“Music is the soundtrack of your life.”– Dick Clark
Saint Louis University’s Center for Culture and the Arts (SLU-CCA) hosted the Music Festival 2025 at the Fr. Joseph Van den Daelen Theater on 17 March 2025, showcasing pristine rhythms and a rich timbre across various octaves.
The event began with an invocation and the National Anthem, followed by an audio-visual presentation highlighting the participants and the university’s musical heritage.
The judges, who are seasoned musicians, included Mr. Ethan Andrew Ventura, Mr. Reis Luke Aquino, and Mrs. Jessica Ladines-Mirandilla for the instrumental category; and Mr. Mark Anthony Carpio, Mr. Darwin Vargas, and Mr. Jojie Bandilla for the vocal category.
The morning program put the instrumentalists and musicians of the elementary, high school, and college levels, while the afternoon featured renditions of songs made unforgettable by the range and vocal power of vocal solo and duet performers. Adding to this was an array of and harmonic voices of the pop acapella and mixed choir categories.
Mrs. Normita Rio-Pablico, Head of CCA and Chairperson of the Music Festival, warmly welcomed attendees and inspired participants with her remarks on music as a unifying force. “Today we came together to witness a beautiful showcase of music where each performer depicts a passion of the talented individuals who worked tirelessly to share their art with us,” she said.
The festival concluded with an awarding recognizing outstanding talent across various categories:
Instrumental Elementary
Champion – Patricia Louise Laurente
1st Runner Up – Fraxie Victor Cabaccang
2nd Runner Up – Nathaniel Li Wacnag
Instrumental Junior High School
Champion – Anthony Mendoza
1st Runner Up – Aaron Ben de Vera
2nd Runner Up – Ethan Itlong
Instrumental Senior High School
Champion – Victoria Biel Pablico
1st Runner Up – Marc Gian Vivares
Instrumental College
Champion – SOM
1st Runner Up – SOL
2nd Runner Up – SEA
Vocal Solo Elementary
Champion – Sophia Corinne Gallardo
1st Runner Up – Azriel Kristan Valle
Vocal Solo Junior High School
Champion – Aria Bernice Agoot
1st Runner Up – Franzelle Faith Sabalones
2nd Runner Up – Ellain Louis Chongalao
Vocal Solo College Faculty
Champion – Mr. Glenford Gamilde (SONAHBS)
1st Runner Up – Engr. Benedict Marzan (SEA)
2nd Runner Up – Mr. Dexter Ariño (STELA)
Vocal Duet Senior High School
Champion – Francene Laura Balmeo and Agatha Jasmine Kiara Olowan
1st Runner Up – Joielyne Marieh Parfan and Gabrielle Benedict Dacanay
2nd Runner Up – Maria Bettina Flora and Jeoffrey Gabong
Vocal Duet College
Champion – Blasile Arellano and Joval Arce (SONAHBS)
1st Runner Up – Angeila Greff Aratas and Riva Croiux Cruz (SOL)
2nd Runner Up – Renz Kenneth Manantan and Sheryl Joana Marie Sumaong (SEA)
Pop Acapella
Champion – BEDS-SHS
1st Runner Up – SEA
2nd Runner Up – SONAHBS
Best Choreography – BEDS
Mixed Choir
Champion – SEA
1st Runner Up – SOM
2nd Runner Up – SONAHBS
Best Conductor – Marvin Curt Cunanan
The music festival allowed the participants to perform their own interpretation where each showed their remarkable talent. Every note inspired joy, teaches camaraderie, and appreciation for the various musical genres coming together to celebrate the gift of music, leaving participants and attendees inspired with memories to cherish. (Article by Michael John Dadd, UIO Intern | Photos by Faithe Janerie Dugay, UIO Intern)
