Ateneo Boys Choir wins first Awit Award for “Jesus, Best Friend”

The Ateneo de Manila Grade School proudly celebrates the Ateneo Boys Choir (ABC) for winning the Best Recording by a Child or for Children for the song “Jesus, Best Friend” at the 38th Awit Awards held the night of 16 November 2025 at the Meralco Theatre in Pasig. This marks ABC’s very first Awit Award. Another ABC piece, “Nasa Palad Mo,” was also nominated in the same category.

Rooted in the beautiful spirituality of the Anima Christi, “Jesus, Best Friend” features text from Fr. David Fleming SJ’s translation and was composed by Rev Dom Bulan SJ, an AGS alumnus and former ABC member. The musical arrangement was brought to life through the instrumental artistry of Fr Arnel Aquino SJ and the sound engineering of Toto Sorioso.

Heard on the award-winning track are SY 2023–2024 ABC members Aaron Acosta, Leeam Aguilar, Daniel Canaria, Eevie Cheng, Zymonne de Vega, Gabe Enciso, Yuan Fernando, Kaiel Garcia, Keith Garcia, Raphael Lauzon, Zo Lopez, Kenzie Maglonzo, Gene Maquirang, Marcus Mariano, Joaquin Mendoza, Elroi Navarro, Enzo Quijano, Brandon Rabino, Migo Sandoval, Euan Tamaña, Matty Trinidad, Rav Vergara, and Kian Yu.

Prayerfully and powerfully performed by the Ateneo Boys Choir, the song reminds us that the friendship of Jesus is real, comforting, and ever near—a gift to be shared with joy.

“Jesus, Best Friend” is from ABC’s latest mini-album “Sa Atin Siyaý Mamamalagi,” published in 2024 under Jesuit Music Ministry and Jesuit Communications. (Listen to the songs on Spotify: https://found.ee/ABCalbum)

The AGS also extends its heartfelt congratulations to ABC’s dedicated moderators, Ms Roselle Elinore H Matias and Ms Venitta Marie Magpantay, as well as to Mr Lester Mendiola, Director of the Jesuit Music Ministry, for their unwavering guidance and support. 

We also express our deepest gratitude to Fr Emmanuel Alfonso SJ and Jesuit Communications for their steadfast support of this meaningful musical offering.