Tony C. Diaz | The Pacific Voice

Archbishop Anthony sings Fan Matto -- O' Come All Ye Faithful in Chamorro – as Jesse Manibusan accompanies him Dec. 21 at Sheraton Laguna. (Photos by Tony C. Diaz)

Returning to the homeland of his heritage, Chamorro spiritual singer/songwriter Jesse Manibusan celebrated the Advent season and the joy of Christ alive in us this Christmas with a rousing concert at the Sheraton Laguna Resort in Tumon Tuesday, Dec. 21.

Joined by Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, guest performers and an audience of about 800 people, Jesse exhorted the Church to rejoice in the love of Christ and then to go out as evangelists and share that love with others.

“We prepare for Christ to conceive in us,” the joyful music minister said. “Jesus is coming and Jesus is here so let us be grateful as we prepare and be grateful that God is preparing in us.”

“This is the reason for the season, that Jesus loves us and sends us forth,” Jesse told the audience.

Peppering his moving, uplifting music and vocals with thoughtful messages of God’s love for each of us, interspersed with lots of animated fun and down to earth Chamorro humor, Jesse marked a special return to the homeland he loves to call the “land of my ancestors’ chromosomes.”

Making his fourth appearance to Guam this 2000 decade, Jesse returned this time with his lovely wife Jodie, as part of 2 by 2 Ministries. It was Jodie’s first visit to Guam since 1993 and you could tell by his smiles that having her on this trip, was an extra joy for Jesse. They’ve been married 25 wonderful years.

Lively and animated, Jesse Manibusan is flanked by members of the Santa Barbara Catholic School Honor Choir at the Dec. 21 Christmas concert.

Catholics on the Move television and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Toto were the main sponsors and organizers of his trip and concert. They received much help from many dedicated individuals and organizations in the community.

Speaking of the courage that Mary and Joseph showed when their lives were suddenly jolted by an angel declaring God’s calling to the young lady and carpenter, Jesse asked people to be obedient, brave and faithful likewise and put their whole trust in the Lord.

“Mary had plans, Joseph had plans,” he said. “God interrupted their lives.”

Jesse also said encouragement was one of the greatest gifts we could share with one another. Words of kindness, acts of care and compassion toward other persons are powerful things that Christ wants us to do.

We are called to pass on God’s gift of love for us to one another, he said. “Tag, you’re it.”

The night was filled with touching moments, good music, fellowship and hilarious fun.

There were many highlights. Like when Jesse took time to play a few songs from his historic “Homeland” album, which he debuted in 1993 during his first visit to Guam as he was just starting to make real, tangible connections to the island where his parents, Francisco and Lola Manibusan grew up.

The room was silent as people listened with certain emotions as he sung the heartfelt songs “Homeland” and “Forever Chamorro”, which he dedicated to beloved relatives and friends who had passed away, including young Michael Manibusan and Chamorro photojournalist Eduardo Siguenza.

Members of the Richard's family, music ministers at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Yigo enjoy Jesse's music and words of faith.

Later in the night he asked Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron to join him on stage for a sweet rendition of a beautiful island Christmas favorite, Fan Matto — O’ Come Oh Ye’ Faithful in Chamorro.

Always animated with his big, bulging eyes, huge grin and down to earth humor celebrating the Chamorro in all of us, Jesse had the crowd singing along and doing gestures … laughing sometimes and sometimes wanting to cry.

Catholic wife and mom, Melanie San Agustin opened the concert billed “Jesse’s Christmas Concert In the Island” with a stirring song called “Where are you Christmas?

And when budding Catholic musician Donovan Afaisen ambled up to the stage with his ukulele, Jesse stared at the instrument, which looked like a shrunken guitar and said, “Hey boy! Didn’t they tell you you’re not supposed to put that in the washing machine?”

All bedecked in red, the kids of the Santa Barbara Catholic School Honor Choir, showcased their talents with a lot of pride and enthusiasm and also returned to the stage later to join Jesse for several other lively numbers.

Jesse sang several wonderful songs from his newest album “Jesse Manibusan, Life You’re Living” including one popular number called “How We Talk About”. The song calls all people who call themselves Christians to back up their words and identity with real, tangible, everyday living and actions that are centered on Christ. “A love that lives in our actions, not just how we talk about it,” sang Jesse.

Throughout the night and his visit here, Jesse was surrounded by and regaled in the presence of many of his relatives.

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ON
GTA GREENLIGHT CHANNEL 25

While on Guam, Jesse also recorded a one-hour Christmas special with the well-known and very gifted St. Francis Catholic School Children’s Choir as part of Greenlight Media Productions, which airs a 24-hour channel on Guam Telephone Authority’s (GTA) GUd TV cable system. That concert is schedule to be aired on Gud TV Greelight Channel 25 starting 7 p.m. Dec. 24, Christmas Eve.

The channel will also carry the Archbishop’s annual Christmas message to the people of Guam.

CATHOLICS ON THE MOVE
ON KUAM TV

Part of Jesse’s visit to Guam including his concert at the Sheraton and visits to island Catholic schools were also recorded by the “Catholics On The Move” television crew and will be showing in their newest edition which airs on KUAM TV channels 2 and 11 at various time slots. Channel 2 carries Catholics on the Move 7 p.m. on weeknights.