San Beda Alabang's Fr. Gerard de Villa & Coro Benito

Coro Benito Ministry Logo

Yesterday, my family and I  attended the 6:30 p.m. mass at St. Benedict Chapel at  Alabang Hills, which was celebrated by Fr. Gerard de Villa OSB.  The banners bidding farewell to Fr. Dunstan  Candol OSB were already gone-- San Beda Alabang and the  regular Sunday mass goers seemed  ready to move on.

The choir that sung  beautifully during the Mass was Coro  Benito-- a mixed group of young-looking  talents, whose repertoire includes  songs by  Hillsong,  Casting Crowns  and  Bukas Palad.

After communion, one of the members of Coro Benito came forward and reminded the congregation   about  "Christmas Blessings: Caroling at Salu-Salo,"  It will be held on December 10, Saturday, 8:00 p.m. at  St. Benedict Chapel.  It promises to be a memorable evening of songs and fellowship.   Coro Benito will sing the carols and after  their  performance,  the audience will be treated to  traditional fare of puto bung-bong and bibingka.

To me, it is a worthwhile activity to support. Proceeds will  go to Coro Benito's  projects  for marginalized youth and the repair of the chapel.

Before  Fr. de Villa gave the final blessing, he thanked the congregation for the support for the  tocino and chicharon that were being sold  every Sunday just outside of the chapel.  He was happy to reveal  that he  himself would oversee  the production of these items, and that  sales had been good that they could support 2 new scholars in  the coming semester.

On our way out of the chapel, we stopped by to check the tocino-- too bad, somebody else got the last pack a few seconds ahead of us.  And the chicharon was already finished even earlier that day.

We approached the table for  donations to  the "Christmas Blessings" project.   We  got 2 invitations.