FGNHS stands for the Francisco G. Nepomuceno High School, a public high school located in Pandan, Angeles City where my son is in his third year under the SPA section (Special Program for the Arts)

So, what’s so special about the FGNHS Choir anyway?

Well, aside from my son, Edgar Allan being a member of the choir, they got first place in the recently concluded inter-school chorale competition held last December 13, 2009 at the Robinson’s Place in Angeles City.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to watch them then… but fortunately, being the champion, they were invited to return to the same venue on December 16, Wednesday to perform.

This time I made sure I will watch… and recorded it even.

Here’s their first song -- Joy To The World (and part of their second song, my memory card was full, I deleted some videos afterwards).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrqpe6LZGVA

After deleting one video from my memory card, I was able to record their third song, which was a Filipino Christmas song

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIwVuXmQ3ZY

There was a fourth song, but my memory card was really full by then.

The next day though, December 17, the group competed again on the first Himig Pasko held at the Clark Parade Ground.

They weren’t as lucky there though. The competition was open to all, and other groups were really good (as in professionally good!).

Anyway, I was able to catch (and record) their fourth song, which is Gloria in Excelcis Deo

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTeNz2nca6Y

The only not-so-good part about all this was that, my son was in the second row, so he was never seen (clearly) on the camera.

But it doesn’t matter, he’s part of the group, and it’s all that matters.

Susan Boyle maybe an early favorite to win the finals in “Britain’s Got Talent!” being an overnight internet sensation and all, but it was the 10-men troupe of street dancers from Essex that bagged the first place, with Boyle settling for the second place.

Diversity won over Susan Boyle, and even the group was shocked to hear the decision.

But they did deliver a very outstanding performance in the finals night. Even hard-to-please Simon Cowell said that it is the only performance he would give a 10 to for the night. He also said “There was not a step out of place, it was sheer and utter perfection what you just did there.”

Boyle accepted the decision very well and said, “The best people won. They are very entertaining lads. Lads, I wish you all the best.” After the announcement, she curtsied to the audience and gave them her signature hip shake.

The Diversity comprises three sets of brothers, who also derives inspiration from all facets of pop culture, from the movie “Transformers” to Michael Jackson.

The group came out performing an imaginatively choreographed, brilliantly high-stepping, leaping and lunging dance routine, even weaving in a cheeky reference to the judges’ buzzers. Three members of group donned red caps to represent the buttons the panels press to get acts off the stage.

Diversity won £100,000 first prize (about $159,000) and will be performing before the Queen Elizabeth II in the Royal Variety Show.

Here’s a video of the two performances for the that night:

Diversity

www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-o8egEWiZE

Susan Boyle

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc2elS5rNkI

I’m sure it’s not all lost for Boyle, with the kind of media attention that she got, it won’t be a remote possibility that she would get a contract.