Surigao City is in Mindanao but naturally OpinYon 8 is also a media outlet to vent news and events in VisMin to here goes our wonderful experience with Surugaonons, where else, but in MIMAROPA, a region that also links the two islands of the country.
It was the 2025 Palawan International Choral Festival held recently at Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
Music artists from Surigao were represented at the 2025 PICF.
These musicians called themselves Surigao Luminary Voices that competed creatively and sports-mindedly in the fest.
They did their best faring well with other choral groups from various parts of the country, namely, Imusicapella from CALABARZON, Woodrose Chorale from the National Capital Region (NCR), Palawan Chorus Mixtus from MIMAROPA Region and the Barcelona National Comprehensive High School (NCHS) Chorale.
According to Robert Delgado, President of the National Association of Filipino Choirs, Inc. (NAFCI), the organizer of the 2025, there were sixteen choral groups that signified to attend the fest and they qualified in the non-competitive category.
During the Grand Prix activities, the SLV was confident performances.
In the end, the group garnered the Gold Diploma in the Mixed Category.
Dressed in yellow gold and black gown among girls and stylish Barong Tagalog among boys, the SLV was a collective look of proud Visayans who are determined to contribute enormously to the growth and development of their region.
In terms of cultural enhancement, how can their musical talents contribute to the progress of their province?
"This is some kind of a promotion for our region. Our participation is to show the cultural traditions of Surigao to attract tourists, local and foreign alike," exclaimed one of the male members.
"In terms of the economic development of Surigao, our delegation and representation will attract tourists and healthy tourism means money coming into our province," added another male member.
"Personally, participating in a competition like this develops my personality in human relationships because I am exposed to a diverse type of people," conjured a female SLV member.
The other winners in the 2025 PICF are: Imusicapella, Grand Prix and Winner in both the Sacred and Mixed Categories; Woodrose Chorale, Winner, Equal Voices Category, Public Prize and Traditional Folklore with the Palawan Chorus Mixtus; and Barcelona NCHS Choral, Winner, Youth Choir Category.
The esteemed Board of Judges was composed of Maestro Jae Joon Lee, a Korean Orchestra Conductor; Dr. Joel Navarro, Dr. Beverly Cheng and Dr. Ed Manguiat, Filipino conductors and musicologists and Prof. Viktoriya Vakulishyna, music teacher and conductor in China.
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