The Story behind the Repentance Lyric Video

Since it is the season of Lent, I think it is about right that I talk about the backstory of why I decided to produce this Lyric Video. But let me share first about the story of how I wrote the lyrics and the inspiration for it. Of all the lyrics that I have written, personally this one stands out for me in terms of writing a very personal and introspective song about Jesus Christ. Visually, I borrowed heavily from the scenes of the movie The Passion of the Christ. Which was very controversial back in the day when it was released in movie theaters. And you could really see how bloody it was for Jesus. And seeing his suffering, it just hit me so hard that I became so angry at myself. Thus, I wrote this very personal song for Jesus. Back then, when I wrote the lyrics of this song, I visualized myself as being present on the day Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. I internalized the visuals that went through my mind and penned a personal message to Jesus. With Wilbert's assistance, he composed the sound structure of the song according to the emotions that I felt in each word and sentences written in the lyrics. Thrina then supplied the vocalization to the best of her abilities. Well, you might be wondering why such an introspective song turned out to be on the heavy side of Rock Music. It was personally designed that way by me because I was experiencing a bevy of emotions while writing the lyrics. There was part remorse, part anger, part realization, and just the pure desire to repent. So you could see the build up of the music from a semblance of introspective solemnity thru the light guitar strums and the hums. Then as the realization hit me of how a fool I was for drowning in sin, you would hear the heavy rock music of the angry guitars and the drum beats. And then when the decision to repent is finally made, you would hear the softening of the guitars until the outro. I think the way the music was composed might not be palatable to those who are looking for a more solemn song for the theme of Repentance and remorse. There are a lot of solemn and ballad type of songs with similar themes that I used to sing and make me cry. But I think for me in writing this song, the anger of being in the bondage of sin was very strong in me. Especially when I visualized the violent suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. It really hit that hard. I guess I needed to let go of that anger to truly find healing within me. So writing this song was in a way very cathartic for me.  

Now as for the Lyric Video. The back story of the production of this was, I was looking for ways how in my own little ways that I could contribute to something during this season of Lent. I have been planning for this since January and timed the release of our second album's carrier single "Beloved Savior" weeks before the Holy Week begins. But I wasn't confident enough that the song could be used as an instrument to reach many listeners. Or make it to a bigger Spotify Editorial Playlist and reach as many random Spotify listeners as it could. So I decided to do other things like this Lyric Video instead. Then in the middle of finalizing the video, I suddenly received a message from our Digital Distributor that our song Beloved Savior made it to Spotify's New Music Friday Editorial Playlist. So it totally came in as a shock to me. Because the moment (to have our song reach a lot of listeners this Lenten Season) that I have been hoping and praying for suddenly came to fruition. Truly, Divine intervention happened. And it was by God's design and his plan to grant my prayer and use one of our songs as his instrument to touch people's lives. So as this happened, I still continued to pursue the Lyric Video and was determined to finish it nevertheless. So here it is in its entirety. This is just a little testimony of how I encountered God's mysterious plans for me. All I know is that my heart is truly dedicated in the mission to share God's Love to as much willing listeners as I can. God knows about that. It is my commitment to him. And that is the only motivation that I have why I decided to pursue this Music Ministry that I started since 2005.

This Lenten season, we would like to share this song to everyone and appeal for everyone to repent from our sins and embrace Jesus Christ in our life. Let us be reminded of how he died for us to save us from our sins. How his sacrifice should not be in vain. Because when he died for us, he knew that we would rally behind him and find salvation in him. His life was precious. God's only begotten son. But our life is precious too and worth saving.  

This is the story of the song called REPENTANCE.

Beloved Savior makes it to Spotify's New Music Friday Philippines Playlist!

Last March 24, I received a text message from our Digital Music Distributor. It was a message of congratulations. Bearing news that our hand picked carrier single for our second album's digital music release have been added to the much coveted Spotify's New Music Friday Philippines playlist. I was pretty much in shock and surprised that the song Beloved Savior made it. This was the fourth time that we pitched a song for the playlist's inclusion and the previous three tries did not make it. So I didn't expect for any of our songs to make it there. I did my research and I found out that most songs that makes it to the playlist were songs that were backed by huge Record Labels. And mostly, what is being featured are mainstream and secular Pop songs by mainstream artists. So landing on the playlist was some sort of a miracle for us. To which I believe that it was by God's design. Because weeks before the album's release, I was already planning to release a song that would be relevant for the Lenten Season. I wanted to remind people in whatever way that I can of God's presence in their lives. And as an independent Christian Contemporary Band, it would be undoubtedly hard to be able to share our songs to an audience most specially that our long hiatus made us lose most of our listeners back in the day. Just a day before the album was released, I even talked about how I was hoping that we could find new listeners and followers now that we are releasing our songs online. So it was like God heard my prayer about having an audience to listen to our songs again.

The original Lyric Card and Sticker that was packaged with our Second Album's CD Release

Beloved Savior was actually a song that I did not wrote. It was written by our drummer, Adonis Berongoy, long before he joined our band. As part of their Church's Music Ministry, he composed an original song and sang it in his Church. Recording it was not even part of the plan. But when Adonis joined the band and as we were finalizing the song line up for the second album, he contributed the song to us. As the Chief Lyricist of Thoughts And Notions, I was always adamant that our album should have at least one Praise and Worship track. And in the process of finalizing the songs for the second album, I told the band that they should also contribute songs for the album as I wanted to showcase their songwriting talents too. And Beloved Savior was a perfect Praise and Worship track for the album. Wilbert was also very instrumental in contributing to the final sound of the song. As the stripped down acoustic composition of Adonis was further enhanced by Wilbert's additional work in giving the song its final sound. Even back in the day, we always valued the song. In fact, when we previously released the album in CD format, we included a pocket sized lyric card that printed the lyrics of the song. The idea was that for those who were able to purchase the album, it would be easier for them to bring the lyric card with them and used it as something like a prayer card that they could put in their pocket and carry along. We wanted Beloved Savior to be more than just a song. But a Praise and Worship prayer too. Or a Love Letter to God. That one can read/use to honor God on a day to day basis. So when I asked Thrina which song should be the carrier single for the second album's digital music release, her handpicked choice was Beloved Savior.

Getting on the playlist was a huge opportunity for us to be discovered by more listeners as our listener base jumped from 800 plus to 2,000 plus listeners the moment the song made it to the playlist. It was like an answered prayer to the things that I was wondering just a day before the album's release. It also heartened me when I saw a sharp increase of people saving and putting our songs on their personal playlists during the time the song was put on the New Music Friday Philippines playlist. I really appreciated it that the song was making a dent in one way or another as the Lenten Season was in full swing. So it was really some sort of a divine intervention for God to work his wonders again. I mean, from the moment I decided to revive Thoughts And Notions on the digital music space, I offered everything to God and just stayed faithful to the mission and vision that I made for the band. And that is to share God's Amazing Love and help uplift wounded souls in need of God's grace and healing. That remained true now as it remained true back then. God is in complete command in everything that I do for Thoughts And Notions. And I always ask for his discernment in every step that I take this time around. 

The Text Message that I received from our Digital Distributor

After a week, Beloved Savior disappeared on the playlist. As New Music Friday Philippines is updated every Fridays weekly. So what's next? Spotify usually adds some of the well engaged (streamed/saved/playlisted) songs to their other genre specific Editorial Playlists. Right now, I don't know if the song would be placed in another Editorial Playlist. Will I receive another text message form our Digital Distributor? But either way, it served its purpose. I would want it to reach more listeners. But like always, I trust God to take control of our songs and use it according to his wishes. I'm just so thankful and blessed that from March 24 to March 31, he was able to use it to touch the hearts of the listeners of the New Music Friday Philippines Playlist. What comes next will all be up to him. And like what I always say, even if we don't reach One Million Listeners, as long as our song was able to touch that one lost soul and bring that someone back to God, then everything was well worth it. 

Beloved Savior appeared at Number 76

You can still stream/listen to our entire album by accessing these links below. And, if you could save our songs and add it to your playlists and share it too. We'd really appreciate it if you could be part of our mission to share God's Love through our songs. Maybe we can reach that one person in need of God's Love 😇

Spotify:

    

Youtube:

As always, to God's Greater Glory!!!