The University of the Philippines Staff Chorale Society (UPSCS) is composed of university personnel from the administrative, extension, research and professional units of the Diliman campus. During the term of U.P. President Salvador P. Lopez, on the 838^th Meeting on 25 October 1973 of the U.P. Board of Regents, this brainchild of Dr. Ramon C. Portugal, former VP for Administration, was created to fulfill the following missions:

Ø      To maintain, promote, enhance, and disseminate the rich Filipino cultural heritage to Filipinos here and abroad;

Ø      To respond to the call of the University of the Philippines for the University to assume a primary task in the stewardship of Philippine art and culture that will redound towards the development of a progressive, egalitarian, peaceful, & internationally-respected Philippine society and Filipino people;

Ø      To provide an opportunity for staff development for the members of the Chorale group.

Today, the UP Staff Chorale is recognized as the U.P. Administration choir, serving during official functions and special occasions in U.P. Diliman. Since 1973, the Staff Chorale has mounted several concerts that included shows in venues within and outside of Metro Manila.  Among the Staff Chorale’s major productions were as follows: 

Ø      Unchained Melody

Ø      Isang Daan Sa Sandaan

Ø      Tinig at Paglingap

Ø      Dalawit 

Aside from its own concerts, the UPSCS also took part in other important events:

Ø      The Philippine Independence Centennial Celebration in 1998 

Ø      U.P. Naming Mahal: Rebyu Na! (Awitan, Sayawan, at Tawanan Pa!)

Ø      U.P. Christmas Gala

Ø      Filipinas y Su Glorioso Pasado

Ø      Television appearance in the popular drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya

The UPSCS has to date embarked on four international concert tours, the most recent one in November - December 2001. With their songs, they have assuaged the cultural nostalgia of the homesick and busy Filipinos now rooted in scattered parts of North America. In California, the group has performed in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego. They have been to Denver, Colorado; New Jersey; Houston, Texas; Virginia; Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami in Florida; and to Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Milwaukee. In Canada, they have performed in Toronto and Windsor.

Indeed, this interfusion of voices and talents has gone a long way. To quote Dr. Ramon C. Portugal, “The U.P. Staff Chorale has already made significant contributions to the enrichment of the cultural life not only of the University of the Philippines but also of communities outside the institutions and has had its voice literally heard far and near.”

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Lilia Pontejos-Dimaculangan is current president of the UPSCS and is Division Chief of the U.P. Human Resource Development Office. She has a BS in Chemistry and a Masters in Industrial Relations.

Fina Lumpas works with the U.P. School of Labor and Industrial Relations and is the UPSCS Secretary.