22 September 2016 — The Philippines’ Madrigal Singers, also fondly called the “Madz,” has been designated UNESCO Artists for Peace and performed before the world’s famous and influential leaders.
Straight from being awarded the Grand Premier Award in the 64th Guido d’Arezzo International Choral Competition in Italy on August 28, the Philippine Madrigal Singers of the University of the Philippines performed their first-class repertoire on September 03 at the Salle Communale Jean-Jacques Gautier in Geneva, Switzerland.
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, spoke highly of the choral group during her welcome remarks.
During their two-part show, they performed various compositions from international artists as well as Filipino favorites such as “Katakataka,” “Leron, Leron Sinta,” “Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin” and the crowd pleaser, “Da Coconut Nut” which earned them a standing ovation at the end of the show and requests for encore performances.
The group also conducted mini-performances spread over other venues such as the morning mass at St. Nicolas de Flue Church on September 04, the Philippine Mission to the UN in Geneva, and at the Serpentine Bar in the United Nations both on September 02.
Their performance at the UN drew a lot of passersby. A UN employee even commented that the Philippine Madrigal Singers was “the most beautiful choir that had performed in the UN.”
The performance of the Philippine Madrigal Singers in Switzerland was made possible through the efforts of Couples for Christ-Switzerland’s “Answering the Cry of the Poor” (ANCOP) program. END