A rallying call to all families

The news that Pope John Paul II will not be present at the 4th World Meeting of Families in Manila certainly dampened the enthusiasm of those looking forward to the event. But the Pontiff’s prayers are ever with us –more so during this time of need – and we are looking forward to the Conference that will be held on Jan. 22 to 26.

A constant reminder that this is fast approaching is the current popularity of Only Selfless Love, designated as the official theme song of the 4th World Meeting of Families. A composition by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo who also wrote The Jubilee Song, it is a rallying call to all families to "rise up and raise your hands as one, come show the world the love that binds all God’s children into one."

Only Selfless Love has been recorded in several versions but the best of them all is the one by Martin Nievera who went all-out to give the song his own interpretation. Martin’s new version comes with some changes in the lyrics that lend a timeless quality to the original message. Because of Martin, Only Selfless Love is no longer a song created for a single event but one that will be performed again and again in the future. Of course, it also helps that Martin sings this version and I really have to hand it to this guy who sounds fantastic.

Martin’s version, titled Only Selfless Love 2, is the opening cut and title track in the official album commemorating the 4th World Meeting of Families. The album boasts of an international, all-star-cast. Martin takes the lead role by contributing three songs. Aside from his Only Selfless Love, there is a show-stopping medley of Our Father and I Believe and a wonderfully expressive version of The Prayer that he performs with Dessa.

Only Selfless Love also makes three appearances. These are Martin’s version, a duet by Karylle and Jed Maddela with the original words by Fr. Marcelo and one in six languages by Celeste Legaspi. The 4th World Meeting of Families is an international event so it is only fitting that people from other countries should also be able to relate to the message of the Filipino composition. Celeste sings portions of the song in French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Tagalog and English.

Other artists taking part in the album are Gary Valenciano (Lead Me Lord and Love in Any Language); Jose Mari Chan (Be Gentle and It is the Lord); David Pomeranz (Born for You); the Apo Hiking Society (Piece of the Peace); Jennifer Page (Somewhere, Someday); Regine Velasquez (You Were There); Jars of Clay (Love Song for a Savior); Gino Padilla (Power of Your Love); and Jed Maddela with his solo contribution, (Let There Be Peace on Earth).

In keeping with this inspirational mood, now should also be a good time for you to check out Tinapay ng Buhay: Mga Bagong Awiting Pangmisa by the Bukas Palad Music Ministry. As the title, which translates into Bread of Life, says, this album is made up of songs composed expressly for the Mass. The album is another production of the Jesuit Music Ministry of the Jesuit Communications Foundation. It takes the Bukas Palad Ministry back to its roots when it was one of the few groups around performing new works for community singing during Mass.

Every church around now boasts of choirs, who in many cases sing their own composition during the service. But as any regular attendees of the Mass all over the country will attest, it is a true thing that they also often return to the Panginoon Maawa Ka (Kyrie), Papuri sa Diyos (Gloria) or the Aleluya composed by Manoling Francisco, S.J. Francisco, along with Norman Agateo and Jandi Arboleda were the founders of the Bukas Palad. The group has grown to include almost a hundred members. These are the performers featured in the Tinapay ng Buhay album but all of the songs come from those early days.

The liner notes emphasize that these are Mass songs and are not made for private meditation or the concert age. It is to the credit of the writers and performers though that the album also works for the casual listeners. Whether sung within the Mass or separately, the message remains the same and we can all do with getting an lift for the spirit or some inspiration at any time or place.