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[av_heading heading=’MY LIFE AS ART ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PETER SOLIS NERY
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Friday, December 1, 2017
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XXV. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
When he sang, the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove, came out of his mouth, formed the notes, and lifted everyone to celestial bliss and ecstasy.
*
A few more contestants tried to wow the audience.
All wanting in voice, showmanship, even appropriateness.
A boy of eight belted out “Bituing Walang Ningning,” a Sharon Cuneta megastar-making anthem.
Another sang Parokya ni Edgar’s “Buloy” solo! (And in a capella, too!)
*
When the female emcee came onstage again, she announced, And now, ladies and gentlemen, Contestant No. 23, Mateo Luces Feliciano.
Matt entered the stage, with ribbon number 23 pinned on him.
He stood before the microphone, surveyed the audience who were still unruly.
He took his time.
The audience quieted down a little.
*
Matt waited even more, until the audience was completely silent in anticipation.
Matt nodded to the bandmaster, and the violin started Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”
Matt started with Haa-haa-haa-haah… his voice other-worldly, starting soft, beautiful, cooing, like a dove, then like the dove, unfurling its wings, soaring through the roofless auditorium into the moonlit night.
*
Jesu, joy of man’s desiring
Five words, and the emcee was stunned. She dropped her cue cards.
Holy wisdom, love most bright
One by one, the audience dropped their jaws.
Mesmerized, they hardly breathed. Their eyes, big and round.
The cadaverous man, shaken out of his drunkenness.
*
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
The girl who sang the wishful “Sana” craned her neck to see Matt, now eyes closed, one spirit with the song.
Soar to uncreated light
The stars in the sky that served as the roof of the auditorium glittered.
A woman in the audience cried, her tears streaming down her cheeks.
A fat man knelt, stretched his arms as if in prayer.
*
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned
A heavily tattooed muscleman sniffled.
With the fire of life impassioned
A teenage punk girl in Gothic make-up, raccoon eyes, black lipstick, down to black nails, fainted in ecstasy.
Striving still to truth unknown
Soaring, dying…
*
One of the stars in the sky gleamed in particular.
Round…
Three or more women went weak on their knees.
Thy throne…!
Matt held the note for as long as he could…
*
A brief silence hovered over the auditorium after Matt’s song.
The cadaverous man started to clap his hands.
Then, the audience broke into a generous, almost seemingly endless, thunderous applause.
*
Matt took it all in, smiled, made his signature funky salute, turned to go backstage, but before he had totally left the stage, he was met by Dulce Amor, the crazy woman under the coconut tree last night whose hair was now neatly styled. (To be continued)/PN
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