UPCC serenades The Hague to mark PH Independence Day, PCA anniversary

Celebrating “peace and justice”, the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) performed at The Hague in the Netherlands in celebration of the 126th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 125th Anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

The ‘Korus”, one of the official performing groups of the University of the Philippines, regaled some 450 attendees at the Diligentia Theater  from the Dutch Government, diplomatic corps, business, academic and international organizations in the country on Sunday.

The UPCC began the concert with “Cantate Domino” in English, Basque, and Latin lyrics followed by “Laudate Dominum (Psalm 117)” and “Salmo 150.”

UPCC conductor Professor Janet Sabas-Aracama sang “Wade in the Water,” which delivers a message to face “life’s challenges” with “faith.” Sabas-Aracam’s solo performance was followed by “I Believe/Ave Maria” and “L’importa C’est La Rose.”

Philippine Ambassador to The Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya also played the piano to accompany the choir in “Payapang Daigdig.”

UPCC also sang Disney’s “Go the Distance” in Spanish and presented a choreographed a capella of “Bagong Umaga,” and medley of ABBA’s “Thank you for the Music,” “Fernando,” and Dancing Queen”.

Theater aficionados were treated to “One Day More” from Les Misérables with some solo parts UPCC members.

UPCC also sang “Bridge over Troubled Water,” and the Beatles’ “Let it Be”.

Responding to the request of the audience for an encore, the group sang the song “Manila, Manila”, a nostalgic pop song that invited its listeners to get to know more about the Philippines’ capital city.  

Among those in attendance were Permanent Court of Arbitration Secretary General Marcin Czepelak, Ambassador for International Organizations Paul van den Ijssel of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and International Court of Justice Judge Hilary Charlesworth.

Hague Conference on Private International Law Secretary General Christophe Bernasconi, and Hague Academy of International Law Secretary General Jean-Marc Thouvenin, and Haarlem-Amsterdam Bishop Johannes Hendriks were also present.

Established in 1962, UP President Carlos P. Romulo started UPCC with UP College of Music Dean Ramon Tapales as the group’s conductor.

UPCC won the Grand Prix in the Cracovia Cantans Choral Competition in Poland in 2015, and First Prize Folk Song Category in the 16th Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros in Spain in 2012. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News