At the Airport and Day 1 at Xiamen (July 6,2006)
We left the Philippines on the 6th day of July, with a storm about to leave Manila,. Unknowingly, this same storm was headed to China....... Xiamen, China to be exact. We arrived at the Xiamen Airport at about 2 P.M. and it was already drizzling. But this did not dampen our spirits, as we headed to a Chinese restaurant for our late lunch. The food was so "yummy" or maybe we were just so hungry that everything that was served on our tables tasted good. At 4:00 P.M , we left the restaurant l, and headed Xiamen Middle School No.6 , our dormitory. By that time the storm that left Manila has arrived in Xiamen, and we were all soaked in the rain as we walked to Building No.6 to find our rooms.
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Opening Night ( July 7, 2006)
It was the grandest celebration the children have ever witnessed. Everywhere you would see different choirs of different ages and nationality in their best national costume. Not soon enough, the children were already making friends with the South Africa Children's Choir. We also met some fellow Filipino choirs, the Caceres Chorale, Kilyawan Boys Choir & The Mapua Singers. It was time to take pictures and meet new friends....
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Contest Proper
Children's Choir Category & Music of the Religions Category
We were all very nervous... .. but the children performed at their best. We the "chaperons" fidgeted on our seats as we witnessed the performances of the other competing choirs. Surely the chilldren's choir was outnumbered , not to mention the fact that in the Music of the Religions Category, majority of the competing choirs were adult choirs. There were only two children choirs competing in this category, both Filipino choirs namely, the MetCC from Manila, and the Sts. Peter & Paul Children's Choir.
The Music of the Religion Category became memorable, because some of the choir members cried while singing "Hindi Kita Malilimutan" (one of the contest piece). Later when asked why, they said they were moved by the song and overwhelmed by their emotions as they thought of the "sacrifices" they made preparing for this competition. It was a no joke training schedule, countless hours of practices and vocalizations were spent ... but in the end their efforts paid off. The Children went home with a Silver Diploma and a Bronze Diploma in the Children's Choir Category & Music of the Religion Category, respectively. VIEW MORE PICTURES
Picture dito... Picture doon
It's time to face the camera and say... "CHEESE!" The children really had a great time meeting new friends and capturing those newly found friendships through the camera. The South Africa Children's Choir and the Sts. Peter & Paul Children's Choir became best buddies at that time.
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Our Dorm and some places in Xiamen
This is Middle School No. 6, the place where the choir stayed during the entire duration of the competition. All the competitions were held in the school so the children need not travel that far. Other pictures in this gallery will include some sites around Xiamen, China taken during our day tour.
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