WELCOME

Right off the bat a big THANK YOU to ALL and a hearty WELCOME to our little music station where you get to hear the musical works of our Boholano Priests worldwide, otherwise known as the Paring Bol-anon. Known for its groundbreaking spirit and style, the Paring Bol-anon has led the way in proclaiming to the whole world the beauty of God's goodness and love by way of its music through songwriting, concerts and recording. Led by the indefatigable quartet, The ABCD of the 50's and the pioneering Singing Priests of San Francisco of the mid 80's, the first US-based priest-singing group, the Paring Bol-anon Music has perpetuated its standing as a reputable institution in the field of music. The Singing Priests of Louisiana of the late 80's and the Singing Priests of Tagbilaran of the late 90's have only solidified its resolve to continue to grace the world with its music as more and more priest-singing groups have followed their path.

Msgr. Floro Arcamo

Source: CD Liner and write up at Soundclick

SONGS OF FAITH AND INSPIRATION

Go to the top of the hill and SHOUT! said the enthusiastic music director of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Bohol, Philippines to the 13-year-old Floro B. Arcamo. And as surely as he was called to the priesthood, he was also called to sing. At the San Carlos Major Seminary in Cebu (Philippines), Fr. Arcamo formed a quartet with three of his contemporary "buddies" calling themselves ABCD quartet. While they enjoyed singing in the seminary's choir, they were also drawn to the popular songs of the '50s and '60s, which they had to practice in secret since the seminary forbade singing of secular music.

By the early '60s, the quartet had graduated and, by sheer providence, three members of the group continued their ministries years later in the U.S.A. In 1987, Bishop Daniel Walsh, who was then Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, encouraged them to record their songs, and the priests agreed that it would be a great fundraising tool for their seminary in Bohol. The only thing lacked was a name. Without hesitation, Bishop Walsh suggested, "The Singing Priests of San Francisco!"

After accomplishing their fundraising mission, the group decided to disband in order to focus all their energies on their respective parish assignments. But their parishes, especially Fr. Arcamo's St. Mark's in Belmont, California were clamoring for more music! So it is with all of your support that Fr. Arcamo presents his solo debut album, Songs of Faith and Inspiration. Through songs such as "He," "Wings of a Dove," and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," he hopes to share with you a personal message about faith and the power of God in our everyday lives. God's grace and goodness can certainly be heard in the voice of Fr. Arcamo!

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
Author: Sorlven - Converse
SonLife Music Co. Used by permission

THE SAVIOR I SING OF TODAY
Author: Cruthfield
MCA Champion Music Corp | Glitterfish Music Inc.
Used by permission

The Singing Priests of San Francisco

Excerpts from their first album's noteliner: (paraphrased)

The Singing Priests of San Francisco are Fathers Floro Arcamo, Cirilo Darunday, Jr., Rolando Caverte, Gabriel Mision and Domingo Orimaco. They are Catholic priests working in parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Ever since their seminary days they have been performing as a group in school programs and convocations. They entertained regularly at parish programs, for the elderly and hospital patients, for students, Filipino fiestas and at many other festive occasions. One of the recent high points of their singing career has been their performance for President Aquino during her visit to San Francisco. They, too, have been the constant and regular highlight of the Paring Bol-anon, USA Dinner-Concerts during Paring Bol-anon, USA Reunions held annually in cities like Houston, New York, San Diego, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Tampa, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Toronto, etc.

The Singing Priests of San Francisco sing for a cause: to raise funds to help young boys become priests in the Philippines.

This particular album is dedicated to the Diocesan Seminary in Bohol, Philippines, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, and to all young men who aspire to become priests.
__________________

TRIBUTE TO THE SINGING PRIESTS OF SAN FRANCISCO
Source: Singing Priests of San Francisco at eSnips

by Fro

They are the men.

Pioneering.

True leaders and great teachers.

Inspiration to the young.

And great friends.

These are the Singing Priests of San Francisco. Once young, vibrant and popular. Now appeared scarred and battered over the course of many years, ministering and humming soulful melodies through their music and Christian ministry.

And still they remained proudly standing, in the battlefield of life.

Musically, they have inspired a few good number of followers in the field of music and sound recording, having paved the way, the possibility that you can still be yourself, and be recognized, as a Christian minister and as a musician, in a place so strange and different, so far and so "not us" in many ways and living... but also an environ where hearts and minds are nonetheless receptive of the same message the universal language of the soul and Christ have offered to make their dwelling and revelry.

The music of the Singing Priests of San Francisco, though much have faded with the old magnetic tape formatting over the years, still keeps on ringing and making its way to the musical psyche of today's listeners through these "digitized" version of dem old music.

Welcome to the new world, SPOSF! And welcome y'all to the world and music of the SPOSF. (".) - (02/12/07)