How Ninoy's poem for Cory inspired singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan

CEBU, Philippines - To think, this song set to music by renowned singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan was released 20 years ago.

“Mukhang natabunan lang ng Beautiful Girl and Please Be Careful With My Heart, but this is part of the Constant Change album,” said Jomari when interviewed, via phone patch, at past 8 a.m. last Saturday during GMA 7’s special TV coverage on the former president’s sad passing due to colon cancer.

Sad to say, it was not also a favorite among local radio playlists. But, according to Jomari, this particular song has constantly made his heart bleed. 

“When I was commissioned to write the melody, I found it difficult to do because unang pasada ko pa lang sa tula, it struck me deeply. Yun ang mahirap kasi sa paglalapat ng melody. Sa profoundness ng poem, mahihirapan ka to give justice to what it is actually addressing and what it would be saying later on pag kinakanta na,” Jomari narrated, his voice obviously on the verge of breaking.

“So I have to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit and also prayed na sana tulungan ako ng kaluluwa ni Ninoy as I worked on the song,” he continued. “Naging maayos naman at yun nga ang kinalabasan sa album.”

The two anchors of the “Cory, Salamat” coverage of GMA-7 cajoled the singer-composer to belt out a few lines despite the fact that such would make him uncomfortable being emotionally stricken himself over the loss of an icon responsible for the restoration of democracy here, and of course, crooning that early in the morning.

Jomari gave in to the request, though done intermittently, choked by the emotions he held back. “Kaya diyan ako hanga kay Lea Salonga, because she can sing songs from Miss Saigon without ever shedding a tear no matter how emotional the song is. Ako, I get carried away talaga,” he said as he apologized to those real-time viewers of the live webcast of the coverage.

When asked on whether he would sing this specific song once the Aquino family requests him to do such during the wake or funeral services, Jomari replied, “I would love to, but hindi ako sure if I would be able to contain my emotions. Yun nga ang mahirap sa akin, mababaw ang luha ko."

Here’s the lyrics of the song arranged by Louie Ocampo

I Have Fallen In Love(With The Same Woman Three Times)

(From the poem written by Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. for Cory at Fort Bonifacio on October 11, 1973 for their 19th wedding anniversary)

I have fallen in love

With the same woman three times

In a day spanning nineteen years

Of tearful joys and joyful tears.

I loved her first when she was young

Enchanting and vibrant, eternally new

She was brilliant, fragrant and cool as the morning dew

I fell in love with her the second time

When first she bore her child and mine

She’s always by my side the source of my strength

Helping to turn the tide

But there were candles to burn

The world was my concern

While our home was her domain.

And the people were mine

While the children were hers to maintain.

So it was in those eighteen years and a day

Till I was detained, forced in prison to stay.

Suddenly she’s our sole support

Source of comfort, our wellspring of hope,

On her shoulders fell the burden of life.

I fell in love again with the same woman the third time

Looming from the battle her courage will never fade.

Amidst the hardships she has remained

Undaunted and unafraid.

She is calm and composed. She is God’s lovely maid.