Himig Kabataan, Champion of 15th World Peace Chorale Festival, Vienna, Austria Calls on PH Consul General

VANCOUVER, 11 August 2026 – The Filipino-Canadian chorale group, Himig Kabataan, called on Consul General Gina Jamoralin on 05 August 2026 to present the two awards they received at the 15th World Peace Choral Festival in Vienna, Austria on 26 July 2026, namely the “Gold Award” and the “Excellent Performance of Folk and National Music.”

Eighteen choirs from sixteen (16) countries participated in the festival which was held in various Viennese landmark concert halls on 24-26 July 2026, culminating in the Gala Concert & Awards Ceremony at the Musikverein Golden Hall on 26 July 2026.

Since it started in 2010, this annual festival has evolved into one of the world's foremost choral events, providing a unique platform for both youth and adult choirs from different countries to perform, engage in dialogue, and foster intercultural understanding.  Its slogan remains to date as  “Come for singing, sing for peace.”

In view of Himig Kabataan’s impressive performance, the festival organizer has invited Mr. Matthew Perez, conductor of Himig Kabataan, to be a member of the Artistic Committee of the World Peace Choral Festival for a term of five (5) years. The said Committee is headed by Professor Alois Glassner who is one of Austria’s most prominent choir conductors. Mr. Perez joins eleven (11) members of the Artistic Committee who are all renowned conductors and choirmasters from around the world. The said Committee has facilitated the participation of 800 choirs from 60 countries to perform in concert halls and historical venues for the annual Festival.

Himig Kabataan Cultural Society (HKCS) was founded by Ms. Bea Correa as a Filipino-Canadian youth choir in 2022 in Surrey, BC. It started with eight members whose ages range from 15 to 25 and who have expressed their interest in connecting with their Filipino heritage and language through the beauty of choral music. Through the years, it has performed at various cultural events all over British Columbia, most notably singing the Canadian national anthem at sporting events, namely for the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Vancouver Bandits.

Most notably, Himig Kabataan rendered a musical number during the meeting of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr with the Filipino community at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver on 3 July 2026.

All are encouraged to watch Himig Kabataan’s concert entitled, “Himig ng Tagumpay,” which will be held at the Surrey Arts Center Mainstage on 6 September 2026. It will be their third annual end-of-season concert to showcase the singing, dance and visual media talents of their members.