The story behind the song, “Could you be Messiah?,” written by Direk Freddie Santos
Gary V’s award-winning stage director and friend Direk Freddie Santos loves the Lord and often finds himself talking to Him whenever, wherever. However, living the Christian life was not easy. He still struggled with the usual drinking, smoking, among others.
He was at a bar lounge taking a break from a comedy act rehearsal. It was about 2 p.m. when he felt the need to write down his soul’s inner yearning, questions that had been running in his mind for a time.
Penned in seventeen minutes
It was then Direk Freddie penned Gary’s most endearing inspirational song that took him a mere 17 minutes to finish. In the decades to come, the music would inspire many to seek Jesus.
In awe of what God’s Spirit has revealed, he said writing the lyrics of “Could you be Messiah” felt like transcribing divine revelation.
Would you consider adding music to the lyrics?
Without hesitation, Direk Freddie called Gary and asked if he would consider writing music to the lyrics he had just written. Arriving at his house, the first thing Gary said was that he was really busy.
Gary later revealed that initially, he declined. After all, he was busy, and his keyboards had one annoying broken key. “I don’t think the Lord wants me to be a part of this [project],” he said.
Glued to the keyboards from dusk to dawn
Direk Freddie showed Gary the lyrics—he said nothing at first. Then he looked at Direk and said, “Let’s go upstairs” (Gary’s studio was at the attic).
Gary was glued to his keyboards the entire time. From time to time, he pricked his fingertips so he could measure his sugar level. He has diabetes. The same fingers pounded the keyboards seconds after. His fingers hurt, but he couldn’t stop.
It took “Mr. Pure Energy” from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. to finish the melody. After completing the song, they realized that the broken key worked fine all the while.
The song was composed in 1988 and released in Gary’s 1991 album, Shout for Joy.
Direk Freddie Santos’s legacy
Direk Freddie has a long list of accomplishments. He has a star in the Eastwood Walk of Fame. In 2020, he was unanimously voted to receive the Natatanging Buhay Award (Distinguished Life) by Philstage for his contribution to the industry.
On December 17, 2020, Direk Freddie died peacefully and left us with this song. Among those who paid tribute were Audie Gemora, Carlo Orosa, Lea Salonga, and Regine Velasquez.
The music Freddie Santos wrote was his prayer, and he shares it to be yours too.
Gary said on his Facebook, “I loved this friend very much… Somehow, it hasn’t totally hit me just yet as this man was so full of life that I can’t imagine him gone at all…“
“Could you be Messiah?”
Lyrics by Freddie Santos
Melody by Gary Valenciano
Could You be healer
To a heart that’s been wounded
In a battle that’s never seen
Could You be teacher
To a mind of confusion
Tell me what does this all mean
Are You deliverer
Of an imprisoned feeling in chains
Can You set my spirit free
And just one more question
Allow me this question
Could You be Messiah to me
Could You be Messiah to me
Could You be father
To a soul that’s been abandoned
By a world too busy to hear
Could You be friend
To a helpless survivor
Can You take away my fears
I heard them all sharing
This newfound conviction in them
Are You all that they make You to be
And just one more question
Allow me this question
Could You be Messiah to me
Please be Messiah to me
Now i’ve been looking for someone like You
And I’m so tired, I’m tired
I’ve read every book and I’ve sang every song
My mind maybe right but my heart feels so wrong
Tell me how much further can my life go along
Which way do the roads lead where do I belong…
Are You forgiver
Of my most unknown secrets
Provider of all that I need
Could You be brother
The one who knows better
Would You now stand in the lead
When all this is over, all the thunder and lightning
In the daylight just what will I see
The answers to my questions to all of my questions
Could You be Messiah to me
Could You be Messiah to me
Please be Messiah to me…
This song helped me in the darkest part of my life
I’ve been a christian for years, yet I felt like I didn’t
Have God in my life. Apparently, I never knew Him
This song completely describes what kind of a struggle I was going through
As if this was made just for me
“Now I’ve been looking for someone like You
And I’m so tired, I’m tired.”
It was the lyrics that brings me to my knees
It made me honest, made me tell to myself that I need a savior
Then in the middle of my darkness, I decided to read my Bible
Every scripture, every word was speaking to me, God was in my midst all along
It felt like I was only starting to know God and Who he truly is
I know there will be harder times and darker nights
But I know Who is God to me and Who am I to God
I belong to Him no matter what, and that’s all that matters
I stumbled upon this entry because I’ve been listening to this song over and over again, and it speaks of what I’m personally going through in my life right now. Thank you Freddie for penning this song and helping people like me through it.