GOSPEL JAM held its weekly musical event in Isetann Recto last Sunday, September 25, 2011 in partnership with
Word of Hope Manila. It was a well attended celebration with a jam-packed crowd from the start of the program at 3pm to its finale that ended 7pm.
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| crowd from the food court, ground floor and second floor areas |
Instead of starting withe usual Gospel Jam theme song, hosts ARLA FONTAMILLAS, JEANNE VELASCO-VICARS and direk MARK ARANAL, after welcoming everyone, introduced AGAINST THE FLOW that opened the program and got the crowd moving with their first set of songs including
Nothing is Impossible, Does Anybody Hear Her and Sea of Faces.
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| Gospel Jam hosts Arla, Mark and Jeanne |
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Against the Flow formerly known as Youth Alive
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Followed by a high-energy dance number by ONE PROD, the creative arts department of the host church.
Host ARLA FONTAMILLAS performed a solo, but a glitch on her music track forced her to skip lines. The true professional that she is, Arla finished her song beautifully as if it was the actual arrangement.
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| Shine for Jesus 2005 Grand winner Arla Fontamillas |
The next performance excited the audience as parents and 'kuyas' and 'ates' flocked to the front to get a better view of the host churches' CHILDREN'S MINISTRY.
After the kids, the kids-at-heart group F40 performed two numbers.
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| The singing group F40 describing themselves as faithful men over forty. From left Roger Carandang, pastor Ed Cunanan, Josepf Escasinas, Emmanuel Manangquil, Henry Castro Ang and Ehdd Arquiza. |
After another energetic dance number from ONE PROD, the host church's ministry for the hearing impaired, dubbed by the hosts as SILENT HOPE, interpreted a song using sign language.
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| Silent Hope |
Next came another young artist, 14 year-old JONATHAN MACAYA who impressed the audience with his yoyo exhibition.
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| Jonathan Macaya wowing the audience with his superb yoyo skills |
Adding energy to the now hyper crowd, AGAINST THE FLOW performed their second set which had the young audience jumping and dancing as the band played on. Next was host JEANNE VELASCO-VICARS with a powerful rendition of
Stand Up for Love.
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| Jeanne Velasco-Vicars singing a song by Destiny's Child |
Next is the highlight of the program. Multi-awarded actress
AMY AUSTRIA shared her life story to an attentive crowd.
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| Actress Amy Austria sharing her life story |
In the middle of her sharing, a female from the audience came up the stage crying, saying she was blessed by Ms. Austria's life story. After a few comforting words from Ms. Amy, the lady (she introduced herself as Mary) was escorted back down by the staff.
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| Ms. Austria doing an on-the-spot counseling |
After Ms. Austria's inspiring life story, hosts Jeanne and Arla performed
"When You Believe". And to cap the celebration, Mac Canoza and her band performed two songs including an original composition by Ms. Canoza.
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| Mac Canoza and her band |
It's been a while since I last attended a Gospel Jam event and this is my first in Isetann Recto. I forgot how tiring it is to stand for four hours taking videos and photos. By the third hour my legs and right hand were already shaking. But as always it was a blessing attending one and I am proud to say that I am a certified Ka-Jam!
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| Thank you, Gospel Jammers! |
Thank you to all those who joined us, to Ms. Amy Austria, to the talented performers, to our host church, to Isetann Recto, to the Gospel Jam hosts, to our hard working volunteers and to all our audience and supporters who stayed and watched and enjoyed and was blessed by this ministry. MARAMING SALAMAT PO!
