It's Christmas

Christmas started early this year. As early as September, we performed Christmas carols at our victory concert. By then, we can feel that Christmas is fast approaching.

Our first Christmas event was the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at SM Mall of Asia, last November 8. Ballet Manila, under the leadership of the prima ballerina, Ms. Liza Macuja- Elizalde, danced to the tunes of “Hallelujah” and “Pasko Na Naman”. Mr. Hans Sy led the lighting of the giant tree.

The next day, we sang at the mass for our Sunday Mass service. This is held every 9AM first Sunday of the month, at the church. This is to give glory to God and to promote church music. After the mass, we practiced for the Christmas tree lighting again, this time at Market! Market! in Taguig City.

The next performance was at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, for some Christmas carols last November 15. After these performances, we relaxed a little bit, because the next performance was to be on the 28^th.

We had a practice for Nickelodeon on the morning of the 28^th. After the practice, we rested a little, and we had a shooting for “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” in the church and the surrounding areas. The shoot lasted for hours, even though the segment was very short. It was shown last Saturday, December 13.

The Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards Philippines was the next. We were disappointed to know that we won’t sing because of the very animated choreography. We were disappointed that our purpose there was to dance, not to sing, although the producer announced that we will sing also.

The first day of December was very nice. We sang for “Umagang Kay Ganda” as a part of their month-long Christmas celebration. The cast and crew were in Enchanted Kingdom, Laguna, so we went there. The best part was we have all the rides for free. Some of the cast thanked us for coming there, and some appreciated the way we sang. The best thing was the director who praised us for the first ever choir to perform there- with choreography!

Six days later, on December 7, we sang again for the Sunday Mass. We just had a rehearsal on December 8, feast of the Immaculate Conception, since we were preparing for our Gala Concert at the Manila Cathedral. We had our general rehearsal at the Cathedral itself the next day.

The concert last December 10 went really well. It was a festival of church music at its finest. We were also delighted to meet Dr. Johann Trummer again, our friend who let us stay in Priesterseminar, Graz, Austria. After the concert, the audience congratulated us for a nice performance. We thanked them and we all went home with happy hearts, knowing that we made people happy and filled with joy for the coming of Christ this Christmas.

Watch us on our performances! On December 20, at 8 PM, we will sing at the Christmas Fusion of Bonifacio Global City with Ms. Isay Alvarez and the Metro Manila Community Orchestra. Prof. Chino Toledo will be conducting. On December 22, we will sing for our friends in Calamba, Laguna for "Pasko sa Calamba".

If you do like us to see at the Misa de Gallo, then do attend the last mass on December 24, here in St. Joseph's Parish. We will be singing there. The mass will start at 4:30 in the morning, but the road will close as early as 4:00 AM to accomodate the people who will attend the mass.

In the evening will be the Midnight Mass, alos here in the church. The mass will start at 8 PM, but go as early as 7:30 PM if you want a seat. Many people will attend, because it is the mass before Noche Buena.

The last performance of the year will be on December 28, in SM Manila. We will sing for "Magical Voices of Christmas."

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone!