Written By Douglas B. Hontanosaspublished by the Bohol Standard, a weekly newspaper in Bohol
New York, USA - The Loboc Children’s Choir (LCC) is not just Bohol’s Pride but the nation’s pride as well. For no less than the Philippines Consul General in New York Cecilia Rebong, the Department of Tourism Director Emma Ruth Yulo, and the Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Hilario Davide, hailed the Choir as “ the Philippines’ Little Ambassador to the World.â€
Our country’s three top dignitaries were all there in attendance to watch the Boholano children perform in a concert show promoted by the Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan(TBTK), A Gathering of Boholanos from Around the World, thru its Chairperson Betty Veloso-Garcia, together with the Alliance of Manila and Philippine Islanders, SA. Held last Friday, May 9 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Church of St. Emeric along 185 Avenue D at 12th St., NY City.
The concert venue was filled to capacity by Filipino-American audience, who gave the children performers a standing ovation. All the 21 song renditions categorized in three parts as the Spanish Heritage/Song of Worship, Songs from Other Cultures, and Filipiniana were warmly applauded one after the other. At the end of the Finale number when the choir sang Light of a Million Mornings, the crowd overflowing with delight requested for more songs which the children gladly acceded by rendering pieces from their repertoire .
They were just mesmerized by the musical talents and angelic voices of the 21 member kids choir whose ages range from 9 to 14. All the LCCs 300 CD records were sold like hotcakes, while some ended up disappointed not to be able to bring home such prized musical collection from a Choir that has reaped laurels and awards in the Philippines and abroad.
The Loboc Children’s Choir started its humble beginning in 1980 when it was established for school and community affairs. Then represented the Province of Bohol in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) where they became consistent National Champions for 2001, 1995, and 1993. The Choir has held concert shows all over the country as well as in other parts of the world.
They were invited by the World Vision Korea in 2004 to represent the Philippines in the World Vision International Children’s Choir Festival. In 2000 the LCC was sent to Tianjin, China during the International Children’s Culture and Arts Festival. In 1996, the Choir toured key cities in the United States. A major highlight of the choir’s past activities is its First European Concert Tour in September to November of 2003.
Where LCC represented the Philippines in the 6th International Folksongs Festival held in Barcelona, Spain. The Boholano Choir bagged the Gold Medal(First Prize) of the Youth Category and was also awarded the Festival Cup or the Grand Prize besting other 12 choirs from all over the world. LCC has performed concert shows in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Chech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. Its concert repertoire is a combination of classical, folk, modern and children’s songs.
Two more concert shows were performed by the Loboc Children Choir in the Immaculate Conception Church Auditorium along 8645 Edgerton Blvd, Jamaica, NY, the day after May 9 at 3:00 P.M., a Saturday and on a Mother’s Day of May 11, the same time, coordinated by a Boholano Priest Fr. Jed Sumampong, who also is a native of Loboc town.
Fr Sumampong said nostalgically that the same Choir sang for him during his Priestly ordination about 15 years ago. Again, the concert venue was filled to capacity and the crowd gave the performers a standing ovation. The audience response was overwhelming and spirit filled. As if they were serenaded by angels and cherubim who descended from heaven. Fr. Sumampong is of the opinion that the hands of the Holy Spirit is guiding the direction of the Choir that elevate them to the pedestal where they are now. Proceeds of the show will go to the renovation of the Loboc Church and providing scholarship grants to the LCC members, past and present.
The Choir’s Conductor is Mrs. Alma Taldo: Piano-Accompanist Mrs. Baby Lina Jala; Lutgardo Labad, Tour Manager and Staging Director. Gina Cabahug, Costume and Make-up; Nerea Jimenez, Production Manager; Teodula Liz S. Cal, Assistant Conductor; Hidolito Taldo, Stage Manager; Jerameal Decasa, Technical Director; Natividad Mandin, Costume and Makeup; Kag. Pablio Sumampong, representing the Municipality of Loboc.
LCC’s ongoing US Spring concert tour already brought them to the cities of Seattle and Olympia in Washington; Los Angeles and San Francisco in California; Washington, DC, and Baltimore. From New York, the Choir will proceed to Houston Texas, Saint Louis, Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, Ontario, Canada, then winds up in San Diego, California. Before flying back to Bohol in June, just in time for the opening of classes for the next school year.
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