Cebu-based group wins int’l choral competition

The Tabor Hill College (OAD) Choir members led by Dennis Gregory Sugarol, Dr. Mila Cañete and Fr. Renel Cabag, OAD, celebrate after bagging the grand prize in the Sing ‘n’ Joy International Choir Competition at the Aliw Theatre in Manila. The competition was held from Dec. 11 to Dec. 14. (Facebook grab)

They may be new and virtually unknown, but the Cebu-based Tabor Hill College (OAD) Choir made sure their voices would be heard and felt by an audience from different parts of the world.

The 30-member youth choir bagged the top prize of the recent Sing ‘n’ Joy Manila International Choir Competition at the Aliw Theater in Metro Manila from Dec. 11 to 14.

The Tabor Hill College (OAD) Choir, led by renowned choirmaster Dennis Gregory Sugarol, was among the 45 groups from various parts of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore that competed in the annual event.

Fr. Renel Cabag, OAD, vice president for academic affairs of Tabor Hill College, said they never expected to win against veteran and established choral groups.

They didn’t expect they’d land in the Magic 8 vying for the grand prize in the final leg of the competition.

“This was our first time to join in the competition. We’re not even expecting to get the grand prize. Emerging on top was really beyond our expectations,” he told CDN yesterday.

“We’re not prepared. A day before the final competition, we received a call saying we’re part of the Magic 8. So we had our practice morning of the following day and the competition is barely less than 10 hours. Perhaps, luck and prayers supply it,” he added.

Winning pieces

The group’s winning pieces included “Vochong,” a native Filipino song, and “This is the Moment.” They also sang “Libera Me” which they dedicated to the victims of supertyphoon Yolanda and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake.

Aside from the grand prize, the Tabor Hill College also got “gold” recognitions for three categories: folklore, sacred music, and mixed choir.

Fr. Cabag is hoping the accolade will put their school on the map especially as their educational institution under the Order of the Discalced Augustinians (Ordo Augustiniensium Discalceatorum) was established just two years ago in barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

“With this (grand prize), we hope to boost the image of the college and gain support from the people. This is really a milestone for the college which is just on its second year,” he said.

Honor for Cebu

But Fr. Cabag said bagging the grand prize in the choral competition isn’t just an honor for their school but for all Cebuanos as well.

“This victory means a lot, not just for us, but for Cebu. We’re the only representative of Cebu in the competition. And if I may ask God, why us? But then we pray a lot. As St. Augustine said ‘He who sings, prays twice,'” he said.

Fr. Cabag said they received an invitation to participate in a choral competition in Germany, but they have yet to decide whether they will join.

“We have talented and skilled individuals but the only problem is finances,” he said.

Fr. Cabag said anyone who wishes to extend whatever support to the choral group may visit Tabor Hill College in Brgy. San Jose, Talamban, Cebu City.

The Sing ‘n’ Joy Manila International Choir Competition was presented by Interkultur Germany in collaboration with the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) and the Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA).