MANILA, Philippines?After composing the music for successful productions such as ?Nasaan si Hesus?,? ?Pag-ibig sa Bayan,? ?Huwag Pumayag sa Dagdag-Bawas? and the much-anticipated musical on Cory Aquino, what does Bing Pimentel do for an encore? Ever searching for new challenges, the wife of Sen. Nene Pimentel has ventured into the literary world by releasing the book, ?True Love Within Our Reach.?

Book launching

At the book launching held last Tuesday at the Galaxies function room of the Diamond Hotel in Manila, Bing recalled that it was a family friend, Fr. Anton Pascual, the president of Radio Veritas, who first broached the idea to her. It would take some more prodding from the priest before Bing finally relented: ?Why not? If it?s a calling to share my life like I share my music, who am I to refuse the Lord ? He has blessed me so richly!?

Religious references

Although the book is filled with religious references, Bing confesses: ?I don?t claim to be a theologian. I?m merely a struggling Christian who has taken note of little miracles and special graces received from the Lord. If, by sharing our experiences in life, I can help other Christians in their journey of faith, then I am privileged that the Lord has chosen to use me yet again.?

Bing uses her faith as the thread that connects the important events in her life?including her experiences as the wife of a provincial lawyer who rises to national prominence. She recounts her joy during her wedding day as she and Nene ?made our vows before God and the community, with the solemnity of the sacrament and the splendor of tradition.?

She was so happy when her first child, Gwen, was born. With each succeeding child, there was additional grace from God?because there was a corresponding increase in Nene?s income. ?We weren?t deprived of anything by having more mouths to feed. There was more food to go around, more money and love,? she writes.

Bad times

There would also be bad times: In 1973, Nene got arrested for the first time. He would get incarcerated several times in succeeding years. Rather than feel helpless about the unwelcome development, Bing put on a brave face for her children, ?My heart was pounding with fear, but I couldn?t show it! I had to be strong?for Nene and for the children. (He) asked me not to cry because to see me cry would weaken his resolve to oppose martial rule.?

Bing concedes that there are many references to the senator in the book, but she says it couldn?t be helped, because ?many of the stories started out with what was happening in his life.?

Thus, we read about their experiences under martial law, Ninoy?s assassination and Cory?s rise to the presidency, Nene?s role in the Erap impeachment, and many other important events. Students of political science and Philippine history will find her recollections useful.

The book also contains glimpses into Bing?s personal life. For instance, as a child, she kept getting teased by her sister, who called her Ichabod Crane because she was tall and skinny. Her dad, however, comforted her by saying, ?You?re not thin. You?re slim, and it?s nice to look at. Aren?t you my espadilla? You have a beautiful face.?

She felt very happy because she thought her nickname meant ?beautiful face.? Only later did she discover that it meant a diminutive of sword?something long and thin. ?But, the way my father said it made me feel beautiful,? she writes.

Her musical talent was developed by her mom when Bing was still a child. They would play a game where she would hide behind a door and her mom would say, ?Turn on the radio? and Bing would start singing. She would also pretend to be onstage, acting and singing. Her mom would take her to the movies and musical plays.

Compositions

Interestingly, Bing never learned to read notes. Thus, when she composes music, she sings into a tape recorder. During the early days, she had no recording device, so she would sing her compositions a hundred times so she wouldn?t forget the music and lyrics!

Like many artists, however, Bing has also experienced dry spells. For two years in the late ?90s, she was unable to compose songs. But, during a charismatic renewal, as she and Nene were being prayed over, someone whispered to her: ?If a song comes to you, sing it!? She was surprised, because she didn?t know the person. She believes she experienced an infusion of the Holy Spirit, because she was able to compose again!

?True Love Within Our Reach? is edited by Coylee Gamboa, and published by Cacho Publishing House. Call 631-8361.