10-year-old Pinoy among members of pope's personal music choir


Any important ceremony in the Vatican seems incomplete without a musical accompaniment by the Coro della Capella Sistina or the Sistine Chapel Choir.

During the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII last Sunday, for example, the group serenaded the devotees with their angelic voices.

A report on “24 Oras” Monday said two members of Sistine Chapel Choir are Filipinos, one of them is 10-year-old Dan Valenzona.

Born in Rome, Italy, to both Filipino parents who are overseas workers, Valenzona was once brought to St. Peter's Square by his parents when he was still an infant to attend a Mass celebrated by then-Pope John Paul II.

The report siad Valenzona's parents said they never once thought that their child would become a member of the Sistine Chapel Choir.

“I feel so proud and happy to be part of this choir,” Valenzona told “24 Oras” anchor Mel Tiangco through an interpreter.

Meanwhile, healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez, who also attended the canonization rites last Sunday, shared the experience of being hugged by Pope Francis during the event.

“Sa mga Pilipino na nanonood, yung embrace sa akin ni Pope, embrace na rin sana sa inyo, sa mga nawawalan ng pag-asa, sa mga nanghihina, lalo na sa mga maysakit,” he said. —Elizabeth Marcelo/KBK, GMA News

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