UNEP Chorale Bags Sumagang Award

IRIGA CITY ----  The University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) Chorale was awarded the prestigious 2009 Sumagang Award for Outstanding Achievements in Music and Culture by the Iriga City government as part of the highlights of the celebrations of the city's 41^st Charter Foundation anniversary on Sept. 3 at the ceremonial grandstand here.

The Sumagang Awards is the highest civilian recognition given by the city government to its most outstanding citizens or group of individuals for exemplifying exceptional achievements in their chosen fields of profession or occupation, specialization or expertise, which brought honors and good name to the city.

The 2009 Sumagang awardee for Music and Culture has won international and national recognitions for its excellent performances.  These include: the Highest Silver Diploma Award in 2006 during the World Choir Games in Xiamen, China; Silver and Gold Awards in the 2008 Hong Kong International Youth and Children's Choir Festival. It also received an "Ani ng Dangal Award" from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts last year.

The creation of the UNEP Chorale was inspired by the matriarch of the university and is also its co-founder, Dr. Remedios R. Alfelor, who is an arts lover. In fact, her late husband, former Camarines Sur Gov. Felix Ordas Alfelor Sr. first laid his eyes on her  when she sang in a social event at the town plaza. That meeting led to their love and marriage and what is now UNEP, one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Bikol.

Delicia Alfelor-Tibi, daughter of Governor and Mrs. Alfelor, inherited her mother's musical talent. Aside from her lovely voice, Tibi who is the UNEP's vice president for Finance, also plays the organ well.

UNEP President Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda, elated by the Sumagang award given to the university chorale, said that the award is a solid proof of UNEP's high level of quality and excellence in the field of curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Moraleda congratulated the trainers and members of the choir for being the only group chosen as this year's Sumagang awardee. "UNEP is proud of your accomplishment," she told the student singers.

Four other individuals were named as Sumagang honorees, namely: Msgr. Luis Jonie V. Aguirre, parish priest of the St. Anthony of Padua Parish;  Fil-Am psychiatrist, Dr. Marietta Aster Nagrampa Almazan; Human Rights Commission Chair, Atty. Leila M. De Lima; and taekwando Olympian, Tshomlee Go.

Iriga City Councilor Romulo Corporal Jr., chairman of the 11-man 2009 Sumagang Awards Committee, said that UNEP Chorale was nominated by SM City Naga Marketing Officer Irving Noleal.