Kayumanggi Chorale marks 35 years of music, heritage, and charity with Oct 11th concert

By Cristina DC Pastor

For 35 years, the Kayumanggi Chorale Inc. (KCI) has used music not only to entertain, but also to preserve Filipino heritage, bring communities together and help those in need.

The New York-New Jersey-based Filipino American choral group will celebrate its milestone anniversary with a “Himig Pamana, A Musical Heritage” concert that reflects three and a half decades of dedication to cultural preservation and community service. The October 11 concert will be held at Merkin Hall in Manhattan.

With the theme “Voices in Harmony for Humanity,” the concert is more than a celebration of longevity. It is a reflection of KCI’s dual mission: to share beautiful music and to use the proceeds of its performances to help people facing hardship, according to a press statement.

“Over the years, the group has remained inspired by the audiences who continue to respond enthusiastically to its music — with applause, standing ovations, warm acclaim and invitations to perform,” said Ludy Corrales, chairperson of the Solicitation Committee and KCI PRO, in a statement.

That support, she added, has kept its singers committed to “devoting their free time, making personal sacrifices and continually refining their skills.”

The COVID challenge

The past 35 years have not been without challenges. Among the most difficult was the COVID-19 pandemic, when KCI was unable to hold concerts and, consequently, lost an important avenue for raising funds for those in need. Still, the organization continued its humanitarian work by relying on donations from patrons and friends.

According to Corrales, when the Taal Volcano erupted, KCI donated $2,000 to displaced families. It later contributed $2,500 to families affected by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. The group also donated $500 to the Association of Filipino-American Teachers (AFTA) to support its online “Balik-Turo” initiative during the pandemic.

Another ongoing challenge has been the turnover of seasoned singers. Some members have relocated to other states, while others have moved on to careers, businesses or family responsibilities.

The group also suffered the loss of one of its beloved singers, coloratura soprano Lani Misenas, who died in 2015 after an illness.

Yet KCI has continued to replenish its ranks. Members with connections to music schools in the Philippines have helped recruit younger, music-minded singers, allowing the organization to keep growing and moving forward.

The anniversary concert on October 11 will feature an eclectic repertoire of patriotic, spiritual, Filipino and international music, including Broadway selections and pieces sung in various Philippine languages and dialects.

Patriotic music, however, remains one of KCI’s signatures. Songs such as “Bayan Ko,” “Mabuhay Ka, Pilipino,” “Lupang Hinirang” and “Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi at Musika” evoke memories of the Philippines and often stir a deep emotional connection among Filipino American audiences. For KCI, performing these songs is a way of “keeping cultural memory alive.”

Alumni to return for concert

Because the concert marks 35 years of KCI’s existence, alumni have been invited to return and join the celebration. At the same time, the organization has chosen to showcase its own current talents, including Liza Villamaria, Radnel Ofalsa and Joshua Monderas.

For KCI, cultural preservation is not simply about singing old songs. It is about creating a bridge between generations. The larger goal is to inspire greater appreciation for Filipino culture and strengthen the sense of community in the New York-New Jersey area.

Over the decades, some of KCI’s most memorable experiences have come not from formal concerts, but from unexpected moments of recognition. On December 12, 2023, KCI performed at the 35th Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado, a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the Vatican’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York.

Another unforgettable experience took place on October 23, 2022, when KCI was invited to sing at a Mass celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Manaoag at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church in Linden, New Jersey. The Mass was officiated by Bishop Manuel Aurelio Cruz, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark.

KCI plans to continue promoting the beauty of Philippine music while using its performances as a vehicle for service.  Behind the anniversary concert is nearly two years of planning and preparation. Members have worked on repertoire, rehearsals, outreach, sponsorships, production details and the souvenir journal.

All are volunteers, giving their time, energy, talents and resources to make the celebration meaningful. That spirit may be the clearest expression of what KCI’s 35 years have meant. It is not simply celebrating how long it has been performing. It is celebrating why it continues to sing.