The Loboc Children’s Choir endorsing TBTK 2009 Campaign Promotions during their recently held US Spring Concert Tour, for Boholanos All Over the World to be part of the Global Homecoming on July 16-26,2009 in Tagbilaran City,Bohol, Philippines.
In the blockbuster movie Spiderman, the lead character Peter Parker before he was transformed into a Superhero, was orphaned at a very young age. He went on to live with his aunt May and uncle Ben in a house located in Queens borough. The young Peter knows all about danger. Helping the people of New York from the bad guys, is his after-school job. Peter’s uncle Ben used to say to him…:”with great power comes great responsibility.” So be always a role model. Always be at the side of the righteous. Always take the cudgel to defend those who are harassed and who fall victim to the forces of evil…and quote. Such is the usual advice the concern Uncle used to say to his beloved nephew, during those times when they were together.
Life imitates art, and sometimes life is more stranger than fiction, so goes the cliché that we used to read in books. For believe it or not, a Boholano Priest who came from the interior town of Loboc, is now the Parish Priest of the Immaculate Conception Church, in Jamaica , Queens, the home of the young Peter and the location setting of the Spiderman’s movie-story. Who also is given the pastoral responsibility to attend to the spiritual needs of the Queens’ catholic parishioners.
If only Spiderman is just for real, one interesting personality that Peter would perhaps likely to meet is this Boholano Parish Priest, Fr. Jed Sumampong. Who could give him our Lord’s blessings in his crime-busting crusade, or a priest’s sage advice ,if not some spiritual counsel, or perhaps to hear his confessions. Just like the way Rocky Balboa does, the boxer-character played by Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky movie series, before he climbs atop the ring every fight night.
The Spiderman hero could have also watched the well-attended concert show of the Loboc Children’s Choir held on a Saturday and Sunday, respectively,, that 10h and 11th of May,2008 at the Church of St. Emeric in New York City. Brought by Fr. Jed to perform in his parish for the weekend. To showcase the musical talents of the Boholano children from the other side of the globe. As he always loves the company of children who knows him very well and who idolized him. He too, just like the rest, would have been amazed how their angelic voices can uplift the spirit of the New Yorkers, most of whom are pre-occupied with worldly affairs, getting tired with the rat race living. Who seems to be delighted that fine music performed by innocent children devoid of material trappings and who came from a third world setting can be good nourishment for the soul.
Just as Spiderman comes to rescue people who are in distress, those who fall victim to organized crimes and from the forces of evil, on the other hand, Fr. Jed and the Loboc Children’s Choir came to New York and the Queens borough to spread christian love, goodwill and to foster friendly ties. through their kind of music. Other than raising funds to renovate their church and for other charitable works. What an ideal partnership it could have been.
Perhaps also, Spiderman would have been pleased to meet another Boholana personality, Mrs.Betty Veloso-Garcia, who is working as Nurse in a New York hospital, who was among the medical professionals given awards in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy in 2001 for giving aid and comfort to the injured survivors of the World Trade Center terrorist attack that took place seven years ago. For other than promoting the Loboc Children’s Choir New York concerts, she is spearheading a global-homecoming among Boholanos in their island-province in 2009. A responsibility Betty is assuming the third time around since 2003. Duplicated in 2006 and doing it in a much bigger scale in 2009. What a super-effort from a super-lady. The Spiderman always has special affection to our Filipina Nurses, for Peter knows that it was a Filipina nurse who assisted his friend, ”Superman” actor Christopher Reeve, when he broke his neck in an equestrian accident and made him paraplegic for life, until death finally let his battered body put to rest. How we wish our Superheroes are for real, for their existence could have made a difference in the world beset with a lot of indifferences from among the billions of human populace that inhabit planet earth..
But make no mistake, our Bohol’s Pride who came to New York and to other 20 concert venue sites in major cities all over the United States of America last Spring,2008 unlike our so called super-heroes idolized in cartoon shows and in box-office hit movies, are for real. Much as their musical gem and artistry acquired at such young age, under the baton of local masters who have perfected their craft through years of practice and musical performances, are also pure, real talents. Honed up, developed and acquired. Hear their voices and watch them perform during their recorded concert shows which can be accessed online through the You tube website. The thing speaks for itself. The Loboc Children’s Choir, they are prodigies of our generation. The Boholano generation capable of producing world class talents. Just as our Boholano professionals and workers are now everywhere – in the USA and Canada, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. Truly, our very own Loboc Children’s Choir will be our nation’s young Ambassador of Goodwill to the world. Serenading our kababayans wherever they are in workplaces abroad. Soothing the pain of their homesickness and loneliness with their kind of songs that are heaven sent.
At this time when Boholanos abroad and our overseas workers look forward to the next staging of the Tigum Bol-anon Tiguok Kalibutan(TBTK) on July 16-26,2009, no less than they – the Loboc Children’s Choir, are endorsing our campaign promotions. Calling on all Boholanos to go home. for the TBTK 2009 Global Homecoming. To be part of the revelry. To be our people’s role models. Just as our Filipino Overseas Contract Workers and our Overseas Filipino Workers are hailed as the Bagong Bayani Ng Bayan. So too our Boholano brothers and sisters working abroad stationed in foreign assignments.
For they are our young students and professionals inspiration that dreams can come true, if you will work for its realization. That to go abroad, for career search, to be dollar earner, to be the family’s hope for a better life, is within reach to those who aim high and who work hard to be the best in their field and to be the master of their craft. Just like our Loboc Children’s Choir who attained international fame and stardom on their own merits. Suffice it to say, the present Boholano generation, descendants of Dagohoy and Sikatuna,, wherever they are, continue to be respected in our country and admired in workplaces abroad.
Other than our Loboc Children’s Choir, our Boholano professionals overseas and expatriate workers, we have Boholano Generals in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Boholano boxers representing our country in international competitions, movie actors and recording stars who achieved fame and glory by the sweat of their brow, the knowledge acquired in school, the skills honed up through constant use and practice, as well as our endless prayers to God that we can be pleasing to Him if we look beyond ourselves and be of service to humanity. To make a difference in life, be the hope of the family, the pride of our province and country.
During dinner at a Manhattan restaurant, courtesy of the LCC’s patron Boy Echavez, together with TBTK Chair Betty Veloso-Garcia, hubby Bebe Garcia and this writer, Gardi Labad, the Choir’s Tour Manager and Staging Director, made mention that the Loboc Children’s Choir will be going to Europe in 2009 to participate in the International Folksongs Festival where they won the Gold Medal and hailed as Champion in 2003. They will also be holding concert shows and will tour European countries. The hopes and prayers of the Boholanos will go with them., So they will not rest on their laurels, but to continue to shine in the world’s musical constellation. To be always the pride of our province and the nation as well. Yes, the Boholanos can . This is our pursuit, to continue to invest in our competitiveness and the potentials of our Boholano youth. For someday, they can make a difference in their lives and that of our people.
Let the success of our Loboc Children’s Choir be an inspiration to our youth and be a crowning glory to us Boholanos The latest batch is composed of the following: Marjorie Tadlip Acuna, Apple Mae Calipusan Anino, Marigold L. Balili, Rica Calipusan Baliton, Charlene Grace Silagan Baquial, Marylou Omac Budiongan, Jenali Alexis Calipusan, Kent Henry Salaga Calipusan, Mary Belle Angelie Dalagan, Nicole Henderson Calipusan Labajo, Ivy Macadaeg, Bernarose Uefrace Requierme Maquindang, Maria Carey D. Mondilla, Vea Navarro, Dave Gabriel Inte Peligrino, Miguel Vince Parmisano Sarigumba, Hazel De Cano Sarigumba, Anna Marie Cabajes Suganob, Paul Delfin Sumampong, Zach Elmer Jongson Varquez, and Leomel Clark Varquez. With Mrs. Alma F. Taldo as Conductor and Mrs. Baby Lina Jala as Accompanist.
