University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors

The U.P. Singing Ambassadors
Also known as	UPSA, SA
Origin	Quezon City, Philippines
Genres	Choral music
Years active	1980–present
Website	Official website

Members	Ed Lumbera Manguiat (Musical director and Conductor, 1980-present) Melvic G. Cano (Assistant Conductor, 2006-present) Luigi Teola (President) Krizzia Rae Jabonillo (Secretary) Ricca Maila Sanchez and Agnes Bernadette Japinan (Finance Officers) Jhera May Tupas (PR Officer) Ed Manguiat (Tour Manager)

The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA) is a choral group from the Philippines. In its 35 years of existence, UPSA has won various prizes and awards in competitions in Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Wales, Hungary and Switzerland. UPSA was also the official entry of the Philippines to the UNESCO International Music Prize in 2005.

In the Philippines, it was named the Best University Choir in 2012 and 2004 at the “Who’s Who in the Philippines” 19th and 27th Consumers’ Choice Awards, respectively. Similarly, UPSA was also chosen as Best Choir in 2011, 2010 and 2002 by the ALIW Awards Foundation which recognizes excellence and achievement in the live entertainment industry.

History

UPSA Conductor Ed Manguiat founded the group in 1980 as a freshman dormitory choir at the State University. He has studied under world-renowned choral musicians and trained under respected names in vocal pedagogy and choral conducting in the Philippines. He has also won various international conductor's awards in choral competitions.

In 2012, UPSA has embarked on its 8th European Competitions and Goodwill Tour (July–September 2012). It won 3rd Prize in the Chamber Choirs Category at the Béla Bartók 25th International Choral Competition in Debrecen, HUNGARY in July. Ed Manguiat also won a Special Prize for Excellent Conducting Performance in the same competition. UPSA also won two (2) 1st Prizes in the Romantic Period Music & Folkloric Categories, and a Second Prize in the Mixed Choirs Category during the 60th Guido d’Arezzo International Polyphonic Competition in Arezzo, Italy in August.

Activities

Performing music from the classical to the most modern genre, UPSA has showcased Philippine culture from the ethnic North and South Philippines which they have presented in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the USA.

UPSA has performed in many national and international music events; sung for weddings of the Philippines' most prominent families; done back-ups for the country's top artists and Josh Groban in his "Awake" concert tour at the Phil. International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila (Oct. 2007); concertized in the most exclusive Petrarca Concert Hall in Arezzo, and Palazzio Vecchio in Florence, Italy and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Through its Outreach Program, UPSA does interactive choral workshop/clinics in the Philippines and abroad which have produced winners like the Silvestre Papa Choir of Sora, Italy (Arezzo, Italy) and the Loboc Children's Choir of Bohol (Barcelona, Spain), among others.

The U.P. Singing Ambassadors finds fulfilment sharing its music to its regular local and international audiences, and more significantly, to the less privileged who are constant recipients of their musical generosity. The UPSA Outreach Program has involved the group in fundraising activities for the sick and the needy and also visits hospital wards, home for the aged and orphanages.

UPSA is one of the Performing Groups based in the U.P. College of Arts & Letters.

Awards & Recognitions

Competition	Date	Location	Awards
Béla Bartók 25th International Choir Competition	July 25–29, 2012	Debrecen, Hungary	Special Prize for Excellent Conducting Performance for ED MANGUIAT 3rd Prize - Chamber Choirs Category
LX Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido d'Arezzo	August 23–26, 2012	Arezzo, Italy	1st Prize - Romantic Period Music 1st Prize - Folklore Music Festival / Prize of the Public 2nd Prize - Mixed Choirs Category
4th Int’l. Choir Festival Mundus Cantat 2008	May 21–24, 2008	Sopot, POLAND	GRAND PRIZE 1st Prize & Gold Diploma - Sacred Music Cat. 1st Prize & Gold Diploma - Folklore Category 1st Prize & Gold Diploma - Pop, Jazz & Spirituals Category
37th Florilege Vocal de Tours	May 29-June 1, 2008	Tours, FRANCE	3rd Prize - Mixed Choirs Category 3rd Prize - Free Program Category Finalist - Grand Prize Competition
Llangollen Int’l. Musical Eisteddfod 2008	July 8–13, 2008	Llangollen, Wales, UK	1st Prize - Chamber Choirs Category 1st Prize - Folklore Choirs Category Finalist - “Choir of the World” Competition
Béla Bartók 23rd Int’l. Choir Competition	July 30-August 3, 2008	Debrecen, HUNGARY	1st Prize - Mixed Choirs Category 3rd Prize - Chamber Choirs Category Finalist - Grand Prize Competition
Festival Choral international de Neuchatel 2008	August 5–9, 2008	Neuchatel, SWITZERLAND	GRAND PRIZE 1st Prize - Mixed Choirs Category
51st Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonia de Torrevieja	August 2005	Torrevieja, SPAIN	1st Prize - Polyphony Category Best Interpretation of a Habanera Premio del Publico (Prize of the Public)
3rd Int’l. Choir Competition of Sacred Music	July 2005	Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC	GRAND PRIZE / Laureate of the Festival 1st Prize - Mixed Choirs Category 1st Prize - Chamber Choirs Category
44th “C.A. Seghizzi” International Choral Competition	July 2005	Gorizia, ITALY	Best Interpretation of an Obligatory Piece ("In Laude", by Giuseppe Di Bianco) Public’s Prize & Jury’s Indication, Folkloric Category
28th “Prof. Georgi Dimitrov” Int’l. May Choir Competition	May 2005	Varna, BULGARIA	4th Place - Chamber Choirs Category
17th International Festival of Academic Choirs	July 2002	Pardubice, CZECH REPUBLIC	1st Prize - Tribute to T. Morley Competition 2nd Prize - Folkloric Category 3rd Prize - Mixed Choir Category
14th EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX (EGP) FOR CHORAL SINGING	August 2002	Arezzo, Italy	FINALIST (Arezzo Representative)
XLIX Concorso Polifonico Internazionale “Guido d’ Arezzo”	August 2001	Arezzo, ITALY	GRAND PRIZE (Gran Premio ‘Citta’ d’ Arezzo’ ) 1st Prize - Polyphony Category Prize of the Public - Folklore Category
Internationale Koorwedstrijd van Vlaanderen-Maasmechelen	Sept. 2001	Maasmechelen, BELGIUM	1st Prize - Mixed Choirs Category
XIX Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros	August 2001	Cantonigros, SPAIN	1st Prize - Folkloric Category
Grand Prix Slovakia 2001 Int’l. Choir Competition	July 2001	Trencianske Teplice, SLOVAKIA	GRAND PRIZE 1st Prize / Cum laude - Mixed Choirs Category 1st Prize / Cum laude - Folklore Category
2nd Johannes Brahms International Choir Competition	2001	Wernigerode, GERMANY	1st Prize / Goldenes Diplom VII - Mixed Choirs Category 1st Prize / Goldenes Diplom VI - Folkloric Category Diregentenpreis (Conductor’s Prize) Sonderpreis - Best Interpretation of a Hungarian Composition
Festival Choral International de Neuchatel	1995	Neuchatel, SWITZERLAND	1st Prize - Mixed Choirs Category
24th Florilege Vocal de Tours	1995	Tours, FRANCE	4th Place / Finalist - Open Programme Category
Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros	1995	Cantonigros, SPAIN	3rd Prize - Folkloric Category Premio del Publico
Nederlands International Koor Festival	1995	Arnhem, The NETHERLANDS	2nd Prize - Mixed Choir Category
XL Concorso Polifonico Internazionale “Guido d’ Arezzo”	1992	Arezzo, ITALY	1st Prize - Folklore Category
International Music Council (IMC) UNESCO Int’l. Music Prize 2005	2005	Paris, France	Nominee, Official Philippine Entry

National Recognition

Organization	Date	Location	Award
The Office of the President & the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)	2013	Manila, PHILIPPINES	Ani Ng Dangal Award
ALIW Awards	2012	Pasay City, PHILIPPINES	HALL OF FAME, Best Choral Group
National Consumers’ Award (Who’s Who in the Philippines)'	2012		Best Choral Group
ALIW Awards	2011	Pasay City, PHILIPPINES	Best Choral Group
ALIW Awards	2010	Manila, PHILIPPINES	Best Choral Group
The Office of the President & the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)	2009	Manila, PHILIPPINES	Ani Ng Dangal Award
National Consumers’ Award (Who’s Who in the Philippines)	2004		Outstanding University Choir, Top Entertainment Award
ALIW Awards	2002	Manila, PHILIPPINES	Best Choral Group
National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA)	1985		1st Prize - College Choirs Category, Regional Finals (National Capital Region) 2nd Prize - College Choirs Category, National Finals
National Finals, National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA)	1983		1st Prize - College Choirs Category, Regional Finals (National Capital Region)
Folk Arts Theatre’s “Karnabal Grande” Choral Competition	December 1983	Manila, PHILIPPINES	Grand Prize
U.P. Himig Choral Competition	1983	Quezon City, PHILIPPINES	1st Prize
Battle of the Best Chorales	1980	Manila, PHILIPPINES	1st Prize

External links

University of the Philippines Diliman

Diliman, Quezon City

Academics	Asian Institute of Tourism Economics Engineering Labor and Industrial Relations Law Library & Information Studies Music Public Administration & Governance Science Social Sciences & Philosophy Social Work & Community Development

Campus	National Science Complex UP Computer Center UP Press UP ITDC Jorge Vargas Museum Parish of the Holy Sacrifice Pre-School Sentro ng Wikang Filipino-Diliman UP Arboretum U.P.–Ayala Land TechnoHub U.P. Town Center

Athletics	UAAP UP Fighting Maroons UP Pep Squad

Life	Philippine Collegian (Kulê) DZUP 1602 UP Madrigal Singers UP Concert Chorus UP Singing Ambassadors Oblation Oblation Run People U.P Diliman Automated Guideway Transit

University of the Philippines

UP President, UP Board of Regents

Units

Constituent universities	UP Baguio UP Cebu UP Diliman UP Los Baños UP Manila UP Mindanao UP Open University UP Visayas

Satellite units	UP Extension Program in Olongapo (Diliman) UP Extension Program in Pampanga (Diliman) UP School of Health Sciences, Aurora (Manila) UP School of Health Sciences, Koronadal City (Manila) UP School of Health Sciences, Leyte (Manila) UP Tacloban College (Visayas)

Basic education units	UP Cebu High School (Cebu) UP High School in Iloilo (Visayas) UP Integrated School (Diliman) UP Rural High School (Los Baños)

Research

National	National Center for Transportation Studies National College of Public Administration and Governance National Crop Protection National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development National Institute of Geological Sciences National Institutes of Health National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology National Institute of Physics National Engineering Center Sentro ng Wikang Filipino

International (hosted)	ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity International Rice Research Institute SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology SEAMEO Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture

Singing groups in the Philippines

School-based choirs

College-based choirs	Adventist University of the Philippines Ambassadors Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club Bukidnon State University Chorale Central Philippine University Bahandi Singers Centro Escolar University Singers Mapua Cardinal Singers PLM Rondalla San Beda College Alabang RUBY Chorale San Beda College Manila Benedictine Chorale University of Santo Tomas Singers University of the East Chorale University of the Philippines Concert Chorus University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors University of the Philippines Manila Chorale University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble Xavier University Glee Club

High school-based choirs	Imus Institute Vocal Ensemble Boscorale De La Salle Zobel Chorale Himig Rosena Ligao National High School Voice Chorale Bacolod City National High School Youth Choir Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School Chorale Miriam College High School Glee Club Muntinlupa Vocal Ensemble Musica Paulinos St. Paul College Pasig High School Chorale St. Scholastica's Academy Marikina High School Glee Club St. Scholastica's College Manila High School Glee Club

Elementary-based choirs	Alicia Bamboo Ensemble Dimiao Children's Rondalla Las Piñas Boys Choir Loboc Children's Choir

Children's choir

Government-based choirs

Supreme Court Choir
House of Representative Chorale

Religious choirs

Professional choirs

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