Hello From the Other Side

Just some random thoughts about common grace and the wild success of AlDub and Adele.

In the local scene, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza did it again, only this time it was much bigger than before. I am sure that I don’t need to belabor the fact that their event at the Philippine Arena was unprecedented. What I am more fascinated about is the reason why we are all going crazy over this two. What were Mendoza and Richards doing in Bulacan anyway? The short answer, I suppose, is that they were falling in love. Or at least they were acting like they were falling in love. It doesn’t matter. What matters is the remarkable proof they give us that love is probably the most compelling force in the world.

Halfway around the world, Adele released Hello, the first single of her upcoming album slated for November release. They uploaded the video on Youtube two days ago. Today, it has been viewed more than 33 million times. She wasn’t wearing skimpy clothes. She wasn’t angry. She wasn’t cussing. She was just singing in her usual enchanting, sad, and beautiful voice. The song is about being sorry for breaking someone’s heart.

These two unrelated pop culture phenomena thrill me on the inside. I love what they symbolize for us. We modern people pride ourselves of being sophisticated and morally forward and yet here we are, gravitating around simplicity, art, forgiveness, and falling in love. When I look at the sheer number of people supporting these artists, I praise God that millions of people today are so attracted to the beauty of common graces like good music and human relationships. These artists are succeeding by the sheer power of their talents and the values they represent. They are making the headlines even without twerking. I celebrate that with every fiber of my being. I need not predict that Adele’s songs will from now on become an anthem of those who are seeking to apologize for the heartbreaks they caused.

Here’s Adele’s Hello for your viewing pleasure. I particularly love that scene towards the end of the video where Adele’s voice crescendoes with the wide angle shot of a pristine lake. I may or may not have cried while watching that part.