World-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers Wows Audience in Phnom Penh
26 June 2019, Phnom Penh – Despite the heavy rains on 6 June 2019, the Chaktomuk Theater was jam-packed with representatives from the diplomatic corps, government officials, Filipinos, Cambodians and people of other nationalities eagerly awaiting the one hour-long Friendship Concert by world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers. The concert was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia, with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia (MCFA), as part of celebrations to mark the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
H.E. Som Sokun, Secretary of State of the MCFA, attended as the Guest of Honor and represented Cambodia’s Minister of Culture.
The Philippine Madrigal Singers, fondly called the “MADZ” wowed the audience from their first song “Magdiwang, Magpuri” to Filipino folk songs “Bahay Kubo” and “Chichirichit” to Broadway medley of “Climb Every Mountain,” “Somewhere,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The most poignant song for the locals was Madz’ rendition of “Phnom Penh”, which was composed by King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
In between the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ performance, Phnom Penh-based Sinaglahi Filipinas Dance Troupe, volunteer dancers comprised mostly of Filipino teachers, performed three folk dances, Binasuan, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, and Pag-apir.
While in Phnom Penh, the MADZ also performed in a Friendship Dinner on 7 June 2019 in Raffles Hotel Le Royal attended by Philippine Embassy officials and high-ranking officials of the Royal Government of Cambodia who have played important roles in enhancing Philippines-Cambodia bilateral relations.
The choirmaster of the MADZ, Mr. Mark Anthony Carpio, conducted two lively and interactive workshops on choral singing on 7 and 8 June, one for the music students of the Royal University of Fine Arts and another one for the Filipino community, most of whom were members of choirs. Mr. Carpio taught the participants some useful tips and techniques on breathing, blending, and harmonization.
Ms. Myca Magnolia M. Fischer, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the Embassy, noted that, with the support of the NCCA, the Embassy has been able to bring to Cambodia some of the Philippines’ national treasures, namely Ballet Philippines in 2017, the Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company in 2018, and the Philippine Madrigal Singers in 2019. In a letter to NCCA Chairperson Virgilio S. Almario, Ms. Fischer thanked the NCCA for its invaluable support and expressed the hope that it will continue to cooperate with the Embassy in the conduct of its cultural diplomacy activities. END
