THOMASIAN conductor Mark Agpasa was among eight recipients of the Ani ng Dangal award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) last Feb. 26 at the Malacañan Palace.
Agpasa received the award for his composition “Jubilate Deo,” an eight-voice piece for the mixed choir category, which bagged first place in the 2019 Busan International Composition and Festival Competition.
“The piece is inspired by a sacred text but put to music using rhythmic styles and apocalyptic feeling,” he said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
Agpasa graduated from the Conservatory of Music in 2018 with a degree in choral conducting.
He has been the assistant musical director for the UST Singers since 2014 and the conductor and musical director for the AB Chorale since 2015.
“Because of this recognition by our country, I am very happy and driven to create more pieces and share not just Filipino pride but also our Thomasian cultural heritage,” Agpasa said.
The Ani ng Dangal award is given to a Filipino artist or group that has reaped top honors in international events.
