The UP Cherubim and Seraphim (UPCS), official children’s choir of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, is celebrating 50 years of joyful singing with a virtual concert, “Aurea Carmina” (Golden Songs), to be premiered on its official Facebook page @UP Cherubim & Seraphim on September 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Founded in 1971 by Prof. Flora Zarco Rivera of the UP College of Music, the group has championed the development of a unique Filipino repertoire for children by regularly commissioning new works, drawing on this archive, and sharing this repertoire with children all over the country. The golden anniversary concert will feature songs by Lucio San Pedro (“Sa Mahal Kong Bayan”), Felipe Padilla de Leon (“Maligayang Bati”), Eudenice Palaruan (“Sa Dakong Sikatan”), Joey Ayala (“Manong Pawikan”), and Ryan Cayabyab (“Nais Ko” and “Bata ang Bukas”) in fresh new choral arrangements by Krina Cayabyab, Nhick Pacis, Phoebe Roa Pacleb and UPCS alumna, Annie Roque-Nepomuceno.
The choir consists of 28 talented young artists ranging in age from 7-16 and drawn from the UP Integrated School and other institutions from the communities surrounding UP, the national University. It is currently led by Elena Rivera Mirano (Director Emeritus) and Alyssa Liyana Dioquino (Associate Conductor), with Celinda Guevarra and Michelle Nicolasora as pianists.
They will be joined by five decades of singers coming from the ranks of the group’s alumni. Special guest performers include Joey Ayala, Ryan Cayabyab, Lynn Sherman (also an alumna of the group), Solinda Bautista, Vikoy Bautista, Felicitas Cabildo, Luisa Dioquino, Phoebe Roa Pacleb, and Robin Rivera, instrumentalists.
The concert is brought to you through the generous sponsorship of the UP Diliman Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA). Visit the UP Cherubim and Seraphim’s official website for more information.
