Choral clinician, composer, song arranger, and musical director, Dr. Edgardo Lumbera Manguiat is the founder of the University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA). He is the winner of the Dirigentenpreis(Conductor’s Award) at the 2nd Johannes Brahms International Choir Competition in Germany, and the Special Prize for Excellent Conducting Performance at the 25th Bela Bartok International Choral Competition in Debrecen, Hungary. Last 2018, he was also named the Best Conductor in the 2nd Andrea del Verrocchio International Choral Festival in Florence, Italy.
After winning the Grand Prize at the “Guido d’Arezzo” Polyphonic Competition in 2001, he led UPSA to compete in the 14th EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX (EGP) For Choral Singing, in Italy. In 2018, with Ed at the helm, the group duplicated the feat--UPSA winning the Grand Prize in the Arezzo competitions and representing Italy and the Philippines in the 31st EGP. Last 2017, Ed attended the 11th World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona, Spain following a successful stint as the resident consultant of the world famous Loboc Children's Choir in Gorizia, Italy, where the choir won 19 awards.
Ed studied both at the U.P. College of Music and the UST Conservatory of Music under music pedagogues like National Artists Andrea Veneracion and Francisco Feliciano, Rey Paguio, Elmo Makil, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, Chino Toledo, and Raul Sunico, among others.
He has collaborated with three (3) National Artists - Lucio San Pedro, Bienvenido Lumbera, Virgilio Almario, either as composer or lyricist. His works include hymns and inspirational songs including one of the themes in the internationally-acclaimed film “Magnifico”, the Philippine Arena Theme, and the Iglesia Ni Cristo Centennial Hymn, to name a few.
Ed is a member of the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM) and the Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA) . He formerly heads the Conducting Department of the NEU College of Music.
He was recently inducted as Board Member for Arts and Culture of the U.P. Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. In May 2015 at the Philippine Arena, he was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa by the New Era University (NEU), as sanctioned by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Ed is a recipient of several awards and recognitions for his musical achievements and involvement in socio-civic activities. These awards include the Lhuillier Foundation Achievement Award; the Rotary Club of Manila Award of Appreciation and Recognition; the Accenture Global Achievers Award; and the SM Lipa Global Pinoy Award of Recognition.
Ed holds a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from the University of the Philippines.