A song for Elia Jesu (who is now in heaven)

This letter came from Rita Avila:

Hi, Ricky!

I think my son, Elia Jesu (who died during infancy. — RFL), is working hard in heaven to make my old dreams come alive. I once wrote an article, saying, “To have a son is my last desire and since he is gone, I have stopped wishing.”

To write a song is an old dream. While missing my son, I got inspired to write Hanggang Dito Na Lang which talks about a dream to see someone you love but you have accepted the fate of never seeing this person anymore.

Through the kindness of Paulo Zarate who arranged the music and of OJ Mariano who sang it, we have produced a beautiful song that can touch a lot of people.

Amy Perez has been playing it on her dzMM program and she has been receiving good feedback. Many people can relate to its message: Lost love, broken relationships and the graceful acceptance of fate. The song was played on (the ABS-CBN show) Lobo last week. It made people cry. On June 5 (That’s tonight. — RFL), OJ will have a back-to-back concert with Rico J. Puno at Metro Bar where he will sing this song again.

— Love,

RITA AVILA

Hanggang Dito Na Lang

Puwede pa bang mangarap

Na minsan ay Makita kang muli?

Gusto ko lang pagbigyan

Ang puso kong nananabik

Puwede ba sa dating tagpuan

Mahawakan lang ang iyong kamay

Hindi naman siguro kasalanan

Sapagkat tutoo itong nararamdaman

Ref: Alam kong hanggang dito na lang  (2x)

Tanggap ko na ang kapalaran

(Lagi ka pa ring mamahalin)

(Kahit ganito na lang)

Puwede ko pa bang sabihin

Na ikaw pa rin ang sigaw ng damdamin

Wag mo sana akong layuan

Sapat na na ako’y iyong pakinggan

Puwede ko pa bang ipagbilin

Na ala-ala ko’y lagi mong dalhin

Nang ako’y maging bahagi man lang

Ng iyong isip at damdamin

Ref: Alam kong hanggang dito na lang

Tanggap ko na ang kapalaran

Lagi ka pa ring mamahalin

Kahit ganito na lang

(Lagi mo itong tandaan,

Sapat na na maalala mo lang)