Passion for music

CEBU, Philippines - Embodiment of hard work, commitment to the choral arts, talent extraordinaire and austere discipline are words to best describe Ms. Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero.

A self-taught pedagogue, she started teaching a choir at an early age of 16. Gaining experience and exposure as the assistant choirmaster of the UP Singing Ambassadors under the mentorship of Mr. Eduardo Manguiat, Ms. Piquero has toured the world and joined countless competition as a mezzo Soprano. She reached the pinnacle of her singing career when she eventually joined the world-acclaimed Philippine Madrigal Singers, where she was exposed to various genre of music under the direction of the Philippine National Artist for Music - Mrs. Andrea Ofilada-Veneracion. She was part of the group when they won the European Grand Prix for Choral music in 1997. These experiences also enabled her to develop her talent in composition and choral arrangement as the resident arranger of MADZ.

She found her niche in the international choral scene as conductor when she handled the University of the East Chorale in 1999 while studying Bachelor of Music major in Conducting at the University of the Philippines, transforming the group from an ordinary University Choir to an ensemble extraordinaire winning not only locally but also in Asia and Europe in a very short time. Most recently she was awarded Special Prize for the best programming and direction in Bela Bartok 23rd International Choir Competition 2008 held in Debrecen, Hungary.

Presently she is one of the most sought after conductor/ vocal clinician/ and juror locally and around the world. She is a Board Member of the newly founded, Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA). She also excels in her career as the conductor/choral consultant of several company and school choirs at the same time she avidly continues to hold choral workshops all over the country as part of the MADZ and NCCA outreach programs.

With much passion, she spreads the same discipline, dedication, and love for the craft to all those who are under her direction.

The Freeman chats with Ms. Anna, as she's fondly called by the members of UV Chorale, where she holds the position of Choir Director:

The Freeman: Can you tell us how you started mentoring the UV Chorale? What were the events that lead to your collaboration with Sir Dodong/Maam Nena Gullas to train the UV Chorale?

I think Sir Dodong called the up College of Music and asked for a Madrigal Singer conductor. It so happens that the college secretary was my piano teacher at that time and she offered it to me. She recommended me and so I was interviewed in Manila by Atty. Baduel then flew to Cebu for a day to be interviewed by Sir Dodong.

TF: What was your first impression when you first started training the UV Chorale?

They had a lot of potential, magaganda ang boses, marami pang pretty and gwapo! I was also very excited because they seemed like a sponge, very excited to learn new things, to hear a lot of kwento about the choral world.

TF: Were you confident that they would reap these numerous awards?

Yes, I was very confident that with proper training they will reap numerous awards.

TF: What is your vision/plans for the UV Chorale in the years ahead?

Our ultimate target, of course, is to put UV in the world map by sharing our music in Europe, the seat of choral music. I personally think that their music, especially the Cebuano songs, should be shared all over the world. Its Philippine culture, our culture, should be known all over the world. My vision is to make UV known in all corners of Europe then next will be USA and the other parts of Asia other than Indonesia and Korea where we already won. Part of the vision is making friends, exchange of knowledge and culture. Because of our music, we'll make many choir friends (in other countries) that will be our home outside Cebu and at the same time Cebu will be their home when they come here. It's like promoting world peace! Kidding aside, its really true.

Profound words from a woman of superior musical talent who posted in her Facebook profile: "My head is filled with music that it's hard to think of other things."  (FREEMAN)