Songs show the way to that empty space - SOUNDS FAMILIAR by Baby A. Gil

The yearly commemoration of the Holy Week now results in lots of empty spaces. With almost the whole population out on vacation there are empty houses, empty offices, near empty malls and emptier streets even. To those who choose to remain in the city, this torpid state brings the bliss of peace and quiet, of a traffic-free existence, unhurried siestas and lots of time to clean out closets, to read, listen to music, think and pray and hopefully find that other empty space.

Jose Mari Chan sings of that empty space in the album Something More, Songs for Skeptics a collection of very personal prayer songs produced by the Jesuit Music Ministry and the Jesuit Communications Foundation. Known for many hits that he wrote himself, this instance is one of those rare times when Jose Mari sings something from other songwriters. The song is Empty Space: Song of the Heart of Jesus and it is beautiful and indeed very special.

Composed by two Jesuit priests, Manoling Francisco and Johnny Go, the song tells of an empty space waiting for us to fill. Fear not the night within/that’s where my light begins/so you may one day see my face/only I can fill your days goes the refrain. It means fear not, you restless souls. This song brings the assurance that there is a space, that there is a room in the heart of Jesus where everyone, even the skeptics, can find solace.

Other similar messages abound in the album containing songs based on verses from the Bible and interpreted by well-known stars and the talented members of the Jesuit Music Community. Lea Salonga, always a lovely presence, sings Something More. Also written by Francisco and Go, this song was inspired by the story of the miracle that Jesus performed on a blind man.

Ariel Rivera with the Bukas Palad Ministry in the background, opens the album with his rendition of Francisco’s modern inspirational classic, One More Gift the theme of which comes from Christ’s admonition to Martha, who was upset about many things when only one thing is needed. Then there is the under-rated Noel Cabangon who sings Let Your Spirit by Eddie Dass, SJ with lyrics based on a verse from 1 Kings by Johnny Go.

The rest of the cuts in the album are: I Beg to Fall in Love with Thee, My Lord composed by Arnel DC Aquino, SJ and sang by Veepee Pinpin; Teach My Heart (Prayer of St. Anselm), written by Jandi Arboleda and performed by RB Hizon, SJ; Simeon’s Canticle by Francisco and sang by Hangad featuring Celia Uy; Jesus on the Cross, again composed by Francisco with lyrics by Go and sang by Oggie Benipayo; All Shall Be Well once more by Francisco and Go and performed by the Bukas Palad Music Ministry featuring Laine Laudico-Santana.

Out of Roads (Song of the Prodigal Son) composed by Aquino and Go and sang in the album by Veepee Pinpin; How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place based on Psalm 84, also by Aquino with the Himig Heswita featuring RB Hizon SJ as performers; Song of John once more by Aquino who also performs the song; Gather Me (Prayer to the Good Shepherd) composed by the singer Ginny Pantig, with lyrics by Go; You Fill My Heart (Prayer of Therese of the Child Jesus) by Aquino and Go and sang by Oggie Benipayo; and Life Forevermore, composed by Francisco, who has matured into a truly prolific songwriter and performed by the Bukas Palad Ministry featuring RB Hizon SJ and Bubbles Bandojo RC as soloists.

Go says in his liner notes: "If you let them, the songs can speak to you in the different seasons of your life, in seasons when your soul is restless, or when your heart has been, for some reason, hardened. We pray that these songs will lead you to your moments of prayer, to seek the One whose heart never tires of seeking yours."

To help listeners in the search for that empty space, a special candle in an attractive pouch comes with every purchase of one CD or two cassette tapes of Something More or any other product from the Jesuit Music Ministry. The candles each time you light them.