Entering the Vatel Restaurant, Hotel Benilde last November 27 and 28, 2018 was akin to being serenaded by a choir of angels—such angels were members of the College’s very own resident choral group Coro San Benildo who just launched their first album.

During the launch of their self-titled album “Coro San Benildo,” they performed a series of songs from the album such as Rodolfo Delarmente’s onomatopoeic rain chant “Dumbele” to Moses Hogan’s “Battle of Jericho,” which was first recorded by Harrod’s Jubilee Singers in 1922, and “This is Me” from the 2017 musical film The Greatest Showman. Each song included a different element to the showcase of talent, with members of Karilyo Shadowplay Company and the Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company joining the chorale group for certain performances.

In an interview with The Benildean, choral director and choirmaster maestro Lorenzo Gealogo said the album consists of the actual set of songs that Coro San Benildo performed while competing in the 46th Florilege Vocal de Tours in Tours, France last May 2017.

“Some of the songs are French songs and some songs are period songs like Renaissance, Baroque, Modern, Contemporary, and Ethnic Filipino folk, so it’s a mix of all the genres of music,” he said.

“This versatility and range has garnered Coro much acclaim in international competitions. As of now, we hold eight international choral competition titles in seven international tours,” he added. Among these international titles, the Prix Du Public (Audience Choice Award) was won at the Florilege Vocal de Tours.

Many of the songs performed by Coro San Benildo have strong ties to faith and an appreciation to historical-cultural heritage. This is because of their expertise in genres such as Renaissance, Ethnic, and Baroque, or genres with themes and subjects that focused on nature and the Bible.

When asked to share some insight on the whole experience, Mr. Gealogo shared, “This is the anecdote that I always inculcate to my members. It comes from an African proverb, ‘If you wanna go fast, go alone. If you wanna go far, go together,’ because that’s what Coro San Benildo is—we always go together.”

With their vocal versatility, and steady, disciplined training under Mr. Gealogo, Coro San Benildo’s mark in the international music scene continues to grow.

The album is available for sale for Php 500 each until stocks last and can be ordered via phone or email at +632 2 230-5100 or culture.arts@benilde.edu.ph respectively.

Photos by Anne Valmeo