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It is said that among the arts, music has the most universal appeal and acceptance. The Filipino people are heirs to a musical legacy that embodies their collective consciousness, their hopes and dreams, their trials and triumphs, their aspirations for a better life. These are echoed in the songs they sing and in the instruments they play, which truly become a vital force in creating harmony among the culturally-diverse people like the Filipinos.

Singing

Singing

UMak Chorale with mayor Jojo Binay

University of Makati Chorale

Brief History of the University of Makati

The University of Makati is a public university locally-funded by the Makati City government originally established in 1972 (Mun. Res. No. 242, Ordinance No. 64) as the Makati Polytechnic College. In response to the growing demands for more curricular program offerings, the Polytechnic Community College was elevated to the status of a full-blown college in 1987 and was renamed Makati College.

On January 10, 1990, a merger with former Fort Andres Bonifacio College at Barangay West Rembo paved the way for the transformation of Makati College into a university. By virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 433, Pamantasan ng Makati became a chartered University on December 19, 1991 under the administration of Mayor Jejomar C. Binay. On August 27, 2002, City Ordinance No. 2002-111 approved the change of the official name of Pamantasan ng Makati (PNM) to University of Makati (UMak) to give the school a sophisticated image towards global excellence.

As the premier university of Makati, it is serving an average of 11,000 students coming from the marginalized families in Makati and nearby cities.

Background of the University of Makati Chorale Madz Et Al

Formally organized in 2003, the University of Makati Chorale is the only school-based acapella vocal ensemble of the University and the City of Makati. Over the years, the Chorale has developed a reputation for its remarkable interpretation of vocal musical literature – from classical to contemporary, from gospel to standards, from kundiman to OPM. With an unbroken blend of male and female voices ranging from the first soprano to second bass, the group has already made a name not only for the University but for the City as well with its remarkable performances.

Today, the group has matured from merely a singing group, composed of indigent but musically-gifted youth, that aspired to provide entertainment to a group propelled by a mission to respond to the cultural aspirations of Makati as its ambassador of goodwill. With this challenge, coupled with its new vision to become world renowned singing ambassadors, they would like to responsively commit to make a difference - to bring more honors not only to the University, but most importantly, to the City of Makati.

In February 2007, the Chorale engaged the services of Prof. Elsie Z. Eranista, a BS-Music graduate, magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines, and an alumna of the Philippine Madrigal Singers (PMS) and a member of the PMS batch who won the Grand Prix in Europe chorale competition (1998), as choir conductor/trainer. As such, they have been undergoing rigorous training supervised by this world-famous singing group. In October 2007, the University of Makati Chorale was formally introduced as the newest member of Madz Et Al, a family of choir organization handled by the Philippine Madrigal Singers and now ready to embark in international choral competitions.

Some of the group’s outstanding achievements:


Grand Finalist - 1st Runner-Up- Magandang Tanghali Bayan’s “Minus-All, an acapella competition at ABS-CBN and
The Filipino Channel (TFC) (December 2003)

Winner - “Sama-samang Boses” – a Christmas Carol Chorale competition (December 2003) sponsored by
Mayor Sonny Belmonte of Quezon City

Regular Choir - Intercontinental Manila, Philippine Senate , and Intl. Relations Dept., Office of the Mayor


First & Third Runner-Up – “Paskong Himig 2007 sa Lungsod ng Pasig/”Paskong-Pasko sa Metro Manila 2007” - Department of Tourism-NCR (Dec. 12 and 13, 2007).
First Grand Champion – “Himig Pasko 2007” Acapella Challenge – Sunshine Media Network-DZAR (December 22, 2007)

Major Concerts

The “Colors of Worship 1 & 2” - a liturgical concert together with eight (8) best choral groups in Metro Manila held in April 2004 at the Philamlife Auditorium, UN Avenue, Manila.

The Rainbow Concert – with the country’s musical icons Jose Mari Chan and Rico J. Puno - May 2004.

Hands-On Choral Concert 2004, 2005 & 2006 – 200-voices choral concert (International Song Festival) under Choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio of the Philippine Madrigal Singers at the Cultural Center of the Philippines with 11 choral groups.

Sing Philippines (Madz Et Al 2007) – A Celebration of Filipino Choral Artistry – Philamlife Auditorium, May 4, 2007.

Goodwill Choral Concert & Recital with University of the East Chorale and Novo Concertante Manila - Main Theatre, University of Makati, Sept. 27, 2007.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Years

Two thousand years ago the King of Kings was born.
'The Lamb of God' later made to feel the thorn,
If his words are accepted and not scorned,
They will make us all reborn.

Though God's grace, Joseph and Mary presented
A gift to the world that day, which we can all repay,
by living the ten commandments each and every day.

Try to remember and keep in your heart and mind
Jesus's gospel while here on Earth,
Redemption not a life lived in constant mirth.
Peace on Earth, good will toward man
Everyone should try it, whenever they can.

The Lord gave us the option and choice of 'free will,'
Now it's up to us to fit the bill.

So when you’re Christmas shopping for family and friends,
and money is tight at both ends,
Remember that the greatest gift of all,
Is your love of Jesus in the manger stall.

Cold

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

Tykes

Frosty days and ice-still nights,
Fir trees trimmed with tiny lights,
Sound of sleigh bells in the snow,
That was Christmas long ago.

Tykes on sleds and shouts of glee,
Icy-window filigree,
Sugarplums and candle glow,
Part of Christmas long ago.

Footsteps stealthy on the stair,
Sweet-voiced carols in the air,
Stocking hanging in a row,
Tell of Christmas long ago.

Starry nights so still and blue,
Good friends calling out to you,
Life, so fact, will always slow...
For dreams of Christmas long ago.

Extend

Somewhere across the winter world tonight
You will be hearing chimes that fill the air;
Christmas extends its all-enfolding light
Across the distance...something we can share.

You will be singing, just the same as I,
These familiar songs we know so well,
And you will see these same stars in your sky
And wish upon that brightest one that fell.

I shall remember you and trim my tree,
One shining star upon the topmost bough;
I will hang wreaths of faith that all may see --
Tonight I glimpse beyond the hear and now.

And all the time that we must be apart
I keep a candle in my heart.

Finds

Each Christmas I remember
The ones of long ago;
I see our mantelpiece adorned
With stockings in a row.

Each Christmas finds me dreaming
Of days that used to be,
When we hid presents here and there,
For all the family.

Each Christmas I remember
The fragrance in the air,
Of roasting turkey and mince pies
And cookies everywhere.

Each Christmas finds me longing
For Christmases now past,
And I am back in childhood
As long as memories last.

Great

Christmas brings such a time of love
Each tender heart holds so much of

Unselfishness thrives, trust is strong
The purpose to give, send love along

A time of pleasantries, patience too
Good wishes to all, all feelings true

Thankfulness follows each fine deed
Gifts from our God, never from greed

Great the rewards that joy does bring
Like the beauty in hearing angels sing

We pray for our loved, each so dear
Especially those who can’t be near

Many leave home to bravely serve
All freedoms we have, they preserve

Do pray for our troops, as we should
And their families too, if you would

Give thanks to our Lord, His only Son
And cherish His Christmas, everyone.

Sweet

Sweet spring showers bring a fragrant bouquet
A soft wind blows and meadowlarks play
The pine covered hillside wild creatures reside
A season of growth as you reach for the sky.

Through long summer days you sit parched and brown
Your needles fall softly and cover the ground
The struggle so mighty the rewards seem so few
But from such despair a strong pine tree grew.

Now the days they grow short there’s a chill in the air
Changes are coming a fate we all share
The birds now seek cover in your boughs lush and green
Autumn winds are upon you it’s now time to dream.

You wear a white mantle as snow covers the ground
The song of the saw and soon you fall down
Was the struggle in vain for a seedling to grow
You’ll soon bask in splendor your purpose to know.

To be lifted once more in a glorious light
The spirit of Christmas you embody tonight
Decked out in splendor your time has now come
To herald the birth of God’s loving son.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Righteousness

Righteousness remains the rock of faith,
As what one does sustains what one believes.
Mere hypocrites might pray, the Prophet saith;
Actions must be words the heart conceives.
Do, then, what acts and rituals are due,
As faith becomes a flame that feeds on you,
No less than as a fire consumes dry leaves.

Holy Month

Remember, too, the holy month of fasting.
Absorb the word of God like burning sand.
Make yourself through prayer a single yearning,
A single breath of faith, a single turning,
Dawn to dusk a diamond in God's hand.
A moment of pure faith is everlasting,
Nor need one know aught else to understand.

Revelation

Reason is no cause for revelation.
A moment comes and goes; a word endures.
More than sense must underlie sensation.
A holy mind and heart such faith secures.
Depend, then, on your fasting to awaken
A love of Allah easily forsaken.
Nor is there mooring save where hunger moors.

Gives

Reason gives to faith an obligation,
As faith must give to reason its reward.
Mere words, though holy, cannot guide the mind
Absent a wisdom with deep faith combined,
Defining when one’s soul might be a sword.
Anger, vengeance, courage, love of nation—
None should shed one drop of blood if blind.

Read

Read the Holy Book as though asleep,
And in a dream awaken to its beauty,
Making it the music of your moment
And weaving it like gold throughout your day.
Do not come to it alone to reap,
Avid for the kernels of your duty,
Neglecting the thick flowers in your way.

Rapture

Rapture comes most easily within
A discipline that divvies up the day,
Making time for timelessness, and space,
A rolled-up rectangle holy anyplace,
Dear temple of delight where one might pray,
Assigned some sweet-tongued verses to begin
Now hallowing this hollow cask of clay.

Moment

Each moment is like sunlight on the heart,
Infinity within infinity.
Descend now from the whole back to the part,
As fast gives way to feast, and One to me.
Love is worship, as is pure, chaste pleasure;
Food is worship, music, dance, delight.
Immersed in talk, we savor what we treasure,
The days of fasting fading fast from sight,
Returning, turning, burning through the night.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Fun Meter

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Monday, December 1, 2008

Truth

Truth lies just the other side of anger,
Somewhere in between love and regret.
When walls of self-pity tumble down,
We see for just one moment what we need.

I know that what I said to you in anger
Has severed our umbilical of trust.
And now we are apart, our love is idling,
While I undo my words in lonely sorrow.

I feel your fingers touch me, taste your lips
Upon my tongue, crush you to my breast.
Anger is a storm long out to sea.
By this sweet moon, I know you will be mine.

Valentine's day

Veil us in icy mist
And hide us from the wind!
Love eludes the paradigm,
Eden yet within.
None will see our nakedness,
That outward sign of trust,
Intimate in joy and pain,
Need, tenderness, and lust;
Easily familiar,
'Twixt ecstasy and peace,
Safely in our solitude,
Delighted to repeat
A passion that returns, returns,
Yet renders us complete.

Deep

Vic and Jennifer are deep in love.
Quite a couple, people often say.
They also like each other very much,
Which is not, of course, the usual way.

Often people hate the ones they love
Because they feel all tangled in a net
Of needs and expectations they don't want
And know they can't quite get away from--yet.

But Vic and Jennifer are smart enough
To know the need to like the ones they love;
To enjoy what life and love have put before them,
And dance when they don't have the will to move.

Vic has brown hair, Jennifer's a blonde,
But both display the clearest light blue eyes.
Thus they're different, yet they are the same:
A formula familiar to the wise.

Breaks

What happens when the girl you've always wanted
Breaks up with you? Are you forever haunted
By thoughts of her with someone else? By the thought
That never, never will you love like that
Again? The jewel of day is gone. You see
Bitter blackness until death. Ay me!
What more can someone in such pain want
Than death?

The girl you've always wanted need not haunt
You long. If she no longer loves you, then clearly
She's not the one. The pain lasts only rarely,
Because a healthy love, like any fire,
Requires a match.

Sign

What is the sign of love that tells me when
A friendship and a crush are something more?
How can I know what life may have in store
When all the clues must lie beyond my ken?
How much happiness is love? And then
How much and long must it endure before
I recognize that strange and distant shore
Beyond which I won't have to ask again?
I do not know, but trust that when I do
The answer will surround me like old fields
On which the things I hunger for will grow.
For now I share the mystery with you,
Waiting for what young affection yields,
And for the time when both of us will know.

Words

Words are good for things, like cars and trees,
But when it comes to feelings, they're like trying
To wrap a waterfall or sign a breeze,
Or tell someone a whole truth without lying.
I would tell you how I feel with signs:
Like how I look at you or how I touch,
Or how I fit my dreams to your designs,
Making one bright world--and then, how much.
The truth is not in words or even deeds:
It's far too subtle to be seen or heard.
It's in the garden that supplies one's needs,
Too various for any act or word.
Words are like the scent of rich perfume:
They indicate a presence in the room.

Fear

Your fear is not surprising.
It's always ended badly:
Fury, betrayals, recriminations.
Then, for days and weeks and months
An agony worse than grief
Because you also feel like such a fool.

Love is like diving or rock climbing:
Spectacular, but your heart sticks in your mouth
Every moment you're there.
There's an ease in not caring,
A looseness in the belly.
Then, as love approaches, a knot tightens like a snake.

Being alone and free is like looking in from outside:
People give and get affection,
Are seized by extraordinary happiness and pain,
Live in prison and in heaven,
Deal with the necessity of working on what must be worked out,
While you watch them as if they were on TV.

Life is full of love and difficulty.
Its riches cannot be gotten at except through choice.
You must enter it by loving this person or that person,
And people inevitably fall short of your hopes.
But to live and not love, and not be loved,
Is like spending your entire life alone in your room.

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