A night of music for a noble cause

CEBU, Philippines – Music touches the heart of men as light touches the darkness. Handel’s “Messiah” is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of the Common Prayer.

Messiah was his sixth work in this genre. Although its structure resembles that of an opera, it is not in dramatic form; there are no impersonations of characters and very little direct speech. Instead, Jennens’ text is an extended reflection on Jesus Christ as Messiah. The text begins in Part I with prophecies by Isaiah and others, and moves to the annunciation to the shepherds, the only “scene” taken from the Gospels. In Part II, Handel concentrates on the Passion that ends with the “Hallelujah” chorus. In Part III, he covers the resurrection of the dead and Christ’s glorification in Heaven.

In short, Messiah has been described by the early music scholar Richard Luckett as “a commentary on Jesus Christ’s Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension,” beginning with God’s promises spoken by the prophets end ending with Christ’s glorification in heaven.

The musical ingenuity of Handel’s Messiah perfectly fits the significant cause that brought two of this country’s excellent choirs together, namely New Life Sounds Choir and Coro Cantabile Choir.

New Life Sounds Choir, headed by Urduja Santos, has been in ministry to serve heart-touching beautiful music to people in Cebu and several times in the Senate. The choir is composed of Christian men and women who have offered their talents to the Lord. Although they are not professional singers, they have, through the years, learned through the tutelage of Santos. The choir has been singing “for the Lord” for 30 years; some members moved from the children’s choir to the New Life Sounds Choir. The richness of their musical experience has also been solidified by the length of time they have ministered and grown together.

Coro Cantabile, headed by former Madrigal singer Sharon Abesamis, is a Filipino Christian a cappella singing group comprised of people from different walks of life, coming together with one purpose: to create excellent music that uplifts the lives of those who hear it. With its wide repertoire of classical, gospel, pop, OPM and international and local folk songs, the group has been given opportunities to sing at different events both locally and abroad. Coro Cantabile has had its European Tour in 2005 (where it was awarded a Gold Medal by the UNESCO in Athens, Greece). The group also regularly performs at the annual Madz et al Festival hosted by the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Why have these two excellent groups come together? It is for one significant cause involving the children of our beloved Cebu City.

The past 10 years, there has been an alarming rise of sexual trafficking in our city. It has become more real to the Cebuanos these past years to be vigilant in protecting not just the children roaming the streets of Cebu, but even those with parents and those students victimized by seemingly non-threatening individuals who abduct children outside schools. On top of that is the viral spread of cybersex porn.

The cause is not a small one. It is about children’s lives being endangered in what used to be a safe Cebu.

New Life Sounds Choir and Coro Cantabile Choir are bringing their excellent music together by performing Handel’s Messiah on December 6 at SM Cinema One, 3 p.m. for the matinee show, and 7 p.m. for the gala show.

Proceeds of this Christmas concert will go to the operations of Rancho ni Cristo, a home away from home where sexually trafficked children can rebuild their lives with the help of Christian ministers , DSWD social workers, and trained staff. This building project, once completed, will enable them to work closely with Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and DSWD in helping find homes for children below 12 years old rescued from their parents who are the ones trafficking their own children.

Rancho ni Cristo is a project of CURE Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

Fore more details, call Ruth Cabahug or Pastor Nene Pagaduan at 253 2491. (PR)