Drafted & created a new logo for WBHMusic that will represent its vision & values. Behind these curves & lines are reflections of the journey through the various seasons of life. They mark the wonderful works the Lord demonstrates. More roads are yet to be traveled & new expanding opportunities are still to come… The very anchor & foundation of this emblem is the covering, hovering & the leading of the Holy Spirit that illuminates the very core of our purpose. GOD IS FAITHFUL & TO HIM BE ALL THE GLORY!
He does not ask for our ability, but our availability. We are able because of Him who gives us the strength.
A new song for a new day rises up in me
every time I think about how he breaks through for me!
Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until
everyone hears how God has set me free.
Many will see his miracles;
they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!
PSALM 40:3
This lockdown season brought us back to something we started as a couple more than 20 years ago.
​
We met at Buhangin Community Church, Davao City back in 1991 and became a part of the worship team then. We got married years after with hearts burning with passion for the Lord and a covenant to honor Him. Worship is not just about singing songs but a form of lifestyle where our lives become the living sacrifice we offer Him everyday. We migrated to the US and had children, praying that they too will grow up loving what we love and doing what we do for the Lord. Still, we became a part of the worship team at Filipino-American Christian Church. I lead vocals and played the guitar/bass while my wife played the keyboards. Our children grew up in that kind of environment. We conducted weekly life groups, participated in community outreaches, donated food and clothes for the homeless and hungry, all propelled by the love of Jesus. It was our joy to lead a community group of mostly young couples that was relationship driven with Jesus at the center, the YAF (Young Adult Fellowship). Until now, they are continuing the vision through the leadership of my brother Arnel & his wife, Lysbeth. He has done amazing things in our little ways. He does not ask for our ability, but our availability. We are able because of Him who gives us the strength.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
During those years, I also had the opportunity to be a part a Christian Rock band "Grave2Life" in Georgia, USA where I still played bass and lead vocals. We traveled to different schools, events, cities and states, not to entertain nor perform but to proclaim the name of Jesus through our songs. We had our self-titled EP album with songs ‘I Glorify You’ ‘Fill Me’ ‘No Strength to Face’ 'Grave To Life' 'Hold Me' 'Holla If You Hear Me' & ‘With The King.’ Back then, there were a lot of stories penned down in the form of music. Another opportunity during those times was the opportunity to conduct a weekly worship teaching at Empty Vessel Ministries in Lawrenceville, Ga. The whole world is filled with people who love to worship - something or someone, but I am convinced to worship only One name. And that name is JESUS!
​
True indeed, if we are walking in the assignment God has for our lives, opportunities easily come. Our calling is not for us to be famous but to make the One who lives in us - Jesus Christ Himself, known! We are recipients of His amazing grace - unmerited favor & God’s enablement power. A year before we decided to go back to the Philippines, two scenarios came into my lap. The first one was my former producer who wanted me to have a solo album project in collaboration with some of the rap artists in Minneapolis & Chicago.
The other offer came from one of the associate pastors in one of the mega churches in Georgia who invited me to join his new ministry. He was planning to start another church in the nearby area and I was given a task to be the worship pastor & take charge of the music ministry. To be honest, deep inside I was so pumped up to hear those & excited to accept the offer. In fact, I was already contemplating plans & projects. Actually, this was a chance for me to help, be trained & expand the gifts God has in store in connection to discipleship & winning souls. However, God’s ways are better than ours & His plans are always for our best. Sometimes we cannot comprehend what those moments meant, but when we allow ourselves to just stay put in His path, obey and walk, He gives us the possibility of reaching our potentials. I am continually praying for them and their ministries to keep expanding & growing for God’s glory. I truly value our friendships and imbedded our times together as one of the best memories I have during our stay in America.
​
​
Another season came. After years of praying and seeking God’s guidance, we moved back to the Philippines in 2011. There were months that I did not prioritize playing music & writing songs since new responsibilities and business opportunities came along the way. I thought that what I wrote were just seasonal from the very first year I started composing worship songs like 'As For Me' 'I Keep Falling In Love' 'Pag-ibig Ko'y Ikaw' 'Dakila Ka Panginoon' 'Siya'y Kasama Ko' 'I Surrender All' 'Break My Heart' 'Pagasimbahon Ka' and the famous 'Maayo Ka Ginoo’ which reached different churches in Mindanao.
​
​
When the Pandemic hit the world last March 2020, little did I know that this would be the confirmation year of rekindling that passion in the midst of calamity and uncertainty. We were lockdown socially but locked-in spiritually. This is a season where the calling is brought back to life, empowered by the Holy Spirit in the glorious ministry He has prepared. The very first prophetic prayers when I was a college student flashed back to mind. A missionary who came all the way from Australia & a woman of God from USA laid hands on my head declaring that I will compose and make songs for the Lord in the years to come! God ‘s promises are never wasted! But to settle for His promise without living with His presence would detach us in our growth. For His promises will only find their perfect place once His presence has the preeminence in our lives.
Online platforms started to rise including Sunday services which paved the way for my entire family to be a part of the worship ministry again. Once or twice a month, since 2020, we began leading worship for our local church - Buhangin Community Church. My eldest and youngest daughters help with vocals, my 2nd daughter plays the drums, my wife still plays the keyboards while I play the guitar and lead worship as well. It is through this unexpected season that fresh songs birthed out.
I believe God is redirecting my passion back to music & the calling He has bestowed upon me. Right now, I am also waiting for the completion of the on-hold projects with my beloved "RIVERPRAISE" BCC worship team since Pandemic came. I have planned to record the two favourite songs "Daygon Ko Ikaw" & "Maayo Ka Ginoo" and more Bisaya songs as well like "Dili Ko Mahadlok" "Wala Pa Ka Nahuman" "Alagaran Ko" "Hesus Mosalig Ko Nimo" Magbalantay" and others. I am aware that every opportunity has a difficulty. But on that, I am even more convinced that in every difficulty, there is an opportunity for God to show off His power! To be able to turn our troubles into triumphs.
​
​
​
God can use a broken situation to write songs, make music and bring inspiration to a broken world.
This is our lifestyle as a family... we do devotional time every night - soaking in God’s presence through worship, increasing our knowledge by reading His Word & strengthening our faith through prayer. In Him we live and move and have our being! Like we make it a point to charge our phones or gadgets every time they are running empty, we make it a point to recharge ourselves daily by plugging into GOD! We are surrounded by many challenges and difficult situations, but in God we have victory!
​
RIGHT MIND RESULTS TO PROPER LIVING
Trust God with His timing for He knows what He is doing at the right time, in the right season, with the right circumstance, and at the right moment. HAVE A RIGHT ATTITUDE TO HAVE A BRIGHT ALTITUDE IN LIFE. Don’t complain about the circumstances you’re in... set your mind in Him!
In 2020, I vividly remember how I prayed & asked God to send people who will support the recording of the songs He laid in my heart, since lyrics and melodies kept pouring out. For we believe that THE GREATEST BATTLES IN LIFE ARE WON ON OUR KNEES!!! We gain strength from the one who never runs out Indeed, one morning my friend & kumpare Rex Briones from America called me up and the rest led to exciting months of working together, once again, for His glory. He is currently helping me with recording these songs, since I am on the verge of finalizing an album. Another friend that came along this journey is Franco Glovasa and Vince. Indeed, God never runs out of people!
THE EARTH WILL BE FILLED WITH THE GLORY & THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD
As what the book of Ephesians 1:19 says “that we will be an advertisement of the Holy Spirit’s immense power working within us.” Through the songs He has given, I believe He will do something amazing for His church as we continually experience His immeasurable great power made available to us through faith.
Now as a family, we want the name of Jesus to be lifted high - to bring His love and hope to this generation. Our desire is not just to be musically involved but community inclined and driven as well - winning the lost for Jesus Christ and making disciples, feeding the hungry & helping the needy. To God be the glory!
Every lyric is refreshment of His love
and every melody is refinement to live with His love.
Music is life and live life with a heart in-tuned to Him.
We are created to Worship, and we are all worshippers. We are formed for the purpose of bringing glory to Him. Worship is not something we do. It's being who we are that defines whom we worship and the status of our hearts. We become who we behold.
We are created in the image of God to bring honor to Him, serve Him and live life for Him. It is an overflow of our daily affection to our creator and the awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
​
​
​
​
​
I ask only one thing from the Lord.
This is what I want most:
Let me live in the Lord’s house all my life,
enjoying the Lord’s beauty
and spending time in his palace.
He will protect me when I am in danger.
He will hide me in his tent.
He will take me up to his place of safety.
If he will help me defeat the enemies around me,
I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy.
I will sing and play songs to honor the Lord.
PSALM 27:4-6
Right now, as part of the primary leaders of Buhangin Community Church, Minette & I are blessed to have our Footwashers team, a group of leaders who have the heart to win souls & make disciples despite the struggles in life. By the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we are able to overcome and do our tasks and assignments for we not focused on our handicaps but the power of the Mighty One Jesus Christ!
​
​
If you look around you will find plenty of reasons to worry. And all worry gives us in return is anxiety and it voids today’s strength. It divides our focus, distorts our energy & distracts our vision. Instead of allowing upsetting and depressing thoughts to occupy our minds, why not worship God & have a grateful heart? START IT NOW!
PRAISE is the spontaneous reaction of His unmerited favor, a consistent manifestation of His divine enablement, and an overflowing demonstration of His divine power in our lives... WE ARE NOT CALLED TO BE WEARY IN THIS WORLD BUT TO BE FIERY IN THE LORD... KEEP THE FIRE BURNING!!!
​
This is our testimony of God's goodness & faithfulness together with our
Footwashers Team & Hulagwayi Portraits
Let’s not treat the presence of God with content & complacency but with honor, value & intimacy
As you trust God and do good, you will enjoy His promises and faithfulness.
Don’t vandalize with doubt or allowing any disturbing thoughts of His intention for you to live a life of security & stability.
Always take delight in Him for He knows what’s best for you. He is definitely in control of every situation and will give the desires
of your heart as you align yourself in His will & walk with one accord with His plan.
He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion. Again, enjoy in His pasture!
There is no reason why you should be consumed with worry & anxiety... take delight in the Lord!
​
​
​
​
​