Himig Cristo Chorale

22/12/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 — 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐞𝐭?

In today’s Gospel, Mary teaches us that waiting is not wasted time. It is sacred space — a quiet preparation for a promise yet to be fulfilled. With uncertainty, carrying only her trust in the One who called her, she proclaims: “𝑀𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑆𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑟.” (Luke 1:46–47)

As we continue on our journey through nine mornings of choosing hope over sleep, devotion over convenience, and faith over impatience, this Misa de Gallo teaches us patience, humbles us with gratitude, and readies our hearts for joy. Because sometimes, the greatest strength is simply remaining faithful while we wait.

***
With grateful hearts, we thank the Most Holy Trinity Parish, Alangalang, Leyte for opening your doors and your ears to our songs, and for receiving our carols with such warmth. To this year’s Hermanas Mayores, the De Veyra Family, thank you for weaving faith, generosity, and devotion into the beautiful celebration of the Nuestra Señora de Belén.

08/12/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 “𝐘𝐞𝐬” — 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮?

In today’s Gospel, we witness a young woman in an ordinary village receive an extraordinary invitation. No spotlight, no applause, no guarantees — only a message that would change the world: “𝐵𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑, 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑. 𝑀𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑.” (Luke 1:38)

On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Mary teaches us that holiness does not begin with perfection, but with a humble 'Yes!'. A yes spoken into uncertainty, whispered through fear, and costing comfort, reputation, and peace.

In his homily, Bishop Oscar Florencio reflected on three virtues Mary lived so deeply — listening, reflecting, and sacrificing. She listened even when the message was overwhelming, reflected even when she did not fully understand, and sacrificed even when the world would question her, judge her, and speak behind her back.

𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚, 𝒕𝒐𝒐?

Sometimes we choose goodness quietly, and others call it weakness. Sometimes we serve without recognition, and people still find reasons to criticize. Sometimes we shine softly, and others try to dim our light. But like Mary, we don’t have to explain our yes. We don't owe the world an answer for why we keep choosing love over bitterness, kindness over applause, and service over status.

May our Mother Immaculate reminds us — do the work anyway, sing anyway, shine anyway. Because through every hidden fiat, every unseen sacrifice, becomes a place where God writes another miracle.

Viva Immaculada Concepcion!

30/11/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 — 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧?

As we start this new liturgical year, the Gospel tells us that the Son of Man will come at an hour we do not expect — not in frantic rush, not waiting for any recognition, but in the ordinary rhythms of our daily lives. “𝐵𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑,” Jesus said, “𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑀𝑎𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒.” (Matthew 24:44)

In today’s Misa Novenario para la Inmaculada Concepción de Burauen, the presider spoke of how to be a true disciple during Advent — wait with hope, watch with faith, and work with love. Our Lady personified this courage deeper than any fears. Her “yes” was readiness in its purest form. Her heart was a home always open for God.

May this season of waiting, watching, and working be a time to clear space in our hearts, to trim the lamps of our spirits, and to wake up to the presence of God in every unexpected moment. Amen.

📣 🎶✨
As we wait for the joyous birth of our Savior, HCC remains ready with hope in our voices and our hearts. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to share your gifts and serve with your voice — this is it! Send us a message and be part of HCC.

27/11/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧 — 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus Christ speaks of desolation, chaos, and nations in distress. Yet He does not leave us in fear, but instead, He whispers: “𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠, 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟.” (Luke 21:28) This reminds us that the toughest storms are preludes to the purest dawns.

And as we also commemorate the Fiesta Solemne de Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa, we remember a promise given in 1830 to one soul who trusted God in fearful times. Mary appeared to St. Catherine Labouré and entrusted her with a medal — a simple sacramental born from trembling hearts and divine mercy. She said: “𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑠.”

Himig Cristo Chorale joins the annual celebration of the feast of the Our Lady of Miraculous Medal at Poblacion District 8, Burauen, Leyte. We thank this year's Hermana Mayores Mr. and Mrs. Billy Joe Serdoncillo for including us in this celebration of light in darkness, calm in turbulence, and hope in despair. If you need a sign to spend your time serving the community, this definitely is it! Send us a message, and be part of HCC! 🫶✨

03/11/2025

In this time of despair, let us not forget to pray the Oratio Imperata and the Prayer of Our Lady of Hope of Palo. 🙏✨

ORATIO IMPERATA
Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence that sustains us in our needs, and for your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.
We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation. We have not been good stewards of nature. We have confused Your command to subdue the earth.
The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoings and now we reap the harvest of our abuse & indifference. Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption and other calamities occur in increasing number & intensity.
We turn to You our loving Father and beg forgiveness for our sins. We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard-earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made. We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation and generous neighbors to those in need.
Amen.

PRAYER OF OUR LADY OF HOPE OF PALO
We cry unto you,
O holy Mother of God, our Lady of hope
full of confidence, both in times of joy and triumph
and of desolation and fear.
Show unto us the fruit of your womb, Jesus:
our light in the midst of darkness,
our strength in times of weakness,
our cure in times of sickness,
our hope in times of defeat.
Teach us to gaze upon the eyes of your Son
to embrace him and to bear his cross.
O Mary, our mother, mercifully listen to our prayers
and lead us always to the one Hope,
Jesus, your beloved Son, Our Lord.
Amen.

02/11/2025

HCC Hollow’s Eve Party 2025. Category is “face your fears.” But why? Better cover it!

02/11/2025

“𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞… 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲.”
(John 6:37, 40)

Wearing hope as our armor these last few days, we carry the promise in the Father’s will that none who seek His son are lost. Not even love that seems buried, or tears that felt like final goodbyes.

As we light candles and say our beloved departed’s names in memories of love, we offer a light for their road and open the doorway for their joyful rest. This echoed in the homily of Rev. Fr. Carlos Rodriguez, Jr. Immaculate Conception Parish - Burauen Parish Priest, when he said “The dead can’t pray for their own souls, but can pray for others. The living, however, can pray for both their souls and for others.”

Each time we pray for our beloved gone before us, we let Jesus’s promise speak for us ‘I will not reject… I will raise’ — a pledge signed by the Cross and sealed by an empty tomb. And, as we end this week’s walk into memory lane, we implore you to say this prayer with us, in love and light:

𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝑱𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒔, 𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅, 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏, 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒚. 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒆𝒊𝒍 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 — 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒃𝒚𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈. 𝑨𝒎𝒆𝒏.

26/10/2025

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚?

Two men entered the temple—one stood tall, the other bowed low. One spoke to remind God of his goodness; the other could barely lift his eyes, whispering: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that prayer is not performance—it is a whispered cry of a heart laid bare. It is not about the words we put together, but the heart that breaks them open. God hears the silent confession more than the eloquent speech. He listens not to the one who thinks he is righteous, but to the one who dares to be real.

And as we close this month of the Holy Rosary, we look to Mother Mary, who prayed not with pride but with presence. Her “yes” was not shouted from the mountaintop; it was whispered in humility, cradled in trust. Each bead we hold becomes an echo of that same surrender—a rhythm of mercy, a heartbeat of grace, a gentle reminder that heaven bends closest to the lowly.

This week, may our prayer be less about proving something, and more about sincerity and humility. Less about being seen, and more about being forgiven. May our hearts repeat: “𝐎 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫.” For in that prayer lies the beginning of peace. 🕊️✨

17/10/2025

05/10/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞?

The disciples return to Jesus full of stories—victories, miracles, wonders. But Jesus draws them close and says: 𝑅𝑒𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒, 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑑𝑜, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝐺𝑜𝑑.

This Gospel lands gently as we honor St. Francis of Assisi, the poverello who walked barefoot on holy ground, who saw God in brother sun and sister moon, who found treasure not in wealth but in wonder. Francis understood what Jesus told His disciples —that the truest joy is not in power, but in love; not in possession, but in presence; not in the world’s applause, but in heaven’s embrace.

This week we are reminded to rejoice not in what we have done, but in what God has already written. If Francis could see God in the flight of a bird or the laugh of a child, perhaps we can too—in the little ways we choose to love, forgive, and serve.

***
Himig Cristo Chorale joins the annual celebration of the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi at the Capilla de San Francisco de Asis, Brgy Buri, Burauen, Leyte. If you need a sign to spend your time serving the community, this definitely is it! Send us a message, and be part of HCC! 🫶✨

29/09/2025

“...𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒎 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅…” (Luke 16:26)

In yesterday's Gospel, beyond the story of Lazarus and the rich man, Jesus reminds us of the invisible gap that separates tables of abundance from stomachs that hunger, gates of comfort from streets of despair, and homes of plenty from those who left their homes behind.

As we've remembered all migrants this Sunday, we are compelled to see the Lazaruses at our gates: the seafarer who watches the sunrise for a family he can’t hug, the caregiver whose lullabies are for someone else’s child, the construction worker who sends home pay enveloped in prayers, and the domestic helper who holds a rosary when homesickness holds her. They carry our economy on tired shoulders and tuck our futures into balikbayan boxes with love and tape.

This week, we are invited to 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 — to see, to listen, to name, to let our tables stretch longer than our comfort, to let our prayers outlast our borders, and to let our love rise higher than fear. Because in the end, heaven will not ask how much we kept, but how much we gave.

10/08/2025

Maybe you need to hear this today —

“𝑫𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌… 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒃𝒆.”
(Luke 12:32, 34)

This Sunday’s Gospel asks us to live ready, belts fastened, lamps burning, and hearts awake for the moment the Master arrives in the ordinary — in a spontaneous invite from a friend, in a child’s giggle, or even in the quiet forgiveness you’ve been postponing.

And for those who’ve read Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, this same realization is at the center of our long search for treasure, only to discover that God placed our treasure inside our hearts — at the dining table with your loved ones, in the tears you finally allowed to fall, in the bruised hands you now have the courage to hold, and in the ‘I’m sorry’ that set you free.

So, if the answer you seem to be seeking seems elusive, that’s okay. Do not be afraid for God is always listening. He’s only waiting for us to set our hearts on the love that does not fade, and to let our lives become the map that points us to His home.