By: Aurelius Deirdrou Arne Lopez, DLSZ Chorale 1997 and Alumni Liaison and Chaperone for 2024 TICC Festival
The sweetest victory is when you least expect it, and that’s the magical feeling the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) Chorale felt and brought home last September 7 when it captured two (2) Gold Medals at the 1st Thailand ICF held in The Thailand Convention Center from September 3 to 5, 2024 in Bangkok.
The DLSZ Chorale and 31 other chorale groups from Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines sang and competed in ten (10) categories to compete for category medals and vie for a Grand Prix finalist slot.
The Junior Singing Archers showed their strong choral and vocal skills, techniques, and creativity in 2 categories: The Children’s Choir and Folklore Categories.
DLSZ’s repertoire for The Children’s Choir category: “Soging Tundan” (Prof. Jude B. Roldan, Composer) and “Gaudete in Domino” (Michael Kenneth Fabian, Composer) featured a wide and diverse range of music genres the DLSZ Chorale can deliver.
The Folklore category, which is an open age/group category challenged the strength of character of the DLSZ Chorale as they went up against choirs with predominantly adult members. Their repertoire for this category: “Miligoy” (Dr. Stepen Lagarde, Composer) and “Tofikong” (Michael Kenneth Fabian, Composer) tested not just the skills of the choir, but also brought out their courage, strength, and determination to bring out the best in each other to compete in a very difficult and mature category.
It was pure delight and joy the moment the official announcement was brought out that the DLSZ Chorale was one (1) of the nine (9) Grand Prize finalists. Only two (2) choirs from the Philippines, along with the Pansol Choir from Quezon City, qualified to perform for the grand prize. Aside from the song “Tofikong”, the chorale’s grand prix performance song was “Carpe Somnium” (Prof. Jude B. Roldan, Composer). The pride and excitement of qualifying for the Grand Prize brought out the best in the DLSZ Chorale and the performance was worthy of its finalist distinction.
LIST OF CHORALE MEMBERS:
- Alexandre Matthew Adrales (DLSZ 2030)
- Janna Felisse Alberto (DLSZ 2025)
- Natasha Marie Arceo (DLSZ 2028)
- Mary Margaret Bernardo (DLSZ 2028)
- Andrea Alexis Carbonell (DLSZ 2025)
- Josefa Laurice Carreon (DLSZ 2027)
- Angela Faith Castillo (DLSZ 2030)
- Erin Nicole Castro (DLSZ 2026)
- Amanda Basilisa Cortes (DLSZ 2027)
- Robert Taj Curata (DLSZ 2025)
- Maria Eliana Dela Vega (DLSZ 2030)
- Gabriel Bryan Galope (DLSZ 2026)
- Corinne Skye Gamayo (DLSZ 2030)
- Lyma Libunao (DLSZ 2028)
- Mirella Anissa Malli (DLSZ 2030)
- Sofia Therese Maribojoc (DLSZ 2028)
- Ayana Gabrielle Montes (DLSZ 2025)
- Jose Alfredo Montemayor (DLSZ 2030)
- Ivanna-Moriah Mortel (DLSZ 2030)
- Juliana Patalot (DLSZ 2025)
- Ma. Reign Margaret Piamonte (DLSZ 2028)
- Carelle Alyanna Reyes (DLSZ 2026)
- Julienne Yszabelle Roa (DLSZ 2025)
- Angelica Louise Romana (DLSZ 2028)
- Emilia Soriano (DLSZ 2026)
- Ana Isabela Suarez (DLSZ 2027)
- Rhaiya Nicole Tamondong (DLSZ 2026)
- Sean Robert Tinio (DLSZ 2026)
- Alexiya Gabrielle Torroba (DLSZ 2025)
- Adrianna Nicole Ventosa (DLSZ 2028)
- Erasmus Adonis Villasin (DLSZ 2030)
- Christine Noelle Villasin (DLSZ 2028)
- Nathaniel Sy (DLSZ 2028)
- Andres Soriano (DLSZ 2028)
- Craig Sebastian Sorrera (DLSZ 2028)
- Reina Arabella Yabe (DLSZ 2026)
During the awards night/ceremony, the competition jurors gave high scores to the DLSZ Chorale in both categories that gave them Gold Medal status.
This is both pride and history for the DLSZ Chorale and its conductor/moderator – Mr. Michael Kenneth Fabian as this is their first-ever international competition and exposure.
When the DLSZ delegation left for Bangkok last September 2, it was the start of a weeklong downpour for the Philippines. The DLSZ Chorale did not just pray for its success in Thailand, they prayed for the safety of the Philippines. The storm became an omen of good blessings and translated into victory.
This competition endeavor was truly blessed and the DLSZ Chorale would like to extend its gratitude to the Lasallian community- our supportive parents and parent officers, headed by Dr. Geraldine Montes, together with Mrs. Marshelle Mortel, Mr. Reynaldo Piamonte, Mrs. Andrea Martina Adrales, Mrs. Katrina Mae Montemayor, Mrs. Erica Lucita Malli, Mr. Erwin Castro, Mrs. Ivy Libunao, and Mr. Au Lopez, our adult leaders- Ms. Leah Marie Castillo, Mr. Daryl Galicia, Ms. Marcelina Flores, Ms. Maria Beatriz Nolasco, Ms. Joanna Camille De Leon, and Mr. Adrian Harvey Ayes, who have made this experience and endeavor GOLDEN and full of LOVE.
To the entire Lasallian community and its alumni and competition organizers, the chorale is grateful for the opportunity to showcase its talents, skills, and professionalism internationally and be given this chance to be a source of pride and inspiration for the school and the Philippines.
Animo and Congratulations to the DLSZ Chorale and keep the passion for music and singing burning!
*as of October 8, 10:35 AM