Kundirana

Kundirana is a high-school Music Ministry. Its members are part of a select few students from La Salle Green Hills. Aside from being a known singing group and music ministry, Kundirana also has the distinction of being the most renowned high school singing group in the Philippines.^[1]

Composition

The Kundirana is a high school singing group that can be joined by any third or fourth year high school student in LSGH. The members are carefully picked after rigorous auditions (mainly because the group has to ensure that the person applying has talent in singing, and is not afraid of performing in front of a large crowd). Although the number of people who audition range from 35-50, only about a handful are chosen (depending on the number of graduating members). The number of members range from 10-16. Once chosen, a Kundirana member undergoes strict training both in voice and dance as well as how to carry himself in public as an ambassador of goodwill.

It has developed successful artists such as Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Randy Santiago, Monet Silvestre, Rannie Raymundo, Dingdong Avanzado, Dingdong Eduque, Montet Acoymo, Juan Miguel Salvador, Carlo Orosa, Vince Alaras, Von de Guzman and Gian Magdangal of Philippine Idol,Louie Ocampo, Mel Villena, Mon Faustino, Tats Faustino, Rowell Santiago, Manuel Lahoz, Mikoy Morales.

Former Members

A lot of former members have wither continued on to musical careers or have pursued diverse futures. Nevertheless, these former members have proved themselves successful in their paths, and most of them are leaders in their own fields.

Concerts

Kundirana has a number of concerts per year, including a farewell concert on June.^[2] They also perform in several gatherings some of which have included the opening of the NCAA Season 83 in San Juan Arena where they sang the national anthem, and the Inauguration of Noynoy Aquino where they performed a number with Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez. In August 1987, Kundirana was nationally honored with the Aliw Award as Best Cultural Group in the Philippines. Just recently, the KUNDIRANA celebrated its 40th anniversary with a grand reunion concert at the CCP entitled "KUNDIRANA KWARENTA NA! The Men, Music and Mission".

Charity work

Kundirana indulges in its public ministry to serve the needy. The ministry aims to bring joy to the sick, the elderly and the forgotten through music. Among their missionary works, Kundirana can claim to have largely built Bahay Pag-asa, a halfway house in Bacolod, Negros Occidental for juvenile delinquents, who in the past were being jailed with adult criminals who would abuse and corrupt them. Kundirana has also built a lot of classrooms in many parts of the country.

Current Members (Kundirana 2014 Heart & Soul)

JP Centeno (Singer)
Adrian Goh(Singer)
Jaffe Misa (Singer)
Erickson Amores (Singer)
Adi Perez (Singer)
Brendan Barcena (Singer)
Raven Leonardo (Singer)
Matthew Ong (Singer)
Steven Maristela (Singer)
Eggy Manuel (Singer)
Nico Mercado (Guitarist)
Randall Meria (Drummer)
Mike Tee (Bassist)
JP Ocampo (Keyboards)

Martin Pioquinto (Production Assistant)

References