This duet for violin and viola is inspired by the Kawit Novena, sung in honor of St. Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of Kawit, Cavite in the Philippines. The arrangement features two beloved devotional pieces, “Ang Tanging Alay Ko” and “Mabuhay Ating Patrona.”
St. Mary Magdalene is more than a saint to the people of Kawit. She represents strength, redemption, and compassion — values that have carried through generations of devotion. Every year, the town gathers to celebrate her feast with processions, music, and prayer, transforming faith into something that lives and breathes within the community.
Her image, housed in the historic St. Mary Magdalene Church, holds deep meaning. The statue bears a small mark on her forehead, a mysterious detail that many believe symbolizes the moment when Jesus appeared to her after His resurrection. That same church once served as refuge during times of war, when locals sought safety within its walls as the town faced bombardment. Even through destruction, both the church and the devotion to St. Mary Magdalene endured, reminding everyone of the strength of faith in the face of struggle. For me, this piece is a way to connect with that legacy.
It is a musical offering to the place my roots come from and to the culture that has shaped who I am. Through this duet, I want to honor the beauty, faith, and resilience of Kawit and my Filipino heritage — and to share that same spirit through sound.
This duet for violin and viola is inspired by the Kawit Novena, sung in honor of St. Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of Kawit, Cavite in the Philippines. The arrangement features two beloved devotional pieces, “Ang Tanging Alay Ko” and “Mabuhay Ating Patrona.”
St. Mary Magdalene is more than a saint to the people of Kawit. She represents strength, redemption, and compassion — values that have carried through generations of devotion. Every year, the town gathers to celebrate her feast with processions, music, and prayer, transforming faith into something that lives and breathes within the community.
Her image, housed in the historic St. Mary Magdalene Church, holds deep meaning. The statue bears a small mark on her forehead, a mysterious detail that many believe symbolizes the moment when Jesus appeared to her after His resurrection. That same church once served as refuge during times of war, when locals sought safety within its walls as the town faced bombardment. Even through destruction, both the church and the devotion to St. Mary Magdalene endured, reminding everyone of the strength of faith in the face of struggle. For me, this piece is a way to connect with that legacy.
It is a musical offering to the place my roots come from and to the culture that has shaped who I am. Through this duet, I want to honor the beauty, faith, and resilience of Kawit and my Filipino heritage — and to share that same spirit through sound.
