DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                                           2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                                 Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-009-65                                                                                                                                                                                                                             04 January 2006

FILIPINO CHORALE HOLDS GOODWILL TOUR IN REPUBLIC OF KOREA

04 January 2005 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that pursuant to the task of promoting Philippine culture through free public concerts, the Embassy sponsored the A Cappella Manila (ACM) ten-day Goodwill Concert Tour from 10 to 25 December 2005 in Seoul to underscore the talents of the Filipino youth.

Entitled, Lakbay Handog Awit: A Traveling Gift of Songs, the pioneering cultural event included well-received performances in key cultural hubs such as the Seodaemun Arts Center, Gyeonggi Arts Center and the Korea Foundation Cultural Center.

As the Embassy's tribute to Filipinos in South Korea, Charge d’ Affaires, a.i. Abraham R. Estavillo informed the Department that the ACM serenaded the Filipino Community during the annual Simbang Gabi. The group capped its visit with a special concert on Christmas day in the district of Hyehwa in Northern Seoul, where renditions of Original Pilipino Music and Christmas carols delighted a large and diverse multinational audience. Their voices floated above cultural differences and brought pride to a teeming Filipino crowd.

The Chorale, which is one of the most respected groups in the Philippine choral music scene, caught the attention of Arirang TV, an international Korean broadcast media, which featured the choir in its daily talk show "Heart to Heart" on 26 December. The interview was aired in the Philippines on the same day and can still be viewed via video-on-demand at Arirang's website, http://www.arirang.co.kr/intro.asp.

The A Cappella Manila, known for its unique harmony and style, is composed of students and professionals who have held concerts throughout the Philippines for more than ten years under the Outreach Program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The ACM has likewise traveled extensively in Asia, Europe and North America. Preparations for its 3rd European Concert Tour in 2007 are underway.

CDA Estavillo said the big cultural event was made possible with the cooperation of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for Filipino Migrants (Hyehwadong), Seoul Metropolitan Government, Hannam International Catholic Church, Philippine Overseas Labor Office and MetroBank-Seoul. END
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

/jay