CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – It could not have been a more appropriate time for the launching of the original Kapampangan liturgical hymns with the title “Ite, Missa Est (Latin for “Go, the Mass is ended”) composed
by Irwin M. Nucum, than at the concluding rites of the 57th anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of Virgen Delos Remedios here last Sunday.
Before the fi nal blessings were bestowed by the main celebrant, Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto, the thousands gathered at the Villa Del Sol Subdivision here were requested to pause and listen to Fr. Dino Albert Pineda as he read Circular Letter No. 35 addressed to the members of the clergy in the province endorsing Ite, Missa Est to be used in the 954 Catholic churches all over Pampanga.
Ite, Missa Est is a compilation of 16 original Kapampangan liturgical songs composed by Nucum, a former seminarian.
“As the fi rst laity to have composed and produced an album and songbook of original Kapampangan liturgical hymns, I may have opened the door to other composers to give back their God-given talents for His glory and meaningful worship,” said Nucum.
He said: “The title of the album reminds us that after the Mass has ended, our mission has just begun.”
The project is co-produced by the Jesuit Communications Foundation of the Ateneo De Manila University in coordination with the Archdiocese of San Fernando and the Holy Angel University, Don Juan Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies.
Aniceto said “the call for renewed evangelization by Pope Benedict XVI assumes various forms and expressions.” He said Nucum’s composition will complement the previous publication of the liturgical compositions of Rev. Msgr. Gregorio L. Canlas.
“May this contribution of the laity in the Year of Faith in hymns and spiritual songs show the face and name of Jesus in our archdiocese. I respectfully urge our priests and cabalens to avail themselves of the songs to enrich the liturgical life in our parishes and faith communities,” the archbishop added.
The original Kapampangan hymns included Dalit ning Kapurian (Hymn of Praise) – a four-voice majestic entrance hymn based on Psalm 95:2,7 and Psalm 33:1-3 interpreted by the Madapdap Choir, dubbed as one of the best choir groups in the Archdiocese; Guinu, Pakaliluan mu Kami (Lord, Have Mercy) – a prayer of supplication interpreted by Councilor Harvey Quiwa;
Ligaya king Dios (Glory to God) – based on the newly approved Gloria of the Mass which is interpreted by John Roger Obja-an, a music education cum laude graduate of Philippine Normal University; Alleluia – a majestic acclamation based on Psalms 117 and 150 with a stirring interpretation by ex-seminarian Fil Rodriguez; Ain ning Capasalamatan (An Offering of Thanksgiving) – an offertory hymn in two voices which is interpreted by UP Voice Major Norily Baluyut;
Dalit ning Pamitagulaling (Song of Consecration) – composed for the blessing and consecration of the new Lord’s Ascension Church then served by Msgr. Roberto C. Mallari who is now the Bishop of San Jose in Nueva Ecija and interpreted by Jorrel Yap, a local recording artist;
Banal (Holy) – the phrase “Lord God of hosts” is reflected here as interpreted by Love Bonus, a first year high school student; Papasyag mi, O Guinu (We Proclaim, O Lord) – based on the newly-approved Mystery of Faith as interpreted by Fil Rodriguez; King Kapamilatan nang Cristo (new Eucharistic Doxology for the Mass presider); Dakilang Amen (molto grandioso in four voices) – sung by Harvey Quiwa and various artists;
Ibpa Mi (Our Father) with Doxology – according to its singer Mon David, it is the most earnest-sounding among the Lord’s Prayers he has interpreted so far; Kordero ning Dios (Lamb of God) – with descant, as interpreted by the Divine Majesty Choir, an allmale choir of the Holy Rosary Parish; Ng Pamilyang Manalangin Abe- Abe (The Family That Prays Together) – with four-voice arrangement, its main refrain is based on The Family Rosary Crusade’s “The Family That Prays Together, Stays Together” slogan while its verses highlight the importance of prayer.
It was used during the Archdiocesan celebration of the World Meeting of Families at Clark Amphitheater in 2004 and is interpreted by the Madapdap Choir; Bapu Maria (Hail Mary) – new Ave Maria sung by Miriam Sandico, a music education teacher who studied at the Centro Escolar University;
Dalit ning Jubileo (Jubilee Hymn) – official hymn of the Archdiocese of San Fernando on its Golden Jubilee as a Diocese after it won the Grand Prize in the Songwriting Contest meant for the occasion in 1998; Salamat ‘ting Pasku (Thanks There’s Christmas) – second Grand Prize winner in the prestigious Ligligan Kantang Pasku (Christmas Songwriting Contest) sponsored by the JDN Center for Kapampangan Studies in 2005 and interpreted by Eric Robert Santos and the Holy Angel University Chorale alumni;
Himno ng Dakilang Laiko (Hymn of the Great Laity) – on October 18, 2009 this majestic anthem was declared as the National Hymn of the entire Roman Catholic Laity during the 16th National Biennial Convention and regional gathering in Luzon of the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas.
The hymn aptly rallies the Filipino laity on their emerging active role in bringing social transformation as the Church’s apostle of the new millennium. It was interpreted by Eric Robert Santos, former member of the San Miguel Chorale handled by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab; All musical arrangements were done by Eric Robert M. Santos, a UP Choral Conducting Major and mentor of top choral groups.
All songs and vocal arrangements were composed by Nucum, a multi-awarded songwriter.
He graduated as class valedictorian at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts degree major in Philosophy cum laude in 1987. An Outstanding Alumnus of Pampanga High School in 2008, he is also the composer of his hometown’s official hymn and different official anthems of parishes/ schools and festivals in Pampanga.
Nucum is also a 2008 Outstanding Thomasian in the field of Arts and Culture and a 2012 Outstanding Fernandino in the fi eld of Civic Service. Early this year, he launched his Kapampangan book Iniang Malati Ku (When I Was Young) to perpetuate the native games, local culture, music, adventure, food, customs and tradition of his younger days.
Endorsed by Archbishop Aniceto himself, the book is aimed to become as a resource material for students from Kinder to Grade 3 in line with the K+12 education program of the government.
He has been a musical director/organist of different choral groups in the archdiocese for the last 30 years. He is presently a consultant of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission especially in the Music Ministry.
Nucum is also a regular broadcaster at dw-GV-AM 792 with his “Ing Bayung Kapampangan” (The New Kapampangan) program.
