Friends from Different Faiths Share Their Tabernacle Choir Experience

Manila, Philippines—Just as we could not get enough of the Tabernacle Choir World Tour, friends from other organizations in the Philippines shared their heartfelt experiences about the concert.

“I feel blessed tonight” – MK Bertfulfo, CEO of Filipino Homebased Moms

Maria Korina Bertulfo, founder of Filipino Homebased Moms, the largest freelancing group for Pinay moms, was deeply moved by the Tabernacle Choir concert held at the University of Santo Tomas.

“Sobrang na-enjoy ko. I am also seven months pregnant. Feeling ko, mas na-bless ako tonight, hearing all the choir members, international choir members, habang kinakanta ang mga praise songs nila. Sobrang happy ako personally. Thank you so much for inviting me here.” (“I really enjoyed it. I am also seven months pregnant. I feel even more blessed tonight, hearing all the choir members, international choir members, as they sing their praise songs. I am personally very happy. Thank you so much for inviting me here.")

“One of my beautiful memories, forever in my heart.” – Liu Zhiyuan, Mainland China

Julian Aquino, a young musician from Fairview, was inspired to introduce the Tabernacle Choir to his friends from Mainland China. Among them was Liu Zhiyuan, who described the experience as “wonderful and unparalleled.”

“Tonight, my ears and heart have been baptized by this wonderful and unparalleled music. It will become one of my most beautiful memories, forever in my heart,” says Liu.

A Professor of music, Dr. Aya Tanciongco, expressed her gratitude, noting, “The Chinese students are so grateful. Ang saya nila sa experience. Ang galing nila, walang kupas!” (“The Chinese students are so grateful. They are very happy with the experience. They are so talented, and they never disappoint!”)

“Very Pinoy!” – Jess Macatuggal, Director and Writer of KDG Theater Group

Prominent in the theater industry, Jess Macatuggal, Director and Writer from the KDG Theater Group, commended the stage design as “fantastic and elegant,” which highlighted the essence of the Filipino culture.

“Very Pinoy! Also, the production design, lighting, and song lineup were all at their best. I saw Lea perform on the theater stage before pero sobrang iba parin ang pakiramdam hearing her again. I also loved the segment of Filipino youth. It was moving. Hawak Kamay was a great choice. [I] didn’t expect the Bahay Kubo, though, pero what a great way to close the event.” (“Very Filipino! Also, the production design, lighting, and song lineup were all at their best. I saw Lea perform on the theater stage before but hearing her again felt completely different. I also loved the segment of Filipino youth. It was moving. Hawak Kamay was a great choice. [I] didn’t expect the Bahay Kubo, though, but what a great way to close the event.”)

“Thank you, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! It was a great one. Thank you for showing us what it really means to have hope,” Jess said, expressing gratitude at the Choir’s Hope concert.

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra recently concluded its nine-day, four-concert series in Manila. Over 24,000 Filipinos saw them live, and hundreds of thousands more watched the livestream of the concert held last February 28, 2024, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.