Jamie Rivera, other artists tap unifying power of music during pandemic

Jamie Rivera

For Jamie Rivera, who’s dubbed the “Inspirational Diva,” listening to uplifting anthems and songs of praise in these times can be an invigorating experience.

“It gives us hope and confidence in the Lord; the assurance that He’s in control and will never forsake us; that He will see us through this crisis,” she said, adding that music plays a vital role in “calming our emotions.”

“In this particular crisis, we’re overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, uncertainties … Music motivates us to unite when our emotions are being provoked by the sound of instruments that make us cry, or give us a feeling of solidarity,” she pointed out. “Music can make us happy and can give us a positive outlook in life.”

“That’s what we need right now—staying positive and deviating from negative emotions,” stressed Jamie, who started out as a pop singer and theater actress, before shifting her focus into inspirational music back in 2000.

The message of “Heal Our Land,” one of her most popular revivals, has never been more fitting given our current situation.

The song was composed by Tom Brooks and Robin Brooks, and taken from the Bible verse 2 Chronicles 7:14, which states: “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

“If only we can admit that we need Him, He can heal our nation,” Jamie said. “And as St. Augustine said, ‘Singing is praying twice.’ Let’s all sing and bombard the heavens with the best musical instrument, which is our voice and ask the Lord to heal our land.”

Reuben Laurente

REUBEN LAURENTE

A former member of the vocal group The CompanY and a headlining music act in various luxury cruises, Reuben Laurente echoed Jamie’s thoughts on the unifying power of music, saying that it has motivated the industry to “come together as one, regardless of status, religious affiliation or political color.”

“We’re a very musical people. And thank God for music as we can use this to come together, sort our differences and reach out to each other in harmony. Music is also one of the primary tools being used now to raise awareness and generate funds for the causes that we believe in, like (the online concert series) ‘Bayanihan Musikahan,’” he related.

“It has also become a tool for recreation, whether as a “me time” activity—singing just by and to yourself—or an event you look forward to in the comfort of your home. It’s a way to bond and entertain each other as a family,” he added.

Reuben admitted that he has been greatly affected by the pandemic, because his livelihood depends on the shows he does aboard international cruise ships. But his firm belief “in Christ and the Biblical truth,” he said, has helped him build character, both as a person and artist.

“I will always share this verse from 2 Timothy 1:7: ‘For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind.’ This is what I would like to share with Inquirer readers as encouragement to those who feel weak, helpless and hopeless,” said Reuben, who recommends the song “Dakilang Katapatan” by Arnel de Pano (a COVID-19 survivor himself) that shines the light on the “unfathomable greatness of God.”

“Continue to trust in the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul and pray that these things will all soon come to pass,” Reuben said.

Jungee Marcelo

JUNGEE MARCELO

While holding fellowship gatherings have also been discouraged, music—acclaimed pop and gospel composer Jungee Marcelo said—has allowed people to stay connected with each other, even under quarantine.

“Like a balm that soothes a weary soul, music is vital during the most trying times … Forging musical connections might very well be one of the best alternatives—as a spoken word of encouragement or a prayer,” said Jungee, who’s behind such modern hits, including Gary Valenciano’s “Hataw Na” and Daniel Padilla’s signature hit “Nasa ‘Yo Na Ang Lahat.”

These days, he finds himself listening to a lot of inspirational songs and anthems of praise. For form and substance, he turns to timeless hymns.

“I particularly love good, old-fashioned church standards like, ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘How Great Thou Art,’ ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness,’ ‘Be Thou My Vision,’ … contemporary gospel favorites such as ‘In Christ Alone,’ ‘Heart of Worship,’ ‘More Than Wonderful,’ ‘Because of Who You Are,’ ‘Light of a Million Mornings,’” he related. “There are Filipino papuri favorites like ‘Dakilang Katapatan,’ ‘Jesus,’ ‘Pag-ibig ang Susi’ and ‘Naroon Ako.’”

“Without God’s gift of music to humanity,” facing challenges and overcoming problems, Jungee stressed, is simply unimaginable.

“For musicians, this is our way of reaching out,” he said. “We cope better when a song is composed, played and sung along. Sorrows and joys shared.”