INSPIRATION
THROUGH SONG
Here are some pieces written for inspirational and liturgical purposes, including some favorites,
selections from Saint Peter's Mass, commissioned by Saint Peter's University, the Jesuit university of New Jersey,
selections from my 17 years with the Philippine inspirational vocal group Hangad,
and projects with the Jesuit Music Ministry in Manila.
Some favorites
Many of these were written while already living in the United States. Though I was starting to get into more secular writing, there were times I just had to return to my inspirational roots.
GOD OF OUTSIDERS
featuring Leo Paolo Leal on vocals
ANGEL OF GOD
featuring Gariela Cabezas on vocals
MAGNIFICAT (ANG PUSO KO'Y NAGPUPURI)
performed by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Madrid, 2012
music by Eduardo P. Hontiveros, S.J. (1923-2008)
words based on Luke 1:39-55
arranged for Hangad A Capella by Paulo K Tiról
WHEREVER YOU GO (SONG OF RUTH)
words based on Ruth 1:16-17
arranged by Gianpaolo Eleria
recorded by Ged Dagot for his EP Symmetry
WE GATHER
Processional / Gathering song
Saint Peter's Mass
Saint Peter's University, a Jesuit university in Jersey City, NJ, commissioned me to write a new setting of the Roman Catholic Mass in late 2014. It was a great opportunity to return to liturgical music, work with the Jesuits again, and apply things I'd learned from Berklee and NYU to writing liturgical music.
In these videos, I rehearse selections from the Mass with Joseph Legaspi, then Director of Liturgical Music and now University Director of Music.
The Mass was premiered in April 2015, and a studio recording by the Saint Peter's University Schola was released in September 2015.
LORD, HAVE MERCY
TAKE, LORD AND RECEIVE
Offertory / Preparation of the Gifts
Words from St. Ignatius of Loyola's Suscipe
LAMB OF GOD
Hangad
Hangad is the Filipino word for "desire", and the name of a group of friends bound by their desire to know God, and help others know God, through song. The group was formed in 1991, and I was a member from 1995 to 2012, when I left for Boston.
During those 17 years, I acted as keyboardist, vocalist, arranger, and songwriter for the group's numerous recordings, concerts and concert tours, and Masses.
Here are a few highlights from those 17 years.
PSALM 23
from the album Dwells God (2010)
featuring Mariel de Jesus on lead vocals
IN YOUR OWN WAY
from the album This Time With You (2011)
featuring Lance Lazatin on lead vocals
and Jay Gomez on flute
ONE THING I ASK
from the album Hangad (1998)
based on Psalm 27:4-8
WONDERFULLY MADE
from the album This Time With You (2011)
inspired by Psalm 139
featuring Mark Lopez, S.J. on lead vocals
PIETA (OYAYI SA PAANAN NG KRUS)
from the album The Easter Journey (2005)
winner, Awit Award 2006:
Best Inspirational / Religious Song
words* by Michelle Joy Athwal
featuring Trin Panganiban-Custodio on lead vocals
*an English translation can be found on this page
GABII (NIGHT)
from the album Hangad A Capella (2002)
Jesuit Music Ministry
Among the projects of the Jesuit Music Ministry under Jesuit Communications in the Philippines is JMM Covers, a series of YouTube covers that aim to uplift and inspire. Here are two of the episodes I had a chance to do as part of the series.
ALL GOOD GIFTS from the musical Godspell
words and music by Stephen Schwartz
arranged by Paulo K Tiról
featuring Mark Lopez, S.J., Veepee Pinpin,
Chrise Cortez and Carlo Santos on vocals