The Composer, The Song and The Pope

I am aware that this post is a bit late after all those Pope Francis news shared online. But I can't help not to write something related to

File photo with the composer..

the recent event. Remember the song that became iconic 20 years back during the 1995 World Youth Day?

I was graduating then from high school and all I knew was that the song "Tell The World Of His Love" was written by Trina Belamide. Obviously, I haven't met her personally that time not until 2012.

And I was fortunate enough to be given a chance to ask a few questions to Ms. Trina via email. Pardon me if some of the questions may sound familiar. For the purpose of this post, I had to somehow ask again. Here goes...

1. What was the story behind the song?

2. What was your reaction when you learned that the song was chosen to be the 1995 World Youth Day theme song?

Some time in 1994, a friend of mine showed me an article in the newspaper about a songwriting contest: a search for the Official Theme Song of World Youth Day 1995. Pope John Paul II would be in Manila for this event.  The theme was “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.”  The prize was a trip for two to Rome (or the cash equivalent).  That prize was what drew me to the contest.  My parents had not been to Europe yet and I thought it would be great if I could win it and send them on that trip.  It was my first time to write a religious/gospel song.  Part of me felt guilty about writing such a song with a selfish objective in mind (winning the prize), so I actually said a prayer before writing.  I said like, God, I’m joining this contest.  I have my eye on the prize and I feel unworthy of writing a song for You, but if You want to use me to get your message across, then please do.   And then I proceeded to write the song, record it, submitted it and waited for word.  In time I got a call and they told me that out of about 85 songs they received, my song was one of 5 songs they had selected as finalists, and that they were sending these 5 songs to Rome for final deliberation.  That’s when I started getting nervous and thinking, wow, I actually have a shot at this.  I prayed some more and said Your will be done and please help me accept whatever happens.  Some time later they told me my song won.  At first, it was winning the prize that made me the most excited about getting that call.  As events unfolded and World Youth Day turned out to be this huge event the country had never seen before, that prize paled in comparison to the joy of hearing my song sung everywhere and having Pope John Paul actually sing and sway to it!  The magnitude of the event was just mind-blowing.

3. Your song continues to be part of every youth related encounters in churches. I was once part of a choir and we performed Tell the World of His Love & Shine (with the actions and all). How does it feel to know about it?
4. 20 years later, Tell the World of His Love was again sang several times during the Papal visit, including the mass with the youth held in UST. That moment on stage when it almost resembled the first time your song was sang back in 1995, could you tell us how you felt? Did it brought you back to 1995?

It's quite overwhelming because of the reactions I am getting from everyone.  There were instances it seemed surreal, and it sometimes felt like I didn't write the song.  More like someone else wrote it, and gave me permission to put my name on it.   Or like God had this song ready and chose me, this reluctant  and unworthy gospel songwriter, handed it to me as a gift, and had a good laugh watching me while things unfolded.

I also posted this on my FB page a few days ago:
20 years ago, when "Tell The Word Of His Love" was new, I guess it already had an effect on people that I didn't realize as much as I do now because of social media. Wala pa kasing FB noon. Ni wala pa yatang internet or baka kaunti lang ang may access. Only now, 20 years later, reading everybody's messaegs and posts (and I'm not done yet so please forgive if you wrote something and I haven't reacted in any way) am I beginning to understand the magnitude of the song. And it just strengthens what I've always believed: something that packs this much power can only have come from a higher Source. Dumaan lang sa akin ito. I am awed and amazed. Occasionally confused. But always incredibly grateful and happy.

Screenshot of the choir during the concluding mass held in Luneta.

5. In the concluding mass of Pope Francis, you were part of the 1000-voice choir. How was it singing your own composition?

So many people - especially those who were moved to tears at that moment - ask me if I felt the same way while singing in Luneta.  When the orchestra started and I saw people begin to sway with their candles, and when we started singing the first few lines, I did get a bit choked up and paused a little bit to take it all in.  But I didn't want to cry and so I kind of switched to "performer" mode very consciously, as I have always done as a chorister whenever a song would make me feel like crying.  I was there as choir member, so I began to focus on the piece and just sing my part.  I smiled a few times looking out at the sea of people and candles, when it would hit me that this was my song, that this was God's special gift to me.  As I told a friend of mine, I cried more when I watched the playback at home that evening.  Iba rin kasi yung impact when you're a spectator, and when you can see the faces of the people singing on TV.  I had more time to think of what the song meant to me while I was alone in my room, so that's when I allowed myself to cry.

 About TRINA BELAMIDE:
- an active member of the Ateneo College Glee Club during college
- among her works include “Now that I Have You” (The Company), “You’ve Made Me Stronger” (Regine Velasquez-Alcasid) and "Bigtime" (Baihana; finalist for the 2013 Philippine Popular Music Festival)
- currently a member of the Ateneo Chamber Singers
- member of the Board of Trustees of FILSCAP (Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) 

source: http://www.trinabelamide.com

Thank you Ms. Trina for the privilege of having this interview.

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