While choral artistry may not be as mainstream as other, more contemporary forms of music, the Philippine Madrigal Singers have no doubt paved the way for the genre. From that first time in the 1960s when we made a splash in the international arena, the whole world now considers the Philippines as a major choral nation, with many other Filipino choirs reaping international acclaim, they note. Every community, town, or barrio has a choir, big or small, and no doubt the Madz singers have done their fair share to help these groups form and grow. In the future, we want to see more people sing together. We want to see choral music flourish in the Philippines because it is the most participative and inclusive form of art and music-making.
Location: Singapore
Impact statement: Shaking up Singaporean poetry with an uncompromising attitude and a no holds barred approach
Poet Marylyn Tan is breaking down all sorts of barriers in Singapore’s literary scene. The first woman to win the Singapore Literature Prize for English poetry in its 28 year history, she is known for her iconoclastic, witty, outspoken take on subjects including gender politics, and consistently shows a willingness to take on taboo subjects, many of them sexual and religious. A former stand-up comic, she is also the founder of arts collective Dis/Content.
Photo: Jessica Chou for Tatler Hong Kong
Location: Singapore
Impact statement: Shaking up Singaporean poetry with an uncompromising attitude and a no holds barred approach
Poet Marylyn Tan is breaking down all sorts of barriers in Singapore’s literary scene. The first woman to win the Singapore Literature Prize for English poetry in its 28 year history, she is known for her iconoclastic, witty, outspoken take on subjects including gender politics, and consistently shows a willingness to take on taboo subjects, many of them sexual and religious. A former stand-up comic, she is also the founder of arts collective Dis/Content.
Photo: Jessica Chou for Tatler Hong Kong