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Kenneth Parsad on trembling before the Pope, online fame, and God’s will
You would love to bring Kenneth Parsad home to meet your family. He has the good looks that made him a trending topic once, such a great voice that was tasked to sing before Pope Francis himself, and an unwavering faith that chooses God above all else. But here’s the catch. He is already committed to follow God’s will—even if it means becoming a priest.
Kenneth almost stole the show from the vicar of Christ when he sang the responsorial psalm during Pope Francis’ first Mass in the Philippines at the Manila Cathedral on January 16, 2015. Netizens just could not stop expressing their admiration for him through a barrage of tweets and Facebook posts. Hearts were soon broken when it was revealed that the handsome singer was a seminarian.
One year since his moment in the spotlight, Kenneth has finished his degree in theology and is now teaching the same subject at his alma mater, the University of Sto. Tomas, while taking regency or a break from studying in the seminary.
Teaching theology is his passion, told GMA News Online in an interview in UST a few days after the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ visit in Manila.
“Generally, I’m happy kung anuman ang nangyayari sa akin... Teaching theology makes me happy: sharing what I believe in, sharing my faith. Kaya ako masaya ngayon. At alam ko na may reason kung bakit nangyayari ito sa akin, bakit ako nagtuturo this year. Malaking tulong ito sa akin,” he said.
Inawit ang Responsorial Psalm #BlessedByThePope #PapalVisitPH http://t.co/xkGPATowFP pic.twitter.com/NvtEBkqbrU
— GMA News (@gmanews) January 16, 2015
Getting the jitters before the Pope
Looking back, Kenneth revealed that he never expected the attention he got when he sang during the papal Mass.
“I really had no idea [that I was trending online]. It didn’t even cross my mind talaga. Wala talaga. Hindi ko nga alam na televised siya [nationwide]... at sa ibang bansa rin,” he said.
What's more, Kenneth had something else on his mind at the moment: the idea of singing solo in front of Pope Francis was giving him the jitters.
“I was really trembling. Literally, I was trembling. Before I stepped on the podium, nanginginig talaga ang buong katawan ko. Just imagine, the Pope is there,” he said.
However, he added, “biglang nawala noong nasa podium na ako mismo. I think that was the Holy Spirit working kasi biglang nawala.”
In that moment, Kenneth focused on his task—and prayed.
“I was just praying na ma-convey ko ang message. That’s what singing is all about. Music. Letting other people feel what you are feeling or what the music tells. Dapat maintindihan nila iyon. Ang prayer ko noon is sana marinig ng tao ang kanta at saka maintindihan nila. Iyon lang naman ang prayer ko. Magkamali man ako o ano, okay lang iyan. Basta sana iyong message, marinig nila,” he explained.
The message was, “Forever I will sing of the goodness of the Lord because the Lord is so good to us.”
Although Kenneth was not given a chance to meet Lolo Kiko personally, he received reaassuring smiles from those assisting the Pope.
“He didn’t even look at me. Kasi si Pope Francis, naka-focus lang talaga. Nakikinig lang. Pero I saw a glimpse. I really think na sana titingin siya pero hindi niya tinuloy. Noong nag-bow kami. Kasi iyong dalawang assistants niya, all smiles talaga, parang good job. Pero si Pope Francis parang pinigilan niya. I could be mistaken,” he said.
On fame and bringing it back to God
When we brought up his being popular with girls and with the online community in general, Kenneth kept a straight face and continued to speak in a gentle way while trying to explain how he sees the unexpected attention.
“It’s a blessing, of course. Pero kapag may blessing, minsan may kasamang challenges iyan. Tsaka, some people would see beyond me. Hindi lang sa mukha, hindi lang sa quality ng voice. They look beyond,” he said.
“Pero some naman, they focus on the face. It should not be the case. It is a tool, you know. Maganda kapag charismatic eh. Jesus himself I believe is very charismatic. May personality talaga siya na dinadala kasi he draws people. Maybe I was given a simple gift naman to draw people.”
The challenge, Kenneth added, is to redirect the attention to God. “Hindi sa akin,” he said.
Kenneth is very much aware of the temptations of fame, but he also tries his best to keep his feet firm on the ground.
“Sanay naman ako na hindi ako nasa spotlight parati,” he said. “Kapag wala nang nakikilala sa akin, hindi ako masasaktan. Kasi kapag attached ka sa isang bagay, problema iyan. Lalo na sa mga ganyan kasi nawawala iyang mga ganyan eh—power, fame—mawawala ang mga iyan. I am not saying na wala ng temptasyon. There is always temptation. Tao lang din naman.”
Kenneth acknowledged that he will probably always be known as the guy who sang during Pope Francis’ Mass.
“Parang actually nga, kapag tinanggal mo iyong association na iyon, wala na ako eh,” he added.
Kenneth’s popularity also has brought exciting opportunities to his life—an album is underway.
“I’ve been given the wonderful opportunity to record an album under Universal Records. Nagulat ako!” he exclaimed.
He did not disclose any more details about the album, but it will be an inspirational album for the youth which includes original music and covers. Universal Records has not given a release date yet.
“Sana [maraming bumili]. We pray. Kung gusto talaga ni God,” said Kenneth.
Discerning God’s will
Although Kenneth has decided early in his life to enter the seminary, he now understands that it is important to discern if it is really God’s will for him to become a priest. He admits that he has yet to find out God’s ultimate plan for him. And whatever it is, he said, he is ready to follow the Lord’s command.
“The question about the priesthood is still a—hindi pa siya, kumbaga hindi pa siya totally one hundred percent,” he said.
“I still need to have room... Dapat pakinggan muna kung ano ang sasabihin talaga ni God kung it’s for you. And I totally commit myself. There’s no problem with me basta para sa akin I just follow God’s will.”
And how will he know what God's plan for him is?
“Basta you’ll just feel it in your heart through prayer and spiritual direction,” he said.
The seminary, for Kenneth, is a place where he found happiness and peace. The seminary is where he learned a lot of things, especially about his faith.
And Kenneth has a few words for those who are at a crossroads and thinking about pursuing a life in the Church.
“Number two, you just follow God’s will. Huwag mong ipilit kung hindi para sa iyo. Kung para sa iyo ang pagpapari, follow it. Mahirap man. Masakit man minsan, pero kailangan mong gawin because it’s God’s will,” he added.
Finally, Kenneth urges people to use their talents for the Lord.
“Hone your talents. Use your talents for God. Lagi iyan. Lahat ng talents mo, gamitin mo para kay God. Kahit basketball, pwede mong gamitin eh. Si Stephen Curry nga eh! It is an opportunity to witness,” the self-confessed basketball fan said.
“If binigyan ka ng tools like singing, gamitin mo para sa Kanya,” he said. — BM, GMA News
