In this unique interview, we explore the fascinating life of Pastor Jairo, a prominent figure in the Aruban community, who has managed to balance his spiritual career with his passion for music. Known for his authentic and direct perspective, this is Pastor Jairo and his story about his surprising entry into the world of carnival music.
"I believe that at the age of 15, I already had the thought in my mind, and Father Bouman O.P. helped me gain more clarity on this matter. Mgr Ellis also helped open doors for me to begin my studies, starting in Curaçao, then in Venezuela. The reason for becoming a pastor is because I believe this is what God wants from me, and I feel so useful to everyone and to connect them with God."
"Well, in the 19 years that I have been a pastor, I must say with much gratitude to God that I still feel the same emotion and joy, despite some difficult days. My ordination day was July 31, 2004, the same day I turned 33 years old, and I can say that God gifted me the priesthood, which for me is the greatest gift God has given me. That day,
I was very nervous and emotional, but I was also very serene, and I made sure to live the ordination ceremony and I celebrated my first mass on August 1, 2004, at the Dakota mass, with the assistance of Father Jan Bouman O.P."
"Each person has their personality at the moment they are ordained as a Priest, this does not expire. God called me as I am, and He doesn't want me to remove anything, but to always be in His presence in prayer life and also in closeness to people, without so much protocol, without creating distance. I believe it's something like Pope Francis is now. I feel that I need to be among the people and attentive to everything that takes place in the lives of people."
"When there is something that, in my opinion, is not right, I cannot stay calm! I don't like injustice and I'm not afraid to express what I truly think! The way I understand the Gospel perhaps makes my approach a bit sharp on some issues. I don't feel intimidated by anyone, no matter their position in the community, when they are not doing good, as a Priest I have a mission to draw attention to the matter. Jesus did the same. Always in charity, but sometimes the water passes the flour. People can truly say that I can be rebellious, some call me “The Devil Himself” Jesus was accused of performing miracles with the power of “Beelzebub”, but I am a deeply spiritual person, I pray a lot, and my strength comes from the Eucharistic celebration (Mass) and God's word."
"Over the course of 19 years as a pastor, I have had different pastoral work scenarios, and I have been able to handle all of them, and in all, I have encountered different abilities. Before I returned to Aruba, for 5 years I was a ‘military chaplain’ in Caracas, also in the training of future ‘military chaplains’, so I had a life of much military discipline working for soldiers and at the same time, I had to participate in their lives. This helped me to see a bit beyond being just a Priest. When I came back to Aruba, it was a challenge to start a parish with few resources, but I managed to get everyone on my side with my enthusiasm and joy, and we formed a team to work in the parish until we completely restored the mass. That was the Cristo Rey parish in Brazil. A sweet parish. The abilities are perseverance, always taking the initiative, and lots of joy and closeness with people! I like working in a “Team”. Now in the parish in Santa Cruz, it’s no exception, I have a sweet work team here too!"
"The only instrument I studied under Maestro Oscar Steba and George Viguer was the Trumpet. With that alone, I can read music on sheet music. As for piano, clarinet, or saxophone, all that I play by ear listening to the music and playing. But I have a goal for 2024, which is to study piano, either with a teacher or by myself with YouTube!"
"Carnival is not new to me. In one way or another, I used to participate. As a young person, I participated in the Academy Brass, and then I always went to watch carnival, go to the jouve morning and sometimes the last lap. Now I am participating by singing a power soca! I never thought that this would happen one day. My friend Ofo from the Nfunzion band had been after me for many years to sing a calypso, and I always turned him down, always looking for an excuse not to participate, because I'm not strong in the English language. But this time I said “YES” for carnival 70! I said I wanted to go with a “Power Soca” with a lot of rhythm and piquancy! I didn't hear anything else, until Danny Koolman appeared at my presbytery to talk about the matter and in that way, there was no more water to wash away! The Priest is in!"
"At first, some people didn't want to believe it! Some people didn't like the idea, but the majority have supported me in the best way until now! My Mother told me “You take care”, but she always supports me in everything."
Did Pastor Jairo have to ask permission from his superior/bishop for this?
"Whether I had to ask permission, I don’t know, nor would I have done it! The Bishop didn’t tell me anything directly. But in my concept, there is nothing wrong with it, because it is music. The song talks about a “Fiesta”, there is nothing vulgar in the lyrics that could scandalize."
Experience so far?
"Very sweet!!!! I felt my people with me! The day in The Venue when I was singing, I could hardly hear myself because of the noise the people were making, everyone was on their feet, I had to concentrate a lot to sing the soca as it should be and everyone enjoyed it. When I arrived at The Venue, people were looking at me like what is Pastor Jairo doing here? Because they didn't know that I was going to sing, let alone a power soca. Music and singing are a magical expression. You reach everyone. In one way or another, I had to connect with my own People. Many people have become closer to me and that helps me a lot in my pastoral work, because nothing has changed, I have remained the same Priest who serves God with joy."
"This is a very interesting story! Ofo asked Danny Koolman and Dolfi Richarson to put something together. Danny told me that he had to pray first and tell God that if this is good, give him inspiration, otherwise let it be! God heard Danny's prayer!!! The melody entered his head when he was taking a shower and Dolfi wrote the lyrics! With great caution, they approached me for my approval! I liked it!, but Nigel Hoek came in and added a “House” to it and that was the cherry on top of the cake! The song is called D,Fiesta and talks about our celebration of Carnival 70 which is a celebration for our entire nation and with my presence in it, the congregation is also integrated. The people of God always participate in everything! People who go to mass also celebrate and watch carnival."
"Music helps me a lot! It is a gift from God for me and for me to share with others. It is a way for me to express myself to others and to God. In difficult moments, in music, I find rest, whether I'm playing the trumpet, singing, or playing the piano. I'm not the only pastor who is a musician or sings, there are many. Music helps me connect with my congregation, often during preaching I sing something and get others to sing along."
"I choose to stay with everything that is positive!!! Here in Aruba, you can't please everyone. Simply, many people support me. So far, I have sung Soca, I have sung in mariachi festivals and more, and I sing religious songs. I have recorded with Mariachi Lirios del Campo, Robert Maduro's Band a Christmas song, I have recorded a Christmas song composed by Jeon, with the Choir Luz y amor in Curaçao and the Santa Famia Choir in Curaçao as well, which by the way, the Santa Famia Choir wants us to do something with the soca! If I talk about negative reactions, what can I say!
"Some great artists started in mass! Even now, musicians who play in bands also play in mass. God is the one who gives us talent so we can serve Him and delight others as well."
"For now, there is nothing in mind, but if an opportunity comes to record something, I will always be willing to put my voice and musicians put the melody! In the meantime, I continue to play the Trumpet in the Protestant Church in Playa and if I need to sing solo in a choir which I have done some time, I will continue to do so.
Was there any reaction from the bishopric to his participation in carnival?
Absolutely nothing!"
"To sing a Soca with healthy lyrics that talk about a celebration, there's no problem. If it were vulgar or promoted violence, hatred, immorality, then in that case, it's better I don’t participate at all! When I was studying in the seminary, I remember a Bishop, Monsignor Roberto Luckert de Leon, Archbishop Emeritus of Coro, he always liked me to sing a Gaita “Amparito” I remember that I myself had a bit of a wrong idea about singing other things that are not religious songs, and I discovered during my years of study that we must reach the people of God even by participating a bit in what they do when it is good! I also had to learn to sing “Caballo Viejo” by Simon Diaz. Our formation as Priests, in my case, immersed us in musical culture. We studied rhetoric and the art of speaking well, and “Gregorian chant” liturgical songs, but at any celebration in the seminary, we used to sing popular songs."
"Down to earth all the time! Close to people, whoever they are! With a lot of seriousness, at the same time with joy and humor. My Priesthood has not changed me, rather it has enriched my personality. God is good all the time, for me, this is a very big responsibility and I ask God to always be a good Priest! I am a person yes! I am very aware of that, I also have struggles, but I want to present the face of God in the best way. I love being a Priest, in it, I find a lot of strength and also, of course, challenges! I must bring God into a modern world with my preaching loaded with truth and my prayers and let people understand that God is there for all of us!"
Fun Question - If Pastor Jairo could choose a famous artist to do a duet, who would it be and why?
"For Lyric Singing: Andrea Bocelli! Because I love that style of singing, that's why the “Figorrofi Figorofa” in the soca!
For Soca Singing: Lord Boxoe! For Soca, I have always liked Lord Boxoe, I like that music and also everything he has offered for many years in our carnival!"
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