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| Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion |
Something very special happened in Negros recently. The Faith Academy Choir, composed of teenaged students from abroad, visited some of the cities of our province and enthralled the audiences with their brilliant performance of inspirational, Gospel and Christmas songs, bringing a message of faith and hope during the Christmas season.
Like a breath of fresh air, the good-looking, wholesome and very friendly teen-agers, most of them children of missionaries from different states in the USA , swept us off our feet with their singing talents and energy. They reminded us of the stars in the popular Disney movie, “High School Musical”, which went over big with the younger crowd. They performed all over – in schools, plazas, etc., and they wowed the crowds wherever they appeared. Each time they performed, some of them would talk about how they found their relationship with the Lord, prompting someone in the audience to whisper, “Why, they are really the singing ambassadors of the Lord”!
They also performed for the Cebu Institute of Medicine Alumni Association of Negros Occidental, during their Christmas party at L' Fisher Hotel. The president of the association, Dr. Ver Lacson, was so impressed by their performance that he gave a dinner for them at his residence that weekend.
Arriving at the doctor's posh home, the teenagers were entranced with the ten towering Christmas trees all over his house. They also enjoyed the sumptuous dinner specially prepared for them and the rest of their group. After the delicious feast, the youngsters held a jamming session and really let their hair down amidst laughter and shrieks of good-natured ribbing. Even their musical director, Dan Eyestone, was forced to perform together with Pastor Gary Visitacion, head of the delegation. Amidst the revelry, I got a call on my cellphone from Mayor Bing Leonardia, inquiring if the group was still at the party.
When I said yes, he accepted my invitation for them to come over and in a few minutes Mayor Bing arrived with wife Elsa. The choir immediately held an impromptu mini-concert for the couple, which they appreciated very much. The very cute “baby” of the group, blond and blue-eyed Aly Phillips, made such an endearing impression on Mayor Bing and Elsa. It was an evening to remember indeed and the group told us how much they enjoyed their visit here.
Bravo, FAITH ACADEMY CHOIR!*
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