Jamie’s ultimate goal

Timshel... a biblical Hebrew word which positively signifies, "you shall" as well as "you will." In modern English, timshel means "it may be." Or simply, "maybe."

Maybe is one of the big acoustic ballads topping the charts, thanks to singer King, Star Records, and the lyricist behind this most requested revival, Jamie Rivera.

"It was in the late ’80s, I was in Baguio with the Neocolours and I was inspired to write the feelings of Ito Rapadas!" recalls Jamie. Rapadas, the vocalist of the now disbanded Neocolours, happened to be caught in a love snag. "Maybe it’s wrong to say please love me, too, ‘cause I know you’ll never do. Somebody else is waiting there inside for you... I was so moved by the circumstance that I put all of his emotions to words," Jamie says with a smile. A little editing, arranging and heartwarming music supplied by good friend Jimmy Antiporda, a big hit was born.

Surprised? Maybe. But not quite if you think about how amazing an artist-composer Jamie is, having done catchy commercial jingles, having moved audiences with movie theme songs and a host of chart-toppers for her and fellow recording artists.

After Metropolitan Chorus, the Yamaha Music Mate and way up to her first triumph, Hey It’s Me, the string of hits, concerts, awards and the three-year stint as Kim for Cameron Mackintosh’s Miss Saigon in London, Jamie has hurdled the arduous journey. Small wonder her recordings of the songs Awit Sa Ina ng Sto. Rosaryo, Jubilee Song and Only Selfless Love (all songs composed by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo) are now part of every school, church or family favorite repertoire.

Today, Jamie is enjoying her being ensconced as the country’s "Jubilee Girl" and "Inspirational Diva". Even her management consultant Angeli Valenciano of Manila Genesis calls her such as she seems to be hand-picked to sing of God’s goodness.

"I don’t sing to impress people. I am not here to tell them who I am, nakakahiya naman." Jamie says. Although it delights her to know people look up to her and is equally inspired to be a source of inspiration to so many, she clarifies – "I am just an ordinary person trying my best to be myself; so maybe these labels are not that important."

Humility shines even in the face of grace as daily miracles, blessings in disguise and even awards are a hundred fold. But, again, Jamie is quick to add: "Getting an award was never in my list of goals, these are just bonuses. My main goal is to glorify the Lord in everything," she explains. Clearly, it is enough for her to know she has become an instrument through which God’s little nuggets of inspiration spring forth, touching countless lives.

Among the many rewards which she has garnered over the years, Jamie is proud of Only Selfless Love which became the Song of the Year in last year’s Awit Award and Heal Our Land which became CMMA’s Album of the Year for 2003. The song Heal Our Land became even more popular during EDSA 2 and controversial as everyone was surprised to see her sing this in the Senate during the impeachment trial. Firm in her stand, she justifies: "Prayers are part of a nation’s success and growth and that was what was needed that time." Despite the everyday truths and harsh realities, Jamie’s songs offer healing.

Many people look up to her... so who does she look up to? "Audrey Hepburn!" she instantly replies. "She had so much youthful spirit within her; she eventually helped Unicef as an ambassadress for dying destitute children, something which I also want to become." The inherent "missionary spirit" brings out her apparent concern about young people. Is it because of the children and the youth that her songs have always been wholesome? Yes.

"Young people should do things appropriate for their age. They should not focus on anything that can veer their minds from their being innocent. They should live their lives...now." Simply put, young people don’t need to rush; they just have to enjoy their youth while they have it.

Jamie confesses that the answers to her prayers are not always a resounding "yes". Oftentimes, it is a soft whisper of "maybe". "Especially now that I want another child so much," she sighs and looks at her seven-year-old treasure named Reine. "But I know that in His own perfect time it will be given. I just have to trust."