23/04/2021
The Birth of the Children’s Choir
The children’s choir was organized by Leofe Ramos Sitoy sometime in mid-80s when they presented the Kids Praise musical. Leorey Saligan who was then a high school student yet at that ime played the lead role of Psalty.
What inspired Leofe to form a children’s choir was her successful organization of the City Central School children’s choir called “The Twinklers” sometime in late the 70s through the encouragement of Mrs. Ruth T. Pañares, then school principal and full support by school administration. The Twinklers has been perennial winner in choral competition such as the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA), children’s choir category, by representing the region in the national competition held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The highest award they garnered was the second place in 1993.
The Kids Praise Album! (aka Kids' Praise! 1 - An Explosion of Happiness) is an American 1980 Maranatha! children's Christian music album that features Psalty the Singing Songbook. It is the very first album in a long-running series of Kids Praise! and other Psalty related albums. The album was written by Debby Kerner & Ernie Rettino (Mr. Rettino plays Psalty). This album has been credited to "The Maranatha! Kids" and to "The Kids' Praise Kids." (Wikipedia) Most popular songs of Kids Praise first album are “Seek Ye First” and “Father I Adore You” which are still being sung in church services.