Basta’t Magkaisa tayong lahat

This has largely influence my passion to write songs and make use of music to speak of innate quest for outpour of patriotic thoughts… February 1986, at that time I was seven years old… I don't know much of what the people are crying and shouting for but I get to understand that there's something great beyond shouting that is worth fighting for…. "Mapayapang Paraang Pagbabago".. through the lyrics of this song.

Music has been an integral medium to urge the Filipinos to elevate the sense of being… to a wider scope of responsibility…

Salute to the brilliant composer, Mr. Jim Paredes… You've always been a Headmaster… Heads Up!!

Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo

'Di na 'ko papayag mawala ka muli.
'Di na 'ko papayag na muli mabawi,
Ating kalayaan kay tagal natin mithi.
'Di na papayagang mabawi muli.

Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.
Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.
Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.
Kelan man 'di na paalipin.

Ref:

Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat.

Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.
Nagkasama ng mahirap at mayaman.
Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.
Naging Langit itong bahagi ng mundo.

Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.
Tinig ng bawat tao'y bigyan ng pansin.
Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.
Ito'y lagi nating tatandaan.
(repeat refrain two times)

Coda:
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-onuUNXqOB0

Hidden Desires

Never in my wild imagination that I would end up in the IT world…

These are some of the hidden desires which at this point is no longer kept secret.  But just the same, i would just like to share it…. some of the things I dreamt of becoming when I was still young till I get old… this is in chronological order as far as I can remember..

 A Pink Carebear - so cute and huggable and seems so friendly hehehe

Bus collector o "konduktor" - hangbilis kaya nilang magbilang ng ticket at magaling magsukli at alam nila kung sino hindi pa bayad… walang memory gap… tsaka antatag ng standing powers nila.

Boxer - ewan ko ba kung bakit… gusto ko lang na pag may kaaway ako… masapok ko agad.

Athlete - be the next Lydia de Vega.. sikat na sikat siya nun.. at nakarating siya nun sa lugar namin.  Mabilis akong tumakbo at halos tine-train ko ang sarili ko maging runner…Tsaka gusto ko makatakbo ng mabilis kapag papaluin na ako ng Lola ko.

Nun - be like Sr. Becky…. magaling kasi ako nun sa catechism… hehehe tska libre daw food sa convent.

Missionary - heed to the call of Pope John Paul II… at andaming napupuntahan…

Rebel - be the next Gringo Honasan hehehe tago ng tago sa bundok.

Musician - gusto ko talaga tumugtog sa simbahan.  Inisip ko na matatanda na ang mga regular na pianista sa Amadeo.  Pag namatay, wala nang tutugtog..

Songwriter - be the next Ryan Cayabyab…. nainspire kasi ako sa kanta ni Barry Manilow na …

I write the songs that make the whole world sing
I write the songs of love and special things
I write the songs that make the young girls cry
I write the songs, I write the songs

at ung Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo ng theme ng Edsa People Power at Handog ni Florante

Magician - to guest at kiddie parties

 Journalist / Field Reporter - to be exactly where the action is…  At para kapag New Year, nakikipagsiksikan sa tv makakaway at makasigaw lang ng "Happy New Year" hahahaha

Activist - influence of the EDSA People Power… para may magawang mabuti sa mundo
Writer - influence of theatre group in highschool
Animator - enjoys watching animations in ABS-CBN
Cartoonist - to do a cartoon of myself
Web Designer - i find it enjoyable and visually entertaining
Beauty Contestant - how I would answer the Q&As and wear long elegant gowns
PBB Housemate - para lang asarin si Big Brother hehehe at mapagalitan siya ng lola ko on-air

Pasaway talaga hehehehe

If I were a guy….

It's 5:31am and I'm killing time before I go home.  For a change, I decided to blog something if I tend to be in a Man's World.

Hope you enjoy it but hopefully would not put my gender preference under question and malice. hehehe

If I were a guy…

Q:  Cite names of beautiful faces that you would ran after to court…

A:   Well, beautiful for me is not physical appearance alone.  It's what's inside their minds and how witty they converse just put me on… it's the wit that I find a lot more attractive, sexy and appealing.  On top of my list is Agot Isidro, Bernadette Sembrano and Dawn Zulueta and for foreign, Sushmita Sen and Drew Barrymore.  It's good that my choices fit well with "beauty and brains".

Q:  Your getup speaks your attitude… how do you dress up and would want others to perceive you?  Cite names of admirable men of your preference?

A:  I might be the more formal, dignified-looking, intelligent-looking and silent type.  The likes of Raymond Lauchengco, Mari Kaimo and Hugh Grant.  A man of few words… but words that make sense..

Q:  What's your ideal date?

A:   A candle-lit dinner in a virgin resort or in Baguio or a trip to Paris at the most romantic sites where Lovers in Paris are filmed…. serenaded with violin or piano accompaniment….

Q:  How would you propose?

A:  I haven't thought of that but surely it's romantic…  I'm thinking of having a mini-picnic at the garden filled with blinking lights, the same with how Carlo proposed with Vivian Kang.. hehehe

Q:  What profession would dream having?

A:  If I were a guy, a lawyer or a pilot.

Enough of Mr. Sheggoy here… Hindi yata bagay sa akin.

Half Half

"Not afraid of growing old alone and single?"

Daddy asked this question while I'm busy looking at the "Rosary Star" in the dark sky.

I told him… I'm tired of giving answers to people for questions relating to that, Dad.  But right now, I will answer you with all honesty.

I've never been so concerned about this when I was still at 7, not even bothered when I was growing up till I reach the mid20s, and up to now, I am not overly pressured to find means just to join the bandwagon of this "couple-inspired society".

We are bothered by such kind of so relaxed principle.

Cause early on, I have set other options if "getting married" wouldn't be part of God's plan for me.

"What options?", he asked.

I'm approaching the mid-life.  I have spent half of it growing, learning, proving, searching, earning… I would want to spent the other half, living out what I learned, I have proved myself, what I have searched, what I have earned and what I have grew up with. 

Who knows, in the other half of it… I would find halfway… the other half… but not exactly overly concerned on finding the "other half".  And besides, it's not the "finding" that's more challenging and exciting…

What is it?

It's the aftershock of "finding"… of what I would become out of "finding or not finding the other half".

Don't worry Dad… Believe that I'm okay.  The love around me is more than enough to fill the seemingly "incomplete perception of the world for being unattached".

I may look sad.. but I am not completely sad.  I am thinking…. for greater purpose… for better answers why despite the many possibilities of meeting and finding, God grants me to take a single journey.

<A pat on my Daddy's shoulder>

Ako pa… Nagawa ko na ngang i-set aside ang personal na kaligayahan para lang sa inyo noon pa.  Ngayon ninyo pa ako tatanungin kung kaya ko pang gawin ulit un?  Asus… chenes!

The Magic

Land of the Loving
by David Benoit
Lyrics by Mark Winkler 

Deep in your eyes is a promise
Love can be ours if we want it
Starting tonight ev'ry dream I ever knew
Here in your arms I'm believing
Fin'lly my life has a meaning of its own
Here in the land of loving I am home

I was alone in the city
Searchin' for someone to find me
cold empty nights and a million strangers' eyes
Here in your arms I'm beginning
To leave behind all the loneliness I knew
Here in the land of loving there is you.

In this simple room magic is made
Though the world seems unchanged
Leave the lights on I'm a bit afraid
This might be just a sweet dream.

Deep in the night love is growing
Though I had no way of knowing
That when I found you I found ev'rything I need
Here in your love I'll be staying
Fin'lly my life won't be living all alone
Here in the land of the loving I am home.

I heard this song from Ms. Jaya Ramsey when she was just starting out here in the local music scene.  Up to now, I could still remember just how she sang it and how i fell in love with the melody and lyrics. 

Was never in-love at that time but this song has made me feel super in-love in the truest sense of the word.  It brought me to one fantasy land where I believe the princess will meet her prince… 

My mom noticed that I'm smiling while sleeping when this is being played on the background.  She didn't know that her daughter is turning into a beautiful princess dressed in pink elegant gown… holding the hand of the prince while sun rays are starting to strike behind the mountains with the blooming flowers around.

That explains why most of the time, I wake up late.  I'm touring around most of the beautiful places in my dreams…. *toink!

Grow old with time

A boy asked God, what is the most important thing to give to someone.   God answered.. "TIME" my child.
But why time and not love?

LOVE.. You can give that, you can have that, you can share that to anybody.

But with TIME, you can't stop it or control it.  Because you can never bring back the time that has passed by.  So spend your time wisely and cherish it while you still have it.  Spend time with your loved one coz you never know when your time is finally over.

Work is occupying majority of my strength and time that communicating with friends and loved ones has been hurdled and set aside.   We just rely on the hope that "as soon as I'm off" I'd get back to you.   For we believe, that things like these could still be patched up.  And I guess, that's the same perspective my friend has in mind.

But I tell you.  There are some things that grow old with time and get tired of waiting for that priority to come.  I am the least, I thought would have been affected, but making reference to what had happened and what I am feeling right now… my mind and my heart got tired of understanding, of silently asking, of knowing, of hoping and tossing the coin, have the ball rolling and rolling till it stops moving… The best that I reserve myself is the conviction and respect of not asking the question and not to dwell on the possibilities that might bring more confusing realizations…

I am moving on.  I care no more if you intend to do such or remain sleeping at your darkest paths…

I've been there and managed to get out of it…. and if it's only you who would bring me back to that place… I'd rather not compromise.

I've been stepping in the forefront of the "Land of the Loving"… more serene…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwl6KH8nqzQ 

Forever a Bearista

 Meet my Bearista "Iya"

I grew up so fond of bears and all the huggable stuffs i see around… from carebears, snoopy, poohbear, etc.

Everytime I visit the mall, next of course from dropping by at the bookstore, record bars, you will easily catch me giggling over the huggable bears at Toy Kingdom and the Toy Section within the department stores.

The same feeling also when I visit coffee shop.  I immediately go to the Bearista stand and look at each of the bears.  In Starbucks, you'll find this caption on the stall…

"BEARISTA BEARS"… Cuddly friends from your favourite place.

Got assigned at Starbucks where I could get more chance to bond with the Bearistas…  Just tonight, I met one cutie cute cute bear belonging to the 57th Bearista Bear Club Edition.  She's so gurly in pink dress and the pink blazer…

There I remembered just how the barristas constantly remind me of…

"You don't like pink that much… hehehe it's pretty obvious… from cell to outfit"

I've been trying to ignore that pink bear but it's as if she is trying to catch my attention.

I stepped back, got one and went straight to the counter.  The barrista currently in-charge is "Iya".  He told me,

Iya:  Ayan, para maalala mo kami at ang Starbucks Team Jupiter sa mga closing hours at bonding moments ng store.

Sheggz:  Hehehe Honga noh?  Papangalanan ko siyang… "Iya"

I'm saving up a lil more to buy Iya's partner and to buy some more and name each of them with all the barristas in the Team Jupiter I've been so lucky to have worked with.  Well oh well, it's plenty and costly.. hehehe… I'm looking forward to have my complete set of Pops, Eros, Rochelle, Rhea, Weng, Riza, Mean, Elmer and the rest.

In less than a month, I am bidding goodbye to them… Mike has already started his "bye bye moments" earlier hehehe

I tend to hate seeing the logo once in a while cause it reminds me of the rigorous tasks but… tomorrow, the Starbucks Logo will always remind me of the cheerful smiles and warm welcome of the Team Jupiter.

Always remember my Bearista Iya.  Tenchu!

Share the Laughter

Kawal Eyeball at Timpla Restaurant in ABS-CBN Compound
June 24, 2006 @ 12pm

When we share the laughter, there's twice the fun.  When we share problems, there's half the pain.  When we share secrets, it's our hearts we reveal.  And what draws us closer and makes us all care is not what we have, but the things we share.  Heart ya, Kawal Eyeballers!

I saw a larger copy of this picture, photocopied and placed on top of the machine just this morning.  I was holding something and almost dropped it when I saw this picture.  Hehehehe

I told a friend…

Sheggz:  "Nyaks!  Bakit nakabandera ang picture na ito? Anlaki Hehehe" 

Friend:  "Sa youtube yan kinuha"

Sheggz: "Alam ko.  Nagulat din nga ako dati ng nakita ko yan eh. Natawa naman ako.  Kung alam mo lang ang istorya sa likod ng picture na iyan.  Maiintindihan mo kung bakit nakakatuwang isipin.. hehehe"

I went outside but I looked back on that photocopied image.   That is supposed to be the event that the Kawal Eyeballers could have been more complete, if Maltesers and Alvin were there.   

While talking to our Big Kuya… I don't know… but it's ironic that I am the one saying this…

Ako:  Andaming nangyari… andaming masaya… andaming kulitan… andaming naging gulo…. pero talagang kakaibang experience diba?  Masaya.

Pagbali-baliktarin mo pa rin… hindi ko maipagpapalit yung mga moments na masaya ako over those na hindi ako naging masaya.

Big Kuya:  Ako din… nakilala ko kayo.  Yun pa lang… malaking pasasalamat na eh.

 

Ako:  Di ba sabi ko naman sa inyo dati pa… across the borders hehehehe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGDumqAS_E4

The Person that you are

If I could give you one thing, I would give you the ability to see yourself as others see you… Then you would realize what a truly special person you are…

Truthful words may hurt at times but words that soothe can make us blind.  Do not crave for acceptance because every critic will nonetheless bring out what's best in you.

These were just sent to me and never erased till I finally get what it really meant.

I've been asking myself, how does others see me that I fail to see myself.  Others were hopeful and too confident that I can do it but sometimes I find it within myself to convince myself "Can I really do it?"

"Everybody has a choice…"  That's according to Spiderman. 

And what choice did I chose?

I've been getting in and out of IT jobs and still couldn't find fulfillment in any aspect of it..  Maybe there has to be something to be resolved and plans to be carefully assessed to straighten the crooked path.

That's what I love about having the time for myself alone.  Having to think of what I've been through, what I've learned and what I have failed to do…  that has always been my gameplan eversince.

Have you done yours?

Tulad ng Dati

Just when you thought you had everything

Somebody takes it all away

- The Dawn

Cinemalaya 2006 Independent Film Festival Best Indie Film, Best Sound, Best Editing, "Tulad ng Dati" will finally have its theatrical run on April 25 - May 1, 2007 at all SM Digital Theatres (Megamall, Mall of Asia, Cebu, Clark, Davao, Fairview, Manila, North Edsa, Southmall, Sta. Mesa + TBA)

A movie about the Filipino Rock Band "The Dawn."

Catch the Movie Trailer at this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVrgzRJnPoQ