By Michael FXêis Hispanic music award winner Bobby Villegas is in the spotlight again - this time with a beautiful Spanish bolero he has written called "Consejo del Papa." "Consejo del Papa" means "Advice from the Pope" and the haunting melody tells a beautiful story of love and compassion.

Villegas was recepient of the New Mexico Hispanic Music Awards' "Bi-lingual Song of the Year" and "Vocal Duo of the Year" awards in November, 2000.

I asked Villegas about the techniques he uses in songwriting and particularly how the creative process evolved when he wrote "Consejo del Papa." Did the melody arrive first? How did the storyline develop? From where did he draw his inspiration? His answers didn't surprise me. They reflect the wisdom and depth of a true artist. "If you create according to who you are, the flow of natural creativity will come through. You will have a certain inner enjoyment when you listen to your true self and stylize accordingly. I believe in the power of intention. Nothing is created without intent. If you look at an apple seed, there is an actual energy that has the intention of becoming an apple. When you get an idea for a song, you have made contact with an energy source. You have to listen to it when it is there, trust it and run with it. If you created it purely to make money, it takes on a completely different identity than if you create to share a good feeling and stay close to the intent." "During wartime, like now, songs of love and peace are naturally being created. Normally I don't hear a melody first. Instead, I see something developing in our society and for instance, say it is time to write songs about peace. I draw from several different areas like the news or an event in my life, and I tune in on it and comment on it through the music. I develop a story-line first. The melody is last - that's easy." Villegas explained that the creator must stay close to the true energy source.

"You must trust that there is a reason why this idea is coming to you. Never criticize another musician. Everybody, everything has a purpose. The "ego" is never satisfied. It is always going to try to justify one's existence. Your true self needs no justification." In "Consejo del Papa," Villegas seeks to share a message of love and compassion with the world, particularly the Latin American countries. The song is about not contributing to the anger in the world - about forgiving before criticizing.

According to Villegas, the first verse deals with a homeless guy asking for money. You, in your car, turn up your radio and put on your sun glasses, pretending not to notice. The dollar he is asking for is weighing heavy on your pocketbook. The next verse jumps into saying that you don't know if it is a messenger that Pope John Paul II advised us about when he was still alive. It might be an angel sent by God to remind us that there is still time for love.

In the next verse, two souls are fighting on the floor below yours and you hear the man hitting the woman. You do nothing. The next day you see her on the street. She's wearing sunglasses to hide the abuse. What you know you should have done weighs heavy on your soul. Next, you see a little child from another nation on TV and they ask for compassion. He's dying of hunger for a few grains of corn. A few cents is all they ask of you. You, with no compassion, change the channel. What will become of you? The last verse relates the essence of the theme. You don't know if these are the messengers advised by Pope John Paul, whom is now in heaven. You don't know if its an angel sent by God to tell us there is still time for love.

"Consejo del Papa" is a beautiful story and the melody is captivating. The song, produced locally at MF Productions for the Art of the State record label, is soon to be available world-wide on the internet. Our interview ends on a humorous note from Villegas. "Like I tell my children, There is a God - and you ain't it." One cannot help but wonder if "Consejo del Papa" just might be the next big Latin American / Christian hit. ********************************************************************** Consejo del Papa Lo ves en la esquina, su rostro cansado pidiendo limosna, y tu en tu carro No bajas el vidrio, aumentas el radio El d?lar que pide, te cae repesado.

No será El Mensajero, que nos adverti? El Papa Juan Pablo cuando El vivi? Y no sabrás si es un angel, que Dios nos mand? para avisarnos que hay tiempo de amor.

Dos almas pelean, en el piso abajo oyes que le pega, ignoras el caso La ves en la calle, antiojos oscuros Lo que habias de haber hecho se te hizo muy duro

Un ni?o Negrito de otra naci?n Lo ves en la tele pide compaci?n Se muere de hambre por poco maíz Unos cuantos centavos, solo piden de ti Cambias estaciones, no quieres saberlo No tienes consuelo, que será de ti.

No serán mensajeros que nos adverti? El Papa Juan Pablo que al cielo llego Y no sabrás si es un angel que Dios nos mand? para avisarnos que hay tiempo de amor