For the thousands who are still feeling lost and forsaken.
We haven’t forgotten.
Last September and October 2009, two super typhoons battered northern Philippines. It was the worst natural disaster the country has experienced in over three decades.
Almost a thousand lives were lost. Infrastructure damages reached 38 Billion Pesos or 829 Million in US Dollars.
The disaster awakened the spirit of volunteerism.
Donated goods came in the truckloads to the relief areas. Local networks organized telethons, collecting as much as 10 Million Pesos. Proceeds of big, industry-wide events, such as the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress, were donated to the most affected cities and provinces. Benefit concerts by various local artists and bands were organized, the proceeds of which went to the victims and their families.
Everyone wanted to donate and do whatever they can to help.
And amidst all the financial and material aid that has poured from all over the world, the band realized one important aspect of the Filipino that was curiously being overlooked.
The Philippines is one of only two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia, with more than 90% of the entire population Christians. Devout and religious, the common Filipino’s everyday life is ruled by spirituality. His everyday decisions and choices influenced largely by his faith.
More than being physically starved due to the recent disasters, the Filipinos were hungry spiritually. And it struck us odd that nobody was addressing this.
So we did.
Mistula is currently spearheading an ongoing project that involves a production team composed of some of the most genuinely kind-hearted individuals who have pledged their very precious time and talent into helping us breathe life to an idea.
Our end goal is a new Mistula song. But it won’t be just any song.
It will be a prayer.
It will be a new church song, to be donated and offered to various churches and choirs.
A new prayer, to be sung specifically before the coming of a storm.
Because there is no escaping the country’s geography; no denying the estimated 19 tropical cyclones that visit the country each year during the typhoon season.
Over the course of the coming weeks and months, our efforts will consist solely of bringing this new song into existence. We shall be posting constant updates on its production process, right up to the song’s online release, and ultimately, to its offering at the church, right before the next typhoon season comes.
The band hopes that this donation will help build a spiritually stronger Filipino, united through one prayer, in the face of calamity.
This, we pray.
Amen.
