South Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) believes that music is vital as part of church ministries because it serves as worship, teaching, and evangelism—it uplifts hearts, conveys biblical truth, strengthens community, and prepares believers for heaven. On June 4, the SePUM Music Ministries Department, under the leadership of Mrs. Jill Palomares, Director for Children’s and Music Ministries / MSA President, staged the union-wide MUSIC FEST, a festival of Christian music, themed "One Voice, One Gospel", on July 4, Sabbath, at South Philippine Adventist College (SPAC) Church, Matanao, Davao City.
Ma’am Palomares stressed that “this gathering will strengthen the relationships in our churches and inspire each one to enhance our music ministry. As we listen to all songs today, may we appreciate not only their talents but also the spirit of unity and fellowship that bonds us as one family in SePUM.”
It was a celebration of uplifting hearts, showcasing 46 Cebuano gospel songs—new compositions from 23 talented singing groups from Davao Mission (DM), Northern Davao Mission (NDM), Southeastern Caraga Mission (SCM), South Central Mindanao Mission (SCMM), Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM), Adventist Hospital Davao (AHD), and South Philippine Adventist College (SPAC). Ma’am Palomares welcomed every believer present and those watching online, saying that as proclaimers of one gospel, we will join in sharing our music to uplift others.
SMM, through their Music Coordinator, Ma’am Marie Joy Mamac, believes that properly chosen songs are acts of prayer and proclamation. The Melody and Harmony group from General Santos City Central Church, born in December 2021, sang "Tuburan sa Kinabuhi" and "Kahayag" with spirit-inspired lyrics. The Lambs, which have existed for 14 years, originating from Malungon 1 and 2 Districts, Sarangani Province, shared "Pagtoo sa Dios Kuptan Ta" and "Mangandam Na Ta". Meanwhile, the Good News Singers, an all-male chorus of 12 members from Paradise Polomolok East District, offered "Ang Ginoo Miingon" and "Itumong Lang" with sincere conviction.
SCMM, facing cultural challenges in their territory, uses songs to soften hearts, awaken sympathy, and impress spiritual truth more effectively than spoken words. They sent The Resonance from Kidapawan City East District, which started as a basketball team, and sang "Panaw sa Kinabuhing Dayon" and the prayer song "Ania Amahan". Kidapawan Adventist Men of Kidapawan City Central Church raised their seasoned voices with "Tungod Kanimo ug Kanako" and "Pagkamalipayon". The youth-dominated Emblem Singers from Marbel Church, Kidapawan City, shared "Langitnong Mananambal" and "Usa Diha Kang Kristo". Also in their delegation was D’ Revelators, an all-men group from Arakan North District, who sang "Trumpeta sa Pagtigom" and "Usa Ta Sa Misyon".
DM presented music from Sheveruj of Tugbok District, Davao City, which started in 2017, singing "Si Hesus na Mobalik" and "Angay Nato Ikalipay". The Hemzrel Voices from Padada District, Davao City, offered "Arka sa Kaluwasan" and "Paraiso". The Apo Light Kids from Apo Valley, Kapatagan, Digos City joyfully sang "Iwali ang Maayong Balita" and the soulful prayer "Unsa May Ibayad Ko Kanimo?". The Pilgrims’ Voices, a group of AB Theology students from SPAC, reverberated "Karon ang Panahon" and "Daganon Ta". The Nudalo Singers, a father-and-daughter team from Smallville Church, Tugbok District, Davao City, shared doctrinal songs "Adlaw’ng Ikapito" and "Mahanaw".
D’ Serenaders from Astorga Toril offered "Him" and "Akong Damgo". The group was led by Pastor Jaffet Legario, the territory’s Communication Director and Music Coordinator, who shared: “Make music, sing, and inspire others who will unexpectedly be motivated by our songs to come to Jesus’ feet.” He added King David’s testimony in Psalms 40:3: "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him."
Elder Laurence Lamera expounded during the Hour of Worship: “Music in this world is divided into two. Many songs create bad influence on listeners and produce a negative impact, but the songs God gave us are very powerful—even before the creation of the universe. Music in heaven is a gift entrusted to humanity.” He quoted Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 594: "Music forms a part of God's worship in the courts above, and we should endeavor, in our songs of praise, to approach as nearly as possible to the harmony of the heavenly choirs. The proper training of the voice is an important feature in education, and should not be neglected. Singing, as a part of religious service, is as much an act of worship as is prayer. The heart must feel the spirit of the song, to give it right expression."
Pastor Edwin Magdadaro, SePUM Executive Secretary, said, “Music is the universal language of mankind. The church has set guidelines for us to choose or provide music that will only glorify God. Let us not say, we will just sing while waiting for others, because music itself is worship.”
Pr. Danielo Palomares, SePUM President, stressed: “Adventists are known to be people of the book, and this festival proves that we are people of hymns. Music has an important role in drawing people, and it occupied a large portion in the worship of God’s people during the biblical period and for us today. Music always has the opportunity to change hearts and lives.”
NDM Music Coordinator Ma’am Mary Chy Suan explained that music of various genres surrounds our lives through media, but reminded us of Philippians 4:8, which urges us to focus on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and worthy of praise. She added, “Many people memorize numerous songs but can’t even familiarize themselves with a Bible verse, and we will altogether make a difference.”
They featured ASP Music (Awit sa Pagdayeg) from Mati City Central Church, who will celebrate their 1st anniversary this August. The group sang "Lakaw ug Isangyaw" and "Maayong Balita". D’ Messengers offered "Balaan Ka O Dios" and "Sakayan", depicting our journey. The Gratitude Sound, composed of young pastors and spouses, shared "Si Hesus Matinud-anon" and "Lakaw Ta!". Mrs. Suan added, “Let us not be watchful only of what enters our ears, but more of what penetrates the heart.”
SCM featured choral groups: Thessalonians from Ararat Church, Bayugan City, with "Nagtawag" and "Si Hesus ang Kasandigan". MD Glad Singers of Moriah District, Bayugan City, expressed praise through "Pagdayeg" and "Bag-ohon Ta". Resounding Singers from Salug District, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, sang "Paraiso" and "Isangyaw Ta Ang Iyang Tingog".
Gentle Shepherds from Pisaan, San Francisco, Agusan Sur, performed "Hiusahan Ta" and "Giyahi Kami". The Young Melody, a ladies’ group with a bass-voiced member from Prosperidad and Talacugon District, sang "Panaghiusa" and "Si Hesus Atong Giya". Ma’am Marchie Mercader, Music Coordinator, shared: “We are not ordinary musicians; we are sent by God for the mission—to inspire and share the truth through our playlists and the songs we share that contain truth and inspiration.”
The Sabbath School discussion was led by Pr. Demetrio Taotao, Jr., 1000 Missionary Movement Director, and Pr. Raul Emnace, Sabbath School / Personal Ministries Director and ASI Coordinator.
The lunch break featured instrumentalists like Heavenly Strings, led by Elder Esmiraldo Cantila, Associate Treasurer, together with Arm Navarro, Vallent Magdayao, Rej Riano Carpio, and Vernnon Conales. For His Ministry Singers of Adventist Hospital Davao sang "Usa ka Tingog" and "Hiniusa nga Pagsangyaw". SPAC’s My Redeemer’s Symphony reverberated with "The Last Bastion" and the finale song sang by all of the SePUM, mission and institution administrators with all the composers and singers was "May Kahayag Na".
Hosted by Ma’am Nicee Hope Dobluis and Pr. Archie Mandaguio, both from Northern Davao Mission, , the day-long activity was aired live via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1UoUmjGPQD/ ; at Youtube with link https://www.youtube.com/live/lYtzaarRWVg?si=_vCTbbpqcYWGrS6Y and through Parasat Channel 33. Special thanks to Sir Ariel Carcallas for lending high-end audio equipment and LED walls to feature this special event.
The live streaming and the entire digital production were unified collaboration of SPAC Media, Hope Channel Davao and SePUM Adventist Media Center under the supervision of Ma’am Ivan Mae Flores, SePUM Media Manager.
Ephesians 5:19 speaks of the event, "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord", while the Spirit of Prophecy emphasized “Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when it is put to a wrong use, it is a terrible curse. Rightly employed, . . . music is a precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high and noble themes, to inspire and elevate the souls.” Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 497 / Education, p. 167
Photo Credits: SPAC Media
