Songs and prayers for the Apu

Keeping Pampango music and theater alive has been Andy Alviz’s advocacy for many years. The dancer and choreographer had lately evolved into a singer, songwriter, stage director and record producer. This is so he can devote his efforts to preserving Kapampangan music and theater and to creating a place where the young talented people from the Central Luzon province can hone their craft and show off their accomplishments.

I came across Andy’s latest Kapampangan production recently and I have a feeling that above all the stage musicals and pop songs, this one is the most special. The album is Apu, Songs and Prayers. It is, as the title says, a collection of songs and prayers dedicated to the Apu. It was produced by Fr. Ric Luzung with associate producer Bobby Cortez and Alviz as the album producer, composer and recording supervisor.

Apu in Kapampangan or apo in Tagalog is a term of respect for an older or important man. Maybe its English equivalent is lord, which when used with a capitaI letter L acquires a deeper meaning. Such is the case with this album, the apu of the album refers to the Apung Mamacalulu, the storied image of the Santo Intierro or the Interred Christ found in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Christ Our Lord of the Holy Sepulcher in the city of Angeles in Pampanga.

The Apu Mamacalulu statue is now over 200 years old and is believed to have been created by a sculptor simply known as Buenaventura. Legend says that it was the object of a heated family feud many years ago. I do not know who the protagonists were in the conflict, but things seem to have now settled down. Nobody is fighting anymore over the Apu and he is now kept in the shrine for the veneration of the Catholic faithful. And they come year in and year out, not only from Pampanga but from everywhere with their prayers and petitions and thanksgiving gestures to the Apu.

The CD Apu Songs And Prayers includes Pakaluluan Mu Kami and Salamat Pu Apo performed by Edward Bernabe; Paldak Sikaran and Sulasulapo by Fr. Ric Luzung; Ibpa Mi and Biyernis performed by Alviz; Pupurian Da Ka by Bernabe and Mak Pineda; and Panalangin Kapaldanan by RiaGing Pineda. Then there are three cuts that I believe would gladden the devotees of the Apu.

This is the prayer, Panalangin Kang Apu, which comes in three versions.

The Reverend Paciano Aniceto, D.D., the archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga, who is fondly called Apu Ceto, recites it in Kapampangan. “Lalapit cu keka o Apung Mamacalulu/cambe ning beyatan ning caladua ku…”

Fr. Luzung, the rector at the shrine does Panalangin Kay Apu in Tagalog. “Lumalapit ako sa iyo o Panginoong Maawain, sampu ng mabibigat na dalahin ng aking kaluluwa…”

It is Bishop Pablo David, D.D., the parish priest and auxiliary bishop of San Fernando, who recites the Prayer To Apu in English. “I come to you, Apung Mamacalulu with all that weighs down my soul…”

Amen.

Still on prayer and music. Sung at the Assumption Day Mass was the beautiful Maria, a song composed by Ryan Cayabyab with lyrics by George Canseco. It was also arranged by Cayabyab and recorded by Basil Valdez for the album of religious songs, Salmo that became a huge seller.

There is nothing spectacular about Maria. It is the late Canseco’s new rendering of the Ave Maria or the Aba Ginoong Maria in Tagalog but the words and music combined with Valdez’s extraordinary vocals has turned it into a classic.

“Maria, Ipagbunyi ka Maria/punong-puno ka ng biyaya/ sa mga kababaihan bukod kang pinagpala/dahil sa iyong sinapupunan itinalaga at itinadhana/na magbunga si Hesus na Anak ng Lumikha.

“Ipanalangin mo kami Birheng Maria/sa aming Panginoon na ikaw ang ina/ngayon sa aming mga pagkakasala/at sa sandaling mapugto ang aming hininga/Sa ngalan ng Ama/Ng Anak/at ng Diwang Banal na Tatlong Katauhan ng Dakilang Maykapal/Siya nawa.”

How apt indeed that the song is now often performed during activities of the Catholic Church honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary just like last Thursday, Aug. 15’s Assumption Day celebration and most probably also in this week’s feast of the Queenship of Mary on Thursday. We all know that heartfelt prayer is possible anywhere but including music in the devotion turns it confidently heaven-bound.