Written by Geosemay Osalbo, Princess Marie Secretario, Geraldine Segundo, Rayjan James Ebba and Harold Deane Piog
The University of Baguio Voices Chorale (UBVC), the resident choral group of the university, proudly brought home double gold at the Taipei International Choral Competition (TICC) 2025. The competition took place from July 30 to August 1, 2025, in Taipei City, Taiwan.
UBVC competed against numerous internationally acclaimed choirs from around the world, including participants from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan, among others. The group excelled by winning the Gold Award in both the Youth Category, with an impressive score of 90.35, and the Ethnic/Traditional Category, where they achieved an outstanding score of 90.65.
For the Youth Category, UBVC’s repertoire included a Baroque piece, a contemporary composition, and a work by an emerging Filipino arranger. In the Ethnic/Traditional Category, their program featured folk songs from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Latvia. The choir was highly praised by one of the adjudicators for their excellent programming choices.
UBVC’s preparation for the competition spanned seven months, including an intensive two-month training session over the summer term. The group’s repeated success in winning gold awards is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and commitment to maintaining international standards while proudly showcasing both their city’s and the country’s musical heritage to the world.
This achievement also reflects the University of Baguio’s support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 4: Quality Education – by nurturing young talents through rigorous training, mentorship, and exposure to international platforms, ensuring that students gain not just technical skills but also cultural and artistic growth.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by promoting and preserving cultural heritage through the performance of traditional and folk music, UBVC strengthens community identity and fosters pride in local and national artistry.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – by participating in global competitions and collaborating with international choirs, UBVC builds cultural bridges that encourage mutual understanding, friendship, and international cooperation.
Through music, UBVC demonstrates that education, culture, and collaboration can harmoniously unite to build more inclusive, creative, and sustainable communities.
