The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Joel Navarro who?
Joel Navarro, the topnotch musician who was schooled abroad in choral conducting.
Although he is a math wizard who graduated on a scholarship grant from the prestigious Philippine Science High School, Joel pursued his passion for music and became one of the most esteemed conductors among choirs in the Philippines.
When he was in UP, he was a member of the UP Concert Chorus.
Navarro had conducted the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club for the longest time from 1979 to 2001.
Under his baton, the AGC won numerous awards and recognitions in choral singing not only in the Philippines including the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) but in various parts of the world like being a finalist at the Europe Grand Prix.
Newscaster Angelique Lazo, one of the active members of ACGC—now known as Ateneo Chamber Singers—has endless praises for Joel.
“It was under his time that the ACGC won international acclaim. Through his mentorship, we were able to compete in Arrezo, Italy and even won awards in Barcelona and Cantonigros, Spain. We travelled and gave concerts in Europe and the United States, giving glory to God and country,” she said.
“He was and still is a musical genius and under his guidance, he was able to hone our untrained voices into something beautiful and magical. Under him, our singing and performances became an offering to God, the Source of all our talents. After we graduated from college, we continued to carry the many life lessons of discipline, excellence and faithfulness that we learned from him,” gushed Jik, Angelique’s nickname.
According to Angelique, she was under the mentorship of Joel at the ACGC in the 80s and 90s.
We also learned from Lazo that the ACGC was founded much earlier than Navarro. “Maybe in the early 1900s,” informed Jik, her nickname.
That is why Robert Delgado, President of the National Association of Filipino Choirs, Inc. (NAFCI) didn’t mince words to invite Navarro to be one of the members of the Board of Jurors for the upcoming 2025 Palawan International Choral Festival on August 13 to 16, 2025 at Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
“I believe in his expertise. He is a real pro. I should know. I was also one of his students in music,” said Robert.
Joel is extra supportive to the cause of Delgado who said that NAFCI is a non-profit organization which aims to develop the musical capabilities of Filipino especially in choral singing. “Nakakalungkot na sa ating edukasyon, kinukuha lang isang guro para magturo ng music pag magaling kumanta dahil sa kakulangan ng guro na nag-aral ng music. E, hindi lang gano’n kasimple ang music. May malalim itong implikasyon tulad ng pag-unlad ng Lipunan dahil ang choral singing ay pagbubuklod-buklod ng mga tao (It’s sad that in our educational system, music teachers are randomly picked just because one sings well because of the shortage in teachers who are trained in music. But music isn’t all that. Music has deeper meanings and lofty objectives like the growth and development of a society because choral singing unifies people),” he explained.
Navarro has been campaigning and endorsing the 2025 PIFC.
Incidentally, he is one of the members of the Board of Judges in the competition.
“Calling upon Asian choirs, choral colleagues, music teachers, music professors, music administrators, and choral enthusiasts to come and attend the Palawan International Choral Festival this August 13-16. This event is going to be a time of stimulating discussions, thrilling competitions, and stellar choral performances.
“Held at the ecologically friendly and verdant Puerto Princesa, this event is going to be a feast for the mind, ear, eye, and tummy. Discounted rates are available to those from PCDA, DepEd, and LGUs,” expounded Navarro. (Boy Villasanta)