Hangad is a group of young professionals and students, bound by their common desire to help others know God through their music. The group sings at Masses and weddings, stages concerts, records albums, produces music videos, and holds workshops for parish choirs, all towards providing everyday inspiration for listeners and fellow music ministers everywhere.
Hangad began in 1991 as an all-male choir for Days with the Lord retreats in Ateneo High School. The group became a full choir in 1992 when the all-male group, now in college, merged with an all-girls choir from School of the Holy Spirit. Today, Hangad is a diverse group of over 80 members—around 25 of whom are active—from various schools, professional fields, musical backgrounds, and hometowns.
Hangad’s repertoire spans both familiar and new arrangements of liturgical, inspirational, pop, jazz, Broadway, and OPM songs, as well as original compositions by Hangad members. The group has ten albums under the Jesuit Communications Foundation: Hangad (cassette 1998 / CD 2000); Hangad A Cappella (2002); Pasko Naming Hangad (2002); The Easter Journey (2005); A Wish for Christmas (mini-CD, 2006); Hangad Noon at Ngayon (mini-CD, 2008), Dwells God (with Himig Heswita, 2010), This Time with You (2011), Singing Goodness (2012), Glory and Praise (2016); and four music videos: “Pananatili”, “Magnificat”, “Simeon’s Canticle”, and “The Easter Journey”.
Hangad is proud of the following citations in the past years:
- Dean’s Award for Service and Excellence, Ateneo de Manila University, 1997
- “Simeon’s Canticle” music video: special citation, Catholic Mass Media Awards 2005
- “Pieta: Oyayi sa Paanan ni Hesus” from The Easter Journey: winner, Best Religious / Inspirational Song, Awit Awards 2006
Hangad recently launched a liturgical album called “Glory and Praise” at the Church of Gesu in the Ateneo de Manila University. Last October 16, the group celebrated its silver anniversary at the Kia Theatre through a concert called “One Thing I Ask” with special guests Jona and the Seven Archangels Choir. Other recent concerts include “You are Mine” with David Haas and “Himig Paglalakbay” with the Bukas Palad Music Ministry.
