The true story behind Sino Ako?

Like Tanging Yaman, the hymn that inspired the megahit Star Cinema movie, the song Sino Ako? is very familiar to church-goers (this one included) who never fail to have goose pimples when it is sung during the Mass.

It’s actually a simple song but with a profound message encapsulated in three stanzas:

I. Hiram sa Diyos ang ating buhay
Ikaw at ako’y tanging handog lamang
Di ko ninais na ako’y isilang
Ngunit salamat dahil may buhay

II. Ligaya ko na ako’y isilang
Pagkat tao ay mayroong dangal
Sinong may pagibig?
Sinong nagmamahal?
Kundi tao! Diyos ang pinagmulan!

Refrain:
Kung ako umibig
Kundi mo man bigyang halaga
Ang buhay na handog
Ang buhay kong hiram sa Diyos
Kung ako’y nagmamahal
Sino ako?

The other day, we had the chance to listen to the song sung by the "singing priest" who composed the song, 45-year-old Fr. Jose S. Castañeda, Archdiocesan Director of the Apostolado ng Panalangin, Archdiocese of Lipa, at an informal lunch hosted by Lipeño (and STAR columnist) Danny Dolor at a function room of the Dolor-owned The Pearl Hotel (right across the Medical Center Manila, also owned by Danny’s family).

Until then, many people (again, this one included) thought that Sino Ako? was composed by another priest who also recorded the same song, it turned out without the permission of Fr. Castañeda who owns the copyright to the song.

Fr. Castañeda sang Sino Ako? in such a stirring style that all of us fell silent, with Inquirer religion columnist Josie Darang shedding quiet tears.

Egged on to tell us the story behind the song, Fr. Castañeda said that he composed it in Sept. 1981 when he was a graduating student at the St. Alphonsus School of Theology in Lucena City one night while reviewing for his final exams. The inspiration hit him out of the blue at 2 o’clock in the morning, so he got his guitar and in less than an hour he completed the song (lyrics and melody) which he eventually included in the album Dahil May Buhay recorded in 1982. The 800 copies printed were virtually given away as gifts.

Since then, Fr. Castañeda has recorded two other albums, Kung May Buhay (1995) and Isang Landas (1997).

Singing comes from Fr. Castañeda’s heart. Years ago in his native Buhi, Camarines Sur, he placed third in an amateur contest won by a barrio girl named Imelda Papin (now the Vice Governor of that province).

The next time you hear Sino Ako? sung during communion in the Sunday Mass, you should know who the real composer of that song is.

Support from Kim A.

Manila Councilor Kim Atienza has proposed a resolution in support of the non-implementation of the increase in withholding tax for professional entertainers. Here’s the resolution unanimously supported by the City Council:

Whereas, the movie industry which has long been suffering from losses received yet another blow when the government recently decided to increase from 10 percent to 20 percent the amount of withholding taxes professional entertainers like actors, actresses, singers and emcees, professional athletes like basketball players, jockeys, pelotaris, talent agents, and movie/stage/radio/TV/musical production directors must remit to the BIR;

Whereas, the decision was made notwithstanding the pronouncement of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her recent State of the Nation Address that there would be no new taxes or tax increase;

WHEREAS, if such policy is meant to increase the country’s revenues, it is believed that the entertainers’ group should not be "singled out" as there are other high-income earning professions;

WHEREAS, it is common knowledged that the income of the group subject of the increase in withholding tax is never constant;

WHEREAS, considering the downward trend the industry has been treading, the government should instead come up with rescue efforts in forms of initiatives and positive reforms;

WHEREAS, increasing the withholding tax for professional entertainers is not a good initiative to help save the industry but will only contribute to its ailing condition;

WHEREAS, the City Council of Manila believes that such decision is quite drastic and must be stayed until studied further, NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Manila in session assembled to express its support for the non-implementation of the 100 percent increase in withholding tax for professional entertainers.

Cristina: More time for family

Cristina Gonzalez, wife of former Leyte Rep. Alfred Romualdez, called up Funfare yesterday to clarify the news story about an "ex-solon’s son nabbed for hot car, drugs."

Yes, according to Cristina, the boy, 18-year-old Franco Romualdez (arrested with a Canadian friend), is really the son of Alfred with his girlfriend when Alfred was only 21 (Alfred has another love child with still another girlfriend). But no, added Cristina, the boy didn’t grow up with Alfred but with the mom abroad.

Cristina said that the "hot car" actually belonged to the boy’s friend which he used without the friend’s permission.

Meanwhile, after Alfred lost to Ted Failon in last May’s elections, Cristina said that she and Alfred now have more time with their own kids. Cristina now runs the Patio Victoria, a specialty restaurant in Intramuros, Manila, which caters to wedding banquets.

Eric cries, ‘Foul!!!’

Guess why Eric Quizon nearly fell from his chair last Monday when he watched the initial episode of the new GMA late-morning show SIS, hosted by De Belen sisters Janice and Gelli.

Yes, the format of the show looked very familiar to Eric who submitted exactly that format to GMA only two months ago.

"I was robbed!" said Eric whose proposal was for him and younger brother Jeffrey to host the show which features the hosts visiting celebrities for some chit-chat, cook-in and other home-bound "gimmicks."

When Eric confronted the GMA executive he submitted the proposed format to, he was told that, so sorry, GMA needed female hosts and not brothers.

End of the "issue?"

Stay tuned.