Bukas Palad Music Ministry

The Bukas Palad Music Ministry (literally meaning "Open Palm Music Ministry" in English) is a Roman Catholic community of young people who compose, record, and perform original Filipino religious music. Since 1986, Bukas Palad has recorded over a dozen albums with the Jesuit Music Ministry of Jesuit Communications Foundation, a ministry of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, based in the Ateneo de Manila University campus. and has performed in over a hundred solo concerts across the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, and the United States.

Bukas Palad's Music

Very few of Bukas Palad's members received formal musical training, yet through the years it has grown to become a significant force in Filipino music. Many popular praise songs in the Philippines were first sung and recorded by Bukas Palad. "Hindi Kita Malilimutan", "Tanging Yaman", "Sa 'Yo Lamang", "Anima Christi", "Humayo't Ihayag" and "I Will Sing Forever" are but a few of the songs Bukas Palad has sung and spread.

Bukas Palad has produced well over a hundred original liturgical and inspirational songs composed by Fr. Manoling Francisco, S.J., Norman A. Agatep, Jandi I. Arboleda, and other Bukas Palad members. Bukas Palad continues to create new religious songs because the heart of Bukas Palad's ministry is to give a voice to people's most fervent prayers. Bukas Palad hopes to put music to the desires and hopes that dwell in human hearts.

Bukas Palad's Ministry

Bukas Palad ministers with music by singing in liturgy. Bukas Palad believes that voices raised in prayerful song add grace and fervor to life's pivotal moments. Masses, christenings, weddings, ordinations, and funerals are some occasions where Bukas Palad may be heard.

Bukas Palad's ministry is a popular ministry as well. Bukas Palad is a highly acclaimed performing group in the Philippines. Bukas Palad and Bukas Palad's songs have been featured on countless occasions in concerts, on the radio, and on television. Bukas Palad has performed live in theaters, concert halls, convention centers, churches, and even shopping malls.

Popular Filipino artists like Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Gary Valenciano, Basil Valdez, Jamie Rivera, Joey Albert, Cooky Chua, and Noel Cabangon have recorded and popularized Bukas Palad songs. "Tanging Yaman", "Hindi Kita Malilimutan", "Sa 'Yo Lamang", and other Bukas Palad songs have even become theme songs and titles of movies and television shows. Finally, Bukas Palad hopes that other people begin to write and sing their own songs of praise and prayer and find their own voices. To this end, Bukas Palad conducts liturgical music workshops for parish communities and choral groups. Bukas Palad also conducts outreach activities for the marginalized, the elderly, the orphaned, the sick, and the imprisoned.

Bukas Palad's History

Norman Agatep, Jandi Arboleda, and Manoling Francisco began writing liturgical songs as high school students. But soon, their songs had broken out of school, spread across the Philippines, and would eventually resound wherever Filipinos gather in praise and prayer.Almost by accident, the three had given voice to the fervent prayers of many.

In 1986, after Manoling joined the Society of Jesus, Norman and Jandi gathered some friends to sing at a wedding. The group continued to sing, and soon recorded their first album of original songs, entitled Bukas Palad, which also became the group's name.

Thus began Bukas Palad. And again, almost by accident, their songs spread, and Bukas Palad's music ministry grew. Bukas Palad has flourished since. Their songs have become a significant part of the Filipino Church and liturgy. And Bukas Palad and Bukas Palad's songs have broken out of church walls, and into the lives of people in search of faith, hope, and consolation.

It seems all this has happened almost by accident. But perhaps it seems that way because Bukas Palad has always been nurtured by the generosity of members, family, and friends. All this has been inspired and sustained by the grace of God, Whose love and generosity break all boundaries and confound all expectations, and Who shelters us always in the palm of His hand.

Discography

* Bukas Palad (1986)
* Pasko Na! (1987)
* Tanging Yaman (1989)
* Balang Araw (1992)
* In Him Alone (1995)
* The Best of Bukas Palad Vol.1 (1997)
* The Best of Bukas Palad Vol. 2 (1997)
* Pasko Na! (1999)
* All Shall Be Well (2002)
* Tinapay ng Buhay (2002)
* Let Your Praises Be Heard (2003)
* God of Silence (2005)
* Hindi Kita Malilimutan (2007)

Awards and Citations

*2006 Catholic Mass Media Awards:*Best Religious Album, "God of Silence" - nominee
*19th Awit Awards (2006):*Best Performance by a Group, "Servant Song" (fr. God of Silence album) - nominee:*Best Vocal Arrangement, "Servant Song" (fr. God of Silence album) - nominee (Palan Reyes, arranger)
*17th Aliw Awards:*Best Choral Group - nominee
*2004 Catholic Mass Media Awards:*Best Religious Album, "Let Your Praises Be Heard" - nominee
*17th Awit Awards:*Best Inspirational Religious Song, "Awit sa Ina ng Santo Rosario" (with Karylle) - winner:*Best Inspirational Religious Song, "We Are Yours" (by Noel Miranda, from "Let Your Praises Be Heard album") - nominee

External links

* [http://www.bukaspalad.com Bukas Palad Music Ministry's Official Website]