The Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM) invites all to an afternoon of music, reflection, and worship as Himig Heswita launches its latest album, Place Me With Your Son, this Saturday, March 1, at 3:00 PM at the Oratory of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila University.
The event will feature a workshop led by the album’s composers—Fr. Bok Arandia, SJ, Fr. Arnel dC Aquino, SJ, and Bro. Dom Bulan, SJ—who will teach participants the songs from Place Me With Your Son. The launch will culminate with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
A Legacy of Jesuit Liturgical Music
Himig Heswita is a group of Jesuits and lay collaborators who have dedicated their talents to composing and performing original Filipino liturgical music. Inspired by the pioneering work of the late Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ—widely regarded as the father of Filipino liturgical music—the group has played a vital role in shaping the sound of worship in the Philippines.
Since its beginnings in the 1980’s, Himig Heswita has released multiple albums such as Purihi’t Pasalamatan, Your Dwelling Place, and Stand By Me Still. Through these beloved works, they have brought comfort, renewal, and enriched countless liturgies with their music.
With Place Me With Your Son, Himig Heswita builds on this legacy, offering new songs that express devotion, prayer, and surrender to God’s will. The title itself echoes St. Ignatius of Loyola’s prayer of total self-offering, capturing the Jesuit spirit of humility and selfless service.
Meet the Composers
The album’s featured composers bring a diverse yet deeply spiritual perspective to the collection:
- Fr. Bok Arandia, SJ – A former Bukas Palad Music Ministry member, Fr. Bok sees music as a profound way to express God’s mercy and love. Now serving as Assistant Chaplain and Head of Formation for the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service, his compositions reflect his ministry of bringing hope and faith to those in need.
- Fr. Arnel dC Aquino, SJ – One of the most prolific Jesuit composers, Fr. Arnel is known for classics such as Pagsibol and Ito ang Araw. His LAUDS instrumental series has also been widely used for prayer and meditation.
- Bro. Dom Bulan, SJ – A former Ateneo College Glee Club and Ateneo Chamber Singers member, Bro. Dom credits his Jesuit vocation to liturgical music, having grown up as a ‘true-blue Atenean’ singing the hymns of Fr. Hontiveros, Fr. Manoling Francisco, and Fr. Arnel Aquino.
A Milestone for Jesuit Music Ministry
The launch of Place Me With Your Son also comes at a significant time for JMM, which recently introduced the PURIHI’T PASALAMATAN: The Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ Liturgical Music Songwriting Competition. The biennial competition calls on Filipino composers to create original liturgical music that reflects the themes of Catholic Social Teachings, ensuring that the legacy of Fr. Honti lives on in new generations of sacred music.
As JMM continues its mission of enriching Filipino liturgical music, the launch of Place Me With Your Son is a celebration of faith, music, and community—a testament to the power of creativity and uplifting song.
(AMDG)
Interested participants must pre-register for the event here: https://bit.ly/4bdiEhj
Pre-order the official Place Me With Your Son songbook, via these channels:
Messenger: facebook.com/joshaddtocart
Email sales@jescom.ph
Viber: 09298649010
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