2007 was a year of many triumphs for Filipino performers in various international competitions. To celebrate these victories, the CCP gathers the winners – silang mga nagwagi – and brings them together for a command performance under the musical direction of Ryan Cayabyab in WAGI, at 8 p.m. on February 15 at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

The concert, a tribute to Filipino artists, is one of the highlights of the celebration of National Arts Month at the CCP.

WAGI will be top billed by the following artists:

Jed Madela, named Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World in the 2005 World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, California. The award is the highest prize in the WCOPA where he also won two Champion of the World Plaques, One Star trophy for the award Grand Champion of the World in the singing division and the diamond trophy for the most coveted top prize as Grand Champion Performer of the World.

Reuben Laurente, winner of the gold medal (Broadway), three silvers (pop, R & B and world music) and a bronze (gospel). Laurente won these awards in the 2007 WCOPA thirty and above group.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers, winner of the 2007 European Grand Prize for Choral Singing in Arezzo, Italy, the first and only choir to win the grand prize twice in the competition’s entire history.

Six prize-winning choirs will perform in WAGI. These choirs are:

The UE Chorale, winner of the gold prize, classical category, grand Prix, Busan Choral Festival and Competition in 2007; Novo Concertante, winner of the gold medal, folklore category of the 23rd Takarazuka International Chamber Choral Contest in Japan in 2007; Sta. Teresita Parish Chorale, winner of the 2007 grand prize in A Voyage of Songs International Choral Festival 2007 in Pattaya, Thailand; Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir, champion in the Music of the Religions Category of the 3rd Choir Olympics in Bremen, Germany in 2004; Mandaluyong Children’s Choir, winner of the Silver medal in the children’s choir category and the bronze medal in the contemporary music category of the 2002 2nd World Choir Olympics in Busan, Korea; Coro de Sta. Cecilia (top prizes, Asian open of the 1st Asian Choir Games in Jakarta, Indonesia in November 2007, golden diploma, musica sacra category and silver diploma in the mixed vocal ensemble category).

WAGI is directed by Alex Cortez, with Floy Quintos as writer, Monino Duque as lighting designer and Eric Cruz as production designer. For details, call the CCP box office at 832 1125 local 1409 and 832 3704.