Rebirth of music and culture: Manila Cathedral to host historical Easter concert

By

 Jeline Malasig 

Facade of the Manila Cathedral in this photo posted on its Facebook page on Feb. 7, 2023 (themanilacathedral/Facebook)

Catholics can experience a historical moment at the Premier Church of the Philippines as it is set to host the first youth orchestra endorsed to perform a concert on its site.

The Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra (PSYO) will take center stage on April 13, 6:30 p.m. inside one of Manila’s most iconic and blessed locations — the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion Manila Metropolitan Cathedral.

They will perform a special Easter concert called “Risen” on the eve of the installation of Msgr. Rolando R. dela Cruz as Manila Cathedral’s new Rector. 

The installation ceremony will be presided over by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula. 

PSYO is a training orchestra for young string instrumentalists aged nine and above. It has a wide repertoire that includes favorite pieces from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, as well as hits from contemporary music.

The Easter concert will bring together some of the most talented young musicians in the country to perform a selection of timeless classics and create their versions of “old” sounds, from pipe organ music to vocals and string orchestral music.

Concertmaster Theodore Julius Tan, the first-prize winner of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation in 2022, will lead them as they perform Mozart pieces and other familiar staples of the classical repertoire by Bach and Handel.

The concert will also feature special performances by PSYO’s principal musicians, the Spectrum Cello Quartet, and young vocalist Jamie Rose Ong.

Early concertgoers will additionally have the privilege to be serenaded by the orchestra’s pianists through pipe organ music as they enter the Manila Cathedral.

The upcoming concert seeks to honor dela Cruz’s vision for the premier basilica — that it would become not only a place of worship, but a center of music and culture as it brings more people into its walls with beautiful melodies and inspirational performances from world-class musicians.

“Music has always been an integral part of our faith,” he said.

“It is my vision to create a vibrant cultural atmosphere in our church where young minds can come together to appreciate music and faith,” dela Cruz added.

The upcoming Rector said that the music of the young talented musicians will take the public “on a journey of hope, renewal, and joy.”

Those interested to watch the youth orchestra perform may inquire about tickets by messaging 0906-431-1407 on Viber.

They can also read the following guidelines on this website link or scan the event QR code found at the bottom of the Facebook post of the Manila Cathedral below.

The PSYO was launched in 2011 and has evolved from a small children’s ensemble into a training string orchestra with an eclectic repertoire that includes favorite pieces from different musical periods.

Under the baton of Herrick Ortiz of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the group provides a platform for violinists, violists, and cellists as young as nine to develop musical brilliance through group instruction.

Christ’s resurrection our supreme joy

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THAT’S right! With the resurrection of Christ, we have our greatest joy since we are now assured of our own redemption as long as we also do our part of the deal. Christ has given us everything to recover us from our self-inflicted alienation from God. The only thing that can stand in the way is when we obstinately refuse to believe this truth of our faith.

With his resurrection, Christ has finally conquered death itself and with it all the malice of sin and evil. It’s the victory that recovers our original dignity as image and likeness of God and nothing less than God’s children in Christ, the dignity we lost because of sin.

This ultimate victory even enhances that dignity, since it involves God becoming like us so that we can be like him! It’s this very sublime exchange and sharing that comprises the supreme good that can happen to us. Yes, we are meant to be one with God, sharing his very life and nature, since we are his image and likeness, children of his.

Some people have considered it a Pyrrhic victory since it involves quite a tremendous cost. It’s like saying that the resurrection of Christ has given us only a zero-sum triumph, since what we gain with it is almost the same as what we lose.

This is, of course, a very poor understanding of this truth of faith. While it’s true that this culmination of the redemptive work of Christ on us entailed nothing less than his life, it’s also true that that death has been converted into a gateway to our salvation with his resurrection. What matters is what happens in the end, with an effect that will be for always.

If we believe this truth and live it ourselves, identifying everything in our life with the life and the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, then we too can partake of this ultimate victory.

We should not forget that it will involve nothing less than the offering of our life. Before that, it obviously will entail a lot of suffering—the cross, in other words—which Christ already warned us about when he said that if we want to follow him, then we should deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him.

It would be nice if we can quit wasting time by fussing about this truth, and simply proceed to live it, acquiring the relevant attitude and skills to put it into practice. Yes, with this truth about our assured ultimate victory in Christ, we ought to have the confidence and serenity in going about the affairs of our life. Plus, a driving sense of responsibility that should push us to do things for others without counting the cost.

We just have to deepen our belief that with Christ’s resurrection, sin and death have been definitively conquered, and a new life in God is given to us. We are now a new creation, with the power of Christ to conquer sin and death and everything else that stands in the way of our becoming true children of God.

And so, we have every reason to think that we can live forever in Christ over whom death no longer has dominion. In spite of whatever, we have every reason to be happy and confident, as long as we are faithful to Christ.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

VP Sara seeks Filipinos' solidarity in Lenten message

BY BETHEENA UNITE

  

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On Good Friday, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed hopes that the Lenten season would guide Catholic faithful to set aside differences and uphold solidarity in building a just and humane society.

"These recent years, our strong faith as a nation has allowed us to display resiliency despite the global crises affecting our nation and the challenges in our personal and professional lives," Duterte said in a video message on April 7.

"Let the way of the Cross guide us in upholding solidarity, setting aside our differences to build a just and humane society, and fostering equitable governance that will ease the plight of our kababayans (fellowmen)," she added.

The Vice President said the Lenten season is a time when the "entire Christian community unites in the solemn observance of our deep faith founded on Christ’s blood-brought sacrifice at the cross."

She, therefore, enjoined the faithful to use their faith in fighting local communism, corruption, criminality, and the proliferation of illegal drugs.
Duterte also expressed hopes that the Lenten season would inspire Filipinos to unite for a peaceful and progressive Philippines.

"Sa ating pananalangin, pasasalamat at pananampalataya, nawa'y ipakita natin ang walang hanggang pag-asa ng ating pananampalatayang Kristiyano kasabay ng determinasyong mangampanya laban sa lokal na komunismo, katiwalian, kriminalidad, at ilegal na droga na nagbabanta sa ating mga demokratikong mithiin at sumisira sa buhay ng marami (I our prayers, thanksgiving and faith, may you show our endless hope in our Christian faith while we show determination in the campaign against local communism, corruption, criminality, and illegal drugs that threatens our democratic goal and the lives of many)," Duterte said.

Ako ay umaasa, na ang diwa ng Kuwaresma at muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus ay magbibigay-inspirasyon sa mga Pilipino na magsama-sama at makibahagi sa pagbuong muli ng ating bansa--isang Pilipinas na mapayapa, matatag, inklusibo at progresibo para sa ikabubuti ng bawat mamamayan (I am hoping that the spirit of Lent and the resurrection of Jesus would bring inspiration to Filipinos to unite and join in building a peaceful, strong, inclusive, and progressive Philippines for the benefit of every Filipino)," Duterte added.

I BROUGHT MY PARENTS TO PARADISE IN EL NIDO! Our Happiest Day in Philippines

8,673 views Apr 7, 2023

We really arrived to true Paradise in the Philippines! We visited the beautiful Nacpan beach of El Nido, Palawan and were so amazed by what we saw! The bluest waters, whitest sand and endless stretch of coconut trees. My parents were the happiest ever to finally dip into the beautiful ocean for the first time! It was also time to try some real local food that impressed us all. Plus, their first street food ever later on in El Nido Town Proper! Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel for more vlogs from the Philippines!    / susieinthephippines  

New LPA spotted east of Mindanao — Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo

April 7, 2023 

A new low pressure area (LPA) has been spotted outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and may enter the country over the weekend, the state-run weather agency said on Friday.

The LPA some 1, 620 kilometers east of Southern Mindanao, has a slim chance of developing into a tropical depression even if it is already inside the PAR, according to weather forecaster Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

"By Monday, the weather disturbance will likely be over east of Mindanao before it goes to the direction of Caraga Region and by Tuesday until Thursday, this would pass through Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region until it crosses Central and Northern Luzon before it exits towards the Philippine Sea by Friday," Estareja said.

But another scenario, according to the Pagasa weatherman, is that the LPA may remain over east of Visayas over the forecast period before crossing east of Luzon from Tuesday until Thursday until it exits the PAR.

"So we'll continue monitoring the movement of this LPA outside PAR," he said.

Over the next 24 hours, the state weather bureau said the ridge or extension of the high pressure area (HPA) is affecting Northern Luzon.

"It means there would be less chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in this area, instead there would be hot and humid weather that may prevail," Estareja said.

Although there would be a generally-fair weather condition over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, Pagasa said these areas may still experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the localized thunderstorms particularly during late afternoon or at night.

March heat, Antarctic ice close to records – climate agency

By Agence France-Presse

PARIS: Earth had its second-warmest March on record, with Antarctic sea ice shrinking to its second-lowest extent, the European Union's climate monitoring agency said on Thursday.

"The month was jointly the second-warmest March globally," tied with 2017, 2019 and 2020, the Copernicus Climate Change Service said in a report. The hottest March on record was in 2016.

The report is based on computer-generated analyses using billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the world.

It said temperatures were above average over southern and central Europe and below average over most of northern Europe.

They were far warmer than average over much of North Africa, southwestern Russia, Asia, northeastern North America, South America including drought-stricken Argentina, Australia, and coastal Antarctica.

It was much colder than average over western and central North America.

Global warming is causing sea ice to decline and sea levels to rise, raising warnings that dangerous tipping points could be reached.

Copernicus said Antarctic sea ice extent was the second lowest for March in the 45-year satellite data record, at 28 percent below average.

It reached 3.2 million square kilometers on average, 1.2 million sq km below the 1991–2020 average for the month.

It had reached the smallest area on record in February for the second year in a row, continuing a decadelong decline.

In the north, meanwhile, Arctic sea ice extent was 4 percent below average and joint fourth-lowest for March on record, though concentrations were above average in the Greenland Sea.

As temperatures rise globally because of human-caused climate change, Copernicus data show the past eight years were the eight warmest on record.

A United Nations report warned in March that those record-breaking temperatures would figure among the coolest within three or four decades as global temperatures climb, even if planet-warming emissions drop quickly.

BELLE MARIANO EYES ‘BIDA-KONTRABIDA’ ROLE

 By Panay News

BELLE MARIANO

AS SHE nears her 10th anniversary in showbiz, actress Belle Mariano sat down on Tuesday for the “Tatak Star Magic: Celebrity Conversations” to talk about her journey and plans with ABS-CBN.

Mariano kicked off the interview series of Star Magic where she recalled how she began her career as a child star up to her goals and dreams she is still eyeing to achieve.

Talking with Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, the actress, half of the phenomenal love team DonBelle, revealed she wants to play a “bida-kontrabida” role in the future.

“Bida-kontrabida. Gusto ko ma-try kasi paano kaya ‘yun. Try natin, direk,” she told Dyogi, who jokingly doubted if she could be “maldita” given her angelic face.

But it would also be a big step for Mariano, who did not hesitate to admit her goal is to secure an acting award.

Her path to stardom did not go smoothly, as Mariano had to attend over a hundred commercial auditions at a young age just to fulfill her dream of becoming a celebrity.

Fortunately, she got one after being tapped by a local milk brand in the country to be their endorser at the age of nine. That paved the way for Mariano to get into the entertainment scene – most notably on “Goin’ Bulilit.”

But after spending years in the now-defunct children gag show, the actress found it difficult to get her break in a loaded roster of celebrities of ABS-CBN.

And just like what she kept on saying since she starred in the hit series “He’s Into Her” with Donny Pangilinan, her patience paid off eventually.

“Honestly, sa 10 years po na nandito po ako, ang dami rin pong maliliit na natututunan. But all-in-all patience po talaga. You have your own time to bloom. Just trust God, trust the management. Just really have your own time,” she explained.

And now that she is one of the top celebrities of Star Magic, Mariano said that she is enjoying her ride with the talent agency – a family she built for years. (ABS-CBN News)

Life in the Mountains of the Philippines (The Cordilleras)

322,559 views Mar 14, 2023

If there’s anything that we loved about our visit to the province of Ifugao, it’s the people who continue to preserve their traditions and protect their heritage. Our guide, Irene Binalet, was our beacon throughout these moments where we connected with the locals and the community of artisans. We will always be grateful for this opportunity to share these stories and these are just snippets from our memories that we will forever hold close to our hearts. Watch our full documentary on making the Filipino rice wine or Tapuey here:    • Filipino Wild Ric...   The team would like to thank the following for making this documentary possible: Meryenda Team: https://www.instagram.com/readmeryenda/ Jessica Hernandez https://www.instagram.com/hernandezjess/ Cassandra Balbas https://instagram.com/cassandrabalbas... Ifugao Team: Irene Binalet For tour bookings, kindly visit her Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/10006415230536... Inyoppeh Bumanghat Umanggan Bumanghat

Love consummated and made perpetual

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THAT, I believe, is the main message of the gospel we have on Holy Thursday. (cfr. Jn 13,1-15) It’s about what happened during the Last Supper where aside from instituting the two sacraments of Holy Orders and the Holy Eucharist, Christ showed his apostles how love that is consummated by him in his total self-giving to us can be made perpetual.

The gospel started by stating that Christ, upon knowing that his hour of supreme sacrifice was coming, continued to love his people and “loved them to the end.” That’s when he instituted the two sacraments and showed his apostles how this consummate love of his can be made perpetual.

That’s when he proceeded to wash their feet that shocked them. Even Peter at first refused to be given such treatment. But Christ insisted, telling them, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn 13,14-15)

There’s no other way to imitate that consummate love of Christ for us and to cooperate perpetually in Christ's continuing work of redemption, his supreme manifestation of his love for us. As Christ told his apostles, we too have to learn how to lower ourselves to be able to serve everyone, which is what loving in its true essence is all about.

We have to be wary of our tendency to get self-absorbed, the very opposite of what we are supposed to be—to always think of others and to serve them unstintingly. This tendency is actually the stupidest thing we can get enmeshed in. But it’s kind of automatic for us to get self-absorbed. We have to be more aware of this disturbing reality and do something about it non-stop.

We have to do everything to acquire, develop and enrich this attitude of always wanting to serve and not to be served in ourselves and among ourselves, inspiring and inculcating it in others as much as we can, for it is what is truly proper of us all.

With God’s grace, we have to exert effort to overcome the understandable awkwardness and tension involved in blending the natural and the supernatural aspects of this affair, as well as the expected resistance we can give, due to the effects of our sins.

We can make use of our daily events to cultivate this attitude. For example, as soon as we wake up from sleep in the morning, perhaps the first thing we have to do is address ourselves to God and say “Serviam” (I will serve). It’s the most logical thing to do, given who God is and who we are in relation to him.

And “Serviam” is a beautiful aspiration that can immediately put us in the proper frame of mind for the day. It nullifies Satan’s “Non serviam” and our tendency to do our own will instead of God’s, which is what sin, in essence, is all about.

And as we go through our day, let’s see to it that everything we do is done as a service to God and to others. Let’s not do them merely out of self-interest or self-satisfaction. That kind of attitude is highly poisonous to us, ruinous to our duty to love. Sooner or later, we will find ourselves completely engulfed by self-centeredness.

This is how the consummate love of Christ for us is made perpetual.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

New LPA may enter PH Sunday – Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Thursday that a new low pressure area (LPA) will likely enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Sunday.

However, this weather disturbance still has a slim chance to directly affect the country, according to weather forecaster Patrick del Mundo.

He told The Manila Times that the ridge or extension of the high pressure area (HPA) is affecting Northern Luzon over the next 24 hours.

An opposite of LPA, HPA indicates an area where the atmospheric pressure is higher than its surroundings and formation of clouds is usually suppressed, thus, less chance of rains, Pagasa said.

Most likely, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have overcast skies and isolated rain showers as well as thunderstorms due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms, the state-run weather agency said.

"We can experience a hot and humid Holy Week except for some isolated rain showers and thunderstorms that may occur during late afternoon or at night," he said.

Easterlies are winds coming from the east, passing through the Pacific Ocean and bringing warm and humid weather to the country, the state weather bureau said.