Villar files resolution commending the Madrigal singers

Senate President Manny Villar filed Senate Resolution No. 105 paying tribute to the Philippine Madrigal Singers who won the prestigious European Grand Prix for Choral Singing on Aug. 27 in Italy.

The choral group beat competitors from Russia, Hungary, Cuba and Taiwan, displaying a 20-minute excellent performance which featured John Pamintuan's arrangement of Pater Noster, a French madrigal, a German art song, the American contemporary song, "We beheld once again the stars" by Z. Randall Stroope, and a children's song from Maguindanao, "Kaisa-isa nyan" by Nilo Alcala.

It is the second time the Philippine Madrigal Singers won the award, the first time was in 1997.

Villar's resolution stated, "It is the first and only choir to win twice in what is known as the choral Olympics of the world in the annual competition's history since it was organized in 1989."

The formidable Madrigal Singers was founded in 1963 by National Artist for Music Andrea Veneracion, who led the choir in winning various international choral competitions.

Villar, president of the Nacionalista Party, filed the resolution on Aug. 29.