The "My City My SM" event at SM City mall showed us the
historical and cultural side of Santa Rosa. (Read more:)

HURRY! - it's your last chance to see and hear Lea Salonga's delightful live performance
in "CATS" at CCP MAIN THEATER (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo), Pasay City.
The award-winning musical's Philippine run has been extended until August 22 to accommodate the multitude of Lea Salonga fans on this welcome return visit to her
home stage midst ongoing international success. You can book online at TicketWorld.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) has announced that
the Philippine-made 2010 Vios is now available. (Read more:)

There's a breath of fresh air in Santa Rosa education. (Read more:)
Also visit our Education page.

16 year old Jessica Watson is youngest ever round-the-world solo sailor. (Read more:)

Visit the Philippine Pavilion at Shanghai World Expo 2010. (Read more:)

Cynthia Mamon's work is recognized with
IABC Award in Pasig City. (Read more:)

Pinoy Global Success

BOXING IS NOT THE ONLY BREEDING GROUND

OF PHILIPPINE WORLD CHAMPIONS

Our story's title is from the famous song by "Queen", one of England's most popular rock bands of all time, and the more recent version by our own Arnel Pineda is considered even better than Freddie Mercury's original. The photo in our subtitle above is of the most celebrated operatic tenor in history, Italy's Luciano Pavarotti, dedicating a trophy in his name to be awarded to the choir judged to be best in the world at the famous and prestigious annual Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. If Luciano Pavarotti was alive today, he would be as proud of the UST Singers' performance as we Filipinos are.


UST choir members express their joy after receiving the award.
This year's overall best and winner of "Choir Of The World 2010", triumphing over 91 choirs from more than 50 countries including the USA, England, Russia, Germany, China and Japan, was the University of Santo Tomas Singers. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas is the oldest university in Asia, and to coincide with its 400th anniversary in 2011 it will be establishing campuses outside Manila, including one at Santa Rosa City Laguna.

University of Santo Tomas Singers is the name given to its premiere mixed choral ensemble consisting of selected students and alumni representing its various colleges and faculties. It already had a remarkable history of international successes and won the Choir Of The World and Pavarotti Award in 1995. Triumph at this year's Eisteddfod made it the only choir from any country ever to win it twice. What a phenomenal achievement, both for the choir and for its founder and conductor Prof. Fidel G. Calalang, Jr.


Prof. Fidel G. Calalang, Jr. (left) triumphantly holds aloft the Pavarotti trophy.
Prof. Calalang has won many individual awards including Best Conductor Prize at the 2002 Tonen International Choral Competition in Holland, where the UST Singers also won the Grand Prize, and the Philippine Parangal ng Bayan Award for National Achievers (twice) in the field of arts and culture. He is held in great esteem by his international peers, and is in constant demand to give talks and join judging panels at choral competitions all over the world.

Eisteddfod is a Welsh word (from Wales, United Kingdom) meaning Festival of Literature, Music And Performance. The first Eisteddfod has been traced back to 1176 at Cardigan Castle, where Lord Rhys held a grand gathering of poets and musicians from all over the country. It later evolved into the National Eisteddfod of Wales, the oldest and biggest festival of competitive music and poetry in the world. This long established national festival inspired the creation in 1947 of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.


Jubilation continues as the choristers all get to touch the world-famous trophy.
Attracting musicians, singers and dancers from around the globe, Llangollen's colorful festival with its unique "Spirit of Peace and Goodwill" is acknowledged to be the world’s greatest music festival that gives special focus to the human voice. For choirs and solo vocalists as well as for dancers and instrumentalists there's a competition for everyone.

International contestants are also invited to perform outside the competitions in evening concerts featuring world-class guest artists. But the Llangollen experience isn't limited to the stage. Competitors take part in a spectacular street parade and join in the festival atmosphere on the Eisteddfod Field.


UST Singers rejoice and judges applaud as the final result is announced.
The International Eisteddfod always opens with a special message of peace. It has gone from strength to strength every year since it was founded, and in 2004 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Organizers of the 2010 event together with its panel of distinguished international judges unanimously praised the extremely high standard of every participant choir from around the globe, thereby voting UST Singers to be the highest of the high.

But perhaps the best summing up was from one of their competitors. Lorraine Baisbrown of the White Rosettes choir from England, which won the Close Harmony competition and was a finalist for Choir Of The World, commented in appreciative admiration of the UST Singers' stunning performance: "Beautiful singing by beautiful people."


Philippine Ambassador to the UK Antonio Lagdameo warmly welcomes Prof. Calalang
and the UST Singers on their triumphant return to London.
Our congratulations also to the DFA, its Ambassadors and its friendly, tireless, embassy staff around the world who facilitate, coordinate and provide constant assistance to cultural tours and other events promoting the Philippines - you are all unsung heroes!

Jundel Mazon in top form and in total control

The Philippine National Women's Rugby Sevens Team with coach Matt Cullen