Pots and Pans
Friday, September 14, 2012
“AMAZING… Astounding… Wonderful… Harmonious… Enjoyable… Charismatic… Delightful…
These were some of the adjectives heard by the organizers and the enchanted audience at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate of New York in Manhattan and San Sebastian Church in Woodside, Queens, New York during the Live Concert of the Pareng Bukidnon last September 6 and 7.
Dubbed as the U.S-Canada 2012 Tour, this magnificent group of 13 chosen young and singing priests from various parts of Bukidnon, headed by His Most Reverend Jose Araneta Cabantan, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Malaybalay, performed with so much charisma and magnetism as they conquered the stage singing various Tagalog, English and Visayan songs, to the pleasure of everyone present.
Pope Benedict XVI declared October 16, 2012 to November 24, 2013 as the year of Faith and because of this, the energetic priests from Bukidnon took this opportunity to evangelize, to awaken our faith through a concert called “Because I Believe.” It was initiated in January 2012 with clergy President Diomedes Brigoli, Parish Priest of San Jose Parish of Talakag, and Joseph Espadilla as the artistic director.
There are originally 65 clergy and zoomed up to 88, but was trimmed down to 13 for this special concert.
Fr. Virgilio Delfin, President of San Isidro College in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, did the thematic arrangement of the concert.
Mostly secular songs, Fr. Delfin explained that overall, the show has four parts, namely: Profession of Faith, Celebration of Faith, Life of Faith and Prayer in the Life of Faith in which several well-loved and liked songs were included.
A welcome speech by Ms. Sylvia Labial-Buhian formally opened the night’s activity.
Part I had all the priests in “long” shorts and checkered shirts and sang “Abakada,” “Batang Bata Ka Pa” and “Anak,” which brought tears and laughter to the crowd.
With such stamina and gusto in their performance, it really broke the house down.
Part II included “Barkada,” “My Hearts Thanksgiving,” “You,” “Eres Tu” and “I Believe.”
Garbed in a more formal attire, the singing priests looked all dashing in their long sleeves, neck ties and dark pants.
Fr. John Mark Colipano, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Kalabugaw, Impasug-ong, performed the song “You.”
“Bukidnon, My Home,” “Fr. Neri Satur,” “Tell The World of His Love” and “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” comprise Part 3A, which made a lot of Pinoys in NY proud to be a true blooded Pinoy. It was most evident when the waving of the Philippine flag was done. Everybody seems to be in a frenzy, clapping and screaming mood, which echoed through the church. Here, they were wearing native Bukidnon attire in color blue and yellow that really looked festive.
The last part saw the Holy Priests in their white robes singing “Who Am I,” “The Priest,” “You Raise me Up,” “Gloria” and “Marian Song (Ave Maria)” with Fr. Rene Regalado, Parochial Vicar of Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish Church in Quezon, doing solo on “Who Am I” and Fr. Elric Jorquia, Parish Priest of Laligan, Valencia City, singing “You Raise Me Up.”
A prayer blessing was done before the final song by the ministry with a prayer offered to our Blessed Virgin Mary to all the attendees.
“Tell The World of His Love” as the finale had almost everyone standing and joining in the singing, taking pictures and dancing. A group of beautiful ladies dressed up in Bukidnon tribal attire led the dancing, who also served as usherettes for the show.
Bishop Jose Cabantan also performed, a song to the delight of the spectators, after thanking all the people involved in making the concert a success in NYC.
Fr. Rodolfo Isada Jr., Procurator of the Malaybalay Pre College Seminary, was the pianist with Mr. Dexter Jumalon as the technical director.
Ignacio Napongo was the production manager with Rufino Sabunod as their tour manager. Choreographer was Charlo Yare.
Other equally talented “performers” include Msgr. Victoriano Salem, Parish Rector of San Isidro Labrador Cathedral of Malaybalay City; Fr. Arsenio Rubio, Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Manolo Fortich; Fr. Flordelito Nazareno, San Isidro Labrador Parish of Pangantucan; Fr. Conrado Casas Jr., St Francis Xavier Parish of Kibangay, Lantapan; Fr. Lito Canoy, San Isidro Labrador Parish in Kadilingan; Fr. Joean Lamasan, San Roque Parish of Kilubo, Kitaotao; and Fr. Joel Tuquib from the San Fernando Parish.
The show was also graced by Honorable Consul General Mario L. de Leon Jr. of the Philippine Consulate General in NY who also gave a heartwarming and marvelous speech, together with Deputy Consul General Theresa Dizon de Vega (at the Philippine Consulate).
The concert would not have been made possible without the unending help and assistance of the following beautiful people and organizations: Sister Nellie Anuciata, Hilda Mantalaba, Susan Gasis, Eddy and Quinn Aranez, Anita Sajulga and many others, Bukidnon Kaamulan of America Inc. with its president Lynn Friedman, volunteers of Bukidnon led by Carmen de la Cerna and Marlon Valcorza, Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental group, Cebu Engaging in Building Unity, The God the Father, the 2000 Hail Mary, Couples for Christ of NY and Oro Women Society.
Proceeds of the concert will go to the completion of the construction of the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and help fund the health and hospitalization project for the Priests.
After their Vancouver and Toronto, NYC concerts, the singing priests had a show in New Jersey and as of this writing, several shows are scheduled in Michigan, Minneapolis, California (five different cities) and Seattle.
(Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com, email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on September 15, 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment