A thousand voices usher in Christmas

MANILA, Philippines - The life-long dream of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab of mounting a concert featuring a thousand voices came into reality last Nov. 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Lea Salonga led the roster of topnotch performers and the powerful voices of 41 choirs in a rare Christmas musical spectacle dubbed as Maestro Ryan Cayabyab at ‘Sang Libo’t ‘Sang Tinig ng Pasko (The Araneta Christmas Special).

Christmas is indeed in the air that night when all-time favorite Filipino Christmas carols reverberated inside the cavernous coliseum, not to mention that the upper stage was adorned with a giant, fully-decorated and lit-up Christmas tree with its top accentuated with a big “star.”

The repertoire, mostly composed and/or arranged by Cayabyab, included Kampana ng Simbahan, Heto na Naman Ang Pasko, Paskong Walang Hanggan, Himig Pasko, Munting Sanggol, Namamasko, Tuloy na Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko, Isang Taong Lumipas, Ang Aking Pamasko, Kumukutikutitap, Mano Po Ninong, Munting Sanggol, Pasko Na Sinta Ko, Sa Paskong Darating, Noche Buena, Miss Kita Kung Christmas, Payapang Daigdig, Pasko na Naman, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit and Sana Ngayong Pasko.

Apart from Salonga, the Awiting Pamasko classics were also rendered by Jed Madela, KC Concepcion, Ariel Rivera, Piolo Pascual, Nyoy Volante, JM Rodriguez, Star Power’s first grand winner Angeline Quinto and Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 winner Marcelito Pomoy, along with distinguished soprano Rachelle Gerodias. Child stars Zaijian Jaranilla and Mutya had a special participation.

The 60-piece Manila Symphony Orchestra accompanied the thousand and one voices of award-winning choirs under the Philippine Choral Directors Association from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. They were grouped in green, red, yellow and blue ensembles, namely: A Cappella Centralites (Manila), Anima Christi Chorale (Lucena City), Ateneo Chamber Singers (Quezon City), Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club (Quezon City), Caltex Chorale (Makati City), The Chamber Choir of Asia (Quezon City), Chorus Philippines (Manila), Coro Ilocano (Laoag City), Divine Majesty Male Choir (Angeles City), Hail Mary The Queen Children’s Choir (Quezon City), The Himig Singers (Davao City), Holy Trinity Chorale (Malabon City), Imusicapella (Imus, Cavite), Kilyawan Consortium of Voices (Quezon City), Koro Ilustrado (Makati), The Lighter Side Movement Choir (Mandaluyong City), Manila Serenata Singers (Makati City), Maryknoll Sanctuary Choir (Baguio City), The Mass Appeal Choir (Quezon City), Miriam College High School Glee Club (Quezon City), Musiko (Muntinlupa City), NAMEI Polytechnic Institute Glee Club (Mandaluyong City), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines Chorale (Quezon City), Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral Choir (Imus, Cavite), Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish Youth Ensemble IV (Bauan, Batangas), Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale (Pasay City), Pansol Choir (Quezon City), Philippine Madrigal Singers (Quezon City), Samiweng Singers (Laoag City), Sta. Teresita Parish Chorale (Quezon City), Silliman University Gratitude & Goodwill Ambassadors (Dumaguete City), The Sisters of Mary School Boystown Choir (Silang, Cavite), The Tala Choir (Caloocan City), Trinity University of Asia Chorale (Quezon City), University of the East Chorale (Manila), University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (Quezon City), University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (Quezon City), University of the Visayas Chorale (Cebu City), Virlanie Children’s Choir (Makati City), Voce Fich (Manila) and Woodrose Chorale (Muntinlupa City).

The Johnny Manahan-helmed concert was the brainchild of Araneta Group vice chair Judy Araneta Roxas, who chanced upon a TV interview of Maestro Cayabyab, wherein he articulated his dream concert of a thousand voices — and the rest is history.

Adding glitter to that night were 2010 Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj and 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup who hosted the musical show.

MOWELFUND executive director Boots Anson-Roa, Agot Isidro and fashion czar Pitoy Moreno were spotted among the audience enjoying the festive Filipino Christmas melodies and joining the crowd in a standing ovation when the last number, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, was collectively sung by the performers (minus KC Concepcion).