From rants to reverence

Vice Ganda was certainly not attacking global fashion icon Heart Evangelista when the host-comedian remarked that there’s a school in Evangelista’s lugar (hometown) that is “bulok” (rotten).

Vice aired his frustration over the school’s poor condition during the 24 October episode of ABS-CBN’s It’s Showtime. Entertainment website PEP.ph reported on 26 October that the school in question was Bagacay Elementary School in Barcelona, Sorsogon, which Vice had visited some time ago. He revealed on It’s Showtime that the school had no reading materials and that some classrooms didn’t even have desks for students to sit on.

The host-comedian later clarified that it wasn’t just that Sorsogon school that was “bulok,” but many public schools across the country.

Speaking in Filipino, Vice ranted: “It is the duty of the government to construct proper schools all over the country. Our officials should keep building them. The public should not have to wait until corrupt officials and private contractors land in jail.

“And those mayors should stop thanking themselves on huge billboards for projects built with our taxes. We don’t owe them anything. Shame on them for plastering their names in bold letters on public works across barangays.”

It wasn’t Heart Evangelista that Vice was lambasting, but politicians and government officials. It just so happened that the school he helped by donating reading materials and renovating was located in Sorsogon — where Evangelista’s husband once served as governor.

Crude netizens should stop bashing Vice Ganda for his latest outburst.

People may continue bashing corrupt politicians and greedy contractors — they’ve long proven themselves insensitive, shameless, and impervious to criticism. They feel no pain, no shame, and certainly no guilt.

For those who cannot handle being bashed, it’s best not to engage in social media — or better yet, not to do anything that draws public attention.

Of hymns and harmony

These are days when we might all do well to commune more often with our Creator — whatever name we call It. Perhaps that’s what inspired the Jesuits to launch their first Fr. Ed Hontiveros National Liturgical Songwriting Contest, the winners of which were recently announced.

Liturgical songs are meant to be sung during holy Mass, yet they’re meaningful enough to listen to anytime, anywhere. Singing them when you’re feeling down might just be better than indulging in sad pop tunes. Singing isn’t only for public performance — it’s perfectly fine, even healing, to sing to oneself.

Interestingly, the contest’s grand winners — composer Anthony Go Villanueva and lyricist Joel Zaforteza — are both already prominent figures in Philippine choral music, yet their winning entry, “We Come to You,” is among their first individual compositions. Until now, they’ve mostly been known for refining and arranging others’ works.

Both Villanueva and Zaforteza are acclaimed choral conductors and founders of choirs that consistently win local and international competitions. Remarkably, both are still in their late 30s.

Their winning song “We Come to You” was performed by Kamerchoor Manila, one of the many choirs the duo leads. During the awarding event at Kalle 5 Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City, Villanueva shared that he composed the music on the same day Zaforteza sent him the lyrics — just one day before the deadline.

The second prize went to “Umawit ang Sambayanan,” composed by Jay-El Blaza Viteño and performed by the Eastern Chamber Singers.

Third prize was awarded to “Tayo’y Magsiawit at Magpuri,” composed by Erwin D. Vargas and performed by the Ambassadors for Christ Chamber Singers.

Both Viteño and Vargas are familiar faces even outside the liturgical scene, being active in pop music as vocalists, songwriters and producers.

The contest received 149 entries from across and beyond the Philippines. The preliminary judges included respected church musicians Norman Agatep, Kenneth Dacanay, and Aldo Jopson. The final board was led by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ, with Prof. Alejandro Consolacion II, Dra. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan, Prof. Jude B. Roldan, Fr. Fruto Ramirez, SJ, and Fr. Nemesio Que, SJ as members.

Six finalists were recognized for their inspiring works. In addition to the three winners, the other finalists were: “Halad Pasalamat” by Jundel Bacalso, “Ang Among Mga Halad” by Bryan Angelo Bisin and Nathaniel Cabañero and “Magtipon Bayan ng Diyos” by Fr. Leo Alaras.

All winning and finalist entries will be featured in an upcoming album produced by Jesuit Communications, headed by Fr. Nonon Alfonso.

So next time you’re feeling blue, skip the breakup ballads and go for something holier. Those silly love songs can’t drive away the blues
— but maybe a hymn can.