Jamie and that Christian spirit

As Kim, the tragic heroine in Miss Saigon, Jamie Rivera had the world at her feet. She represented what was laudable and crowd-pleasing about Filipino talent performing in foreign shores.

That was years ago when Jamie was still in her Hey, It’s Me and I’m Sorry stage, churning out pop hits that made lovers swoon. Though Jamie still relishes her glorious Miss Saigon days, bringing as it did, honors "for myself and my country," she has moved on.

Jamie has found a far higher calling, something that outstrips, even outlasts a dozen Miss Saigons. Jamie, the inspirational diva has been churning out hit after hit, but of a far different kind.

Her songs are not about the usual boy-meets-girl and happy-ever-after experience anymore. It’s about things of the spirit – Divine guidance (Selfless Love), inner joy (Jubilee Song), renewal (Heal Our Land). These are her present-day hits, her gleaming trophies as inspirational diva.

To Jamie, nothing can be more gratifying.

"If the Lord is using me as His instrument, what can I do?" she smiles.

Jamie has just added to her growing list of inspirational hymns the cuts of Mysteria Lucis. The rosary album, featuring a step-by-step guide to praying the rosary, especially the New Mysteries of the Light introduced by Pope John Paul II, cannot be more timely.

The Pope has declared 2003 the Year of the Holy Rosary. And Star Records, where Jamie is a contract artist, couldn’t have picked a better choice for their new album. While admitting she is no saint, Jamie is the product of a home steeped the family rosary tradition.

"My mom would lead in the daily praying of the Holy Rosary at home," recalls Jamie.

Today, the tradition continues, with Jamie, husband Rey and daughter Reine going down on their knees to pray.

Getting pleasantly hooked on the Holy Rosary is also a natural offshoot of Jamie’s academic roots. A Thomasian from high school to college, she was recently named one of the alumni achievers during the celebration of the University of Sto. Tomas High School’s 75th anniversary.

Jamie is not about to rest on her laurels, now that the US-led war in Iraq and the deadly SARS virus are rearing their ugly heads all over the world.

"Lots of Catholics have neglected the Rosary. We must encourage people to pray again," Jamie declares. Then, she promises, "If you are pleasing to God, He will bless you."

Jamie has been blessed many times over. She has never been more popular in her second career as inspirational artist. Her face is flashed many times on TV and posters of her album are all over the churches.

Her albums – Jubilee Song, Only Selfless Love and recently, Mysteria Lucis, are raking in money.

Jamie is working double time to promote her album. Last April 3, she launched Mysteria Lucis at Mt. Carmel Church, Quezon City where Fr. Armand Tangi’s paintings about the five new Mysteries of the Light – Jesus’ baptism in Jordan, the wedding at Cana, the proclamation of the kingdom of God, Jesus’ transfiguration and the institution of the Holy Eucharist.

Highlighting the event was Jamie’s rendition of an often-played song during Holy Mass – Awit Sa Ina ng Santo Rosario, also one of the cuts in the album and the official hymn of the Year of the Holy Rosary.

Other performances are on April 10, 4:30 p.m. at Sta Cruz Church; April 24, 5 p.m. at the Sanctuario del Sto. Cristo and May 1, 4:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Parish Church.

Jamie Rivera has been singled out among many. Like other chosen ones before her, she cannot do anything but say, "Amen, Thy will be done!"