City to reverberate with Xmas hymns

By Maurice Malanes

BAGUIO CITY – This city’s Christian community on Dec. 12 will treat the public with a repertoire of Christmas hymns from a more than a 100-voice choir, which, organizers hope, will help strengthen Baguio’s status as a “character city.”

“The hymns and Christmas carols will focus on God, who gave us a beautiful city, which we, as witnesses of Christ’s salvation, are mandated to help save and transform through the Lord’s redeeming love,” said Pastor Abe Luis, who will conduct and direct the inter-denominational choir presentation.

Dubbed “One Voice, One Melody,” the Christmas “Kantata” at 4 p.m. this Sunday at SM (Shoe Mart) is part of a citywide Christmas celebration sponsored by the city government.

Now coordinated by city councilor Elmer Datuin, the Christian community’s Christmas’ presentation “will hopefully become part of the city’s tradition,” said Luis, former music director at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines-Baguio.

Since 2003, Luis, Pastor Joe Bildan of the Life Changers Ministry and other church leaders had organized a 300-voice choir, which had been performing during the city’s founding anniversary every September 1 and during Easter, besides Christmas.

For lack of time to prepare, the organizers now were able to mobilize only over 100 voices from various churches.

But Luis promised an enlightening presentation this Sunday, which, he hoped, would later revive the 300-voice choir as both locals and visitors have looked forward to watch it since its inception.

Today’s choir presentation was musically arranged and orchestrated by April Luis, a pianist, and would be accompanied by musically talented young people, who include St Louis University students adept in the violin, guitar and drums.