Twelve parishes unite in the concert “Colours of Love”
THE Sariling H.I.M.I.G. Choir, a registered non-profit organization, is collaborating with the dynamic Fr. Art Mateo in its very first-ever concert, which will be held on February 22, 2020 at the California Education and Performing Arts Center in Ontario, CA.
Fr. Mateo, who is based in the Philippines, has inspired choir singers for twelve parishes to raise funds to support Bahay Bata, Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Montclair, and St. Oscar Romero’s Church Building Fund Campaign. Bahay Bata (Save the Children) is an organization that provides food, clothing, shelter and education to roughly 300 less fortunate children from the streets of Bulacan and Manila, Philippines.
The concert dubbed as “Colours of Love” is a collaborative effort of choir members from different parishes in the Diocese of San Bernardino and Riverside who has organized as Sariling H.I.M.I.G. which stands for “Healing in Music is a Gift.”
Churches represented are Corpus Christi – Corona, St. Oscar Romero- Eastvale, Our Lady of Lourdes- Montclair, Sacred Heart - Rancho Cucamonga, San Secondo d’Asti – Ontario, St Anthony – Upland, St Catherine of Alexandria- Riverside, St George – Ontario, St Frances of Rome – Wildomar, St Margaret Mary – Chino, St Paul the Apostle- Chino and St Thomas – Riverside.
The group’s enthusiasm to help others through music was formalized in just ten months.
HIMIG was initially conceived on March 25, 2019. By March 30, the members voted and unanimously decided to name the group Sariling HIMIG during Fellowship at the last Saturday Filipino mass at St Anthony in Upland.
Sariling HIMIG members had been part of the Pagdiriwang Choir of the Diocese of San Bernardino since 2012, and the Assumption Choir and had performed in the February 2019 “ASIN ng LUPA” Concert with Noy Pillora.
By May 25, Sariling HIMIG had its Debut Performance at St Christopher Church in Moreno Valley for Fr Tony’s Sacerdotal Anniversary. June was then a very busy month performing: June 1 at the Asia-Pacific Celebration of the Diocese of San Bernardino;
June 15 at the “Misa ng Bayan” of St Christopher, Moreno Valley; June 29 at the Apalitenos Town Fiesta of the Holy Family Church, Artesia, CA and June 30 at the Philippine Cultural Night of St Paul the Apostle, Chino Hills CA.
By September 11, H.I.M.I.G. (Healing In Music Is a Gift) was registered as a Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation with the State of California.
Witness the joy of music that brought together these individuals in “Colours of Love” on February 22. Tickets are $20, email [email protected] for more information.
Sariling HIMIG shall also be performing at Asia Pacific Fashion Week on April 25 in North Hollywood, as well as the Travel Trade and Consumer Expo on August 8 at the Pasadena Convention Center.
