The Easter Vigil Celebration 2009

The Interlude choir, through the hard work of Kuya Roger, our president and Kuya Manny the Liturgical Committee Chair, has been preparing way ahead of time the celebration of the Easter Vigil. Specially that this commemoration has so many parts that are not commonly done, we really had to be also prepared on our part as a choir. Kuya Manny requested me to put melody on 7 Psalms, two of which were for the Palm Sunday and Good Friday and the other 5 for the Easter Vigil. We asked the assistance of Ricky to have all the Psalms recorded on diskette to be played on organ since none of us in the choir knows how to play the organ. After the tedious recordings and preparations, the Psalms and the liturgical songs had been readied before the schedules. Last Sunday, Pamela sang the Psalm: "Dios ko, Dios ko, nganong Imo akong gibiyaan" very meaningfully. Last Good Friday, I sang the Psalm: "O Amahan, gitugyan ko ang akong kinabuhi diha sa Imong mga kamot."

This afternoon at 5:30, the Easter Vigil Celebration started with the blessing of the fire, which was followed by the Liturgy of the Word. Ate Ofelia, Darlene and Kuya Manny sang Psalms 104, 16 and Exodus 15 respectively and Kuya Manny and Ate Des sang in duet Psalm 42. I was so happy because the assembly and even Bishop Tonel, his co-celebrants and the assembly sang with the choir loudly. I and Darlene sang the Litany of Saints during the Baptismal Rites. On the whole, the choir did a great job. Bishop Tonel told us that we had good music that we made the people sing too.

Kuya Manny prepared a dinner for the group at his home. There, we celebrated as the Interlude Choir Family for having done a good job in our singing ministry.

Happy Birthday Fr. Jim

Fr. Jim McAuley is a priest from the US. He used to work at the World Trade Center before entering the seminary. He was ordained at the age of 33. I came to know him, and eventually became a close friend because of my being a choir at the church. I thought it was with my students, the ZSNHS Choir that we have become good friends.

Anyone who knows about Fr. Jim has only one thing to say: "He is a good person". One time he asked me when my birthday is. He was amazed when he knew I was born on the 7th of April because his mother was also born on the same date. I too was surprised to have known from him that his birthday is on the 8th. This morning, I woke up at 4 (and joined with those in the pictures above) for a mañanita for Fr. Jim. I didn't expect that I'd play the guitar for the singing, and also that I'd lead the prayer upon Fr. Jim's request. I felt so happy. We took the morning snack and then left at once because there would be more batches to greet the good priest, my friend.

To you Fr. Jim, a friend and truly Jesus' faithful disciple: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

A Different Kind of Celebrating My Birthday this Year

More than any other birthdays I have had, this day has to be the most meaningful. I was skeptic about attending the Chrism Mass this morning at 9 because of my sprained right foot. Yesterday Kuya Manny encouraged me to hear the mass and as a gesture of my thanksgiving, offer something in the Holy Eucharist. But when it was about to be 9 am, I finally decided to get dressed, prepare the gift and proceed to the church. I saw Kuya Manny there and I thought he really was delighted to have seen me bringing my offering. He and his wife, Ate Lourdes greeted me a happy birthday. It was an amazing moment to see almost all the priest in the prelature converged at the Cathedral for the Chrism Mass, and even more special for me, celebrating my birthday at the Church. The mass was highlighted with the blessing of the oil. I went home once the mass was over. I received a text message from Kuya Manny that Bishop Joy was appreciative of the Psalms that I have been putting melodies with. We would have a practice at the church for the Easter Vigil, as our choir will have a big part during the upcoming celebration. The Bishop was indeed nice, that he even greeted me. He heard some of our Psalms and he said they could be compiled on an album and may be marketed. As I was about to leave, my close friend Fr. Jim (who will be celebrating his birthday tommorow; today is his mother's birthday too) greeted me also. Darlene, who is a choir member accompanied me for a halo-halo snack at Ati-Atihan. I brought her to her place and I went home then.

This evening, I attended the last night of Lenten Recollection. Bishop Tonel was still the speaker, and he delivered a very interesting and relevant talk on God's Commandments. I was with the Interlude Choir for we were rendering musical service. Pamela, one of the choir's precious voices, gave me a custard cake, which I brought home later. My best friend buddy Dwight was my companion after the recollection. We drank (ooops, not alcohol!) L-carnitine containing juice at the ONB. Then I went home at once.

Oh, before I forgot. I received birthday greetings from these great friends - Pamela, Mam Glo Canillas, Kuya Roger (our choir president), Allan (my best friend in the entire world), Dyan (my closest sibling, who's in Cebu), Dwight (my little bro), Jenny (the pretty and sexy one), Ciara (who's in CDO working as HRMO in Coke)..

Injured!

I was volleying tennis with Niel at around 7am. Later, his little bro came around and then his father too. The two were played doubles with some who were ahead of us. As they were done (they won), Neil's father said that we play doubles too. Neil was with his younger bro and I with his father. They promised that they give us a zero score. Indeed, it was like going into that direction because with us serving first, they broke points and got the first score. But we gained momentum at once, and tied with them 1-1. I struggled a lot with my partner and our opponents were nailed at 1 as we already won 5 game points. I was on the net as we were heading for the sixth point when a hard ball from Karl (Neil's bro) was about to land at the edge of our court. The ball was over head and I thought I was responsible to have it returned. I jumped up and successfully smashed it back to the opposite court, at the expense of my right foot - it landed angled and I felt like I had my bones removed off my foot as it dropped on the hard court. I sat down and examined my injury and I thought it wasn't that severe. I even told them that we could continue. But Neil's father would want us to go home for my sprain could get even worse.

This afternoon, I had my ankle "hilot" (reflexed?) by Nang Marina. The pain during the process was even more, but my foot got felt better after a while.

This evening, I attended a recollection at St. Joseph's Cathedral with Bishop Joy Tonel as the speaker. It was worth attending and after it, I even felt even much better.

Playing Tennis (Doubles) with Pros

I woke up at around 5:45 am after an early sleep last night. I got my rockets ready and proceeded to my playmate's (Leevani) place. We volleyed for like an hour already when some younger players would also volley and play within the court where we were playing. At the time we were starting to play, there were already two tennis pros playing on the other court. When they were having a break, I and Leevan transferred to the court where the pros were playing. To our surprise, they invited us to play doubles with them. It was already past seven and I was kind of tired already. But we played with them anyhow. My partner was really great at securing the balls back. I heeded to his advise that I stay on the net. It was indeed challenging for me and I never thought I could play that better. They even told me that I now can play tennis. Wow! Hearing it from them was truly amazing! Amazing it was indeed for I and my pro-partner won the game 8 - 6!

After the game, I treated Leevan with a hamburger snack. He would be going back to Sta. Clara this afternoon after he will have taken a special test. Leevan or Ban-Ban is one of my students in Chemistry 102, at WMSU-Ipil ESU.

Congrats Dimple

My smart niece Julianne Hyacinth, fondly called "Dimple" just finished her first grade today. She is the 7th honors of the class she belongs. Well, I should not be surprised because just by now, she can already read the 200 Sight Words! Way to go, Dimple!