News and Announcement
August 17, 2025
Puerto Princesa City Hosts 2025 Palawan International Choral Festival: Voices Unite in Celebration of Music and Culture
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – August 17, 2025 — The 2025 Palawan International Choral Festival transformed the world-class island of Palawan into a stage of harmony and artistry as choirs, conductors, and scholars from across the Philippines and abroad gathered for four days of music, culture, and community from August 13–16, 2025 in Puerto Princesa City.
Organized by the National Association of Filipino Choirs, Inc. (NAFCI), in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the festival showcased Palawan not only as a premier tourist destination but also as a cultural hub where voices unite to inspire peace, solidarity, and artistic innovation. The program featured international competitions, concerts, masterclasses, and the Palawan International Choral Conference, which bridged music with education, faith, and community development.
Imusicapella, representing CALABARZON, was named Grand Prize Winner, marking its historic first-ever participation in a local competition. The Surigao Luminary Voices from the CARAGA Region earned first runner-up, while the Woodrose Chorale (National Capital Region) and the Palawan Mixtus Chorale (MIMAROPA) tied for second runner-up. Also advancing to the finals was the Barcelona National Comprehensive High School Chorale from the BICOL Region.
Category awards were presented as follows:
- Mixed Choir & Sacred Categories – Imusicapella
- Equal Voices & Folklore Categories – Woodrose Chorale
- Folklore Category (tie) – Woodrose Chorale and Palawan Mixtus Chorale
- People’s Choice Award – Woodrose Chorale, with proceeds directed to NAFCI’s member associations in need of support
Imusicapella’s triumph underscored the festival’s prestige. Widely acclaimed on the international stage, the ensemble set a new standard of excellence in Philippine choral competitions. The group received the Grand Prize Award of ₱300,000 (approx. USD 5,200), made possible through the generosity of platinum sponsor PCSO. In addition, all category winners shared ₱100,000 in prizes, sponsored by the Government Services Insurance System (GSIS). Other sponsors that made this event possible are Philippine Airlines and Go Manila Airport Road Hotel. The city government of Puerto Princesa and the provincial government of Palawan are the hosts of the event.
A remarkable highlight of this year’s festival was the participation of the Woodrose Chorale, an all-girls choir from PAREF Woodrose in Ayala Alabang. Their presence fostered a unique exchange of values and traditions, where urban refinement met the warmth of a provincial community, reinforcing the festival’s role as a cultural bridge.
With 16 participating choirs, an international panel of experts, and dynamic workshops, the 2025 Palawan International Choral Festival reaffirmed the Philippines’ place on the global choral map, while celebrating music’s timeless ability to connect communities and transform lives.
April 14, 2025
Registration Fees and Cash Prizes at the
2025 Palawan International Choral Festival
2025 Palawan International Choral Conference
I. Festival
Categories
A – Mixed choirs (A1, A2, and A3)
B – Equal Voices (B1, B2)
C – Open-Age Group (C1, C2, and C3)
D – Sacred
E – Pop / Show Choir
F – Folklore (F1)
F – Folklore (F2) Indigenous
A. Registration Fees
1. P20,000 for general participation
2. P10,000 for 2 or more categories joined
B. Prizes
1. Grand Prize Winner = P250,000
2. Category Winner for Category A = P50,000
3. Category A Runner-Up = P20,000
3. Category Winner for Categories B – F1 = P30,000
4. Runners-Up for Categories B – F1 = P10,000
5. Winner of F2 Folklore Indigenous = P30,000
6. TOTAL Cash Prize = P550,000
Note that cash prizes are available to categories with at least two (2) participating choirs.
II. Conference
A. Adjusted Registration Fee
1. P1,000
B. Cash Incentives
1. Top abstract = P5,000
2. Top Presentation (one per sub-topic) P10,000 each
3. Total Cash Incentive = P35,000
III. Observers
- Aside from the presenters, the conference welcomes observers. The registration cost for observers is the same for the presenters (P1,000 or 20 USD or 15 EUR).
- Observers outside Puerto Princesa should avail of the accommodation package offered to the presenters. However, Puerto Princesa residents are not required to avail of the accommodation package.
For observers and participants to the conference, accommodations are provided by Hotel Asturias at the individual’s expense. For enquiries, please visit www.nafci.com or email filipinochoirs@gmail.com.