A FACULTY member of Silliman University has been recognized in the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, a globally respected online resource for hymnology and church music.

Dr. Jean Cuanan Nalam is the fourth Filipino to achieve this honor, joining esteemed figures Dr. Elena Maquiso, Dr. Francisco Feliciano, and Manoling Francisco.

The dictionary acknowledges her significant contributions to Cebuano anthems and liturgical responses, which embody the theology, doctrines, and cultural identity of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.

“Influenced by the hymns of Dr. Elena Maquiso, which are rooted in folk tunes, Nalam has carved her own niche by blending traditional and contemporary styles. Her compositions are lauded for harmonizing musical meter with Cebuano speech accents and tonal nuances,” the school said.

“From unison pieces to multi-part harmonies, her choral arrangements cater to the diverse needs of Cebuano UCCP church choirs, while her congregational songs feature accessible rhythms and melodies that resonate with worshippers,” it added.

Dr. Nalam’s academic journey began at Silliman University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 1996 and a Master of Music in Music Education in 2002.

In 2022, she became the first Filipino to complete a PhD in Church Music and Worship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, further cementing her legacy in church music.