The Philippine Meistersingers have struck gold once again—this time on the international stage.
The group achieved a stunning victory at the Rimini International Choral Competition in Italy, becoming the first Filipino choir to qualify for the World Choral Championship through this event, and only the second Filipino choir ever to earn a place in the global finals.
Their win came after securing the festival’s highest distinction, the Grand Prix, along with two gold medals in the Musica Sacra (Sacred Music) and Musica Profana (Secular Music) categories.
Judges praised the choir for its “disciplined blend and tonal control” in their sacred pieces, and for the “rhythmic precision and expressive storytelling” that brought their secular performance to life.
For musical director Ramon Molina Lijauco Jr., the victory is far more than a trophy.
“We’re grateful to God for this victory,” he said. “More than a competition, it became a journey of faith for all of us—especially our younger members who rose to the challenge and showed what Filipinos can bring to the world stage.”
The Meistersingers performed selections by Filipino-American composer Nilo Alcala II, emerging on top against choirs from the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Indonesia, Romania, and Poland.
Lijauco shared how even the European judges were impressed.
“They told us we stood out for how we shaped our interpretation—the blend, the intelligence of the repertoire, and the unity between the choir and conductor,” he said.
With their Rimini triumph, the Philippine Meistersingers will now move forward to the World Choral Championship in Kraków, Poland, where they will compete against champions from Tokyo and Taipei in 2026.
But the work begins now.
“We have to start preparing our repertoire and raising funds so we can return to Europe for the finals,” Lijauco said.
For the Meistersingers, the journey continues—guided by discipline, fueled by passion, and carried by the pride of an entire nation.
