Karaoke Time

We Pinoys are music-lovers. Music has long been ingrained in our culture. In almost any turn, regardless if they are big events such as weddings and graduation or ordinary ones such as planting ("Magtanim ay di biro, maghapong nakayuko..." rings a bell, isn't it?) or courting (Remember the kundimans of long ago to the present love songs), music was, is, and will always be part of a Pinoy's life.

Speaking about events, parties (of which Filipinos are the best!), have been occasions when we belt out songs thanks to the Karaoke/Magic Sing/whatever you call it. Whether you can sing like a pro or not, you'll surely find this activity relaxing and, perhaps, develop more your skills in singing. I have often liked songs such as "Tell me quando, quando, quando" (To Chiara's amusement), "Sway", "It's now or never", "Bikini mong itim", and other songs by Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, or our very own Jose Mari Chan. There is a score generated after the song, but who cares? You sing for enjoyment, not for an audition! Just be careful not to irritate those around you!

Apart from self-enjoyment, I am also amused with fellow singers. Some could sing and dance quite easily almost any songs.  This helps especially when one struggles to remember a song's tune by relying on the title alone. Coupled with a few drinks, singing becomes more spontaneous and swabe.

Music, it's been said, is the food of the soul. As it uplifts us when we're down and calms us when we're agitated, it also unites us with other souls on the same boat.  Keep on singing!

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I'm very glad to hear the news that Espiritu Santo Parish (Tayuman, Sta Cruz, Manila) has been declared an archdiocesan shrine. Ever since a college student, and particularly during my last 2 years in UST, I have frequented this beautiful church.  Apart from the Sunday Mass, I have been to the Novena to the Holy Spirit held every Monday and Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help every Wednesday.  Include too the Simbang Gabi! 

What I liked with the church, apart from how lovely it looks like (the "Descent of the Holy Spirit " on the main altar, the elegant main altar, the huge statues, the pipe organ, the bells come to mind), is how the liturgy is conducted - with a sense for the sacred. The homilies delivered by the priests, especially Msgr Alberto Salonga Jr (Parish Priest since 1998), were direct to the point and practical. The choir is awesome! Until now, I still ask myself how could they do justice to Lucio D San Pedro's Misa Pastorela when another parish struggled to do so until it went to disuse.  Such was our love for that church that we attended the Simbang Gabi there for quite a number of days when my family and I visited the Philippines in 2010. For Nidz and I, that's our church at home. Strange, we didn't get married there.

Prayerful wishes to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo community!  May you continue to be open to the Holy Spirit so that He will be able to animate you in your mission to proclaim Him, not only within the confines of the parish, but more so across the archdiocese and beyond. Maligayang Kapistahan!

Mommy Lita

As a teenager, I used to take notice of her as the conductor of the Apostleship of Prayer Choir in Gagalangin Parish.  Their choir usually sings during first Friday (morning and evening Masses) as well as every Friday and Sunday mornings. Their organist was the revered Honorata "Tita Baby" Buenaventura.  

I finally met and introduced myself this lady conductor one Sunday afternoon during the monthly meetings of the Apostleship of Prayer (AP).  We were all sat near the back of what was then the Ultreya Hall of the church.  Sis. Lita Aquino, as she was called,  was reminding some people (who seemed to be choir members) about their practice. She later turned to me and asked if I would be interested to join. I said "Yes", but it took awhile before I really joined them.  During the following AP meeting, she caught sight of me and told me when they would have their rehearsal in church. This time, I made sure I will be there.

Indeed, I turned up and saw her playing the organ while some ladies were singing. I was at first hesitant to approach (I got late as I initially didn't know where to get in as all the doors in the church were closed), but she bid me to come.  The songs they were rehearsing were for the Easter season. As I got nearer them, they were singing this Communion song: Kayo ay muling nabuhay, kayo ay muling nabuhay na si Kristo ang katambal, na si Kristo ang katambal. Isipin ang kalangitan, Kanyang kinaroroonan. Aleluya, aleluya, Siya ay awitan. (Freely: You have risen from the dead, you have risen from the dead with Christ as your companion, with Christ as your companion. Think of heaven where He is. Alleluia, Alleluia. Let us sing to Him.)

I enjoyed being part of the AP Choir. The first time I sang with them was at the choir loft with Tita Baby playing the pipe organ. The experience was overwhelming.  Soon I saw myself joining them during the Flores de Maria (It was May 1988 when I became a choir member.) as well as the other Masses of the week their service is required. I recall the many Fridays of 1988 and 1989 when Jonathan De la Llana and I would wake up earlier than usual to sing at the 5:30am Mass before proceeding to Letran Manila. Sis. Lita, who preferred to be called 'Mommy' by young choir members, made me feel welcome. 

There were also some events outside of Gagalangin that we took part in such as the Thanksgiving Masses presided by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin at the Manila Cathedral during his birthdays. On one of these Masses, Mommy Lita had a break - she played the Cathedral's massive pipe organ!

When I became a choir member, the parish had quite a number of choirs and choir organists. Strangely, during the early 90s, the number of organists dwindled.  Mommy Lita, who was then focused on the AP choir, was tapped to look after other choirs.  She and Tita Baby split the choirs between themselves.  

When I became a lector/commentator, I liaised with Mommy Lita who, as organist, was situated near the commentator's lectern.  One thing I can't forget is when I was serving as commentator during the Monday evening Masses.  I keep an eye on her as she might be signalling that the choir might sing (or not) some parts of the Mass (e.g. Gloria or Sanctus). At times, I would cover for the choir when everyone would go to receive Holy Communion and no one else is there to sing.

Mommy Lita have occasionally provided the musical accompaniment when I sang during parish celebrations.  Nicanor Abelardo's Bituing Marikit comes to mind.  

Apart from music ministry, Mommy Lita was also involved in the Cofradia de San Jose where she served as Secretary for a number of years. She was also a member of the Mother Butler Guild and the Samahang Birhen ng Medalla Milagrosa.

Recently, I heard that she is afflicted with ovarian cancer and is hospitalized.  Yesterday, a friend told me that she won't last that long.  

Mommy Lita, my thoughts are with you at these trying times.  Thank you for giving me the chance to serve the Lord through singing. Thanks for the many happy moments we shared in the parish. Keep up the faith, Mommy! We love you!

Man of Music

When I spent the Christmas holidays in the Philippines, I attended the annual Maytinis in Kawit, Cavite. As I watched and listened intently while the characters of Mary, Joseph, and the angels were singing on the stage-like belen, I could hardly fail to remember a man who used to be part of this event, a man who once performed as Musical Director of the "Panunuluyan" as well as the "Hosanna" (part of the Palm Sunday rites) and the "Salubong" (an Easter Sunday Filipino celebration) - my late grandfather, Augusto Luis Ravelo Samaniego Sr.

Lolo Gusing, as we lovingly call him, was a simple and silent man. Yet when he speaks, his words would etch its way into one's system. When we moved from Gagalangin to Kawit in 1984, I was reluctant to attend a new school. I had that fear of getting adjusted to a new environment. He wasn't really happy with how I was feeling. He called my attention to the potential I have, a potential that was nurtured in Angelicum, a potential that needs to shed its wings elsewhere. I took his advice seriously. True enough, I have been an honor student during my two year stint at the St Mary Magdalene School.

Having been used to pray in English, our family rosary in his house was a way for me to get used to Tagalog. As I don't know the "Hail Holy Queen" in the vernacular, he wrote it for me to memorize. Years later, in Letran, my Filipino teacher asked me to recite it which I did alright.

In 1986, he turned over the Musical Director post to Manong Bob. In spite of his old age, he still joined the Maytinis procession during that year. After the event was over, he told others gleefully how Manong Bob 'defeated' him. It's like John the Baptist giving way to Jesus Christ when it was time to do so.

Though he had retired from active work in music, music seemed to have a strong attraction for him. When an uncle (one of his sons) died and we were getting ready for the Mass in church, the musical band started to play before the crowd as it normally does whenever there is a burial. Lolo Gusing who, at first, was seated to listen to the performance, suddenly stood up to conduct the band! From a feeble octogenarian, he became an energetic youth. That was the last time I saw him conduct a band.

In Summer 1989, he became bedridden. As we were then living in Manila I pay him a visit from time to time. The last time I saw him, he told me, "Happy birthday!"It surprised me that he still remembered my natal day. A few months later he returned to his true home. I must admit that I feel sorry for not taking or making the time for him during his last few months. I was so engrossed with church activities as I was a newly elected president of a newly established group then. I know that my tears and wails during his funeral will never bring him nor the time to be with him back.

This coming Sunday, 19 August, is his 100th birthday celebration. I'm grateful to have him as my grandfather. A man with few words, just music.

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Birthday blessings too to my uncle and godfather, Edgardo "Eddie" Samaniego this coming Monday, 20 August. Apart from Lolo Gusing (Ninong Eddie's Itay), he has been one of the 'father figures' I have looked up to since my childhood. Many thanks for all the love and support you have given us! Hope you enjoy the party!

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Please include in your prayers Samuel "Soc" Madamba II who is due for a coronary bypass operation on 22 August. Ninong Soc is one of my godfathers when I was baptized. He is my father's first cousin.