by Temi Padla

At least once during his public life, Jesus passed through Nazareth, the place where he grew up. In one of those times, some of the locals commented, “Isn’t that kid the son of Joseph, the carpenter?” Implied in the remark is the unspoken belief that “No way! He can’t be that great! He is just a local carpenter’s kid. He grew up here. I think my kids even played with him at the street corner.” History tells us how woefully wrong these guys were.

This self-destructive mindset has a way of victimizing us all. Notice, how the grass in your neighbor’s yard always seems greener? Sometimes, it victimizes a large part of the population. Remember when Mexican telenovelas seemed better than anything our networks could produce? We may not be over that malady yet. Now our couch potatoes seem to have fallen in love with Korean telenovelas, perhaps to the detriment of our local stuff.

My close friends from high school used to rebel against this mindset. Every time any one of us happened to do something noteworthy, like getting appointed Director General of the NEDA, or becoming Justice of the Court of Appeals, we would get together and toast with “Let’s drink to that – local boy makes good,” partly in jest, but not entirely. We were genuinely glad that really, local boys do make good.

But it is so easy to fall into the wrong mindset.

When ICS announced that we were going to have a musical featuring local ICS talent, my initial reaction was, “Yeah, yeah. I will be polite. I will go, but I really do not expect to be entertained.” Then when the event was postponed several times, I even asked myself, “What for?” The audience will be family and friends. They will applaud, no matter what.

April 26, 2009 will remain etched in my mind for a long time. This was the day I was reminded that local need not only be good, it can actually be great.

Since all our kids – Joshua, Sam and Dea – had some part in the concert, I can be accused of parental blinders. After all, the most prominent feeling among doting parents at their kids’ concert, is best depicted as amusement at their children’s antics. Believe me, my reaction on April 26 can not be described as one of amusement. Not even close. Besides, I was amazed by the whole affair, not just my kids’ parts.

I have now seen that our church’s local talents – from dancing, to singing, to hosting, to choreographing, to directing – are world class. My words fail me. I spoke with Pastor Jesse Dedel about it and I told him I enjoyed the concert. I could not find the right words to describe my reaction so I merely said, lamely, that “I was thoroughly entertained.” The moment my words came out of my mouth, I knew they did not adequately convey what I wanted to say. Pastor Jesse’s response said it much better. Sayang lang hindi nanggaling sa akin. He said, “I was blown away.”

For forgetting that local is not only able to be good, but actually able to be great, I plead “guilty”, or if you are kind, “temporary insanity”.

Thank you Lord, for the talent that you showered on every member of the team that made April 26 happen. Truly, You are great.

MORE PHOTOS HERE