Villar honors San Ezekiel Moreno on his birthday through music

In line with a Villar family tradition, Senator Cynthia Villar led the celebration of San Ezekiel Moreno's 176th birthday through music.

"It is through songs and music that we are able to relive the love, compassion, service and message of San Ezekiel Moreno," stressed Villar.

Through the Las Piñas Chorale Festival, Villar said they were also able to create an event that not only attracts music lovers, but also people who are moved by the miracles of St. Ezekiel.

"People believe a "miracle" happened as they witnessed how the 'raging fire' in 1879, which gutted down houses and establishments in the city's Poblacion, stopped on reaching same place where San Ezekiel stood," related Villar.

The birthday for this year of the Patron Saint of Cancer Patients coincided with the nation's commemoration of the 182th 'Araw ng Kagitingan.'

"San Ezekiel Moreno exemplified the courage of genuine faith and services. His life was an expression of love for the church and its people just like the spirit of the 'Araw ng Kagitingan' which we are celebrating on the same day," noted Villar.

The senator distributed cash rewards to the chorale groups which won in the Villar Foundation's Inter-Parish Chorale Competition held at the San Ezekiel Moreno Oratory, Villar Sipag complex in Las Piñas City.

Villar said the annual competition is being done to remember San Ezekiel who has a special place in the heart of every Las Piñeros.

She thanked the chorale groups for singing the San Ezekiel Moreno Hymn.

"You have spoken to our hearts in a way that words alone cannot. When you sang here with the harmonization and blending of your voices and music, you have indeed created something magical," said Villar.

The Cantor's League Chorale Group from Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St Joseph bagged the P20,000 cash reward,after it was declared the Grand Champion.

Other winners in the singing competition and their corresponding prizes were as follows: Ist Prize, Himig San Jose Chorake of the St. Joseph the Worker Parish which won P15,000 and Quoro Dei Gloriam Chorale from Mary Mother of the Church Parish, 2nd Prize which P10,000.

Special awards were also given to Mary Queen of the Apostles Parish Choir and the Christ the King Gospel Choir of the Christ the King Parish which received P5,000 each for being the best in Artistry and technical capability. The rest of the participants were also given consolation prizes of P3,000 each.

"Born in La Rioja, Spain, San Ezekiel served as Parish Priest of Las Piñas in 1876 and later in the different churches in the Philippines.

During his stint in Las Piñas, he had shown his industry and love for its people especially when they were devastated with four huge calamities- a drought in 1876 and in 1878, chickenpox surge and a big fire in 1879.

Villar said nine years after he became a bishop, San Ezekiel was diagnosed with cancer of the palate and died August 19, 1906.

"He was beatified on November 1, 1975 and he was cited as "a living example of holiness for bishops".

In October 1992, he was canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II.

The senator and her family has built a church for San Ezekiel where his relic was preserved in the church and church's museum.

VIllar, ipinagdiwang ang kaarawan ni San Ezekiel Moreno sa musika

Alinsunod sa Villar family tradition, pinangunahan ni Senator Cynthia Villar ang selebrasyon sa 176th kaarawan ni San Ezekiel Moreno sa pamamagitan ng musika.

"It is through songs and music that we are able to relive the love, compassion, service and message of San Ezekiel Moreno," giit ni Villar.

Sa Las Pinas Chorale Festival, sinabi ni Villar na hindi lamang ito nag-eenggayo ng music lovers kundi pati ng mga taong naniniwala sa himala ni St. Ezekiel.

"People believe a 'miracle' happened as they witnessed how the 'raging fire' in 1879, which gutted down houses and establishments in the city's Poblacion, stopped on reaching the same place where San Ezekiel stood," pahayag ni Villar.

Ang kaarawan ng Patron Saint ng Cancer Patients ngayong taon ay kasabay ng paggunita ng bansa sa 182th 'Araw ng Kagitingan.'

"San Ezekiel Moreno exemplified the courage of genuine faith and services. His life life was an expression of love for the church and its people just like the spirit of the 'Araw ng Kagitingan,'which we are celebrating on the same day," ayon pa kay Villar.

Nagbigay ang senador ng cash rewards sa chorale groups nanagwagi sa Villar SIPAG's Inter-Parish Chorale Competition na idinaos sa San Ezekiel Moreno Oratory, Villar Sipag. Las Piñas City.

Isinasagawa ang taunang kumpetisyon upang alalahanin si San Ezekiel na may espesyal na lugar sa puso ng Las Piñeros.

Pinasalamatan niya ang chorale groups sa pag-awit sa San Ezekiel Moreno Hymn.

"You have spoken to our hearts in a way that words alone cannot. When you sang here with the harmonization and blending of your voices and music, you have indeed created something magical," ani Villar.

Ang Cantor's League Chorale Group mula sa Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St Joseph ang nanalo ng P20,000 cash reward nang tanghaling Grand Champion. Ang iba pang nagwagi sa singing competition at ang kanilang mga premyo ay ang mga sumusunod- Ist Prize-Himig San Jose Chorake mula sa St. Joseph the Worker Parish na nagkamit ng P15,000 at Quoro Dei Gloriam Chorale mula sa Mary Mother of the Church Parish 2nd Prize na may P10,000.

Binigyan din ng special awards ang Mary Queen of the Apostles Parish Choir and the Christ the King Gospel Choir of the Christ the King Parish na tumanggap ng P5,000 bawa't isa bilang best sa artistry and technical capability.

Ang iba pang chorale na naging bahagi ng kompetisyon ay tumanggap ng P3,000.

Ipinanganak sa La Rioja, Spain, si San Ezekiel ay naging Parish Priest ng Las Piñas noong 1876 at sa iba pang parokya sa bansa.

Sa kanya ng paglilingkod sa Las Piñas, nagpamalas siya ng kasipagan at pagmamahal sa Las Pineros lalo na nang hagupitin ang mga ito ng apat na malalaking kalamidad- tagtuyot noong 1876 at 1878, pagbulusok ng chickenpox at malaking sunog noong 1879.

Pagkalipas ng siyam na taon matapos maging bishop, nabatid na mayroon siyang 'cancer of the palate' at namatay noong August 19, 1906.

"He was beatified on November 1, 1975 and he was cited as "a living example of holiness for bishops".

Noong October 1992, kinonanisa siya bilang santo ni Pope John Paul II.

Nagpatayo ang senador at kanyang pamilya ng simbahan para kay San Ezekiel kung saan naka-preserve ang kanyang relic sa museum nito.