Filipino choir bags gold at 2024 World Choir Games in New Zealand

An Australia-based Filipino choir has won gold in this year’s World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand, which ran from July 10 to 20.

Composed of 28 members including choirmaster Ron Abelita, the Adelaide Choral Ambassadors (ACA) competed in the Open Competition Mixed Chamber Choirs Category with 14 other teams.

ACA performed four songs, including “Koyu No Tebulul” (A Tree On A Hill), a traditional song of the T’boli Indigenous peoples of  South Cotabato.

They also sang “Lux Aeterna” (Eternal Light), "Daemon Irrepit Callidus" (The Devil Speaks Expertly), and "Abendlied" (Evening Song).

In an interview with GMA News Online, ACA co-founder Gil Costes said the group thoroughly researched their repertoire and considered the complexity and degree of difficulty and harmony of each piece as they made sure to showcase different genres.

“We also showcase the talents and what we can do as a group, ‘cause that's what I think the judges are looking for: How the choir would interpret the song and how well verse the choir is,” he added.

ACA also performed in the World Choir Games’ friendship concert, wherein participating choirs performed in local communities of New Zealand.

Inspired by award-winning American a cappella group Pentatonix, the ACA was formed by Costes and Abelita along with their friends and fellow choir members Princess Galicia and Larry Parane in 2023.

“Our original plan was to have fun in forming this group and do some concerts locally but last quarter of last year, we decided where we wanted to go,” Costes said.

Costes said the group decided to try entering the World Choir Games and got accepted in the open competition last November.

Other choirs competing with ACA are from the USA, China, Taiwan, New Zealand, Germany, South Korea, and four other choirs in Australia.

“Our original plan was to have fun in forming this group and do some concerts locally but last quarter of last year, we decided where we wanted to go,” ACA co-founder Gil Costes said. Photo: ACA

With more than 11,000 participating singers from 42 countries, the World Choir Games is the biggest choral competition and festival in the world.

Following their achievement, Costes said the group will continue to hone their skills as they plan to stage a concert and compete in Europe soon.

“We haven't seen or heard a choir that is towards Filipino music or Southeast Asian music so that's what we’re aiming for to present a variety, to present different kinds of genres to Australian audiences about mainly Filipino music,” Costes said. — BM/VBL, GMA Integrated News