The SERVIAM Concert on August 27, 2003 to celebrate the 75th birthday of His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin was a night of songs, dances, laughter and tears.

In a merry, artistic mix of professional, clerical and amateur talents, the show delighted the birthday celebrant who sat through the entire two and a half-hour presentation, that had the more than 7,000 audience at the Araneta Coliseum clapping with enthusiasm.

The most applauded numbers were, understandably those presented by the Bishops, Clergy, Religious, and Seminarians. Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan and Bishops Jose Advincula, Joel Baylon, Max Cruz, Jesse Mercado and Chito Tagle together with songstress, Dessa, serenaded the Cardinal with the song “Impossible Dream.”

The Cardinal later on joined all the archbishops and bishops present on the stage while they sang to him a Happy Birthday song. He was visible touched at the gesture. At the finale when the image of Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary was brought in procession around the coliseum, the Cardinal was overcome with emotions and discreetly shed tears.

Former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos led the special guests which included Senate President Franklin Drilon, Executive Secretary Bert Romulo, and other government officials.

The concert also featured professional musical artists Robert Sena, Jose Mari Chan, Jamie Rivera, Cocoy Laurel, Gary Granada, Anna Fegi, Bituin Escalante, Karylle, and RJ Rosales.

The concert had earlier showings: 10 a.m. was free for around 9,000 public school children; the 2 p.m. showing was for students of MAPSA schools. The gala concert was at 7 p.m.

Lead ministry for the concert was the Ministry of Catechesis and MAPSA, under Msgr. Gerry Santos.

Exclusive sponsors of the concert were PLDT and SMART Communications.

More photos…