Iloilo Children's Choir: Listening to God's cherubs

By Wein P. Gadian

An encounter with children is always a remarkable experience. In the Bible, Jesus himself took time to be with the children. It's also a mystery how they make us feel happier or livelier.

Their innocence and smiles are enough to revive us. A hug from them could make us feel life is worth living. A time with them also reminds us of our childhood, whether we play with them or talk to them, see them dance…we would love to hear them sing.

Like in parties we attend, children sing, dance or declaim, and we would cheerfully watch them and clap our hands. We adore these activities. Sometimes we even enroll them to attend workshop for them to improve on their skills. This fondness for children and hearing them singing professionally brought to life Iloilo Children's Choir.

Iloilo Children's Choir is a non-profit choral and performance training organization. It is a recognized premiere choral ensemble for children. Membership is open to children from age 4 to 14. The Iloilo Children's Choir aims to let kids into a world they have not known before, exposing them to discipline, commitment and musical excellence.

Their young voices are chosen after an intensive audition. They are trained to sing with their hearts and minds. They are also equipped with skills to have choral excellence.

The choir undergoes a training module that would last for three months during the summer and four months during the schooldays. And a culminating activity after each module follows. It is a unique musical and educational experience. And a large repertoire ranging from classical music, traditional song, religious, pop and folk music, particularly Ilonggo works and commissions.

This summer, ICC meets on weekdays from 2:30 – 4:30 at 12L 98 Street, Desamparados Jaro Iloilo City.

History of the Choir

The Board of Trustees and the kids during the CAP concert.

It was for the love of children that brought ICC to being. It had its roots during the 2002 Jaro fiesta when a group of children were trained to sing in chorus.

It was then that Mrs. Nilda Lopez- Exmundo proposed a children's choir who will be trained professionally. With her daughter, Melissa Exmundo (violinist), and musician friends they founded the now acclaimed Iloilo Children's Choir in 2003.

From then, the choir has performed in various venues and events in the city such as Robinson's Mall, SM City, the Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados Chapel in Desamparados, Jaro, the Carmelite Monastery Chapel in Sambag, Jaro, the Emmanuel Center, and at the CAP Auditorium where it held its first inaugural concert in January 2004.

The musicians with the choir

The choir is under the musical direction of Beny Castillon, assisted by Gerardo ‘Bimbo' Muyuela. A Board of Trustees headed by Nilda Lopez Exmundo runs and manages the organization. Members of the Board are Gerardo Muyuela, Benny Castillon, Joseph Albania, Melissa Exmundo and Christine Muyco.

Iloilo Children's Choir, members are:

• Julia Cristel Alcain Mel Rose Lacson
• Arlyne Brillantes Abelardo Joseric Lamier
• Blanche Louise Buhia Janine Lubaton
• Maria Christina Cavan Mel Julien Madriguera
• Ian Lorenzo Detanoy Janna Isabel Munion
• Karl Fabronero Kim Alex Nepomuceno
• Carla Hollero Lea Mae Prodigo
• Anna Carmela Jaruda Marie Bianca Trinidad

This June 3, Friday at 6:00 pm listen to them singing at St. Clements Retreat House. Admission is for free. Be there and be filled with their beatific voices.