The Silence In Our Hearts
The Choir with Rev. Fr. Rolando Haguisan,
Parish Priest
"In the silence of our hearts, there's a voice that stirs within
We don't know what's hap'ning here until we listen
In the silence of our hearts we keep in touch with our world
We see the ups and downs of our lives as the years pass by
It is the Lord who speaks to us in the silence of our hearts
He lets us feel His love and gives us life again"
There goes the song of Fr. Noel Gomez sang by the choir that echoes in the heart of everyone who hears mass in the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish in La Paz, Iloilo City.
Everyone knows us as the Our Lady of Peace Choir. We are composed of 20 members: Mary Mae Libo-on, Casilda Gildo, Russel Dionio, Resally Gierza, Agnes Escultura, Edith Alcantara (Altos); Hydee Surmila, Ermenia Surmila, Camille Jillian Ferolino, Joan Besa, Bernadette Belonio (Sopranos); Jimmy Buenavista, Joel Payas, Gleo Gildo, Bryan Gener (Tenors); Mark Anthony Arevalo, Adonis Belandres, Roberto Daquil, William Parick Ferolino (Bass); Ronel Felicidario (Tenor/Organist).
We are like the barkadas that everyone wants to be a part of. We joke, exchange stories, and even give each other advices. We can be serious one moment and goofy the next. We even call each other names that to the outsider would seem like insults. But being barkadas we get away with it.
Fr. Noel conducts the Choir during the Our Lady of
Peace & Good Voyage Patronal Fiesta Mass
Before every mass, we discuss the set of songs we're going to sing, set up the microphones and projector, sound checks, prepare the acetates, etc. We take our singing and service to the parish seriously. We view music as a means of self expression and more importantly as a tool which we use in communicating to our parishioners the essence of every song we sing. We have something in our heart that we want to get out and that's part of the reason we get so well together.
We all look forward to our Saturdays and Sundays commitments, and not counting the other engagements we have. Despite all these, we are enjoying ourselves. We are firmly focused on what we do next. We are self-disciplined and self motivated. We challenge ourselves to find ways to grow professionally. We're learning more and more as we go along. We are all dedicated and committed to the parish.
We have observed the increase in numbers of people who attend mass in La Paz Parish. We have seen the improvements as well. The support of our beloved parish priest, Rev. Fr. Rolando A. Haguisan is overwhelming. He is sensitive to our needs. He guides and encourages us in everything we do. He's always there – his time and effort that he shared with us. Always ready to listen to us. He's our no. 1 critic. Thank you for everything Fr. Lando.
Fr. Noel Gomez with the group at the Our Lady of
Peace & Good Voyage Parish Altar
We were able to gain depth of experience and strengthen our repertoire with the help of Rev. Fr. Noel Gomez, who through the years helped us touched the lives of everyone with his songs. He's our mentor, trainer, critic and a friend. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for your songs, for your music. We're able to bring more people to worship. We're able to encourage them to pray more.
Our greatest rewards are not measurable. What inspires us the most is the love extended to us by the different La Paz religious organizations and by the parishioners. They are the ones who keep us going. Their smiles, compliments and appreciations in everything we do. It is heaven everytime they sing with us during the celebration. And from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your continuous support and for all the blessings you shared with us.
The choir wants to get involve not only in the musical aspect but in the improvement of the church as well. We have our "dream project", The Our Lady of Peace Choir Loft. Such big dream. But we believe that dreams do come true.
The Our Lady of Peace Choir with
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo
Our love and service for the parish is what makes the choir such a strong group. We may not be like the Bukas Palad or of any other choir group but in our own way, we want to touch the lives of people through the songs we sing and make a difference. We just want to be the peoples' choir. And we are inviting you to come and worship with us. Be part of our celebration every weekend. Come and together we'll discover the silence in our hearts. Journey with us and we'll fill up the Our Lady of Peace Parish with songs that come from the heart.
"Go and tell the world the good news of the Lord
And let His words touch our daily lives
Yes! It is the Lord the giver of life!
In the silence of our hearts"