They are back to sing once more for Christ, Pope Francis

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Career or church apostolate? Even in times of great need, a person whose faith is so moored in Christ will be much willing to forego with his bounty just to serve Him through his apostolate.

This is what came over the life of young couple Eric, a tenor, and Melanie, a soprano, who have built their relationship and later a family in the church as choir members of the Sto. Niño Parish in Tacloban City.

From college days till they graduated in school, exchanged marital vow of lifetime love and affection for each other, until they begot a daughter, the De Leon couple never missed a chance to give glory to God through songs of worship and inspiration.

Eric and Melanie are the best voices in the choir standing out but they remained humble. They never had the air of arrogance in spite of great achievement and fame for their superb singing voice that they offer to God.

Practicing for the choir and singing during Sundays and high masses have been part of their usual grind until super typhoon Yolanda changed everything.

Melanie and Eric lost their job and, worse, lost their home, too. They needed to migrate to Metro Manila, like most survivors of the devastating typhoon that struck Tacloban City on November 8, 2013. They needed to protect their daughter from the elements of nature and the wiles of those with criminal minds.

Their transfer to Metro Manila proved worthy when both of them were able to find job and their daughter started to enjoy her playschool. Although they wanted to attend the Papal Mass but the call of work may have prevented them.

The day of decision eventually came. They were informed that they were needed for the grand choir in the Papal Mass. It was a tough personal issue to resolve, one that needed not just discernment but wisdom and an open mind. It was not reason that they heeded but their faith. They were once again called to serve God through songs—in the church choir.

In a Facebook post, Lanie publicly stated: “It is official; Eric De Leon will sing the Responsorial Psalm on January 17 during His Holiness Pope Francis high mass at the airport. It is worth giving up everything (my career) sand going back to where our heart is … serving the Lord ... Life may not be perfect but am still grateful. Thank you Sr. Sto. Nino for all the blessings!”

Eric and Lanie are just among the members of the grand choir who felt so blessed to render the hymn that will make the Papal Mass more solemn and awe-inspiring.

Choir master Melvin Corpin, went home and took a reprieve from work just to help make the grand choir’s performance perfect for the Papal Mass. He is among the famed writer of liturgical songs, largely in Waray dialect, being used by the Archdiocese of Palo in big religious events even before his family immigrated to the United States.

In Sambuhay TV’s interview, Father Raymund Cipriano Mazo, priest in-charge of the choir, he explained the composition of the grand choir. “During archdiocesan celebrations, we form the grand choir coming from parish choirs so that every time there is an archdiocesan gathering I can call them anytime,” he said.

Corpin, in same interview, said: “ I expect perfect singing, perfect rendition of our songs and I also expect since the global community is all eyes on us during that day so I do expect that our performance of the songs will be at par with what we do hear from global level.”

The choir, which will be accompanied by the Palo Ambassador Orchestra, will be rendering Waray liturgical songs, such as An Dios Gud La (God Alone), Halad Ko (My Offering), Ha Imo La (Yours Alone) and Lamrag (Light), besides the Latin songs that are unfamiliar to the people in the Archdiocese of Palo but known to Pope Francis and his 32-member entourage.

Mazo, the Archdiocesan Music Ministry coordinator and among the founders once famed all-priest Peter’s Cord, said they songs were selected because, “We also wanted to present what is local, what is common here in the archdiocese. We want to select songs in the vernacular that is Waray-Waray. Fortunately we were permitted by the Vatican, even with the Pope celebrating the Mass.”

The grand choir will also render songs upon the departure of Pope Francis back to Manila in the afternoon of January 17, including an Argentinean song Amigos, familiar to him.  (FREEMAN)