MBC's Paskong Pinoy tilt winners

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) capped its Paskong Pinoy celebrations with a down-the-wire finish in the MBC National Choral Competition held at the Aliw Theater, and the simultaneous lighting of all the entries in its lantern competition.

Hiyas ng Pilipinas, a group of public school students from the City of Manila, conducted by Nick Infante, emerged champion for the third straight year in the children’s choir competition, reprising its debut win over Vox Angeli two years ago. AUP Young Voices copped third place, with the Calasiao Children’s Choir of Pangasinan coming in fourth, and Batasan Hills Elementary School in fifth place. Hiyas will be taking a brief hiatus from the contest next year to train new members but hopes to compete internationally in the coming months.

In the open category, University of the Visayas (UV) Chorale, conducted by Anna Abeleda Piquero, took this year’s coveted championship over a sterling roster of entries that included the St. Louis University Glee Club, Coro Animo of De La Salle University, Koro Ilustrado from Makati, last year’s champion Coro de Manila, Manila Adventist Medical Center Church Choir, Mapua Concert Singers, Tarlac State University, and Coro San Benildo. UV delivered an impeccable line-up of songs that got the nod of the panel comprised of world-class conductors Jonathan Velasco, Fidel Calalang Jr., and Sebastian Trinidad, along with composer-arranger Arnel de Pano, and The CompanY’s Moy Ortiz.

The Saturday finals also signaled the public display of entries to MBC’s Ilaw ng Pasko lantern-making competition, which drew a record number of entries interpreting the traditional Filipino parol using a variety of recycled waste material.

Angelita Sioson won the P100,000 grand prize with her parol made of tin foil from cigarette packs and chocolate wrapping.

Maria Anna Sanson’s entry made of fruit protectors and bamboo sticks placed second, while Felicito Sentones won third place, depicting a star with 10 rays, all made from sachets of shampoo and detergent powder.

Consolation prizes were also awarded to Leonardo Carpio, Elena Wong, Ricardo Maturan, Honorato Ador, Joselito Maningat, Jovito Escala, and Erwin Bravo.

The lanterns which drew the admiration of judges Rachy Cuna, Eric Zerrudo, and National Museum director Cora Alvina for their craftsmanship and innovation, measure up to eight feet in height and are now displayed along the façade of Star City until the end of the Christmas season.

Paskong Pinoy celebrations were presented by Star City, Talk n Text, Lady’s Choice, Kawasaki, M. Lhuillier, Loperamide Diatabs, Coca Cola and PLDT.