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

Redeeming my iPod

I grew up on pop music. At 7 years old, I was already a big fan of Madonna & Cyndi Lauper that I insisted that my baby sister Angelie, born in 1985, to be nicknamed after Madonna or Cyndi. Madonna seemed too crazy for a baby name so they all finally agreed to give her the latter. I knew a lot about 80s pop music because I was surrounded with teenage aunts gushing over Menudo, Wham, Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears, Spandau Ballet, Sheena Easton…etc … until I discovered my own teen pop idols Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, New Kids on the Block… and the list goes on…

My parents even fueled this love for pop by constantly supplying me with cassette tapes. I was always updated with the latest Top 40 hit. Back when MTV did not reach Philippine airwaves yet, I preferred watching Video Hit Parade than afternoon cartoons. A lot of those videos I believe weren’t meant for 7–year-old eyes but our TV was my nanny. While our yaya was busy listening to her favorite afternoon radio drama, and while mama and papa were at work, the TV was my best friend.

In the early 90s when MTV was creeping its way into Asia and into our cable TVs, I just knew that somehow someday I would find myself in that world. And true enough I got to work with MTV, and this company was solely responsible for my “career” in Media. Finally I had closer access to the pop stars that I adored. What more could I ask for? I had a steady supply of CDs, concert tickets local and even abroad. I was just waiting for Madonna and U2 to finally do their world tour in Manila. Or better yet, I was just waiting to be sent to watch them at their concerts abroad. That would have completed my MTV career.

But of course, God had other plans for me. I don’t even have the two latest Madonna albums. I don’t even watch MTV that much anymore. (Eeep. My former bosses might not give me projects anymore) I didn’t even watch the Eraserheads reunion concert. People must be thinking that I’ve become boring and conservative. Jill ain’t cool anymore.

Sifting my music preferences was one of the hardest things I had to do when I turned back to Christ. There were a lot of artists/songs that I didn’t want to let go. Not because I really loved the meaning of their craft but because I had so many of my poignant memories hinged upon them. They were part of the soundtrack of my life. I thought that letting them go would mean dismissing all those years of wonder and wander. I always believed that my past defined me. Who would I be now if I erased all of them?

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

This was one of the very first Bible verses that I put to heart. It gave me an overflowing comfort. Looking back, yes my life was filled with adventures and odd-ventures that will truly thrill, tickle, and even terrify anybody who would hear it. I did it ALL. And I left nothing of myself. I had a blazing life indeed but like any fire, it consumed the whole of me and I was reduced to ashes. I came to the point of zero and that’s when God brought me back.

A voice in my head said, “What’s the point of being afraid of losing your old self when you have already lost her?”

That’s right! There was really nothing to resuscitate. That girl is gone. She has lived her life. A life that wasn’t exactly seen through rose colored glasses but God allowed it to happen that way for a reason. I am now a brand new person in Christ. When most of us think it’s impossible to start on a new slate, God will prove us wrong.

As a new Christian, I am still discovering the beauty of worship songs. Honestly, one of the reasons why I didn’t want to become a Christian back then was because I thought the people at church were corny. Hehe. That all they sang were hymns. Of course that’s all changed now. In fact I love hymns now. Makes me feel it’s always Christmas. :-)

On my last birthday, my mom gave me an iPod Touch. It was tempting to revive the former play list I had with my old iPod Mini. It was quite a coincidence that my Madonna-filled iPod Mini died when I was having my spiritual transformation. I haven’t had an MP3 player since then. Now that I have a new one, I am redeeming my iPod with more spiritually uplifting songs.

Of course since I still partly work for the media, writing for TV shows here and there, it’s inevitable that I would be encountering secular music. I’m not saying that I have totally covered my ears from them. I think that’s quite impossible to do. We still live in this world after all. The only difference is that I just have a better discernment on what to digest and what to spit out. Honestly, in my new music magazine TV show where we have to promote rock bands, I pray that those trashy bands wouldn’t ever come our way. There’s a very limited opportunity in media to provide positive examples for the youth and I really do hope that the show that I’m working with right now would continue to walk along that line, especially since one of its hosts is a son of a professed and famous Christian couple. I would like to believe that his ideals don’t fall far from the tree.

I’m not a musician (I’m a videoke queen but I can’t say I’m brave enough to sing on stage) but I really feel a growing passion to redeem music for God. Pop music was able to program my secular beliefs and ideals successfully so I believe that in the same principle, we can do a lot of ministering, discipleship and spiritual transformation with contemporary Christian music.

I am so blessed that I have a husband who’s well versed in that genre. It helps that he’s a musician too. I have been discovering a lot of great Christian artists with splendid musicality that certainly deserved more Grammys than Eminem.

We at the Young Adults Ministry are excited for this little project that we are about to do for the Lord on October 3 (O.M.N.I.Christ) or Open Mic Night In Christ. We believe that as we are all beautifully CREATED by God in His image and likeness, we have inherited at least a part of His creativity too. We may not all be PROFESSIONAL artists but we are all CREATED to CREATE only beautiful things that please Him.

“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – think about such things.” – PHILIPPIANS 4:8

Rondalla Rock

If you think the banduria is mainly for folk "barrio" music... think again! Rondalla ROCKS as far as the band EMANWEL is concerned.

Musically speaking, Emanwel follows no regular style except for the fact they employ a very diverse approach in their instrumentation and they emphasize clarity as opposed to distortion. The ingenious use of Filipino instruments such as the banduria and the octavina to produce contemporary melodies speaks loudly about the band's pride in their musical heritage. Hence they call their brand of sound "RONDALLA ROCK"

Sometime ago, in the raucous campus of UP Diliman, former vocalist Glenn Campos and present vocalist cum banduria player Junn Esteban formed the nucleus of EMANWEL. A little later on, they were joined by violinist Guidong Reyes. Soon after, Ian Garcia took the challenge of the drummer's seat. And former fan and trainee Mark Sumbilla eventually became the bass player. The group was finally completed when Soy Valiente, a long time friend and a guitar techie, eventually committed to journey with the band as a guitarist after his college years.

The mid-90s saw the release of "Isa Sa Atin" under Zap Records. The singles, "Bagong Panahon" and "Pasahero" drew positive response from the recording industry. They were played on radio stations such as NU107 and LA105. The former raced to the top of the NU107's Top Local Alternative Favorites at that time.

After 3 years, EMANWEL recorded their 1st self-produced album entitled "Asin at Ilaw" under 3:16 Records. It showcased songs that celebrated the trials, tribulations and triumphs of life in general. Most of their songs were social commentaries. "Tara", the single, received a nomination as Best Folk Pop at the 1997 Awit Awards.

Their 3rd album entitled "Kusing", partly molded by Mike Pedero of Tracks Recording Studios. and funded by Total Music was released in early 2000. Thematically, it speaks of contrasts between earthly and ethereal possessions. By April of the same year, a song called "Tingnan Mo" was chosen by CBN Asia's In-house Director John Tan and Gerard Locsin for a music video. When the last quarter came, a follow-up music video shoot by the same team took place for the 2nd song "Kahit Na"

The two videos were regularly featured on 1Cubed, and later on a new video from Pitik-Bulag Productions, an inide film & video outfit at that time volunteered to shoot Emanwel's 3rd music video for their song "Hinga". It was directed by Pitik-Bulag's co-owner and Emanwel guitarist/vocalist Junn Esteban.

This 2008, Emanwel is signed up with Gusi Records and their 4th studio album is finally out! "SWAK" is now available at all SM Record Bars.


EMANWEL will be the first featured band of CCBC YAM's 1st Open Mic Night In Christ (OMNIChrist) on October 3, 7:30PM @ The Capitol City Baptist Church, West Avenue, Quezon City. ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

It's an Open Mic Night so feel free to share your own God-given talents!
Please contact Jill @ 0915-985-5557 if you want a performance spot, and for other details.

Support OPM and most of all support Christian OPM!
Let's all redeem music for God's Glory!

Click HERE for Emanwel's gig at The Edge Radio last September 26.

Open Mic Night In Christ!

CCBC Young Adults Ministry is kicking off its OMNIChrist Series. OMNIChrist is Open Mic Night In Christ, a fellowship/event for all Christian Artists and enthusiasts. This platform aims to launch, promote and celebrate existing and upcoming Artists who use their talents to glorify God.

For the 1st OMNIChrist gig the featured band is EMANWEL
Join us as we launch their new CD "Swak" on October 3, 7:30PM @ the Capitol City Baptist Church Sanctuary, West Ave, QC.

IT'S OPEN MIC SO FEEL FREE TO BRING YOUR MUSIC TO SHARE! :-)
ADMISSION IS FREE! Contact 0915-985-5557 for more details.

Jesus Rocks!

I was de-virginized last Friday night! Gotcha! I was only trying to say that it was my FIRST TIME in a Christian rock concert, and you know what… it really rocked!

I never imagined that I would ever utter those words in my lifetime but I just did and I am not taking it back. Last Friday, my friend who works at the Araneta Center marketing office was able to snag me some last minute tickets to the Sonicflood concert. My husband wanted to go so a week earlier I already asked her if she had any complimentary tickets she could throw away. I wasn’t exactly THAT thrilled to go but I was somehow INTERESTED to see how a Christian rock concert looks like. I practically had no inkling. Not a tad bit. We didn’t hear from my friend until about 3 hours before the concert. She called up to say that we could pick up our tickets at the Gateway Concierge. Although I was excited to tell my husband, I also felt a bit ambivalent because I didn’t know what to expect. But I know God wanted me to watch this concert so off we went.

Working for MTV for several years gave me the opportunity to watch some of the biggest rock concerts here and abroad. I’ve seen how an actual mosh pit looks like in a Metallica and Linkin Park back-to-back concert in Staples Center, LA. I’ve been backstage with Gwen Stefani and the whole No Doubt band in one of their major Singapore gigs. I’ve had the privilege of interviewing countless rock stars (both international and local) in my MTV job. I loved rock music and I was totally living a rock and roll lifestyle until I came to know Christ.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 “…If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Part of the Denying-Thy-Self process is the painful letting go of my music preferences. Oh it was so hard for me because I thought that now that I have become a Christian I will already be compelled and convicted to consume only “Christian” music, which I thought at that time was purely ballads, hymns, and those “church” songs. Hey don’t get me wrong. I also love a good ballad, and the church songs are written well, but there are days when you just want to rock it out. I want face-melting guitar riffs. I want heart-pounding drumbeats. I want roof-raising synth solos. I want music that I can dance and jump to.

I really had a crisis there for some time because while I still wanted to listen to the “music” of the secular rock songs that I like, listening to it would mean that I have to listen to its lyrics too. But of course, listening to non-Christian lyrics would totally undermine my commitment to be Christ-like in lifestyle. It was just a tricky situation. And I only made it through God’s wisdom and discernment. By Grace, I was able to mature in my walk with God and my worldly affinity for the useless kind of rock music just slowly faded. It’s really not all about me, and it’s not all about this world.

So anyway, going back to my first Christian rock concert… I was pleasantly surprised to see true-blue rock musicians, who could very well just play secular songs and earn millions from it, play Christian rock music instead. I got everything I ordered – guitar riffs, mega drumbeats, synth solos, etc. Nothing in their musicality can be tagged as corny. They were really rockers. They were really rock musicians. I may not be THE expert in rock music but I’ve seen, heard and even tasted enough ROCK in my life to know that these guys on stage were indeed rocking out in the real sense of the word. The music was undeniably awesome. These melodies could have been made into Top 40 pop songs but their chart-topping fate was really meant for the Lord’s countdown.

What was even amazing about is that this time around I was not screaming my lungs out for some dopehead on stage. While Sonicflood performed really well and deserved every roll of those thunderous claps, the band also recognizes that the cheers weren’t just for them. They were just decoys, if you may. They were just instruments. The real rock star on stage was Jesus!

Music after all is a gift from God but while God created everything, not everything can remain in Him without holding onto Him. Sin has destroyed the beautiful things that God created. Sin has cut our ties with the Lord. Music has been won over by the enemy since time immemorial. I am glad that “rock” music can be redeemed this way.

What a joy to be singing my heart out for my maker, my savior, my “idol”… I am now a certified groupie; God’s number one fan!