Gentle Strength

Liturgical music from the heart of the Philippines
This groundbreaking collection introduces the rest of the world to what many have known all along: The Filipino Catholic community has a long and rich tradition of liturgical music. Recorded in the Philippines using traditional and contemporary instruments, the CD includes some of the most popular liturgical songs used in the Philippines today.

14 buoyant, multilingual songs
Created with the intention of introducing more multilingual liturgical music into the sung repertoire of worshiping communities, Gentle Strength offers songs with verses in Filipino, English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and Latin. Though most of the 14 songs are multilingual, four are sung entirely in Filipino and two entirely in English.

Reveals the beauty and strength of Filipino Catholic culture
Inspiring, meditative and buoyant, these are songs that reveal the beauty, heart and prayerful tradition of Filipino Catholic culture.

• Gathering and Communion songs, psalm settings, a Marian song, and music for use in Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter
• Produced by well-known composer and Paulist Father Ricky Manalo and Jesuit Father Manuel Francisco
• Mixes Filipino folk styles with contemporary liturgical styles
• Music suitable for a variety of occasions, including when the Filipino community gathers separately and when the larger parish community wants to celebrate the presence and gifts of the Filipino community
• Arranged for solo voice, choir, guitar, keyboard, violin, flute, percussion and banduria, a traditional Filipino string instrument similar to a mandolin
• Published in collaboration by Jesuit Music Ministry in Manila, Philippines, and OCP