition

For the first time, the NCCA is organizing a nationwide choir competition titled Koro: National Choral Competition, spearheaded by the NCM in partnership with the Philippine Society for Music Education (PSME).

“So itong panawagan namin para sa Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino, mayroon po kaming hangad— iyong choral form, pipili sila doon sa walong living music cultures para mag-audition at dito, para maging national iyong competition, mayroong dalawang finalists per island cluster (So this is our call for the celebration of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino—we have a goal: for the choral form, participants will choose from the eight living music cultures to audition. And to make this competition national in scope, there will be two finalists per island cluster),” Villalon revealed.

He further said, “Pinili namin na iyong mananalo na ito, hindi pa nananalo sa isang international or national competition para to give chance to others…Laging dapat nating sinusubukan ng NCCA na we also try to find talents from the raw, but they are promising in our regions (We’ve decided that the winner should not have previously won in any international or national competition—so that we can give others a chance. The NCCA must always strive to discover raw yet promising talents from our regions).”

“I think what’s unique about this is we’re giving chance to choirs that are budding or nagsisimula pa lang (just starting),” he emphasized.

Auditions were conducted via video submissions, and judging was done through a blind adjudication process.

Koro is divided into two categories—Children’s Choir and Adult Choir—and two finalists were selected from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region (NCR).

The finalists are Adamson University Chorale and Emilio Aguinaldo College Chorale, both from Manila, for the NCR cluster; Bicol Voices Chorale and Bicol University Chorale, both from Legazpi City, Albay, for the Luzon cluster; Kalinaw Chorale of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and the Panag-uyon Adelante Singers from University of San Jose–Recoletos, Cebu City, Cebu, for the Visayas cluster; and Flomlok Choristers from Polomolok National High School, South Cotabato, and UM Digos Chorale from University of Mindanao Digos, Davao del Sur, for the Mindanao cluster.

Only one passed the auditions for the Children’s Choir category.—Matina Central Elementary School Children’s Choir from Davao City.

“Iyan ang isang bagay na gusto namin sa amin sa komite ng Music, gusto sana naming i-harness pa iyong power ng children’s chorus…Gusto sana namin na itong discipline na ito ay magsimula din sa iba’t ibang probinsya ang mga children’s choir. Marami po sa ating mga successful musicians, either instrumentalist or singers, started with the children’s chorus (That’s one thing we in the Music Committee would really like to do—we hope to harness the power of the children’s chorus even more. We hope that this discipline can also begin to flourish in various provinces, with the formation of children’s choirs. Many of our successful musicians, whether instrumentalists or singers, started out in children’s choruses),” Villalon commented.

Koro will be held on 2 August at the Manila Metropolitan Theater. Winners will be chosen for first, second, and third prizes, with the remaining choirs receiving honorable mention. Instead of a competition in the Children’s Choir category, there will be a concert instead featuring Bacoor Hope Children’s Chorus, University of Baguio Laboratory Elementary School’s Small Voices Choir and the Matina Central Elementary School Children’s Choir.

Included in the program is a shot talk by musician and former NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr. on Filipino music.

Cloyd Robinson Calucag, whose 'Orion's Belt' won in the Chamber Music category of the 2024 NCCA Composition Prize.

Cloyd Robinson Calucag, whose 'Orion's Belt' won in the Chamber Music category of the 2024 NCCA Composition Prize.Panag-uyon Adelante Singers from University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu City, Cebu.‘Musika Mula Pagkabata’ workshop series

PSME, with support from NCCA, will be conducting the second leg of its Musika Mula Pagkabata: A Workshop Series on Inclusive Music Education for Young Children. The three-day program focuses on Philippine music pedagogy, exploring established and indigenous music teaching methods, along with music integration in wellness, visual arts, and theater.

Topics include “Music and Movement Strategies in the Early Childhood Classroom,” “Integrating Wellness in Creative Arts Expression,” and “Integrating Theatre in the Music Classroom.”

Originally scheduled for 24 to 26 July at the University of the Philippines College of Music Dance Studio, it was postponed due to inclement weather. Updates will be announced soon.

Sudi National Music Awards

Scheduled for September, the Sudi National Music Awards recognize outstanding musical contributions and achievements across genres and disciplines that have significantly shaped the Philippine music landscape. While honorees are selected annually, the awards ceremony is held every three years.

“Inilunsad naman po ito noong 2020. Layunin ng Sudi na kilalanin ang mga natatanging tagumpay sa larangan ng musika sa iba’t ibang genre na humubog sa ating kulturang musikal. Ang salitang sudi po ay isang ilocano adjective na nangangahulugang ‘bantog,’ ‘sikat’ o ‘kilala.’ Ito po ay sumasalamin sa diwa ng parangal—ang pagkilala at pagpupugay sa kahusayan sa musika (This was launched in 2020. The aim of SUDI is to recognize outstanding achievements in the field of music across various genres that have shaped our musical culture. The word sudi is an Ilocano adjective that means ‘renowned,’ ‘famous,’ or ‘well-known.’ It reflects the spirit of the award—which is to honor and celebrate musical excellence),” said Renee Talavera, chief of the Program Management Division of the NCCA secretariat.

Eleven awardees from 2021 to 2023 are set to receive this recognition—Ben&Ben and Cebu Arts Foundation, Inc. (for the Cebu Popular Music Festival) for 2021; Coke Bolipata, Gary Valenciano, Maria Alexandra Chua, Regine Velasquez, and SB19 for 2022; and Dr. Marie Jocelyn Marfil, University of Santos Tomas Singers and Vincent de Jesus for 2023. Additionally, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Foundation, Inc. 

NCCA Composition Prize

The NCCA Composition Prize is a biennial competition for original compositions and to honor winning composers.

“Ito po ay nagsimula noong 2016. Ang kompetisyong ito ay tumutuon sa concert hall music naman…mga pinalawig na likha na lampas sa karaniwang anyo ng popular or tradisyonal na musika (This began in 2016. This competition focuses on concert hall music—extended works that go beyond the usual forms of popular or traditional music),” Talavera explained.

Originally called NCCA Composers’ Prize, the competition started with four categories—song cycle, any solo instrument, chamber music, and rondalla ensemble— and has since expanded to ten.

Entries are evaluated using standard notation, allowing for publication and future performances, and judged anonymously, with identities revealed only after winning entries are selected.

The call for entries for the 2024 cycle ran from 1 October to 28 December 2024, with winners announced last February.

The winning works are “Orion’s Belt” (for kulintang ensemble and percussion instruments) by Cloyd Robinson Calucag, with “Triptyque” (for clarinet and organ) by Alejandro Consolacion II and “Sonata for Kulintang and Piano” (for kulintang and piano) by Paul Earvin Bibal, Jury Special Prizes, in the Chamber Music category; “Ang Mga Itim na Nota” by Mark Jericho Pacia in Group C, with “Etude for Wrist Articulation” by Lawrence Parcon, Jury Special Prize in Group A, and “Bottle in the Ocean” by Ralph Joseph Dauz, Jury Special Prize in Group B, in the Solo Piano; “(VII) Variations on a Filipino Folk Tune” by Alejandro Consolacion Il, with “Fantasia” by James Willy Canoso, Jury Special Prize, in the Solo Organ; “Kalikasan: Guho ng Bukas at Kahapon” by Jerome Quejano, Jury Special Prize, with honorable mentions, “Pantomima” by Joy Wendell Arco, “Sinfonietta” by Cloyd Robinson Calucag and “Idlak sang Bito-on (Gleam of the Stars)” by Gezer Santiso in the Solo Rondalla (Banduria); “Gahum” (for solo electric guitar) by Patrick Roxas, with Alejandro Luis Del Corro’s “Journey of a Hopeless Romantic” (for solo cello), honorable mention, in the Solo String; Jouie Anne Reyes’s “Poong Matayog” (for solo flute) in the Solo Wind; “Batanes: Julian Aftermath” by Erma Dianne Decena, honorable mention in the Multi-Percussion Solo; and “Amiánan” (for handbell ensemble Level 3) by lan Gabriel Corpuz in the Handbell Choir.

The awarding ceremony will be held in September, including the launch of the World Premiere Concert Series, which will feature five winning compositions.

Through these efforts, the NCCA hopes to reaffirm its commitment to promoting and redefining Filipino music for generations to come.