A BALANCING ACT being a mom, a wife..

The music of “I Have Fallen In Love (With The Same Woman Three Times),” was composed by Jose Mari Chan from a poem written by Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. for Cory Aquino at Fort Bonifacio on Oct. 11, 1973 for their 19th wedding anniversary.

Joe Mari did the music, he said all in 15 minutes in 1987 and recorded it for his album Constant Change in 1989.

The song is again being replayed on the radio and television as background music for the coverage of Tita Cory’s wake.

“I prayed to Ninoy and to the Holy Spirit for guidance before I wrote the music,” Joe Mari said.

“Actually, I was given a two-week deadline because they wanted to play the song as part of the commemoration of Ninoy’s death anniversary (Aug. 21). The inspiration simply flowed like a quiet river. You can never fail with the Holy Spirit guiding you.”

Ninoy’s poem was actually long but Jose Mari set into music only the first portion which chronicles Ninoy’s feelings when he first met Tita Cory, when he fell in love with her, when Tita Cory gave birth to their first child and, while he was in prison, when Tita Cory stood as the sole supporter and pillar of strength and hope of the family. The second portion was somewhat political.

“When I made Tita Cory listen to the song the first time,” recalled Jose Mari, “she liked it instantly. She even wrote me a thank-you note.”