THE UGLY DUCKLING

I got wind that there is a new act in town. The famous fable " The Ugly Duckling" is being brewed for theater very soon. And MSC is proud that one of our members, Karesse Marzan (SOPRANO) is part of it! I am not informed about her role but it feels great for MSC that she was able to get through the grueling auditions to win the part.

Just recently, the cast members went to perform and promote their musical play at "Umagang Kay Ganda". Karesse was there next and at par with her fellows who are already familiar faces in our local entertainment industry. 

WAY TO GO, KARESSE!!!

MSC is very proud of you!

And as the theater people say...

"BREAK A LEG!"  

MSC SINGS AT THE FEAST AGAIN!

On August 15, MSC was invited to sing for the Mass Service at SM Valenzuela. Although only a few members came for it was a Sunday, the choir did pretty good!

Many attended last Sunday's Feast. Mostly from the youth sector. Somehow this tells me that we are definitely on the right track, thank GOD!

ATE MARIT'S SHORT BUT MEANINGFUL HOMECOMING

What a joy that I belonged to a choir which is composed mostly of family and close friends! Ate Marit (ALTO, alum), my cousin came back to the Philippines from the U.S. after more than a decade. She wanted to be part of the 25th Feast day Celebration of her sister, Ate Yoyo also an MSC Alum (SOPRANO). She was greeted by the warm smiles, tears of joy and tight hugs from her family at the NAIA. Also present to welcome her back was another one of  OUR cousins, Ate Bhing (ALTO, alum). 

My apologies for not really knowing the accurate dates of all that happened in Ate Marit's homecoming, but  all I know is that it was a BLAST! With the limited time she had here, she managed to attend to all her "Balikbayan Chores"  including successfully organizing the MSC Grand Reunion! (please see previous blog about MSC Grand Reunion).  

That is how great Ate Marit is. To her peers and choirmates of her generation, she may have a very commanding aura but her love for her family, friends and MSC never fails to amaze! Thank you, Ate Marit for being one of the strong pillars that held MSC to its feet till now.

THE MAYSAN SENIOR CHOIR GRAND REUNION

Until now, I am still humbled by the fact that I am part of a choir that has been around for almost 40 years now. And it is indeed an honor to be the one teaching the members of this present generation.

On July, 2010, the first ever batch of MSC had a grand reunion which officially was started through a Thanksgiving Mass held at the newly renovated Maysan Chapel. This was the place where the people of Maysan started noticing the musical prowess of the Maysan Choir then. The mass was officiated by two of the priests who were such believers of MSC, Fr. Rolly Ang and my cousin Father Jigs Orcino. 

I used to just tag along as a kid with my cousin Ate Marit (ALTO),  who is one of the great pillars of the group. Before, all i ever wanted was to get a better view of the mass proceedings for the choir was placed on a loft above everybody else. But then, it grew on me and I started to gain interest in singing and music itself. I don't just go to the loft to get a good view of what's beneath me but I wanted to SING as well! And the rest is history...  

Anyways, the real dinner party followed after the Holy Mass at the Maysan Barangay Hall. Just a five-minute walk from the Maysan Chapel where the food was overwhelmingly abundant. There was a video presentation of memoirs of the group's highlights. Everyone was laughing and reminiscing. Hugging and kissing. Everyone was somehow thankful to be part of this legendary group. It was a memorable, fun-filled night indeed...

A PRELUDE TO ATE BHING'S HOMECOMING

Not to brag or anything, but it was already planned several months ago that my sister, Pam (SOPRANO, alum) is to visit our cousin, Ate Bhing (ALTO) in Melbourne, Australia for a few weeks of R&R. ( I wonder when my turn  would be?...ahaha!)

Anyway, both my close "Ates" toured practically the whole continent of Australia. One state, plane ride and crowd after another. Then celebrated Ate Bhing's Birthday there on June 13. She doesn't  get to party with us anymore on her birthday since she already migrated down under. And this was perfect! She had Ate Pam to celebrate her birthday with her there.

Then they went back home to the Philippines together so that Ate Bhing could attend to Sister Yoyo's 25th Feastday and the Grand MSC reunion. And most importantly, so that Ate Bhing would be able to see her family and close friends again. Kuya Carlos, Ate Bhing's hubby, followed a couple of days after.