The Adventist University of the Philippines recently established a new department under PIC which called Campus Youth Ministry (CYM).  The CYM has a special program for all the singing group in AUP on July 7, 2001. Rtv is the name of the program. It's almost the same with Mtv but Rtv stands for Religious TV.  It was held in PIC at exactly 3.30-6 pm.  All the singing group was asked to sing 3 songs. 

First song shows the identity, second song is the memorable song and the last song should have a meaningful story. Dressed in black for the ladies and batik for the males, the AUP IC and Friends sang 3 songs.  According to Aylwin "Instrument of your peace" is the  identity song of the group.  Because the AUP IC sings this song everywhere they go and sang it several times in PIC.  The memorable song is "Old Time Religion". Why? Because during Manado tour concert, this is the most demanded song.  Thanks to Stephanie Tambunan for being the best obligato. And the last song is the new piece of the AUP IC & Friends "Every time I feel the spirit".    

IC Visits Lipa City

The IC's last visit to Lipa last October got the whole choir stranded in the City due to a major typhoon that hit Luzon last year. Last weekend the choir returned to the Lipa for the third (or fourth) time. 

Pastor Hiskiah Missah conducted a week of Public Evangelistic Meeting in the city which culminated on the Sabbath, April 21, 2001, at Lipa Adventist Academy. Dressed in barongs, the AUP Indonesian Chorale sung during the Divine Service and performed five songs during the afternoon AY meeting at the school's auditorium. Their response rendition "Are Your Ready for Jesus to Come" fits the theme of the crusade. While the "Give Me that Old Time Religion" was given more emphasis by the speaker, Pastor Missah, that the old time religion is the Adventist religion itself.

"Pastor Missah, are the Indonesian Chorale coming with you?" asked Dr. Aclan, of the Lipa Doctors Clinic last week. "I'm afraid not today," replied Pastor Missah. "So you know them, doctor?" "I know each one of them by their first name, and I even have their cell phone numbers with me," Dr Jimenez continued. "Well, then we will see to it that the Indonesian Chorale comes to Lipa on Sabbath morning" concluded Pastor Missah happily. On Sabbath morning the IC arrived in Lipa on two chartered jeepneys from AIIAS and AUP.

Dr Aclan and Dr Jimenez are long-time friends of the IC. Both are prominent figures in the Adventist community in Lipa. During the afternoon visit to their home in Lipa town proper, Dr Jimenez proudly announced to Pastor and Mrs Missah, as well as to Mr & Mrs Hondo, IC's new sponsors, "They are my adopted children," while pointing to the chorale members.

The choir sang several songs in the doctors residence. There was 'merienda' prepared for us, too. And after lots of laughs, singing, birthday songs and chats, we had our sundown worship together.

Each visit to Lipa is a new experience for the IC. It represents a joy to be in its ministry--an experience to be cherished for many years.

AUP-IC Bids Farewell to the Tambunans

After more than two years of unselfish dedication to the IC, Mr & Mrs Joseph Tambunan, IC's spiritual and musical advisors are leaving for UNAI, Indonesia. The IC held a farewell party last night in honor of the couple.

The program was held at Finster Chapel, AUP, featuring the IC in a mini-concert, following a worship service led by no other than Dr Gerry U Ellacer, former AUP President. Dr Ellacer, now retired, has been very supportive in the IC projects during his term, especially during the the groups US/Canada Tour last year.

Remarks from past IC presidents filled intermissions during the concert. And among the repertoire that evening were a set of new songs. After the concert, guest were treated with a sumptuous Indonesian delicacy of red sticky rice mixed with coco milk, and fried noodles, alias pancit canton (the official delight of Molave-ians)...

Among the honored guests that evening were music mentors Harold Galang, Voltaire Oblimar, Mam Nedz, Mrs Diamante, and AUP's music jewel, Mrs Minerva Penaranda. From SSD were Mrs E. Missah, Shepherdess Coordinator of SSD and family, and Pastor J. Lubis, SSD Publishing Director. From AIIAS were the Lukas family, PPMIP Tagaytay representative Mr Simanjuntak and family, and also alumni Richard Manurung. 

Mr & Mrs Tambunan has been an inspiration to the IC in recent years. The challenges they face in leading the IC has been quite enormous. Yet, they have kept open arms and open hearts to all--IC and non-IC alike. They will surely be remembered in the hearts of each IC member who have seen their kindness. 

Good News for all. Due to insistent demands from IC family, the IC website which was officially announced 'closed' earlier, will still be in cyberspace. Its maintenance will continue as usual although arrangements for a structural collective maintenance will be finalized soon.

Arrangements have been made with IC officers regarding a more efficient way of implementing updates to the website.

The website administrator encourages everyone to forward the IC website to family members and friends. 

Sir Dante Oblimar will be arriving in Manila as early as Tuesday next week for a pre-embarkation vacation before leaving to Thailand to serve as a music professor in an SDA college there. This will be his second overseas service in the Asia Pacific region.

A farewell program is being held this weekend in UNAI, Bandung, to honor the Oblimar family. The IC alumni in Jakarta and Bandung gathers again this weekend to bid farewell to the family.

Sir Oblimar will be arriving in AUP just in time to attend the musical recital of his former student, Aylwin Yonathan, IC's current director. 

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Past news. Past news. Past news. Past news. Past news. Past news. Past news.

AUP's 108 Graduation Weekend

The 108th graduation weekend at AUP concluded today, Sunday March 25, 2001. And like always, AUP campus was filled with celebration an festivity. Graduates and parents exchange tears of happiness. 

Anchored to the theme, 'Rectitude' this year's graduation saw more than 24 students from Indonesia, with 9 of them from the Indonesian Chorale family. Among the happy graduates are; Indrajit, Ketty Mondoringin, Albert Ruus, Cherry Lumingkewas, Lina Manurung, Jenny Tambunan, Iwan Hartono, Advisers Mr J. Tambunan and Mrs C. Tambunan. Congratulations to the graduates of 2001.

The IC had a special place in the graduation weekend when it was honored to sing Lupang Hinirang and the School song during one occasions.

The pomp and glamour of commencement ceremony was typical. But one can observe that some of the golden traditions were missing this year. The AUP Mass Choir which use to herald majestic tunes were not here. And all IC alumni who once stood in that mighty choir can vividly remember the experience of it. The firecrackers were silent too during the recessional. 

But then, the red carpet were still there. The immense joy of simply 'graduating' is an experience-- unforgettable. Kudos to the IC graduates of 2001. This is a big loss for the choir. Yet we are happy for you and we are indeed proud of you all. 

 
Indrajit honored by AUP

If there is any mother who is more proud of his son today than any other, it would be Mrs Taliwongso from Jakarta. Her joy was multiplied today for the fact that her son received an academic honor which sets him in high esteem.

Indrajit proved to excel in his academic endeavors as he claims the title 'Cum Laude' today during the Commencement Ceremony. Truly an achievement that the IC family can be proud about. 

Ajit, as he is best called, joined the IC in 1997 shortly before the Jakarta Tour. His entire college life was devoted to AUP Indonesian Chorale and its ministry. Ajit has served as a member, vice-president, and eventually president of the chorale to which he has excelled both in singing and his studies.

Ajit stand today to prove that truly one can devote himself/herself in the IC's ministry, yet still maintain a balance with studies to even achieve academic honors. 

IC holds Luncheon at Molave Hall

Being a graduation tradition, a luncheon was always hosted to honor the graduates right after the graduation ceremony at PIC attended by guests, parents, families and friends.

IC's luncheon was hosted at the 'renown' Molave Residence Hall, third floor. Banquet tables were set. And beautifully decorated 'a la carte' table were prepared. Food stewards were hired to make sure that all who present are well-served. 

And the food was exceptional. 

Among some honored guests were Dr. Priscillo Santiago, AUP's VP for Student Service who is also IC's sponsor. His devotional talk highlight that greatness does not come from the four P's that the world usually knows: Positions, Possessions, Power and Prestige. But genuine greatness comes from Humility, Love, Service and sharing Happiness--all coming from God. 

Attendees were treated with beautiful musical numbers by the IC as well. A special presentation of the cast from the Sound of Music featuring Indrajit as Captain Von Trapp (with 'Maria' -- ehm..ehmm Jit) and his family had some eyes shed tears.

Remarks was given by the graduates as well.

The Lunch was successful. And much appreciation goes to the organizers of the program.

A NOTE FROM THE IC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Congratulations for all the IC Graduates this year 2001. Welcome to the alumni circle. Like What Mr Tambunan mention in his remarks, "we will never retire from the IC". Indeed graduating from AUP doesn't end our connection with the IC at AUP. 

To all graduates, we are very very proud of you, and wish you all the best as you join the workforce or as you continue your studies in a higher level. God Bless.

(For those who wish to post a message of congratulation to the graduates, send your email to aupic@yahoogroups.com (for mailing list members) or send to indonesianchorale@yahoo.com for non-members of IC mailing list. Thanks)