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!!!