The Story of a Song and a Parish Concert

by: Tessa Mangahas

I was outvoted.

During the initial planning for the parish’s 40th anniversary, some bright boy thought of staging a concert. I had humongous misgivings knowing the toil and major coordination it would entail. Some shared my anxieties. But eventually, the majority felt excited by the project. And Father Steve approved.

Then, the “command’ to write the parish song from the parish priest. Good soldier and law-abiding citizen that I am, I obeyed. Surprisingly, the lyrics flowed seamlessly in less than a day. Blame that on several parish meetings and focused group discussions. The pulse and soul of the parish were palpable and could not be ignored. It was simply a matter of putting it into words. I shared the lyrics to some friends in the industry—Moy Ortiz of The Company, Ryan Cayabyab, and Angelique Lazo-Mayuga. Since there were no violent reactions, I mustered the confidence to submit the lyrics to Father Steve two days after his command.

Then, the melody. I have tunes running in my head, but I do not read notes. I was told that some parish musical guru that I’d never met was requested to put the music to the lyrics. Dodong Sanchez did that in just a few days. Music and lyrics to tell a fortyyear-old story were done in less than a week. Amazing. It was as if the parish was thirsting to tell its story in song. Thus, CTK’s official hymn “Christ in Our Hearts” was born.

Then bright boy #2 thought of launching the song in the concert. Yikes. My heart skipped a beat. More work beckoned. Worship Ministry’s Leila Banico confirmed that more of CTK’s finest choirs were interested. Everything seemed to be moving in one direction in a frenzied pace.

And so for about seven weeks, the parish’s best choir groups—the Cathedral Choir/John Van Steen Choir, CTK’s Youth Choir, Tinig Zone 5, Hangad Music Ministry, Novo Concertante, and Servi Domini, together with The Singing Priests practiced on their own. Some members from these groups came together to form a CTK grand choir but was able to practice for only two nights. Musical director Dr. Arwin Tan had to work his magic on those two nights. Concert director Nico Faustino, threshed out production details with Leila Banico and her CTK team. Servi Domini’s Dodong Sanchez, Nonong Sampang, Fred del Rosario, Bobby Castillo, Dr. Arwin Tan, Angelique Lazo-Mayuga, Father Steve and members of the six choirs recorded “Christ in Our Hearts” at the Jesuit Communications Foundation. Anne del Rosario and I cheered them from the sidelines. The fiesta commitee heads Bing and Elise del Rosario gave their all-out support.

On November 8, God put it all together. Despite the challenges of being able to practice as an “almost-complete”grand choir only two hours before show time and the usual technical glitches, the show was a resounding success. The congregation’s thunderous applause was proof of this, thanks to all of CTK’s musical gurus.

I had initially planned to write a book to celebrate my thirty years of ministry. I am, after all a writer, not a lyricist albeit a music lover, but mostly rock. My only claim to musical fame was a recital as a ten-year old at St. Scholastica’s College’s music hall playing on a grand piano, the classic “Old McDonald had a farm.”

But again, God had other plans. He is after all, Christ the King. So, for the first time in my thirty-year ministry, I am glad I was outvoted that evening in July.

His ways are mysterious indeed. Now looking back, I realize I was outvoted by the most important “One Vote” of the universe. Congratulations CTK for a successful Christ in Our Hearts concert!