The best choirs from local schools, parishes and community groups nationwide will engage in a grand musical showdown on Dec. 5 to 9 at Aliw Theater when Manila Broadcasting Company and Star City mount this year’s MBC National Choral Competition.
Following rigorous regional eliminations conducted by its stations Love Radio, Yes-FM, and Easy Rock in Cauayan, Iloilo, Laoag, General Santos City, Lucena, and Metro Manila, 44 choirs qualified for the semifinal rounds scheduled on the first four days of the competition.
A total of 60 choirs from all over the country participated in the nationwide audition legs, which yielded a bumper crop of entries from the provinces, and equally outstanding participants from Mega-Manila.
In the children’s division, Boscorale opens its title defense as it goes up against Bitik Children’s Choir, Junior St Paul College Pasig Chorale, and Himig ni Juan. On day two, Manresa Grade School Glee Club is bracketed with Pasig Catholic College, Araulolo High School, and Bacarra Young Voices. The third day features Ligao National High School Children’s Chorus, Ateneo de Iloilo Treble Chorus, San Nicolas National High School Serenata Chorale, and the Corpus Christi School Children’s Choir. Public high schools slug it out when last year’s second placer from Isabela – -Cauayan National High School’s Himig Cauayeño – – sings against Pavia National High School of Iloilo, Tarlac National High School, and Iloilo City National High School.
For the open category, the University of the East Chorale will see action on day one against Far Eastern University Chorale, Letran Singing Ambassadors, Coro Obcento, St Paul College Pasig High School Glee Club, ICP Charismatic Chorale, and Kawit Singing Ambassadors. Day two will feature St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina, Coro Regina Coeli, the RD Choral Ensemble, EARIST Amang-awit, Adamson University Chorale, Coro di Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae, and Bulacan Master Chorale. On Day three, competitors include the Oratory Boys Chorus, Tarlac Chamber Choir, Musica Paulinos, Second Chronicle Singers, Wesleyan Chamber Singers, PUP Bagong Himig Serenata, and the Avant-Garde Singers. The fourth semifinal round will have the South Cotabato Chorale, Kinaadman Chorale, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Camerata, Koro Dabawenyo, Quezon Science Madrigal Virtuosos, Himig Rizalia, and the Nueva Ecija Singing Ambassadors.
The 2017 MBC National Choral Competition is made possible with the generous support of Columbia International Products, Inc, Sosro Fruit Tea, 555 Tuna, JRS Express, and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Winners of the semifinal rounds will compete in the grand finals on Dec.9, with the champion choirs taking home over P100,000 in cash and kind.
The public is invited to watch on all five days. Showtime is at 7 p.m. Admission is free.