Happy New Year everyone! Everyone from the Koinonia Choir wishes you a blessed and fruitful new year. May your 2007 be as beautiful as your hearts.
Hope you will all have a meaningful celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Season's Greetings from the members of the Koinonia Choir ^_^
PS. Happy Birthday to our Sopran-ing, Gianelli Sabas, who turns 18 today.
Pasko A Cappella: Christmas Carols from Around the World!
Friday December 22, 2006
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Church of the Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University
Admission is Free
For inquiries, contact Lester Tanquilut - 0917-8349839
DLSU Chorale
Friday December 22, 2006
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Tap Room Bar lobby, Manila Hotel
World renowned University Chorale Groups share Christmas spirit through their selected repertoire at Tap Room Bar lobby.
A Rockwell Musical Christmas
Friday December 22, 2006
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
North Court, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center
Celebrate Christmas with the sound of music... here at Power Plant Mall!
SIMBANG GABI is just around the corner! You can see the Simbang Gabi schedule of the Mother of the Redeemer Parish here.
Simbang Gabi, aside from the fact that it ushers the Christmas Day in the Philippines, is said to be one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass.
Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.
ORIGIN
Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico when, in 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass.
During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.
SIMBANG GABI: NOW AND THEN
The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. Shortly after the misa de gallo, families gather in their homes to celebrate Noche Buena and feasted on various delicacies like queso de bola, bibingka, puto bungbong, or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.
SIGNIFICANCE
Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular traditions in the country. But it is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.
Source: The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila Website
A nice and apt song for the Advent season based from the passage in Luke 2: 29-32. The video is even inspiring and moving. Enjoy!
Lord, let Your servant go in peace
For Your Word has been fulfilled.
A Child shall be born to the Virgin,
And His Name shall be called, "Emmanuel."
My own eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared for all men.
A Light shall reveal to the nations
And the glory of Your people, Israel.
Kampana (Philippine Madrigal Singers)
Sunday December 17, 2006
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, CCP
This concert features choral works of special relevance to society and its different elements. In addition, the Madz will premiere new works and choral arrangements for the Christmas season. For more details, please call the CCP Complex at 832-3704, 832-1125 loc. 1409 - 1410
A Rockwell Musical Christmas (Various Choirs)
Sunday December 17, 2006
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
North Court, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center
Celebrate Christmas with the sound of music at Power Plant Mall!
Diwa ng Pasko: Ang Unang Pamaskong Handog ng MCC
Thursday December 14, 2006
8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Teatro Marikina, Marikina City
The Marikina City Chorale proudly presents Diwa ng Pasko: Ang Unang Pamaskong Handog ng MCC.
The young chorale's first christmas concert will be showcasing Filipino christmas songs and carols as well as [contemporary] pieces composed and/or arranged by Filipino musicians.
For more details, please call Jess Cadigoy at 0918-9901935 or 0921-5941610. Tickets priced at P50.
Pamaskong Handog ng UP Manila Chorale
Friday December 15, 2006
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
PhilamLife Auditorium, UN Ave., Manila
Phone: 09192187129
Featuring Claire Cloninger and Mark Hayes' Everlasting Light: A Christmas Carol for a Dark World. Tickets prices to be announced. For inquiries, please contact Mr. Kim Estella through the given number.
Tickets are priced at PhP 200.00 each. Special discounts ar eavailable for group buyers and for constituents of the University of the Philippines System.
The Many Moods of Christmas (UA&P Chorale)
Thursday December 14, 2006
7:45 pm - 9:45 pm
Li Seng Giap Auditorium, 2/F APEC Communications Bldg., University of Asia & the Pacific, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Free Admission for All!
The UA&P Chorale with choirmaster Danilo Monte in cooperation with JVC Everio Hard Disk Camcorder G Series presents--The Many Moods of Christmas-a University Christmas Concert 2006 with Michelle Nicolasora, pianist.
Ateneo College Glee Club sings Pasko Acapella, Christmas carols from around the world!
December 21, Thursday - Gonzaga Fine Arts Exhibit Hall, Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila. 7pm, tickets at P50.
December 22, Friday - Church of the Gesu, Ateneo de Manila. 7pm, to be followed by Simbanggabi at 8pm. Admission is free.
For inquiries, contact Lester Tanquilut - 0917-8349839.
End the year with a night filled with joyful music! We invite everyone to the parish music ministry concert-One Voice, One Music: Gabi ng Pasasalamat-on the 29th of December, Friday. Doors open at 6pm right after the parish thanksgiving mass.
Proceeds of this fundraiser will be used for the acquisition of the risers on the choir loft and the remaining money will be donated to the expansion of the parish church.
Tickets are sold at P50 each. You may contact us at 09166978766 or 09229513796 for ticket reservations. Kitakits!
The Mother of the Redeemer Parish Music Ministry now has a website! You can view choir schedules there aside from news regarding meetings and other activities.
Visit it at www.mrpmm.projectdeparo.com
It was done by Team Deparo of ProjectDeparo.com, the ones who also made and hosted our website. Check it out!
The Jesuit Music Ministry gives everyone a free concert this Holiday season!
Check them out the posters for the artists and the venue dates and times.
See you all there!
One of the nicest arrangements we've heard for this song. Awww ^_^
