THE TRIO'S FINAL GIG? -- PRAISING GOD AMIDST ADVERSITY

Being the sentimental schmuck that I am, I couldn't help but gather as much memorabilia from Ate Josie and her daughter Angie before they leave for the U.S. in July this year. So on the Kerygma Feast yesterday, I asked a friend to take as much pictures of us singing together as she could so that I could have memorable materials to post on this blog about these two magnificent singers.

I've already posted about the sudden death of Ate Josie's Papa. And in spite of that, she still went on to attend to her duties as part of the Music Ministry on this night of prayer.

In relation with this, I remember a passage in the bible about the sisters, Martha and Mary...(Luke 10:38-42)

"...But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him (Jesus) and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her,

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

I know this is hard to understand, especially when you are in a position wherein you had to attend to a commitment in the middle of a crisis, more so, a death of a loved one. All I'm saying is that Ate Josie and Angie to me were like the Mary's of today for they opted for the ONLY CHOICE!

For sure, Jesus will do what is BEST for them too.

THE KERYGMA FEAST'S 6TH YEAR IN OLRP

The Kerygma Feast of OLRP celebrated its 6th Year Anniversary on the day of the Pentecost.

 
The Pentecost is the seventh Sunday after Easter, where Catholics commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples of Jesus Christ. The disciples began to speak in many languages, a sign that the disciples must represent Jesus in delivering the GOOD NEWS in other parts of the world, thus marking the birth of the Christian Church in this world! And what a way to celebrate our PAPURI Feast Anniversary on the same day Christianity was born!


 
It was, as it always has been, an ultimate spiritual experience for MSC members who were part of the Music Ministry of the Feast as well as the whole congregation.

WITWI: NURSES ACROSS THE GLOBE

WHERE HAVE ALL THE GIRLS GONE?

JULIE MINESES (UK)

JEANETTE CRUZ (USA)

GIGIE IBAYAN (UK)

BHAVES MERCADO (IRELAND)

Now this explains why MSC is dominated by guys!... All these women happened to be nurses who were blessed to practice their profession abroad along with their families.

WE ARE TRULY PROUD OF YOU!

FEAST-TAS!

As we get ready for the coming month of June and all the fiestas and May Flower festivals have almost all been over and done with, there is still one more celebration in our community left that is yet to look forward to! The Kerygma PAPURI FEAST!

Last night, we, the MUSIC MINISTRY of the FEAST had our final rehearsals for the much anticipated Spiritual Gathering on Saturday, May 30, which is also the anniversary since the time the Kerygma Feast first landed in our area.

In the middle of this process of rehearsing and fine-tuning our songs for the event, I learned a valuable lesson from our Worship Leader, Bro. Danny Anonuevo. That the purpose of our group is to MINISTER the congregation to sing praises to the Lord and be inspired by the message of the songs that we sing and not just to PERFORM like singing in a concert.

This month's FEAST will be held at the Valenzuela City Center for the Arts at 6:00PM. Hopefully many would come and be blessed.

DRA. CELIA MENDOZA: MD OF MSC!

The first Medical Doctor of MSC, Dra. Celia Mendoza.

She is a surgeon at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in the city of San Juan.

As a child, I used to see her with the choir along with my elder cousins as they sing during the masses on Sundays and even the evening masses during the week. She is also very active helping out organizing events like during our town fiestas and major Catholic holidays.

After her choir days, she never stopped serving the church. She even went further to being a vital part of the Liturgical Committee in OLRP. She is very strict when it comes to church affairs but underneath that is a very compassionate and sweet person, ready to lend a hand especially to those who are in need of medical help.

EXERCISE!

Yes! This will be the goal for MSC in the following months! But I'm not talking about going to the gym and having our muscles toned. I'm speaking of vocal exercises!

WORK THE VOICE OUT!

LET'S TAKE IT EASY

(L-R) ANALYN AMORIN (MSC President), IVAN ANTONIO (MSC Instructor), MARK JOHN SACRAMENTO (MSC VP)

AT YOUR SERVICE!!!

Hey guys! After all the major activities that we did a couple of weeks ago, I would like to suggest that we let ourselves stand back for a while from the limelight. As we know, Ate Josie and Angie will be going to the U.S. and I want MSC to be prepared to face all the inevitable changes when this time comes.

For the following weeks after the prospected date of our summer (?) excursion in June (notice the ironic undertone?), what I want for the group is to undergo intensive training with our vocal skills and at the same time, further develop our spirituality as servants of the LORD. Since we won't be considering any commitments for a while, this is the time for us to get serious with our craft and even go on for retreats if possible while hidden from the rigorous demands of the outside world, the Parish.

I hope that every member will ever be so willing to comply, for this is for the betterment of the MSC. Thanks and God Bless.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OYET

Here's a tribute of the most loved and respected (for his age, I guess) Tenor of MSC,

who celebrated His nth birthday on the 23rd of May, 2009.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TITO OYET!

MAY YOU HAVE A LONG LIFE FILLED WITH

HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY!

MSC'S VIRGIN OF HOPE

Flores de Mayo Santacruzan is considered the "Queen of Philippine Festivals" wherein the beautiful women of the town (or Parish) roam around the neighborhood walking, or on festive mobile floats in a colorful pageant parade. Women are not chosen solely for their looks but also for how they present their feminine qualities. The handsome men of the town also gets to participate as escorts to these beautiful women.

This year's theme in OLRP's Flores de Mayo is a tribute to the Virgin Mary, highlighting the Apparitions that are believed to be the Blessed Mother of Christ, herself, in different countries around the world.

MSC's very own Angie was chosen to represent the Virgin of Hope. It is said that the Virgin of Hope is the Blessed Mary who appeared to the children of war in Pontmain, France in 1871 with a message on a banner whose letters read in gold:

"PRAY, MY CHILDREN. GOD WILL ANSWER BEFORE LONG.

MY SON LETS HIMSELF BE MOVED."

Angie wore a beautiful blue-colored gown which is believed to be how the witnesses saw the Blessed Mother in her apparition. This is Angie's last "sagala" experience before going to the U.S in July, this year.

TASTE- ALMOST

Indulge yourselves on this year's menu for our upcoming Summer Excursion in Laguna (again?) on June 12-13, 2009!

Chicken-Pork Adobo with Quail Eggs, Grilled Liempo, Chicken Sopas, Beef Tapa, Danggit, Tinapa Salinas, Fried Eggs, Lechon Manok and Sinigang na Salmon sa Miso.

I could almost taste the brandy and beer served along with them. Hehe!

EXCURSION MEETING

MAY 24, 2009 GROUP MEETING
These are the details regarding the Summer Excursion that the choir discussed in the group's most recent meeting:

I. DATE: June 12-13, 2009 (overnight)

II. VENUE: PRIVATE POOL, LAGUNA No specific private resort chosen yet.

III. SPONSORSHIPS:
Many of the members whose birthdays are during the months of April, May and June are encouraged (or obliged) to sponsor a dish for all the meals that the group will be having on the excursion. The meals and persons involved are as follows:

A. LUNCH (arrival)

Estimated arrival to destination is about 11:00 AM, just in time for lunch and will be served with a delightful Chicken-Pork Adobo with Boiled Quail Eggs sponsored by May month celebrant, Ivan.

B. DINNER

At dinner time, Gerry Laforteza, (April celebrant) as promised, will be sponsoring Grilled Pork Belly (BBQ Liempo) as the main course and will certainly be pulutan afterwards. My only wish is that Ate Lulu will join the trip so she can make her famous marinade for the pork which is nothing short of amazing!

A Chicken Macaroni Soup courtesy of Ate Josie as "despidida" bash, will be accompanying the BBQ and will be utilized further as an "upper" for the eventual drunks!!!

C. BREAKFAST

Nothing can make anyone's morning bright without Fried Eggs and Tinapa care of another "despidida basher", Angeli!

Broken Promises are a crime to MSC. That is why when Mark failed to bring home Danggit to us from his recent trip to Cebu after promising so, he will have to make up for that by buying some of these delicious dried fish to go along with our salty idulgences!

The last menu for breakfast is Beef Tapa freshly bought from The Farmers Market, made famous and now sponsored by June celebrant, Tatay Boyet! You will surely forget your name after having tasted this dish!

D. LUNCH (Next Day Departure)

Baliwag Lechon Manok (Roast Chicken) starts-off Lunch. Many specified buying from Baliwag Lechon and not from anywhere else! Kuya Arnel welcomes this responsibility with all his heart as well as his tummy!

May month celebrant, Tito Oyet never fails to cook for us his award-winning Sinigang na Salmon Belly and Panga sa Miso as his birthday blowout every year! I can say that this is becoming sort of a tradition. Stop hiding your face and start cookin'!

IV. MISCELLANEOUS

A. ADDITIONAL FOOD AND DRINKS
1. Coffee (3-in-1)
2. Chips and Snacks
3. Ice
4. Purified Water
5. Instant Juices
6. BOOZE!

B. DISPOSABLES

Plastic Spoons and Forks, Plastic and Styro Cups for Hot and Cold Drinks, Paper Plates and Holders (c/o JP) and Styro Bowls for Soups that will eventually be properly disposed in secure Garbage bags!

C. UTENSILS and CUTLERY
1. Knives (3)
2. Chopping Board
3. Ladle (kutsaron) (2)
4. Kitchen Spoons and Flippers (sandok and syanse)
5. Serving Dishes (5)
6. Frying Pan (kawali) (2)
7. Stock Pot (kaldero) (2)
8. Portable Gas Stove, Electric Grill
9. Charcoal (if grill is provided at resort)
10. Ice Chest

V. CONTRIBUTION

A. All self-sustaining members - One Thousand Pesos (1,000Php) each
B. Minors (students) - Three Hundred Pesos (300Php) each
VI. RENDEZVOUS: Hilario's Sizzlers Restaurant
VII. TIME: 8:00 AM

As always, Tatay Boyet will be provinding the transpo and the group will shell out One thousand Pesos (1K) for gas from the collected money.

Any member who will come late, automatically DOUBLES the amount of his or her contibution. May we have a nice and memorable excursion this year. Have a great day!

FLASHBACK: CHRISTMAS 2006 @ HILARIO'S SIZZLERS

The first ever "Big Gathering" held at the famous Hilario's Sizzlers Restaurant was the MSC Christmas Party of 2006, four months after the restaurant became operational.

It was MSC's first time to hold such an event at a restaurant. Thanks to some "influential" people (*cough) who managed to pull some strings in order for the group to exclusively enjoy the place, free of charge!

It was a gathering of sorts! Some attendees were even alum members from abroad who generously made time to partake in the occasion and share the Christmas spirit with the group they were once part of.

Most importantly, the active members had their well deserved Christmas treats after all their hard work.

FLASHBACK: CHRISTMAS 2005

In 2005, we held our Christmas Party at Tatay Boyet's place. Apparently, nobody knew, by far, that this would be the last of a series of annual gatherings like these at his abode. Because the following years after, the venue was moved to my area. Which indeed is always an honor for me of course...

As always, parlor games are a big hit for us members who attended. Pinoy Henyo of Eat Bulaga I think, was the "in" thing that time when it comes to games. And the members were truly "GAME" to participate.

We all expected a great fellowship with one another that night and we certainly did get it!

AMERICAN IDOLS INVADE MANILA!

American Idol Season 7 for me was the best season in the history of this famous Reality TV show! I never missed an episode of it. And I even watched the reruns and marathons! Imagine that!

On May 16, I and MSC alums Che and my sister Pam, got the chance to watch the back-to-back concert of American Idol winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta at the SM Mall of Asia open grounds! They sounded so much better than when they were still competing for the coveted title. It was like watching two concerts of different genres rolled into one. It was at the end of David Cook's set when both Davids got to sing together on stage thus ending the entire concert with a bang!

Sorry guys but I just really had to put this here! hehe!

FLASHBACK: SUMMER 2001

At last! I finally got my scanner working(ish)! My apologies for that dreadful line at the left side of the photos. I couldn't fix it.

But that's not what this entry is about...

There was a time when MSC used to go for excursions at the north side of Luzon particularly, Olongapo City.

The last of our "northern exposure" was at the Mirage hotel. Situated by the beach with nice, elegant air conditioned rooms that are easy on the budget. As far as I could recall, this was the last time MSC went on a trip to the beach as a group and the rest were just regular swimming pool resorts.

The hotel rooms were composed of two beds each, newly installed airconditioning and wide screen TV. Four people could share in a room and 2 for each bed. There is also a wide viranda facing the beach. you could hear the waves slamming on the shoreline in the night which is really soothing and therapeutic.

This is the corridor to the dinning area. Food there was good. But the it takes a long time to get our orders out. The service in their resto was not that satisfying, sadly.

With a little wit, we were able to push the beds side by side to accommodate more people.

This was the oldest summer excursion photos I have unravelled from my files so far. That's why most of the people you see here are sadly either inactive or out of the country.

FLASHBACK: HANDOG HIMIG KAY MARIA

During the time when the OLRP church was still undergoing major construction, the parishioners thought of a lot of fund raisers in order to help out with the church's expenses amidst the unrelenting crises in our country. There were raffles and even BINGO nights.

HANDOG HIMIG KAY MARIA was MSC's unique way to help raise more funds for OLRP. Actually, MSC did two choral concerts in two consecutive years held at the site where the church is being constructed. Led by our Sir Roni Verga, the group succeeded in its call for the people to shell out some money to buy tickets and place ads on the souvenir program which all earnings were donated entirely to OLRP.

MSC performed with the best of its abilities and impressed the whole congregation. It even inspired the other choirs of the parish to put up their own concerts for the church's benefit.