ABOUT THE CHOIR: History

The Loboc Children’s Choir (LCC) was founded in 1980. It is composed of schoolchildren ages nine to thirteen from the town of Loboc. From an ordinary school choir established for school and community affairs, it has blossomed into one of the most outstanding choirs in the Philippines today.

The LCC is a three-time National Champion of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) - Children’s Choir Category, the most prestigious music competitions in the Philippines, for 2001, 1995, and 1993.

The Choir has held concerts all over the country as well as in other parts of the world. In July 2004, the group was especially invited by World Vision Korea to represent the Philippines in the World Vision 2004 International Children’s Choir Festival held in Korea. The Choir successfully held concerts in Seoul, Ansung, and Incheon and performed

along side children’s choirs from Australia, the U.S.A., Hong Kong, and Korea. With the theme “Imagine a World Where Children Are Safe”, the children of Loboc joined about 600 other children sing a rousing finale that brought forth their message of peace, hope, brotherhood, and love.

One of its memorable projects for 2003 was its partnership with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the leading art museum in the Philippines, which launched an exhibit on the arts and culture of Bohol. The Choir, under the auspices of the Met and of its leaders led by Trustee Bea Zobel Jr. and Executive Director Ino Manalo, regaled the exhibit launch with a special concert, which was followed by a Christmas Concert tour in major business establishments in Makati and Ayala Alabang. This climaxed with a command performance for Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain in a cultural exchange visit to the Philippines. Another memorable project was the highly acclaimed back-to-back concert with the University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA), winner of the prestigious Gran Premio Citta di Arezzo in 2001 during the 49th Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido d’Arezzo in Arezzo, Italy. The concert, aptly entitled “An Evening of Heaven’s Music”, was held in line with the Heritage Conservation Program in the Province of Bohol.

In 2000, it represented the country during the International Children's Culture and Arts Festival in Tianjin, China, and held concerts in Beijing and Hong Kong. In 1996, in a concert dubbed, "On Angels' Wings: From Bohol to the World", the choir toured key cities in the United States. It has performed with the World Youth Orchestra during its concerts in Bohol and Cebu in 1999, and the University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra. And as a 'cultural treasure' of the Province, the group often sings for visiting dignitaries, and local and foreign tourists.

A major highlight of the choir's past activities is its 1st European Concert Tour in September to November of 2003. The group represented the Philippines in the 6th International Folksongs Festival "Europe and Its Songs" held in Barcelona, Spain. In this international competition, LCC bagged the Gold Medal (First Prize) of the Youth Category, and was awarded the Festival Cup or the Grand Prize for garnering the highest point average of 97.5, besting the other 12 choirs from all over the world. The Choir also held very successful concerts in The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, CzechRepublic, Germany, and Switzerland. Its concert repertoire is a combination of classical, folk, modern and children's songs.

However, the Loboc Children's Choir is not only heard in concert halls or auditoriums, but in prisons, hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the aged as well, where its music of hope, love, and joy also find its meaning. It continues to take active part in school, town, and provincial activities.