WITWI: JONNI-EVER???

One MSC mainstay has gone A.W.O.L.! Not really... Jeybi is out for a while finishing his review for the Nursing Board Exams! For sure after which, he would be hanging out with us again.

GOOD LUCK JEYBI!

ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ANGIE AND JOSIE,

BROTHERS JAYPEE AND JEYBI

NIECE AND UNCLE, OYET AND JOY

Throughout the history of MSC, many of it's members go beyond just indigents of Barangay Maysan. Most of the people who have joined MSC have close blood relations!

FAVORITE COLOR?

As I was going through accumulated photos of MSC in my newly repaired PC, I noticed that in many of MSC's group performances, we wore black! What is it that made Black MSC's fave color?

POSSIBLE REASONS:
1. It's sheer elegance.
2. Availability and Accessibility
3. To hide those unwanted flabs!

In this photo taken at the Regina Carmeli School in Malolos, Bulacan for a special mass service years ago, we were teased by the Bishop who presided the Mass as Singers for a Funeral. Hilarious!

THE FEAST--AT IT AGAIN

PAPURI FEAST AT ST. LOUIS COLLEGE,

MAYSAN, VALENZUELA CITY,

WHILE DOING "SOUND CHECKING"

UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVEN'T ACQIURED PHOTOS

OF THE MOST RECENT PAPURI FEAST JUST YET.

On March 28, 2009, there again was THE FEAST themed "Pag-aalay ng Sarili sa Ikabubuti ng Marami" held at the Valenzuela City Center For the Arts. MSC was there once again to help out as part of the Music Ministry of the said gathering along with other talented persons from different church organizations in OLRP.

I feel happy and proud of what the Feast Music Ministry have become since our early beginnings. We now sound lot more professional and our showmanship was astounding. We successfully made the congregation jive, dance and even cry with our music. Most importantly, all of us were blessed from the event!

WITWI: LEO AND GIGIE

Leo and Gigie... two of MSC's lovable members. Leo, his incredible funny jokes and antics that one can never stop laughing when he's around! Gigie on the other hand is very charismatic! Her ability to cook good food is one of her best assets.

Put them together and you have a party!

For as long as I can remember, whenever MSC comes by their place, Leo would always do the entertaining while Gigie comes up with something to serve for us. Then, we would buy a couple bottles of booze from a nearby store and it's an instant PARTY.

But things got different after the Leo and Gigie, together with their children moved to London to find greener pastures. Their commitment and generosity to MSC will always be acknowledged.

MSC wonders when will we ever party with them again...

IS IT GOODBYE ATE JO TOO??

Since the news broke out that Angie already passed the interview at the US Embassy and now Ate Josie is just waiting for her US VISA to come out, I'm having a hard time imagining the status of the group without them around!

These women are vital assets to MSC. Their talents are a big help to the group! And it would be hard to find members as good as them! Surely they're IRREPLACEABLE!

ANGIE THE AM-GIRL

I have just found out that Angie will be leaving for the States soon. She already passed the interview at the US Embassy. Well, MSC is happy for her, no doubt about that. But letting go of someone so precious for the group is something that is not easy for me to muster!

It would be selfish for me to stop her from going because we all know it's a family thingy, but MSC will surely have a big deal of an adjustment when she leaves! Of all the years I've been helping out with MSC, I have not encountered a member as GOOD as her! Aside from the fact that her extremely good talent never went to her head! She remains humble and willing to teach her fellow members up to now...

God will surely provide us with new members, I know. But an ANGELIQUE will never be replaced and surely be etched in the history of MSC being one of the greatest Sopranos we ever had!

THE TWO TOWERS

When I look at this photo, it reminds me of one of the movie installments in the "Lord of the Rings" franchise, THE TWO TOWERS... especially when a hobbit is present in the photo as well... Nothing personal! Ahaha!

I wonder what this new generation of members took for baby food. Old MSC members are starting to be dwarfed (and out-numbered) by these giants!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LULU!!!

As I have announced on one of my blogs here a couple of days back, MSC is up for another eating spree at Lulu (Martin)'s Birthday celebration which was held on March 22 (Sunday) at her place a week after her actual birthday (March 15).

As for her daughter Julliana, MSC's "inaanak ng bayan" (no pun intended) is turning one this April and is next to celebrate. So MSC will sulrely be invited to partake another gastronomical experience at the Martin House.

NOTE: If you're curious about Lulu's AGE, you might want to ask her yourself...ahaha!

IN DESPERATE NEED OF GIRLS

Yes, one may think that the title implies that all these boys are in need of GIRLFRIENDS. That's not what this blog is about. I'm starting to notice that MSC is getting overpopulated by the guys. And I'm beginning to worry.

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THIS??

MALLS GALORE!

@ THE TRINOMA

@ THE NEW SM ANNEX (NORTH EDSA)

Sometimes I wonder why other countries would think that the Philippines is THIRD WORLD! When Shopping malls of all shapes and sizes emerge here like mushrooms! Some display of patriotism, I know. But amidst all the hardships we Filipinos experience all this time, it's a good thing malls are here to stay to somehow help to unwind the Filipinos' tired minds thinking how to make ends meet!

And whenever a new mall opens, MSC is always there to check it out and splurge in it like there's no tomorrow.

WITWI: JHE & HER ORGAN

It's not what you think... I'm talking about a Church Organ

Jhe, has been a familiar face at the OLRP church for as long as I can remember. I would always see her on the musician's chair playing the organ during the evening masses almost everyday.

Her generosity and commitment to OLRP goes beyond the barriers of MSC. She makes time to lend her services in Masses no matter what choir was singing. How can you top that?

Now, she works as a nurse in the US with her husband Jhun (Bass, MSC member) and three beautiful children!

I remember her being silent and serious, yet i remember her at her wackiest as well. I remember her as a debutante, a bride and a mother.
And I remember her simply as a friend who was willing to stand beside you in your time of need.

COMMUNICATION INTOXICATION

Remember the time when MSC used to walk around the neighborhood just to convey messages with one another? Even the town of Maysan hasn't had any telephone lines yet. What a drag right? Come to think of it, the other members who were willing to do the task of going from house to house just to announce something before, is very much admirable.

Thanks to the birth of the CELLPHONE, communication has gotten a lot easier, by a mile! No more enduring the hot sun, the rain and other hard stuff that our first members used to experience. Only a few presses on the keypad and you're good to go!

This photo was taken using a camera phone. When MSC was still going "gaga" about the cellphone and it's perks and features! And while the cellphones have gone a long way from its first models, MSC is right there to adjust and conform with it!

NHEY + GUITAR = GOOD MUSIC

The guitar is a musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles. It typically has six strings, but 4, 7, 8,10, 11,12, 13 and 18 string guitars so exist.

Guitars are recognized as one of the primary instruments in jazz, blue, country, flamenco, rock music etc.and many forms of pop. They can also be a solo classical instrument. Guitars may be played acoustically, where the tone is produced by vibration of the strings and modulated by the hollow body, or they may rely on an amplifier that can electronically manipulate tone.

For MSC, after Jeanette Cruz, MSC member and organist left for the US for a more promising career in the field of nursing, MSC would have to depend on Kuya Arnel alone for musical accompaniment. And he gladly took the challenge now, without an organist by his side. He has been doing it for MSC for years long after Jeanette had gone. His ever-reliable guitar never fails to come into the scene during jammings, engagements and parties too.

TRIP TO BATAAN

SCTEX to Dinalupihan, Bataan exit

Last March 15, Tatay Boyet, Tita Melody and I went to Balanga, Bataan. It was to attend a christening of Nelda (Lucas)'s youngest kid Andrei Chino. Nelda MSC alumni, after she got married, her family needed to transfer to Bataan. But her heart still remains with MSC that she even chose me and Tatay Boyet to be Godfathers of her child. MSC alumni couple, Larry and Cherie de Guzman were also present there as Godparents as well.

We got to use the SCTEX route for the first time to get there. And it was an experience indeed! It felt like being in a different country.

Another first for us was seeing a bonsai tamarind tree with fruits ripe for the picking!
We enjoyed a sumptuous feast at a local Restaurant following the baptismal rites at the Holy Cross Church. Parlor games also livened up the occasion which are not only intended for the kids but for the adult attendees as well!!!

After a nice banquet and the socializing with the hosts and other guests, we went home grateful for the honor to be chosen as Godfathers and happy for the opportunity to be reunited with old, close friends.

March 15 was also Ate Lulu's Birthday. But celebration will be next Sunday. Weekly rehearsals will resume on that day too.

MSC IDOL

If Fox TV gave us the ever-famous American Idol, MSC came up with our very own MSC IDOL!

It started during our Christmas Party in 2007 when the "elders (?)"of MSC thought of showcasing the individual member's singing abilities in the form of a healthy competition. Each member chooses a song and delivers it! After all, one can never be MSC without the talent! Judges were picked to decide who wins and the winner takes home a "katuwaan" cash prize! The very first one to bring home the title of MSC Idol was Annalyn Amorin in 2007.

In the year after, there was yet again another MSC Idol, judged by our Kuya Alex dela Cruz, an alumnus/adviser/fan and ex-president of MSC. The current title holder was out-going president Gerry Laforteza replacing president-elect, Cocoy. Looks like a conspiracy to me...ahaha...

Unfortunately, the 2008 photos were erased during my most recent PC disaster. Bear with this one for now.

A TIME TO GET SERIOUS

I'm having trouble finding pictures showing the serious side of MSC following my PC mishap a few months back. Yes, we go for gimmicks, we party, we laugh our lungs out but there is also a side of us when we use our lungs for a different purpose, the sole reason why we were bounded together as a group! WE SING!

Yes, we may be rowdy and wild at times, yet, we deliver good music ALL THE TIME!

This was taken during Ate Josie's wedding at the OLRP church. And I'm calling all members who may have saved other photos of MSC actually singing. Because that is really what the choir is all about...

THE LONG WAIT FOR SUMMER IS OVER!

Bored of the monotony? The mass services and rehearsals with the same people every week? Feel like you're in need of a little pick-me-up from all of these?

Well, the wait is over. Summer is here! Any day soon, we'll all be worrying about what we would wear, the food we're going to prepare and the money we'll be spending on our annual summer activity! After the Holy Week and our other commitments are done, MSC will be organizing once again another fun-filled excursion. We do this every year and we never get tired!

Why? Because we deserve it!

CHILLAX

Who wouldn't want to unwind with the people close to your heart?

That is how therapeutic MSC members are to one another.

Taken at the FEAST Christmas party, 2008.

MARK JOHN'S BIRTHDAY

Every once in a while, an MSC member celebrates his or her birthday in a different place away from the usual and common small town house party. When Mackoy had his birthday last September of 2008, the group decided on celebrating it in Greenhills, particularly at the famous Gerry's Grill after attending the FEAST at Valle Verde, one "service-free" Sunday.

Upon opening for service, Gerry's Grill became an instant party venue of sorts as the crew frantically assemble tables to set up one long table for our hungry group. Food was undoubtedly delicious and satisfying.

After all has been served and filled to the brim, MSC spent the rest of the afternoon, shopping and bonding with one another.

LEARN TO FOLLOW RULES

Taken at Valle Verde Sports Center. When MSC attended Bro. Bo Sanchez' Sunday FEAST. Apparently, some MSC members just don't know how to follow the rules...ahaha..

MSC JOINS "THE FEAST"

What used to be another one of those "additional church duties" has turned out to be a devotion for some members of MSC. That was how I felt personally at first when I started helping out with "THE FEAST".

This is a non-organizational event which happens several times a year. Its main objective is to share the "GOOD NEWS" of the Bible to everyone who is willing to receive it. MSC and some other individuals from other choirs under OLRP help out in the Musical aspect of the event.

Special thanks to Tito Danny Añonuevo (in green) for always encouraging MSC to be part of every memorable FEAST...

NEW YEAR -- NEW ASSIGNMENT

Hello there MSC! Ivan here. I hope everything would go well with this year's Easter Vigil service. OLRP has entrusted us to fulfill this assignment once more. So in order for us to achieve excellence, I expect complete attendance to every rehearsal date scheduled. I trust that we can do this as always!

THE MAGIC OF PHOTOSHOP

How do you turn simple and boring photos into stunning masterpieces?

Photoshop them! This was during the time when I was so into editing digital photos of family and friends and turning them into images fit to be placed beside the other billboards along EDSA.

But when I work on photos of MSC, it's kind of an emotional thing, really. Right after an event, especially if it went pretty well (even in a particular rehearsal), I'd go right away and edit the specific photos from that event. So far, there weren't any complains whatsoever from the members and they even keep asking for more!

Well, about the members themselves, whether they look good or not, is beyond me.

THIS IS IT! -- A BIRTHDAY PARTY

So there is a real birthday party after all! I knew that the month wouldn't end without Cocoy's family throwing out a birthday party for their most loved child/sister! On Saturday, October 28, 2009, MSC attended Cocoy's birthday bash held at her place.

The ever supportive family was there so as the good food and drinks! The party wouldn't be complete without some videoke and a face-off singing battle between past and present "you-know-whats of Cocoy!" (sorry... private joke)