Reuben Laurente and April Ricafrente Reunited Singing "Sa Iisang Awitin" after 35 years.

January 12, 2025

A Heartwarming Reunion: Celebrating 35 Years of "Sa Iisang Aawitin" 🎶
(NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED)
What a truly special moment it was to reunite with fellow Papuri! singer April Ricafrente! 35 years ago, we recorded the song "Sa Iisang Awitin" ("With One Song"), composed by Soc Villanueva and Olive Robles, for the 11th festival of Papuri!, the annual Filipino gospel music festival of the Far East Broadcasting Company Philippines. At the time, April was just 15 and I was 21.

Thanks to the incredible remastering and rearranging of the song by Maestro Arnel De Pano, we were able to relive this beautiful memory. It’s worth noting that Soc also composed the hit song "Kung Ako Na Lang Sana," which won the grand prize at ABS-CBN's HIMIG HANDOG LOVE SONGS, famously interpreted by Bituin Escalante.

Our reunion unfolded last Friday, January 10, during the Papuri! concert in Bulakan, Bulacan. Maestro Arnel rediscovered April while judging a solo singing contest at Bulacan State University, where he served as head of the board of judges for the choral singing competition.

A fun fact about April: she won second prize in the first grand finals of the "bulilit" (kids) portion of "Ang Bagong Kampeon," alongside our friend Emiline Celine Guinid, who was declared grand champion. It was heartwarming to see them reconnect as well as of writing this post.

Thank God for His perfect timing in reuniting old friends, allowing us to sing in one accord for His greater glory. Despite our diverse backgrounds, music truly binds us together, especially when it carries the message of our faith, as in "Sa Iisang Awitin."

Standing next to you, April, and singing the song we recorded 35 years ago was a moment I will cherish forever.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Filipino Caucus Foundation-USA, led by Pastor Adiel De Pano, for coming to the Philippines to help raise funds for church building and medical missions. Special thanks to Sta. Ana United Methodist Church and Tree of Life UMC for their warm hospitality.

We are also grateful to the Far East Broadcasting Company Philippines and Papuri! music ministry. "Sa Dios ang papuri!!!"