Discipline...

Many are saying the LPBC members are so lucky to have made it to the 5th World Choir Games, for the chance to compete with distinguished choirs from all over the world, for the opportunity to travel to the cultural capital, Graz.
But you have to give it to them for all the sacrifices they have made, for the great amount of discipline given to hone their talents...
Aside from hours and hours of practice they have to give up on a lot of things...
No softdrinks...
No chocolates...
No cold water...
No sweets whatsoever...
During the travel, they are not allowed to bring with them unnecesary distractions.
No ipods and psp's.
No digicams.
They have with them their journals though for them to write down their experiences and thoughts...
They have with them hungry hearts out raring to give their best, the fire within out to show the world what they are made off...
They are... the Las Piñas Boys Choir!

Angels in Human Form...

These are words I borrowed from Fr Hans. He used these words to describe MT, who was really heaven-sent, whose arrangements for our travel from Vienna made everything smooth.
I know everyone in the team will agree with me in saying that these may be used also to describe Fr Hans whose generosity is beyond compare. When he offered the Priesterseminar as a place to stay, we know we cannot ask for anything more, the seminary being a comfortable and safe place to stay in, not to mention the great amount of money saved. His support of Armando and the LPBC in particular and of music in general is something worth mentioning and emulating.
Anni also is another angel. She saw to it that the boys have a good meal and that everything is in order. Together with Jan, Norie, Donna, she really looked after the boys as a mother would and that meant a lot I believe for the boys who are finding themselves in another country far from their parents and families.

Doha-Vienna-Graz

After a three hour wait at Doha, we had a very uneventful, smooth flight to Vienna. We arrived at 6AM Vienna time and since the processing of our travel papers were very fast, it took us only around 20 minutes, we have to wait for the bus that will take us to Graz. MT, our travel angel, as Fr. Hans calls her, arranged for porter services and brought food for breakfast. We began the two hour trip to Graz with the rosary and we were given some information about Vienna and Graz by MT and Leo along the way. There is no traffic since it is a Sunday and we arrived early. Anni was there to meet us, complete with Graz costume and waving Philippine Flag. We have to walk to where we will stay, the PriesterSeminar, (a 300 year old seminary built by the Jesuits to counter the Reformation in Austria), since it is located inside the old city walls, much like our Intramuros. We rushed to attend the high mass of Fr Trummer at the cathedral which is just across the seminary. The boys tried out the acoustic of the church and sung a Philippine folk/ballad. We then had a hearty lunch and at four in the afternoon we went out for a walk to the upper part of the city.
I have posted pictures in the official website and in the multiply account of the LPBC.

Manila-Doha

We are now having three hour stop-over in Doha after almost eight hours of travel from Manila. We left at 5PM Phil time and arrived here 8:30PM Doha time. Time difference is five hour difference, I think, haven;t checked and counted, too sleepy. : ) THe boys are visibly excited during the flight, enjoying the food, and either enjoying the music on demand or the various inflight movies and games.
I remember the excited, sometime dramatic and tearful goodbyes of the parents when we departed from St. Joseph's Academy. Some of the parents and relatives event went to the airport for the final farewells. The processing of papers, etc went smoothly, thanks to the assistance of the travel agent, Mayette, who prepared everything, and also to the josephian alumni working in the airport who went out of their way to assist us, thanks esp to RJ!
Some of the boys are going around enjoying the sights of the duty free shops ere in Doha, some are resting, sleeping or writing their journals. I guess we should have told them that they bring a lot of pages for their journals, they will be having a lot of life-changing experiences to write about...

Send-Off Mass and Lunch

July 2, Thursday, the LPBC members, staff, admin and parents had thanksgiving and send-off mass at 11AM at the St. Joseph's Parish Church, Bamboo Organ, presided by Msgr. Albert Venus with Fr Didoy and Fr Joe concelebrating. After the mass, everyone had a hearty lunch prepared for by the parents.

Countdown to 5th World Choir Games

Exactly 1 week before the LPBC leaves for Graz, Austria to join the 5th World Choir Games!

Here’s the link to the official website of the organizing committee to give us an update.

Send-Off Concert a Success!!!

June 20, 2008 was a memorable date for the LPBC.
Not only did it serve as the last major concert of the boys before they leave for Graz, Austria for the 5th World Choir Games but it served as another venue for a unique concert offering as well.
People came in droves to watch the LPBC perform the competition pieces in its entirety for the first time but also to watch the unique group of singing priests, “SIx Priests in the City” composed of Fr. Erick
Santos, Fr. Steve Zabala, Fr. Allan Samonte, Fr. James Nitollama, Fr. Joel Jason, Fr. Rey Pascual. Their energetic performance, renditions of popular songs and funny remarks easily won the crowd’s applause. Parishioners, priests and friends from all over the diocese also came in support of the guest priests performers, Fr. August, Fr. Ian, Fr. Jeff, Fr. Tony, Msgr. Mel and Bishop Jesse. Ms. Jacqui Magno completed the cast of guest artists who shared their presence and talent to the LPBC as they prepare to represent the country in the forthcoming Musica Mundi competition.