The Singing Priests of Tagbilaran (SPOT)
Origin: Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Genres: Religious, Pop, Jazz
Years active: 1998 – Present
Labels: DartPro, LLC
Associated acts: Chorus Paulinus, Singing Priests of San Francisco
Website: Singing Priests of Tagbilaran
Members, 2003:
Arnold Zamora
Melchisedech E. Monreal
Irvin B. Garsuta
Justino H. Estoque, Jr.
Bonifacio G. Espeleta, Jr.
Jeffrey P. Malanog
Joseph Swanee Skelton, Jr.
Former members, 1998:
Arnold Zamora
Melchisedech E. Monreal
Justino H. Estoque, Jr.
Bonifacio G. Espeleta, Jr.
Jeffrey P. Malanog
Petronilo "Jun" Ligtas, Jr.
The Singing Priests of Tagbilaran or SPOT is a group of Catholic priests from Bohol, Philippines. In addition to preaching sermons they also evangelize from the stage in songs and dances.
The Singing Priests of Tagbilaran were formed in 1998 by Paring Bol-anon Fathers Arnold Zamora, Melchisedech "Edick" E. Monreal, Justino "Loy" H. Estoque, Jr., Bonifacio "Boy" G. Espeleta, Jr., Jeffrey "Oloy" P. Malanog and Petronilo "Jun" Ligtas, Jr.
In 2003, the group was composed of Fathers Arnold Zamora, Melchisedech "Edick" E. Monreal, Irvin B. Garsuta, Justino "Loy" H. Estoque, Jr., Bonifacio "Boy" G. Espeleta, Jr., Jeffrey "Oloy" P. Malanog, Joseph Swanee Skelton, Jr., and pianist, Mr. Joseph D. Namoc.
The Singing Priests of Tagbilaran are all graduates of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. The members come from different graduating classes and age groups, but all received their musical training from the same seminary.[citation needed]
With the common desire to share their talents along with their philosophy of joy, prayer and fun, they bonded together to form a singing group called SPOT (Singing Priests of Tagbilaran). The group is also named SPOTlight since they seek to bear "the light of Christ" to the world.
In the Philippines, SPOT has performed in many concerts. They were the main attraction in the diocesan production, HIUSATLO (three acting in unison). They staged a solo concert, Valentine's SPOTlight, at the Bohol Tropics Resort in February, 1998.
In the summer of 1998, they gave concerts for religious causes in the United States. They performed in many cities in California including San Francisco, South San Francisco, San Jose, Stockton, Los Angeles, Redwood City, Foster City, Santa Maria and Vallejo. They also performed in Seattle, WA and Las Vegas, NV. The proceeds from these series of benefit concerts in the United States was used as the seed money of the priests' standard living allowance, a monthly standard salary for priests in Bohol, Philippines.
Their debut album entitlled Singing Priests of Tagbilaran, contains a repertoire of religious and popular songs in English, Tagalog and Cebuano. This album also highlights the works of Father Arnold Zamora, the group's musical arranger and accompanist. This compilation of songs portrays the universal message of love and peace. The blending of their voices characterizes human emotions of joy, hope, sorrow and understanding.
In 2003, the second batch of SPOT did concerts in San Francisco, California, Fairfield, California, Sacramento, CA, Stockton, CA, Houston, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Orlando, Florida, Miami, Florida, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Los Angeles, California. Proceeds from the benefit were for the retired and sickly priests of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol. In addition, the proceeds were used for the health plan of the clergy.
Fr. Eugene D. Tungol, Pastor of the Epiphany Church in San Francisco, California was a major catalyst [citation needed] in all of SPOT's concerts in the U.S.
--from Wikipedia
Linkback:
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