Philippine Veterans Bank and British Alumni Association of the Philippines Chairman Roberto de Ocampo, OBE together with the boys of Libera, cut the ribbon at the launch of “Angels Sings – Christmas in Ireland”
MANILA, Philippines – Libera, the world’s foremost chart-topping boys’ choir from London, has recently released their newest album in the Philippines as part of the choir’s partaking in the Philippine-UK Friendship Week led by the Chairman of British Alumni Association of the Philippines and Philippine Veterans Bank, Roberto de Ocampo, OBE. The CD and DVD album, which de Ocampo is credited as associate producer, is entitled: Angels Sing – Christmas in Ireland, and features beloved Christmas carols, old and new, sacred and secular, joyful and tender – all recorded live in the radiant ambiance of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, Ireland.
“Libera has a personal touch on every soul that allows everyone to keep in mind the joyful warmth of Christmas. With their angelic voices, they allow us to make sense of the world and feel the true meaning of the yuletide season, which is doing selfless acts for the good of the many,” De Ocampo said during the launch. “Their powerful voices can be likened with the mandate of heaven to spread the joys of Christmas”.
When they first performed in the Philippines in 2009, the boys’ choir impressed the Filipino audience with a moving performance of Bayan ko in impeccable Tagalog, which they also performed recently on their Manila and Cebu concerts along with other songs from their repertoire including Orinoco Flow, Angel From On High, Sanctus, and other Christmas songs such as Carol of the Bells, Silent Night, Joy To The World, In Dulci Jubilo, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Their version of Bayan ko is considered by many to be one of the best versions of the beloved song.
Libera was formed in 1999 by musical director and renowned composer Robert Prizeman. Prizeman named the boys’ group after the song Libera, which is based on the Libera Me segment of the Requiem Mass. The boys who make up Libera, aged seven to sixteen, attend many different local schools in London and come from a variety of backgrounds. Their membership changes regularly as older boys’ voices break and they move on, making room for new members. The distinctive sound of Libera has captured the world in the past few years. The group’s albums have topped both mainstream and classical charts in many countries, and their albums hold their top place alongside major artists like Andrea Bocelli.