Lighter Side Movement

Blessed to inspire. HISTORY

Offering To Our Neighbor

“What should I do about this? What can I share, with my neighbor, of God’s gifts to me – my time, my talent, my treasure. Am I not merely the steward, the caretaker, the manager of God’s gifts? Do I have the right to have more than I need when others around me are in dire poverty? Is it not a duty of love to share with others?”

“To respond to the Church’s call for Renewal and Reconciliation during this Holy Year, let us renew our Christian commitment to love our neighbor – not merely in words but in deeds – by sharing our time, talent and treasure with others.”

+JULIO CARDINAL ROSALES
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
January 31, 1975


On January 31, 1975, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) made a call to the people to be sensitive to the plight of the poor and to be aware of the cause behind their predicament. To encourage social action, the CBCP launched a National Lenten Action Program called ALAY-KAPWA meaning, “offering to our neighbor.”

Heeding the call of the church, five talented and service-oriented young people led by Mr. Rolly Guzman offered their time, talent, and treasure to the service of the church and its people. At a time when the country was under Martial Law and is experiencing darkness and distress, and when the poor was in most need of help, these young men and women shone their light and whole-heartedly served the Lord and ministered to their neighbor through music. The Lighter Side Movement

“The music of the young should be listened to with the heart and not with the ears.” - St. John Bosco


Their service through music touched the lives of those who listened to them; their music landed not only in their ears but in their hearts; their music brought each listener closer to God. Moved by the joy that their music brought forth to their fellowmen, Mr. Guzman and the rest of the group pressed on with their ministry despite not having a name yet to call themselves. Being a Bosconian, Mr. Guzman found it best to first serve as a small choir in Don Bosco Mandaluyong and it was there that they acquainted themselves with Fr. Capelli - the rector of the school - and became regular visitors in his office. In one of their visits, they noticed a banner that carried the phrase “lighter side”. Right then and there, Rolly Guzman found the phrase to be unique and catchy, and at the same time saw it as an appropriate description of two of the many things that they are – a beacon of light and a glimmer of hope amid a society in darkness and turmoil. Inspired by the turn of events, Mr. Guzman thought that the service of the group should go beyond singing and singing in church and that the group should not confine itself to being a choir. He thought that they could serve as a catalyst for change ang positivity to society; he thought that they could serve as a movement. Putting all the good pieces together, the LIGHTER SIDE MOVEMENT was finally formed and established. Serving God First … Yesterday, Today, And Always

“Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if He wants anything of you, He will fit you for the work and give you strength.” - St. Philip Neri


Since its establishment, the Lighter Side Movement (LSM) has not ceased from serving God through music. What started in Don Bosco Mandaluyong led the group to serving at the Sacred Heart Chapel and at the Fatima Chapel in Mandaluyong. Indeed, God’s faithfulness has seen the choir through because for almost 50 years, the Lighter Side Movement has been serving at the San Felipe Neri Parish and is now the resident choir of its 10am mass. Moreover, LSM has already been serving at the 1st and 3rd Sunday masses at the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord in SM Megamall for 15 years. The Lighter Side Movement is a testimony to what St. Philip Neri said. It is true that if God wants anything from you, He will strengthen you and equip you that you may do the work that He has given you. And for God’s steadfast love, LSM is truly and eternally grateful! Beyond The Ministry

“As long as the discipline is there, nothing can go wrong.”

Andrea O. Veneracion
Choirmaster, Philippine Madrigal Singers
National Artist for Music


As previously mentioned, one of the goals that the founder set for the group is for it to be of service beyond the church. Since its inception, the choir has always been striving for excellence. With each member diligently attending rehearsals and constantly serving every Sunday, the group’s ability to sing beautiful music was noticed by many and invitations to special events started trickling in. The Lighter Side Movement has already performed in numerous places and events and has been actively participating in choral competitions in the country. Thanks to the guidance of music mentors like Emy Lomibao de Asis (UP College of Music), Paolo Trinidad (Musicapella), Allan Catada (UST Conservatory of Music, Koro Tomasino), Cita Yson (UP Singing Ambassadors), and Julie Anne Pumanes-Reyes (Philippine Madrigal Singers/San Miguel Master Chorale), LSM has continued to soar to greater heights. Now under the baton of its resident choirmaster, Ma. Rhina Palma-Cruz, a graduate of the Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music and an alumna of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers, the group has now matured in talent. Starting with a selection of church music, the choir is now capable of performing a vast repertoire ranging from sacred, inspirational, folk, to popular music. This remarkable progress can only be attributed to the discipline and level of excellence that Mrs. Cruz has inculcated in each one of the members. Just recently, LSM was awarded a Gold Diploma for the Mixed Choir Category in the 5th Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Competition. Truly, the Lighter Side Movement has evolved into one of the country’s excellent choirs. MILESTONES


The Lighter Side Movement has a long history of participation in choral concerts and competitions. It has won 1st Place in the Mandaluyong Barangay Choral competitions, 1st Place in the Aglipay Church Choral Competitions, and was the representative of Mandaluyong in the 1983 Himig ng Kabataan where the group won 2nd Place. LSM also won 1st Place in the First Choral Competition in San Felipe Neri, named "One Voice," and 3rd Place in the 2nd San Felipe Neri Choral Competition, among many others. In 2009, the Lighter Side Movement returned to competitive singing and qualified for the 1st National Choral Competition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines where it received the Bronze A Certificate in the Sacred Song Category. A month later, LSM won 1st prize in the Sacred Heart Parish "Awit kay Maria" Marian Choral Competition. In addition, LSM was featured on the afternoon show SHOP TALK hosted by Pia Hontiveros. In February 2010, the group placed 4th in the ABS CBN's Sayo Lamang Choral Competition and was invited to join in recording the album produced by Ms. Jamie Rivera and Star Records. In October 2010, the Lighter Side Movement held their 3rd solo concert at the Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace, performing sacred and inspirational songs. Through the years, the Lighter Side Movement has proved its significant progress as a church choir in the following awards it has garnered:

2013 - Himig Handog Alay kay Don Bosco - Grand Champion
2014 –Koro ng Bayan - Grand Champion
2015 - Koro ng Bayan - Grand Champion
2016 - Divine Mercy Choral Competition - 1st runner up
2017 - Our Lady of Fatima Choral Competition - 1st runner up
2018 - Himig Handog Alay kay Don Bosco – 1st runner up
2019- Clarion Call Chorale Competition – Grand Champion
2019 – Himig Handog alag kay Don Bosco - Grand Champion
2020- Nominated for Best Chorale Group Category in Aliw Awards Foundation
2023 – Andrea O. Veneracion International Chorale Festival – Gold Diploma (Mixed Category)