The Family Choir leads the worship through songs every Sunday, 7:30 AM at UCCP Cagayan de Oro City. THE FAMILY CHOIR
By Elsie U. Tan
One Sunday, the first week of September 1972, three families stood outside the church chatting after the Visayan Service. They were the families of Atty. Tan, Atty. Alfredo Caballero, Sr. and Mr. Dioniso Cinco. James Tan was about 8 years old at that time. A remark
was made that the service seemed to be incomplete without a choir. At the suggestion of Atty. Tan, the three families decided to sing the next Sunday. They agreed to practice at the Caballero residence with Amy Caballero as accompanist. Atty. Tan called up the Pantaleon Saligan family to join the group. The pastor of the church at that time was Rev. Prudencio T. Plaza. Next Sunday, during the offertory, the families just walked up to the front and started to sing. The anthem was “God Spoke to Me Today.”
Thus was born “The Family Choir.”
The families told Rev. Plaza that they would commit to sing for the Visayan Service every Sunday. Mrs. Jorja C. Ramos, the church pianist, graciously gave way to Amy Caballero for the singing of the anthem. By a happy twist of events, Atty. Tan’s sister-in-law called up from Tagbilaran, Bohol requesting him to retrieve a piano from a customer in Cagayan de Oro who had abandoned it. Tan picked up the piano and called his sister-in-law Vivencia Tan for instructions. She told him “why just keep it there?” Lo and behold, The Tans had a piano and henceforth, practice every Saturday were held at their residence. After service the next Sunday, the families talked about what to call their choir. Someone said “The Family Choir.” They wanted not just the adults to sing but the children as well, to train them to serve the Lord through singing. Seeing children joining in the singing of the Family Choir attracted other families to join with their children. The Prudencio Plazas, The Waldo Roas, The Manolo Roas, The Perl Ramiro, The Cecilio Nazarenos, The Caagbays, Dr. Lucile Romblon, The Pat Medel family, Mrs. Dulzura Chavez Melendez joined The Family Choir. The only criteria for being a member was a love for singing and bringing the children to sing. Joining in later were the families of The Joe Gatus, Elisco Chacon, Armando Diaz, Vangio Sabio, Romie Sitoy, Nilo Batinga, Duffy Padua, Boy Gonzales, Ruben Neris, Louie Cabote, Mike Castros, Mindo Gabors. Others who had no children and just wanted to sing were welcome. Loloy Tabian, Gam Aparecio, Dave Espancho, Bobo Irma Siao family. Snacks were served and the aroma of popcorn popping was the indication of snack time. There was always enough and to spare. As the children started growing up “The Sons and Daughters” was formed led by Mrs. Leofe Ramos Sitoy. During the early days, the ever supportive grandmas always had coffee and snacks for the family choir after the service. Tyke Roa eventually became a conductor of a choir in Iligan. Leo Rey Saligan and Jenjen Sitoy shone out as talents in conducting. When Bishop Lorenzo Genotiva came to service in Cagayan de Oro UCCP, The Family Choir serenaded him on his birthday. He later told the choir that was what made him decide to stay as our pastor. Another tradition started… serenading the senior minister on his birthday. Friendship and camaraderie among members was close knit. One time after practice, chatting and laughing, going out to their cars, Calvin and Pata Genotiva forgot their baby sleeping on the sofa. They drove away merrily and a few minutes later came back and said “Tito, Tita, we forgot our baby.” What a laugh! Tan was a perfectionist, and he always insisted on the mastery of the songs we would sing. His constant reminder was that, the family choir was not performing but singing for the glory of God. After each warm-up on Sundays, he would breathe a prayer, “Lord, sing with us today.” To God be the glory.
