In the recently concluded 5th World Choir Games in Graz, Austria, the Kilyawan Boys Choir (with Gian Karlo Dapul as a member) won 3 Gold Diplomas, 1 Gold Medal and 2 Silver Medals.

The Kilyawan Boys Choir is a 45-member all-male choir group whose members' ages range from 8 to 24, allowing it to be versatile in interpreting songs in different vocal arrangements.

It is a member of the Madz Et Al Family, which is the country's largest gathering of musical talents and choral groups conducted by members and alumni of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers.

The KBC boasts of having as its choirmaster and choir director, Mark Anthony A. Carpio, the present choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers who recently did the country proud by winning the European Grand Prix last August 2007 for the second time. Proof of the Kilyawan Boys Choir's musical adaptability and dedication to musical excellence are the top prizes they won in local competitions like the Concurso Chorale de Ateneo (Champion, 1999), NAMCYA Regional Finals (2nd Runner-Up, Elementary Level, 2001) and VOICES 2 POP Capella Competition (2nd Runner-Up, December 2003), the many concerts and shows they have performed in and their CD recordings.

Last July 15-26, 2006, the Kilyawan Boys Choir proudly represented the Philippines in the 4th World Choir Games (Choir Olympics) in Xiamen, China. The KBC competed in three categories: Category 4- Mixed Boys Choir, Category 25- Folk Music with Accompaniment and Category 23 ? Popular Choral Music and proudly won in all. The boys garnered a Silver Certificate in Category 23, a Gold Diploma and a Bronze Medal in Category 4 and a Gold Diploma and a Silver Medal for Category 25.

This solid and award-winning performance earned the choir the chance to compete in the same categories in the 5th World Choir Games (Choir Olympics) in Graz, Austria, the largest and most successful choir competition in the world, on July 9 - 19, 2008.

Click here for more on these fascinating choir Olympics, where Filipinos feel more than at home.