The JRG Halad 2012 “Gratis et Amore”

The University of the Visayas Executive Vice President Dr. Jose "Dodong" R. Gullas and wife Mrs. Nena Gullas will never regret in their lifetime for sending 32 warm bodies to bring music to Rome to sing during the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod though it was an insurmountable task. With the blessings of the Almighty and the intercession of our Blessed Virgin Mary, Sir Dodong made the impossible a realization. And as Cebuanos, we are so grateful to Sir Dodong and Nena for the magnanimous decision to send the UV Chorale to Rome and other parts of Europe. Reason why we had "Gratis et Amore"!

But more importantly, Sir Dodong in his lifetime, was able to witness a Cebuano become a Saint. From the words of Archbishop Emeritus Recardo Cardinal Vidal, out of 400 nominees to become a saint, the Pope chose our very own Cebuano.

With the prediction, prayer and prophecy for Jose R. Gullas in the near future, Cebu will be very fortunate to have another Cardinal, and that would be our very own His Excellency Archbishop Jose Palma.

At any rate, we had a taste of excellence when the UV Chorale sang the songs rendered during the last day of the Triduum Mass for the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod at the Vatican and at the luncheon for dignitaries and bishops.

No wonder, the amazing UV Chorale received 3 Gold Diplomas for Sacred Folk and Mixed categories, as well as a special award for the "Highest Pointer in a Category" in Rimini International Competition in Rimini, Italy. We were awed, watching and hearing the UV Chorale sang their pieces with élan..they were spectacular! With Choirmaster Anna Tabita-Piquera leading, truly the UV Chorale was great!

The JRG Halad 2012 gave recognition and awards to 3 outstanding Cebuanos, to wit: (1) His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal - without him, no one will know St. Pedro Calungsod. He deserves every Cebuano’s gratitude for what he has done in the making of a Cebuano saint. (2) Msgr. Rodolfo "Rudy" Villanueva…brilliant, genius composer and a prolific writer; (3) Ms. Susan Fuentes - whose golden voice has touched many Cebuanos during the 80s and 90s through tantalizing Cebuano music.

Now, we can truly say, the UV Chorale is the most formidable chorale in this part of the world.

Our sincere and heartiest congratulations to Sir Dodong and Nena for the terrific deed they have for the Cebuanos, and more power!