PAGCOR Voice Symphony winner

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Voice Symphony recently won as grand champion in the Government Choral Competition spearheaded by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). The contest held last Sept. 17 at the University of the Philippines Theater in Quezon City was part of the activities lined up by CSC for its 112th anniversary celebration.

PAGCOR Voice Symphony bested seven other choral groups of various government agencies and local government units nationwide. The finalists were Maasin City’s Chorale of Southern Leyte, Iligan City’s Buhangin Voices, Pangasinan Provincial Chorale, COMVAL Minstrels of Compostela Valley Province, Coro De La Laguna, Department of Social Welfare and Development Chorale and National Power Chorale of the National Power Corporation.

“All choral groups went through rigorous auditions and we are so happy that we qualified for the contest. We owe our success to the agency and our management who supported us in representing PAGCOR and share our love for music,” said PAGCOR choirmaster Crispin Ralph Reyes.

According to Reyes, the training they went through was not easy but their hard work and determination paid off. The PAGCOR Voice Symphony won a cash prize of P100,000 plus a trophy and certificate.

The PAGCOR Voice Symphony rendered three songs — the commissioned contest piece Ikaw ay Bayani composed by Noel Cabangon, Ako ay Pilipino and Iddem Dem Mallida (an ethnic war song).

The panel of judges was composed of Noel Cabangon and the officials of the Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA).

PAGCOR assistant vice president for Entertainment Bong Quintana said of the group’s victory: “They truly deserve it. I witnessed how hard they worked. The daily eight-hour rehearsals for 17 days were no joke. Like the rest of the PAGCOR family, I am proud of them. I salute and congratulate all them.”