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His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, D.D., rendered a musical performance during the first theatrical concert of the Holy Mass organized by the Jesuit Communications Foundation staged on December 12, 2016 at the Meralco Theater for the benefit of the Archdiocese of Manilas’ aging priests.
This year’s Patron of the Arts concert entitled, “Eucharistia” featured the original Musical on the Mass performed by great artists such as the Canto Cinco, Manila String Machine, Koro Ilustrado, Serge Gabriel, Where’s The Sheep?, Hot Legs, May Bayot, Poppert Bernadas and a special performance of Cardinal Tagle.
One of the highlights of the event was the traditional conferment of the Patron of the Arts Award. This year, the award was given posthumously to the Father of Filipino Liturgical Music, the late Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ. His niece, Maan Hontiveros, CEO of AirAsia Inc. Philippines and Chair of AirAsia Zest received the award from Cardinal Tagle.
Proceeds of the benefit concert will go to the aging and infirm priests of the Archdiocese of Manila. To be able to care for the aging population of the clergy, the Archdiocese maintains the Cardinal Sin Welcome Home (CSWH), a housing facility for retired priests. With very limited rooms, the Archdiocese faces the daunting task of providing for its expanding number of retiring, aging and infirm priests. Cardinal Tagle said that they who lead us in worship and prayer need our care and support especially in their twilight years.
The concert coincides with the anniversary of Cardinal Tagle as Archbishop of Manila and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It also marked the end of the International Year of Mercy and the National Year of Eucharist and the Family.
Launched in 2012, Patron of the Arts aims to affirm Filipino talent by showcasing the year’s best performing artists and conferring the Patron of the Arts Award. Over the past five years, artists such as the prima ballerina Lisa Macuja, national artist Napoleon Abueva, painter Joey Velasco, and musician Ryan Cayabyab are the recipients of the award.
The concert has been helping to raise funds for the vital programs of the Archdiocese such as the restoration of the Manila Cathedral, social housing program of the Archdiocese, scholarship funds for the Archdiocese’s schools, and medical fund for the poor of the Archdiocese.
