SEOUL, 26 September 2014 – The internationally renowned Loboc Children’s Choir went on a 10-day concert tour of Korea ending on Friday, 26 September 2014, highlighted by a performance in Seoul together with Korea’s best children’s chorale to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Philippines-Korea relations.

The Loboc Children's Choir (LCC) and World Vision Korea Children’s Choir (WVKCC) performed at the “Korea-Philippines Friendship Concert” held at the Grand Theater of the Gangdong Arts and Culture Center in Seoul on Tuesday, 16 September 2014.

“Tonight’s concert gives an opportunity for the Chorale to demonstrate to the Korean audiences the unparalleled excellence and magnificence of the voices of these representative youth of Bohol, who have been likened to angels imbued with the grace of god,” said Mme. Maria Ana A. Hernandez, reading a message from her husband, Philippine Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez.

The Friendship Concert, which was also attended by officials from Gangdong District of Seoul, led by District Mayor Lee Hae Shik, was conceptualized by Mr. Cool-Jae Huh, Founding Chairman of the Korea Choral Composers Association, to combine two of the world’s best children’s chorale performers in one musical event.

The concert started with the performance of WVKCC, composed of children aged 7-13, which performed a repertoire of classical, religious and Korean pop songs. The Bohol-based LBC followed with such hits as “Reflection”, the theme song from the “Sister’s Act”, and the classical hit “Nella Fantasia”. The two choirs sang the finale “The Prayer” and “Rise Up Again” in unison.

The 20-member Loboc Children’s Choir held six concerts organized by Mr Huh in Gwangju, Yongin, Cheongju, Ulsan and Seogwipo, accompanied by Musical Director Ms Alma Taldo, Artistic Director Mr Gardy Labad and Mr Romulo Tagaan, head of the Center for Culture and Arts of the Provincial Government of Bohol.

In Yongin, the LCC performed as special guest on 19 and 20 September 2014 to a combined audience of more than 2,000 people at the 22nd National Youth Choir Festival at the Yongin Poeun Art Hall. The chorale also sang in a surprise show in Ulsan and in a friendship concert with Jeju Pro Pace Boys and Girls Choir at the Seogwipo Arts Center’s Grand Theater.

Mr Tagaan said that the main objective of the LCC’s visit to the country was to promote national and regional culture and arts as part of the provincial government's continuing efforts to position Bohol in the Asian tourism map and the high Korean tourism market, especially in the aftermath of the 7.1 earthquake which struck the province in October 2013.

The LCC is a three-time National Champion in the Children’s Choir Category of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA), the most prestigious music competition in the Philippines, in 1993, 1995, and 2001.

The Friendship Concert marked 10 years since the two choirs performed together in July 2004, when LCC was invited by World Vision Korea to represent the Philippines in the World Vision 2004 International Children’s Choir Festival held in Korea.

Formed in 1960, the World Vision Korea Children’s Choir’s aim is to spread hope and love around the world. It has performed in 27 countries and won numerous awards, including the “Let the People Sing” competition held by the British Broadcasting Corporation.