The Cebu Normal University (CNU) Chorale won the top prize in the first-ever “Kanta Binisaya” choral competition, showcasing Eastern Visayas’ musical heritage during the finals held on June 11 at the People’s Center and Library in Tacloban City.

The CNU Chorale, directed by Darlane Yap, outperformed seven other groups from across the Visayas and Mindanao, taking home a P100,000 cash prize. 

Yap was also named best conductor, the university announced on Wednesday.

The competition featured songs promoting the region’s rich musical traditions, including the CNU Chorale’s acoustic rendition of “Kuratsa,” a popular traditional Eastern Visayas song and dance. The performance included a dance by CNU President Daniel Ariaso, Sr., and Dara Hill Medillo.

Their second piece was the well-known Visayan folk song “Matud Nila,” followed by a song and dance number of the Original Pinoy Music (OPM) hit “Magsayawan,” popularized by VST & Co.

“This is a great opportunity for our university’s choral group and for Eastern Visayas to showcase its rich culture through music,” Ariaso said during the awarding ceremony. “Being from Eastern Samar, I am proud to have been part of this event.”

The group received an additional P5,000 for the best conductor award. 

The second-place winners, Koro Seraphim from Tagbilaran City, received P80,000 for their performance of “Anak nga Waray Palad” and the OPM song “Manila” by Hotdog. 

Coro Recoletos from the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos secured third place and won P60,000, along with a special award for their rendition of “Iruy nga Tuna” and “Pinoy Ako.”

Other participants included the Southern Leyte State University Glee Club, Surigao del Norte State University, University of San Carlos Choristers, Vox Minore Chorum of Talisay City, and Calbayog Chamber Voices.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes expressed hopes for the competition to become an annual event, promoting the musical heritage of Eastern Visayas. DOT organized the event. 

“We aim to institutionalize this event and eventually make it a national competition,” Tiopes told the Philippine News Agency.

The Leyte provincial government and Palo’s local government provided a P20,000 subsidy to each of the eight finalists.