Fr. Caga dreams of Christmas

For Christmas music with a gospel touch, Filipino style, you might want to check out All I Dream This Christmas by Fr. Raul Caga, SVD. Surely, the most prolific music artist in the missionary congregation, Fr. Caga has often used his talent for music to bring the good news to a world he describes as “torn by sin, apathy and hatred.” It is no wonder then that recording songs is a very inspiring experience for him, more so when he got to do his Christmas album.

This record is a dream come true for Fr. Raul. He says in the liner notes: “Christmas is especially close to the hearts of Filipinos. We celebrate it by reason of our faith and the value we give to family. All I Dream This Christmas is my contribution to the celebration of Christmas. I hope that listening to my songs will bring us once again to the true meaning of Jesus’ birth and spice up every celebration and party.

“After coming up with three CD albums of religious/gospel songs, I dreamed of coming up with a Christmas album and the dream is now realized with All I Dream This Christmas.”

Fr. Caga mixes new compositions with traditional carols in the album. His strong baritone puts a solemn air to the The First Noel/ It Came Upon The Midnight Clear Medley and to Away In A Manger. Diyos Ko Pasko composed by Jessie La- saten is a fun look at the Filipino’s usual way with Christmas. Umuwi Ka Na Mahal Ko by John Cadelina and Ang Kulay Ng Pasko by Mimo Perez are the romantic Christmas ballads.

Also included are All I Dream This Christmas, where Fr. Caga is the lyricist dreaming of peace; All Year Round; Liwanag Ng Tala; Aawit Buong Mundo featuring Camille Victoria, who also composed the song; and the stirring Paskong Pasko feat. The Fifth Gospel which recounts the Christmas story with music also by Cadelina and lyrics by Raymund Marcaida to close the set. This is a well-produced album that will be enjoyed each time that Christmas comes. Nice to lis- ten to and full of the joy of the season.

Fr. Caga released the album Life Is Beautiful in 2000. This was followed by Called By Love in 2006 and by My Sweet Sur- render in 2012. The latter won for him the Catholic Mass Media Award (CMMA) for Best Inspirational Album. He also writes songs like Life Is Beautiful and occasionally goes on extensive concerts and promo tours around the Philippines and abroad.

His latest release is titled Gracious Mercy that he recorded to celebrate his 15th year in the music ministry. It is also his way of reminding people through his songs about the Extraordinary Jubilee. This is a Holy Year of Mercy as declared by the Holy Father Pope Francis and will run starting from Dec. 8 to Nov. 20, 2016.

The lead cut in the album is Mercy & Compassion, composed by two of Caga’s favorite songwriters John and Raymund. The song proved to be a landmark in Caga’s singing career. First off, he shares singing chores with Cardinal Chito Tagle, who had he not entered the priesthood would have made a successful balladeer. And second, the song was used in the soundtrack of the trailer for the biopic Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story that was shown here a few months ago.

The album is made up of all new originals written expressly for Fr. Caga. Inflame My Heart; The Love Of God, Prayer For Healing; and You Are with the Fifth Gospel Singers; Kasama Mo Ako; Touch My Heart; Some- one Like You; Hymn To Mary; I Surrender All; Look Into His Eyes; and My God. These are nice well-written songs but Fr. Caga seems to like using the same batch of songwriters in his recordings. It would be nice to hear him sing songs by others.

Fr. Caga was ordained a priest on Dec. 8, 1993. He spent most of his early years in Agusan del Sur and Davao in Mindanao. He is now the Professor of Moral Theology at the Di- vine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay City. And when his schedule permits, he sings.