A dose of Christmas Bossa

MANILA, Philippines - Christmas, traditionally reserved for the happiest of emotions, eventually swings around.

Ondoy, economic crisis, political crisis, the Maguindanao massacre notwithstanding, our God-loving population is an eternally optimistic lot. We find reason to smile and hope for a better tomorrow. The much bandied about Filipino resilience is, after all, true. As so eloquently said in the cult movie The Crow, it can’t rain all the time.

As we find solace in the giddy, gaudy lights of Christmas. We find comfort in the company of family and friends — and even in anonymous crowds that pack the malls in a never-ending rush to find the perfect gift.

And there’s always music.

Jesuit Communications (JesCom), the media arm of the Society of Jesus that’s into TV and radio productions, also ventures into the production of liturgical music. Fr. Emmanuel Alfonso, executive director of JesCom, is proud of what he describes as a “homegrown,” yuletide album that is Feliz: Christmas Songs in Bossa Nova.

Rhany Torres, bassist of seminal ‘80s act Ethnic Faces, puts on his producer’s hat and delivers a beautiful Christmas album. Torres got the project on the back of a four-song demo he e-mailed to a friend who works at JesCom. The Jesuits obviously loved what they heard.

Torres’ Tropicalia was formed in 2006 as the backup/recording band for vocalist Pavi de Mayo. Three of the band’s four members (Ariel Policarpio on guitar, Jayvee Torres on drums, and Rhany) come from Ethnic Faces, with keyboardist Tom Vinoya. Tropicalia has four albums to date.

Rhany says Feliz seeks to convey “the real meaning and message of Christmas.” The three Filipino songs in the compilation are Jesuit hymns. “They’re perfect for Feliz as they talk of Jesus Christ and his birth — what Christmas stands for,” he continues.

Hallelujah, on the other hand, is an original Torres composition “loosely based on Handel’s Messiah.”

It is an uplifting piece. “And he shall reign forever and ever,” sings Pavi, and ends with the different monickers of Jesus Christ, recited by a child: “King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Wonder Worker, Lion of Juda, Holy One, Holy Immortal One, Savior, Redeemer.”

Indeed, Feliz brings the “Christ” back in Christmas.