Easter is a time of celebration and reflection, and music plays a vital role in enhancing the experience. Apart from the usual service songs, here are some recent songs in Bicol composed by N. Alforte and R. Dolor ((© 2025) that resonate with the themes of Easter. These songs hope to offer diverse musical styles and messages that can enrich the faithful’s Easter celebrations:
Awit sa Comunion: Domingo kan Pascua
Nahiling ko an Kagurangnan! (Cf. Juan 20:1-18)
“Nahiling ko an Kagurangnan!” recounts Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Lord. It offers a unique musical perspective on her pivotal role in the Easter narrative, capturing themes of grief, recognition, and triumphant joy—such is, in fact, the song’s intent, that is, to express Mary Magdalene’s profound moment of recognition and joy. Ultimately, it also highlights her proclamation that the Lord is risen and her role in announcing such a joyous event. The song ends with the people (the faithful singing) owning and sharing in Mary Magdalene’s recognition of the Risen Lord and the joy accompanying such experience: “Nahiling ko an Kagurangnan!”
Awit sa Comunion: Domingo II kan Pascua
Sa Pagbaak kan Tinapay Namidbidan (Sa Dalan Pa-Emmaus: Cf. Lucas 24:13-33)
This song is a poignant musical depiction of the journey of two of Jesus’ disciples to Emmaus after the resurrection. It is based on the biblical account from the Gospel of Luke (24:13–33). The song ultimately captures the emotional and spiritual transformation of the disciples as they remember how their hearts burned when Jesus spoke to them, acknowledging their earlier flight from the Cross, and as they encounter the risen Christ and recognize Him in the breaking of the bread.
Awit sa Pagdolot
O Kagurangnan Ko asin Dios Ko (Cf. Juan 20:24-29)
This song is based on St. Thomas the Apostle’s declaration upon encountering the resurrected Jesus: “My Lord and my God!” It echoes St. Thomas’ sentiment upon recognizing Jesus as Lord and God. Thus, it reflects his journey from doubt to faith. The song intends to draw from St. Thomas’ encounter with the risen Christ the inspiration to express deep reverence and worship.
Awit sa Communion: Mga Domingo kan Pascua
Jesus, an Paglaom (Awit sa Jubileo nin Paglaom 2025)
In celebration of the 2025 Jubilee of Hope, this song proclaims Jesus as Hope of the living and the dead, now and forever—thus, encapsulating the theme of the jubilee year. The song attributes to the resurrection the restoration of hope to one who may have lost it. Moreover, receiving him in holy communion generates strength to one whose hope may have been weakened.
Awit sa Paglaog: Binangon Siya Liwat
Kyrie: Kagurangnan, maherak ka
Salmo Responsorial: Ini an Aldaw kan Kagurangnan
Pagrokyaw: Alleluia
Pagwirik: Tubig na Nagbubulos
Sanctus: Banal, Banal, Banal
Mysterium Fidei: Misterio kan Pagtubod
Amen
Agnus Dei: Cordero kan Dios
Awit sa Paghale: Lakaw, Pamaretaan Nindo
