Aug 202017
 

Rench Isaac Soriano from the Dance Pull School of Performing Arts in Bacolod has won the Youth Asian Grand Prix (AGP) International Ballet Competition in Hongkong, capping the Philippine campaign with a grand win, while Ballet Manila’s Brian Sevilla took home the silver medal, and Joshua Rey Enciso received the Sansha Prize.

Rench Isaac Soriano

Rench Isaac Soriano [via Asian Grand Prix]

Soriano and a female dancer from South Korea bagged the grandest awards at the AGP for “exceptional talent and high standard of artistry and technique,” winning against 340 contestants from 15 countries who went through jury reviews through week-long classic and contemporary dance classes and performances at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

Brian Ramos Sevilla won the silver medal in the Junior B category

Brian Ramos Sevilla won the silver medal in the Junior B category [by Eileen Lopez via Ballet Manila Archives]

The 16-year- old student from Dance Pull and the Philippine High School for the Arts brought home 30,000 HK dollars as part of his prize, along with two full year tuition scholarships from New Zealand School of Dance and the Shanghai Dance School.

Soriano, in an ABSCBN report, shared how the big win for the Philippines made him feel. "It was really unimaginable. It was really unexpected. I can't even explain about it but, I'm so happy not just for myself, but for mu family, for my country and for my province," the young dancer said.

Sevilla’s silver medal finish also won for him scholarships from the Elmhurst Ballet School and the Houston Ballet Academy, and the Harlequin Floor Prize for support in travel expenses.

Joshua Enciso placed fifth in the Senior category

Joshua Enciso placed fifth in the Senior category [by Susan A. De Guzman via Ballet Manila Archives

Enciso’s Sansha Prize came from his performance of Solor Variation from La Bayadere in the Senior Category.

Both Sevilla and Enciso are trainee dancers from the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila.

Sevilla who performed the Franz Variation despite a sprained left leg shared said in a Ballet Manila release, "Hindi na po ako umasa na makaka-place ako dahil nga po sa paa ko. Pero sa awa naman po ng Diyos, naka-silver pa rin, kaya nagpapasalamat ako (I didn't expect to place anymore because of what happened to my leg. But with God's grace, I still got silver, so I am very thankful)."

The Philippines’ 3 winning performances at the AGP comes after the 2016 winning performances of 12 young Filipino dancers at the 6th edition of the ballet tilt which was established in 2011.

 

The post Rench Soriano wins Ballet Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong appeared first on Good News Pilipinas.

Aug 112017
 
UPLB Choral Ensemble bags Grand Prix in Singapore

The University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble (UPLBCE) dominated the 10th Orientale Concentus International Choral Festival held at the School of the Arts in Singapore, beating finalists from five other countries to bring home the Grand Prix title. University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble [via Facebook] The Philippine state university’s official choral group won the following titles from the 10th Orientale Concentus: Grand Prix Champion Category Winner (Gold II) – Mixed Choir Category A2 Category Winner (Gold II) – Sacred Music Category Special Prize for the Most Promising Young Conductor – Roijin Suarez The 26-member choir received a trophy and $20,000 after their winning performance in the Grand Prix finals against choral groups from Hongkong, Taiwan, South Africa, Indonesia, and Czech Republic. The UPLB Choral Ensemble was founded in 1991 by former members of the UP Rural High School Glee Club. It is now composed of UPLB students and alumni. On campus, it is recognized as a student cultural organization and performs regularly at university functions.   The post UPLB Choral Ensemble bags Grand Prix in Singapore appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: UP Madz win Choral Grand Prize in Italy UP Concert Chorus wins Grand Prix in Poland Kammerchor Manila bags grand prizes at Italy and Spain Filipino choir groups triumph in Vietnam choral competition