Lingayen- – -Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III lauded the Pangasinan Provincial Chorale (PPC) for notching anew the 3rd runner-up spot in the Philippine Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) 6th Government Choral Competition held September 13 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
The PPC was among the eight grand finalists of the national competition and was given a special award for being the best regional entry for Luzon.
This year’s grand championship was captured by the Tagum City Chamber Chorale while Bayugan City Educator’s Chorale and PAGIBIG Fund Chorale notched the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up spots, respectively.
The following special awards were given to the following choral groups: Best Regional Entry NCR, Pagibig Fund Choral; Best Regional Entry Visayas, Guimaras Capitol Chorale; Best Regional Entry Mindanao, Tagum City Chamber Chorale; Best Conductor, Anthony Villanueva (Pagibig Fund Chorale); Best Arrangement of Competition Song, John August Pamintuan of Tagum City Chamber Chorale.
As a backgrounder, the PPC was formed by then governor and now 5th district representative Amado T. Espino, Jr. purposely to help revive classical Pangasinan songs and to promote Pangasinan language via songs.
PPC, which was formed during the first term of then Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., was originally composed of 23 provincial government employees but has increased to almost 40 members since its launching.
Since their establishment, the PPC was able to perform in events in and outside the province mostly as front acts. The group was given an opportunity to perform in Jakarta, Indonesia for some series of singing engagements in seven Christian Communities /Churches there which was made possible by the Jakarta Theological Seminary under the directorship of Rev. Stephen Suleeman.
In 2014, the PPC placed 3rd runner-up in the CSC’s national choral competition. (Ruby R. Bernardino)