Making a (little) Difference

I spent my whole day today with my young friends from San Isidro Labrador Chapel in Majada Out. I invited the youth group members for a swim in the college swimming pool. I expected thirty to come and eighteen came. The others couldn't make it for personal reasons.

It was a simple gathering. They brought their own food which we shared among us, from the humblest viand to the two 1.5L orange soft drink. We were after the fellowship and the fun of being together. Under the glaring sun, eighteen young people had their fill of laughter and joy, and a little bit of pool water.

Watching them under the hut (I was hiding from the noon sun), I began reflecting on what on earth I am doing. What is the meaning of bringing together some young people and giving them a good time? Is this my vision of changing the world when in my idealism I entered the seminary seven years ago? The frying heat was drying up my vigor as I watched the children splash in pure glee in the blue pool.

No, I couldn't hope to make a large difference on the world in the little things that I do for my friends. Organizing games and inserting basic human values, pep talks, and word-in-ear are minuscule compared to the bigger problems of the world. I am not a superhero, I reminded myself. But I know deep inside me, that as I watch these young people enjoying their time, oblivious to the darn noon sun, what I am doing is already making a difference, even if little. The best thing that I can do at my stage of life is to impress upon these youth that life is a gift, that there is hope, and there will always be someone who continues to love them. Not me, but God.

I Miss You, I Do

I MISS YOU, I DO

Sometimes I find myself feeling so sad as I reminisce

The days when you were here with me before

And when the days were sunny then

But the sun just has to set

And now I know

(That/As) I miss you more today

And I’m telling you someday

I will find you again

‘til then I’ll keep you

‘til then I’ll wait for you

‘til then I’ll love you

I do

You were in the days the sun was burning bright

In those days the sun shines brightly in your eyes

I miss those eyes looking at me. See me...

-o0o-

Music and Lyrics: Keith Amodia, SDB

Keyboard: Keith Amodia, SDB

Vocals: Keith Amodia, SDB

-o0o-

For long, I have wanted to compose a tribute song to Tita Brenda, a close friend during my novitiate days. Her untimely death and that of my uncle had deprived me of two people I love and care. Tita Brenda was a regular visitor and friend when I was in the novitiate. She has been battling cancer and emerged victorious. Her cancer never quelled her spirits. Now, she has become one of my heroes - a woman, mother, and friend whose inner strength conquered the bitterness of pain. My uncle Pholo saw me grow up. I have always felt special to him. Every time the bigger family gathers, he becomes my de facto guardian. I lost my angel when I transferred to Canlubang for my post novitiate. It is for this reason that despite my absence in his funeral, I compose this song for him.

In this song, I wished to convey the sadness, denial and confusion that comes along with bereavement. I started with the music and made it leap through the scale to emphasize the breadth of emotions that accompanies death. I inserted accidentals in the music and an irregular chord pattern to illustrate the confusion and irregularity of death.

Stay With Me

STAY WITH ME

There’s a song in my head playing all day long

Humming in my dreams, my heart beating all along

My world is spinning now, things going all too fast

Too fast to take it in, will this be our last?

I know that I’m not that strong enough to live all alone

I need someone to hold on to so tight

But time is ticking too fast, am I a thing of the past?

Now I’m asking you tonight

Stay with me, breathe for me

Live for me, never let go

Stay afloat, just hold on

Hold my hand, we’ll both be strong

My head’s all quiet now, just silence everywhere

The world is standing still, still I could not dare

I know that I’m not that strong enough to live all alone

I need someone to hold on to so tight

But time is ticking too fast, am I a thing of the past?

Now I’m asking you tonight

-o0o-

Music and Lyrics: Keith Amodia, SDB

Keyboard: Keith Amodia, SDB

Vocals: Keith Amodia, SDB

-o0o-

There were so many factors that inspired the making of this song. First was a broken friendship, another was my own insecurity over relationships, and other sad things from the past. In all these experiences, one thing is highlighted - that people can go in and out, beyond our control, of our lives. This song is my own quaint plea for people to stay committed. There seems to be so much unfaithfulness in the world we need men who can stand by their promises.