Jesuit Communications Foundation

Himig Heswita. The turning point came in the year 1965, when Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ (lovingly called Fr. Honti) composed a Filipino Mass while serving Rector of San Jose Seminary. Answering the call for inculturation, Fr. Honti began composing songs in the Filipino idiom. A torrent of compositions would follow throughout the 70's, resulting in what could arguably be called “classics” of Filipino Liturgical Music: “Ama Namin (Our Father)”, “Ang Puso Ko'y Nagpupuri (Magnificat)” and “Pananagutan”. Fr. Honti's example would animate and inspire local composers and music ministries, and of course, his fellow Jesuits. 1981 saw the release of Himig Heswita, an album celebrating 400 years since the arrival of the Jesuits in the Philippines. Working with Fr. Honti on this album were “second-generation” Jesuit composers such as Frs. Nemy Que, Fruto Ramirez, and Danny Isidro.

In 1994 these younger Jesuit composers came together to produce Himig Heswita 2. This album was not really a sequel to the first Himig Heswita , but a development, a new stage of growth. Himig Heswita 2 featured Fr. Arnel, Manoling, Nemy, and brought together the choir that would include such voices as Frs. Jun Jun Borres, Chris Dumadag, RB Hizon and Peter Pojol. With Himig Heswita 2, the core group of Himig Heswita was formed.

The Catholic renewal that spread over the country with World Youth Day in 1995 led to two important developments: first, the consolidation of Himig Heswita as a stable singing group; and second the collaboration with instrumentalists. These concert musicians would bring a different flavor to Himig Heswita, making liturgies and performances even more meaningful. Himig Heswita has produced numerous albums and participated in a number of recordings for the Jesuit Music Ministry.

Since Himig Heswita 2 there have been five full albums: Best of Himig Heswita, Purihit't Pasalamatan, Your Dwelling Place, Krus at Muling Pagkabuhay, and Stand By Me Still. Himig Heswita and their friends has also been part of many anthologies, such as Alay Kapwa, Far Greater Love, Something More and Believe. Himig Heswita has participated in the ministry of healing. Smaller more intimate concerts have been held for the benefit of those suffering from acute ailments. The albums Your Dwelling Place and Stand By Me Still are, in fact, recordings of these concerts. Himig Heswita has also done its part in developing local music ministries, through the many workshops on liturgical music given by Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ, Arnel Aquino SJ and JBoy Gonzales SJ.

Bukas Palad grew from ten years of friendship. Norman Agatep, Jandi Arboleda and Manoling Francisco met and became good friends in their fifth grade at Ateneo de Manila Grade School. Singing and playing music together had been integral to their friendship, and their personal encounters with the Lord bore fruit in talent, in vision, and in community that is BukasPalad . The talent lay in the field of music. The vision sprang from their belief that music can inspire and sustain faith. The community consists of friendships whose common cause of seeking the Lord and serving our people finds union in prayer and song.

In 1986, the still nameless group began its mission at a wedding. Soon after, they recorded and released albums of their original songs. In 1988, the group formally expressed through a statement that the mission of the group is to spread and enrich the faith through music, fully aware of how inspired faith can enrich people's lives. From the group emerged composers, arrangers, performers and choreographers. Each year, BukasPalad appeared in different venues: auditoriums, parishes, schools, plazas, and even once in a cockpit.

Bukas Palad would sing old and new liturgical songs, and once in a while, pop numbers would spice up the repertoire. A healthy dose of humor helped to keep the members (in) sane enough to continue singing each year. Friendships that have been formed between old and new members helped sustain the energy and commitment of the community. And yet, what continued to be the well-spring of all these was a commitment to bring people closer to the heart and will of God

After 20 years, seven compact discs and countless singing engagements, BukasPalad continues to be a group of friends who simply wish to share their music to reveal the joyful grandeur, the simplicity and serene reality of God's presence in the world. BukasPalad popularized the songs “I Will Sing Forever”, “Humayo't Ihayag”, “Tanging Yaman”, “Sa ‘Yo Lamang” and “Mariang Ina Ko”.

Hangad traces its beginnings to the Ateneo High School , to a group of students who came together to sing for masses and retreats. But it was in Ateneo de Manila University (college) that Hangad flourished, drawn together by friendship and common desire to share His friendship with others.

In 1995, Hangad was given the opportunity to realize this dream through Hangad – their first album under the Jesuit Music Ministry. Through years of friendship, they have kept alive the desire to share their music with others. It has been a constant surprise that they have never run out of songs to sing. In fact, the more they grow together the more they see reasons to celebrate. Hangad is now 15 years.

Hangad has five albums to date. It is our hope that as we grow and deepen in our ministry, our listeners will grow with us too, and that together we will give praise to God, who is our greatest desire.

For the last 19 years, Noel Cabangon has been a composer-songwriter and musical director. He started his career as a musician in 1982, and since has been performing in various folk houses and music lounges in Manila . Noel has also performed in several concerts here and abroad.

In the ‘80's, Noel was actively involved in the progressive movement to which he contributed in the creation and popularization of alternative Filipino music or People's music. He was a performer in Paris , France during the Bi-Centennial Celebration of the French Revolution in 1989. He also has done concert tours in Hong Kong , Germany and the Netherlands.

In the early ‘90's, while continuously performing in folk houses, he and his former band, Buklod were able to independently produce and release three albums: Bukid at Buhay, Tatsulok, and Sa Kandungan ng Kalikasan. He was a finalist at the Asian Songwriting Festival Local Search 2000 with his entry Ikaw Lang , and the recently concluded songwriting festival of ABS-CBN Himig Handog ng Bayang Pilipino.

Noel composes jingles for TV and radio commercials, and does musical scoring for alternative video and short film productions. He is also currently an active member of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) where his recent role was that of Jesus Christ in the production Jesus Christ Superstar held at the Music Museum.

To date, Noel has produced four albums with Jesuit Communications; and his latest self-produced album, Himig Nating Pag-ibig , is available at our stores.

Canto Cinco (C5) was formed from different members of choirs from the Jesuits' apostolate areas in October 2005. Since most of their members are choir leaders, trainers, and teachers, C5 was formed to assist in Liturgical Music Seminars, give vocal training to parish choirs, and train choir leaders in organizing their own parish groups. Their name suggests this area of service: canto means song , but it also tells where they want to serve: kanto is Filipino for corner (where simple people congregate). Second, cinco is for its 5 C's: Christ-centered, creative, competent, community and commitment. Thus, their desire is to assist poor parish choirs in their ministry.

Musica Chiesa, from the Italian words "musica" (for music) and "chiesa" (for church) is another auxiliary group formed to assist the Jesuit Music Ministry Office in its programs for trainings and seminars for local parish choirs and musicians. It is composed of instrumentalists (strings, percussion, keyboards) also coming from the Jesuits' apostolate areas. Musica Chiesa is becoming well known for its own instrumental arrangements of popular liturgical music.

Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ joined the Society of Jesus in 1945, ordained priest in 1954 at the Fordham University College in New York . He finished his S.T.D. on Dogmatic Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome and for many years taught theology at San Jose Seminary and Loyola School of Theology in Ateneo de Manila University. Responding to the call of Vatican II for liturgical inculturation, Fr. Honti started writing Filipino Liturgical Music in the late 60's up to present. His music has inspired and continues to inspire hearts that desire to be nourished by the celebration of the Eucharist. Since 1991, Fr. Honti, considered as the “Father of the Filipino Liturgical Music” has been under health care at Loyola House of Studies.

Fr. Fruto Ramirez SJ entered the Jesuits in May 1974 and was ordained in 14 March 1981 . Quiet and reserved, his melodies provide a glimpse of his heart. Born in Baao, Camarines Sur, his love for Bicol is seen in the Ama Niamo in Am , sung in many Bicol masses. His love for the Blessed Mother is seen in his classic, Ave Maria . And his love for the Eucharist is seen in songs like Purihin ang Panginoon, Panalangin sa Pagiging BukasPalad and Si Kristo Ay Gunitain . Many of his songs are informed by the Theological background that he has: he studied at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome . He is presently the Academic Dean of the Loyola School of Theology.

Fr. Nemy Que SJ joined the Society in 1976 and was ordained a priest in 1983 in 1983. He was a member of the original group Jesuit Scholastics who along with Fr. Honti, recorded the first Himig Heswita album in the early 80's. He contributed several compositions to the endeavor. He wrote liturgical songs such as Sa Diyos Lamang Mapapanatag (Psalm 62/23), Mahal na Puso ni Hesus. He teams up with Fr. Danny Isidro in songs like Ang Kaluluwa Ko'y Nauuhaw (Psalm 62). His contributions to the mass is laudable: Kapuri-puri Ka (for the Preparation of the Gifts) and his Sanctus, Ama Namin and Kordero ng Diyos.

Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ entered the Society of Jesus after second year in college in 1985. As a child he had aspired to be a concert pianist; nevertheless he decided to discontinue his classical piano training at the age of 14 to devote his time to school and socio-civic activities. It was in his First Year High that he composed Hindi Kita Malilimutan. has been popularized by Mr. Basil Valdez. During the past 17 years he has composed more than a hundred and fifty songs such as Tanging Yaman, Sa ‘Yo Lamang are being sung all over the country – indeed, whatever there are Filipinos gathered together in prayer and liturgical celebration. Today, he is easily one of the most gifted musicians in the country.

Fr. Arnel dC Aquino SJ wrote “Pagsibol” and “Ito Ang Araw” while at Sacred Heart Novitiate, and began another tradition of Jesuit Music for Meditation with the LAUDS series. He studied classical piano for twelve years in Davao City where he was born. He began in music studies when he was in second grade and was actively involved in the choir of the Ateneo student Catholic Action as a “teacher”, conductor, flutist and guitar accompanist. Arnel, infers predominantly from the work of David Haas and Dan Schutte for the liturgical music he has recently been creating. Arnel has his chief achievements has been his albums – Lauds I- VI his performance on the keyboard has generated some of the most memorable and inspiring religious instrumental music this side of the world has heard. His dream is to be able to arrange Jesuit liturgical music for a symphony orchestra and to conduct a one-hundred-voice choir.

Fr. Charlie Cenzon SJ composed Awit Ng Paghahangad , which was heard on a PLDT commercial and became an anthem for Jesuits volunteers. Together with Fr. Bong Abad-Santos SJ, he made Pagkakaibigan (John 15) and Pag-ibig Ko which Hangad recorded in their first album.

Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ entered the Jesuits in May 1989 and was ordained in 2001. He composed Panunumpa which would later become a part of the sound track of the film “Tanging Yaman.” popularized by Carol Banawa. It is now a staple song at weddings and religious vows.

Fr. Danny Isidro SJ joined the Jesuits in May 1973 and ordained in March 1982. He is the Department Chair of the Digital Arts and Computer Animation in the Ateneo de Naga.