F A R A
Today was the day of their concert. I was really excited to see them later on the stage.
From my seat, I watched them sound checking and tuning the musical instruments.
Sunod-sunod ang bawat taong dumarating sa napakalaking place na paggaganapan ng concert. Open ang itaas dahil ang stage lamang ang may bubong, kaya kitang-kita ko ang mga bituin sa kalangitan.
"Ate Fara!" Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa akin; it was Karen. Kahit na malakas ang sound system, narinig ko pa rin siya.
"Yes?"
"Tara, sama ka sa prayer namin bago mag-start ang concert!" Sinenyasan niya ako na sumunod sa kanya.
Tumayo naman ako at sumunod sa kanya sa back stage. Naabutan namin ang music team kasama ang ibang members at pastors na nagkukumpulan.
Storm smiled when he saw me. He stood next to me and held my hand dahil pinaghawak-hawak kami ng kamay.
Pastor Alvin led the prayer; he prayed that the event would give glory to God and asked for His guidance from the beginning until the end of the event, and all the invitees would come to hear the gospel.
"...At ang lahat ay magsabi ng--"
"Amen!" sabay-sabay na sabi namin.
Nagsi-handaan na muli sila habang ako naman ay bumalik sa audience area sa bandang harapan. Halos puno na ang lugar sa dami ng kabataan na dumalo.
Nakasalubong ko si Molly. "Fara! I've missed you!" she greeted me with a hug.
Narito nga rin pala ang ibang mga Christians mula sa iba't ibang churches.
I smiled. "I've missed you too!"
Umupo kami sa upuan at nagk'wentuhan. Ngunit napatigil kami nang magsimulang mag-countdown sa screen ng one minute.
The lights turned out. Ngunit dahil nasa harapan ako, nakita ko ang kanya-kanyang pagpunta ng music team sa sari-sarili nilang puwesto.
And here we were, waiting for the concert to start...
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
The spotlights on the stage turned on and focused on two persons on the stage. I recognized the faces. They were Ate Glen and a guy whom I do not know the name but one of the church members.
"A blessed evening to everyone!" the MCs greeted with so much energy and joy.
"Wow! Ang daming dumalo sa ating concert tonight!" Ate Glen happily exclaimed.
"Praise God!" the guy replied.
"Ang tanong, Bro Hans, wala bang naligaw dito? Or hindi niya alam kung anong klaseng concert ba itong pinuntahan niya," Ate Glen said with humor.
The guy, who was named Hans, laughed. "We don't know, Sis Glen. Baka mayroon."
"However, we are glad they are here!"
"Yes!"
"P'wede ba nating i-greet ang mga katabi natin. Sabihin mo, 'Ang ganda o ang g'wapo mo tonight', " Ate Glen requested.
Napuno ng tawanan at greetings ang lugar.
"Ayan. If ever na may naligaw man dito o hinila ng kaibigan papunta rito nang biglaan, naku, walang problema! Because we believe that this concert is not a waste of time because we are not just here to enjoy music but also to know the One who originally created music. Who is that? Kilala niyo ba?" she asked the audiences.
The audiences gave different answers.
"Sirit ba?" biro ni Ate Glen. The audience laughed. "Syempre, walang iba kun'di ang Creator ng lahat ng bagay. Si God!"
"Amen!" Bro Hans agreed. "Even ang music, nagmula 'yan sa Diyos. And dahil sa creativity ng tao, mas lumawak ang music. Nagkaroon ng different genre. May rock, regae, R&B, and more... Music is good, pero dahil sa existence ng evil or ng devil, nagkaroon ng mga bad music na ang pino-promote ay mga bagay na against sa will ng Lord like drugs, lust, hatred, and other things na lapastangan sa pandinig ng Diyos. God is against these kinds of music."
"Correct!" Ate Glen said. "But tonight, we are here to bring back music to God because it's truly His. So, of course, we're gonna hear heavenly music tonight. And these sets of music have lyrics that describe who God is and His attributes. They will be played by Exalter of Christ Church's music team..."
The poster of the concert flashed on the huge screen on the stage. There we saw Storm, Kuya Bryan and Ate Christy's picture together with the instrumentals and backup singers who were from different churches.
"It will be led by Storm Dylan Hunt who was a former popular secular music artist and now making music for God's glory..."
The audience made noises and clapped their hands in excitement. Napangiti ako dahil doon.
"Wow! Kilalang-kilala pa rin si Bro Storm until now," natatawang sabi ni Bro Hans.
I didn't know where Storm was right now. Perhaps he was at the back stage.
"And s'yempre, he will sing together with Christy Brilliantes and Bryan Handerson, who were not just worship leaders but also preachers of the gospel in church missions."
"And ang mga backup singers or choir natin ay nagmula sa iba't ibang churches..." He mentioned the names of those churches.
"So, hindi na natin patatagalin pa! No matter kung gaano kagaling, kasikat, kaganda o kapogi ang ating mga musicians or singers, all the glory, honor and praises belongs to Jesus alone!" Ate Glen said in a loud voice.
"Amen!"
"Kaya, we invite everyone to stand up!"
"Are you ready?!" Bro Hans asked in a loud voice.
The audience made loud noises.
Bro Hans and Ate Glen looked at each other and both said, "Then let's begin!"
The lights turned out again as we all stood up.
Nagsimulang bumukas ang spotlight sa stage at nakatutok iyon sa dalawang taong sumasayaw ng interpretative. They danced gracefully. It took a few minutes before they stepped down the stage and then the lights turn on. The stage was now foggy and was shining.
The drums began to play using its bass alone, and then the bass guitar followed, and then the violin, and then the organ, and then the lead guitar, until all the instruments played all together. It was breathtaking! I had goosebumps in their excellence. I have a feeling that the concept was Storm's idea.
I heard the people gasp because of amazement, until the place got filled with shouts because of the intensity of the dynamics. Until the music calmed down but the melody was consistent.
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth..."
It was Storm's voice. There we saw Him walking on the stage, he had Ate Christy on his left side while Kuya Bryan was on his right side. Then the backup singers one-by-one went on their positions at the back.
"He filled the world with His beautiful creations... and one of these is the man, whom he created with His bare hands and gave him life through His breath..."
Storm's speaking voice sounded beautiful together with the background music. He spoke every word with life.
"But he sinned against Him, so he died... And through this man, sin entered the world, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned — even you and me — because of that, all should go to the lake of fire in hell..."
The music gave tension to what he was saying.
"But God loved the world so much, so He promised a Messiah who will take away the sin of the world. But when this Messiah came, they didn't recognize Him, they didn't believe Him, they rejected Him, and they crucified Him on the cross. But God cannot die. They didn't know He is God-Man. He was fully God and fully Man, therefore He rose again after three days, and His disciples witnessed Him ascending into heaven, which proves that He is alive!"
The Christian audiences clapped their hands.
"And He. Will. Never. Die. Again! Until today, He is alive!"
People shouted louder. Goosebumps filled my skin.
"And do you know who He is?" Storm asked in a loud voice.
"JESUS!" people answered.
"Yes! HE IS JESUS!" Storm shouted with a wide smile on his lips.
"Woooooh!"
"Come on, let's lift up the name Jesus tonight!"
The drummer started to count and then the instrumentalists played the intro of the song altogether. Then the title of the song flash on the huge screen on the stage: His Name Is Jesus
"Everybody, clap your hands for Jesus!" Storm commanded, so we clapped our hands.
"He's the Son of God
The Word who made flesh
He is the only promised Messiah
He so loved the world
Proven on the cross
He has given the sinners hope
Everyone will hear
Everyone will know
Who this Savior really is..."
In the chorus, Storm lifted up both of his hands, not using the microphone while singing; he let the back up singers sing as the drum's hi-hats, the guitar's adlib and the piano left playing.
"His name is Jesus
The name above all names
Yes, He is Jesus
The King who reigns forever...
Then he sang together with them in the middle as all the instruments played altogether again.
"Let us all exalt His name
Let us all declare His name
Let His name be known today
Let the whole world know that Jesus is His name..."
How I'd missed seeing Storm singing on the stage and leading the crowd. Some were jumping and feeling the song.
Ate Christy sang at verse two...
"Though we were sinners
Hell is what we deserve
We were rescued by His mercy
Now all who have faith
have life eternal
Oh, it's His amazing grace
Everyone will hear
Everyone will know
Who this Savior really is..."
Ate Christy sang it in her own style that would really make you say 'wow'. Her voice was high and beautiful.
"His name is Jesus
The name above all names
Yes, He is Jesus
The King who reigns forever
Let us all exalt His name
Let us all declare His name
Let His name be known today
Let the whole world know that Jesus is His name..."
The lyrics of the song was so beautiful, and Christy's voice was so powerful. I closed my eyes, feeling the song. Kahit na ilang beses ko nang narinig ang kanta nila sa mga practice nila, hindi ako nagsasawang pakinggan ang mga 'yon.
This time, it was Kuya Bry who sang the verse three.
"Now I'm forgiven
'Cause I'm believin'
He is the Lord and Savior
He truly died for me
He's truly risen
And He will reign forever
Everyone will hear
everyone will know
Who this Savior really is..."
Kuya Bry's voice has the R&B style and it sounded really cool. His riffs-and-runs were unpredictable.
"His name is Jesus
The name above all names
Yes, He is Jesus
The the king who reigns forever
Let us all declare His name
Let's exalt His Holy name
Let Jesus be known today
Let the whole world know
that the Savior's name is Jesus..."
They sang all together on the last chorus. Sumabay na rin ang lahat dahil nakuha rin nila ang tono. It was a good thing that the people were enjoying the song although most of them were unbelievers. When I was ignorant of Gospel songs, it really persuaded me through their nice and cool lyrics.
"Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus..."
The backup singers repeatedly sang.
When the song ended, the place got filled with claps and shouts. All of a sudden, the lights direction changed. Then piano played alone.
"Hallelujah..." Ate Christy softly said. "Knowing that life isn't perfect, for sure, all of us have come to the point that we get tired of living, right? Whether you are a Christian or not, we all have weaknesses and darkest moment in our lives. But do you know why believing in Jesus makes sense? Because even if sometimes you feel sad and lonely, you know to yourself that you are not alone. God is with you. And you have promises to keep — the promises from God that will give you hope and reason to live..."
Some of the audience agreed with shout.
"And this next song that I'm gonna sing... this is the testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness in my life. Listen..."
The piano gave her a sign to enter.
"There are times in life I want to give up
I couldn't breathe, couldn't think and couldn't laugh
But then you're there to remind me of your promise
That you'll never leave, you won't ever forsake me
In the times of failure and my weakness
You give me strength and bring me back to my senses
And then your hand reached me with your warm embrace
To let me rest in your presence and your grace..."
I focused my mind on the message of the song. It was a heartwarming message; sumabay pa ang napakagandang boses ni Ate Christy.
"Yours is my heart, my soul, and strength
Now I give thanks to you my King
Hear my prayer of offering
Lord, I thank You for everything..."
The instruments played a nice interlude before verse two.
"In the midst of pain and struggle I am facing
You guide me to be strong and be still
And then your word becomes the light to let me see
How beautiful the life that you have given me
Yours is my heart, my soul, and strength
Now I give thanks to you my King
Hear my prayer of offering
Lord, I thank you for everything
I will trust in you
I know Your word is true
You have made impossible things happen
I will not be shaken
I will not be moved
Forever I will sing praises to your name..."
The crowd sang together with her when she came back to the chorus.
"Yours is my heart, my soul, and strength
Now I give thanks to you my King
Hear my prayer of offering
Lord, I thank you for everything..."
The crowd became noisy as the instruments became loud.
I automatically lifted up my hands, not caring about my surroundings anymore. I really thank God for everything. I am glad I have Jesus in my life now.
I later opened my eyes and I looked at the dark sky. "This coming year is the year of changes in my life..." I whispered.
After they sang more than 10 songs, Pastor Alvin preached the gospel. I witnessed how many lives accepted Jesus tonight. I must say that the concert was successful. Hindi nasayang ang pagod at puyat nina Storm sa pag-eensayo, maging ang perang nagastos nila para sa ikaliligtas ng maraming kaluluwa.
***
S T O R M
The different kind of fireworks display exploded above the sky as the concert ended. The crowd became louder. Some of them took a video of the beautiful view above.
"Praise the Lord! Success!" I heard Christy's voice on my left side.
"Woooh!"
Ang iba ay lumapit sa amin at sinalubong kami ng yakap.
I quickly looked around the seats on the opposite side of the stage to find the person I wanted to hug, until I finally saw her. Nakatingala ito sa langit nang may ngiti sa labi at tuwang-tuwa sa panonood ng mga fireworks display. Napangiti ako sa tanawing iyon. Bumaba ako ng stage at nilapitan siya.
I hugged her from behind but it was just quick — just to catch her attention. Halatang nabigla siya sa ginawa ko. "You like them, don't you?" I said, grinning.
She smiled back at me. "Yes." Muli niyang binalik ang tingin sa itaas. Ngunit muli rin niyang binalik ang tingin sa akin kalaunan. "Congrats!" masayang sabi niya sa akin. Ngunit biglang gumuhit ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya kalaunan. "You're so tired for sure," nag-aalalang sabi niya.
Natawa ako dahil doon. "I'm fine. Masarap mapagod for Jesus."
Unti-unti rin namang nawala ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya at muling ngumiti sa akin. "You're a legend, Storm." She let out a chuckle.
I was only a legend when the power of God was in me. It was still God's work in me.
I didn't talk and just stared at her face. I held her hand and I closed my eyes.
Thank You, Lord, for healing Fara. A healing that her medicines couldn't give. Let Your joy and strength abide in her life each day. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
"What are you doing?" I heard confusion in her voice.
Napangiti ako kahit na nakapikit pa rin ang mga mata ko. "Hinuhulaan ko ang magiging kapalaran mo."
She knew I was joking, so she laughed and hit my chest.
Tumawa lang ako at muli siyang tinitigan. "I can't wait to marry you again, Fara," I sweetly told her, looking straight into her eyes.
"Pwede bang h'wag na ulit sa tabing-dagat?" she requested.
"Anywhere you want, Fara."
Nakita kong lumiwanag ang mukha niya. "I want in your lolo's hacienda," nakangiting sabi niya. "A fresh environment."
Napangiti ako sa ideya niya. "That is where my mom and dad got married."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
I nodded. "I love your idea."
"I miss that place."
"Me too."
"Let's go to the hill again."
"We'll go then."
"Kuya, p'wede pong pa-picture?" Napatigil kami nang may kumalabit sa akin, at iilang mga kabataan iyon. "Pa-picture po!" nakangiting sabi nila.
"Yes, sure."
Fara happily volunteered to get their cameras and take a picture of them with me.
***
We celebrated New Year in my parents' house together with Peachy, Mark and Dad.
"Daddy, I want firecrackers," Mark told me. He was sitting on my lap.
"No, firecracker is dangerous."
"How about the stick that shines?"
"Fine."
Napatigil kami nang marinig namin ang doorbell. One of the maids initiated to open the door for the visitor. Bumaba sa kandungan ko si Mark, nagsimulang hipan ang torotot niya at nag-ingay sa buong bahay. Dad played with him. Napangiti lang ako sa mga ito.
Tinungo ko ang kusina kung saan ay naabutan ko si Fara at Peachy na gumagawa ng sandwich at nagtatawanan.
"Anong kaganapan dito?" pag-agaw ko ng atensyon nila. Sabay silang napatingin sa akin.
"Fara is asking me about cooking," Peachy said. I glanced at Fara; she just smiled. "I told her that she doesn't need to cook because she's with Chef Storm." Peachy laughed.
Tumawa lang ako ng mahina at muling sumulyap kay Fara na pigil lang ang tawa.
"Daddy!" Napatigil kami nang marinig namin ang boses ni Mark sa sala mula rito sa kusina.
"I think it's Kuya Tyler," sabi ni Fara at tumayo para salubungin ang kuya niya.
I saw how Peachy's face become serious.
"Kumusta ang lagay niyo ni Tyler?" tanong ko sa kaniya nang kami na lamang dalawa.
Binaling niya ang tingin niya sa akin at ngumiti nang mapait. "Still the same."
"Do you have feelings for Tyler?" seryosong tanong ko sa kaniya.
Halata ang ang pagkabigla sa mukha niya, ngunit kalaunan ay nag-iwas lang din siya ng tingin at umiling. "He's just the father of my son," pagtanggi niya. Ngunit iba ang nakita ko sa mga mata niya.
I just heaved a deep sigh.
Pumasok ako saglit sa k'warto para magpalit ng damit. I wore a plain white shirt. I was about to go back outside when my eyes caught the picture frame where Kirby, Demi and I were still young. Nilipat ko ang tingin ko sa mesa na nasa tabi ng kama ko, hindi ako nabigo na makita ang photo album na nasa tabi ng lamp shade. Kinuha ko iyon at binuklat. Picture naming dalawa ni Demi ang kaagad na bumungad sa akin. It felt like something touched my heart while looking at her picture wearing a beautiful smile. Demi was still part of my life. She was not just an ex-girlfriend to me but also a bestfriend.
I hoped she was fine. I still wanted her to be happy despite the heart break I caused her. Panatag na rin ako dahil nakakilala siya sa Panginoon. I knew that God would never let her down. I prayed that she would find someone who could love her as how I had loved her before.
I took my phone and typed a text:
Happy new year, Demi. Peace be with you.
I sent it to her.
Nagulat ako nang ilang segundo pa lang ang nakakalipas, nag-reply na siya:
Happy new year, Dylan. God bless you and Fara!
Tipid lamang na ngumiti ako. Muli kong ibinalik ang aking tingin sa photo album kung saan ay kaming tatlo nila Kirby at Demi ang nasa picture; we were eating ice-cream. I missed the old days.
"Storm." Napatigil ako nang may tumawag sa akin. It was Fara. Bumaba ang kaniyang tingin sa photo album na hawak ko at nakita ko ang pag-iba ng facial expression niya. "Uh, kain na daw tayo," she said with seriousness on her face.
"Okay, susunod nalang ako," tugon ko at nilapag ang photo album sa bedside table.
Without any other word, she left the room.
***
Napansin ko ang pananahimik ni Fara habang sabay kaming kumakain. Hindi sya kumikibo simula pa kanina.
"Fara, try this one," alok ni Peachy sa kaniya.
"I'm already full, Ate," aniya kahit na kaunti pa lamang ang kinain niya.
Hindi ko siya nilubayan ng tingin. "Do you feel alright?" tanong ko sa kaniya, kahit na alam ko kung ano ang dahilan ng pananahimik niya.
Tumango siya habang hindi makatingin sa akin nang diretso.
"Is it about the photo album?" diretsang tanong ko. Hindi siya kumibo. I just heaved a sigh. "Demi is my bestfriend. I value our relationship as childhood bestfriends," I explained. I saw her eyes roll. I squinted my eyes at her. I didn't like the expression she did. Hindi siya sumagot at nagpatuloy lang sa pagkain. "Fara," I said in a warning tone.
Tumigil siya at tumingin sa akin. "Okay then," tipid na sabi niya at muling bumalik sa pagkain.
"Do you want me to dispose those pictures?" Napatigil siya sa sinabi ko ngunit hindi siya nagsalita. I was just testing her attitude, anyway.
She heaved a sigh and looked at me. "As if you can do it."
"I can if that's what you want."
She looked away. Matagal bago siya tumugon. "Just... just keep it. It's your memories with her. She's still your bestfriend," she said in a low voice but her eyes were starting to moisten. Napangiti ako dahil doon. She's wasn't that bratty, at all.
"You're jealous, right?" nakangising sabi ko.
"What if I collect the pictures of me with my ex-boyfriend? You won't get jealous?" she asked back.
I was surprised. That was a hard question, huh! "First of all, Sam is not your childhood bestfriend."
She rolled her eyes again. Hindi siya sumagot, bagkus ay tumayo siya at umalis. And I didn't like what she did. I stood up and followed her heading the kitchen area. Good thing that no one was there.
"Fara," I called her but she didn't respond.
I massaged the bridge of my nose.
Tinalikuran ko na lamang siya at tinungo ang k'warto ko para kunin ang photo album na pinag-aawayan namin. I would burn all my pictures with Demi, even if those puctures were my childhood and teenage memories.
I went outside the house. I started to burn one using a lighter. It was the picture of me and Demi playing video games. Hindi ko maiwasang mapatitig sa mga iyon. I could feel the heavy feeling in my chest while burning one of them because Demi was still a part of my life. But all that matters to me right now was Fara's feelings. I didn't want to hurt her.
I felt someone hugged me from my back. I heard her sobs from behind. "Don't burn them," she cried.
"Let me do this. I don't want us to fight because of this."
"Please," she begged.
"Why? I thought this is what you want."
"You're so cute in those pictures," she said between her sobs. "Just burn those pictures that she's kissing and hugging you."
I didn't that suggestion from her, until I just found myself chuckling, "You're unbelievable!" I stopped burning the picture. "Okay then," I said with a smile.
I turned around and hugged her back. "From this day, we'll create more memories than these," I whispered to her.
Her hug tightened. I just kissed the top of her head.
***
Songs:
His Name Is Jesus composed by Me (Misty G.)
To You My King composed by Leah Buo (a reader)