The largest gathering of choirs will happen right here in the Philippines.

All roads will lead to the Palawan International Choral Festival on August 13 to 16, 2025 to be held in various venues in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. This is presented by the National Association of Filipino Choirs, Inc, (NAFCI) in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO),

The PICF is divided into four components, namely, 1) Festival Exhibition, 2) National 3) International Competitions, and 4) International Choral Conference.

The Festival Exhibition, to be held from August 14-15, 2025 is a general event that will feature non-competing local and international choirs to perform and immerse themselves in the local unique and diverse cultures of Palawan.

The National Competition, to be held from August 13-14, 2025, is a search for the best choirs to be participated in by choral groups from different regions in the Philippines.       This is the best venue where local choirs can bring and represent their respective regional cultures through their music. This is also to render their knowledge and proficiency in choral singing. The first twenty (20) participants who have settled their registration fees are provided free accommodations.

The International Competition, to be held from August 14-15, 2025 will give a chance to foreign choirs to showcase their talents and to experience as well the warm hospitality of the Palawenos and to see for themselves their pride scenic spots. This is the best avenue for the local choirs to learn additional knowledge from international choral groups and vice-versa. This is also the best opportunity to forge friendships among themselves.

The International Choral Conference to be held in the mornings and early afternoons from August 13-16, 2025 taking choral knowledge to the next level by participating in or observing cutting-edge discussions, masterclasses, and workshops.

Categories will be divided among the National and International contests that will showcase the competition proper with its competition performance, repertoire etc. The Jury will set the criteria, assess, deliberate and proclaim the winners through score cards.

Meanwhile, Philippine choirs can participate in the international level in two ways: 1) if they register directly in the international competition. Just like the other international participating choirs, they will experience the best amenities that the festival organizers can provide 2) if they register for the national finals and obtain a grade of 85% or above in any given category. This automatically entitles them to participate in the international level without having to pay an additional registration and individual package fees prescribed to international participants. Nevertheless, local choirs can join both competitions at discounted fees. Registration fees vary.

Featured Events:

Opening Ceremony:

The opening ceremony shall take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2025. All participating choirs shall be introduced anda special program featuring folkloric and traditional music and dances showing the culture of Palawan will be performed.

Choral Festival:

Non-competing choirs can register for the festival event to perform in the closing and awarding ceremonies in several places in Puerto Princesa and other nearby municipalities. A special jury shall assess and evaluate the individual performances of the choirs and are entitled to participate in workshops to be facilitated by choir experts. Festival choirs shall receive a certificate of participation. Philippine choirs shall be given special registration rate and their accommodation, if needed, is free of charge.

National Competition:

Choirs that obtain a gold diploma are qualified to participate in the international level which have the same category as the national and the Grand Prix competition. Choirs garnering the top three highest scores in all combined categories will be awarded cash prizes.

International Competition:

Participating international choirs shall have the privilege to enroll in masterclasses with a jury member subject to availability while Philippine choirs can join the international competition as long as they pay the registration and individual package fees. Meanwhile, only international choirs are entitled to participate and win special awards such as the Best Conductor and Audience Prize Award.

Grand Prix Competition:

The Grand Prix competition will be held in the morning of Saturday, August 16, 2025 Category champions in the international round will advance to the contest. Should there be no champion in a given category, the artistic committee reserves the right to nominate non-winning choirs in this competition.

Choral Conference:

An inspiring exchange of ideas, techniques, and performances through workshops and masterclasses. Through engaging workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, the conference explores the artistry, pedagogy, and cultural impact of choral music. This will be participated in by faculty and students of the different music colleges in the country.

Choral Workshops:

This activity is open to individual singers, conductor and all participating choirs particularly the non-competing. Each participant shall gain enrichment in choral technical knowledge and skills as well as involvement in the atelier practice, workshops, collaborations and hands-on training with the choral experts.

Choir Masterclass:

One-on-one coaching of choirs by international experts planning to join other international competitions in the future.

Announcement of Champions, Awarding and Closing Ceremony:

Announcement of winners and awarding of prizes to them will be in the evening of Saturday, August 16, 2025. Winners who are not around forfeit their awards, trophies, certificate of recognition and participation.

Fiesta Booths:

To make the festival more memorable, fiesta booths selling souvenir items, delicacies and other memorabilia will be installed here.

Festival Kits and Souvenir Program:

All participating choirs will be given one (1) souvenir program while the members will be gifted with souvenir kits with a surprise item inside.

Special Tours of the Islands:

Anyone, particularly the international choirs will be given a tour activity to avail of the day tour packages in the various islands in Palawan and other neighboring places.

2025 International Choral Conference:

A summit on the art of choral music will offer conferences and other professional meetings to be hosted by the faculty and students of the different music colleges.

The PICF is a global choral celebration that offers the wide array of the art of choral music and provides opportunities for networking with top conductors, composers and choral experts.

The 2025 PICF is also collaborating with the 2^nd Boronyugan Festival, a non-competitive choir festival which will feature local choirs serenading the beautiful streets of Puerto Princesa City.

For those interested in participating in the national competition and festival, log on to www.nafci.com. Registration is now open.

For participating in the international choir festival competition, log on to www.ppicf.com. Registration for the two competitions

For submission of research papers in joining the international choral conference, please wait for further announcement.

For inquiries, please log on to www.nafci.com or email at filipinochoirs@gmail.com.