NINETEEN NINETY-EIGHT (1998) WAS A BUSY YEAR FOR THE CRL CHOIR. IT WAS ALSO A FRUITFUL ONE  FOR ITS  PROGRAMS  IN THE SERVICE OF AND  FOR THE  GREATER GLORY OF THE MASTER, JESUS CHRIST.

NOTE: THE FOLOWING NEW/BALIK MEMBERS ARE EITHER INACTIVE OR ON LEAVE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998:  HEATHER AMIT, PUNAY CACCAM, JESSE BACON, MARCY BACON, RINA SAPORSANTOS, GRACE TAN, CANDY RUÑA, CIELO BATE, DAPHNE BATE, & LEE DE DIOS.
 

4.1  REGULAR ACTIVITIES

      The Choir sings every Sunday, except on the third, at the 10 AM Sunday Worship
      at  CRL,  and  in  the Vesper  Service by  invitation.  It presented  four concerts at 
      CRL this year   -- the Love Concert in February, the Lenten Cantata in April,   the
      Anniversary Concert   in November, and  the  Carols By Candlelight  in  December.  
      It participated in the University of the Philippines Christmas Gala on 05 Dec. 1998.

      The Choir has also sung, upon request, in memorial and necrological services for 
      CRL members or for their relatives (Please refer to  table at #1). It was invited to 
      sing at a wedding last 26 November at the CRL.
 
      This year, the Choir spearheaded the Flora Zarco Rivera Memorial Concert which
      marks the beginning of the Flora Zarco Rivera Annual Choral Festival.CRL hosted
      the Concert this year which was participated in by the choirs from Ellinwood,NCUC,
      Central Methodist Church, Grace Gospel Church (Eluzai Outreach Choir), & CRL.
 

    4.1  SPIRITUAL NURTURE

      The Chair of  the Committe on  Spiritual  Nurture, Ms. Naomi F. Damian,  has
      religiously kept  going the meditation of the Choir every Saturday immediately
      after rehearsals. She usually leads this activity, although  some choir members
      are requested to lead from time to time. Prayer concerns and requests are also
      brought before the Lord after the meditation. She recommends  Bible study for
      the Choir to be scheduled an hour before the Saturday rehearsals.
 

4.2  OUTREACH

      Under the leadership of  its committted and dedicated  conductor,Dean Rey Paguio, 
      the Outreach Program  of the Choir  this year has  been a very dynamic and fruitful 
      one. Singing in  the worship services  of other churches  every  third  Sunday  of the 
      month allows the group to share the gospel through its music.The Choir was invited  
      to lead in the Worship through Music by the following churches: the San Augustine
      United Methodist  Church  (Iba, Zambales);  First Evangelical Church-UCCP  (San
      Pablo, Laguna); Church Among the Palms (UP Los Baños, Laguna).

      Another feature  of  the Choir Outreach  is the Exchange Choirs, where the CRL
      Choir sings in a church while its Choir sings at the CRL 10 AM  Sunday  worship.
      This year  the CRL Choir exchanged choir lofts  with  the  Cosmopolitan and  the
       NCUC Choirs.

      The Malolos Evangelical Church  invited  the Choir to do a concert  on its  97th 
      Foundation Anniversary;  while  the Edificada Church in Cabanatuan invited the 
      group when  it  dedicated  its  spacious  multi-purpose hall during its anniversary 
      celebration.

      The Choir was also invited to sing in the Good Samaritan Church in  Quezon City
      in one of its Simbanggabi meditations. Just before Christmas, the Choir sang for
      the residents of the Golden Acre Home for the Aged in Quezon City.

      Naomi Damian and Alex Cortez coordinated the Outreach Activities this year. 

      In connection with Outreach activities, T-shirts printed with the CRL Choir logo
      were given the members last December.  These were  first worn when the Choir 
      led the SimbangUmaga at CRL last December 19th; then,used as uniforms worn 
      under the choir  gowns when  the Choir sang  in the United Methodist Church at 
      Baguio City last January 17th.

      The following got a T-shirt each: 
      SOPRANO: TINA AQUINO, GLORIA CACCAM, ANGELING CIPRIANO, PHOEBE CRUZ, MIMI
        DAMIAN,   IRIS DAPROZA,  SOFING  ESPARTERO,  JOSCEPHINE GOMEZ,   NENA JOCSON, 
        PURING LOZARE, AURING PIA, BELLY YANGA;  (12) 

       ALTO:  MIRIAM CALAGUAS, MIRIAM COVAR, HELEN DIAZ, MILDRED GANADEN, ESTHER
       MANONGDO, LETTY MORALES, JESSIE RUBRICO;  (19) 

       TENOR:  JONATHAN  BADON,   PHILIP CAMINS;  ALEX CORTEZ,  BUTCH DE JUAN,  LUIS 
       GARRUCHO,  FRANCIS INITORIO, RICHARD LARIDA, JUN RAMOS;  (27) 

       BASS: TIM AQUINO, POPE COVAR; NOEL DE LA ROSA, NUGGET ESPINO, REUBEN GANADEN,
       BETHUEL PARRILLA, NENE RUBRICO, GAMY VIRAY;  (35) 

      OTHERS:  DEAN REY PAGUIO (CONDUCTOR),  ELMA PARRILLA (TECHNICAL ASSISTANT), 
      EDSON  CABALFIN (LOGO DESIGNER) (38).

      INVENTORY:  2 T-SHIRTS;  3 T-SHIRTS,  PLAIN (AWAITING NEXT PRINTING) 
 

4.3   SKILLS ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

      Skills training this year started with the 5-session "sight singing" lessons given by
      Prof. Augusto "Agot"Espino, professor of piano at the UP College of Music who is
      also the Choir's accompanist.  He patiently taught some newbies the fundamentals
      of note reading, rhythm, intervals, patterns, etc. Concert artist Gamaliel Viray, one
      of the country's leading baritones, taught the Choir vocal techniques and dynamics.
      His sessions were fun-filled ones  as members laughed at  themselves as they tried
      to produce the tonal quality and volume he asked for.   Ramon  "Montet" Acoymo,
      accomplished  tenor  and artist, taught the group the fundamentals, techniques, and
      dynamics of choral singing.

      Dean Rey Paguio of the UP College of Music pitched in for Agot Espino in one of
      the sessions, while Dr. Jonathan Malicsi, Chairman of  the President's Committee
      for Culture and  the Arts handled  the first session for choral singing since Montet
      could not make it.

      The  Skills Training  was instrumental to the  improvement of the singing quality of
      some members in particular and of the Choir in general. To a certain extent, it also
      enhanced the group's harmony.  

      Skills  Training  is  open to all interested members of all CRL choirs.  Alexander 
      Cortez is Director for this Program.
 

4.4  SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

      The  former  members  of  the  Scholarship Committee, namely:  Ledevina Cariño,
      Gayla Carreon, Naomi Damian, Reuben Ganaden, Ched Kimwell, and Rey Paguio
      requested for the reconstitution of the Committee because of their inability to have
      a quorum during meetings as some of its members could no longer serve. (Dr.Nena
      Jocson, Chair of the Committee did not sign said request.)

      Upon presentation of the request, the Choir approved it and Dr. Pope Covar and 
      Judge Letty Morales were requested to study the program so that guidelines may
      be formulated and recommended to the body. Consequently,  a new set of officers
      were elected. They are: Gloria Caccam, Chair; Miriam Calaguas, Treasurer; Ma.
      Cristina Aquino, Secretary; the CRL Choir President;  and the Chair, CRL Board
      of Stewards. Ex-officio members, who also serve as the Screening Committee, are
      Dean Rey Paguio, Prof  Augusto Espino, and Naomi Damian.
 
      The scholarship covers matriculation fees and a P1000 monthly stipend.  Scholars
      must get a passing grade in all subjects they enrolled in and they must sing in  the
      Choir regularly.Two students from the UP College of Music were recipients of this
      scholarship  for first  semester 1998-1999 --Butch de Juan and Rina Saporsantos.
      Both lost their scholarship after the first semester. For the second semester 1998-
      1999, two students are given financial assistance of P1000 per month --Emmanuel
      "Noel" de la Rosa and Butch de Juan. Both are active choir members.

      The following donated to the CRL Scholarship Fund  for the period  June 1998  to
      January 10, 1999: Leonor Briones,  P3,000; Gloria Caccam, P10,000; Miriam Joy
      and Art Calaguas, P5,000; Angeling Cipriano, P1,500; Grace de Joya, P500; Nena
      Jocson, P1,000; Letty Morales, P5,000; Mildred Pareja, P1,500;and Jose Rubrico,
      P3,500.00. A total of P31,000.00 was received for this period.
 
 

5.1  CHOIR ROOM FURNISHING

        The following were received as donations to the CRL Choir:
 

5.2  CATALOGUING THE MUSIC PIECES IN THE MUSIC LIBRARY

      For convenience and economy, it  is necessary to catalogue the music pieces  pre-
      sently available at the CRL Music Library. This was presented  to the Council as 
      an item in  the 1999  Music Ministry  Budget.  Since  its approval  is held pending 
      until  April,  when  Naomi Damian, the Music Ministry Coordinator  will go  on  a 
      6-month leave;since the cataloguing has to be done initially under her supervision 
      and guidance; and since this   project has been held on suspension for three years 
      now, it is suggested that the CRL Choir will undertake this project. That is, it will 
      pay for the student assistant assigned to do this. The student assistant, Benjamin 
      "Jaja"Padero, outgoing  President of the UPCYM will work 10 hours every week 
      and will get an honorarium of P25.00/hour (rate of UP SA).Money for this project 
      will be taken from the CRL Choir Fund for projects.

5.3  CRL CHOIR WEBSITE:  THE CRL CHOIR ON-LINE

      The CRL Choir website at <crlchoir.cjb.net> has been on-line since November 1998.
      It is under construction. Presently, it contains the 1997 & 1998 CRL Choir Directory
      and Profile, the list of past Conductors and Accompanists, some pictures of the Choir
      in the Gallery, the President's 1998 Report, the Calendar of Activities  for 1999, and
      Postings. Watch out for features on: the Conductor & the Accompanist; the Working
      Committee, 1999; the members on sectional  basis; and  the "Share Your Miracle" 
      section, a forum where choir members can share the miracles God has done in their 
      lives.

      Thanks to Nene Rubrico and Jonathan Mark Rubrico, Webmaster and Webdesigner
      respectively, who did this website for free.
 
 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:  FOR AND IN-BEHALF OF THE CRL CHOIR, THE UNDERSIGNED WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING  FOR  THEIR  CONSISTENT AND WHOLEHEARTED  SUPPORT AND  ENCOURAGEMENT:  THE CHURCH COUNCIL  -- ESPECIALLY   DR. BEN CARIÑO,   DR.  CHIT  TAPALES, CHED  KIMWELL, &  CLARE CARAIG;  BISHOP  BEN  &  PASTOR BARTH;  THE  STAFF
--- VAL, NARSING,  PRESCY,  ELVIE, & IMELDA; THE   DONORS TO THE  CRL CHOIR PROGRAMS   AND PROJECTS;  FRIENDS  &  MEMBERS  OF THE CONGREGATION; 

THE   AFFILIATE  CHOIRS  --NEW COVENANT  SINGERS,  SINGERS  HARMONICS,   AND  CORO CONCERTINO (FOR SINGING AT THE 10 A.M  WORSHIP WHEN  THE CHOIR IS ON OUTREACH); 
THE 1998 WORKING COMMITTEE FOR A SERVICE DONE AS TO THE LORD;  HELEN  DIAZ  AND
PHOEBE CRUZ,  CHOIR  GOWNS  IN-CHARGE;   ILDEFONSO  "NENE"  RUBRICO  AND  HIS SON, JONATHAN  MARK,  FOR  PUTTING THE CRL CHOIR   WEBSITE ONLINE; PROF. AGOT  ESPINO 
WHO SEEMS TO BE ALWAYS THERE  FOR THE CHOIR;  DEAN REY PAGUIO WHOSE  ZEAL AND
COMMITMENT TO THE MUSIC  MINISTRY SERVED AS  INSPIRATION  TO  MANY IN THE CHOIR 
AND WHOSE HUMILITY IS WORTH EMULATING;   AND THE CHOIR MEMBERS  WHO  MANAGE
TO BE ACTIVE IN THE  CHOIR DESPITE ALL ODDS.

FINALLY,  TO JESUS  CHRIST, THE CHIEF  MUSICIAN  WHO PUT A SONG IN OUR HEARTS THAT
WE  MAY SING FOR HIM, IS DUE ALL THANKS AND PRAISE, HONOR AND GLORY FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS HE HAS DONE  THROUGH THE CRL CHOIR!
 
 

JESSIE GRACE U. RUBRICO
CRL CHOIR PRESIDENT
31 January 1999

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