The media arm of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus invites Filipino composers and songwriters to participate in the liturgical songwriting competition in honor of Jesuit Father Eduardo P. Hontiveros, affectionately known as the Father of Philippine liturgical music.
The purpose of the contest is to promote creativity and collaboration while preserving the spirit of the Filipino faith, said Lester Mendiola, director of the Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM), the music division of the Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom).
The competition encourages a new generation of composers to create “original liturgical music” in different dialects, linking faith and culture, he explained.
"With this competition, we would like to encourage composers to create original liturgical songs in the vernacular,” said Mendiola. “It promotes Filipino sacred music as a significant part of worship and cultural heritage and fosters collaboration among composers, musicians, and choirs to enrich the liturgical music community.”
Meanwhile, JesCom Executive Director Jesuit Father Nono Alfonso highlighted the invaluable contribution of Father Hontiveros, who continues to inspire the Filipino community through his songs.
According to Alfonso, following the plea of the Second Vatican Council for liturgical inculturation, or the application of liturgy in culture, Hontiveros started composing songs for the Mass in Tagalog.
His famous compositions include “Pananagutan,” “Ama Namin,” “Magnificat, and Praise to God”—songs that have become the foundation of the Filipino faith.
"When you sing, you pray to God twice... Therefore, Fr. Hontiveros' creation of music in the native language of the Filipinos gives the impression that he can communicate directly with God. So, what he [Fr. Hontiveros] has been revolutionary," according to Alfonso.
Meanwhile, all Filipino composers and songwriters can enter the contest, which should focus on the “Catholic Social Teachings of the Church.”
Winners can receive ₱100,000 for the first prize, ₱50,000 for the second prize, and ₱30,000 for the third prize, while all finalists will receive ₱10,000 each.
The deadline for song entries is set for April 19, 2025, and the finalists will be announced on June 20, 2025.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
