|
LAST week, a group of entertainment writers were
invited to witness his mass baptism for the poor program at the
Pandacan oil depot where he bought baptismal clothes for all the
babies and provided Jollibee meals for everyone who attended.
Anytime now, Mark Jimenez may have his life turned into a movie. And
who knows, he may become like El Shaddai’s Mike Velarde who
preaches to the multitude. But for now, the former congressman has
already has a CD video documentary on how his stint behind bars in
the United States turned him on to God.
The video-docu goes by the
kilometric title Nagkakaisa sa Diyos, Nagkakaisang Pilipino Para Sa
Gloria ni Hesus. It is produced by the Hulog Ng Langit Foundation
which Jimenez has put up to fund his religious and socio-civic
undertakings. Of course, he comes in as the narrator in the video-docu.
The material has a choral
rendition of the religious song which Jimenez himself composed in
collaboration with movie and TV director Joven Tan.The song,
“Hulog ng Langit,” a grand and expensive musical production. The
chorus is made up of about 200 grade school kids and backed up the
San Miguel Symphony Orchestra, under Ryan Cayabyab.
There’s also a soloist: a
little known singer by the name of Robbie Beradas. Beradas said that
while he was in the province, he received a call asking him to come
to Manila and be part of a recording. It turned out that the offer
was from Jimenez who refers to himself as Mensahero ni Jesus in the
video.
Another song called
“Inihatid Sa Pinto ng Langit” was also inspired by Jimenez’s
stint in the bartolina—which is the Tagalog word for solitary
confinement. In most jails, solitary confinement is imposed only on
frequent violators of prison rules. Jimenez did not explain anywhere
in the video-docu why he had to be thrown to the bartolina.
Jimenez claims in his video-docu
that while he was stuck in solitary confinement, he received a lot
of messages from heaven and he learned to write prayers and
religious songs.
The project didn’t say who
directed it—but we have a feeling it must also be Joven Tan who
used to direct bold movies for FLT Films. In effect, what Jimenez is
promoting is Catholicism. In fact, his latest mission is to get one
million babies (including toddlers) baptized. His foundation’s
goal is to be able to sponsor one million babies for baptism
nationwide. As to what’s next on MJ’s agenda, let’s all wait
for another message from heaven for the controversial Mark Jimenez.
The son also rises
Joseph Valdez, a son of Luchi
Cruz-Valdez of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, maybe a prized
scholar of acclaimed violinist virtuoso Coke Bolipata, but he is
still your regular 16-year-old junior hanging out with schoolmates
at the Ateneo High School. He likes badminton, goes for rock even
while being the president of the Ateneo Symphonic Ensemble. He has
formed two bands, the latest with a repertoire of punk which he
concurs does not please mentor Coke too much.
His affair with the violin began
at age 9 while exposed to the instrument during grade school at
Waldorf International School in Pasig. Enrolling at the age of 11 at
the summer workshop of Coke Bolipata’s Casa San Miguel Foundation
in Zambales, he quickly mastered the instrument.
Now 16, Joseph is a Promil Gifled
Child spokesman and part of the acclaimed Zambales-based Pundaquit
Virtuosi which has played to international audiences.
He will be a guest, along with
soprano Rachelle Gerodias, at the Le Concert Classique of
international tenor Sal Malaki on July 27 at the Meralco Theater.
The concert will also feature the RSVP string ensemble with
conductor and musical director Ma. Carmen Echevarria. For
information on the show, call 928-5462 or 453-1173.
|
