Divinity School launches publication on Indigenous Liturgy and Music
The Silliman University Divinity School (SUDS) published resources on Filipino indigenous liturgy and music as one of the special editions of the annual journal, Ang Sinugo.
Titled “Atong Dayaw: Harvested Liturgical Offerings,” the journal’s edition comes as a product of two summer gatherings in Dumaguete (May 2018) and Quezon City (May 2019) of theologians, liturgy-writers, and church musicians from the Association of Theological Education in Southeast Asia (ATESEA) member schools in the Philippine area and from the ecumenical fold in the whole country. “Dayaw” means praise in Cebuano, Waray, Karay-a and Hiligaynon and has its counterpart, “agdayaw” in Ilocano.
A total of 15 liturgical celebrations and 18 musical pieces are included in this publication along with the three lectures given by esteemed mentors on the topics: “Indigenous Spiritualities and Theology in Relation to Liturgy” by Rev. Dr. Lope B. Robin; “Indigenizing Worship in the Protestant Tradition” by Rev. Dr. Ferdinand A. Anno and “The Role of Christian Education in the Indigenization of Liturgy” by Rev. Dr. Jeaneth Harris-Faller.
The editorial pool is composed of Rev. Magnolia Nova V. Mendoza, ThM (Chief Editor) along with Asst. Prof. Rina Fernandez-Hill, (Copy Editor) and Mr. Rigel D. Suarez (Production Editor). This said publication was also reviewed by an editorial board and they are as follows: United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia Vice President for Faculty Development, Ms. Hope S. Antone, EdD; former SUDS deans, Rev. Noriel C. Capulong, ThD and Rev. Lope B. Robin, ThD and Rev. Jeaneth Harris-Faller, ThD, the current dean and mentor in worship and liturgy courses at the SUDS
Among the participants of the summer workshops are coming from the ATESEA schools and ecumenical churches namely: Ferdinand A. Anno, (Union Theological Seminary – Philippines) Milanie Catolico-Arandela (Central Philippine University (CPU)), Ascension O. Bautista (CPU), Rose Mae T. Butal (United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)), Klein F. Emperado (Iglesia Filipina Independiente), Rev. Jeaneth Harris-Faller (SUDS), Crista S. Huyong (CPU), Rev. Nixon Jose (Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS)), Honorina Lacquian (Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (PBTS)), Jimmy Lacquian (PBTS), Rev, Dcn. Francis L. Lucero (ACTS), Fritz Gerald Melodi (PBTS), Rev. Magnolia Nova V. Mendoza (SUDS), Joy T. Nilo (United Methodist Church), Jeffrey O. Ramirez, Jr. (UCCP), Lope B. Robin (SUDS), Jeannard Ticong (PBTS), Divillajyn Ursos (UCCP) and Joanna Mae Zambrano (PBTS).
The publication of “Atong Dayaw: Harvested Liturgical Offerings” and the two succeeding summer workshops were made possible through the generous support from the Foundation for Theological Education in Southeast Asia.
The promotion of indigenous liturgy and music is at the core of the life and ministry of the SUDS as manifested in the works of Dr. Elena G. Maquiso, a prolific hymn writer who led the publication of the Cebuano hymnal Alawiton sa Pagtoo, published in 1973 and Rev. Lydia N. Niguidula, an international authority in worship and mentor at SUDS, who has left a legacy of creativity especially with the publication, “Celebration: A Sourcebook for Christian Worship,” the first of its kind in the Philippines.
(Report by Klein Fausto Emperado, SUDS Centennial 2021 Special Project Staff)
