Boholano music is reaching the mainstream following the launch of the Department of Tourism (DOT)-backed album of the world famous Loboc Children’s Choir (LCC) entitled “Soul of Place” done last night, June 12, 2021.
Coincidentally, the LCC also celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat was on hand during the album launching, reports from the Capitol say.
In her speech, Puyat called the album a beautiful piece of Boholano artistry, which is a product of the efforts and the collaboration among the artists, composer, and other personalities who contributed to the making of the album.
“This beautiful piece of Boholano artistry is a product of a collaborative effort between the composers, the production crew, the children performers, the different agencies and cultural groups, and of course, the Provincial Government of Bohol,” she said in her speech delivered during the launch at the Provincial Capitol.
“You have all successfully woven together the pieces of Boholano spirit – its fearless past and unswerving present, which gives hope for a stronger future. And what makes the impact of this album even bigger is that you purposely chose to share it on the same day as the commemoration of the 123rd Philippine independence,” Puyat added.
She pointed out that culture is one of the solid points of Philippine tourism and the rich culture and history of the country are attracting foreign tourists here.
“Cultural tourism is amongst the strongest points of the Philippine tourism industry. Our history and rich heritage has always drawn foreign tourists because the narratives of Filipino bravery and resilience are interconnected to the histories of the rest of the world. More so, we have this uniquely beautiful way of sharing our story through music and the arts,” the tourism secretary said in her speech.
Moreover, Puyat expressed her appreciation to the support of the various cultural groups and the provincial government for the launch of the said album.
“I truly appreciate the various cultural groups and the Provincial Government of Bohol for fully supporting this endeavor. Thank you for teaching our children to love our heritage and to communicate the Boholano story through music that calms the soul,” Puyat quipped.
Puyat also sent a message to the members of the LCC as she told them:” To the Loboc Children’s Choir, as gentle as your voices may be, I am confident that you have inherited the same Boholano spirit that will carry us throughout the challenges of this pandemic, and towards a brighter future. Keep on inspiring the people of Bohol, the rest of the country, and the world. We hear you, and we assure you that we, your elders, will consistently persevere so that you can inherit a safer and more beautiful place to live in after this pandemic.”
For his part, Gov. Arthur Yap thanked the DOT’s Puyat and The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)’s chief operating officer Ma. Antoinette Velasco-Allones for their generous grant which paved the way for the creation of the album.
“Through a generous grant from the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Promotions Board chaired and led by Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and TPB COO Atty. Antonette Velasco-Allones, with additional financial and logistical support from the Provincial Government of Bohol, we are proud to be part of the Loboc Children’s Choir 40 year journey of creating beautiful, uplifting and inspiring music,” the governor said in his speech during last night’s launch.
He also said that it is only fitting to recognize one of the country’s prized possessions that has brought honor to the country—the LCC.
“As we celebrate the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence, it is only fitting that we recognize one of our nation’s prized possessions who has brought so much honor to our country: the LCC. Thank you one and all, for joining us in tonight’s launch of the Choir’s 40th Anniversary Album entitled Soul of Place where the Choir, Bol-anon artists, and local composers are featured.”
The governor then provided a short background of the choir.
“In that time of 4 decades, under the steady tutelage and painstaking love of Madam Alma Fernando Taldo, and other teachers, the Choir, composed of children of Loboc’s local folk studying, in the Loboc Central Elementary School, rose from modest beginnings to become a world renowned choir bringing great honor not only to Bohol but our country the Philippines.”
The governor continued by saying: “Through all the awards and titles, they have remained simple, pure and generous. Throughout the pandemic, they continued to sing on-line, raising funds to help others, and inspiring many, despite many of their own families being gravely affected by the crisis. Truly as Pope St. John Paul II once said, no person is too poor that he or she has nothing to give. This we have seen exemplified by the choir.”
The governor hopes that the voices of the LCC will continue to inspire and heal people in these trying times.
“As we launch tonight the Ruby Anniversary Album of the Choir, we hope their songs about pride of place, history, courage, resilience, folkways and customs, love of people and country and of course, faith in God, connect with you. Let the voices of the Loboc Children’s choir ring true, as God’s instruments to inspire, and heal our people in these trying times,” the governor mentioned in his speech.
BACKGROUND
The album’s production is part of the cultural tourism promotion efforts of the provincial government, according to the Provincial Information and Media Relations (PRIMER).
The promotion of the province’s cultural tourism is backed with a grant from the DOT and TPB.
The production for the album including the accompanying music videos started in February 2021 and ended just in time for the 40th anniversary celebration of the foundation of the LCC, the PRIMER in a report said.
The musical pieces featured in the album are representative of Boholano culture and the music videos present the various cultural sites in Bohol, the PRIMER says in its report.