The road to SALMO: How USPF’s HUNI Habagat found its voice again in Cebu and beyond

Like every meaningful journey, HUNI Habagat‘s story began with humble beginnings. Their story has never been about counting years. It has always been about the depth of transformation, the courage to begin again, and the determination to keep a musical legacy alive.

We’re not just singing the song. We’re also performing it, presenting it in a way that you’re not just saying the words — you are living the words.

— Isaiah Gideon Bardago

Tenor singer, HUNI Habagat of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF)

Today, as the official chorale of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) in Cebu City, Cebu, HUNI Habagat is the living proof that when passion refuses to fade, even years of silence can become the beginning of something extraordinary.

Their upcoming concert SALMO: A Second Anniversary Concert this July 18, 2026 at the UCCP Bradford Church in Jones, Cebu City, Cebu, marks a new milestone for the group. Beyond celebratory performance, this stage will represent their hard-fought resilience and gratitude. A perfect moment to look back on every challenge that shaped them while setting the stage for the verses still waiting to be sung.

A legacy reawakened

HUNI Habagat traces its roots back to 2003, when a group of students was first assembled to sing the Philippine national anthem during a university event. What started as a one-time gathering eventually grew into USPF’s official chorale.

Keeping that music alive, however, was never easy.

Over the years, the choir endured changing administrations, shifting institutional priorities, and eventually the stillness brought by the pandemic. Like many performing groups, the music slowly faded until the organization became completely inactive for several years.

That silence finally ended in 2023.

With only eight members willing to start over, the revival of HUNI Habagat began, not with grand performances, but with quiet determination.

“We thought that we came from the pandemic, so there were a lot of negative thoughts and all. That’s why we decided to relaunch,” shared choir director NJ Banares. “But it took us some time because we thought we needed to improve first.”

Instead of jumping straight to the spotlight, the small group focused intensely on cultivating a deep sense of shared purpose and refinement, leading up to their official launch in May 2024.

Challenges and perseverance

With its first major competitive step at the HuNiño songwriting competition, it was a bold leap of faith. While rival choirs arrived in custom, lavish gowns, HUNI Habagat wore simple polo shirts paid for out of their director’s own pocket before ultimately performing in rented formal wear.

Yet, their artistry outshone their limitations, earning them the prestigious Best Interpreter Award.

Their voices soon reached audiences beyond campus, opening doors to competitions and performances that tested both their artistry and grit. They advanced as the sole Region 7 qualifier and National Finalist for the 2025 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) held at the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila last November 2025.

Reaching the national stage, however, came with another uphill battle.

Financial constraints and limited support threatened to overshadow the opportunity they had worked so hard to earn. But the choir refused to let their circumstances define them.

For the members, success was no longer measured solely by trophies or titles, but by the sheer resilience it took just to stand on that stage.

Carrying the music forward

For HUNI Habagat, every achievement serves as both a celebration of how far they’ve come and a challenge to keep moving forward.

“Our goal for now is to focus on our sound more, to build our sound, to develop and enhance our skills, and to prepare for something bigger.” Shairah Mikhaela Batoy, the current president of HUNI Habagat, shared.

Every rehearsal became an opportunity to grow together, every performance another reminder that music is strongest when built on trust, humility, and a common purpose.

That same purpose eventually inspired another beginning.

As HUNI Habagat continued to flourish, its vision extended beyond USPF, leading to the creation of HUNI Mandawe, the official chorale of the Mandaue City School for the Arts. The members are elementary to high school students that are led by a parent’s council. This becomes an opportunity to continue nurturing the next generation of young musicians.

Together, HUNI Habagat and HUNI Mandawe now stand as two choirs connected by one mission; to use music as an expression of faith, excellence, and community.

Beyond perfecting harmonies and mastering technique, the members believe that every performance should communicate something genuine.

“We’re not just singing the song,” said Isaiah Gideon Bardago, one of the tenor singers in HUNI Habagat. “We’re also performing it, presenting it in a way that you’re not just saying the words — you are living the words.”

As HUNI Habagat marks its second anniversary, they invite audiences to become part of that continuing story through “SALMO: A Second Year Anniversary”, to be held at UCCP Bradford Church in Jones, Cebu City on July 18, 2026.

The concert will feature performances by HUNI Habagat and HUNI Mandawe, joined by the UCCP Bradford Heralds Choir and guest artist Luwilen Gabrillo, creating an evening where every piece reflects a shared journey of faith, resilience, and artistic growth.

More than a showcase of choral excellence, the program promises stories told through song — celebrating where the choirs have been, the people who helped shape them, and the dreams that continue to guide them.