CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Marbel Children’s Chorus of Koronadal City and South Cotabato captured the overall Grand Prix Championship at the 3rd Thailand International Choral Festival, bringing home top honors from the Aug. 3–7 competition in Bangkok.
The Mindanao-based young singers dominated two major categories and posted the highest score in the entire international festival, marking another milestone for the ensemble on the global stage.
In the Folksong Category, the choir earned a Gold Medal after recording a remarkable 91.38 average score, the highest grade awarded to any participating choir.
The group also won the Young Children’s Choir Category, scoring an average of 88.78.
Adding to the choir’s haul, conductor Jeward T. Cardenas received the Outstanding Conducting Award for his musical leadership and direction.
The victories capped five days of competition among choirs in Bangkok and highlighted the talent of young performers from Mindanao.
Choir leaders credited the achievement to the singers’ countless hours of rehearsals, discipline and commitment, as well as the continued support of their families and home community.
For Koronadal and South Cotabato, the international triumph puts the region’s young musical talent in the global spotlight.
