Elena R. Mirano, Director

Elena Rivera Mirano is a Professor Emeritus of Art Studies at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. She has an A.B. in English, cum laude, an M.A in Comparative Literature and a Ph.D in Philippine Studies from the same university, as well as a Master of Arts in Humanities from Stanford University. She served as Chair of the U.P. Department of Art Studies from 2006-2009, and Dean of the U.P. College of Arts and Letters from 2009-2015. She has served as Assistant Director of the U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim from its founding in 1971 until 1996, and Director from 1996 to present.

Alyssa Liyana S. Dioquino, Associate Director

Alyssa Liyana “Liya” S. Dioquino is a second generation musician, a graduate from the University of the Philippines College of Music with a DCPMA (Diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts) Asian Music, where she studied under Professors Aga Mayo Butocan, Tusa Montes, Lilymae Franco-Montano and Raissa Nina Odi-Pineda. Liya then proceeded to take her Bachelor of Music in Conducting from the same University and graduated in 2018 where she had the privilege of being mentored by Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng. In 2017, she was selected as one of five conductors to join a 3-day clinic with Yale Professor Emeritus Simon Carrington.

Liya now serves as the Choir Director of the National City United Church and is a music teacher in Miriam College High School. She is also the conductor of the newly founded Charis Chorus. Her work with the U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim began in October of 2016.

Celinda G. Larracas, Pianist

Celinda Guevarra-Larracas joined the U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim as pianist in 1990. She had the privilege of playing under the baton of Prof. Flora Zarco-Rivera and at present, under the tutelage of Dr. Elena Mirano. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the U.P. College of Music and MM Piano Pedagogy from the Philippine Women’s University.

Michelle C. Nicolasora, Pianist

Michelle Nicolasora studied piano performance at the University of the Philippines College of Music under Prof. Pia Balasico and collaborative piano at the University of Memphis under Dr. Victor Asunción. She was a former staff pianist of the U.P. Voice Department and an instructor at the St. Paul University College of Music and Performing Arts. She currently teaches at the U.P. College of Music Keyboard Department. She has been a pianist of the U.P. Cherubim & Seraphim from 2003-2009 and 2019 to present.

Samuel A. Silvestre, Pianist

Samuel A. Silvestre is a 5th year piano major in the U.P. College of Music's Bachelor of Music program under the tutelage of Prof. Mita Antonia Fernandez. He has been a pianist of the U.P. Cherubim & Seraphim since 2023 and has accompanied the choir in several performances and concerts such as their first face-to-face post-pandemic concert, "Undaunted," and "Triumphs of Andrea," the MADZ ET AL Choral Festival in October 2023.