Rock & Soul: The Katinas Live @ the Araneta!

I have always been honest in saying that one of the things I found corny about being a Christian BEFORE was the music. To the point that it became one of the reasons why it took me a longer time than expected before I had myself converted into being a Born Again. But of course not ALL Christian music is corny. It was just a case of my very limited exposure to it. The first few times that Joseph invited me to attend their church services, I really didn’t like the music. And that led me to a premature conclusion that all church songs; all the songs that you could play for Praise & Worship all sounded like country music. Ugh… sorry but I never liked country music ever. I love rock, soul, R&B, funk and even hiphop. I listen to ballads, yes but none of those country types. I just don’t respond to it.

I was an MTV girl. I like music that I could jump up and dance to. So when I became a Christian (finally the Holy Spirit took me by the neck, hehehe) I thought that one of the things that I would have to give up is my affinity for rock and soul music. Honestly, I was a bit reluctant. I passively knew there were Christian alternatives to this genre but I never bothered to look them up further. Through Joseph, I learned about Christian rock bands but as much as they really sounded well, I felt that they still lack the “kick” I was looking for.

And then one day I heard THE KATINAS… and it totally changed my life! Born in Samoa and raised in the US, The Katinas are brothers Sam, Joe, Jesse, John, and James. The Katinas spent much of their youth in the north San Diego suburb of Oceanside where their father served in the Marines at Camp Pendleton. Following the completion of his military tenure, Moses Katina moved the family back to the islands to help the local churches as a music director and eventually a pastor.

As a music minister, their father always wanted a band, and one day he saw the potential in the little ones all grabbing at his pant leg. The brothers eventually became the praise and worship group at their dad's church, and it didn't take long until the greater potential was seen. But after tragedy hit home – their mom’s illness and eventually death in 1987 – the whole family moved back to the States, and has called it home ever since.

The moment I heard their music, it was love at first sound! Theirs is a fusion of classic Motown, urban hip-hop, neo-soul, islands-influenced pop and peppered by rock. My kind of stuff! After that, I just had to fill up my iPod Touch with lotsa Katinas.

When you listen to some of their urban hiphop songs, you could imagine Gary V singing with the Manouevers dancing in the background. It’s definitely the kind of music Gary V would play at one of his Araneta concerts. Lots of percussion play… a combination of Gospel, Dance Pop and Latino beats. In my private time at home I can’t help but dance to their songs! Brings me back to my younger street dancing days…

Since I’ve gotten to know their music, every morning part of my daily devotional is to listen to them on my iPod or from the CD player. I have really become a fan. So imagine my delight when one day while I was at the Cubao MRT station, I saw a poster – The Katinas Live @ the Araneta Coliseum on November 30! Whoa! I never even thought they’d come over here. I guess the Lord really wanted me to be more in love with Him through their music.

And of course I was even more blessed because I got 4 free tickets to the concert. Ironically, I learned that MTV Philippines was a sponsor of the show. I knew right away that none of my former MTV colleagues would watch it. I don’t think they even know who they are. And I was right. When I called my ex-officemates and asked about scoring some free Katinas tickets from them, my friend said this “Katina who? Are you sure we’re sponsors of that show?” I said, “Yes! And in fact I was surprised. When did MTV start sponsoring Christian Praise & Worship shows?! My, my, my… is the company converting?” “Fat chance!” my friend replied. I figured that.

So anyway, my former officemate still had no idea how MTV marketing got involved in a Christian production. Well putting that mystery aside, I finally scored two tickets from MTV. And more blessings came my way because remember the free Sonicflood concert tickets I got from my friend? Well she happens to be working for the marketing department of Araneta Center. Again, she left two more tickets for me at the Gateway concierge. Because of that, Joseph and I were able to bring along my sister in law and another friend from church. It was perfect timing because we knew this girl needed some much big encouragement and the concert would surely cheer her up.

We had a blast at the concert. I was about to panic when they left stage without singing my favorite song yet “The Jesus Chant”. Then Joseph assured me that it would be impossible for them not to sing in their encore. And my husband was right. The Katinas went back on stage after the crowd roared for MORE. Of course it was all scripted. They had to sing that song! It just wouldn’t be right. So they did and here’s a little recording of that performance at Araneta Coliseum. (CLICK HERE)



I knew God responded to my burden on Christian music that’s why He made sure that I’d encounter The Katinas. God knew my heart. After all, Praise & Worship is not merely about singing songs that talk about Jesus. It is not an outward performance. It has to come from the heart. Doing P&W is not merely an opening act to the Pastor’s message. When verbal prayers are elusive, we sing to express our thanksgiving to God. However, I also believe that it is always better to sing songs to God rather than about Him. And God knew that I struggled in expressing myself to Him with the country songs at church because that’s not my language. It was like asking an African tribe to sing an Italian opera.

Christian bands like The Katinas are such beautiful blessings indeed. With their kind of music laced lovingly with the message of faith, hope and love for Jesus, they can definitely reach out to more people, especially the younger ones.

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." -- Psalm 100:1-5