OYAYI NI INA

25 years under the Musical Mantle of Mary

Looking back on our days as the Class of 1999 from Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary fills my heart with deep nostalgia. We started our journey in 1995 as 19 young seminarians — eating together in the refectory, sharing laughter over simple meals; praying side by side in the chapel, our voices rising as one in hymns and petitions; studying late into the night, sometimes battling drowsiness but always pushing each other to stay focused; and ending each day with quiet moments of reflection, entrusting everything to Jesus, the High Priest, and Mary, our loving Mother. Those routines — so ordinary yet so meaningful — wove us into a brotherhood that time and distance could never break. Though some of our brothers moved on before graduation, 16 of us completed the journey, and Sheldon answered God’s call as a Carmelite priest-friar. The rest of us pursued careers and built families, yet the bond we forged in those formative years remained. Now, 25 years later, we have once again been called by our alma mater — this time to serve, a fitting way to express our gratitude for the blessings we've received since we left her hallowed halls.

​In 2022, I was deeply honored when Fr. Rico Garcia and Roy de Leon, esteemed alumni leaders, entrusted me with a special request — to compose the music for "Inang Lupe, Alma Mater," a solidarity song that would unite the hearts of Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary’s alumni. Little did I know that this humble piece would resonate so powerfully, becoming the cherished anthem of alumni gatherings. It gave voice to the heartfelt gratitude we all share for our alma mater and celebrated the enduring fraternal bonds that connect generations of ordained and lay alumni. Whether at Pasinaya on August 22, Paggunita for our departed brothers, or Panumbalik on December 12, this song became a stirring reminder of our shared journey. Inspired by its warm reception, I felt compelled to explore those same themes and musical patterns further, leading me to compose an entire Missa Brevis for congregational singing — the Mass of the Theotokos, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The creative process was especially challenging, as I had already lost my vision due to retinal detachment. Yet, by God’s grace and Our Lady’s guidance, the work came to completion. With unwavering support from my brothers in faith, the Mass of the Theotokos was reviewed and approved by ecclesiastical authorities, receiving the nihil obstat from Fr. Carmelo Arada Jr. of the Manila Chancery and the imprimatur from José Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, on July 16, 2024. The timing felt almost providential — just weeks before its world premiere during our alma mater’s inaugural anniversary celebration on August 22, 2024. Looking back, what began as a simple melody for my fellow alumni became something far greater — a testament to faith, perseverance, and the unwavering bond we share with Our Lady of Guadalupe, who continues to guide us through every triumph and trial.

​On August 22, 2024, our Class of 1999 had the immense honor of participating in the Pasinaya festivities, celebrating the Queenship of Mary. It was a day filled with joy, gratitude, and deep reverence. Our class took on the special task of preparing the liturgical ceremonial for the Holy Mass — a heartfelt offering to Our Lady of Guadalupe, our beloved patroness. During the celebration, Arch. Ryan Bernardo lent his voice to the Word of God, proclaiming the readings with grace and clarity. Meanwhile, I stood in the choir loft, conducting the choir and chamber musicians as they premiered the Mass of the Theotokos — a moment that felt both surreal and sacred. The celebration reached even greater heights when the Most Rev. Deogracias Iñiguez of Class 1956, who presided over the Mass, described the Mass of the Theotokos as "a work of devotion and artistry" and expressed his hope that it would "enrich the celebration of the Holy Mass and find a cherished place in the liturgies and devotions of the faithful." Fr. Jaime Marquez of Class 1974, our seminary rector, added that the music "made the celebration more special," and he prayed that this Mass setting would "unceasingly touch the hearts of its listeners." Perhaps one of the most moving affirmations came from our own brother, Fr. Sheldon Tabile, OCarm, of Class 1999. After reviewing the manuscript, he remarked that the piece "offers God’s holiness and mercy and reflects the profound truth that God’s grace is made perfect in weakness." Knowing the Mass was completed despite the challenge of my physical blindness, Fr. Sheldon’s words felt especially meaningful. That day, surrounded by my brothers in faith and united in song and prayer, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. The Mass of the Theotokos was more than just a composition — it was a testament to the enduring strength of our seminary brotherhood, the guiding hand of Our Lady, and the limitless grace of God that turns even our struggles into something beautiful.

​On November 29, 2024, our class had the privilege of sponsoring Soulful Serenade, a heartfelt prayer concert dedicated to the memory of our departed alumni, formators, and staff. This moving tribute marked the culmination of a month-long commemoration at the common cenotaph wall—a space where countless stories of faith and brotherhood are remembered. Guided by zealous leaders like Eduardo Francisco, Orlando Quijano, Florencio Pagkalinawan, Fr. Jun Solomon, and Fr. Ver Miranda, CICM, the evening unfolded with soulful Marian songs beautifully rendered by the Schola Cantorum and Theotokos Singers. Adding to the solemnity, members of Class 1999 led the recitation of the rosary from across the globe—Angelo Carlo Rosales from Vancouver, Raymund Allan Bihis from Nova Scotia, Ryan Bernardo from Pasig City, Fr. Sheldon Tabile from Nijmegen, Renato Glodo from Parramatta, and Jan Carlo Lucero from Calgary. Through the union of our voices in prayer and song, we entrusted our departed brothers and mentors into the loving embrace of Our Lady, trusting that she would lead them to her Son, Jesus. In turn, we believe that as they rejoice in heaven, they now intercede for us, the living, who continue to journey through the valley of tears. Hosting this night of remembrance was not only an honor but a deeply moving experience for our class—a beautiful reminder that the bonds of fraternity extend beyond this life, uniting us in hope, prayer, and music.

​Looking back, I can’t help but smile at how our Class of 1999 came together for what would become one of our most meaningful projects — professionally recording the Mass of the Theotokos along with Inang Lupe, Alma Mater and Isang Angkan kay Kristo. These songs held a special place in our hearts, especially Isang Angkan kay Kristo, the beloved theme song of our annual inter-seminary meet that brought us so much joy in our younger years. Driven by a desire to instill these songs of faith and solidarity in both seminarians and alumni, we knew this project was more than just music — it was a way to connect us all through a shared musical language rooted in our love for Our Lady of Guadalupe. The project was spearheaded by our very own Angelo Carlo Rosales, with the incredible support of Renato Glodo, Raymund Bihis, Jan Carlo Lucero, Jay Carlos, Ryan Bernardo, and myself. We met regularly, pouring our time and energy into planning and scheduling the recording sessions at Acoustic Underground in Quezon City. The combined voices of the Schola Cantorum and Theotokos Singers brought these songs to life under my supervision, while sound engineer Jaymee Ranoa meticulously recorded and remastered the tracks. After nearly three months of hard work, the album was finally released on popular platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and YouTube. The moment we heard the finished product — those familiar melodies ringing out with clarity and power — was unforgettable. It felt like we had given something back not only to our alma mater but to every seminarian and young person who would one day sing those same songs with the same fervor we once did. For Class 1999, this project was more than just recording music — it was a celebration of our bond, our memories, and our unwavering love for Our Lady of Guadalupe.

​When we were young seminarians, our prayers and songs were guided by Exaltabo Te, Domine, a cherished manual compiled by Fr. Rey Amante during the rectorship of Msgr. Norberto Habos. It was always in our hands, accompanying us in daily devotions, liturgies, and quiet moments of reflection. Years later, with hearts full of gratitude and a desire to give back, our Class of 1999 set out to breathe new life into this treasured book, creating Echoes of Tepeyac. More than just a revision, it became a labor of love—a modernized yet deeply rooted manual containing prayers, daily devotions, and an invaluable feature: a comprehensive index of songs, categorized by composer, liturgical season, and parts of the Mass. This would allow seminarians to seamlessly align their music with the rhythm of the Church’s calendar, deepening their spiritual and liturgical experience. To ensure the manual’s accuracy and usability, we printed 10 galley proof editions, inviting seminarians and priests to review, test, and refine the content. This wasn’t just Class 1999’s project—it became a shared mission, uniting 120 seminarians and five formators in shaping a resource that would serve generations to come. On December 6, 2024, we saw the fruit of our efforts, as Frs. Jaime Marquez and Gabriel Paraan Jr. received the Advanced Reader’s Copy with great joy. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our team—Leanna Isabel Jacinto’s meticulous research, Arch. Ryan John Bernardo’s elegant layout and design, and the tireless efforts of Angelo Carlo Rosales, Jan Carlo Lucero, Raymund Allan Bihis, JB Carlos, and Renato Glodo, who painstakingly encoded the texts. Our generous sponsors, who donated reams of bond paper, lightened our financial load and strengthened our resolve. The Class of 1999 generously financed the mass production of this prayer and song manual, along with all associated operational expenses, as a testament to their love, faith, and fraternity.

​On December 7, our class was represented by Ryan Bernardo, Ronald Paras, Sheridan Quimbo, and myself during the homecoming festivities. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Most Rev. Francisco De Leon, bringing together both ordained and lay alumni in a spirit of gratitude and solidarity. As we participated in the Holy Mass, we offered our thanksgiving to our beloved alma mater for 25 years of brotherhood, formation, and grace, marking our Silver Jubilee with deep appreciation and joy.

​As our Silver Jubilee year drew to a close, we found ourselves once again at the familiar grounds of Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary, this time with the final copies of Echoes from Tepeyac: Exaltabo Te Domine 2.0 in hand. On March 7, 2025, the Friday after Ash Wednesday, we proudly presented these prayer and song manuals, ensuring that each seminarian could take a copy home to their respective parishes—a humble offering to aid them as they serve their communities. Fr. Jun Solomon of Class 1993 graciously received the copies, accompanied by Sir Cedric from the school library and Koki Taniguchi from alumni affairs. JB Carlos of Class 1999 and Christian Racho of Class 1996 also stood with us, sharing in this meaningful moment of gratitude and fulfillment. As we looked back on the year, we couldn’t help but marvel at how God had placed in our hearts the resolve to embark on these musical projects—a journey of faith, fraternity, and dedication. We felt the gentle presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe guiding us at every step, turning our efforts into something truly meaningful. To the seminarians and formators who welcomed our work with open hearts, we are deeply grateful. To our classmates who patiently worked together, pooling time, talent, and resources—thank you for making this Silver Jubilee year unforgettable. This journey wasn’t just about music; it was a beautiful reminder that the bonds we formed as young seminarians, united in prayer and song, remain strong and enduring to this day.

Alma mater nostrae floreat, fraternitasque nostra praevaleat. May our alma mater florish and our brotherhood endure!

DID YOU KNOW

Pythagoras once observed that perfect symmetry brings about a harmony similar to music. In 1990, Dr. Fernando Ojeda, a mathematician from Mexico, was commissioned by The Instituto Superior de Estudios Guadalupanos to analyze the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe using mathematical principles. Dr. Ojeda proposed that if the stars on the Virgin's mantle matched the constellations visible at the time of its creation, and if the entire image followed the golden ratio, it would achieve perfect symmetry — and, in turn, harmony akin to music.  

To test this theory, Dr. Ojeda positioned the image within a golden rectangle. A musicologist then identified the musical notes represented by the placement of the stars and flowers. When these notes were entered into a computer program, they produced a melody of remarkable harmony. Attempts to replicate the experiment using 16th and 17th-century paintings — where stars and flowers were arranged randomly — resulted only in dissonant noise. This revealed that true harmony was uniquely present in the original image.