LAST year, Randy A. Albores emerged triumphant when his composition was declared as the winner in a choral contest initiated by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). This was in Cagayan de Oro City during the 18th anniversary celebration of the government agency.
Memorable part of the song goes this way: "Tapat sa sinumpaang tungkulin sa 'ting bayan / Handang maglingkod sa pamahalaan at lipunan / Init, ulan, malayo ma'ng pupuntahan / Di bale na't bayan ay mapagsilbihan."
Eventually, the song was declared by the CDA board of administrators as the National CDA Hymn in the meantime that the national competition has yet to be conducted in March 2010.
"I was totally surprised when my name was called," the 33-year-old Albores, who hails from Bansalan, Davao del Sur. "I am not a pro." It was his boss, Rosalinda E. Villaseca, who encouraged him to join.
The contest was exclusively for CDA employees from Mindanao, and there were four entries. "Some entries were written and composed by professional musicians," he said. For instance, the Cagayan de Oro piece, which was chosen second place, was written by the regional director. "I am just a simple man who wrote the song straight from my heart."
During the first Philippine Cooperative Teamshop held at Lagao Gym in General Santos City, the administrators presented him an Award of Commendation for composing the song. But before the awarding, the CDA Davao Choir (trained by Violeta Granador) was asked to sing the song before the 2,000 delegates from all over the country. "After the awarding, I went backstage and I cried," he shared. "I remembered my son."
In a way, it was his son who inspired him to write the lyrics and compose the song. "I always consider that it was me and my song together who made the song," he admitted. "That's why I usually called it 'our song.'"
His son's name is Jessie Ranz (JR for short). He is the eldest of the three siblings, and he has been diagnosed with global developmental delay. "He is seven years old now, but he still cannot do anything," he informed. "He can't talk or walk."
The chorus of the song states, "Taglay nitong katangian ay pag-asa/Kooperatiba'y buong pusong paglingkuran/Para sa kaunlaran ng buong bayan."
Albores claimed, "My song is a message of hope. For my son, I am hopeful that God will give him a normal health someday."
While doing the tune of the song, he was reminded of his favorite singer Eric Clapton, who composed "Tears in Heaven." "He dedicated the song to his son who fell from a 53rd-story window in his mother's friend's New York City condominium. I always thought of my son who has been struggling for the past seven years. My song was coupled with tears but full of hope. My guitar and my keyboards were witnesses of my sentiments."
In writing the lyrics, however, he was inspired by the accomplishments of his officemates, particularly those who are assigned in the far-flung areas. "Oftentimes, most of us are almost out of traveling allowance and other logistics, but these don't deter us to continue serving the cooperatives," he said.
He wrote the song during the second week of January in 2007. "I was already bored as a government employee for 10 years," he said. "It was if there were no challenges anymore. As I wrote the song I was thinking, 'Would I be able to live up with my words?' The song expresses what supposed to be the real attitude of government employees. Because of that song, my interest and my zeal to serve the people was restored."
Ranz, as friends called him, is the eldest of the three children of Julian and Myrna Albores (both dedicated government employees). He was a consistent honor pupil while attending the Rizal Elementary School in Rizal, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. He graduated high school with honors from the Holy Cross of Bansalan College.
Ranz never dreamed of becoming a government employee. In fact, he was aiming to become a priest. He finished his AB Philosophy at the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary in Catalunan Grande, Davao City with the Merit of Cum Laude. After that, he transferred to Lorenzo Mission Institute in Makati City and then studied theology at San Carlos Graduate School of Theology. But he went out in 1998 during his second year of theologate.
Today, he works as Cooperative Development Specialist II under the CDA. "I like the nature of my job because I always meet people and new friends as well," he said. "I think God placed me in seminary for a purpose -- to prepare me for greater responsibilities that lie ahead."
Three years after he went out from the seminary, he got married at the age of 25. "My wife's name is Cherish Sophia Dawa, an elementary school teacher," he said. "She is fondly called by her friends as Aubrey. We are blessed with three children."
His final words: "I just let God direct my way. As I grow older, my attitude towards life has also changed my idealism and youthful fantasies. During my adolescent years, I wanted to accomplish many things. But now that I am 33, I wanted to do things in its proper time and order. I will continue composing songs, not for myself alone but to bring message of hope to others."
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