Of Mission, Music, Memory and Magic: The Grateful and Great Concert Series Declares College Unit the Grand Champion

Is it not magic when creative minds converge to a three-part concert series? What started as a bubble idea turned into one of the grandest productions of NDMC. 

The three units of the school – NTP, IBED and College took turn dishing musical and production snippets for The Grateful and Great Concert Series. 

In September 8 the NTP relived the songs and dances of the 40s and 50s.  

Edlyn Villasis – Tennessee Waltz (1940s) and Virgie O. Gilera – “America” Westside Story (1950s) represented the NTP for the Best Performer Competition. 

The IBED commanded the stage in October 9 reprising the the 60s and 70s music with a refreshing interpretation. Grace Bulleque – Unchained Melody (1960s) and Lynette Cabañog – Cabaret (1970s) made it to represent the IBED for the Best Performer Competition. 

The College unit claimed fiery dominance with song and dance performances from the 80s and 90s in December 14. Blight Echavia – Nosi Balasi (1980s) and Benedict C. Vicente – Mga Kababayan (1990s) claimed the spots for the Best Performer nominees.

And the Grateful and Great Concert Series Finale took place in February 17 at the Bulwagang Genoveva Deles-Jaranilla where the Best Performers of the 3 units took their best shot to give the greatest performance and become the Best Performer of the Year. 

The Panel of Judges composed of Mrs. Baby Morente- Chair, Mr. Reynante Catulong and Fr. Stephen Ondoy, OMI had the great time determining the Best Performer as well as the Grateful and Great Concert Series Grand Champion. 

It was a tough decision and deliberation and eventually the winners were declared.

Best Performer of the Year: Blight Echavia – Nosi Balasi P30,000.00 Cash Prize
First Runner up: Lynette Cabañog – Cabaret P20,000.00 Cash Prize

Second Runner up: Benedict C. Vicente – Mga Kababayan P10,000.00 Cash Prize

5,000.00 Cash prize winners:
Virgie O. Gilera – “America” Westside Story
Grace Bulleque – Unchained Melody
Edlyn Villasis – Tennessee Waltz

Grateful and Great Concert Series Grand Champion: College UnitP80,000.00-Cash Prize
First Runner up: NTP P50,000.00-Cash Prize
Second Runner up: IBED P30,000.00-Cash Prize

The celebrated event also featured special song numbers from the Oblate fathers. Fr. Jeff Nadua, OMI filled the air with hugot-filled songs that literally scratched the unwell and bleeding hearts, not one but many cried secretly to the relatable songs of letting go and moving on. 

Fr. King Tabuada, OMI bombed the audience with his signature numbers of Wildflower, What Does the Fox Say? and Granada. Everyone cannot just get enough of the novelty dongs asking for an encore from Fr. King. 

Fr. Jay Virador, OMI chilled the audience with feel good songs, the ones playing when you wake up in the morning with a mug of coffee in tow.

Fr. Jurambelle John C. Sacil, OMI on the other hand literally rocked Bulwagang Genoveva with electrifying and head banging numbers. Everyone got real high singing along with the rockista Fr. Juram.
 
The NDMC 80th year celebration may have come to a curtain fall, but the memory of the Oblate mission and the magic of music live on.