(from left) Portrait of Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros SJ, Jesuit Communications Executive Director Fr. Nono Alfonso SJ, Jesuit Music Ministry director Lester Mendiola, and composer Alejandro Consolation II at the media conference for the launch of the inaugural “PURIHI’T PASALAMATAN music competition” on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Image: Contributed photo/INQUIRER.net, Jessica Ann Evangelista
The late Jesuit priest Eduardo P. Hontiveros SJ, widely regarded as the “Father of Filipino Liturgical Music,” has been nominated for National Artist for Music, by his colleagues at the Ateneo de Manila University, recognizing his contributions to Catholic religious music.
During the media conference for the launch of the inaugural “Purihi’t Pasalamatan: The Father Eduardo P. Hontiveros SJ National Liturgical Music Competition” on Tuesday, Jan. 28, Jesuit Music Ministry director Lester Mendiola told reporters that while the late prelate had already received the papal award and the presidential merit award, he deserved to “highest” honor of being called a national artist.
“He (Hontiveros) was given several awards in the past: the Papal Award and my presidential honor siya. Pero para samin, we want to get the highest, the national artist,” adding that they received the support of other religious organizations.
Hontiveros succumbed to a fatal stroke — his second after a matter of days — in January 15, 2008 at age 85. Then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who used to have a teaching post at the Ateneo, was among those who attended his funeral. She would later grant him the presidential merit award posthumously.
The late hymnwriter and liturgy musician introduced Filipino-language hymns into church services at a time when Latin dominated worship music. His compositions include “Pananagutan,” “Paghahandog Ng Sarili,” and “Ama Namin,” among others.
When asked for the group’s aim in nominating Hontiveros for National Artist and establishing the music competition on his behalf, Mendiola emphasized that it is their way of introducing the late composer to the youth.
“Siguro parang by-product. Many people don’t know Fr. Hontiveros pero kilala siya, ‘Ay siya pala yung gumawa non,’ so parang introduce him to the young people. Fr. Honti created 380 songs; in our last count, marami doon hindi pa namin napupublish. We want people to get inspiration from the music Fr. Honti created,” he stated.
Mendiola also clarified that the music competition will not be associated with the Jubilee Year, as it is ending by the first week of January in 2026. “Hindi na siya aabot,” he said, adding that they want to give the participants and judges ample time to do their thing.
Fr. Nono Alfonso SJ and composer Alejandro Consolation II also explained that the music competition is a way of “giving channels” to young musicians to publish their work as well as the “transmission of the faith” from the elderly to the youth.
The “Purihi’t Pasalamatan: The Father Eduardo P. Hontiveros SJ National Liturgical Music Competition” is now accepting submissions until April 19. It is open to all Filipino citizens aged 18 and above.
Finalists will be announced on June 20 and will receive ₱10,000 each. Meanwhile, winners will receive cash prizes as follows:
- First Prize: ₱100,000
- Second Prize: ₱50,000
- Third Prize: ₱30,000
Interested participants can access the full mechanics and submission details through the Jesuit Communications website.