A Filipino choir took center stage at Victoria Concert Hall and left with the a prize.

Sola Gratia Chorale, under the baton of conductor Cyril Punay, was named Champion of the 4th Asia Chorale Prix, beating out top groups from South Korea and Indonesia.

The performance was commanding.

The group sang with precision, control, and something harder to describe: weight.

It was clear from the first note that they had come not just to compete, but to claim.

They weren’t alone. The University of Mindanao Chorale, led by Timothy Paul Atencio, delivered one of the night’s most powerful sets, adding to what turned out to be a banner evening for Filipino choral music.

Five choirs competed: two from the Philippines, two from Korea, and one from Indonesia.

Judged by an international panel of choral experts from Europe, Africa, and Asia, the competition was stiff, the criteria unforgiving.

This was the first time the Asia Chorale Prix was held in Singapore, and it coincided, fittingly, with Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino, a national week honoring Filipino music.

For the Philippine Embassy officials who attended, the victory was personal.

Chargé d’Affaires Joyleen Santos called it a proud moment for the country.