Samiweng Singers in front of the UNESCO World Heritage Site St. Augustine Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. (Photo courtesy of Samiweng Singers)
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—The world-renowned Ilocos Norte-based choir Samiweng Singers had been chosen to sing the national anthem during the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25 of President Ferdinand “Bongbong’” Marcos Jr.
The choir from the Ilocos Norte National High School had reaped awards at the first Vietnam International Choir Competition and Festival in 2011 and the 7th World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio, the USA in 2012.
Choir assistant conductor Sherween Frez Cabrales on Friday, July 22, said it was a “proud moment” for the group that a local artist based in the home province of Mr. Marcos was chosen to perform in his first SONA.
At least 16 choir members would sing the national anthem, said Cabrales, adding that they also prepared traditional Ilokano songs.
Samiweng, the combination of the Ilocano words “sam-it” (sweet) and “aweng” (sound), was founded by music educator Robert Caluya in 2001. The group’s current conductor is Sherberk Frez Cabrales. INQ