He was also involved in early music performance practice as a countertenor with the Berlin Monteverdi Chor in Germany and the Villancico Vocal Ensemble at the International Bamboo Organ Festival in the Philippines.

As a conductor, he was a music director of the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club, assistant choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers under Andrea Veneracion, principal conductor of the San Miguel Master Chorale and the Union Church of Manila Chancel Choir.

His music training formally began at the Philippine High School for the Arts where he majored in voice and piano.

He also performed under Dr. Joel Navarro with the Ateneo College Glee Club where he also became assistant conductor and, from 1991 to 1994, served as music director.

In 2004, he was appointed principal conductor of the San Miguel Master Chorale, the Philippines' first professional choir.

In the same critically acclaimed[2] performance, the San Miguel Master Chorale also premiered Palaruan's compositions Gapas and Infaag of a Pundayaw (Praise) series.