Jamie Rivera on singing ‘We Are All God’s Children,’ papal theme for the 2015 Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines

A Pope once again is set to visit the Philippines next year (2015), which is our current Pope, Pope Francis. The last time a Pope visits PH was during Pope John Paul II’s visit which was wayback 1991 and 1995. As confirmed that Pope Francis will be visiting the country, a papal theme was assigned for the visit and our very own Jamie Rivera’s ‘We Are All God’s Children’ is the official papal theme song chosen.  

“It’s a collaboration between me, Arch Bishop Soc Villegas, Noel Espenida and Ligaya ng Panginoon community, kasi sila yung gumawa ng actual video, collaboration namin lahat yun, and finally Arch Bishop Soc Villegas said, it was approved finally, it’s going to be the official theme song. From what I heard, it was sent to Vatican and then it was approved by the Vatican. Hindi ko na alam kung may nag submit na iba, or meron na ibang songs na pinag pilian.” said Jamie Rivera.

Jamie talks about her inspiration of writing the song ‘We Are All God’s Children,’ she said that Filipinos is one of her main inspiration, aside from that, she did a wide research to find a formula of writing the song, she did read the Bible, watched Youtube, etc. but she just felt it was still in lack, so what she really did is she went out the streets and see this children homeless sleeping in the street, so there Jamie coined the first lines of the song “Do you see these children on the streets? Have you walked the pavements where they sleep? Do you fee their hands when you give them alms, Did you ever gave them bread to eat?” so Jamie finds the literal way in writing the song, where she finds it really a great inspiration.

We Are All God’s Children Lyrics

Do you see these children on the streets?
Have you walked the pavements where they sleep?
Do you feel their hand when you give them alms?
Did you ever give them bread to eat?

Have you seen their homes washed by the floods?
While a mother tightly holds her child
Do you hear the wind of the raging storm?
Can you tell them where it’s coming from?

Let us show our love and mercy
With true kindness and humility
For God loves the weak and the needy
Just like you and me

We are all God’s children
We are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord

Stand together and let’s do our part
Hear their voices mend their broken hearts
Choose to be brave, fight for their rights
Give them back their honor and their pride

Please do not be blind
And just leave them behind
To struggle in darkness
Or give them empty promises

We are all God’s children
We are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord

Inline with the papal theme song ‘We Are All God’s Children,’ Jamie Rivera teams up with Star Music on producing an album also entitled as the song. Aside from Jamie Rivera, Star Music artists are in the album singing also songs for the papal visit – Jed Madela, Angeline Quinto, Liezl Garcia, Janella Salvador, Fatima Soriano, Aiza Seguerra, Robert Sena, Juris Fernandez, Morisette Amon, The Optimi San Carlos Seminary Choir and The Lighter Movement Choir.