Showing a world-class performance during a series of presentation in the 4th North Sumatra International Choir Competition on August 27-31 in Parapat-Laguboti, Lake Toba North Sumatra, Indonesia, the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College Cantamos Chorale brought home 2 gold medals for the Folklore and Mixed Choir category and a silver medal in Church category. The competition was participated in by domestic and international choir groups coming from Vietnam, Medan, Singapore and the Philippines who competed in four (4) categories namely; Church Music, Pop Music, Mixed Choir and Gospel Music. Apart from the competition, the event also featured a
friendship concert and a workshop facilitated by choir conductor from Sweden – Mr. Bengt Ollen and Mr. Bienvenido B. Constantino Jr. from the Philippines who were also two of the juries. The other three juries were John Hopper (USA), Aida Swenson Simanjuntak (Indonesia), and Inessa Bodyako (Belarus).
There were 18 choir groups who participated in the event and out of them, the top 9 were chosen to perform in the Grand Prix on the last day of the competition. From these nine performances emerged the winners of each category with San Pedro Chorale, a choir also coming from the Philippines, landing on the top spot. The ZCSPC Cantamos Chorale, though did not rank first, showcased breath-taking performances that bagged them 2 gold medals and a silver medal. Its director, Mr. Elmer Atilano expressed his utmost
appreciation and gratefulness to the support the school administration has extended to them most specifically to the President – Dr. Nelson Cabral, the Physical Education Association under the supervision of Mr. Dexter Paclibar, former Congressman Celson Lobregat, the Sta. Maria Parishioners most especially to Fr. Jude Duncombe and all the numerous people who helped them financially and morally. The group felt elated that they were able to bring honor to the school and bring it to international attention thru their great performances. For them, performing in an international competition was already a dream come true
with an added bonus of winning 3 out of 4 categories and out of 18 group participants.
The North Sumatra International Choir Competition was organized by the Indonesian government, thru the Tourism Ministry, to boost and encourage the development of the tourism sector setting a target of one million foreign tourist visits by 2019.