UPCC Batch 1978

UP Concert Chorus Batch 1978
2nd International Concert Tour and 1st World Tour of the UPCC
July 15, 1978 to September 24, 1978

Highlights

1. The 1978 tour was the first world tour of the UP Concert Chorus
2. Performance in Dallas, Texas for a conference of the Southern Methodist University, Dean Paguio’s Alma Mater, where the group sang the heart-stopping rendition of “Alleluia” by Randall Thompson. The conductors cited the group for the unbelievable pianissimo and the gradual swell of 40 voices that Sir and the butterflies in everyone’s stomach helped achieve.
3. For the Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA) in San Antonio, Texas, the UPCC premiered works of Heinz Werner Zimmerman “In that Great Getting Up Mornin’ ” and a new composition on well-loved rhymes.
   
   
4. A crowd favorite in Barcelona, Spain - “XIV Dia Internacional del Cant Coral” featuring choirs from Europe, South America, Asia and the US. At the final performance of all participating choirs, again, the heart-stopping interpretation of “Alleluia” by Randall Thompson with Dean Paguio’s famous nuances (as cued by his body language) hushed the crowd in the huge hall and brought the house down.
5. The tour repertoire featured for the second time internationally, Dean Paguio’s now signature trailblazing UPCC mix of classics, Filipino songs and choreographed pop songs. To date, most if not all Filipino choirs who have topped international choral competitions and who go on international tours, have adopted this unbeatable combination. The group likewise performed with choreography and the now classic de rigueur pusod and pearl earrings (and no watch, bracelet and necklace) for sopranos and altos; and colorful Filipino traditional or stylized costumes, and the smiles and showmanship that UPCC has come to be known for.

Tour Members


Conductor: Prof. Reynaldo “Rey” T. Paguio
Pianist: Mary Hedwig “Hedy” Satuito
Chaperone and Publicist: Vilma “Mommy” Santiago Felipe
Chaperone: Susan Perez Suntay
Choreographers: Pedro “Edru” Abraham, Lea Bienvenida Locsin Coscoluela
Executive Committee: Victoriano Lecaros, Joel Navarro, Rozzana Verder, Manuel Torres

Sopranos
Helen Abellera
Judith Arellano Torres
Maria Patricia “Maria” Burkhalter Ronquillo
Charito “Chato” Encomienda Seneres
Ma. Estela Lourdes “Twinkle” Felipe Cancio
Ma. Lisa “Lisa” Florentino Kernan
Lea Bienvenida “Lea” Locsin Coscoluela
Mary Ann Thaemar “Thaemar” Panuncialman Achacoso
Ma. Divina Amor “Amy” Pascual
Pamela “Babe” Raya Carlton
Katherine “Kitchy” Valdellon Molina
Pamela “Mel” Verder Bautista
Nerissa “Ritzi” Villarico Ronquillo

Altos
Kathleen “Kathleen” Burkhalter
Elizabeth “Liz” Beltran Cowper
Melissa “Melissa” de la Cruz Lecaros
Karin “Karin” Hollnsteiner (Zuluaga)
Ma. Corazon “Cora” Inovero
Kathleen “Kate” Maceda
Ma. Ligaya “Tata” Mondragon Zamora (Passed away October 1984)
Evangeline “Belen” Perez Miranda
Janet “Jai” Sabas Aracama
Belleza “Belle” Puruganan Villanueva
Melba “Melba” Solidum Lim
Ma. Rosario “Chato” Valdellon Carter
Rozzana “Rozza” Verder Aliga

Tenors
Karl Francis “Karl” Achacoso
Danilo “Danny” Bernabe
Rolando “Rollie” Bernabe
Manuel Antonio “Manny” Bone
Antonio “Tony” Comia
William “Bill’ Cowper
Roberto “Robbie” Cruz
Clemente “Jun” Fronteras
Gideon “Gideon” Gaitano, Jr.
Rafael “Raffy” Kaluag
Alberto “Bert” Miranda
Erwin Rommel “Erwin” Paraso
Aris Jan “Aris” Rivera
Manuel “Manolo” Torres

Basses
Edward “Ding” Achacoso
Meneleo “Meying” Cancio
Eucliff Ricardo “Eucliff” Cheng
Ferdinand “Ferdie” Cruz
Elbert “Elbert” Espeleta
Alfredo “Fredo” Gutierrez
Victoriano “Vic” Lecaros
Edgardo “Ed” Manguiat
Danilo “Danny” Militar
Antonio “Bong” Molina
Joel Magus “Joel”Navarro
Arnulfo “Noli” Robles
Roberto “Robee” Ronquillo

UPCC HARANA QUARTET
Danilo Bernabe, tenor
Alberto Miranda, tenor
Danilo Militar, bass
Victoriano Lecaros, baritone / guitarist

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1978 Tour Itinerary

ASIA
Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Hilton and NHK TV

UNITED STATES
Guam
Honolulu, Hawaii East-West Center
Palo Alto, California Palo Alto First United Methodist Church
San Francisco, California Philippine Consulate General
Los Angeles, California Masonic Temple
Lubbock, Texas
San Antonio, Texas La Villita Civic Auditorium (TCDA)
Dallas, Texas Southern Methodist University
Brunswick, Georgia Calvary Baptist Church
Greenville, North Carolina East Carolina University
Washington, D.C. Georgetown University
Chicago, Illinois
Detroit, Michigan
Houston, Texas St. John The Divine Episcopalian Church
Boston, Massachusetts South Natick, Mass.
New York, New York

CANADA
Montreal, Canada Pollack Hall

EUROPE
Barcelona, Spain XIV Dia Internacional del Cant Coral
Monserrat and other towns around
Barcelona in Cataluna Province
Rome, Italy
Gambach, Germany
Erbach, Germany
Edam
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ASIA
Bangkok, Thailand President Hotel

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Batch 1978 Tour Repertoire

Part I – International Songs

Psalm 100 – Henrich Schultz
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates – Volkmar Leisring
Alleluia - Randall Thompson
Brazilian Psalm – Jean Berger
Crucifixus – Antonio Lotti
Trois Beaux Oiseaux Du Paradis – Maurice Ravel
In the Great Getting’ Up Mornin’ – Heinz Werner Zimmerman
Soon Ah Will Be Done – William Dowson

Part II – Philippine Classics

Choral Cycle No. 2 – Jerry Dadap
Laylay Agulaylay
Nonoy Hulat Anay
Inday Pamutos Na
Salidum-Ay – Rey T. Paguio
Payapang Daigdig – Felipe de Leon
Ili-ili Tulog Anay – Precilla Magdamo
Pamulinawen – arranged by National Artist for Music Lucio D. San Pedro
Iddem-dem Mallida – Elmo Makil
Tinig ng Lupa – Ruben Federizon
Sa Mahal Kong Bayan - National Artist for Music Lucio D. San Pedro

Part III – Philippine Pops (Choreographed)

Lawiswis Kawayan – Jerry Dadap
Lagi Kitang Naaalala – Leopoldo Silos
Noong Unang Panahon – Nonong Pedero
Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak – Leopoldo Silos
Waray-Waray – Santiago Suarez
Saranggola Ni Pepe – Nonoy Gallardo
Neneng – Rodolfo de Leon
Ang Pipit – Rey Alinsod
Pandangguhan – Restituto Umali
Ala-Ala – Francisco Dandan

Special Numbers / Encore

Harana Group songs –Dungawin Mo Hirang
Ikaw ang Mahal Ko
You Light Up My Life – arranged by Ding Achacoso


--- From the tour records and recollections of Ritzi Villarico Ronquillo, Vic and Melissa Lecaros, Rozza Verder Aliga and Belen Perez Miranda