Roger Serna
Sounds and images

FUNNY but these past few days, I had a déjà vu experience, having that same feeling of sadness again, that of loss, of having to let go, that feeling of losing a loved one, someone so dear, a close relative, and a family member. I can remember having felt this same feeling many years ago when I heard the news that a favorite singer, Karen Carpenter, died.

Years later, when a tragic vehicular accident claimed the life of Princess Diana, I felt that feeling again.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

Recently, the sense of loss and sadness seemed to envelope my senses when news of the unexpected demise of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson (MJ), hit worldwide.

I said “funny” because these people don’t even have an inkling that somewhere in this crazy world, a person by my name exists and has been looking up to them with awe, admiration and feeling like I’m their long lost relative.

With the tributes flowing toward Michael Jackson, I feel I am not alone after all; that almost everyone who appreciates music, okay, the type of music that Michael and company produce and popularize, are also in the same boat as I am.

If I am in this situation (and the rest of the world, too), I can just imagine how the Jackson family — the father, mother,
brothers and sisters as well as relatives — must have felt as this particular time.

Michael’s songs that have not been heard for a long time — songs that have been relegated to the backseat in favor of recent releases by new artists, whose songs might never be heard of again — have been played over and over in the airlanes.

Scenes of past concerts and events — including those during his childhood when he was still performing with his brothers and those that hugged the limelight both for good and not so good reasons (some resulting from allegations and insinuations) — have suddenly become constant staple on television.

Indeed, Michael had become part of the existence, and of the ups and downs of many people.

Fellow artists pay tribute to him for having influenced their music, and for having inspired them.

After the smoke shall have died down and all have been said and done we, the Michael Jackson fans, can only wish for our idol to rest in peace, to sing and dance with the angels, and to enjoy the peace and joy that had become so elusive to him since childhood — popularity and wealth notwithstanding.

***
It’s indeed an emotionally low time for show business, especially in Hollywood as some of its priced possessions, like David Carradine, Kenny Rankin, former Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett and MJ, have left its roster never to return again.

The only consolation is the thought that like a wheel that continuously turns, the emotionally low feeling will not last, and that the high feeling will soon rise and reach an all-time high once again.

***
Capitol Consultant on Security and Jail Matters Byron Garcia was quick to the draw as he immediately conceptualized a tribute to the King of Pop (just a few hours after the news broke out) via some dance interpretations of some of Michael’s hit songs by the dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

On the eve of the monthly performance of the inmates last Saturday, Byron was still splicing the final soundtrack of the tribute composed of Ben, I’ll Be There and We Are The World.

Last Monday night and Tuesday morning, video clips of the performance were flashed on TV with special mention of foreign media covering the event. There were no fancy steps, what with only 10 hours of rehearsal before the actual performance (except for a splice of the Thriller number using the original steps), but the message was well conveyed.

A check visit to YouTube revealed that as of 2 p.m., Tuesday, the tribute already garnered 2,511,118 visits barely three days after it was uploaded.

The original Thriller upload has enjoyed 27,160,572 visits. Quite a feat, indeed! And Michael Jackson was instrumental for that feat. No doubt about it.