Singing Priests of Tagbilaran
Encyclopedia
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
priests from Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. In addition to preaching sermons they also evangelize from the stage in songs and dances.
The Singing Priests of Tagbilaran were formed in 1998 by Paring Bol-anon Fathers Arnold Zamora, Melchisedech "Edick" E. Monreal, Justino "Loy" H. Estoque, Jr., Bonifacio "Boy" G. Espeleta, Jr., Jeffrey "Oloy" P. Malanog and Petronilo "Jun" Ligtas, Jr.
In 2003, the group was composed of Fathers Arnold Zamora, Melchisedech "Edick" E. Monreal, Irvin B. Garsuta, Justino "Loy" H. Estoque, Jr., Bonifacio "Boy" G. Espeleta, Jr., Jeffrey "Oloy" P. Malanog, Joseph Swanee Skelton, Jr., and pianist, Mr. Joseph D. Namoc.
History
The Singing Priests of Tagbilaran are all graduates of the Immaculate Heart of Mary SeminaryImmaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary or IHMS, located at Pacifico Cabalit St., Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, is a diocesan college seminary established in 1950 by Julio Rosales, Bishop of Tagbilaran, in implementation of Canon 1354, no. 2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that required...
. The members come from different graduating classes and age groups, but all received their musical training from the same seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
.
With the common desire to share their talents along with their philosophy of joy, prayer and fun, they bonded together to form a singing group called SPOT (Singing Priests of Tagbilaran). The group is also named SPOTlight since they seek to bear "the light of Christ" to the world.
In the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, SPOT has performed in many concerts. They were the main attraction in the diocesan production, HIUSATLO (three acting in unison). They staged a solo concert, Valentine's SPOTlight, at the Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
Tropics Resort in February, 1998.
In the summer of 1998, they gave concerts for religious causes in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They performed in many cities in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
including San Francisco, South San Francisco
South San Francisco, California
South San Francisco is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, located on the San Francisco Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area...
, San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, Stockton
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Redwood City
Redwood City, California
Redwood City is a California charter city located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California, approximately 27 miles south of San Francisco, and 24 miles north of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans from its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people, to its tradition as a port for...
, Foster City
Foster City, California
Foster City is an affluent planned city located in San Mateo County, California, 94404. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 30,567. Forbes ranked Foster City #10 on their 2009 list of America's Top 25 Towns to Live Well. Money has also recognized Foster City multiple times as...
, Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County, on the Central Coast of California. The 2010 census population was 100,062, putting it ahead of Santa Barbara for the first time and making it the largest city in the county...
and Vallejo
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
. They also performed in Seattle, WA and Las Vegas, NV. The proceeds from these series of benefit concerts in the United States was used as the seed money of the priests' standard living allowance, a monthly standard salary for priests in Bohol, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
Their debut album entitlled Singing Priests of Tagbilaran, contains a repertoire of religious and popular songs
Popular Songs
Popular Songs is the twelfth full-length album by Hoboken-based rock band Yo La Tengo, released digitally, on CD, and double LP on September 8, 2009. It is their 7th album released on Matador and the eighth album to be given Matador's Buy Early Get Now treatment...
in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
and Cebuano
Cebuano language
Cebuano, referred to by most of its speakers as Bisaya , is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines by about 20 million people mostly in the Central Visayas. It is the most widely spoken of the languages within the so-named Bisayan subgroup and is closely related to other Filipino...
. This album also highlights the works of Father Arnold Zamora, the group's musical arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
and accompanist. This compilation of songs portrays the universal message of love and peace. The blending of their voices characterizes human emotions of joy, hope, sorrow and understanding.
In 2003, the second batch of SPOT did concerts in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, Fairfield, California
Fairfield, California
Fairfield is a city located in Solano County in Northern California, USA. It is generally considered the midpoint between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento, approximately from the city center of both cities, approximately from the city center of Oakland, less than from Napa Valley, 18...
, Sacramento, CA, Stockton, CA, Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, Chicago, Illinois, Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
, and Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. Proceeds from the benefit were for the retired and sickly priests of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
. In addition, the proceeds were used for the health plan of the clergy.
Fr. Eugene D. Tungol, Pastor of the Epiphany Church in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
was a major catalyst in all of SPOT's concerts in the U.S.
The founder
Arnold Zamora (born February 10, 1961) is a FilipinoFilipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
from Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran City is a 2nd class component city in the island province of Bohol, Philippines and serves as its capital. Tagbilaran lies on the southwestern part of the province, and has a total land area of 32.7 km², with about 13 km of coastline...
, Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
who has carved for himself a name in the national
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
music industry as a singer, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. As a seminarian at the UST
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
Central seminary, he founded the Psalterion Choir. At the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
, he joined the Philippine Madrigal Singers or MADZ and is the founder of the Chorus Paulinus
Chorus Paulinus
The Chorus Paulinus or CHOPA is regarded as one of the most highly acclaimed choirs in the Philippines. It is known for its unique a cappella-style blending of voices that creates a sound reflective of its high choral standards.-1992: Beginnings:...
. He is also the founder and music director of the Singing Priests of Tagbilaran.
Zamora has also conducted the Philippine Consulate Choir in San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, the Filipino Priests Concert in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
and FilAmusika, a group of Filipino and American young adults Zamora has recently formed. In addition, he is the music director of the Star of the Sea Parish and conducts the Stella Maris Choir of the said parish.
He currently works for the Archdiocese of San Francisco in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Melchisedech E. Monreal
Fr. Monreal is the lead vocalist of SPOT. He hails from Loon, BoholLoon, Bohol
Loon is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 42,441 people. The town has an old church dating from the 1850s.-Socioeconomic profile:* Class of municipality: Second...
, and is a product of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary or IHMS, located at Pacifico Cabalit St., Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, is a diocesan college seminary established in 1950 by Julio Rosales, Bishop of Tagbilaran, in implementation of Canon 1354, no. 2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that required...
and San Jose Seminary. He is currently serving in the Archdiocese of San Diego.
Irvin B. Garsuta
Fr. Garsuta is currently the music director of the Immaculate Heart of Mary SeminaryImmaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary or IHMS, located at Pacifico Cabalit St., Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, is a diocesan college seminary established in 1950 by Julio Rosales, Bishop of Tagbilaran, in implementation of Canon 1354, no. 2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that required...
.
Justino H. Estoque, Jr.
Fr. Justino H. Estoque, Jr. is a graduate of the Immaculate Heart of Mary SeminaryImmaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary or IHMS, located at Pacifico Cabalit St., Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, is a diocesan college seminary established in 1950 by Julio Rosales, Bishop of Tagbilaran, in implementation of Canon 1354, no. 2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that required...
. He is currently serving in the Holy Trinity Parish, Loay, Bohol
Loay, Bohol
Loay is a 5th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 15,881 people. The population has 2 parts, the lower and the upper parts. The lower part used to be called Canipa-an because of the presence of nipa swamps in this part of...
in the Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
Bonifacio G. Espeleta, Jr.
Fr. Bonifacio G. Espeleta, Jr. is a graduate of the Immaculate Heart of Mary SeminaryImmaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary or IHMS, located at Pacifico Cabalit St., Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, is a diocesan college seminary established in 1950 by Julio Rosales, Bishop of Tagbilaran, in implementation of Canon 1354, no. 2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that required...
and of the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines. He is currently serving in the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
Jeffrey P. Malanog
Msgr. Jeffrey P. Malanog is a product of the Immaculate Heart of Mary SeminaryImmaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary or IHMS, located at Pacifico Cabalit St., Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, is a diocesan college seminary established in 1950 by Julio Rosales, Bishop of Tagbilaran, in implementation of Canon 1354, no. 2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that required...
and the Pontifical Seminary of the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
in Manila. He is currently the Vicar of the Diocese of Tagbilaran in Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
Joseph Swanee Skelton, Jr.
Fr. Skelton is an American from the musical city of Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, USA. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Tagbilaran in Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
on June 5, 2001. He is a gospel singer who has had many years of professional concert performances and recordings both in the U.S. and the Philippines since thirteen (13) years old. He was a member of the Donald Vails Choraleers, a Gospel music singing choir that is now in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He has been a guest soloist on a number of albums, one being the Lead Me, Guide Me project of GIA Publications. Fr. Skelton has traveled with Bro. Bo Sanchez, a Catholic lay-evangelist to many of the provinces here in the Philippines who lead the masses in Praise and Worship. He has a solo album under Praise Records, Inc. entitled "Through Jesus We Have Victory", and he has been a guest soloist on countless albums as well as a featured singer on a number of music videos from RPN-9 Manila to CCTN-Channel 47 in Cebu City. Fr. Skelton's R & B style coupled with his Spirit-filled sharings help to make any concert a real encounter with the Living God.
He is currently serving in Santa Monica Parish of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, in Alburquerque, Bohol
Alburquerque, Bohol
Alburquerque is a 5th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 9,644 people.The town's short name is "Albur"...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
Petronilo "Jun" Ligtas, Jr.
Fr. Petronilo Ligtas, Jr. is a graduate of the Immaculate Heart of Mary SeminaryImmaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary or IHMS, located at Pacifico Cabalit St., Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, is a diocesan college seminary established in 1950 by Julio Rosales, Bishop of Tagbilaran, in implementation of Canon 1354, no. 2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that required...
and the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos in Cebu City
Cebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
, Cebu
Cebu
Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He is currently serving in the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
Album
| Album information |
|---|
| Singing Priests of Tagbilaran (2003) Singing Priests of Tagbilaran (2003) Singing Priests of Tagbilaran is the album of the second batch of Singing Priests of Tagbilaran where, during the SPOT's second tour in 2003, the first album was re-mastered and 2 tracks were added, namely, "Bisayan Medley" and "He Looked Beyond". Just like the first album, it still contains a... (SPOT)
|
| Singing Priests of Tagbilaran (1998) Singing Priests of Tagbilaran (1998) Singing Priests of Tagbilaran is the debut album of the Singing Priests of Tagbilaran which contains a repertoire of religious and popular songs in English, Tagalog and Cebuano. This album also highlights the works of Father Arnold Zamora, the group's musical arranger and accompanist. This... (SPOT) RIAA certification In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards... :
|
See also
- Arnold Zamora
- Paring Bol-anon
- Immaculate Heart of Mary SeminaryImmaculate Heart of Mary SeminaryThe Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary or IHMS, located at Pacifico Cabalit St., Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, is a diocesan college seminary established in 1950 by Julio Rosales, Bishop of Tagbilaran, in implementation of Canon 1354, no. 2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that required...
Additional readings
- Singing Priests of Tagbilaran at Soundclick.com
- SPOT Concert July 2004 Friends of Sto. Niño, Inc.
- Ferdie S. Villar Tagbilaran Singing Priests perform at Star of the Sea Church on September 17 www.asianjournal.com