Himig Sanghaya Chronicles

Himig saya. Himig ligaya. Himig Sanghaya.

Growing Up in Himig

I never would have imagined that Himig Sanghaya Chorale would be a big part of my "growing up" years. Ever since I joined this wonderful and amazing group, I have learned so much and until now I continue to improve. Because of this, I feel more enthusiastic in singing and performing in various performances everytime I rehearse with this group. If not with the help of Ms. Katherine Trangco, our conductor, also with the help of other members of the group, and especially,God and my family; I wouldn't have known that I could be a precious part of a singing group in my own generation.

I have not only learned many things about music, but I have also learned many values needed in being a member of a group and as an individual...

As I look back, a new member of the Himig Sanghaya Children's Choir, I can still remember the day that my sister, Michelle, encouraged me to join HSCC, which was also my audition day, March 8,2004. I sang the CDN Hymn and became an alto. I will never forget my first performance in singing with the group in the high mass at the Sto. Rosario Parish Church(SRPC). It is when I wore a checkered polo sihrt instead of a plain one then cried to the lap of Tr. Katz with her tease to me. Yes, I was very immatur when I was a kid. After that was my first performance in a theater in St. Cecillienne's recital held in CCP. Then when I became a Grade 4 student, I joined the Casa del Niño Children's Choir(CDNCC) as an Alto and started experiencing victories in choral competitions. Then on October 2004, I became a part of the Marian concert in SRPC. Then at my first performance in Himig's own concert in SRPC on April 2005, I started to become a soloist. Tr. Katz of HSC cotinued to develop my singing talent and self-confidence when I joined  the NAMCYA in 2005. Even if I wasn't a winner, and the HSCC was dissolved, after a year(2006), I joined the Himig Sanghaya Chorale again as a
Soprano 1. I was still teased of being "iyakin" but I am not affected anymore.I became more mature. When I graduated elementary, I continued singing with CADENCE and Himig. After that, I became an Alto 1 last 2007 until now.
    During my stay in the choir, I have not only learned many things about music, but I have also learned many values needed in being a member of a group and as an individual such as self-discipline, honesty, respectfulness, self-confidence, being responsinble, and happy. That's how I succesfully grew up in Himig.
    Now, I am actively a member of Himig for almost 3 and 1/2 years. At the same time, it is the celebration of Himig's 10th yr. anniversary. In its celebration, an acoustic band competition, and a concert entitled "'Sang Dekadang Himig" will be held at Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Chrysanthemum Village, San Pedro, Laguna.
    My wish now for HSC is for it to maintain its versatility and mastery in songs of different genre. I also hope that the group can succesively continue to educate us and more people, especially children, the importance of music in our lives. I also hope that the members can be more disciplined and responsible enough to lead the group to even more victorious years. I also hope that our new generation of singers will bring progress to the group.

Michael Arnold Bilan, 13 yo
CURRENT MEMBER 

Himig Sanghaya Chorale and the Society

    Ten years ago, at the wake of the father of a former classmate, my mentors and dear friends Mrs. Celia Fe Acosta-Gangan and Mr. Edgardo Simondac decided to put up a singing group composed of high school and college students. I was studying Music Composition in UP then, and being part of a chorale for almost all my life, their plan got me very interested so I decided to help out in any way I can. At first, it came to me as an opportunity to apply (or should I say "try out") the things I've been learning in school with an actual group by being its resident composer and arranger. The choral practice has always fascinated me since I was a kid. My experiences as a chorister in our school choir have opened my mind and soul to the wonderful world of choral singing. Aside from singing with the group when I have some time off from college life, I extended my help by teaching them some songs I have performed with a group I'm with in UP, until Tr. Cecile gave me the chance to conduct the HSC in a competition in Los Banos. I remember thinking of a dozen alibis to wiggle out of the appointment, not knowing that it would start my love affair with Himig.

I remember thinking of a dozen alibis to wiggle out of the appointment, not knowing that it would start my love affair with Himig.

Choirs are often seen as nothing more but a venue for people who have nothing to do, loves to hang out, sing and entertain. It might surprise you to know that our members' professions range from being full-time students, high school and college, to being a teacher, doctor, nurse, engineer, professional photographer, graphic artists, performing artists, etc. Everybody in the group have lives of their own outside the walls of the rehearsal room. These outside activities make our interactions more wonderful and most interesting. Saturday is (almost) the only day that we see each other to enjoy each and every one?s company while doing the thing that we love the most- sing together. Singing, or should I say performing, takes a lot of discipline, self-confidence, intellect, sensitivity, passion, humility, honesty and enjoyment. Each one of these ingredients is expected of any Himig member- a disposition more popularly known among the members as having the "Himig Factor." Members have to learn how to balance and juggle their time wisely, at the same time, learn by heart the meaning of the word "commitment." This word has kept our group alive for 10 years. The value of this discipline, when translated in everyday living equates to commitment not only to the art of singing, but also to their jobs, their education- their lives in general.

    Not being affiliated with any school or church has, somehow, affected us in gaining popularity among our peers, and most especially their parents. There had been misconceptions that the group sings aimlessly, without reason, without a goal, without a dream. It is my pride and honor to let you know that the members of Himig Sanghaya Chorale, no matter how young or old, do not believe in limiting one's self to serving one organization alone and carrying on one point of view all the time. We value our differences as much as we value our similarities and in so doing, we learn to accept and respect our uniqueness while enjoying our commonalities. Our members recognize the fact that we cannot be everything, thus, we need others to fill the gaps due to our limitations. We believe that everyone can co-exist, no matter the orientation, as long as there is a common ground between polarities. In our case, it is our love for Himig, one another and the art of choral singing that keeps us together.

    The group dreams of traveling outside the country, given enough resources, and share our love of music. We want to sing in any venue, without prejudice and judgment. As long as we are invited and singing is allowed, we would be there. We want to try ourselves, compete in national and international competitions to check if we are keeping up with the standards of the choral art for we want to be able to bring our audience the best choral experience we can manage and hope that the phenomenon of artistic elation would reach them and inspire them to be better people, the way it continues to inspire us and help us as we make better of ourselves. It is our fervent belief that art, in it's purest form, connects with the goodness in us. It creates a "good" feeling and helps soothe our spirit, especially when laden.
 
    The members and Executive Committee have always strived to be professional by keeping business transactions the way it should be- business. The group aims to train our members early on to prepare them for real-life transactions. We wish for them to learn to talk to people, carry themselves properly while dealing with others and to be firm with the principles they believe in while also taking into account the factors they encounter along the way. We make it a point to give each member their share of responsibilities, from cleaning our headquarters to keeping track of our pieces to managing our finances, etc. One might wonder how we do it. Again, it goes back to equality. Regardless of age and gender, each one is capable of doing something worthwhile. We believe that we all have strengths and our weaknesses are where other's strengths come in. Being in a choir entails a lot of cooperation among the members. After all, one singer can never make up a choir.
The values mentioned above are only a few of the many more we encounter every Saturday. I must agree with the view of UP College of Music's Prof. Eudenice Palaruan when he said that amateur choirs keep the fire burning in the world of choral music. Singing with little or no compensation at all brings out pure intentions and love for the art. However, the HSC acknowledges the economic status of most of our members and our needs for sustainability. So we strive hard to earn for the operational needs of the group and avoid, as much as we can, having our members pay for anything when they sing, at the very least. I am just so proud to say that I have never seen a bunch of young people more eager to share their talents, time and resources for art's sake.
 
    Before I started writing this short (rather long) message, I thought I wanted to write about the things I've managed to share with the members of HSC, then and now. Instead, I ended up realizing that I was the one they educated by showing me real life. We dealt with real problems and shared very real victories. I may have been inefficient without them guiding me and keeping things real for me. No matter how surreal others think of the HSC world, it has always been part of my reality. To some, it may have just been a passing phase and interest, but to people who have stayed true to the real sense of the name "Himig Sanghaya," life would not have been as colorful and educational without the experience for the discipline of singing does not end with "fine." The long-term effects of the training we have are yet to be seen- not until they face real life. The society is in need of such activities where young people can dream and make things happen together. Things that would enable them to have a positive and vibrant outlook on life, share it and influence others to do so as well by posing a good example not only to their peers but for the members of the different social strata.

    In summary, I would like to say that Himig helped me to be a better musician, teacher and a better person. It continuously gives me the chance to create something good, which I share with the ever-varied, ever-colorful and ever-wonderful people that make up the HSC family.
Kudos to the current members of HSC and to those who have stayed true to being a Himig member throughout the years. Congratulations! I wish us to have more productive years to come!



Mary Katherine Jakosalem Trangco
PROUD TO BE HIMIG 

One Family

    Ten years ago, I had not imagined that what was a small seed of a music group would soon be the HIMIG SANGHAYA CHORALE that we know of today. With no promise of greatness, wealth or fame. I remember leading a handful of young high school and college students who were impelled by only two desires
-the desire to sing and the desire to be together.

    Throughout the years, some have left, a few stayed on, and more joined, but one thing undeniably remained – the spirit that animated the members of the group and the values that impressed their work then, continue to drive them today. I see in them the same passion for music and for entertaining their audience in the best way possible… Constant striving for excellence… AND taking care of their own. For those who stayed on, ten years not only meant making good music together but also years of filled with memories which enrich them as persons, as friends, and as members of one family.

    To the present members, don’t hesitate to dream as we did then. Many years from now, you will realize that your dreams will fall short of what you can achieve. Surely, the best is yet to be.

Celia-fe Acosta-Gañgan
FOUNDER AND FORMER CONDUCTOR 

A Bastion of Music in Our Midst

Ten years of actively sharing the joy of music is a great achievement.

I have seen the birth of Himig Sanghaya Chorale. From a fledgling choir which was finding its own voice... its own personality... its own brand of artistry - HSC has finally defined itself and aspires to conquer the world.

Seldom is a name so meaningful that one strives to live up to it. That is exactly what the HSC conductor, officers, and members struggled to achieve and to keep. Nothing was spared in their research to upgrade their repertoire, refine their technique, and keep their bodies and souls together.

Having proven the consistency in their growth and development, Himig Sanghaya Chorale, will live on as a bastion of music in our midst.


Edgardo Simondac
FOUNDER AND FORMER ADVISER