PH Wins First, Third Place in International A Cappella Competition in Moscow

First prize winner Acapellago at one of their performances in Moscow during the Moscow Spring A Cappella Festival 2019. (V. Cara photo)

MOSCOW 18 May 2019 – Two acclaimed Filipino acapella groups won first and third place in the recently concluded Moscow Spring A Cappella Festival 2019 which was held from 1 to 12 May 2019. 

Acapellago won the top prize, while Pinopela won third place for their respective categories. This is the first time that Filipino a cappella groups participated in the contest, and the groups’ first time to compete in Russia.

Acapellago and Pinopela also separately visited the Philippine Embassy in Moscow and gave impromptu performances to the delight of the Embassy’s officers and staff and the Filipinos who were also at the Embassy casting their votes for the May 2019 elections.

Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta said that he was very glad that the two groups were able to visit the Embassy so he could personally congratulate them.

“These two groups showcased Filipino talent and made all of us proud of their achievement.  It was a tough competition with talents from all over the world. I congratulate Acapellago and Pinopela for their well-deserved success in the Moscow Spring A Cappela Festival,” the Ambassador said, adding “We hope there will be more opportunities for them to return to Russia in the near future.”

“We are also very grateful the Filipino community and our Russian friends who turned up at the different venues where our two groups performed who voted for them online. Our Embassy officers and staff were also there giving their full support,” Ambassador Sorreta said.

Both groups thanked the Embassy and the Filipino community for their support, saying they really felt the presence of the community while we were performing.

The groups also expressed their gratitude and affection for their Russian fans, saying they were amazed at how their fans showed their appreciation by turning up in droves at the venues and sending them letters and gifts. They look forward to returning to Russia soon.

The Moscow Spring A Cappela Festival is an open international competition for a cappela singers organized by the Moscow Government Project. This year, the festival received 114 applications from 21 countries. Groups performed in select touristic venues located all throughout Moscow. Results of the contest were determined by a jury decision and online voting. END

 Acapellago’s call on Ambassador Sorreta at the Philippine Embassy a few days before the results of the competition was announced. (V. Cara photo)

Acapellago’s impromptu performance at the Philippine Embassy before Filipino voters and Embassy officers, staff and their families, after the group’s meeting with Ambassador. (V. Cara photo)

Third prize winner Pinopella at one of their performances in Moscow during the Moscow Spring A Cappella Festival 2019. (V. Cara photo)

Pinopella’s call on Ambassador Sorreta at the Philippine Embassy after the results of the competition was announced. Ambassador Sorreta congratulated the group for their win. (V. Cara photo)

Pinopella’s impromptu performance at the Philippine Embassy before Filipino voters and Embassy officers, staff and their families, after the group’s meeting with Ambassador. (V. Cara photo)

For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/ or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia