Young Virtuoso: Master Benjie Boo Plays Jesuit Music

Have you ever been to a concert that captivated both your heart and soul because the performance was not merely one of spectacle, but of miracle? The event, unlike any show, was something that appeared inexplicable by the laws of nature, supernatural in origin and not possible by mere human efforts but only by God’s.
This was my feeling last night at the Meralco Theater while listening to the music played by a barely five feet tall Benjie Boo of Singapore. It was a miracle seeing a mere 13 year-old boy play look-Ma-no-score pieces of the piano masters before a flabbergasted audience. No one would think that a delicate, fragile and docile looking boy could be at par with virtuoso pianists. The heart of the matter, which makes Benjie cut above the rest, is that he plays by ear and he is averse to studying music in the theory-confining way. He started playing at the tender age of three. All he had to do was listen. No wonder his renditions always captivate the audience both heart and soul because Benjie listens with an ear of the heart to the summons of his soul.

Where to is Benjie Boo’s genius in music tendered?

This wunderkind in his innocence has ever been grateful for his giftedness. He performs for endowment and charity fund drive because he believes that much has been given him and he wants to share it with those who have none.

Benjie Boo Plays Our Song

Yet the evening was not as soulful until Boo started the second part by playing songs that are nearest to our hearts: Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas Palad, Awit ng Paghahangad, Papuri, Balang Araw, Gandang Sinauna at Sariwa, and Humayo’t Ihayag. The concert closed with Fr. Manoling Francisco’s Tanging Yaman that was evocatively sang by Ding Mercado. The lyrics of the song fully captured the meaning, the wisdom of why all of us present at the concert last night were gathered to witness this awe inspiring event. It was a testament to God’s abiding love which abounds with beautiful gifts, possibilities and perduring hope amidst our longings and brokenness. My word of thanks to God Loves Community for etching in the memory of my heart this beautiful encounter. I pray for God’s loving providence in all your community undertakings.


TANGING YAMAN

Philip Gan – Manoling Francisco, SJ

KORO: Ikaw ang aking tanging yaman,
Na di lubusang masumpungan.
Ang nilikha Mong kariktan, sulyap ng 'Yong kagandahan.

1. Ika'y hanap sa t'wina, nitong pusong Ikaw lamang ang saya.
Sa ganda ng umaga, nangungulila sa 'Yo, Sinta. (KORO)

2. Ika'y hanap sa t'wina, sa kapwa ko Kita laging nadarama.
Sa Iyong mga likha, hangad pa ring masdan ang 'Yong mukha.