Maaga ang Pasko sa Central A3

Central A3 celebrates Christmas early last December 1 with singing, dancing and fellowship, with 29AD providing the music.

Praise Inc. features Awesome Presence CD

It's almost a year after the CD was done. Yet the Presence lives and carries on. Praise Inc. features the music at http://www.praise.com.ph/opm.

God speaks

In her prayers, Jazz had this message from our Lord: 29AD, the anointed musicionaries, called to love and serve the poor by bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth through Christian fire music. Christian fire music - spirit-filled music that touches the soul and sets the fire in every heart to worship God which brings miraculous healing and transformation.

BB's 2nd and RFM's 48th last 13th

When Friday the 13th comes, superstitions abound. They say the number 13 is malas. Some also regard Friday as an unlucky day. So 13 and a Friday is double malas. Some martime folks believe Friday is an unlucky day to set sail. So is the tale of the British government wanting to dispell this long-time maritime superstition, commissioned a special ship and named it H.M.S. Friday, selected her crew on a Friday, launched her on a Friday, and even hired a certain Jim Friday to be her captain. They set her maiden voyage on a Friday... and it was never heard of again.

But last Friday the 13th was Buayang Bato's 2nd Anniversary, coinciding with RFM's 48th Anniversary. It was gracious for RFM to have a simple celebration of its anniversary at BB. RFM had a short program, giving service awards to employees who were with the company for 25 and 30 years! With its heart, its kindness and its work at BB and GK, no wonder some people stay with the company that long. Even the city major, Boyet Gonzales, was there to show his support for BB. This man really has a heart for GK.

29AD was there for the music. And it was a blast! From disco, to Praise songs, it was just... awesome! And just how awesome it was? We didn't realize that we were playing for over an hour and a half straight!

Unlike H.M.S. Friday, it looks like it's smooth sailing and full-speed ahead for BB!

Because with God, there's no place for superstitions. There is no malas. As Psalm 23 said, The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing that I lack.... surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Praise God!

For a news archive 2 years ago on BB:
http://www.gawadkalinga.org/gk_news/gk_news_view.php?id=0410-001

What's with 12BC?

A busy month, September, it was, singing at wakes and a wedding. But mostly with the just-christened "12BC". Mimmon calls it "12 Bulilit Choir" since they are only 12 among the 50+ of 29AD.

What's with "12BC" anyway? Was it just a gag of a name? Or a frivolous discern? A messianic coincidence? A Google search reveals a link with the popular Halley's Comet. Named after its discoverer, Edmond Halley, the comet's visibility on earth was first observed on the year 1758, orbiting the solar system (well, the "solar system" as we know it now wasn't widely accepted in those days. That's another discussion).

With his calculations, Halley deduced the comet's earlier chronicle appearances which can be seen in historical records. And from the calculations, the comet appeared--- you guessed it--- in the year 12BC, and October 12BC at that! Historical records that attests to it are the Bible, and even the Dead Sea Scrolls. Now some theologians suggests that the comet's appearance in 12BC could explain the biblical story of the Star of Bethlehem! (yet another scholarly discussion).

Nevertheless, Mimmon or Edmond Halley, a comet or a star, with 12BC or 29AD, Christmas must be around the corner. He is the reason for the season so let's come and worship Him -always.

Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him. - Matthew 2.

By the way, Halley's next "visit" will be 55 years from now, in 2061. The last visit was 1986, twenty years ago. Do the math, it's here every 75 years. Interestingly, the painting above was done by a French Christian painter in the 12th century, long before 17th century Halley. But look at the "star" depicted in the painting. Hmmm.

Happy Birthday Mother Mary!

Thank you for saying "Yes" to the angel who visited you more than two thousand years ago, to fulfill the most humbling yet the grandest mission ever bestowed to anyone --- to carry and bring to human life our very own Saviour!

Thank you for showing us in Cana how to follow our Lord and Saviour --- to do whatever He tells us!

Thank you for revealing to us where to follow our Saviour --- up to the foot of His cross!

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Bbbbbrrrrrrr......!

It's Septembrrrrr !!! Christmas is around the corner, so they say. You may be preparing a list of gifts for your inaanaks. And I'm preparing a list of places where I can hide from them!

I come to think what could this month meant during the times of Jesus. For the Jews, ELUL (or the "biblical" September) is a time for repentance. Elul is seen as a time "to search one's heart" in preparation for the coming Day of Judgement, Rosh Hashanah, and Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, the word “Elul” means “search.”. I wonder what Jesus must have been doing during the Septembers when He was here on earth.

But according to Jewish tradition, which Jesus must have also followed, more prayers were done. Especially during the morning where Psalm 27 is prayed.

The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.


Let us search our hearts to prepare for the coming of our Lord
---- with music and singing!

the band extends a hand

August 21: the 29AD band taught the would-be band of YFC-SIGA Buayang Bato. griff taught the electric guitar; biboy, the bass guitar; andy, the drums; and bob taught them how to sing.

it started at about 9 in the morning, and by lunchtime, the songs "Free to Dance" and "Here I am to worship" came into (audible) form. Capped off with adobo with gata lunch treat --- wow, sarap!

Let us come before him giving thanks (for our talents) with music and songs of praise.
- Psalm 95

Joyful joyful.... Maria!

29AD sang at the MARIA, the Mary the Queen Parish Music Ministry Musical, last August 19,2006 Saturday. The musical was headed by our own Bob and the songs of 29AD were arranged by Arranger Extraordinaire Nonong.

The musical was participated by the different MTQ Music Ministries, with 29AD representing the CFC Music Ministry. Songs were "Ang Puso Ko'y Nagpupuri", arranged for a capella by Nonong, "In My Heart", "The Prayer" in tagalog (sung by Flor and brother of Romy, which was the most applauded song that night), and "Joyful joyful", a la Sister Act (movie), at the tail end.

What a great night of songs and music to honor our beloved Mother Mary.

My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri, nagpupuri sa Panginoon. Nagagalak ang aking espiritu, sa aking tagapagligtas!
-Magnificat

- MARIA Poster by Philip Cheang, and so was all graphics and video for the musical

RMA 4 GK

SMS message from Tony Meloto on his and GK's Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership ----
"Congratulations to all the GK workers and partners for the RM Award. this is a recognition of the sacrifice of many who have not stopped hoping and caring for our country. Thank you for the honor of representing you. This is just the start of our journey to God's promise of a better life for our people. Let's remain united and faithful to His beautiful plan. I'm in the US for the GK Congress and CFC Conference. Please pass this message to all our friends."

Like the Philippine flag when it was first stitched, we too have to be the threads that would bind all the different colors in our country together. Like the sun and the stars that give directions to travellers, we too have to be the sun and stars that light the way to God's route for our country. And like the weavers of the flag, let us allow God to weave our lives according to His magnificent plan!

Praise God for 29AD's work for GK!
Praise God for all of you!
Praise God!

See http://www.rmaf.org.ph/ or Google it!

Jizo writes a song with a little more time

What started out as an assignment for his class, ended up to be a full-fledge song.

JIZO, eldest son of Andy and Charina, wrote the words of a song for an assignment in his music class. He titled it "A Little More Time".

With all his excitement, he brought it during the practice last Saturday July29, supposed to be a recording session for songs to be sang for the MTQ Anniversary.

But attention shifted to "A Little More Time". Tito Bob put in the music together with the rest of the band. Eileen was there. Roy was snatched out of nowhere to sing it. The proud father was, of course, on the drums. After a couple of takes, a scratch recording was made, a new song was born... in a little (more) time!

What an awesome blessing for a nine-year-old to write a song about our Lord!

My thoughts are filled with beautiful words for the King - Psalm 45:1

No classes today!

Mimmon scanned the web and found an update on the CFC website. There are some photos (well actually just a couple of photos) of 29AD during the anniversary activities, particulary during the ProLife Conference at the Ultra and the International Gathering of Clergy at the Acropolis Clubhouse in Quezon City.

Something new: A "Photo Album" at the right side of this page.

No Wednesday "classes" today --- kahit wala nang bagyo! However, there were workshops for the past two Wednesdays. And I hear it's great! (yes, i actually hear the "class" singing while we are dubbing the electric guitar solos for the ALAW DVD). Rehearsals are also in preparation for the Mary the Queen Parish Anniversary in August, and new songs are being learned. So don't miss a single workshop/class/rehearsal!

From the praises of the young

Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
I will praise You as long as I live,
and in Your name I will lift up my hands. -Psalm 63:3-4

What a joy to see the young in praise. No inhibitions, no self-consciousness, no nothing. A total surrender to the Spirit. A pure deliverance to the Father.

What a joy for us to be, forever young in the eyes of the Father, as musicionaries, the forefront of praise and worship.

What's a G-Clef?

The first music workshop was held last night July 5. The workshop was given by our Arranger Extraordinaire Tito Nonong. This will be a series of workshops, so you better not miss any of it!

"let the wise listen and add to their learning...." -Proverbs 1:5

So how do you spell "sinkopeyted" again?

Abot Langit Ang Rehearsals

They're here (Click here)! Abot Langit Awesome Presence pictures during rehearsals, practices... daming rehearsals, daming practice....

Rehearsals! Rehearsals! Rehearsals! Practice! Practice! Practice! Well... It was HE who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. --- Ephesians 4:11-13

One of my favorite pictures --- Nth Generation 29AD??? Praise God!!!

Bass Joel, The Space Man

The Bass, The Joel...

You know why he is called "The Space Man"?

Because he occupies a lot of space :-)

What A Weekend!

Click here for the pictures!

It's 6.26.2006 and what a weekend passed!

First was the "God-gig" at the CFC's Silver Ball, June 23rd at the World Trade Center, Manila. It was a blast!!! Hey, 29AD can groooooove! From "I will survive" to "Never Can Say goodbye", the dance floor was packed. The picture above was taken during sound-check.... and click here for more pictures.

Second, was the "God-gig" again at the GRAND CFC 25th Anniversary Celebration, June 25th at the Luneta, Manila. 29AD was the band for the VISAYAS VILLAGE. Grabe! Everyone who went to the Village, or even just passed by, couldn't stand still --- they were all dancing! Sobra!

Hadn't it rained, we could have done a mini-concert a la GK4GK2, featuring the 29AD songs, complete with the YFC dancers. But maybe God was blessing us more with His reign... rain.

Grand Anniversary Celebration pictures are here.

Abot Langit talaga ang blessings for the week! We praise God that we were able to give joy (and love!) to our brothers and sisters during this very memorable occassion of CFC! And we thank God for allowing us to be at the very heart of it!

We'll continue to praise and worship Him with music... in spirit and in truth.

And... our beloved BELIEVE dancers were with us in both occassions! They even had center stage at Luneta, dancing under the fireworks, with praise songs remixed by themselves. Wow! Awesome!

*** CFC SILVER BALL pictures, click here.

*** GRAND ANNIVERSARY pictures, click here.

Event Link here:

http://www.cfcglobal.org.ph/home.htm

We sang at the CFC International Gathering of the Clergy

We sang at the International Gathering of the Clergy, June 20, 2006. It was held at the Acropolis Clubhouse in Quezon City.

The congress was organized by CFC as part of the month-long CFC 25th Anniversary celebration. This was attended by about 150 clergy --- priests, bishops, archbishops and cardinals from all over the Philippines, and from other countries. Hundreds of lay people, majority of which are from the CFC community, packed the Acropolis clubhouse. It was an SRO!

Highlight of the event was a mass celebrated by no less than the Papal Nuncio for the Philippines.

We were again blessed to be the music ministry for the event!

Praise God!

http://www.cfcglobal.org.ph/silver_anniv_skeds/intl_gathering_of_clergy.htm

Tenor Tony, Videoke King

29AD's Tenor Tony with his own mic!
No wonder he sounds LOUD!

(Taken during rehearsals for the GK4GK2)

We sang at CFC Pro-Life Congress

29AD sang at the CFC Pro-Life Congress last June 10-11, 2006 at the ULTRA, Pasig. The congress was a two-day event.

29AD was blessed to be the music ministry for that Saturday June 10 only.

Highlight of the event was the 6pm mass celebrated by Bishop Soc (Villegas).

Thanks, Bishop Soc, for just being with us after the event!

Hhhmm, do I see us in Bataan someday?

29AD's MJ in Philippine Star

MJ in Philippine Star after winning the Best Inspirational Song as the lyricist. Let the article tell the story....

May It Be Easter

May 10: The clan gathered for its usual Wednesday practice. But this day is different from the other Wednesdays. We made excuses of wanting to practice new songs tonight for an upcoming event, but in our hearts, we just wanted to come together again as one --- one with our 29AD family.

We called it a concert, but I say it was an extravagant worship night that we had just five days ago, a Friday, the 5th of May. Still high in its spirits, this Wednesday night after that concert feels like a new Easter morning.

I read how the Apostles fled and hid together in a room when He was put to death. In their hiding, they must have shared stories, stories of their lives. Stories of how their Master simply called them “to follow me”, of how He has touched their hearts with His perplexing but piercing parables. They must have shared stories about their hardships and sacrifices with Him. It must have been interesting to hear the life-changing stories of a notorious tax collector, a wealthy one, or perhaps an ordinary fisherman.

It must have been painful to hear, much less tell, their stories of stubbornness, skepticism, and denial of Him.

But, what glorious news it must have been for them when they heard that He is risen! How even more glorious it was when they have seen Him! Close to disbelief, they must have been ecstatic.

They have seen Him, He is risen! How I wondered what the first Easter felt like.

Now, we’re together in this room sharing stories --- pieces and experiences in doing the concert. Stories of how our very lives were touched by just following Him. Stories of how lives and hearts were changed by just using the talents that He has given them - stories of blessings, of miracles.

It was painful and tearful to hear, much less tell, stories about oppressions, loosing someone, giving up, and disappointments. It was painful yet uplifting that after all these, we have overcome - with Him, our Master.

But how glorious it is to know that, as our stories attest, He has indeed risen --- He has risen in our hearts! He has risen to change us, to purify us, to empower us. He is so alive! So alive in us that you couldn’t stand still! He overflows, our cup overflows with joy and love!

He is in our hearts, He is risen! This is how the first Easter must have felt like.

After His resurrection, I remember His commanding but assuring words to the apostles --- “Go, therefore, and make disciples from all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…… I am with you till the end of this world.”

Easter’s the same, even after more than two thousand years. What an Easter, what an awesome Easter!


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May 2006 - reflections on a rehearsal day, less than a week after the GK4GK-2 Concert

Tito Bob: The Heart that beat the Drums

Play any song intro to this man, and he’ll start to play his drums with you. And play he will, not just simply bashing on snares or cymbals, but music --- great music, flows from within him. A many have said he plays with his heart. Indeed he does. But I must say he gives life to any song played, as if a soul is borne out of his drums. He lives out what a psalmist once wrote “My heart is steadfast, Oh God; I will sing and make music with all my soul”.

Playing music with him then radiates to your very own soul. He once said to me “Gusto ko yung pagtugtog mo ng gitara. Hindi ako naliligaw.” I didn’t know what he meant, but coming from the best drummer one could ever play with, I didn’t bother to ask. In our souls, we had this harmonious connection, like a secret coded language between musicians. I would always look at him during rehearsals or those till-2am-jams, and every time our eyes catch each other, he would do his antics with those signature blaring eyes --- striking the cymbals in reverse or doing an 8-beat with the kick, and dancing in his seat --- all without skipping a beat. All you can ever do is play better as you feel the soul, the beat from his heart.

It was difficult to see this heart stop beating, literally. I was there. I was the only one there with Tita Susan. The doctor said to me “be strong, we are going to loose him any time now”. My knees felt it wanted to kneel. I asked Tita Susan for us to sit down and pray. I called for Aileen, I saw the doctors and nurses hurried; injections, tubes were everywhere. Suddenly, they all stopped. I watched as the monitors blipped so faintly. I looked at the doctor, and he nodded. The heart that once beat those drums beat no more.

What could be more difficult than seeing a brother in his finality? It was holding the hand of our sister while all these came to pass. Yet, she was so strong in faith. She told me “help me pray”. Half-teared, I did. But in between mumbling our Lord’s Prayer and calling Pope JPII, all I could plead now was “Lord, into thy hands…”. She still didn’t know, but she remained in faith that our Lord will show His mighty power. I already knew my brother has just passed away, and holding the hands of a begging widow was too much to bear.

Hearing her prayer tore my heart. “Lord, I ask for a miracle now. Let him live and I promise we will dedicate our lives in service to you.” I know this couple serves our Lord well. They’ve given their lives to Him. I began to demand “Lord what else is there for them to dedicate their lives to you? What else is there Lord?” In my heart, a little anger and frustration crept, but I was reminded by what this brother told us “with the condition of my heart, I’ve lifted up anger to the Lord”. So is He slow in anger and rich in love. In my shame, I could only ask our Lord Jesus to look at our sister with much compassion, just as He did to a widow whose son has died. But that miracle never came.

Our brother’s last words to me was “Dito, ikaw ang mag bigay ng beat ha. Susundan kita” while rehearsing a song. In the concert, I almost cried playing this song, yet I found comfort in what Jesus said to the widow... “Weep not”. I began to sing it out loud… This song in my heart, this song in my soul…”

I know he is now free.

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May2005 - reflections after the GK4GK concert

Demo Song for CFC 25th Year Anniversary recorded

Demo Song for the CFC 25th year anniversary was recorded. Song composed by Bob.

"Sing to the Lord a new song!"