'Goldenberg: The Concert Series XX': PCSO Vocal Ensemble celebrates Filipino folk music, heritage

"Goldenberg: The Concert Series XX" featuring the PCSO Vocal Ensemble celebrated Filipino folk music and heritage on November 7 at the historic Goldenberg Mansion in Manila. 

The PCSO Vocal Ensemble headlined the 20th installment of the concert series. A chamber group of the PCSO Chorale, it is comprised of employees of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and is led by world-class conductor and arranger Robert Delgado. The group was created to represent the PCSO Chorale in special engagements that call for intimate performances.

The ensemble performed traditional folk music such as "Leron Leron, Sinta," as well as an Ilocano folklore medley during the event. 

They also performed impeccable renditions of Butch Monserrat's classic "Umagang Kay Ganda," a medley of Ryan Cayabyab's "Paraiso" and "A Better World," and popular songs like "Golden" from "K-Pop Demon Hunters," Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," and more. 

The event last Friday featured two performances at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The first show saw the attendance of 150 students from Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales, Our Lady of Guadalupe Colleges, Inc., Nueve De Febrero Elementary School, and Future Minds Academy of Mandaluyong, while the second show welcomed 60 students from Mandaluyong Elementary School and San Felipe Neri Catholic School. 

In the past, the PCSO Vocal Ensemble has performed in President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s birthday celebration, "Salo-salo sa Palasyo 2025," as well as the opening of the Presidential Action Center and the reopening of the Philippine International Convention Center. 

Last month, the "Goldenberg: The Concert Series XIX" featured a trio of classical Filipino musicians: cellist Gerry Graham Conzales, clarinetist Jayson Rivera, and pianist Dingdong Fiel. The concert was also attended by students from various schools in Metro Manila. 

"Goldenberg: The Concert  Series" aims to preserve tradition and educate and nurture Filipino musicians and audiences through the power of music. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News