The Jesuit Music Ministry

C5 and Musica Chiesa Hold Payatas Choir Training

2007-10-01T21:24:00.001-07:00

30 September 2007. Fun was at the Kantahan at Tugtugan the Richie Fernando Covered Courts, Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila University. The Jesuit Music Ministry's Canto Cinco Chorale (C5) and Musica Chiesa held a choir training for the choirs of 13 chapels in Payatas. The choirs were organized by Sch. Francis Alvarez SJ and theologians. The program included a talk on Liturgical music and how to choose the songs, the proper way of singing, posture, etc. The repertoire done at the Workshop were advent and Christmas songs. The food was sponsored by JMM and Jollibee. More pictures here and here and here.

Himig Heswita Sings in UP

2007-10-01T21:11:00.001-07:00

30 September 2007. Sunday. Himig Heswita was the guest choir of the 11AM Student Sunday mass in the University of the Philippines. They were accompanied by Musica Chiesa. Himig Heswita sang Arnel Aquino's "Good It Is" for the Responsorial Psalm and "I love the Lord" for Communion.

A write-up about the BukasPalad Concert

2007-09-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Jason Escartin is the seminarian (front row in white polo shirts) third from left.

COMING OUT OF A CAVE
Jason Escartin

Before that night, I didn't even know of Bukas Palad.

Surprisingly, many people were already celebrating its 20th year of existence!

But not only that.

I didn't even know that we seminarians have been singing songs made by them!

We have been singing I will Sing Forever forever.

That concert introduced me to new things. i enjoyed them, particularly Hangganan and

O Hesus Aking Kaibigan.

With that experience, I came out of an old cave, and saw day.

That night at the Gesu changed me.

BukasPalad's 20th Anniversary Album Launch

2007-08-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

25 August 2007. BukasPalad celebrates 20 years with a double-CD Album launch at the Church of the Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University.

JMM at the St. Ignatius Celebration 2007

2007-07-29T15:42:00.000-07:00

29 July 2007. The Jesuit Music Ministry provided the excellent music at the Philippine Province Celebration. Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ was the music director and conductor. Himig Heswita's Sch. Ernald Andal SJ and Mark Lopez SJ were music coordinators. Fr. Arnel Aquino SJ on the clavinova, and Sch. Junjun del Monte SJ on the keyboard. The musicians were members of the UP Musica Chiesa with Cynthia Sanchez assisting in the arrangements. JMM artists and choirs (Barangka Choir, Tinig Barangka, Canto Cinco C5, BukasPalad, Hangad, Urban Bliss) composed the composite choir for the celebration. With Fr. Danny Huang SJ, Provincial.

Himig Heswita's Come to Jesus Concert Final Performance

2007-07-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

22 July 2007. The 2nd night of Himig Heswita's Healing Concert, "Come to Jesus" at the Cardinal Sin Center, Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University.

A Visit from Music Leaders

2007-07-24T01:51:00.000-07:00

19 July 2007. Fr. Ante SBC and music coordinators from the Salesian Parish of Mary Help of Christians from Mayapa, Laguna, came to the Jesuit Music Ministry for an educational tour. Fr. Jboy SJ introduced them to the Jescom community, and gave a short talk on liturgical music. They were able to meet Frs. Manoling Francisco SJ and Fr. Arnel Aquino SJ.

Himig Heswita's "Come to Jesus"

2007-07-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

20 July 2007. Himig Heswita and friends had a healing concert called, "Come to Jesus" at the Cardinal Sin Center, LST. It was a concert for those who were sick, including the terminally ill. Moreover, the concert was for Fr. Arnel Aquino SJ, who is going for studies in the US.

Rehearsals Galore

2007-07-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

19 July 2007. One of the busiest months in the life of people in JMM is July. This month, we have two concerts: Hangad's acapella and Himig Heswita's Healing Concerts. Himig Heswita's healing concerts on July 20 & 22 at the Cardinal Sin Center of Loyola School of Theology have been sold out. Since the events are for the sick, we expect all sorts of people suffering different ailments. Many of them are terminally ill. In this month's concert we bid Fr. Arnel Aquino goodbye, before he leaves for special studies in the US. Here is the night before the first concert at 730 PM.

Hangad's Acapella Concert

2007-07-16T06:54:00.001-07:00

8 and 15 July 2007. Hangad's Acappella Concert, "Walang Ibang Hangad" at the PCI-Equitable Theater, Makati City was very successful. More pictures here.

JMM Dinner with all artists

2007-05-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

10 May 2007. Thursday. The Jesuit Music Ministry hosted a dinner for all its artists who participated at the Diocesan Youth Assembly. The dinner brought together the UP Filipiniana Dance Group, Musica Chiesa, Canto Cinco (C5), BukasPalad, Hangad, and Mr. Raymond Sajor of Philippine Idol. Mrs. Madde Marante-Casas our Marketing Manager and Fr. Ari Dy SJ, Director of Jescom briefly joined us for dinner.

The Jesuit Music Ministry

2007-05-08T01:51:00.000-07:00

The Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM), an official ministry in the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, traces its roots to the pioneering work of Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros SJ, who began composing Filipino liturgical songs in response to the mandate of Vatican II in the ‘60s. Vatican II’s Sacrosanctum Concilium urged the entire assembly to actively participate in the liturgy which includes singing. From the first song Fr. Honti composed for a group of young boys and girls in Barangka, Marikina to the songs composed by present generation Jesuits and lay partners, JMM songs have been sung in churches not only in the

Philippines

but in the world.

The background of the Jesuit Music Ministry is Jesuit history itself. From the beginning of its missionary work, the Society of Jesus made its mark by contributing to Baroque music played in churches and sung even in Jesuit colleges. The first school of music in the Western Hemisphere was a Jesuit school in Sao Vicente in 1553. Mozart composed an opera for the Jesuit College in Salzburg. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was master of music from 1566 – 1571 at the Jesuit Roman College, now Gregorian University, in Rome.

But the biggest name is Domenico Zipoli SJ, an Italian Baroque composer who studied under Alessandro Scarlatti in Naples and played as an organist in the Church of the Gesu in Rome, and composed the famous, Sonate d'intavolatura per organo e cimbalo. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1716 and volunteered to be sent to the Jesuit mission in Paraguay where his musical expertise developed the musical talents of the Guarani Indians in the Paraguay Reductions. The Paraguay Reductions was made popular by the 1986 British film, The Mission, starring Jeremy Irons, Robert de Niro, Aidan Quinn and Liam Neeson, which showed Guaranis singing the music composed by the Jesuits who manage their community. Fr. Zipoli’s music has been discovered today in Chiquitos, Potosi and Sucre in Bolivia --- including masses, psalm settings, office hymns. Domenico continues to influence many composers that succeeded him.

The succeeding years after the mandate of Vatican II, the St. Louis Jesuits in the US responded effectively, appropriating their music to scriptural texts. We know these: “Sing A New Song (Psalm 98)”, “Yahweh, You are Near (Psalm 139)” and “Here I Am Lord (Isaiah 6)”. In the Philippines, the generation of composers inspired by Fr. Honti such as Frs. Fruto Ramirez SJ (“Purihin ang Panginoon”), Nemy Que SJ (“Mahal na Puso ni Hesus”), Charlie Cenzon SJ (“Awit ng Paghahangad”), Jboy Gonzales SJ (“Panunumpa”), Arnel Aquino SJ (“Ito ang Araw”) and Manoling Francisco (“Hindi Kita Malilimutan”) followed suit composing also inspirational melodies that draw insight from contemporary music.

Jesuits promoted the use of the arts especially in schools because they believed that schools were places of the imagination and of the senses. And thus, the arts particularly music, became part of Jesuit education. Ignatian spirituality holds that God can be found in all things, and that human creativity is of God and can be used for God’s glory. St. Ignatius placed a great role in the imagination and the senses, and believed that these can bring a person to God.

A case in point: An email was recently sent to JMM from Nico Lariosa of Australia: “I should say that the JMM-produced albums have helped me a lot in coming to understand God's unconditional love since I came across one copy of Himig Heswita in 1997. Ten years later, I still find myself strongly moved by the songs. I feel indebted to Hangad and Bukas Palad for making me aware of my vocation ten years ago through their music. God bless and keep the music playing. You don't know whom you are drawing to God through them.”

So the Jesuit Music Ministry continues the work of its predecessors. Today, JMM produces around 50 albums of vocal and instrumental religious music for use in prayer and worship even for easy listening and relaxation. People tell us that they use these songs to calm them when they are on the road. They find listening to our BukasPalad, Hangad, Himig Heswita and Noel Cabangon albums inspiring. And they use our instrumental albums such as Lauds, Vespers, and Matins series as effective aids to meditation and prayer. Our music and MTVs won awards at the Awit Awards and the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) and are regularly shown in local television channels.

Aside from producing music, JMM began expanding its services: training parish and school choirs, giving liturgical music seminars and staging concerts locally and abroad. BukasPalad organized a Choir Convention at the Ateneo de Manila High School with key speakers, Frs. Manoling Francisco SJ and Carlo Magno. Hangad held a vocal training workshop. Recently, JMM artists performed at Cubao’s Diocesan Youth Assembly at Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City and Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ taught a class on liturgical music in the 3^rd John Paul II Catechetics & Youth Ministry Conference at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City.

Just as the past Jesuits immediately responded to the needs of their age, the Jesuit Music Ministry now, while continuing its endeavors, hopes to respond more to the younger generation which comprises 51% of the population of the Philippines. We hope that through God’s grace we will be able to reach out to the youth through new music genres that would make them active participants in the liturgy.

C5 and Musica Chiesa Retreat

2007-05-08T01:40:00.000-07:00

5-6 May 2007. The retreat of C5 (Canto Cinco) and Musica Chiesa (musicians) finally pushed through last weekend at the Manresa Retreat House of the Hijas de Jesus at Banawe, Quezon City. Some of those who attended the retreat were first-timers, while others have been on this retreat since C5 began as a choir. C5 and Musica Chiesa regularly sing and play at the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass in UP.

Course on Liturgical Music

2007-05-08T01:25:00.000-07:00

2-4 May 2007. Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ gave a liturgical music module to participants of the 3rd John Paul II Catechetics-Youth Ministry Conference at the Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati City. This was organized by the Salesian Commission on Youth Ministry. The theme of the conference was Listening, Sharing and Living the Story of Jesus Today. My students in class were fun and participative.

Cubao Diocesan Youth Assembly

2007-04-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

29 April 2007. Good Shepherd Sunday. The Diocese of Cubao's Commission on the Youth led by Fr. Steve Zabala and Fr. Jojo Monis invited the Jesuit Music Ministry to perform in their first Diocesan Youth Assembly at the covered courts of Christ the King Seminary in E. Rodriguez. The crowd's response to our performances was overwhelming. Our songs were well-received. The young crowd sang and danced with us. The notable performances were as follows.

Noel Cabangon performed Ako'y Mabuting Pilipino and Kanlungan.
Fr. Jboy SJ was emcee.

Hangad sang Magnificat and The Easter Journey
UP Filipiniana Dance Group: Mr. Van Manalo choreographed The Christ Child from the album, Pasko Na! They also performed the opening number, Children of Easter Morn and the finale, Papuri.

Reymond Sajor, Philippine Idol Season 1 sang Sa Yo Lamang, Sandaling Pinakahihintay, and Panunumpa with the young screaming and singing with him.
BukasPalad sang I Seek You for I Thirst and Humayo't Ihayag --- the audienced danced with them.
Musica Chiesa (Church Music) played Children of Easter Morn, Psalm 100, Stand By Me Still, Prayer to a Beautiful God and the medley of JMM songs. They accompanied Reymond Sajor and performed the last salvo: Papuri. Musica Chiesa performs every 11:00 am Sunday mass in UP.
Canto Cinco (C5) sang Make a Joyful Noise/Psalm 100, Stand by Me Still and the JMM Medley of I will sing forever, Anima Christi, Paghahandog, Ito ang Araw, Awit ng Paghahangad, and Tanging Yaman. Soloists were Ayel Olaguer, Jett Galindo, Julius Oliveros of C5, and Marife Villaroman of BukasPalad. The audience sang and waved their hands with us! Amazing!

More pictures here. Am still collecting the pictures from other cameras.

Hangad's Easter Journey Concert at Eastwood City.

2007-04-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

8 April 2007. Easter Sunday. Hangad's concert, An Easter Journey at Eastwood City successful. It promoted their Easter album, An Easter Journey.

C5 Guests at Hangad Easter Journey Concert

2007-04-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

8 April 2007. Easter Sunday. C5 does front act of Hangad concert, An Easter Journey, at Eastwood City. The concert promotes Hangad's Easter album, Easter Journey.

The Blessing of the Jubilee Music Ministry

2007-03-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

29 March 2007. Blessing of the Jubilee Music Ministry at the Laiko Building, Manila Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila. Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales blessed the office. Here, I am with two of its proponents: Fr. Carlo Magno and Fr. Mimo Perez, both excellent composers.

Vespers 5 Latest Album Released

2007-03-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

Hangad Concert at Eastwood this Easter 2007

2007-03-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Canto Cinco and Musica Chiesa Lent Recollection

2007-03-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

As part of the formation of those in the Jesuit Music Ministry, all those involved have opportunities for prayer and reflection. Here, on 18 March 2007, Sunday, we spent the whole afternoon after our Sunday UP Mass in prayer, reflection and sharing.

Liturgical Music Talk at the Camillian Seminary

2007-03-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

12 March 2007. Monday. I gave a liturgical music seminar to young seminarians at the St. Camillus Seminary in Marikina City.

Fr. Manoling's Birthday Lunch

2007-02-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

28 February 2007, Wednesday. The JMM staff and friends celebrated Fr. Manoling Francisco's birthday at lunchtime with Bobby Santos' super sarap sinigang and Manang's inihaw na liempo. Fr. Manoling celebrated his birthday last Monday, 26 February. In this picture was Ryan Echevarria whose birthday was that day. At table were Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros SJ, Fr. Ari Dy SJ, Jerome Villadolid and Bobby Santos; joining us later (after his mass) was Fr. Arnel Aquino SJ.

Valentines Concert Successful!

2007-02-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

14 February 2007. JMM holds its Valentines Concert at SM Megamall featuring Noel Cabangon, C5, Bukaspalad and Hangad.

Mass for Ateneo Liturgical Guitar Training

2007-02-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

9 February 2007. Friday at 10:00 AM. A Mass was held for the Campus Ministry Liturgical Guitarist training program at the College Chapel.

JMM gets a Surprise Visit from Philippine Idols

2007-02-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

6 February 2007. JMM gets a surprise visit from Philippine Idol's Drae Ybanez and Miguel Mendoza late night while Canto Cinco practices for their Valentine's concert at Megamall.

At Reymond Sajor's Fans Gathering

2007-01-30T06:46:00.000-08:00

Jerome Villadolid, Roma Escaner, Cynthia Sanchez, Marife Villaroman and I enjoyed the fans gathering of Reymond Sajor, Philippine Idol Finalist at the Sandbox, My Place in Katipunan. Reymond sang Panunumpa excellently during the affair.

ACMG Talk

2007-01-30T06:39:00.000-08:00

24 January 2007. Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ gave a talk on the role of music in the liturgy to the members of the Ateneo Campus Ministry Group (ACMG) at the Social Science Complex.

The Liturgical Music Talk to Antipolo Music Ministries

2007-01-21T23:21:00.000-08:00

Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ gave the Liturgical Music Seminar for the music ministries in the whole diocese of Antipolo. The talk was held at the San Clemente Parish Church in Angono, Rizal on January 20, 2007. This was organized by Fr. Rodney Cruz, the parish priest of San Clemente and the Antipolo's head of liturgy and Bro. Maui who gave the morning talk to them. The talk was from 1pm to 4pm.

Philippine Idol at JMM

2007-01-11T06:03:00.000-08:00

Philippine Idol's Arms Cruz, Drae Ibanez and Markki Stroem who flew from Switzerland came to visit us at the Jesuit Music Ministry. Early on, Raymond Sajor, was our guest at the office. Here are some pictures when they tried the Jescom, SFX Studio.

Canto Cinco and my Closing Remarks

2006-12-25T07:28:00.000-08:00

For several years, I have been giving liturgical music seminars to different parishes in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Batangas, Laguna, and also in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro where I was assigned as a young priest. Many of the participants of these seminars --- since it was free --- were poor choirs. In these seminars I noticed a need: the need for trainers to give liturgical music and vocal training seminars to choirs especially in the parish. Not the grandiose music seminars for members of the academe or the vocal training for music majors or the high-flying liturgical events organized annually for a fee. But simple modest seminars easily grasp by youth choirs below 20: high school level, even elementary. These youngsters comprising most choir membership comprise 51% of the Philippine population. Moreover, I was giving the seminars alone and it needed some animation. But most importantly, I needed a choir who can not just sing the examples, teach simple vocal exercises, but a choir that is available anytime; and who is willing to go to the kanto without the red carpet. And I also need people who are skilled and can teach (many of our members are actually teachers and organizers). Thus, Canto Cinco or C5.

I love the songs borne from the Ateneo spiritual life: it has facilitated my vocation as a priest and as a Jesuit. But when I was assigned to UP, I came to realize that there is a God outside of the Ateneo, and a beat that reaches to the kanto: as the songs of UP bands such as Eraserheads has influenced many hearts even Ateneo-bred. UP has a certain kind of music: often raw but alluring, learned and classical but daring. Music that is promising for liturgy: perhaps more masa --- pwedeng pang-kanto; pwedeng pangkabataan! The Ateneo songs continue to inspire, but I would like to experiment on doing new things: we might hit on a gold mine. If only trust is present among kin.

And so this group of performers was formed. Formed from originally five choirs from our apostolate areas and our parishes: and many of them continue to be part of the choir they handle. Because this is what Canto Cinco is all about: that whatever they learn from training in the Jesuit Music Ministry, they are able to share it to the parish choirs they belong to. And thus, they are not encouraged to leave their choirs; C5 provides further training, experience and empowerment. The Philippine Church has described itself as the Church of the Poor (PCP II) and believes that even those who are poor can also share. There is one thing that I learned from my work in the Jesuit Music Ministry: that part of the ministry is to train people who have the talent but needs the resources which JMM has.

This is the reason why we are here. Tonight, I am proud of them. That despite our disbelievers, we continue to do God’s will with the marks of a Jesuit: availability, competency, and the fearless creative missionary zeal as Francis Xavier who experimented on methods and ways to bring the word of God to the natives of Malacca. Kung kailangang kumain ng apoy para kay Kristo, sabi ni Persia, “why not?” And tonight, I am also honored to be with you, our loved ones. When at times we doubted our ministry in God’s vineyard, your support and encouragement has pulled us through and will pull us in the future.

Merry Christmas and a meaningful New Year!

*C5 in their first concert for their families and friends: Pasko sa Canto; 23 December 2006 @San Jose Seminary, Ateneo de Manila University. see http://cantocinco.multiply.com and http://jesuitmusicministry.multiply.com

BukasPalad Christmas Concert at SM Megamall

2006-12-23T09:57:00.000-08:00

The Jesuit Music Ministry's mall tour organized by the office of JMM and Ms. Madde Marante, Marketing Manager of Jescom, featured BukasPalad in a Christmas Concert at SM Megamall, 22 December 2006.

BukasPalad, who celebrates 20 years, sang their signature Christmas songs in their album, Pasko Na! Songs like Pasko Na! Gumising! and Pamaskong Anyaya were performed with their all-time popular hits I will Sing Forever and Humayo't Ihayag. More photos at http://jesuitmusicministry.multiply.com (check EVENTS icon). Palan Reyes accompanies them on the piano.

The JMM Christmas Concert at Shangri-la EDSA

2006-12-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

15 December 2006. The overwhelming success of the Jesuit Music Ministry's Christmas Concert at Shangri-la Plaza EDSA Mall is evidenced by the audience who stayed to listen to 7 groups, singing 5 songs each. The show began with Mr. Noel Cabangon, and followed by Himig Heswita & friends, Jay Gomez & Bong Rosario for the Vespers album series, Canto Cinco (C5), BukasPalad, Hangad and the UP Singing Ambassadors. The event was organized by Madde Marante, our marketing director, to promote our Christmas albums as well as providing venues where all JMM artists come together in thanksgiving to God who is with us. The title of the concert was Child Emmanuel. In the audience was crooner Basil Valdez who popularized Hindi Kita Malilimutan, a JMM original.

The San Jose Manggagawa Concert

2006-12-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

8 December 2006. Frs. Arnel Aquino SJ, Manoling Francisco SJ and I helped at the Christmas Concert of the San Jose Manggagawa Parish at Riverbanks Mall, Marikina City. Fr. Manoling Francisco was the Musical Director of the concert. Here are a few pictures.

The Christmas Concert of Hangad at SM Megamall

2006-12-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

The Jesuit Music Ministry Christmas Concert featuring Hangad last Friday, December 1, 2006 at SM Megamall Activity Center.

The Cast of Idol: Pagasa ng Bayan

2006-12-08T08:38:00.000-08:00

Fr. Jboy with the cast of the movie, Idol: Pag-asa ng Bayan shown at the Irwin Lee Theater. The movie was co-produced by the Jesuit Communication Foundation. Cesar Evangelista and Cedric Jose, the director and main actor respectively, are with me in the picture. This movie is highly recommended for students.

UPSA Records at JMM

2006-11-23T00:25:00.000-08:00

Internationally acclaimed chorale group from the University of the Philippines, the UP Singing Ambassadors records new songs at the Jesuit Music Ministry. Pictured here are Ms. Jett Galindo of the Ateneo Chamber Singers, sound engineer (with Robbie Grande who is not in the picture) and Mr. Ed Manguiat, UPSA conductor, winner of the Dirigentenpreis (Conductor's Award) at the 2nd Johann Brahm's International Choir Competition in Germany. The UP Singing Ambassadors is the only Filipino choir to win the grand prize of the Concorso Polifonico "Guido de Arrezzo" competition --- considered the 'Olympics' of choir competitions.

New Vespers 5 Album soon to be released

2006-11-23T00:12:00.000-08:00

New Vespers 5 album soon to be released. Jay Gomez, Willan Caimol and I on its final stages. Pictures of the recording and mixing... and sleeping.

Raymond Sajor of Philippine Idol visits JMM

2006-11-22T06:43:00.000-08:00

Reymond Sajor of Philippine Idol, who sang incredibly and excellently well especially Martin Nievera's "Be My Lady" and "Hindi Magbabago" visited JMM last Tuesday, 21 November 2006. He came with Oliver Oliveros, publicist, and Cynthia Sanchez, who does our orchestral pieces for concerts.

Himig Heswita on US tour

2006-11-16T09:55:00.000-08:00

New York and New Jersey

Himig Heswita and friends has created inspiring music for our people. Last October 2006, Himig Heswita went to New York and New Jersey for a series of concerts, supported by the Ateneo Alumni Northeast, Inc.

Their concert were at:

St. Malachy’s Church (October 14)

Our Lady of Angelus (October 15)

St. Elizabeth of Hungary (October 19)

St. Francis Xavier (October 20) and

St. Anne’s Parish (October 21).

Office Renovation and the Music Library

2006-11-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

Functional and Productive Space

Renovating the small Jesuit Music Ministry office was not just a matter of lugging office equipment into a room that formerly looked like a nursery with white wallpaper and cabinets with blue, red, and yellow paint. The cabinets were huge and hardly lend efficiency to the office space.

So shortly after finding the office too cramped, we decided to actively do something about it. The small space should be designed efficiently, considering power supply for laser printers, two new computers for the digital music library and recording, clavinova, the component, the telefax machines and Jerome’s work area. Lighting had to be considered.

There should be a relaxing space for receiving friends, musicians, and guests. So we decided to paint it avocado green, design overhead cabinets in natural wood finish and working tables with recessed monitors to get a clean look.

We tried have an office that does not resemble obstacle courses. We got rid of unnecessary furniture and clutter. All these so that we will be able to work productively and enjoyably. The last word was greatly considered: with the stress involved, at least the office space gives you reason to stay happy. Compartments for composers had been designated for their use, with built-in shelving that boosts productivity.

And finally we placed some eye candy with well-located paintings and some photos that added a visual punch to the office design and made the room more an appealing space to work in. Thus, JMM has become a functional work space and a pleasant, productive place to work.

Promotions at JMM

2006-11-15T09:43:00.000-08:00

Promotions is Opening Opportunities for a Meaningful Faith in God

I have always viewed promotions not just a marketing device for our albums and products, but providing opportunities for others to get to hear our songs and perhaps through our songs, their life of faith becomes deeper.

St. Paul said that the love and mercy of God is mediated through people, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit who gives rebirth and renewal. When we have concerts and choir services, we notice people who are moved to tears. We know that we have lent our voices to a particular song, but it is God who touches their hearts.

When albums are released, launches are organized. Fr. Arnel Aquino SJ and Himig Heswita gives a simple, prayer concert for Lauds 7 at the Cardinal Sin Center, Loyola School of Theology; a bigger prayer concert for Stand By Me Still in Cebu, Manila and a US Tour. Jay Gomez and Bong Rosario provides soothing flute and guitar renditions for Vespers. Hangad and Bukaspalad organizes school and church concerts. Recently, both of them went to the US for a series of concerts promoting Easter Journey (Hangad) and God of Silence (BukasPalad). Both have been invited to parish concert fund-raisers or album promotions.

Last year, all artists of JMM came together for a Christmas concert at Sto. Nino de Padua chapel in Greenbelt: Himig Heswita, Canto Cinco, Jay Gomez & Bong Rosario, Noel Cabangon, Hangad and BukasPalad. Small renditions were done at Gateway Mall in Cubao.

Last October, Hangad had a concert to celebrate 15 years and to promote their Christmas card with CD, A Wish for Christmas, at the Greenbelt Chapel, Makati City. This year, a series of concerts for Christmas celebrates the season. Here is the schedule:

December 1, Hangad, SM Megamall, Activity Center, Friday, 7:30 PM.

December 15, JMM’s All-Stars (BukasPalad, Hangad, Noel Cabangon, Jay Gomez & Bong Rosario, Canto Cinco, and Himig Heswita), Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Friday, 7:30 PM.

December 22, BukasPalad, SM Megamall, Activity Center, Friday, 7:30 PM.

Hangad:

Friday, November 17, 7:30 PM: Jazzfest for US Embassy, Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Saturday, November 18, 6:30 PM: Polo Bethlehem Club, Valenzuela Auditorium

Saturday, December 9, 7:00 PM: Fr. Mimo Prayer Concert, UP Diliman.

Sunday, December 17, 7:30 PM: Mary Mother of the Church Parish, Las Pinas.

Wednesday, December 20, 6:30 PM: Christmas Concert at The Peninsula Manila, Makati City.

BukasPalad:

Saturday, November 25, 7:00 PM: Aming Simbahan, Ating Tahanan, St. Joseph Parish, Carmona, Cavite

Saturday, December 2: Culion, Palawan

Saturday, December 9: Season of Praise, Pentecost Parish, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Saturday, December 16, 6:00 PM: Glorietta 2, to be aired on IBC 13

Sunday, December 17, 7:00 PM: Concert and Mass at the Church of the Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University.

Thursday, December 21, 6:30 PM: Christmas Concert at The Peninsula Manila, Makati City.

*Hangad concert in Greenbelt; Vespers launch at the Church of the Gesu; Noel Cabangon on location for his MTV; Hangad on stage; BukasPalad pictorial.

Focus on Training

2006-11-15T08:59:00.000-08:00

Developing talent is empowerment. Sharing one's skills is giving hope.

My experience of giving Liturgical Music Seminars and Workshops in different parishes exposed me to the various needs of parish choirs, especially poor churches who do not have access to resources. These choirs articulated their need through survey forms. A bulk of these surveys have been gathered in a grand choir workshop at the Ateneo de Manila University High School, organized by BukasPalad in July 2004.

Choirs said that they have problems choosing songs. What songs to use for particular masses? What is appropriate for each part of the mass? They also have questions about the delineation of tasks. What are the roles and responsibilities of church musicians? They said that they lack vocal skills, so they asked, “How does one sing well?” Moreover, the choir is not just a ministry, it is also an organization. What is the ideal organization of a choir in a parish? Furthermore, a large number had problems dealing with the parish priest, people in charge of parish worship or problems within the organization. How do they dialogue with their parish priest who may or may not know the liturgical norms for music? How do they deal with personal problems among choir members that are affecting the ministry and the choir itself?

These questions led me to form a choir that is particularly intended to pass on skills they learn at the Jesuit Music Ministry. The idea is to form a core choir of choral leaders to be trained by a professional coach so that they will in turn pass on the skills and know-how to their particular choirs. Thus, they are not to abandon their choirs. Moreover, if this choir has to articulate the faith of the masses, they should come from the masses. A composer once told to compose songs with social relevance and a sound that could capture the heart of the masses casually remarked, “How could I? I grew up listening to the classics!”

Canto Cinco or C5 has been organized for this purpose. They have recorded a training CD with vocal exercises, taken from the vocal class they attended. This CD is not for sale and is given to the choirs who attend the Liturgical Music Seminar. They in turn help give vocal workshops to choirs who need them. They primarily accompany me give the Liturgical Music Seminar while they take turns explaining the parts of the body used in singing, and then give exercises to develop each part. Though canto is song in Italian, it also puns on their primary apostolate: to go the masses, to the kanto (sidestreets). Cinco verbalizes the five core values that a choir must have: Christ-centeredness, creativity (choirs can compose their own songs), competency (they should be good singers in order to lead people to sing well), community, and commitment.

It is also undeniable that forming this choir makes my work a little bit easy. The demands are great, but the availability of people who can give them is dim. Besides, the church has recognized that the Holy Spirit works with the laity.

Furthermore, training is effective for people who has the talent, but does not have the resources to develop them. A remark from a meeting jolted me, “talent is innate.” It is indeed true, but when left with a given --- you see a Jesuit here with a good voice, but does not possess the great talent of a Beethoven, the next best thing is training. Training tells another that whatever gift he or she has --- even if it is as small as a mustard seed --- and gives his or her all through practice will produce fruits greater than a genius who sleeps all day. Or, wait for a genius to apply and be accepted. The remark, ‘talent is innate’ is to close the door to many of us. Training empowers. It should therefore be available to all, and not just to a particular and singular group given favor in history.

*Liturgical Music Seminars in Pampanga and Tayuman with C5

Album Production

2006-11-15T08:07:00.000-08:00

Music at the Service of God and People

Music articulates the prayers of many people. And the songs and musical genres services people from all walks of life. Each album that JMM produces leads people to pray, and inspires others to deepen their faith in the Lord. The albums produced here answers the needs of many. From liturgical music for mass, to inspirational songs for upliftment, to instrumental music for meditation and quiet, these albums hopefully help people become closer to God.

From June 2004-2005, the Jesuit Music Ministry continued to produce albums. Hangad came up with The Easter Journey, a collection of 23 Lenten and Easter songs in various musical styles. Accompanying this album is a songbook containing the music scores of the songs in the Easter Journey album. Jay Gomez on the flute and Bong Rosario on the guitar, they returned with a Christmas album, Vespers 4: The Work of Christmas, which invites people to celebrate the Christ Child who became one like us. Shortly after Vespers 4, Fr. Arnel dC. Aquino, produced his Lauds 7: Take My Hands album in the genre of Lauds 3, a meditative piano music of songs of the past, that marked our childhood faith. In collaboration with Koro Viannista from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City, JMM produced its first album in Visayan to help the Church in the South, Himayà Kanimo (Praise to You). It featured classical Visayan liturgical pieces such as Fr. Rudy Villanueva and Narcisa Fernandez. Himig Heswita collaborated with them in songs like “Way Sukod ang Pagmahal” (Love without Measure) composed by Fr. Rudy Villanueva. Uplifting melodies that characterize the pastoral scenery of the south such as Narcisa Fernandez’s Huni sa Kinabuhi, gives the album its unique cultural flavor. And finally, BukasPalad produced its latest album, God of Silence, containing songs about God’s faithful love.

In 2006, JMM produced, Believe, a compilation of songs from different albums which merit artistic attention. Himig Heswita produced a healing album taken from a concert repertoire intended for the sick. The album, Stand By Me Still, has been launched at the Church of the Gesu, and was highly received. Recently, two albums were released. A CD sampler of JMM series, Humayo’t Ihayag, containing the most popular songs of BukasPalad, Hangad, Himig Heswita, Vespers, Lauds and Matins. A Wish For Christmas is the most interesting album. It is actually a Christmas card with a CD of three Hangad Christmas songs. Raymond’s Lullaby is haunting: it tells the story of Raymond, afflicted with autism, who has to be brought to the provinces on Christmas because he is very sensitive to noise. Raymond’s Lullaby is composed by Marchan, a volunteer of L’Arche Philippines, an NGO who cares for autistic children. Hopefully, another album will be released before the end of the Christmas season, Vespers 5, a collection of celebratory melodies for meditation in flute and guitar.

Himig Heswita and the Jesuit Music Ministry

2006-11-13T04:24:00.000-08:00

Himig Heswita is almost as old as the Society of Jesus.

As Fr. Catalino Arevalo writes, in his foreword to the album Far Greater Love:

If we read through the history of Jesuit missionary work, even just the magnificent pages in Father (Horacio) de la Costa’s The Jesuits in the Philippines, 1581 – 1768, we will see what a significant role music played in the work of evangelization … Already in the first Jesuit centuries, “Jesuit music” made its mark: from the beginnings we have Jesuit contributions to baroque music played in Jesuit churches and taught and sung in Jesuit colleges. We all saw the movie The Mission and were moved by the Indian boys singing its music. The Paraguay reductions wrote a glorious chapter in Jesuit music… As has been well said, the arts – not least of them music – have always been part of the Jesuit “way of proceeding”.

Such is the tradition from which Himig Heswita springs. It is a tradition that aims to make use of all things, music included to praise, reverence and serve the Creator. It is a tradition that seeks to lead people back to God – by the “gate of beauty”, if necessary. And so we have generations upon generations of Filipino Catholics reared by the songs they learned while studying at their Jesuit schools. Song in Latin and Spanish at first, and then, in the wake of Vatican II, songs in English composed by young Jesuits from St. Louis, Missouri.

The turning point came in the year 1965, when Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ (lovingly called Fr. Honti) composed a Filipino Mass while serving Rector of San Jose Seminary. Answering the call for inculturation, Fr. Honti began composing songs in the Filipino idiom. A torrent of compositions would follow throughout the 70’s, resulting in what could arguably be called “classics” of Filipino Liturgical Music: “Ama Namin (Our Father)”, “Ang Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri (Magnificat)” and “Pananagutan”.

Fr. Honti’s example would animate and inspire local composers and music ministries, and of course, his fellow Jesuits. 1981 saw the release of HIMIG HESWITA, an album celebrating 400 years since the arrival of the Jesuits in the Philippines. Working with Fr. Honti on this album were “second-generation” Jesuit composers such as Frs. Nemy Que, Fruto Ramirez, and Danny Isidro.

This drive to give voice to the Filipino soul would continue to spread. Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ began his carrer as liturgical composer when he was fourteen years old, a freshman at the Ateneo de Manila University High School. Collaborating with his classmates and his teacher, Mr. Onofre Pagsanghan, Manoling would produce “Mariang Ina ko” and “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” Later on, Manoling would compose with his friends Jandi Arboleda and Norman Agatep, laying the foundations of what would become the Bukas Palad Music Ministry. Other Jesuit composers were at work as well.

Fr. Charlie Cenzon, SJ, composed “Awit Ng Paghahangad”, which was heard on a PLDT commercial and became an anthem for Jesuit volunteers (JVP).

Fr. Jboy Gonzales, SJ composed “Panunumpa” which would later become a part of the sound track film “Tanging Yaman” popularized by Carol Banawa.

Fr. Arnel Aquino, SJ wrote “Pagsibol” and “Ito Ang Araw” while at Sacred Heart Novitiate, and began another tradition of Jesuit Music for Meditation with the LAUDS series.

1n 1994 these younger Jesuit composers came together to produce HIMIG HESWITA 2. This album was not really a sequel to the first HIMIG HESWITA, but a development, a new stage of growth. HIMIG HESWITA 2 featured Frs. Arnel, Manoling, Nemy, and brought together the choir that would include such voices as Frs. JunJun Borres, Chris Dumadag, RB Hizon and Peter Pojol. With HIMIG HESWITA 2, the core group of HIMIG HESWITA was formed. Joining them were lay friends --- among them Oggie Benipayo, Rey Malipot and Veepee Pinpin--- who would add their talent to Himig Heswita.

The Catholic renewal that spread over the country with World Youth Day in 1995 led to two important developments: first, the consolidation of Himig Heswita as a stable singing group; and second the collaboration with instrumentalists who would come to be known as the Musician Friends of the Jesuits. These concert musicians would bring a different flavor to Himig Heswita, making liturgies and performances even more meaningful.

Occasionally, Himig Heswita would also perform with other groups in the Jesuit Music Ministry. Several concerts with Bukas Palad and Hangad have been produced in the last twelve years, and members are these groups as well as Tinig Barangka, Barangka Choir, Keynotes Chorale, Ateneo College Ministry Group, and Srs. Bubbles Bandojo and Susay Valdez of the Religious of the Cenacle, regularly added their voices to Himig Heswita for recordings, concerts and liturgical celebrations. Himig Heswita and Friends have made their presence felt all over the Philippines, from Naga to Cagayan de Oro, and the music has spread beyond the boundaries of the Philippines as well.

HIMIG HESWITA has produced numerous albums and participated in a number of recordings for the Jesuit Music Ministry. Since Himig Heswita 2 there have been five full albums: The Best of Himig Heswita, Purihi’t Pasalamatan, Your Dwelling Place, O Bayan ng Diyos, and Stand By Me Still. Himig Heswita and Friends has also been part of many anthologies, such as Alay Kapwa, Far Greater Love, Something More, Believe and Humayo’t Ihayag.

Himig Heswita has participated in the ministry of healing. Smaller more intimate concerts have been held for the benefit of those suffering from acute ailments . Your Dwelling Place is in fact a recording of one of these concerts. Himig Heswita has also done its part in developing local music ministries, through the many workshops on liturgical music given by Frs. Manoling, Jboy and Arnel.

Looking back, we see that the spirit that fueled Himig Heswita has spread to other groups as well. Fr. Honti’s work of music thrives with the choirs he helped established in Pansol and Barangka. Lay ministries such as BukasPalad and Hangad reach farther and farther, inspiring more and more laity to take an active part in their Church. The tradition of music for meditation begun in piano (Lauds) has spawned interpretations in guitar and flute Vespers) and in chamber music (Matins). There has also been a strong effort to inculturate the Chinese- Filipino community with Jesuit songs translated into Mandarin (Songs for Worship). And the ministry -- the mission-- continues.

We celebrate the wealth of tradition that comes from the Society of Jesus. We celebrate the gifts of talent and creativity that spurred Fr. Honti and other Jesuits to give their people a voice with which to sing. We celebrate the work of the Spirit that has made these ministries grow wonderfully, beyond our wildest imaginings. But most of all we celebrate that that Love without which we would have no reason to pray or sing.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

Prayers Wrapped in Songs

2006-11-02T04:23:00.000-08:00

"Jesuit hymns are prayers wrapped in music. They are songs in search of souls".
Fr. Johnny C. Go, SJ

When Fr. Eddie Hontiveros wrote his first liturgical hymn in the 60's, all he wanted to do was to come up with a song that people could easily learn and sing at worship. He had no idea that in writing that first song and in teaching it to a group of young boys and girls in Barangka, Marikina, he was actually starting a whole tradition of religious and liturgical music in the country --- which would later come to be known simply as "Jesuit Music." Today, thirty years after Father Honti's first composition, his songs--as well as those of other Jesuit musicians that he has inspired--are sung in churches all over the country, as well as in other parts of the world, wherever Filipinos gather in worship and prayer.

Jesuit hymns are prayers wrapped in music. They are songs in search of souls. Anyone who has heard them and prayed with them knows what this means. For Jesuit songs have a way of inviting you to dive deep into your heart to seek your soul--truly a practical and valuable habit in a world where we all tend to scatter and lose ourselves.

Jesuit Music Ministry is very much Father Honti's offspring. In 1990, he suffered a serious stroke that impaired not only his speech, but also his ability to write music. Be that as it may, Father Honti continues to make music through his now-immortal hymns, but also through the many beautiful songs that the Jesuit Music Ministry continues to create for God and the Filipino music.

Jesuit Music: A Grand Background in Jesuit History

2006-11-02T04:19:00.000-08:00

Jesuit Music: A grand background in Jesuit history
Fr. Catalino G. Arevalo, SJ

If we read through the history of Jesuit missionary work, even just the magnificent pages in Father de la Costa's Jesuits in the Philippines (1581-1768), we will see what significant role music played in the work of evangelization. The Jesuits from the beginning realized that "God is more often reached by the people through the gate of beauty than by the gate of truth," and that thus the arts are truly privileged pathways and doorways to the infinite.

Already in the first Jesuit centuries "Jesuit music" made its mark: from the beginnings we have Jesuit contributions to baroque music played in Jesuit churches and taught and sung in Jesuit colleges. We all saw the film The Mission, and were moved by the Indian boys singing its music. The Paraguay Reductions wrote a glorious chapter in Jesuit music: Dominic Zipoli, Italian, and Martin Schmid, Swiss, and other Jesuit missionaries created an entire culture of music among the Indians; 5000 manuscript pages of sacred music used by the Indians in the "Jesuit territories" were found in Bolivia in our time. As has been well said, the arts--not the least of them, music--have always been part of the Jesuit "way of proceeding."

The Jesuit Music Ministry, one of the most recently- begun official works of the Philippine Province, thus has a grand background in Jesuit history. Although we have had Filipino Jesuits within living memory like Fr. Jose Ma. Siguion and Juan Trinidad, who were musicians of distinction, it is Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros who can be truly named "Father of Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM) in our time, and his work will live on in JMM, we hope and pray, for years and decades to come.

The response to the work to disseminate contemporary sacred music, much of it of Filipino Jesuit authorship, in recent years, has already shown that it meets a great present need. Recordings and concerts of JMM have been enthusiastically welcomed everywhere where Filipinos worship and live and work. JMM meets a truly Filipino need and appeals to the Filipino heart and soul. JMM's present success is already visibly a sign of God's blessing and an encouragement for Filipino Jesuits to go forward in this area of pastoral and missionary endeavor.

JMM has placed on the map Jesus and his Gospel, Mary and the call to holiness, evangelizing work among the "little ones" and the poor in our beloved land and wherever else in the world where Filipinos live and gather. We pray that JMM may continue to flourish, and continue to receive God's gracious help, so that through music, many more may be led throughout the pathways and gateways of beauty, Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam.