The University of the Visayas Chorale and Hiyas ng Pilipinas Children's Choir scored stunning victories at the grand finals of the MBC National Choral Competition, held on December 19 at the Aliw Theater.

Audience favorite UV, conducted by Anna Abeleda Piquero, edged out a powerful St Louis University Glee Club by a hairline, with De La Salle's Coro Animo

and Makati City's Koro Ilustrado rounding up the top four finishers.

It was the third-straight victory for Hiyas ng Pilipinas, who reprised their debut win at Paskong Pinoy in 2007 by topping Vox Angeli anew. AUP Young Voices and Calasiao Children's Chorus, both title-holders at the World Choir Games, came in third and fourth respectively.

At the awarding ceremonies that capped the evening’s festivities, the choirs exhuberantly posed in front of the giant lanterns that earned top prizes in MBC’s Ilaw ng Pasko competition, which was won by Angelita Sioson, Maria Anna Sanson, and Felicito Sentones.

Kudos go to the staff of Hot FM-Cebu, Yes-FM Cagayan de Oro, and Love Radio stations in Baguio, Davao, Iloilo, and Laoag for setting up the nationwide auditions which yielded a bumper crop of choral entries from the provinces. Special thanks to Ricky Etrata, Marlon Baula, Baybz Vasquez, Rene Sales, and Irineo Ibalio.

Paskong Pinoy was co-presented by Star City, with support from Talk n’ Text, Lady’s Choice, Kawasaki, M. Lhuillier, Loperamide Diatabs, Coca Cola, and PLDT.