Carillon is published by the
University of the Philippines
Office of Alumni Relations
A Legacy Beyond the Stage: The University of the Philippines Concert Chorus Alumni Association
By Cassandra Imperial
Long after members of the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) graduate and step into their own respective fields, something remains of the music they once made together. Lifelong connections form not just from music but from the friendships, mentorship, discipline and community of service that shape their lives. For the UP Concert Chorus Alumni Association (UPCCAA), these connections have transformed into a lasting legacy that goes beyond the stage.
Where the Legacy Begun
In 1962, the UPCC was established and began a tradition of choral music rooted in the university’s motto of “Honor, Excellence, Service”. When Prof. Rey T. Paguio (RTP) took over as the group’s conductor in 1969, he shaped the distinctive identity of the UPCC through its signature choreography, versatile repertoire and vibrant presence on international stages. This laid the foundation for many traditions that continue to define the group today. He was succeeded by Prof. Janet S. Aracama in 1999, who built upon this foundation and continued to explore the UPCC’s artistic identity. Under her leadership, the UPCC deepened its ties to the University, strengthened its standing in the Philippine choral scene and established a formidable reputation as cultural ambassador of goodwill.
United by a common desire to remain connected to the organization and to continue supporting its mission, a group of UP Concert Chorus alumni came together in 2010 to prepare for the much-anticipated UPCC Golden Anniversary in 2012. From this shared purpose, the UP Concert Chorus Alumni Association (UPCCAA) was formed.
From 2013 to 2025, the UPCCAA was led by Alumni President Atty. Dot Balabas-Gancayco, whose 13-year tenure saw the Association take on an active role in supporting the resident UPCC members and empowering its alumni community to carry forward the values and ideals nurtured through their years at the University—not only Honor and Excellence, but, more importantly, Service. Under Atty. Dot’s leadership, UPCCAA became a community where music was combined with heart and service. At the onset, the UPCCAA spearheaded numerous projects, including reunion concerts and socio-civic activities, as well as scholarships and humanitarian programs that extended support not only to UPCC members, alumni, and their families, but also to UP as an institution, its students and employees, the poor, the sick, the marginalized, victims of disaster, and the country as a whole.
Through these endeavors, UPCCAA grew into more than an alumni organization. It became a continuing expression of the UP Concert Chorus legacy: using music as a means to forge enduring friendships, bring generations together, and serve others.
Generations in Harmony and Service
The reunion concerts are among the most visible expressions of the entire UPCCAA community coming together from all around the world for a common purpose.
In 2012, the 50th Golden Anniversary celebration, “SingKwenta, SingKwela”, brought five generations of UPCC together in celebration of five decades of music and fellowship. Among the ten Golden Anniversary activities were providing scholarships, mentoring a choir composed of families from the UP community, and performing for palliative care units in hospitals and homes for the aged. Funds raised from the Golden Anniversary concert and other fundraising activities also financed an outreach program that provided medicines, food, water, and hygiene kits to victims of the Taal eruption. A portion of the funds was likewise used to provide the UP Infirmary with a much-needed defibrillator, alcohol, and masks.
In 2020, the UPCCAA produced “GiliwKorus” for the UPCC’s 58th Anniversary. The concert was recognized with the Aliw Award for Best Major Concert (2019–2020), affirming the Association’s ability to create large-scale artistic productions that celebrate the UPCC and its community.
When physical gatherings became impossible during the COVID-19 pandemic, the UPCCAA found new ways to keep its community connected through virtual choir performances. These digital performances demonstrated the spirit of togetherness within the UPCCAA community, providing hope and comfort to those in healthcare services, those confined to their homes, and countrymen who lost loved ones during the pandemic.
Through funds raised from the 2020 concert, the alumni established the Dr. Raul Jara Fund, which provided PPEs, medicines, medical equipment, and financial assistance to four hospitals—the UP Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, and Capitol Medical Center. The UPCCAA also supported 80 Lumad individuals stranded in UP Diliman with three meals a day for more than a month, sent sacks of rice to UP Los Baños students unable to return home, and provided daily essentials and financial assistance to UP Ikot drivers who lost their income during the pandemic.
The tradition of gathering together for a shared goal returned on an even larger scale in 2023, when the UPCCAA staged “Sama-Sama Together: The 60th Anniversary Concert”, followed by “Sama-Sama Together Again: The 60th Anniversary Concert in 2024”. The re-run production served an even greater purpose beyond its milestone celebration: raising more funds for the RTP Scholarship Program, supporting the UPCC’s international activities, and sustaining the UPCCAA’s socio-civic initiatives. Alumnus Rico Mortel was nominated for the Aliw Award for Best Director, while the concert itself was once again recognized with an Aliw Award for Best Special Event Production.
Through its continued support of the current UPCC batch, the alumni community has helped provide opportunities for the next generation of singers to grow, perform, and represent the University on the international stage. These efforts were showcased in the UPCC’s outstanding recognition at the Musica Orbis Prague Festival 2024, where the group won two Gold Prizes and was chosen as the Overall Winner in the Unrestricted Category (Mixed Adult Choir). In 2025, the UPCCAA also co-produced “How Great Thou Art: A Thanksgiving and Tribute Concert” to honor Prof. Janet Sabas-Aracama’s 25 years of dedicated service and to thank her for the many sacrifices she has given as conductor of the UPCC.
The commitment to supporting UP and its students extends through the RTP Scholarship Program, to which the UPCCAA has allocated ₱1.5 million for deserving students of the UP Diliman College of Music. The Association hopes to nurture scholars who will pursue excellence in their chosen fields and carry the same spirit of generosity forward, using their knowledge and talents in service of the country, both at home and on the international scene. The program transforms the generosity of the UPCC alumni community into a lasting investment in the future of music.
Other advocacies that UPCCAA members have shared in and worked for together include the protection of women’s and children’s rights and the fight against corruption. The UPCCAA is one of the co-founding organizations of the Sunflower Run, a yearly activity co-founded by now UPCCAA President Emerita Atty. Dot Gancayco to promote awareness of women’s and children’s rights. The UPCCAA has also co-organized the “To Flood or Not to Flood” Symposium held at Celebrity Club, with no less than Justice Antonio Carpio and Congressman Chel Diokno as guest speakers.
New UPCCAA President Dr. Melfred Hernandez and his new set of officers understand that the work of the UPCCAA encompasses more than music and performance. Its dedication to service is equally evident, particularly during times of crisis. The relationships initially formed and strengthened through music have evolved into a community capable of mobilizing people, resources, and expertise where they are needed most.
Where the Music Continues
The UPCCAA’s journey towards receiving the Gawad Pangulo para sa Natatanging Alumni in 2026 is not defined by a single project or achievement, but by its collective effort to demonstrate how the power of music can serve as a catalyst for service. It is a community that turns the privilege of being part of UP into an opportunity to give back through its time, talents, and resources. Through its reunion concerts, support for the current UPCC, scholarship initiatives, and humanitarian efforts, the UPCCAA demonstrates how alumni can remain actively engaged with their alma mater and contribute meaningfully to its continuing legacy.
The legacy of the UPCCAA therefore extends far beyond its music and achievements. It lives on in the people it has touched, the lives it has uplifted, and the communities it continues to bring together. Lessons that began in the rehearsal room have now grown into a lifelong commitment to fellowship, service, and giving back, ensuring that the music of the UP Concert Chorus continues to resonate long after the final note.
