Clyde Bongalos Ebojo isn’t touted as a Gospel Song Writer and Composer for nothing. These past years, he has been doing mostly inspirational songs, the latest of them is the Salamat, O Amahan, which won first prize in the recently Diamond Jubilee Songwriting Contest of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

“Abot sa langit akong kalipay.  Among all successes, big and small, that I’ve had, winning this one gave me the best feeling. I believe God worked within me as I started to write and give melody to the song,” said Clyde. “Now, God gave me an overflowing happiness which I also share with my family, relatives and friends, and all Dauisanons.”

Salamat, O Amahan will be the official theme song for the Diocese of Tagbilaran’s Diamond Jubilee in 2016.

Clyde’s greatest objective in writing gospel songs is to get the message out through lyrics that are grounded in the Word of God. It is his strong conviction that gospel songs should bring the lost to the Church and Lord Jesus Christ, comfort to God’s people, and glory to God in the highest.

“Yes, I do hope that parishioners, Boholanos or even Non-Boholanos, would share with me the same message to God as written in the song,” Clyde said. “And may it linger in their hearts.”

Clyde, 27, started writing and composing songs when he was nine. His involvement in the Parish Youth Ministry (PYM) in his hometown has helped him to write gospel songs.

“Gospel music is really close to my heart,” he said. “A couple of them were used as theme songs of Church Youth Events such as Summer Youth Camps.”

He was inspired to write and compose Salamat, O Amahan to express his love to the Lord through music.

“I was inspired to write and compose this song because when Rev. Fr. Jingboy Saco, Jr. made mentioned about the competition, I felt that this is an event where I can express myself to God through music. At the same time, this is an avenue where I can share my God-given talent that has long been asleep,” shared Clyde.

According to Clyde, he has already written plenty of songs now, including love songs.  Some songs he composed were “Karaang Balay,” an advocacy song used by Baclayon Homeowners; “Gugma Ko, Pauli na,”  a song for OFWs;  Bool Jingle used for Balik Bool event early this year; even commercial jingles like DES Srong Motors, DES Appliance Plaza and Honda DES Incorporated.

“I would say that music is my life. It gives me joy, a sense of hope, and an amazing beauty of life,” he said.

Clyde said he loves Don Moen Songs, Gary Valenciano, Aiza Seguerra, Southborder, Side A Band and Michael Jackson.

As a member of the Lay Liturgical Ministers of the Assumption of our Lady Shrine Parish, he also sings in Dauis male choir.

“Yes, I sing a lot. I used to sing in various bands before,” he said. “And until now, I sing in tandem with my Papa Mer and my Uncle Michael (Mike), Uncle Vicente (Jun), and their colleagues in Quartet singing like Tito Gerry Saclao, among others.”

In between his roles as a husband to Marjorie (nee Robles) and a dad to their son Czed Miguel, Clyde plans to create more music.  Presently, he works as an operations officer at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DIG) in Dimiao town.

“My priority now is to pour my love to my family. I will give endless love to my wife and raise my son the best way I can,” he shared.

For Clyde, his career keeps getting mentioned in the same breath as his spirituality. He said being prayerful has always been an integral part of his life.

“Everywhere I go, I talk to God. And I listen to Him,” he stressed.

Did Clyde, a registered nurse whose clan, the “Bongalos”, is one of the powerful clans in Dauis and whose mother Betty (a Kabataan sa Barangay official) served as Gov. Edgar Chatto’s longest employee, ever entertain any thought of going into politics?

“Politics? Not for now,” he noted.

Is Clyde ready for stardom (soon)?  “Well, it rests in the power of God. For now, what matters is I am able to move the hearts of people listening to my songs.”

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Panglao’s Hudyaka: Revelry with reverence

Last weekend, the Hudyaka sa Panglao was held in the tourist capital of Bohol. It is the oldest, one of the grandest, most distinguished and most colorful festivals in Bohol province.

In the Cebuano dialect, the word hudyaka, means merry-making. This merry-making is mirrored in theHudyaka dance which characterizes the festival.

The central theme of the Hudyaka is Saint Augustine, a doctor of the Church.

Tourists, both local and foreign, flock to the town plaza every 28th of August to witness this one of a kind event. Streets are packed with viewers and vendors all wanting to witness the street-dancing.  The performers clothe in bright-colored costumes and amazing props, dance to the rhythm of drums and native gongs.  One of the event highlights was the search for the festival queens.

Take a bow, Mayor Nila Montero and Vice-Mayor Ped Fuertes!

(Personal note: Thank you to my high school classmate Alex Bongawan, a barangay kagawad of Tawala. Thank you to the Boy Arbilo and family, Mark and Analyn Pollenza-Arbilo for the food and nagka!)

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