The University Administration hosted a heartfelt Thanksgiving dinner at the Finster Hall of All Nations to honor the Sola Gratia Chorale’s recent victory at the 8th Singapore International Chorale Festival. The evening, held on On August 10, 2024, was a celebration of gratitude and reflection of God’s goodness.

The testimonies of God’s grace became the emotional highlight of the evening. Some members of the Sola Gratia Chorale shared their personal stories of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. John Almer Caagbay, the assistant conductor and a current AUP College of Medicine student, recounted his spiritual journey, marked by a series of divine signs that guided him and his fellow chorale members. “I never prayed to win,” he shared, “My prayer was always for us to enjoy the experience, grow our ministry, and have a testimony to tell. Moreover, tonight, I stand before you with that testimony.”

Almer’s story was a testament to faith in action. He shared many signs of how God reinforced his belief in His’ guidance anchored in his promises in Proverbs 3:5-6. He recounted from random encounters with scripture to providing essential needs during the trip. “It is a very big faith journey talaga.” His narrative emphasized that while winning was a blessing, the true victory lay in the spiritual growth and experiences the chorale gained. His prayer to God was to enjoy and make the most of the experience. “We want to grow our ministry far beyond what we already do. We want to be Your representatives.” He also likened their experience to the little boy with five loaves and two fishes while preparing for the festival concert. During the concert proper, he was looking forward to the 12 baskets prepared for them.

“When you ask God about something, He grants more than what we think or what we asked,” he continued. “We were bidding for gold for at least 1 or 2 categories; He gave us gold in all categories. We wanted to make it to the grand prix, but God gave us more than we had asked for; he allowed us to win the grand prix. God does answer prayer.”

Jove Milmarc Jimenez, a recent AUP College of Theology graduate, shared his journey with the chorale, describing how it had become a family to him and even helped his shy brother find his voice in ministry. “A lot of the older members are already working and moving on [to employment], and building the choir’s momentum is really a challenge,” he shared. “And Kuya Cy, our conductor, is in the States.” He reflected on the challenges the chorale faced, including the difficulties of balancing work, study, and rehearsals. “Our practice will be every 6 a.m. with Kuya Cy joining us online. It is a struggle,” he expressed.

Nevertheless, they remained committed to their mission through it all, trusting that God would provide the needed resources and strength. “I believe that God’s mission is alive in this group,” he testified with all the blessings they have received from the Lord. He also pointed out that to continue the chorale’s mission, especially for their new members and opening auditions, “We want our mission to move forward.”

He also mentioned how he and Almer, roommates in Singapore, worried because they would be with seasoned choirs. However, they clung to God’s promises for them and gave all their worries to Him. “Wala po ni isa samin ang may experience ng choral festival (No one in our group has experience joining a choral festival),” he mentioned. “This is our first time; all we have with us is our five loaves, two fishes, and our great God. ‘Yun lang po ang bitbit namin sa Singapore (It is the only thing we brought to Singapore),” he testified. Looking at God amidst all of their experiences, he also recalled how God provided for them. “God provided us people. God provided us with our parents. God provided us with sponsors who can help us alleviate our financial shortcomings. God provided us with a window of time so we could rehearse. God provided us, coaches.” They recalled God’s blessings in Singapore, “God provided us Petrus and Pamugun.” God provided them with health and safety. “If you trust God, He will set your paths straight,” he concluded.

Mr. Cyril Punay, the chorale’s conductor, also shared his reflections, expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a dedicated and humble group. He shared his belief that asking God for great things is a testament to faith. He recalled how he was praying when they planned to join the festival, “if it is your will for us to join in this competition, I pray that does not fall on the Sabbath. Furthermore, that alone was a door open to me when I saw the post on the Singapore choral festival.” He expressed his gratitude and awe to God to deserve everything in his life. Punay emphasized the importance of humility and collaboration in their success, thanking their mentors and supporters who had guided them along the way.

He recounted the moments of doubt and the overwhelming joy of seeing God’s hand at work, particularly during the Grand Prix night. “I was rooting for another choir to win,” he admitted, “but God had other plans. It was a miracle that He allowed us to win the sacred category so that we could represent Him well,” he testified that their victory was a clear example of God’s ability to provide beyond human comprehension. “God executed everything. God provided everything,” he shared in his recollections, reminding him how God works through our doubts and fears. “God gave it to us. I know the kids enjoyed that performance. I do not know if we could do that again because it was God,” he emphasized. “Our performance there was all about God’s goodness and grace. He allowed us to do extremely well, which we had never experienced before.”

The evening continued with an exceptional performance by the Sola Gratia Chorale, who showcased pieces from their winning repertoire: “When I Have Sung My Songs to You” by Z. Randall Stroope and “Pamugun” by Francisco Feliciano, from the Mixed Category repertoire, and “Petrus” by Z. Randall Stroope, from their grand prix entry.

AUP President Dr. Arceli Rosario praised the chorale for its significant contribution to representing Adventist education and training through music. She presented Sola Gratia and Mr. Punay with certificates of recognition, acknowledging their role in sharing a message of hope through their voices during the Singapore International Chorale Festival.

The Thanksgiving Dinner honored Sola Gratia’s victory and celebrated the faith and perseverance that brought them to this moment, leaving everyone inspired by the powerful testimonies shared throughout the night.