Launching of Hiniusang Simbahan

April 28, 2009.

It was the day when "Hiniusang Simbahan", the jubilee song for the 75th celebration of the Archdiocese of Cebu was presented. It was the launching day. All of the members of the Archdiocese of Cebu gathered at the CICC. Prominent guest in the event were President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, several bishops and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
The solo performers were assigned one or two lines of singing parts. The singers were Raki Vega, Apple Abarquez, Roy Empleo, Rhea Mae Sadaya, Yentel Beltran, Daryl Leong, Levin, Phillip Buendicho, Sam Costanilla and this writer, Eugene Tan. There were ten of us doing the solo part.
During the technical rehearsal and on the sound check rehearsal, it was pointed out that 10 microphones will be used for the finale, the singing of the "Hiniusang Simbahan". It was stressed out again that there should be 10 microphones during this part of the program.
The accompaniment of our song started right after HIs Emminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal uttered the last word of his speech. There was 1 microphone missing. There should be 10, there was only 9? I asked the stage director assistant about the missing mic, he was helpless as I was.
We were already poised and Raki started singing her part, as four singers sang their part, we noticed that there was something wrong. The song was immediately stopped. They played the wrong CD track. It was so embarassing. How could such a big event be spoiled by an unattentive technician.
The show must go on. shortly before my part, Levin passed his microphone to me but retrieved it right away for our chorus part. I was the only one singing and looking so stupid in the chorus part without a microphone. For me, the oversight was unacceptable especially when I was the victim. Such an amateurish staffing and directing. Oh by the way, the sound system was provided by Eddie Sinay, a fast-rising and popular sound system provider. I hope next time they should not make the same mistake. In fairness to them, this audio system outfit is really affordable and can provide quality sound.
The presentation was a success.