Honoring our beloved Sto. Niño

In Psalms 127, it says: "Children are gifts from the Lord; they are a real blessing. The sons a man has when he is young; he will never be defeated when he meets his enemies in the place of judgment!"

On the occasion of the fiesta of our beloved Senyor Santo Niño, we are featuring here children offering songs and hymns to our Lord during and after the holiday season.

Eleven year-old Reston Y. Senining, together with Rhina Echivarre, bested all other finalists in the first ever HUNiño (Huni Halad kang Señor Sto. Niño) Original Songwriting contest and brought home the Best Interpreter Award. Reston's song, "O Holy Child", composed by Jay-arr Librando, also won Third Place.

Reston, if we remember right, was also a Grand Prize Winner of SM Star Club a few years back. He actively competes in singing and dancing at the St. Francis of Assisi School's yearly festivities. Presently, he is a member of Cardinal Vidal's Ecclesia Cebuana Children's Choir. By the way, a limited edition CD of the 12 songs of the finalists is now available for sale at the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

Another such group we've watched was in Orange County, California. A member of the choir is our very own four-year old Jason, son of Gerry and Fiza Du, who has a lilting voice. In their choir, he is the only Asian among Americans, but his voice goes out far above the others to be heard by many as they say..." what a voice this little Jason has!"

Speaking of choir, we would like to thank Mike Kutzle, Minister of Music of the First Baptist Church of Garden Groove, California. for sending 120 pieces of T-shirts which we distributed among the indigent children in our barangay last Christmas.

Actually, we met Mr. Kutzle over lunch he hosted after he learned from Fiza Du that we are feeding 150 children and some adults every week. At first, he thought of sending food for these indigents, but later on, decided on sending t-shirts instead so that these children could have something and call it their own. When Mike's choir members knew about it, they opened their piggy banks and gave their savings to Mike who, right on, bought those t-shirts (in different sizes and colors). He sent them through a balikbayan box for distribution last December. When we gave those to the indigent children, their faces were beaming with happiness beyond compare, as they shouted: "our t-shirts come from the states!"

For all these blessings and the many wonderful things lavished upon us by the Lord, we can readily say: "Pit Senyor, kanatong tanan kini!"

Yes, to all our wonderful friends, relatives and colleagues, a million thanks for remembering us during the holiday season. May God bless you with His generous love and prosperity!