Reviews

From Liane Harris, President of People Helping People Foundation – Canada:

We just sent the group off to the airport. The 3 short days that they spent with us left permanent marks in our minds and hearts. They sang us a farewell song in the airport, "Love is the Answer" and though we tried hard to keep face, tears just flowed freely. We will miss them so.

We are very proud of them and we are happy that we had the chance to sponsor them. They received several standing ovations from both the matinee and the gala shows. People come to me during the break and said that they have seen other choral concerts and that this group is the best! A few ladies came and said that they were already in tears and they were just singing Lupang Hinirang. They sing from their souls. It lifts the audience up to something spiritual. They carried us all to a higher level. Don't miss this if they come to your area. Highly recommended!!!

From Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Director of the Asian Culture Center, Indiana University 

Last night's performance was SUPERB!  The Himig Singers were excellent. They really captured the audience's interest from the time they sang both the national anthems of the Philippines and the U.S.  until their finale song which was Dugong Pilipino.  The crowd was moved to tears, both Filipinos and Americans, by their music. Choreography was very creative.

Almost every song they performed was received with a standing ovation.  We had strong competition last night, there were 3 big shows, like the musical "Chicago", and another opera show on campus, plus of course halloween parties here and there. But fortunately we had about close to two hundred people who came and really enjoyed the show.

They're versatile.  You see we had Indiana University's African-American Choral Ensemble as our guest performers (they did one number together). They were also very good, but the quality of the voices of the Himig Singers is distinctively unique and very captivating.  Repertoire was excellent.

From Ric and Elsie Santa Cruz, host family:

Thanks a lot for sharing with us the email of Mr. Sapaula.  The only comment we have is that the visit of the Himig Singers in DC was too short. We were prepared to show our guests around.  However, it was them who asked to sleep late on Thursday.  We were able to show them the "must" see places including the money factory.  They should have had about two days or more free time for us to bring them around.  We don't mind hosting them. Our children who are of the same age range became friends with them instantly.  Because of our guests and the others they met and mostly because of their songs, our children now want to go to Davao for a visit.

This is the priceless value of the performance of the Himig Singers.  We hope you will involve us again when a Filipino group comes here, not only from Davao but from anywhere from the Philippines.

Toronto Captivated

(Article from FILIPINIANA, a community newspaper published in Toronto, Canada)

Audiences in Toronto were wowed by the Himig Singers, a visiting choral group from Davao City, Philippines, who were recently in town for a slew of performances. This was the group's second visit to Toronto, having regaled the city with their melodious music for two shows in October of last year, at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre. People who watched them at that time were left yearning for more of their uniquely evocative brand of harmony.

The Singers have had a similarly spellbinding effect on audiences worldwide, having won accolades for their music in the Philippines, Europe, and North America. From the time of the choir's formation in 1989, by former members of a high school choir called the Singing Teens, they have consistently captivated music lovers by their angelic voices and warm hearts. In 1990, barely a year after the choir was formed, they joined the prestigious National Music Competitions for Young Artists, and won First Prize. They repeated this feat in 1993. Thus began a stream of awards and recognition, the most memorable of which came during their second international tour in 1997. They joined the 26th International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, and the XV International Music Festival in Cantonigros, Spain, and won First Prize in both competitions. 

Thus it was that the Canadian fans of the Himig Singers were regaled with an eagerly awaited repeat performance. This time around, they were not disappointed. The Himig Singers enchanted audiences at various churches in and around Toronto. Their first performance, barely two days after their arrival in Canada, was at the church of Our Lady of the Airways, Mississauga. The audiences was treated to a musical melange of songs, from solemn classic like Benoit's "Ave Maria", to modern jazz hits like the Manhattan Transfer's "Operator", to Filipino favorites like "Mamang Sorbetero". As the last note of Gines Tan's "Magsimula Ka" struck, the audience rewarded the choristers with a resounding ovation.

The Himig Singers paid a courtesy call to Philippine Consul General Susan Castrence of the Philippine Consulate in Toronto, who was also treated to several impromptu songs. 

In Ottawa, Philippine Ambassador Francisco Benedicto graced the performance at St. Brigid's Church, and visibly enjoyed the entire performance. Even the most stoic of listeners was moved by the choir's soul-stirring rendition of "Lupang Hinirang", meanwhile, a Canadian confided that she'd never heard "O Canada" sung more beautifully, and by a non-Canadian group at that! The audience enjoyed the witty all-male rendition of "Sa Tabi Ng Punong Saging", as well as more soulful songs like "Usahay" and "Paraiso". At the end of the concert, and after yet another standing ovation, Mr. Benedicto and his wife shook hands with each chorister to express their deep appreciation and pride at the Himig Singer's success.

Concerts at various other churches in and around Toronto followed: at Sr. Boniface and St. Thomas More in Scarborough, and St. Joseph's in downtown Toronto. At all these venues, the Singers were adulated by Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, who were amazed at how such a small group of 25 singers could fill an entire church with their majestic voices. Not only could they produce such marvelous melodies as a group, but also the soloists' voices soared well above the polyphony when necessary. 

Part of the credit for such discipline and harmony should go to Mr. Alvin Aviola, the choir's musical director and conductor, who selected the repertoire for each concert and made full use of his vast knowledge of music to mold the raw talents of his choir members.

The Himig Singers capped the tour with a bravura performance at the Minkler Auditorioum at Seneca College on Saturday, September 16. Many of the audience members had been present at last year's performance, and they were one in agreeing that this show was a fitting encore. The colorful array of costumes and the apt choreography enchanted the striking effect of the Singers' voices. The repertoire was a brilliant mixture of classical, modern and folk music. The audience clamored for more each time the Singers made their curtain calls, and they were rewarded with three encores!

Finally, the conductor, Alvin Aviola, motioned for the choir to take their bows one last time, and the audience relented. After all, there's always next year.

The successful shows of the Himig Singers are another quality presentation of QuadMark Entertainment and the Bertumen & Bertumen Promotions, the same partnership that produced the shows of Ms. Joey Albert and most recently, the Philippine Ballet Theatre. 

A Powerhouse of Vocals

(Article from L.A. Asian Journal, written by Jackie Regala)

It must be the angels singing from heaven! At least that was my initial reaction when I heard the Himig Singers rehearse in a hall in Carson.
Their ardent supporter, Lem Balagot (yes, of L.A. Rose Café), made the invitation possible. Though I miss their talked about performance on Carson Civic Center, I was fortunate enough to hear them sing all sorts of songs for me - from the famous Broadway "Mama Mia" to ABBA's "Dancing Queen" to the gospel tune based on the prayer of St. Francis de Assisi.

The Himig Singers may be new to your ears but in the Philippines, they have become one of the most decorated and awarded groups, garnering trophies in competition and being recognized as an excellent choir in every place they visit.

During two Europeans tours, the Himig Singers never failed to astound audiences as they presented a refreshing blend of choral music ranging from Filipino contemporary compositions and folk song arrangements. They have impressed the audiences all over the world with their renditions of choral composition from various eras such as Renaissance, Classical to Romantic and that of the most contemporary pieces from jazz, pop and Broadway.

Thus, watching Himig Singers perform is truly delightful because they cater to all your music needs. Their repertoire has the perfect combination for audiences of various musical tastes, which is why their concert is geared towards the enjoyment of the whole family.
The Himig Singers, for a briefer, was formed on September 1988. They are a group of college students from different universities in the Philippines who banded together to share their common interest in choral music.

Back home in Manila, the Himig Singers is known as a powerhouse having been awarded first prize in the national finals during the National Music Competitions for Young Artists in 1990 and 1993. They have been singled out as the Best Performing Group in the college choir level.

But what seem to amaze me as I read through the Himig's list of achievements are the awards they garnered for themselves in the international scene. Are you ready for this? Here goes: Grand Prize Winner, 1997 at the 26th International Youth & Music Festival in Vienna, Austria; 1st prize winner, 1997 at the Polyphonic Category, and 4th prize winner at the XV International Music Festival in Cantonigros, Spain. They continued to be winners in prestigious competitions, such as the 36th Concorso International di Canto Corale in Italy.

Incidentally, behind the Himig Singers and its music success is musical director Alvin Aviola, who is actually a protégé of Prof. Joel Navarro. The latter is acknowledged as one of the finest conductors in the Philippines.

Currently, the Himig Singers are on a Canada-USA concert tour. This tour is made special as it is also a fundraising effort to help their fellow choir member, Alex Bao, 20 who was recently diagnosed with CNL Leukemia and is in dire need of a Bone Marrow Transplant. Bao, who is studying to be a missionary priest, needs $250,000.00 for the procedure.

By April, we shall see them once more as they perform in their much-awaited concert in Los Angeles along with special guest, Lani Misalucha. All those who saw them perform in Carson Civic had nothing but praises for the group and like what the majority said, "Bitin kami."

Thus, through the kindness of Forex Cargo, the group will be back on stage on a grander scale and highly interesting repertoire. Details of this concert will follow shortly via ads on this same publication. But for those who already wish to be included in the list of ticket buyers you may call me at 562-529-8680, Lem Balagot or Teng Perez at 323-665-9281.

We also say it with pride, that our very own Himig Singers recently performed before very pleased audiences during the Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles, the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies for both the City of Los Angeles and city of Glendale, at the Lobby of the Ernst & Young and the world-famous Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.

Liane Harris, PHP Foundation | Melanie Cullather, Indiana University | Ric & Elsie Sta. Cruz
Toronto Captivated | Powerhouse Vocals | Back to top