GALLERY | Malolos-based vocal ensemble tops 1st Akapela Open Grand Finals

Acappellago perform their winning number. (Rhoy Cobilla/InterAksyon)

A vocal ensemble composed of five students from Bulacan State University won the first Akapela Open Grand Finals at the Meralco Theater last October 30.

With jeepney riding as a unifying theme, the group called Acappellago performed a mesmerizing medley of OPM classics, including Ryan Cayabyab’s well-loved “Isang Dipang Tao”, en route to the grand cash prize of P250,000 and more importantly, the bragging rights of being the first ever winner in the national a capella group singing contest presented by The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab with the PLDT Smart Foundation and One Meralco Foundation.

Besting eight other formidable competitors from all over the country, the Malolos-based Acappellago is a recently formed ensemble composed of Trishia Marie Ilingan, Daniel Briones, Avin Laderas JC Arizapa and Ron Laderas, all whom were members of the Bulacan State University Chorale Group’s Saring Himig Chorale.

The group said they drew much of their inspiration from Pentatonix, an American a cappella group also composed of four guys and one girl who won the top prize in the third season of the popular American reality a capella competition series “The Sing-Off”.

That TV series, along with “Glee”, “Smash” and the hit musical comedy film “Pitch Perfect”, which also highlighted a singing group competition, all contributed to the resurgence of a capella singing all over the world, including the Philippines.

“This ‘open’ competition has attracted the best contemporary a capella ensembles in the country. Our finalists have come from as far as Digos in Davao, to as near as Quezon City with members coming from diverse from professionals to college students, with most being non-professional musicians,” said Cayabyab, the moving force behind the project.

True enough, it was the provincial groups that excelled in the contest. Placing second to Acappellago is the eight-member Pinopela from Baguio City who captivated the audience with their medley of recent pop hits like fun’s “We Are Young”, Maroon 5’s “Payphone” and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”, among others. Composed of former members of the city’s Saint Louis University Glee Club, the group won P150,000 for their 1st runner-up finish.

In addition to placing 2nd runner-up which is good for an equally cool P100,000 cash prize, the Diliman-based 1415 also won an additional P50,000 for Best Arrangement of an OPM song for their stunning rendition of the Eraserheads’ classic, “Alapaap”.

Another eight-member ensemble, 1415’s performance was also visually stimulated by one member wearing a Halloween-themed costume and makeup.

The other finalists were D’Trendz from Digos City in Davao, Fivibe also from Davao, Overtone composed of UST One Voice Engineering Chorale members, Tafttonic, composed of students from De La Salle University, the Xavier University Glee Club Showstoppers and the all-male a cappella “boy band” W/Plesha.

In a surprise announcement by One Meralco Foundation and Meralco Chief Operating Officer Oscar S. Reyes, all non-winning contestants were given P30,000 as consolation cash prize.

Using voices in lieu of musical instruments, many of these competing groups further enhanced their performances with lively choreography and stunning beatboxing. In true a cappella spirit, hosts Banjo Gonzales, Pael Gutierrez and Enzo Mendoza sang some of their spiels, including introducing the finalists a cappella style. They even brought the house down with their “freestyling” interaction with the appreciative crowd.

The a cappella opening number of Top 40 classics by the combined forces of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers and Baihana set the right tone for the rest of the largely enchanting evening.

Aside from Mr. C, the other judges of the competition included noted choral conductor Jonathan Velasco, Baihana member and music educator Krina Cayabyab, singer and musician Monet Silvestre. The finalists were judged according to the criteria of musicality, musicianship and stage presence.

With the success of the 1st Akapela Open, Ryan Cayabyab said the competition has succeeded in promoting the love for contemporary a cappella singing and the appreciation of vocal harmony performance, among its other objectives. Mr. C hopes to stage an even bigger singing competition of this kind next year and in the years to come.

“We are such a musical, singing nation that for sure, this competition will liven up communities, barangays, schools, churches and other institutions who find joy in singing together,” he exclaimed.

GALLERY | Malolos-based vocal ensemble tops 1st Akapela Open Grand Finals

Source: InterAksyon.com (November 04, 2013 at 09:50AM)

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