Songs for the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Salamat Maria: A Hymn of Gratitude to Our Lady

SALAMAT MARIA
Video c/o Jao Debil, RN

Sa lawak ng dagat na aking tinatawid
Tanging pangalan mo ang siyang laging sinasambit
Hanap-hanap ang pangako ng iyong lambing
Inaasam na tuwina'y nasa iyong piling

Sa araw-araw na paglusong ko sa buhay
Ikaw lang ang saksi't nag-iisang bantay
Dayuhin man ako ng lungkot at hirap
Tanggulan kong lagi, lingap mo't yakap

Salamat Maria, sa iyong pagpisan
Sa bawa't hapis, luwalhati at tuwa namin
Salamat sa pag-ibig, at sa bawa't dalangin
Salamat sa iyo, sa mga pagdamay mo...
Kami'y patuloy na magmamahal sayo...

(interlude)

Sa araw-araw na paglusong ko sa buhay
Ikaw lang ang saksi't nag-iisang bantay
Dayuhin man ako ng lungkot at hirap
Tanggulan kong lagi, lingap mo't yakap

Salamat Maria, sa iyong pagpisan
Sa bawa't hapis, luwalhati at tuwa namin
Salamat sa pag-ibig, at sa bawa't dalangin
Salamat sa iyo, sa mga pagdamay mo...
Kami'y patuloy na magmamahal sayo...

Salamat Maria, sa iyong pagpisan
Sa bawa't hapis, luwalhati at tuwa namin
Salamat sa pag-ibig, at sa bawa't dalangin
Salamat sa iyo, sa mga pagdamay mo...
Kami'y patuloy na magmamahal sayo...

SALAMAT, MARIA: 
A Hymn of Gratitude to Our Lady 

by Louie R. Coronel, OP

Inquirer

First Posted 00:56am (Mla time) 10/01/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- This year is a high point for the La Naval de Manila tradition as the Church and nation celebrate the centennial of her canonical coronation.

The centuries-old venerated image of La Naval has been acclaimed by the faithful since 1593 and served as a beacon of faith and hope for the Filipinos through the centuries.

Indeed, La Naval is God’s gift for us; and whenever we receive her blessing, we cannot but give thanks. Effusive words and gestures seem not enough to express our gratitude for her, so we find another expression that we can offer: the gift of music.

The idea of an official theme for the centennial crystallized through Elaine Villar, who has not only been in the music industry for some time but is also a dedicated Marian devotee. She called Rev. Jeffrey Aytona, OP, to raise the possibility of a song for La Naval.

Reverend Jeff presented the proposal to Fr. Jojo Dagohoy, OP, chair of the La Naval Centennial Committee, who had a poem dedicated to La Naval by Jovito Cariño, a poet and former Dominican brother.

When Villar received the poem, she promptly contacted her friend, the composer Vehnee Saturno. After a game of basketball, Saturno went to his music room and, while in front of an image of La Naval (a gift by Villar), he began composing the theme music.

Talent coupled with inspiration provoked the musical prowess of a Marian devotee. In an hour, he was finished with his newest musical masterpiece! When Villar listened to it, she was moved and felt the song entering the deep recesses of her heart.

Reverend Jeff was astonished that in 24 hours the song was ready for approval. He asked the Dominican community to listen to the song. The critical acoustic acuity of the Dominican fathers and brothers was satisfied and the song was approved unanimously without much ado.

Villar immediately called Louie Ocampo, whom she considered family. Ocampo, who came from a religious family, as did a musical arrangement of the composition.

Villar asked the opinion of Fr. Boyd Sulpico, OP, who has a keen sense for music, about the song. Upon listening, Fr. Boyd texted her, saying: “Tears were welling in my eyes.”

Villar was finally convinced: “This is it!”

But who can perform such masterpiece for La Naval with integrity? There was only one person in mind—Basil Valdez.

As a balladeer famed for inspirational hits such as “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” and “Lead me Lord,” he was unanimously chosen to sing the official theme song of the centennial.

Basil’s manager, Wyngard Tracy, was very supportive of the project, or, should we say, “gift,” and agreed for Basil to perform and record it without any hesitation, even if the singer had already agreed to sing for free in the “Serenata” on Oct. 5.

October 4, coronation day of La Naval, is the formal launching of the official theme song of the Centennial of the Canonical Coronation of La Naval. The 1907 papal coronation will be relived by Church and civil dignitaries and the Catholic faithful that day, at 4 p.m.

Valdez will perform “our gift” to the Blessed Mother with the Tiples de Sto. Domingo and the UST Symphony Orchestra.

The theme is more than just a song. It is a gift of our self to the Blessed Virgin Mary: the talent, the skill, the devotion, the love—all expressed through music.