Serna: Catch ‘Awit Bahandi’

FINALLY, the much anticipated benefit concert of the San Carlos Seminary College Special Choir for the seminary’s various projects will be staged at the SM City Cebu Cinema 1 tomorrow, March 16. Dubbed “Awit Bahandi,” the show will have three time slots: 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“Awit Bahandi” is directed by Msgr. Rudy Villanueva assisted by Fr. Benedict Tao and Fr. John Bugos. Providing the choreography for the songs are Helen Grace Abao and son Herzel Abao.

What make this show different from the previous concerts of the special choir are the inclusion of more Tagalog songs in the repertoire, the opening numbers dedicated to St. Pedro Calungsod, a one-act play starring alumni priests being incorporated to the show and all 120 members of the community choir singing the beginning and finale numbers.

From what I gathered, the concert is inspired by the essay “Jewel of the Pauper” written by Jesuit priest, Fr. Horacio de la Costa. The title of the show itself, “Awit Bahandi,” the finale song, is an original composition of Msgr. Rudy.

In our informal chat, Fr. Tao shared that Filipinos may be poor in material things but actually possess two treasures, namely: faith and music. I agree!

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Gaisano Main and Country Mall proudly announces that in the final grand draw of it’s A Million Thanks Raffle Promo the celebrity guests of Ms. Rosemarie Gaisano will be Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition runners-up Karen Reyes and Yves Flores.

Likewise, the two malls afford its loyal shoppers more chances to win the Mazda car grand prize and home appliances with its “Graduate, Celebrate 4-Day Sale!,” which runs until Sunday, March 17, not to mention the chance to avail of huge discounts on items for graduation. The raffle promo grand draw will be held on April 6 at 3 p.m. at the Gaisano Balamban Town Center. Mark the date. By the way, advance happy birthday, Ma’am Rose!

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At first I thought the event was just an ordinary one, only to find out that it was actually a special one with guests given the chance to choose their welcome gifts right at the registration area.

Inside, buffet tables were set up where, again, guests were given the chance to choose and create their appetizers, main course and ice cream desserts. It was just in keeping with the event’s theme, the launch of Globe Telecom’s Globe Prepaid GoSakto promo, described by the telecommunications company as “industry-shaking innovation.”

Shapely and statuesque models paraded onstage during the presentation of the details of the promo. It empowers prepaid subscribers to choose the type of promo they want, the type of number of calls, texts and surfs they need, and to pick the validity of calls, texts and surfing services.

To GoSakto, subscribers can either use their mobile phone via *143#, via the Globe website at globe.com.ph/gosakto, or via Facebook. They can also name their created promo or let their FB friends register to the same promo thus creating a community of GoSakto users online. Truly innovative.

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Among all my coverages of celebrity shows and appearances at the SM City Cebu Event Center, it was only last Friday, during the promo visit of Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo for their movie Must Be Love that I saw such a really huge crowd that gathered and cheered for their idols.

The place was so jam-packed. Young students, many still in their school uniforms, were all around. Some had to stand not just on chairs but also on tables and practically on anything that could elevate them and give them a good view of the celebrities.

The heat produced by the multitude could be felt even from a distance of two meters.

The shrieks and shouts were deafening.

A friend compared such adulation and admiration like those in the heydays of Nora Aunor and Sharon Cuneta. In fairness, both Daniel and Kathryn performed well (although Kathryn’s was obviously lip-synched).

Right that very moment, our group predicted that the Star Cinema movie will be a crowd-drawer, or even be a blockbuster. It’s now on its third day of showing in cinemas nationwide.