The 'Singing Sons' of Mandaue, a poignant refrain

Some decades back, the "origs" of Mandaue were enraptured by the finely blended voices of the "Singing Sons" that permeated the recesses of the old Saint Joseph Church, harmonizing with the holy Mass rites. Its founding members inexorably gone, the famous Singing Sons gradually petered out, to the chagrin of their patrons who were used to their choral suavity and cathedral solemnity.

Fortunately now, a core of 22 has emerged in revival that church faithfuls, including hybrid Mandauehanons, have perked up to the hymns and liturgical songs of yore. This group is so committed that, to quote Atty. Ruben "Bimbo" Suico, an "orig" singing son now based in Fort Myers, Florida, "their commitment is reflected in their faces". Incidentally, Bimbo is Mandaue's pride as former national grand champion of the then "Tawag ng Tanghalan". In his recent visit, he joined the 22 in singing during holy Masses at the now St. Joseph National Shrine.

In revered reminiscence, the "Singing Sons" was founded in the 50's or thereabout, by Mandaue music lovers led by noted impresario, Mrs. Vicenta "Na Tentay" Labucay-Cabahug. She was the better half of the illustrious and multi-faceted Justice Sotero Cabahug whose magnificent statue at the City Hall had lately been senselessly lepered, as in banished, to an obscure corner in snobbish irreverence. Terry Cabahug, their son, was the first president of the Singing Sons, with his cousin, then Ms. Anita Cabahug, expertly at the piano.

At random, some of the deceased music cognoscenti forming the original Singing Sons were: brother-musicians, later Mayor/Judge Dado Seno and Layte Seno, later Judge Andoy Mendoza, Cebu's classic guitar genius Dado Flores, Estan Sanchez, Lando Sanchez, Berting Ceniza, Pard Cinco, Kokoy Ceniza, Presing Teleron, Densiong Pono, Benny Diola, Juan Castañeda, Senen Flores, and many others who now escape one's memory. The living "origs" are Bimbo and Jesse Suico, Gene Ceniza, Dading Bongo, and a few others perhaps. Later came singing sons Albert Diola, William Ponce, Paping and Jun Estan Sanchez; and, the late Cecil Samson, Bebe Lim, Serge Untal, Angel Cabilao, among others.

The Singing Sons became a byword in choral music whose repertoire ranged the genre of English & Latin sacred song/hymns, classical tunes and variety of popular vocal arrangements, and Cebuano old favorites, like, the immortal Mandaue's own "Handurawan" of Raymindo Castañeda. They also graced with their mellowed and mellifluous renditions some special occasions and functions, even outside Mandaue.

Still down memory lane... Sometime ago, one had titillated another music artist Cabahug, Dr. Niñi Cabahug, into reviving the then defunct Singing Sons which he also had been toying in his mind. Years later, he and sister Anita at last revived the Singing Sons, sometime last year.

Inspired by the two noted Cabahugs, the 22 voices have held on and trilled along with missionary commitment. With Ely Gonzales as trainer, their officers are: Atty. Allan Cardenas, president; Judge Boy Gestopa, VP; Boy Barz, treasurer; Undo Zosa, secretary; Atty. Juvian Achas and Jun Estan Sanchez, PROs. Completing the choir are: brothers Jesus and Bebie Lumapas, Bert Alesna, Jimmy Briones, Arthur Dabon, Michael Cabatingan, Talino Cinco, Jr., Atty. Titing Cabrera, Conrado Limatog and son Glenn, Rudy Fernandez, Felino Flores, Rudy Cortes, Natz Galorio, Jenny Delgado, and Dondon Arsenal.

Man doesn't live by bread alone. Just as food to the body, or as knowledge and wisdom to the mind, life's unquantifiable menu needs also to nourish the spirit or the soul. One such fare is the love and enrichment of the cultural heritage, or the arts, as in, music, the songs, the variety of dances, of which Mandaue has rich patrimony and a progeny of musically gifted pool of talents. Let not the sterling cultural heritage set by Mandaue's ancestors be lost in the footnotes of obscurity; rather, let their scions and friends honor them in perpetuity. After all, regardless of age or time, as always, music hath charm.