Our story
The History of The Chorus of Arts and Letters
The story of The Chorus of Arts and Letters (ABC) began in 1995, with an unexpected turn of events that eventually gave birth to an organization that would become part of the history and tradition of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters.
Photo: The Varsitarian
1995
Where It All Began
Manager’s Choice, the official choir of Behavioral Science and 1st Runner-Up in the AB Choral Song Fest in December 1994, stepped forward with the opportunity to represent the Faculty of Arts and Letters in Himig Tomasino ’95, following the decision of Magnum Opus, the official choir of Communication Arts, not to participate.
Manager’s Choice at the AB Choral Song Fest, December 1994The question
But could singers from different groups and majors come together in time to form a choir capable of representing the entire Faculty?
The answer was yes.
Himig Tomasino ’95
A Choir for the Whole Faculty
Members of Manager’s Choice and Magnum Opus collaborated, joined by additional singers from different majors, to form a new ensemble representing the entire Faculty of Arts and Letters. Paulo Zarate served as its Founding Conductor from the very beginning, guiding the newly formed choir as it prepared for Himig Tomasino ’95.
The newly assembled choir went on to compete in Himig Tomasino ’95, finishing as 2nd Runner-Up, with Pamilyang Uliran as its contest piece and Pasigin as its choice piece.
That competition proved to be more than just a single performance. It brought together a group of singers whose shared experiences would become the foundation of something much bigger—the beginning of The Chorus of Arts and Letters.
The newly formed choir at Himig Tomasino ’95After the competition
The Birth of ABC
Following the competition, the members recognized the potential of the group and the importance of establishing a permanent choral organization within the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
Ronald Salvame, who became the organization's Founding President, took the lead in empowering the group and beginning the process of formally establishing the organization.
Together with fellow founding officers Edalyn Dumo DeFrancia, Jonnie Baraquio, Yasmin Matubis, and Zyril Ongkiko Ng, Ronald spearheaded the preparation and processing of the organization's bylaws and other requirements necessary for official recognition.
Their efforts eventually paid off.
The founding officers, 1995September 30, 1995
ABC Becomes Official
On September 30, 1995, after months of hard work and preparation, the organization received official recognition from OSACS as the official organization and choir of the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
Under the baton of Paulo Zarate, the founding conductor, The Chorus of Arts and Letters was officially born.
September 30 would forever become an important date in the history of ABC—not simply as the day the organization was recognized, but as the day the vision of its founders became an official reality.
From the Logbook: “Recognized na tayo! Yehey!”
The early years
From a Competition Choir to a Lasting Organization
What began as a group brought together for a single competition soon grew into something much greater.
ABC flourished through the years, welcoming new members and succeeding generations of students who continued to carry the organization's musical tradition and spirit.
In Himig Tomasino ’97, ABC reached another milestone by being declared Grand Champion.
From its humble beginnings in 1995, the organization continued to grow, evolve, and create a legacy that extended far beyond the members who founded it.
ABC at Himig Tomasino ’97, Grand ChampionOur history
Milestones
December 1994
Manager’s Choice places 1st Runner-Up
The official choir of Behavioral Science is 1st Runner-Up in the AB Choral Song Fest.
1995
A choir for the whole Faculty
Members of Manager’s Choice and Magnum Opus, joined by singers from other majors, form one ensemble under Founding Conductor Paulo Zarate.
1995
Himig Tomasino ’95 — 2nd Runner-Up
Pamilyang Uliran as the contest piece and Pasigin as the choice piece.
September 30, 1995
ABC becomes official
Recognized by OSACS as the official organization and choir of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, with Ronald Salvame as Founding President.
1997
Himig Tomasino ’97 — Grand Champion
ABC is declared Grand Champion.
2025
NAMCYA finalist
A finalist in the 2025 NAMCYA competition.
Today
The Legacy Continues
Decades after its founding, the spirit of ABC continues.
The organization has continued to represent the Faculty of Arts and Letters in major choral competitions and events, and most recently became a finalist in the 2025 NAMCYA competition.
From the unexpected coming together of Manager’s Choice and Magnum Opus in 1995 to the generations of singers who followed, ABC's story has always been about more than music.
It is a story of friendship, collaboration, commitment, and generations of Thomasian Artlets coming together through songs.
The Chorus of Arts and Letters todayWhat began with a competition became an organization. What became an organization became a community. And what became a community became a legacy.
This is the story of The Chorus of Arts and Letters.
And the story continues.
It began in 1995 with singers from different choirs and majors who chose to sing as one. Every generation of Thomasian Artlets since has added its own voice to that story. Meet the founders who started it.
