2 Pinoy boys' choirs bag awards in Austria

(Updated) MANILA, Philippines- Two children's boys choirs won top awards in the 5th World Choir Games in Austria last week. The Las Piñas Boys Choir (LPBC) bagged two major prizes including the best children’s choir award. The LPBC – made up of 20 boys - was hailed as the World Champion in the Children’s Choir category, besting 60 choirs from different countries in all five continents. The group also bagged silver in the Musica Sacra (Music of Religion) category, competing with other professional choirs with 40 – 60 members. Held every two years in Garz, Austria, the World Choir Games is considered as the largest and one of the most prestigious choir competition in the world. Professor Armando Salarza is the conductor of the LPBC while Alejandro Consolacion II is the accompanist. Meanwhile, another Filipino choir won gold in the Popular Choral Music category in the World Choir Games. The Kilyawan Boys Choir (KBC) - composed of 45 members - bagged the gold medal in the Vocal Ensembles competition in the Popular choral category. The KBC also bagged three gold diplomas in Category 4- Mixed Boys Choir and Category 25- Folk Music with Accompaniment. It also received one silver certificate for Category 23, a silver medal for Category 25 and a bronze medal in category 4. The KBC also boasts of being a member of the Madz Et Al Family which is conducted by members and alumni of the two-time European Grand Prix champion, the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Mark Anthony Carpio, KBC's choir conductor is an alumna of the Madrigal Singers. Senate recognition In honor of LPBC's achievement, Senate President and former Las Piñas Representative Manuel Villar Jr filed a senate resolution commending the group’s performance. "The feat of our very own Las Piñas Boys Choir exhibits the excellence of the global Pinoys whose dedication and commitment to their craft bring honor and pride to the country," Senator Villar said in a statement. According to the senator's office, the choir members are George Angeles II, Bernard Paolo Caro, Alvin Joshua Cayetano, Josiah de los Santos, Justin Claude Fernandez, Jadlae Aivan Fernandez, Joseph Vincent Gregorio, Carl Paolo Hernandez, Japheth Juanillo, Herman Manalang, Jhansseen Martinez, Dhonel Martinicio, Alwyn Dominique Panoso, Rupert Kim Pastrana, Ramon Paolo Quintero, Chazz Reyes, Karlo Reyes, Francis David Salonga, Joshua Gabriel, and Samiley and Joe Sengson. The Las Piñas Boys Choir was founded in 1969 by Rev. Fr. Leo Reinier, CICM, who was assistant parish priest at St. Joseph Parish. The existence of the choir is also closely connected with the presence of the world-famous bamboo organ in Las Piñas. The group is expected to return to the country on Wednesday, July 16. - GMANews.TV