CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, September 1, 2018 – Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones believes that the Department of Education (DepEd) is one government agency that never fails to integrate music into almost all of its programs and activities.
She shared this during the concert dubbed as “Lahi: Kultura, Musika, Atbp.” held at the Rodelsa Hall of Liceo de Cagayan University on August 22, featuring the Manila Concert Choir (MCC) which she currently leads as part of the sopranos.
A multi-awarded and internationally acclaimed choral group that consists of professionals, housewives, and students, the MCC serenaded Kagay-anons with songs of praise and thanksgiving, and an all-Filipino repertoire under the baton of Glen Cantada and the accompaniment of pianist Agape Manigsaca Labuntog.
“We would like to show that through our music, we can present our songs in various dialects whether in Cebuano, Tagalog, and Ilocano, among others,” the Education chief mentioned.
“The Manila Concert Choir represents much of what music means to us as Filipinos,” she continued, describing MCC as a community choir because of its members who come from various communities. “Our group is bound by our love for music,” the Secretary added.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones joined the participants of the Higalaay Choral Competition held at the Centrio Mall Activity Center in Cagayan de Oro City on August 21, 2018 as part of their annual fiesta.
On August 21, Briones and MCC also graced the 2018 Higalaay Choral Competition: A Thousand Voices concert as part of the celebration of the city’s annual fiesta honoring their patron, St. Augustine. Fourteen choral groups from the different schools divisions of the Northern Mindanao Region vied for the championship at the Activity Center of Centrio Malls.
“I would like to congratulate DepEd Region X for leading the tradition of conducting the annual regional choral contest. It is, indeed, a pleasure for me and the MCC to be invited. Since we grew up with music, joining choral singing activities has been my and MCC’s habit,” Briones shared.
She likewise acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Regional Office led by Director Arturo Bayocot, the local government led by City Mayor Oscar Moreno, as well as the participating provinces and academic institutions for the realization of the musical retreat.
“That is what music is all about, and this is why I say music is the soul of DepEd,” Briones further relayed.
“Even amid our differences in perspective, religion, or politics, we all come to understand each other when it comes to music,” she concluded.
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