Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

With the success of the Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) Gala Night Performance held last May 17, 2009, the orchestra will have a follow-up performance on December 6 (Sunday), 5:00 pm at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

Spearheaded by the Asian Journal Foundation, Inc., the concert is dubbed Handog ng FASO sa Pasko or "FASO’s Gift for Christmas."

The Christmas concert brings together various Filipino artists that promise to bring an enjoyable and memorable evening as they serenade everyone with traditional Christmas tunes both in English and Tagalog. The concert is also an opportunity for the community of Filipino-Americans to gather in celebration of the Yuletide season.

One of the highlights of the performance is the participation of various children’s choir under the direction of Cristopher Avendaño. Avendaño is a celebrated tenor and currently the music director of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles (LA). At an early age, he became part of the Tiples de Santo Domingo in Manila singing numerous solo parts as a boy soprano. In college, he became a member of the world-acclaimed University of Santo Tomas Singers and performed with the group internationally. He is a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music.

The choirs that will be performing on December 6 include the Loretto Children’s Choir, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (IHMC) Children’s Choir, the Immaculate Heart of Mary School Children’s Choir, and the Blessed Sacrament Children’s choir.

The Loretto Children’s Choir was conceived in 2003. Under the baton of Avendaño, the group has recorded two CDs (collections of sacred and popular music). The group has performed in one of the annual dinners hosted by Cardinal Roger Mahoney. They have sang for superintendents and principals of the archdiocese schools in LA and performed with numerous choral groups such as the UST Singers, the Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir and the Philippine Chamber Singers of LA. The chorus was featured in the Tidings (LA Archdiocese Newspaper), where the article described how Catholic schools connect art and music in the development of children. In 2006, the group was nominated in the Bravo Awards for excellence in the arts. Now on its 6th year, the Loretto Children’s Choir never fades to bring joy and uplift the spirit of all their listeners.