Photo © 2018 Joseph Legáspi
LITURGICAL MUSIC
Paulo's musical life began during his years at Ateneo High School in Manila, as a self-taught accompanist for morning Masses and Days with the Lord retreats; and it was soon after joining Hangad in his freshman year of college that he got his first shot at vocal arrangement, orchestration, composition, and lyric writing. Over the next two decades of playing for church, his musicianship grew, as did a strong sense of spirituality, gratitude and service rooted in music.
Today, Paulo attributes the expressiveness and honesty of his theatre music to his background in liturgical music. Conversely, he brings his training and experience in musical theatre writing into his liturgical music, to create music for worship and prayer that is exciting, honest, and fresh.
Scroll down or click one of the buttons below to learn more about Paulo's work in liturgical music.
In 2019, Paulo joined the family of Oregon Catholic Press, one of the largest publishers of Catholic music in the United States, with OCP's publication of his song "Wonderfully Made." Inspired by Psalm 139, "Wonderfully Made" was written in 2010 for Hangad, and it has since been updated for publication by OCP.
Listen to the song on Spotify.
Available from OCP: downloadable sheet music, printed sheet music, MP3.
"Still We Sing Alleluia" was written in March 2020, a reflection for Easter in the time of COVID-19.
Listen to the song in the video below, or on Spotify.
Available from OCP: downloadable sheet music, printed sheet music, MP3.
A choral edition of "Still We Sing Alleluia" was published in 2021. Also in 2021, "Still We Sing Alleluia" was awarded Song of the Year by the Association of Catholic Publishers in their 2021 Excellence in Publishing Awards.
Listen to the song on Spotify.
Available from OCP: downloadable sheet music, printed sheet music, MP3.
"One Thing I Ask" was written in 1997 and recorded by Hangad in the first of their many albums produced by the Jesuit Music Ministry in Manila. The song was dedicated to the Ateneo College Ministry Group, with whom Paulo made music for Mass at Ateneo de Manila University for his four years as an undergraduate there. This updated arrangement was written in 2020.
Listen to the song in the video below, or on Spotify.
Available from OCP: downloadable sheet music, printed sheet music, MP3.
Based on the poem attributed to St. Francis Xavier, "Not Your Promised Heaven" was written for the Good Friday veneration of the cross. "If hell be an illusion and heaven fade away, for your love, I would do your will, and love you as I love you still."
Listen to the song in the video below, or on Spotify.
Available from OCP: downloadable sheet music, printed sheet music, MP3.
Saint Peter's Mass was commissioned in 2015 by the Campus Ministry Office of Saint Peter's University, the Jesuit university of New Jersey. The Mass premiered in April that year, and a studio recording by the Saint Peter's University Schola followed months later.
In 2018, Saint Peter's Mass was simplified for congregational use at St. Aedan's: the Saint Peter's University Church. These videos were produced to help the congregation learn the music.
If you would like to purchase Saint Peter's Mass for use in your parish, please contact Paulo.
Click the left and right arrows to scroll through the parts of the Mass.
Click the play button to watch the videos.
Paulo continues to write original liturgical music, mostly for use at Saint Peter's University and St. Aedan's: The Saint Peter's University Church. Watch these videos to hear selected works.
If you would like to purchase the sheet music for any of these songs, please contact Paulo.
Click the left and right arrows to scroll through selections.
Click the play button to watch the videos.
Founded in 1991 by seniors at Ateneo High School, Hangad (the Filipino word for "desire") is a group of friends bound by their common desire to know God, and help others know God, through music.
Paulo was an active member of Hangad from his freshman year at Ateneo de Manila University in 1995 up to his move to Boston in 2012. During these 17 years, he sang, played the keyboard, and wrote and arranged songs for eight studio albums produced by Jesuit Communications, numerous concerts and concert tours in and outside the Philippines, Sunday Masses, and parish workshops.
Today, Hangad's music is used for Masses, retreats and personal prayer by Filipinos all over the world. Paulo continues to write and arrange music for Hangad.
Click the left and right arrows to scroll through selections.
Click the play button to watch the videos.