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.

Labels: c5, canto cinco, choir, fr. jboy, gonzales, jesuit, jmm, liturgical, music, musica chiesa, training

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.

Labels: albums, bukaspalad, c5, canto cinco, choir, dance, filipiniana, filipino, fr. jboy, hangad, idol, Jescom, jesuit, jmm, liturgical music, meditation, ministry, music, musica chiesa, philippine, raymond, religious, reymond, up singing ambassadors

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.

Labels: albums, c5, canto cinco, choir, filipino, fr. jboy, Jescom, jesuit, jmm, liturgical music, meditation, ministry, music, musica chiesa, religious

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.

Labels: albums, bukaspalad, c5, canto cinco, chaplaincy, choir, dance, filipiniana, filipino, fr. jboy, group, hangad, idol, Jescom, jesuit, jmm, liturgical music, meditation, ministry, music, musica chiesa, noel cabangon, raymond, religious, sajor, up

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.

Labels: albums, c5, canto cinco, choir, filipino, fr. jboy, hangad, Jescom, jesuit, jmm, liturgical music, meditation, ministry, music, religious

Labels: albums, c5, canto cinco, choir, filipino, fr. jboy, hangad, Jescom, jesuit, jesuit. music, jmm, liturgical music, meditation, ministry, music, religious

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.

Labels: albums, c5, canto cinco, choir, filipino, fr. jboy, Jescom, jesuit, jmm, liturgical music, meditation, ministry, music, musica chiesa, recollection, religious

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

Labels: albums, bukaspalad, c5, canto cinco, choir, concert, filipino, fr. jboy, hangad, Jescom, jesuit, jesuit. music, jmm, liturgical music, meditation, ministry, music, noel cabangon, religious

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

Labels: albums, c5, canto cinco, choir, filipino, fr. jboy, Jescom, jesuit, jmm, liturgical music, meditation, ministry, music, religious