Kundirana

Kundirana is a high-school Music Ministry. Its members are part of a select few students from La Salle Green Hills. Aside from being a known singing group and music ministry, Kundirana also has the distinction of being the most renowned high school singing group in the Philippines.^[1]

Composition

The Kundirana is a high school singing group that can be joined by any third or fourth year high school student in LSGH. The members are carefully picked after rigorous auditions (mainly because the group has to ensure that the person applying has talent in singing, and is not afraid of performing in front of a large crowd). Although the number of people who audition range from 35-50, only about a handful are chosen (depending on the number of graduating members). The number of members range from 10-16. Once chosen, a Kundirana member undergoes strict training both in voice and dance as well as how to carry himself in public as an ambassador of goodwill.

It has developed successful artists such as Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Randy Santiago, Monet Silvestre, Rannie Raymundo, Dingdong Avanzado, Dingdong Eduque, Montet Acoymo, Juan Miguel Salvador, Carlo Orosa, Vince Alaras, Von de Guzman and Gian Magdangal of Philippine Idol,Louie Ocampo, Mel Villena, Mon Faustino, Tats Faustino, Rowell Santiago, Manuel Lahoz, Mikoy Morales, Chito Genito, Manny Pagsuyuin (ex-Campus Radio WLS-FM DJ Jimmy Jam now with Retro 105.9 DCG-FM), Joel Salud, Dennis Buenaventura, and Dennis Barot.

Former Members

A lot of former members have wither continued on to musical careers or have pursued diverse futures. Nevertheless, these former members have proved themselves successful in their paths, and most of them are leaders in their own fields.

Concerts

Kundirana has a number of concerts per year, including a farewell concert on June.^[2] They also perform in several gatherings some of which have included the opening of the NCAA Season 83 in San Juan Arena where they sang the national anthem, and the Inauguration of Noynoy Aquino where they performed a number with Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez. In August 1987, Kundirana was nationally honored with the Aliw Award as Best Cultural Group in the Philippines. Just recently, the KUNDIRANA celebrated its 40th anniversary with a grand reunion concert at the CCP entitled "KUNDIRANA KWARENTA NA! The Men, Music and Mission".

Charity work

Kundirana indulges in its public ministry to serve the needy. The ministry aims to bring joy to the sick, the elderly and the forgotten through music. Among their missionary works, Kundirana can claim to have largely built Bahay Pag-asa, a halfway house in Bacolod, Negros Occidental for juvenile delinquents, who in the past were being jailed with adult criminals who would abuse and corrupt them. Kundirana has also built a lot of classrooms in many parts of the country.

Nuestra Señora De Guia

The Patron and Holy Image of Kundirana. The Kundirana is not, and has never been, just an ordinary singing group. In these times of confusion and disillusionment, they are the beacon of inspiration and a sterling example of what is the true substance of all performance, and all art: the upliftment of the human spirit.

These young men accomplish this task not only through their selfless commitment to the service for others that is fueled by an enlightenment behind-the-scenes moral formation which includes a strict code of conduct, ethics and discipline and the molding of a meaningful prayer life.

This task is also accomplish by the group's faith and devotion to Christ and a special relationship with the Blessed Mother. In all of Kundirana's engagements and travels, they are accompanied by the image of the Nuestra Señora De Guia, Our Lady of Guidance, whose home is the Ermita Church.

She is the oldest Marian image in the Philippines, is truly the guide of these young men as she leads their way through the difficult paths to people's hearts. Some, hardened. turned to tender devotion, and others, hungry perhaps for our Lady's succor, rekindled in themselves warm compassion for her.

She was, and is, an important part of the Kundirana's mission. The Lady is there, always leading the Kundirana's way to touch people's hearts, not only through their music, but more importantly, by the example of their faith.

Kundirana 2012: Change The World

Kundirana 2012 is the 41st batch of the Kundirana Music Ministry. They had their Maiden concert October 2011 and in the following month joined several alumni in participating in the grand reunion concert of the 40th year of The Kundirana Music Ministry held at the CCP representing the current Kundirana batch.

They are also the first Kundirana batch directed by Mr. Monet Silvestre who is also a Kundirana alumnae. The batch is also known to be the batch to have brought back the existence of having the kundirana band, consisting of five musicians to bring a live music element to the performance which the group has not had for several years now.

In January 2012, the group had their DLSDasmarinas concert with Mr Gary Valenciano. February 2012, Kundirana 2012 was invited to perform once again in Guam, by Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agana. In April 21, 2012, the group held a concert in the city of Davao with Mr. Ogie Alcasid to celebrate a donation to the One La Salle Scholarship Fund by The DLSS - Davao Chapter which was even match by an anonymous donor who witnessed the whole performance by the batch and Mr. Ogie. Followed by the Davao concert, the group soon headed to the west coast of USA to do their annual California tour, holding concerts in Carlsbad, San Diego, Diamond Bar, Los Angeles, Chula Vista, San Diego, Murrieta Mesa, Temecula and Sacramento.

They had their Farewell concert on June 28, 2012 at the Bro. Donato Center for the Performing Arts in La Salle Green Hills which was supposed to be their final concert as a batch. Although in July 2012, they were invited once again to perform a final concert in La Salle Ozamis to help raise funds for the typhoon that hit the area.

Members

Milo Magno (Singer)
Mico Cruz (Singer)
Harjjii Torio (Singer)
Levy Cabatingan (Singer)
Jep Pimentel (Singer)
Jamie Calixto (Singer)
Thaddeus Calabia (Singer)
Carlo Clemente (Singer)
Louie Pedroso (Singer)
Luigi Lago (Lead Guitar)
Xyrus Sims (Guitar and Saxophone)
Mizo Banaria (Drums)
Hans Canteras (Base Guitar)
Joseph Samson (Keyboards)
Jean Garcia (Production Assistant)

Kundirana 2013: For The Love

Kundirana 2013 is the 42nd batch of the Kundirana Music Ministry. They had their Maiden concert October 2012 and in the following month were able to tour around different Lasallian Schools.

Members

Louie Tanaka (Singer)
Mico Cruz (Singer)
Steven Maristela (Singer)
Levy Cabatingan (Singer)
JP Centeno (Singer)
Matthew Ong (Singer)
Gian Inocencio (Singer)
Erickson Amores (Singer)
Louie Pedroso (Singer)
Hans Cantreras (Lead Guitar)
Ralph Murillo (Drums)
Hans Canteras (Base Guitar)
Adrian Goh (Keyboards)
Jaffe Misa (Production Assistant)

Kundirana 2014: Heart and Soul

Kundirana 2013 is the 43rd batch of the Kundirana Music Ministry. They had their Maiden concert October 2013 and in the following month were able to tour around different Lasallian Schools. They had the chance to Perform for the Ombudsman of the Philippines, Conchita Carpio Morales. They also had a chance to tour around different Lasallian Schools like University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, De La Salle Zobel, De La Salle Health Sciences Institute and La Salle Academy Iligan City. Kundirana 2014 were also given a chance to perform at Flushing Meadows in Bohol.

Kundirana also had several television appearances, First in ABS-CBN DZMM TeleRadyo, second in Umagang Kay Ganda a famous morning show in the Philippines and third in a Holy Friday Special featuring the music video of Kundirana 2014's original song entitled, "I'll be still, I'll be healed"

The batch were able to record their original song composed by their Musical Director, Monet Silvestre entitled "I'll Be Still, I'll Be Healed". The song is focused on the love of Mary for Christ and for the people.

Last April to May 2014, Kundirana 2014 had a concert tour in USA. The group visited 4 cities in California. They had their first stop in Temecula, then North San Diego, then Chula Vista and last is Sacramento.

Maiden Concert (October 19, 2013)
Pre Departure Concert (March 29, 2014)
Farewell Concert (July 19, 2014)

Members

Raven Leonardo (Singer)
Adrian Goh (Singer)
Steven Maristela (Singer)
Brendan Barcena (Singer)
JP Centeno (Singer)
Matthew Ong (Singer)
Eggy Manuel (Singer)
Erickson Amores (Singer)
Jaffe Misa (Singer)
Nico Mercado (Lead Guitar)
Randall Meria (Drums)
Mike tee (Base Guitar)
JP Ocampo/Monet Silvestre (Keyboards)
Martin Pioquinto (Production Assistant)

Current Members (Kundirana 2015 - Code of Love)

Brendan L. Barcena (Singer)
Eggy Manuel (Singer)
Paolo Morales (Singer)
Mikko Quilala (Singer)
Daniel Menil (Singer)
Baileys Acot (Singer)
Leon Matawaran (Singer)
Pancho Revilla (Lead Guitar
Randall Meria (Drums)
Anton Villa-ignacio (Bass Guitar)
Gelo Morales (Keyboards)
Matthew Angeles (Production Assistant)

Counsel Members

Monet Silvestre (Musical Director)
Manuel Lahoz (Stage Manager)
Amy Galang (Moderator)
Beth Austria (Marketing)

References