Divine Providence...

If ever one needs a story to be convinced about divine providence, this would be it. 

When the team decided on the development program for the LPBC, 

first on the local scene, then on the national level and then on the international level, 

little did we know that, amidst all the stress and problems encountered, 

everything would still fall into place. 

First, we planned to join two international events, 2007 in Athens and 2008 Austria. 

We were having logistical problems so we had second thoughts about going to Athens. 

We explored the possibility of going to Indonesia Asian Choir Games but decided we will pool our resources for Graz. 

We have to inform our donors and sponsors about the change of plans and proceeded to focus our energy for the World Choir Games 2008, Graz, Austria. 

It is then that everything unraveled marvelously. 

Armando studied in Graz under the tutelage of Fr. Hans. 

Fr. Hans was a regular performer in the International Bamboo Organ Festival. 

Fr. Hans came into contact with the Bamboo Organ when it was restored 33 years ago since it was restored by the same person who restored the Graz Cathedral Pipe organ at exactly the same time. 

When Fr. Hans offered the Priesterseminar, the boys seem to the luckiest among all the choirs, having a place to stay downtown where everything was accessible, a stress-free environment (except for some seminarians who were disturbed by the boys natural playfulness), enough food to eat, plenty of time for rest and relaxation,  the dining hall was baroque in design and have good acoustics with two grand pianos ideal for practice and beautiful chapel to celebrate mass.

Anni helped in making the boys feel at home. 

When we were organizing a possible concert for the boys in Vienna and Rome, we have to finally cancel Rome due to financial constraints. 

Our difficulty would be to find host families for us in Vienna and a concert venue. We considered many possibilities and we emailed the Philippine Embassy in Vienna as well.

While processing our papers in the Austrian Embassy in Makati, I happen to meet Fr. Lino who told us they will be going to Vienna this Sept. and it would be good to contact the chaplain, Fr. Joey. 

When I went back to the office to check my email, I got the reply from the Phil Embassy that they have forwarded our request to Fr. Joey. 

Since then, from the very first time that Fr. Joey extended his help to us, and through the wonderful coordination of MT, everything went well with our Vienna preparations. 

Blessings, blessings and more blessings... 

God is good.