UP alumni go caroling

BRILLIANT voices boost the spirits of patients and their caregivers.

Caroling in the Philippines has become just another form of begging, something that writer/director and UP alumnus, Behn Cervantes, is “sick and tired” of.

So, he decided to do something about it – and this is how patients and their families at two hospitals got a rare treat Monday night, when a dozen or so alumni, most of them trained singers, went back to the true spirit of caroling and spreading good cheer, with heartfelt renditions of Christmas carols, from the traditional (“Joy to the World”) to the sentimental (“Pasko Na, Sinta Ko”) – and, all for free!

Led by Cervantes and backed by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA), the all-volunteer group included mezzo-soprano Maricris Joaquin; baritone Joseph Olfindo; sopranos Emlyn Santos, Cecile de Joya, Nini Jorge, and Gabi and Tata Francisco, and tenors Dondi Ong and Thads Liamzon.

After a brief rehearsal at UP’s Bahay ng Alumni, they braved the metro’s early-evening traffic and sped to their first stop, the National Children’s Hospital on E. Rodriguez, donning Santa Claus hats and rehearsing further on the way. There’s nothing like a vanful of Christmas carolers warming up their impressive vocal chords to put you in a holiday mood!

The families at NCH were pleasantly surprised when the group burst into song, and thanks to the singers’ strong voices, even the kids who had to stay in their beds could hear them just fine! The group didn’t just sing a few songs, either – they had a full repertoire of English and Filipino classics prepared, structured around Matthew 2:1-12.

Next stop was the East Avenue Medical Center, where the carolers were shepherded by Dr. JM Ursua into busy Ward One. Even those who were lying down managed to sing along, with “Pasko Na Naman” and “Jingle Bells” proving to be the most popular carols. The group then proceeded to the Pediatrics department, where they sang to kids and their families, with some members of the staff also joining in.

The carolers weren’t ready to call it a night yet! After we left them at the EAMC, they were headed to the home of National Artist for Music Andrea Veneracion, who suffered a stroke a few years back and is still in recovery.

Veneracion, who received her award in 1999, is famous for being one of the country’s foremost choirmasters, and for founding the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Nothing spreads holiday cheer better than Christmas carols that are earnestly and beautifully sung, and the group hopes that they were able to lift the spirits of those who are ill this season. Judging by the reactions of those who heard them, they were overwhelmingly successful!