I ain’t gonna front, I was a mess after watching Michael Jackson’s memorial service yesterday! He was a big part of the soundtrack of my life, just as he was a part of everyone else’s. I had a lot of very vivid & fond memories, & his music was prevalent throughout my 34 yrs. Back in Manila, growing up, I bonded with my neighbor across the street over MJ’s music & dance moves. I remember coming home from school every afternoon, and I would hear “Beat It” blasting through his living room window. He would dance up a storm, and my uncles, aunts, and I would watch him from our driveway. He would come over the house at times and he and I would dance to “Beat It” & “Thriller”! choreography and all! He even taught me how to moonwalk! And I’m proud to say, I can still do it! He was a huge fan. I wonder how he’s holding up right now.

Michael had a lot of eccentricities, and a lot of his actions were looked upon as strange or weird. But sometimes, I think most of these actions were done on purpose. Part of a publicity stunt. Regardless of what has transpired in the past 10 years, as far as his life is concerned, he is undoubtedly a musical genius. He was an amazing singer, even at 11 years old – very souful and expressive. And his dancing is just unparallelled. No matter how hard you try, when you watch him dance, even with dancers all around him, you cannot help but zero in on him. He just pulls you in and you are just mesmerized. I’d have to agree with Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Michael is the greatest entertainer that ever lived. Unfortunately, we will not see anymore of his brilliance. However, his music will continue to live on and on. He has changed pop culture, and was the bar that every one wanted to live up to.

When I learned of his death, I immediately thought, "did anyone talk to him about Jesus Christ and presented to him the Gospel?" However, I ran into a tweet by Sheila E., fantastic percussionist, a believer, and a friend of Michael’s, on the day of MJ’s memorial service, in which she said, and I quote, “Michael received Jesus B4 he passed. I will attend his home coming. Pray for his family.” If this is true, and I pray to the Lord it is, it would’ve been the best thing that had ever happened to Michael. No matter what happened to him while he was still alive, receiving God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ definitely had set him free from all the burdens he has been carrying all these years! He is now in the arms of Jesus! The best place to be! No more pain, no more sorrow. I can just picture MJ, moonwalking on the streets of gold! That would be something!

Ever since his death, I’ve been listening to his songs and have found a new appreciation for them. I listen more intently on the way he sings a song, the amazing basslines and guitar riffs of his more upbeat songs like “Beat It”, “Billie Jean” or “Smooth Criminal”. I guess it also comes with the fact that I’m older, and know a little bit more about music compared to when I was 7, 8, or 9 years old. His music and legacy will continue for a very long time.