Servant of All 2 released in time for Lent - SOUNDS FAMILIAR by Baby A. Gil

There is no more need for forego listening to pop music during the coming Holy Week, when you have the likes of In His Time, the second album in the Servant of All series. You probably already have a copy of the first Servant of All collection because more than a hundred thousand people have purchased the album. If you enjoyed, or should I say, still enjoy listening to those songs and prayers, then it is quite likely that you will not want to be without Servant of All 2.

Once again produced by famous TV personality Jeanne Young with assist from Guia Ferrer and Alwyn Cruz, the album compiles praise, worship and prayer songs and spiritual readings. These are performed by well-known personalities, who have distinguished themselves in the field of music, films and television, and who see something beyond their ordinary recordings with their participation in the album. The songs and prayers included here have the capacity to lift souls into adoration of the Almighty and to soothe troubled hearts.

It is no wonder then that like its predecessor, In His Time has once more won the endorsement of Jaime Cardinal Sin, the Archbishop of Manila and that of Vicar General Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas. These prelates of the Catholic Church see the album as a source of conversion and renewal or in some instances as a sharp instrument that pricks the comfortable conscience. Whatever its effect on the listener, the album definitely offers first rate recordings and well-crafted songs by some of our best artists, composers and arrangers that will also surely entertain.

Concert Queen Pops Fernandez makes her first venture into the Servant series with the title track, In His Time. The others who are in the line-up are Janno Gibbs with He Opens a Window, Lloyd Umali who sings God Will Make a Way, which also features Eddie Mercado reciting the famous Footprints in the Sand, Carla Guevarra with Come, Now is the Time to Worship, Ralion Alonso with a rousing dance number, Sumayaw, Sumigaw, Rannie Raymundo, who is making his Viva Records debut with his own version of Mariah Carey’s Hero, while Lance, Rannie’s younger brother, takes on Christina Aguilera’s I Turn to You. There is also hot new star Rica Peralejo, who does her own take on I Don’t Know How to Love Him from the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

The rock group Alamid sing their very own Hesus, violinist John Lesaca performs the meaningful Heal Our Land, Zsa Zsa Padilla, who was in the first Servant album sings Sa Kanya, another group Jeremiah does Panalangin Ko, Lani Misalucha, another returnee, does Ang Lahat ng Ito’y Para Sa’yo, Von Arroyo sings the timeless ballad I Believe, Dulce gives a moving interpretation of From a Distance, and to close the whole package, the trio of Moy Ortiz, Sweet Plantado and Annie Quintos was especially assembled for the album to sing Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate with the Easter message read by Brent Fernandez.

In His Time has other perks that buyers will surely welcome. Gracing the cover are the famous healing portraits of Jesus Christ painted by Fr. Chito Dajao, SBD. The 47-year-old Salesian priest was a teacher and administra-tor of the Don Bosco Boy’s Town in Cebu. He is afflicted with a terminal liver ailment but has found solace in his childhood love, painting. He only paints the image of Christ and he has allowed Viva to use some of his works in the album.

Another bonus is a VCD containing images of the Holy Land. Shot by Felino Tanada, this was made possible by Catholic Travel with the cooperation of Philippine Airlines and El Al, Israel Airlines. The mini travelogue takes viewers to the places where Christ lived and died. Not everyone gets the privilege of going to the Holy Land but with this VCD, they will get a virtual tour, which will give the assurance that the Mystery of Redemption truly happened.

Add In His Time, Servant of All 2 to your collection of inspirational albums. We can all do with some spiritual messages and quiet moments of prayer and worship in these troubled times. If you want more, you might check out the first Servant of All album and the wonderful offering to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of All album.