University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors

The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA) is a choral group from the Philippines. In its 35 years of existence, UPSA has won various prizes and awards in competitions in Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Wales, Hungary and Switzerland. UPSA was also the official entry of the Philippines to the UNESCO International Music Prize in 2005.
In the Philippines, it was named the Best University Choir in 2012 and 2004 at the “Who’s Who in the Philippines” 19th and 27th Consumers’ Choice Awards, respectively. Similarly, UPSA was also chosen as Best Choir in 2011, 2010 and 2002 by the ALIW Awards Foundation which recognizes excellence and achievement in the live entertainment industry.
History.
UPSA Conductor Ed Manguiat founded the group in 1980 as a freshman dormitory choir at the State University. He has studied under world-renowned choral musicians and trained under respected names in vocal pedagogy and choral conducting in the Philippines. He has also won various international conductor's awards in choral competitions.
In 2012, UPSA has embarked on its 8th European Competitions and Goodwill Tour (July–September 2012). It won 3rd Prize in the Chamber Choirs Category at the Béla Bartók 25th International Choral Competition in Debrecen, HUNGARY in July. Ed Manguiat also won a Special Prize for Excellent Conducting Performance in the same competition. UPSA also won two (2) 1st Prizes in the Romantic Period Music & Folkloric Categories, and a Second Prize in the Mixed Choirs Category during the 60th Guido d’Arezzo International Polyphonic Competition in Arezzo, Italy in August.
Activities.
Performing music from the classical to the most modern genre, UPSA has showcased Philippine culture from the ethnic North and South Philippines which they have presented in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the USA.
UPSA has performed in many national and international music events; sung for weddings of the Philippines' most prominent families; done back-ups for the country's top artists and Josh Groban in his "Awake" concert tour at the Phil. International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila (Oct. 2007); concertized in the most exclusive Petrarca Concert Hall in Arezzo, and Palazzio Vecchio in Florence, Italy and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Through its Outreach Program, UPSA does interactive choral workshop/clinics in the Philippines and abroad which have produced winners like the Silvestre Papa Choir of Sora, Italy (Arezzo, Italy) and the Loboc Children's Choir of Bohol (Barcelona, Spain), among others.
The U.P. Singing Ambassadors finds fulfilment sharing its music to its regular local and international audiences, and more significantly, to the less privileged who are constant recipients of their musical generosity. The UPSA Outreach Program has involved the group in fundraising activities for the sick and the needy and also visits hospital wards, home for the aged and orphanages.
UPSA is an official performing group of the University of the Philippines, based in the College of Arts & Letters.