December 8 ------ For most Filipinos, Jimmy Bondoc will always be the voice and composer behind the OPM classic "Let Me Be The One," his biggest hit and the 2004 chart-topping ballad that helped define a generation of love songs. As one of the breakthrough artists who fueled the golden era of Filipino acoustic music in the early 2000s, he has been a constant presence on the airwaves, in music halls, and on concert stages, and duly earned his permanent place as an OPM star.
But while his music remains timeless, it turns out that Bondoc has been pursuing what he believes is a more profound calling in his life over the past decade. And though seemingly removed from his showbiz career, this unexpected path is still rooted in his enduring passion for connecting with people — this time, with the aim of making a tangible and lasting difference in their lives. Now fully committed to this journey, it is only fitting to reintroduce the OPM personality not only to his fans and admirers who may have lost track of what the artist has been up to but also to the rest of the nation. "People like to say I reinvented myself when they find out I held a government post and finished law school. But, to be honest, this is more of a natural evolution for me," Bondoc began in this candid interview. "I've always had dreams beyond music. It's just that I've been very private, so I guess I never talked much about this side of me and my plans to take up law. But I was always headed there," he reiterated.
When asked if it's fair to say he has taken his sweet time to embrace his true calling, the 49-year-old politely disagreed. He explained that he doesn't believe in rushing through life's most significant decisions, choosing instead to trust in "God's perfect timing" to guide him toward his goals. "For example, I really wanted to teach law after becoming a lawyer, but it was music that came along before everything else, and it demanded so much time," he recalled. "So I took it as a sign to focus on the opportunities God had laid out for me then and concentrated on my career." Despite the demands of his showbiz commitments back then, Bondoc diligently balanced his academic pursuits and showbiz commitments all the same. He made sure to finish his Communications course at the Ateneo de Manila University, knowing deep inside that music would never be his endgame. "It was just one way to express myself and connect with people," he continued. Unbeknownst to many, his passion for social issues had always been present and was, in fact, growing stronger by the year.
Source: manilatimes.net
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