Four years ago, a nationwide competition for contemporary a cappella group was launched. Entitled Akapela Open, PLDT-Smart Foundation embraced the competition along with The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab.
As the Philippines is well known for its choirs, because they win in almost all international competitions, to come up with a genre not too common locally was an answer to those singing ensembles that would like to deviate from the tradition; and come up in the open and be recognized as a legitimate singing ensemble.
Akapela Open’s objectives of giving opportunities to contemporary group singers to showcase their performance; to come up with original arrangements of local and international songs; and to create a community of contemporary a cappella singers have gone a long way since the contest started in 2013.
Akapela Open has produced two of the best contemporary groups in the country – Acapellago and Pinopela. The past three years saw them battle against each other on the contest stage. Both these groups have won in international competitions after winning Akapela Open’s Grand Prize in separate years.
Acapellago won as overall champion in the International A Cappella Championships in Singapore in July of 2015. This was followed by Pinopela’s winning Gold in International Category, Judges’ Choice and Overall Champion in the same competition on July 2, this year. Two members snagged additional recognition: Gold in Looping category for Zsaris Mendioro and Most Impressive Vocalist for Anthony Castillo.
Acapellago, a Viva group artist, continued their winning streak when they bagged first runner up in the 2016 Vocal Asia, Asian Acappella Cup in Taitung, Taiwan on Aug. 17. And again, they went on to compete on Sept. 24 at the A Cappella Asia Pacific championship league in Singapore. This time they brought honor to the Philippines after they were declared overall champion, prevailing over the best a cappella groups from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, Taiwan and Singapore. Moreover, members Ron Laderas won best bass performer and Michelle Corpus won best lead vocalist. The group also bagged the audience award. This is truly a noteworthy accomplishment and a crowning glory for the contemporary a cappella movement in our country.
These two groups are the country’s leaders in contemporary a cappella; helping in the nurturing and growth of this community.
Excitement brews as the Finals Night draws near. On Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. at the Meralco Theater, a new Akapela Open champion will emerge.
Witness the ten finalists battle it out on stage: Astrafellas, Calafellas, Conchords, Doo-Wop Sounds (Korea), Fratoneity, GVabs, MVibe, PhiSix, Street Voice, Ten Thousand.
Tickets to the Akapela Open Finals Night are available at The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab.
For details, please call 637-9840 or 914-5055; or come to TMSRC at the lower level of Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City.
