U.P. CONCERT CHORUS WOWS THE HAGUE FOR PH’S 126TH INDEPENDENCE DAY AND PCA’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY

The halls of the Diligentia Theater at the historic Lange Voorhout in The Hague were filled with music celebrating peace and justice as the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) serenaded on Thursday 6 June some 450 attendees from the Dutch Government, diplomatic corps, business, academic and international organizations in the Netherlands for the celebration of the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and the 125th Anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). 

In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to The Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya, who also serves as President of the PCA Administrative Council, cited the significant strides in Philippine-Netherlands relations, notably the productive visit to Manila of Minister of Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slut in October 2023 and of H.M. Queen Maxima in last May in her capacity as the UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Financial Inclusion for Development. 

Ambassador Malaya also highlighted the important contributions of the PCA in the peaceful settlement of disputes, as recognized by the U.N. General Assembly in its unanimous resolution in August last year, which resolution the Philippine Embassy in The Hague and the Philippine Mission to the U.N. in New York initiated. “Even seemingly intractable disputes, including territorial disputes between neighbors, are capable of resolution – with good faith, patience, and mutual desire for its settlement and through peaceful means and on the basis of international law. And then as now, the facilities of the PCA are open and available to facilitate the process of settlement,” Ambassador Malaya said.

The June 12 Philippine Independence commemoration coincides with the opening of the PCA’s 3-day Congress of the Members of the Court. “These two occasions are doubly special for many of us,” the Ambassador added.

The performance began with the song of praise and thanksgiving, “Cantate Domino”, that features lyrics in English, Basque, and Latin, which set the tone for the message of inclusivity that permeated throughout the concert. Reflecting the unwavering faith of Filipinos on the Almighty, the group then sang known choral pieces with lyrics from the Bible, “Laudate Dominum (Psalm 117)” and “Salmo 150”.  

Songs of hope and believing amidst adversity were then rendered, beginning with the song “Wade in the Water,” with the solo, which required a powerful and dynamic voice, sung by no less than the UPCC’s conductor, Professor Janet Sabas-Aracama. The song’s refrain “God’s gonna trouble the water” signifies life’s challenges, yet encourages us to “wade the water” and face them with faith. This was followed with the songs with similar uplifting message, “I believe/Ave Maria” and “L’importa C’est La Rose”.

Ambassador Malaya surprised the audience when he accompanied the choir on the piano as they sang “Payapang Daigdig” (Peaceful World), which reflected the concert’s theme “A Celebration of Peace and Justice.” 

The choir then moved to contemporary songs, which demonstrated their mastery of various musical genres.  They sang the Disney classic “Go the Distance” in Spanish (“No Importa La Distancia”) and another beloved Filipino composition that resonated with hopeful expectations, “Bagong Umaga” (New Morning), this time with their signature “choreocapella” (choreographed a capella singing).

The medley of Europe’s cherished pop supergroup ABBA (“Thank you for the Music, Fernando and Dancing Queen”), specially arranged by conductor Janet Sabas-Aracama, endeared the audience as the group continued to animate their singing with their entertaining choreography.  

Those that enjoy Broadway musicals were given an exceptional rendition of “One More Day” from Les Misérables, with individual members of the group giving memorable delivery of their solo parts.  The concert was capped by two contemporary classics, “Bridge over Troubled Water” and the Beatles’ “Let it Be”, that encapsulated the message of hope and peace of the event.   

Responding to the request of the audience for an encore, the group sang the song “Manila, Manila”, a pop song that enticed the audience to get to know more about the Philippines’ capital city.  For Filipinos in the audience, it evoked a sense of nostalgia that somehow eased their longing for home.  

Organized in partnership with the PCA and the Diplomat Magazine, the event was graced by the presence of PCA Secretary General Marcin Czepelak, Ambassador for International Organizations Paul van den Ijssel of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Court of Justice Judge Hilary Charlesworth, Hague Conference on Private International Law Secretary General Christophe Bernasconi, and Hague Academy of International Law Secretary General Jean-Marc Thouvenin, and Bishop Johannes Hendriks, among others.

PCA Secretary General Marcin Czepelak stated in his remarks that “the PCA has a mission of peaceful settlement of international disputes which we can only achieve if we keep in touch with our shared humanity and common passion for the good things that life has to offer. A better way to reinvigorate our shared humanity and renew our passions together is through music that touches our hearts and souls.”

Netherlands Ambassador for International Organizations Paul van den Ijssel highlighted that “the establishment of the PCA are the foundations of what we now call the rules-based international legal order…125 years of PCA, 125 years Hague Peace Conference are milestones for us all, as very much illustrated in this concert organized by the Philippines.”

The UPCC members met the audience at the lobby of the theater after the concert, during which they received nothing but the highest praises for the fantastic performance. 

“The chorus is stunning and the voices together are really moving and inspiring,” Chief of Mission Antonio Polosa of the International Organization for Migration said.

Bishop Johannes Hendriks of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam said that the performance “is very beautiful, I enjoyed it very much. The singing was really marvelous. I am used to listening to choirs, but this is superior and excellent.”

Mme. Annie Bernasconi, spouse of Secretary General Christophe Bernasconi, expressed her appreciation stating that “it is a wonderful performance. I really like the movements; it is joyful and I really appreciate it.”

Established in 1962, the UPCC holds the singular honor of being invited eleven times to the prestigious Aberdeen International Youth Festival in Scotland and four times for command performances for H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. It also holds the distinction of having been chosen as one of the world’s best choirs at the 4th Lincoln Center International Choral Festival in New York. The UPCC won the Grand Prix, Cracovia Cantans Choral Competition (Poland, 2015), and First Prize Folk Song Category, 16th Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros (Spain, 2012) // END

Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya

PCA Secretary General Marcin Czepelak

Ambassador for International Organizations Paul van den Ijssel


Prof. Janet Sabas-Aracama

Diplomat Magazine’s Dr. Mayelinne De Lara and Ambassador Malaya