JUST ANOTHER FUN DAY WITH MSC

MSC welcomes back Glady Mendiola (soprano), a resident of Bahayang Pag-asa Subdivision. This was her first time to attend the Mass and rehearsals after almost three years (I think!). May your comeback be as fruitful as ever!

ONDOY'S AFTERMATH

September 26, 2009 is definitely a day to remember for us Filipinos after experiencing an unprecedented weather phenomenon of biblical proportions.

I'm referring to typhoon Ondoy which pummeled and flooded most parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Many people got stranded, lost their cars, their homes and even their lives yesterday.

I do not intend to make a mockery by posting a photo of MSC wearing our usual happy faces. Nor would I want to show the group being not too much affected by yesterday's events. But I wanted to show how grateful we are that the Lord protected us and our loved ones from the wrath caused by this storm.

Many members weren't able to attend service today. But all are safe eventhough some got stranded and chose to stay put in their respective workplaces to wait for the floods to subside. But our group opted to go on with practice after the service anyway.

We started rehearsing songs for the Christmas Season... And I couldn't help thinking of the people who would not be celebrating Christmas the same way again after Ondoy's devastation.

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.

COFFEE BREAK

Enjoying coffee in the company of good friends! Makes you wanna sing a famous coffee commercial jingle... LET'S SIT...

LET'S TALK...

ONE MOMENT...

ONE... MSC!!!

EVENING REHEARSALS

I remember growing up as a neophyte of MSC, attending the regular weekly rehearsals under the supervision of the legendary Sir Roni Verga. It was done usually in the evening when most members come either from work or school. In my case, I was either coming from school or from a gimmick!

That is why when we scheduled an evening rehearsal recently, it sort of brought me down memory lane. It was like this: seeing my older co-members, rehearsing, being scolded at, once in a while and then go on for gimmick afterwards. Like eating at a nearby 24-hour "lugawan". Moreso, bringing Sir Roni to his Quezon City house is already a gimmick for me in those days.

Practices were difficult before. The big OLHRP church was still in its young construction phase. We had to bring out the heavy church organ from a stockroom and then return it once we're done rehearsing everytime for security purposes, that is. The church literally, barely had walls then!

That time, the feeling was impersonal. I felt practices were a chore. And the thought of being with my MSC co-members instead of my school peers is really a drag! But eventually, everything turned around quite significantly in my life. And I started enjoying the rehearsals. The responsibility and commitment that goes with being a TRUE-BLOODED MSC!

These days, we get to practice at night if we're a bit in a hurry to finish learning a music sheet and perfect it for a certain commitment, task or what have you. Since Meanne's wedding is just around the corner (May 2), we needed to find more ways to make our availability work out for us.

So far, I don't hear any backing-out from my members about the schedules like the way I used to... (ahaha!) ☺

EASTER VIGIL- THE REHEARSAL: LUNCH BREAK

MSC had the chance once again to go bold with our lunch following the two days of not so extravagant food (tofu, fish, and canned sardines etc.). After the General reheasals at OLRP, the group went on an eating spree at Mang Inasal, SM Valenzuela.

Too bad for the ones who couldn't come...

EASTER VIGIL- THE GENERAL REHEARSAL

Every year, when MSC gets to be chosen to sing for special occasions like the "Easter Vigil Mass Service", the group holds its practice at the OLRP church so that every part of the celebration is meticulously coordinated with the organizers.

This is the time for the group to get really serious with our craft! Truly, it is one heck of a sacrifice, but the feeling of being trusted to deliver such an extreme amount of effort for the Church every time is always worth it.

MANGO MANIA

At Tito Boyet's place, MSC had the privilege of holding our rehearsals for two consecutive days (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday). There was an "Indian" mango tree at the front yard. It was a bumper crop!

THE GAME IS ON! -- LENTEN SEASON TRADITIONS

Today is Good Friday. This is the day when Catholics commemorate and reflect on the Death of Jesus Christ. Probably this is one of the busiest season for MSC as we prepare a whole lot of songs for the Easter Vigil tomorrow night, Black Saturday. Most of the songs chosen for the line-up during this season are always the hardest. More difficult than Christmas Songs if you ask me. The extra rehearsal days is a tradition in itself! Since most of us are on vacation during this time, MSC always schedules rehearsals more than once during the Holy Week. And it gets tiring everytime.

But in spite of the agonizing throat-pain most members feel because of too much singing, any discomfort wears away instantly the moment you share good food with your MSC buddies. The traditional "patola and sardines in miswa", the early members of MSC have handed down on us is always the perfect choice on the menu. The ultimate MSC Lent comfort food!

Yes, we could be extravagant with food. But I guess this is the perfect opportunity to go down to the basics and be humble with our food as we recollect on the biblical things that transpired thousands of years ago in Calvary.

During this season, family or otherwise, we have many traditions. But MSC has a whole different set of traditions that we particularly do only in this season. And my only wish is that it lives on for generations to come!

Special thanks to Tatay Boyet and Tita Melody for accommodating us and taking care of lunch!

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!

AT THE MASTER'S GARDEN

Taken approximately 5 years ago.

I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed Him.

-John 15: 9-10