By Elaisha L. Pomida, BA Comm-4, The Centralian Link Intern

Performers of Love Concert 2026 sing “Shammah” as a Testimony of God’s Faithfulness on February 22, led by Zearle Queen Ello and Cris Mark Blones.

Uniting 164 singers, musicians, and dancers from its community, the University Church (UC) of Central Philippine University staged SHAMMAH: A Love Concert on February 22, 2026.

Translating into English as “The Lord is here,” SHAMMAH featured live musical performances and testimonies anchored in praise and worship under five segments: Worship with the Kids of Kidzone Choir, Celebration of God’s Nearness, Response of Trust and Surrender, Testimony of God’s Faithfulness, and Joyful Sending.

“For the past three Love Concerts, ang gin deal namon is ang name sang Ginoo: ‘Jehovah Rapha’, ‘God who heals’, ‘Jehovah Jireh’, ‘God who provides’, kag…‘Jehovah Shammah’, ‘God is there’, pero pwede man ‘God is here’…It talks about one of the best gifts nga ginhatag sang Ginoo sa aton, that is His enduring presence. God is ever-present (For the past three Love Concerts, we dealt with the name of God: ‘Jehovah Rapha’, ‘God who heals’, ‘Jehovah Jireh’, ‘God who provides’, and…‘Jehovah Shammah’, ‘God is there’, which can also be ‘God is here’…It talks about one of the best gifts that God has given us, that is His enduring presence. God is ever-present),” shared Rev. Dr. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Minister of the University Church, in an interview with The Centralian Link.

Additionally, Rev. Dr. Sian shed light on the importance of holding the Love Concert every February as an annual tradition of the UC community to center on the love of God. According to him, the UC aims to bring young people together to “know the love of Jesus in an intimate way and in an experiential way”, ultimately strengthening their relationship with Jesus.

The over 160 performers of SHAMMAH: A Love Concert pose for a photo together with key personnel of the University Church after the celebration on February 22.

Rev. Dr. Sian also highlighted how staging Love Concerts yearly is also the UC’s way to combat the steady rise of mental health issues among the youth, underscoring this event as an avenue for the youth to be nurtured in their faith, and to be part of a fellowship and a community that is “founded upon faith in Jesus Christ”.

Furthermore, a Word at the Center message was delivered by Pastor Romela Kim Java during the celebration, enlightening the UC community on the theme while sharing personal testimonies of God’s presence in her life.

“Remember, God’s presence cannot be there without His glory. When we have a deep longing to dwell in His presence, we long to dwell in His glory. God should be glorified in our victory. God is glorified in our suffering. Pastor Java emphasized that God’s glorification is our deepest satisfaction.

The Love Concert 2026 attendees and UC community members were officially welcomed with a message from Engr. Rizaldy Harder, Church Moderator, while a Prayer for the Church and Benediction to close the event before a community singing was led by Rev. Dr. Sian. The celebration was also attended by CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy and his wife, Dr. Cecile G. Dagohoy.