WATCH: Palo archdiocese presents own theme song for papal visit

The Palo archdiocese in Leyte has readied its own theme song for Pope Francis when he visits the Philippines this coming January.

“Shepherd’s Love" was composed by archdiocese commission on youth director Fr. Kim Margallo, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said.

The song, which Margallo posted on Youtube, will be launched at the closing of the Year of the Laity and opening of the Year of the Poor at the Palo Cathedral on Nov. 29.



“The song should be an image of a child waiting for his father to arrive, a child who longs to tell his father everything that had happened to him. He is full of confidence that his father will come so soon to rescue and protect him, for he believes that his father is rich in mercy and full compassion,” an article posted on the CBCP news site quoted Margallo as saying.

Recording the song were Elaine May Emping, Juliana Rose Estrera, Elfie Mercado and Paul de Pio.

The video also features members of the youth ministry of the Ormoc Vicariate interpreting the song through dance.

Margallo said the song reflects the sentiments of survivors of super Typhoon Yolanda. It is at first festive, then becomes sad because of the tragedy. But in the end, the song contains a feeling of hope amidst hopelessness, he added.

Palo was one of the areas hit hardest by Yolanda, which left at least 6,300 dead after it devastated the Visayas in November 2013.

Combination of 3 languages

The CBCP said the theme song, which lasts about five minutes, combines English, Waray and Cebuano.

Palo archdiocese information officer Fr. Chris Militante added this is the third theme song for the papal visit, including “We Are All God’s Children,” the official theme song.

He said the second is “Mercy” by British band Ooberfuse, who also performed the official theme song of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last year.

But Militante noted the song was composed specifically for Yolanda survivors by the band’s vocalist Cherrie Anderson, whose mother is a native of Tacloban City. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News