The Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM) officially launched PURIHI’T PASALAMATAN: The Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ Liturgical Music Songwriting Competition on January 28, 2025, at Café Via Mare, GT Toyota-Asian Center, University of the Philippines-Diliman. The event gathered parish and diocesan social communications heads, Catholic media representatives, and mainstream press members to celebrate the competition’s launch and its mission to inspire new generations of liturgical music composers.
A Legacy of Faith and Music
The launch opened with a heartfelt prayer led by Fr. Nono Alfonso, SJ, JesCom Executive Director, with attendees singing one of Fr. Honti’s most beloved compositions, Ama Namin.
In his remarks, Fr. Nono highlighted the profound connection between faith and music in Filipino culture—two gifts that Fr. Hontiveros embodied through his pioneering liturgical compositions.
“Through his music, we were able to finally sing and pray in our native tongue,” he shared. “His compositions allowed Filipinos to express their faith in a way that was truly their own.”
The Call for New Liturgical Compositions
JMM Director Lester Mendiola then revisited the humble beginnings of Fr. Honti, before presenting the mechanics of PURIHI’T PASALAMATAN. He noted that the competition was launching on the exact date that Fr. Honti entered the Society of Jesus in 1945, a fitting tribute to the man who forever shaped Filipino liturgical music.
The competition invites amateur and professional Filipino composers to create original liturgical songs for the Holy Mass—focusing on themes inspired by the seven Catholic Social Teachings, such as the Dignity of the Human Person and Preferential Option for the Poor. Entries in various Filipino languages are highly encouraged, continuing Fr. Honti’s vision of making liturgical music accessible to all.
Mendiola emphasized that PURIHI’T PASALAMATAN is more than a competition—it is a movement to renew and strengthen the tradition of Filipino liturgical music, ensuring that Fr. Honti’s legacy continues to inspire generations to come.
A Shared Mission for the Church
The event also featured a moving intermission performance by singer-songwriter Toto Sorioso, followed by a panel discussion led by media guru Noel Ferrer, alongside Fr. Nono Alfonso, SJ, internationally-acclaimed organist and composer Alejandro Consolacion II, as well as Lester Mendiola.
The panelists underscored the sacred responsibility of composing liturgical music, with Fr. Nono describing Fr. Honti’s works as relational, singable, and filled with heart. Alejandro Consolacion praised the humility in Fr. Honti’s compositions, stating, “The core values of Fr. Honti’s songs was that they were selfless and generous. There was no ego behind his music, as this was his gift to the Church and the Filipino people.”
Source: Limang Siglo
PURIHI’T PASALAMATAN aims to discover new voices who will continue Fr. Honti’s pioneering mission, ensuring that the faithful have new hymns to sing for generations to come.
With a first prize of ₱100,000, PURIHI’T PASALAMATAN hopes to encourage emerging talents to dedicate their craft and artistry to the service of the Church. Submissions will be accepted until April 19, 2025, with the announcement of finalists on June 20, 2025.
For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit the Purihi’t Pasalamatan page on JesCom’s official website: https://jescom.ph/purihit-pasalamatan/
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