Philouise’s Weblog

During my stay in India and Nepal, I appreciated their use of the drums, bamboo instruments, cymbal and other indigenous instruments during Christian worship as well as in the traditional rites. Rites may be in a Christian, Hindu or Buddhist traditions. I have never been invited to a Muslim rite so I have not witness if they use indigenous musical instruments. The practice and concepts of indigenization, contextualization and redeeming cultures continue to be a major subject in different religious persuasions. Redeeming the music and the indigenous instruments from cultural traditions towards Christian worship continue to be an area of discussion among frontier missionaries.

The passing on of the staff of the shepherd from outgoing Prime Bishop Ignacio Soliba to the incoming Prime Bishop Edward Malecdan last February 19, 2009 was one of the occasions where I experienced the strength of service and commitment of the Episcopal church in the Philippines. Present were representatives from all the Episcopal dioceses in the Philippines, Anglican Communion from the USA, UK, Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong joined by members of the Catholic Bishops Conference in the Philippines, The Iglesia Filipino Independiente, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

During the installation the choir from the different dioceses gathered to lead the worship under the baton of Rev. Daniel Carino. In the offering of thanksgiving, the gongs were played to usher women, men and youth carrying the fruits of the land including palay, tapey, fruits, vegetables, and suman to the altar where the begnas shout was done by the outgoing Prime Bishop. It was a sight to behold when more than 50 people gathered at the altar to offer back to the Creator blessings he bestowed to his people.

Worship leaders like Don Moen, Steve Kuban, Scott Wesley Brown and great worshippers can lead big choirs and congregations into tremendous powerful worship to the King of Kings. Scott Wesley Brown is a well-known Christian singer, songwriter and musician who traveled around the world as an evangelist and missionary. He began his missionary journey during the Jesus movement in the 1970s. In 1995 over 100 students from Baptist Student Union made up a choir during the Mission ’95 where more than 3,300 young people gathered to worship God in Louisville, Kentucky. Like Scott Wesley Brown, Daniel Carino is a singer, songwriter and musician in his journey sharing the gospel of God. More than 300 choir members came together for the Hymn Festival before the fellowship lunch as part of the Installation activities. The choir came from Dioceses based in Kalinga, Bontoc, Baguio, Manila, Zamboanga, Isabela including parishes from Visayas and Palawan. Applause was loudest when the Mountain Province choir composed of Clergy, Women, Men and youth sang the “Nan Chawatem Apo” and “Ali Kayo” both hymns were composed by Daniel Carino. Aside from English hymns Kalinga and Filipino hymns and musical instruments were included in the worship service.

I first met Daniel in 1990, when BSBT Foundation based in Bontoc. He would come to preach and teach in the school and often we cross paths along the missionary walks in the region. As part of a group of fellow workers, one of our major discussions was culture and the practice of Faith. I felt he moved mountains as a member of a team with Bishop Alexander Wandag, Frances Laoyan and others to come up with the ECP Hymnal where indigenous worship is included. Being part of that Thursday service was very touching as we sang in many languages.

The most Reverend Ignacio Soliba encourages all to be a real servant of the church running and winning the race, eyes fixed on Jesus Christ as the author and perfecter of faith. He mentioned that the next day, he will be on his way to Tabuk, leaving the house and the office for the new Prime Bishop to occupy immediately. After his sermon greeted with applause, he was nearly stripped off as priests raced to inherit his cross, collar, and others with the hope to be able to follow his steps. He served God and the church well, the door of his office, home and car is open to any and all. In several occasions we barged into his home, as well as experienced being ferried by him to the bus station to catch our trip home. We will surely miss him. A gong was given to him as a token.

The incoming Prime Bishop Malecdan is back to Cathedral Heights where he spent 6 years as a seminarian, ten years as a teacher and later as the fifth Dean of the St Andrews Seminary. His time away was when he went to Austin,Texas for his Master Degree (1991-93) and later Doctor of Divinity and when he served as the Diocesan Bishop of Northern Philippines for ten years. As a man of God, we hope he will continue to propagate better understanding of culture and faith. (Feb 20, 2009)