whapakk.

I just want to talk a bit about Michael Jackson.

I’m not a big fan. I was one of the people who went WTF at him for holding his baby out of their balcony and into the obvious danger of falling some storeys off their building. I was one of the people who thought he’s got a few loose screws in the head for his antics and his multiple cosmetic surgeries. I was entertained by those Pugad Baboy comic strips featuring him, those strips that made fun of his transition from being dark to pale white.

But I’ll remember him for his music. I got a Casio keyboard for my grade school graduation, and Beat It was one of the first tunes I tried to learn (guess what, I never got it right). I didn’t know a lot of songs back when I was a kid, but we had this karaoke software and I played Bad and Billie Jean a lot, not knowing the songs, never having heard Michael Jackson sing it live or otherwise. I’ve seen a lot of people dance to Thriller, and I wasn’t aware that their dance steps were Jackson’s signature moves.

When I finally understood how much of an icon MJ was, I understood how much respect he deserved. The way he electrified crowds, the way his songs became pop classics, and his talent and energy during performances, they all scream about the respect that is due his way.

And so yes, he deserves a grand mourning. He deserves the sadness of this whole generation left without one Michael Jackson. All the controversies, the antics, they all contribute to his identity, but at its center is his music, still: a presence-commanding individual with unequalled talents.

I pay you my respects, MJ.