2022 Simbang Gabi at the Gesu. Messages on kindness

 9th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Mon Bautista 23 December 2022 Friday

Who is Nelson Mandela at 60? Christo Brand at 19?

Guarding the most dangerous terrorist prisoner no. 4664

Wife of the Nelson asked if their 4-month-old granddaughter can see Winnie Mandela

Brand allowed the smuggling

 

Vocation is one of the greatest indicators of divine graciousness

Defined as kind, warmhearted, gentle, compassionate, tender

Radical mercy and goodness defined in Christianity

 

God provides and also calls us. Invites us

So he can do great things for us

If we want to experience God’s graciousness, we need to live vocation to the full

 

We think more of career than vocation missing out

Career is a language of power and success

Vocation is a language of discipleship

Vocations are sacred

 

Touching people’s lives

With God taking us and using us as agents of divine graciousness

Vocation regardless of our status, will affect how others will live out their vocations

 

Despite Mandela and Brand’s difficult situation, they were not stopped from being gracious

 

Today’s gospel on John is his story of vocation and consecration on God

John, Zachariah, Elizabeth put together is God not forgetting

 

Christmas is graciousness

So we can have a life of abundance

 

This Christmas, let us experience graciousness from God who is merciful kind and tender

 

8th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Bong Dauhan 22 December 2022 Thursday

 

What is your heart singing these days?

Composer draws from experiences and feelings

Listener relates according to experiences and feelings

 

“Pasko na naman Hangad na makapiling ka”

“Malamig ang simoy ng hangin”

“Kumukutikutitap bumubusibusilak”

 

Songs express moments of sadness, happiness, and joy

Whatever the feeling, God is with us, Emmanuel

God speaks to our experiences and feelings

 

When given the responsibility, Mary experienced poverty and loneliness

Accept, take care of me

When given God’s grace, visited Elizabeth, sang The Magnificat

Experienced the faithfulness of God

She returned to God the grace she received

 

How do we respond to God’s blessings?

Are we ready to receive?

A boy who won a cash price giving it to his kuya for rice

Like Mother Mary, aware of our blessings

Deeply aware God’s experience and feeling on us

 

Sing in our hearts of praise

Respond to God’s will and humility

 

In humble hearts, rejoice in the hope that God continues to bless us

Recognize Jesus in our lives

 

To give us deep and lasting joy now and forever

7th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Kit Bautista 21 December 2022 Wednesday

 

The visitation is all about love and the joy of loving

Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth travelling long distance while pregnant

Mary took serious risk because of her love for her cousin

Action of kindness and mercy believing in God’s will

Excited with joy and gladness

Mary rejoiced with Elizabeth doing charity

 

Physical presence can be enough

Mary demonstrated authentic charity

“Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus” intuitively said by Elizabeth

Mary was consoled

 

Good deeds done, we are already blessed

God’s mercy and compassion always open to hearts empty and full

Mary is blessed. Magnificat

Proclamation of the might and glory of God

God visited Mary and John

 

This Christmas, God visited us to stay in us forever

When God visits us, our status changes

We need divine visitation to open heaven to bring down blessings

We change and become like him as St. Paul said

Love and the joy of loving

 

Maiden is called to enjoy the fields with her lover in the previous reading

 

This Christmas we give and we receive from our loved ones

When we give and receive at the same time, we experience the spirit of Christmas

 

It is about loving and the joy in loving

6th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Ben Nebres 20 December 2022 Tuesday

 

“Happy to celebrate the mass for the Ateneo community

 

Prophet Isaiah gives us the promise of the Lord

Emmanuel, God with us, God becoming one of us

The Annunciation

God enters our human condition

He identifies with the homeless, the refugees, the displaced families

 

Jesus gives us the gift of you, the gift of Christmas

Support to E Christmas cards and to the most needy through the ACED Ateneo Center for Educational Development Program

To join the community of caring, loving, and sharing

https://www.ateneo.edu/impact/socialdev/aced

 

What is the kingdom of Jesus?

The kingdom of Jesus is a kingdom of love and caring for those in need

 

Truly heartwarming memories visiting the centers. Paskuhan Gawad Kalinga, centers in Cavite, Gabaldon, Cabiao, Marawi, Payatas

"Nakaroas" because they took care of each other, cared for each other and trusted in God

The power of choosing to listen to the children

The power of caring and love

The kingdom Jesus brought to us

And we are invited to be part of it

 

May the kingdom reign over us and our children”

The power of choosing to listen to the children

The power of caring and love

 

May the kingdom reign over us and our children”

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfrttR6.../viewform

 

5th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Errol Nebrao 19 December 2022 Monday

 

Reference to the movie Claus Netflix in 2019

Sta. Claus origin came from two ordinary persons

Postman and a toymaker delivering toys

 

Shift in characters in the past readings

Shift to Mary

Who is Mary?

Ordinary person, young 14 years old

Annunciation and getting pregnant and betrothed

No heritage, nothing special

 

But she was special as she was chosen by the Lord

Mary confused by the news and the choice

Role in the salvation of all people

Angel Gabriel assuring her not to be afraid

Mary responded to the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word

Even with questions why me?

 

A woman with humility, surprise, wonder, faith and obedience

We too are called to be greater than ourselves

Others needing our help

Ordinary people are needed not extraordinary are needed to share the experience

As ordinary, we can do something

 

Jasper and Claus, toymaker and postman asked why they are doing this

A true selfless act always sparks another

Small acts of love, small acts of care

Nothing grand, fancy and big

 

Journey with Mary

In her humility, surprise, wonder, faith, and obedience

 

So we can be ready to say to the Lord, let ii be done to me according to thy word

 

4th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Oliver Dy 18 Dec 2022 Sunday

4th Advent of Christmas

 

"To learn from the virtues of younger Joseph

Symbolized as sleeping popularized by Pope Francis

 

Joseph is an upright person. Obedient. With a strong faith

Jewish rites of marriage: Betrothal and Marriage

Wife conceived with a child not his

 

Joseph as a righteous man

 

With depth to see through complexity of dreams

Showed acts of obedience as discerned in his dreams in his version of loving God

 

Points we can bring to our prayer"

 

3rd Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Manoling Francisco 17 Dec 2022

3rd Advent of Christmas

 

“Gods plans for us exceed our expectation

God takes a risk with us human beings

 

Where is God’s promise of redemption?

The transformation of society requires the conversion of the heart

God winning the heart of Paul first, planted in his heart

nourished by grace to establish inclusive communities in Asia and Europe

 

While we bemoan the prevalence of hatred and violence in the world

Are we men and women of peace and mercy?

Are we honest and just in our dealings?

Have we embraced the truth about ourselves and only speak the truth to others?

 

Transformation has to grow quietly and invisibly within

For God to redeem the world

 

Grace has to bring about the conversion of our hearts

This Christmas we pray that God’s eternal word be born in our hearts

 

So we become channels of redemptive love in the world”

 

2nd Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr Vic de Jesus

 

This Christmas, we celebrate the light that St. John the Baptist testified

St. John said he is the lamp

Jesus in contrast said he is the light

Jesus said we are the light

 

Two reasons to celebrate light: God is light. We are the light

We are the light of the world

Let our light shine, to dispel darkness

To see what is important

 

Appreciate the mystery of the light

Continue the tradition of lights of Christmas in electric, non-electric in the parol and in other forms

 

The light symbolizes the significance of the birth

 

“A child a child sleeping in the night will give us goodness and light”

 

Random Notes

https://www.youtube.com/live/YY-Y0Ul4igo?feature=share

1st night of Simbang Gabi 15 Dec 2022 Gesu presided by Fr. Arnel Aquino

 

Ang dalaw

 

Ang pagbigay pangako ay sapat na. Para na ring naisitupad na ito.

Kapag natupad, extra na ito (in the context that those losing hope just needed to hear a promise to lift their spirits)

When tatay in bilibid was promised a visit under the Puno ng Pangako, it was enough joy for him.

When after 13 years of preparing every week, he was visited finally by his wife, he was estatic. It felt like redemption.

 

We free to roam around are imprisoned too with our struggles. We too long for that dalaw, that Jesus visits through people, events or even a dream.

 

Theme of the 2022 Simbang Gab is "Magalak sa Pagasa", “Be pleased with the hope.” Fr. Aquino opened this season with a homily that St. John the Baptist's message of the coming is not happening as he has been waiting. A visit is what he hoped for.

 

Fr. Aquino's wish for us this Christmas is we receive a dalaw from Jesus so that like tatay, we feel the joy of redemption.

 

Notes updated 16 Dec

https://fb.watch/hqTM5Ej_2O/

 

Khimo and Kice

Typhoon Paeng signaled that I should stay home for at least 2 days over this long holiday weekend.

This gave me a chance to update my playlist and list of artists on YouTube leading me to Idol Philippines Season 2.

Two young male finalists captured the netizen’s approval, the grand winner Khimo Gumatay, a pure Filipino residing in Makati City and Kice So, a Guimaras-based fun-loving maverick Ilonggo beach lover claiming to be a bohemian.

Khimo, my choice as a stereotyped winner with a wide vocal range and trained technique that amazes, and stuns provides him the versality to sing any dramatic, big performance song.

Kice on the other hand has a distinct singing voice and projection that captivates and communicates; he is more daring and experimental with preferred genres still maintaining his own distinct signature statement. He has Chinese and Swedish DNA imbibing the endearing Ilonggo culture speaking in English most of the time.

From their interviews, Khimo is more seasoned and has peaked as a performer having participated in several grand singing competition before although young at 22.

While Kice, practically a novice with limited signing engagements with a band or a solo acoustic artist, in the beach, in Boracay in regional events is as he claimed still learning the craft, open to try new techniques yet firm with his charming distinct refreshing signature style.

Khimo won the hearts of the judges and the voting audience with his rendition of “End of the World” by Boyz II Men https://youtu.be/YDO6uXW1BZs

Kice is firm in owning his style putting drama to “Basket Case” by Green Day acknowledging his uniqueness, unconventional approach relating to the message of the song https://youtu.be/faNlWfs-XUQ

As he prepares to execute his interpretation, it is clear he is an artist, knows what he wants, his current limitations yet open to what professional coaches suggest enhancing. He does not need coaching anymore on how to charm and mesmerize his audience.

Khimo per my appreciation is destined to take the male path of Dulce. He owned the song “Find One Hundred Ways” by James Ingram in a duet with Martin on ASAP after winning the championship https://youtu.be/QKKNcUKIDB8 and “One Sweet Day” of Mariah Carey with Regine Velasquez, another contest favorite. https://youtu.be/bI4jmbCKjIo

Kice is articulate. He says he owes it to his fan base and to the network for landing in top 3. What I appreciate about him is his statement of respect for Khimo, “Khimo deserves the spot more than anyone else, this is for you man!” 1:95 https://youtu.be/S266eUCn_io

The landscape has changed. Singers are getting younger. The world is getting more competitive. Cycle of ups and downs is more pervasive.

May the two get the big breaks they earned and excel in their fields using their talents to express thoughts, emotions, sentiments not captured by other art forms.

We eagerly watch the progress of their career paths. Good luck to the 22-year-olds Khimo and Kice.

Take 1 Netflix Series

 “Kung bilang na ang buhay ko, ano ang gusto mong gawin na ikasasaya mo na maitatatak sa iyo?”

To the Korean musical artists on Take 1, “If you were to create one dream performance, what will it be, what single song and for whom do you want to perform it and in what stage?”

Netflix presented these questions to 7 Korean artists. First, they should be exemplary in their field with multiple hit songs They can define their dream and can execute. They must accept the challenge.

Sky is the limit; without any constraints, the artists dreamt big!

The brainstorming process was documented in One Take and the performance to be completed within a short time frame measured in hours of about 1 month.

The artists presented their grand dreams meaningful to them, grand in terms of intentions, setting and production, emotion, complexity, innovation, scale.

Created from the 7 Korean singers of different genres and their chosen stage were:

1. Sumi Jo. “Not one to back down from a challenge, Sumi Jo combines classical music with Korean sounds and aesthetics for her performance of a whimsical aria.”. Opera-Theater

2. AKMU. “The sibling duo AKMU overcome many technical difficulties while preparing an ambitious production that involves skydivers and a multitude of dancers.” Pop-Airstrip

3. Yim Jae-beum. “Yim Jae-beum returns to the stage after a six-year hiatus with a bare-bones performance that lets music do what it does best — heal and comfort.” Ballad-Open air roof deck 

4. Rain (Jung Ji-hoon). “Jung Ji-hoon, also known by the stage name RAIN, pours his heart into an elaborate spectacle as the first to perform at an iconic house.” Rock-Korean President The Blue House

5. Lena Park. “Lena Park reflects on her life as she tackles a song she once deemed too difficult. With special guests in attendance, she's in for an emotional ride.” Diva-Open air barge docked beside an iconic park

6. You Hee-yul. “You Hee-yul comes back to the humble venue where he and his band first got their start. The fans share their memories of growing up with his music.” Hesitant Composer/Producer-Concert Hall

7. MAMAMOO. “After two years of building separate careers, the four members of MAMAMOO come together to bring forth a mashup of their team’s hit songs.” K-Pop-street level outdoors with 2 stages accessed through a tunnel outside of Seoul

Watch the episodes on Netflix. As the production team sets up the stage which has turned out to be logistical nightmares, the artists master their craft to deliver their performance of the lifetime.

Each episode shows the challenges and struggles to realize their one single dream concept in Take 1 of the vision the artists owned.

See perfection driving the talented artists and their support captured cinematically and audally with Korea's state-of-the-art equipment.

Imagine what would have been the outcome if these supports were provided to our talented Pinoy artists!

https://www.netflix.com/ph/title/81536826

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/korean-music-variety-show-take-1-coming-to-netflix-in-october-2022/

Netflix drops trailer for Korean music reality show 'Take 1', starring MAMAMOO, AKMU and more (nme.com)

https://youtu.be/vzU5XTjkP6o

https://fb.watch/gdCFD-stHn/