The Inspirational Diva

Music, especially inspirational music, is a powerful healer — and in times like these, the music of Jamie Rivera, known as the Inspirational Diva, can provide a much-needed lift to people’s sagging spirits.

Among the many inspirational songs she has recorded through the years, Jamie says there are three that she feels are particularly applicable to the country’s current situation: The songs Pananagutan, Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas Palad and Heal Our Land. “St. Augustine said that singing is praying twice. When we sing inspirational songs, not only does it inspire people to go on with life in spite of the hardships but it strengthens their faith because they are being reminded by the words of God that He will never abandon us,” explains Jamie.

“If I were to be asked which of my songs I think are relevant to what the country is going through right now, it would be those three. The first, because it’s a song that reminds us that we are not alone in this planet and we have a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters. Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas Palad because it’s a song asking the people to give generously without expecting anything in return; and finally, Heal Our Land which is a reminder that if we seek God and humble ourselves, then God will hear us from Heaven and heal our land.”

But Jamie knows it’s not enough to simply share her music. As the Inspirational Diva, she has also done her share to reach out to her kababayan. “I have already helped in my own little way and will be extending more help by singing soon in several fund-raising concerts,” she says.

Jamie has just released her latest recording, a Christmas album titled My Christmas Gift. Although some people say we shouldn’t even be thinking about Christmas, or that we shouldn’t even celebrate because of what’s happening in our country, Jamie believes otherwise. “The more that we should celebrate Christmas by giving help to the victims of Yolanda,” she says. “After all, this is the real essence of Christmas, giving love. We don’t even have to wait for Dec. 25 because we can already feel the love not only of our countrymen but also of other nations through their help, donations and other support.”

Jamie, who co-produced the album with Star Records, began conceptualizing it last June. She chose the songs, and most of them were songs that we all grew up with, like Silent Night, Oh Holy Night, Gloria in Excelsis Deo and Joy to the World. She also thought of including a song for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), hence the addition of I’ll Be Home for Christmas in the lineup. Other cuts include favorites like Christmas Will Always Be Christmas, Pasko Na Sinta Ko and Let There Be Peace On Earth. The album also features two special songs: One, a revival of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas that Jamie sings with her daughter and her original composition, Christmas Around the World (which she wrote with Noel Espenida).

“I invited Kapamilya stars to sing with me, like Kathryn Bernardo, Yeng Constatino, KZ Tandingan, Angeline Quinto, Erik Santos, Marcelito Pomoy, Vina Morales, Jed Madela, Bugoy Drilon, Liezel Garcia, Janella Salvador and Jovit Baldivino. And they generously shared their time and talent with me, that’s why I am very thankful to all of them and to Star Magic.”

The album was released last September, but was launched only recently in ASAP 18.

Regarding the recent spate of disasters that hit the Philippines, Jamie — the Inspirational Diva and a devout Catholic — doesn’t think that there is any special reason that these things have happened to our country. It just so happens, she says, that the Philippines is located in a typhoon belt and is surrounded by water, aside from which it is the most exposed country to tropical cyclones.

It’s also not because — as some people have expressed — that these disasters are punishment for our collective sins. “That is not true,” she says. “We Filipinos are prayerful and God hears all our prayers. Instead of thinking that God is a punisher, we should believe that He is our strength.”

Personally, as a Filipino, Jamie has a message she wants to send out to all her fellow Filipinos: “We have encountered a lot of calamities and disasters but we always manage to get through and move on with our lives. Let us all help and be selfless so we can rise again as a nation.”