Talented Bulakeña sings during Pope Francis’ mass
Adelina B. Roxas
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The Filipino Watchdog 9:38 PM | Thursday, March 26th, 2015
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“I feel so blessed when I was there. It’s like I felt God’s presence every time we sing”
Maria Dea Zuniga, a Bulakeña, said as she remembers her experience as one of 100 voices in Pope Francis’ mass in SM Mall of Asia Arena last Friday January 16, 2015.
Three choirs were invited to sing during Pope Francis’ mass in MOA Arena including Zuniga’s Kammerchor Manila, a church-based choir headed by the musical conductor Mr. Anthony Go Villanueva. They sang church songs such as Pagmamahal sa Panginoon, Ang Puso ko’y nagpupuri and Ikaw ay Pedro. Zuniga, a BS Entrepreneurship student from University of Santo Tomas (UST) explained their preparations for the historic mass of Pope Francis in MOA Arena.
“We were invited by the Diocese of Cubao. Last December we had our first rehearsal in Obispado, Cubao together with the other choirs. After New Year we resumed the rehearsal”, she said. Zuniga added that aside from their rehearsals, they had recollections in order to become spiritually prepared for the Papal Visit.
Zuniga sings with Kammechor Manila for almost a year already. They are based in Hearts of Jesus and Mary in West Triangle, Quezon Avenue. Although she lives in Meycauayan, Bulacan, she serves every Sunday at Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Immaculate Conception of Cubao, Wak-Wak Chapel, and SM Megamall Chapel depending on the schedule.
Dea, as called by her friends and relatives told that even in her kindergarten years, she already loves singing and her mother was her first trainer. Back then, she joined several competitions that developed her love for music even more. Music is in their blood because both of her parents and her siblings were musically inclined also.
As her dream to sing for Pope Francis was already achieved, she’s more confident to pursue her other goals in life which is travelling.
”I really want to travel the world! But I’d love to do it if singing is the purpose simply because it’s my passion. Naniniwala kasi ako na pag pumunta ka sa iba’t ibang lugar, maganda yung may maiiwan kang maganda sa mga taong nandoon, para hindi ka din nila makakalimutan. Na at least napasaya mo sila gamit ang iyong tinig and singing for them is the best thing I could do”, Dea explained.
If Dea will be given a chance to talk to Pope Francis personally she said that she will thank the Pope for his visit and inspiration in the country.
“Even though the span of time is so short, I would still thank him for being there particularly for the victims of Yolanda. I will tell Pope Francis to pray for us, and that we are in deep need of prayers because of the events and terrible things happening in our country. And I will also tell Pope that we do pray for him and for his full service to God, we pray that God would grant him more strength so that he can be able visit more countries in order to lift up their spirituality and intimacy with God. Lastly, I will tell Pope Francis that he is a big blessing because Jesus Christ sent him so he can proclaim his love for us all”, she concluded.
Maria Dea Zuniga, a Bulakeña, said as she remembers her experience as one of 100 voices in Pope Francis’ mass in SM Mall of Asia Arena last Friday January 16, 2015.
Three choirs were invited to sing during Pope Francis’ mass in MOA Arena including Zuniga’s Kammerchor Manila, a church-based choir headed by the musical conductor Mr. Anthony Go Villanueva. They sang church songs such as Pagmamahal sa Panginoon, Ang Puso ko’y nagpupuri and Ikaw ay Pedro. Zuniga, a BS Entrepreneurship student from University of Santo Tomas (UST) explained their preparations for the historic mass of Pope Francis in MOA Arena.
“We were invited by the Diocese of Cubao. Last December we had our first rehearsal in Obispado, Cubao together with the other choirs. After New Year we resumed the rehearsal”, she said. Zuniga added that aside from their rehearsals, they had recollections in order to become spiritually prepared for the Papal Visit.
Zuniga sings with Kammechor Manila for almost a year already. They are based in Hearts of Jesus and Mary in West Triangle, Quezon Avenue. Although she lives in Meycauayan, Bulacan, she serves every Sunday at Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Immaculate Conception of Cubao, Wak-Wak Chapel, and SM Megamall Chapel depending on the schedule.
Dea, as called by her friends and relatives told that even in her kindergarten years, she already loves singing and her mother was her first trainer. Back then, she joined several competitions that developed her love for music even more. Music is in their blood because both of her parents and her siblings were musically inclined also.
As her dream to sing for Pope Francis was already achieved, she’s more confident to pursue her other goals in life which is travelling.
”I really want to travel the world! But I’d love to do it if singing is the purpose simply because it’s my passion. Naniniwala kasi ako na pag pumunta ka sa iba’t ibang lugar, maganda yung may maiiwan kang maganda sa mga taong nandoon, para hindi ka din nila makakalimutan. Na at least napasaya mo sila gamit ang iyong tinig and singing for them is the best thing I could do”, Dea explained.
If Dea will be given a chance to talk to Pope Francis personally she said that she will thank the Pope for his visit and inspiration in the country.
“Even though the span of time is so short, I would still thank him for being there particularly for the victims of Yolanda. I will tell Pope Francis to pray for us, and that we are in deep need of prayers because of the events and terrible things happening in our country. And I will also tell Pope that we do pray for him and for his full service to God, we pray that God would grant him more strength so that he can be able visit more countries in order to lift up their spirituality and intimacy with God. Lastly, I will tell Pope Francis that he is a big blessing because Jesus Christ sent him so he can proclaim his love for us all”, she concluded.