GRN 131235 NOVEMBER 16, 1999

UST FACULTY UNION VS BITONIO / BLR

PANGANIBAN, J.:

FACTS:

Private respondent Marinio et al were duly elected officers of UST faculty. The union has a 5-year CBA with its employer and is set to expire on May 31, 1998. On October 5, 1996 various UST club presidents requested a general faculty assembly thus union and non-union faculty members convened. New set of officers were elected, violative of the CBL and that the GA was held with non-union members present. Union officers were served with a notice to vacate the union office, and CBA was ratified by an overwhelming majority. Med-Arbiter declared the election violative of the CBL while BLR director Bitonio upheld the decision with a ruling that the CBL which constituted the covenant between the union and its members could not be suspended during the general assembly of all faculty members, since it ha not been authorized by the union.

ISSUES:

Whether or not the public respondent committed grave abuse of discretion in refusing to recognize the officers elected during the “general assembly”.

RULING:

Self-organization is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution and the Labor Code. Corollary to this right is the prerogative not to join, affiliate with or assist a labor union. Therefore, to become a union member, an employee must not only signify the intent to become one, but also take some positive steps to realize that intent. The procedure for union membership is usually embodied in the union’s CBL. An employee who becomes a union member acquires the rights and he concomitant obligations that go with the new status and becomes bound by the union’s rules and regulations.

GRN 80587 FEBRUARY 8, 1989

WENPHIL CORPORATION VS NLRC

GANCAYCO, J.:

FACTS:

Private respondent Mallare had an altercation with a co-employee. The following day, the Operations Manager served them memorandum of suspension and in the afternoon of that same day, Mallare was dismissed from work. Labor Arbiter dismissed Mallare’s petition for unfair labor practice for lack of merit. NLRC reversed the decision and ordered the reinstatement of Mallare with full backwages of one year without qualification and deduction.

ISSUE:

Whether or not an employee dismissed for just cause but without due process be reinstated to work.

RULING:

The basic requirement of due proves is that which hears before it condemns, proceeds upon inquiry and renders judgment only after trial. The dismissal of an employee must be for a just cause and after due process. Petitioner committed an infraction of the second requirement thus it must be imposed a sanction for its failure to give a formal notice and conduct an investigation as required by law before dismissing Mallare from employment. Petitioner must indemnify the dismissed employee which depends on the facts of each case and the gravity of the omission committed by the employer.

Where the private respondent appears to be of violent temper, caused trouble during office hours and even defied his supervisors as they tried to pacify him, he should not be rewarded with re-employment and backwages. The dismissal of the respondent should be maintained.

GRN 117040 JANUARY 27, 2000

SERRANO VS NLRC / ISETANN

MENDOZA, J.:

FACTS:

Serrano was a regular employee of Isetann Department Store as the head of Security Checker. In 1991, as a cost-cutting measure, Isetann phased out its entire security section and engaged the services of an independent security agency. Petitioner filed a complaint for illegal dismissal among others. Labor arbiter ruled in his favor as Isetann failed to establish that it had retrenched its security section to prevent or minimize losses to its business; that private respondent failed to accord due process to petitioner; that private respondent failed to use reasonable standards in selecting employees whose employment would be terminated. NLRC reversed the decision and ordered petitioner to be given separation pay.

ISSUE:

Whether or not the hiring of an independent security agency by the private respondent to replace its current security section a valid ground for the dismissal of the employees classed under the latter.

RULING:

An employer’s good faith in implementing a redundancy program is not necessarily put in doubt by the availment of the services of an independent contractor to replace the services of the terminated employees to promote economy and efficiency. Absent proof that management acted in a malicious or arbitrary manner, the Court will not interfere with the exercise of judgment by an employer.

If termination of employment is not for any of the cause provided by law, it is illegal and the employee should be reinstated and paid backwages. To contend that even if the termination is for a just cause, the employee concerned should be reinstated and paid backwages would be to amend Art 279 by adding another ground for considering dismissal illegal.

If it is shown that the employee was dismissed for any of the causes mentioned in Art 282, the in accordance with that article, he should not be reinstated but must be paid backwages from the time his employment was terminated until it is determined that the termination of employment is for a just cause because the failure to hear him before he is dismissed renders the termination without legal effect.

GRN 158693 NOVEMBER 17, 2004

AGABON VS NLRC / RIVIERA HOME

YNARES-SANTIAGO, J.:

FACTS:

Petitioners were employed by Riviera Home as gypsum board and cornice installers from January 1992 to February 23, 1999 when they were dismissed for abandonment of work. Petitioners filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and was decided in their favor by the Labor Arbiter. Riviera appealed to the NLRC contending just cause for the dismissal because of petitioner’s abandonment of work. NLRC ruled there was just cause and petitioners were not entitled to backwages and separation pay. The CA in turn ruled that the dismissal was not illegal because they have abandoned their work but ordered the payment of money claims.

ISSUE:

Whether or not petitioners were illegally dismissed.

RULING:

To dismiss an employee, the law required not only the existence of a just and valid cause but also enjoins the employer to give the employee the right to be heard and to defend himself. Abandonment is the deliberate and unjustified refusal of an employee to resume his employment. For a valid finding or abandonment, two factors are considered: failure to report for work without a valid reason; and, a clear intention to sever employer-employee relationship with the second as the more determinative factor which is manifested by overt acts from which it may be deduced that the employees has no more intention to work.

Where the employer had a valid reason to dismiss an employee but did not follow the due process requirement, the dismissal may be upheld but the employer will be penalized to pay an indemnity to the employee. This became known as the Wenphil Doctrine of the Belated Due process Rule.

Art 279 means that the termination is illegal if it is not for any of the justifiable or authorized by law. Where the dismissal is for a just cause, the lack of statutory due process should not nullify the dismissal but the employer should indemnify the employee for the violation of his statutory rights. The indemnity should be stiffer to discourage the abhorrent practice of “dismiss now, pay later” which we sought to deter in Serrano ruling. The violation of employees’ rights warrants the payment of nominal damages.

GRN 151378

JAKA FOOD PROCESSING VS PACOT

GARCIE, J.:

FACTS:

Respondents were hired by JAKA until their termination on August 29, 1997 because the Corporation was “in dire financial straits”. It was not disputed that they were terminated without complying with the requirement under Art. 283 of the Labor Code regarding the service of notice upon the employees and DOLE at least one month before the intended date of termination.

ISSUE:

Whether or not full backwages and separation pay be awarded to respondents when employers effected termination without complying with the twin notice rule.

RULING:

The dismissal of the respondents was for an authorized cause under Article 283. A dismissal for authorized cause does not necessarily imply delinquency or culpability on the part of the employee. Instead, the dismissal process is initiated by the employer’s exercise of his management prerogative, i.e. when the employer opts to install labor-saving devices, when he decides to cease business operations or when… he undertakes to implement a retrenchment program.

Accordingly, it is wise to hold that: 1) if the dismissal is based on a just cause but the employer failed to comply with the notice requirement, the sanction to be imposed upon him should be tempered because the dismissal was initiate by an act imputable to the employee; 2) if the dismissal is based on an authorized cause but the employer fails to comply with the notice requirement, the sanction should be stiffer because the dismissal process was initiated by the employer’s exercise of his management prerogative. Thus, dismissal was upheld but ordered JAKA to pay each of the respondents the amount of PhP 50,000.00 representing nominal damages for non-compliance with statutory due process.

Here is the continuation of my case digests:

MERALCO VS QUISUMBING
GRN 127598 JANUARY 27, 1999
YNARES-SANTIAGO, J:.

FACTS:
The court directed the parties to execute a CBA incorporating the terms among which are the following modifications among others: Wages: PhP 1,900 for 1995-1996; Retroactivity: December 28, 1996-Dec. 1999, etc. Dissatisfied, some members of the union filed a motion for intervention/reconsideration. Petitioner warns that is the wage increase of Php2,000.00 per month as ordered is allowed, it would pass the cost covering such increase to the consumers through an increase rate of electricity. On the retroactivity of the CBA arbitral award, the parties reckon the period as when retroaction shall commence.
ISSUE:
Whether or not retroactivity of arbitral awards shall commence at such time as granted by Secretary.

RULING:
In St. Luke’s Medical vs Torres, a deadlock developed during CBA negotiations between management unions. The Secretary assumed jurisdiction and ordered the retroaction of the CBA to the date of expiration of the previous CBS. The Court ratiocinated thus: In the absence of a specific provision of law prohibiting retroactive of the effectivity of arbitral awards issued by the Secretary pursuant to article 263(g) of the Labor Code, public respondent is deemed vested with the plenary and discretionary powers to determine the effectivity thereof.
In general, a CBA negotiated within six months after the expiration of the existing CBA retroacts to the day immediately following such date and if agreed thereafter, the effectivity depends on the agreement of the parties. On the other hand, the law is silent as to the retroactivity of a CBA arbitral award or that granted not by virtue of the mutual agreement of the parties but by intervention of the government. In the absence of a CBA, the Secretary’s determination of the date of retroactivity as part of his discretionary powers over arbitral awards shall control.
Wherefore, the arbitral award shall retroact from December 1, 1995 to November 30, 1997; and the award of wage is increased from Php1,900 to Php2,000.


KIOKLOY VS NLRC
GRN 54334 JANUARY 22, 1986
CUEVAS, J:.
FACTS:
Union was certified by the BLR as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent of the rank and file employees. On December 1978, the union furnished the company 2 copies of its proposed CBA. Company did not reply and in its attempt to bring the company to the bargaining table, the union file a “notice of strike” with BLR on ground of unresolved economic issues. Conciliation proceedings then followed during the 30-day statutory cooling-off period. No conciliation was reached and prompted by company’s frequent request for postponement, NLRC rendered decision declaring company guilty of ULP and the draft proposal of CBA having found to be reasonable, was declared collective agreement which should govern the relationship of parties.
ISSUE:
Whether or not company committed ULP.

RULING:
Collective bargaining which is defined as a negotiation toward collective agreement, is designed to stabilize the relationship of labor and management and to create a climate of sound and stable industrial peace.
The company is guilty of ULP since it has been established that:
1. Respondent union was duly certified bargaining agent;
2. It made a definite request to bargain;
3. The company made no counter proposal which conclusively indicate lack of a sincere desire to negotiate.
Even during the compulsory arbitration before the NLRC, company approach and attitude stalling the negotiation by a series of postponements, non appearance at a hearing conducted and undue delay in submitting its financial statements, lead to no other conclusion except that it is unwilling to negotiate and reach an agreement with the Union.
As laid down in Herald delivery case, “ULP is committed when it is shown that the respondent employer, after having been served with a written bargaining proposal by union, did not even bother to submit an answer or reply…”

SAMAHAN NG MGA MANGGAGAWA VS. SECRETARY OF LABOR & FILSYSTEMS
GRN: 128067 JUNE 5, 1998
PNO, J.:
FACTS:
Samahan, a registered union filed a petition for certification election. Private respondent questioned the status of petitioners as LLO on the ground of lack of proof that its contract of affiliation with NAFLU-KMU has been submitted to BLR. Samahan averred that as an independent and duly registered union, it has all the rights and privileges to act as a representative of its members for the purpose of collective bargaining with employers. Med-arbiter dismissed the petition. Meanwhile, FWU was allowed to conduct certification election, and eventually negotiated a CBA. Private respondent filed a motion to dismiss appeal of Samahan as it has become moot and academic. Secretary dismissed the appeal.

ISSUE:
Whether or not pending appeal has been rendered moot and academic by a subsequently enacted CBA and WON legal personality of Samahan having been established the same could not be subject to collateral attack.

RULING:
Petitioner is an independently registered labor union thus its rights to file petition for certification election on its own is beyond question. Its failure to prove its affiliation with NAFLU-KMU cannot affect its right to file petition as an independent union.
On second question, petitioner seasonably appealed, thus it stopped the holding of any certification election. Accordingly, there was an unresolved representation case at the time the CBA was entered by FWU and private respondent… “there should be no obstacle to the right of the employees to petition for a certification election at the proper time, that is within 60 days prior to the expiration of the life of a certified CBA… not even by a collective agreement submitted during the pendency of the representation case…”


GRN 119268 FEBRUARY 23, 2000
JARDIN VS NLRC
QUISUMBING, J.:

FACTS:
Petitioners were drivers of Goodman Taxi and were collected average of PhP400 as boundary plus 30pesos for car wash. They do not agree with the car wash fee and planned to form a union. Upon learning of their plan, private respondent refused to let petitioners drive their taxicab for few days. Petitioners filed illegal dismissal and illegal collection of wash fee. Labor Arbiter dismissed the complaint while NLRC reversed the decision ratiocinating that as employees, their dismissal must be for just cause and after due process.

ISSUE:
Whether or not an employer-employee relationship exists.

RULING:
Complainants ate taxi drivers on boundary system but in determining if employer-employee relationship exists, the four-fold test is applied: power of selection; payment of wages; power of dismissal, and; power to control the employees. Petitioners are undoubtedly employees of the respondent because taxi drivers perform activities which are necessary or desirable in the usual business or trade of the employer. Thus an employee illegally dismissed shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and other privileges and to his full backwages, inclusive of allowances an to his other benefits or their monetary equivalent computed from the time his compensation was withheld from him up to the time of his actual reinstatement.

Just click on the link to see the entire case.
Reference websites:
Chanrobles.com
sc.gov.ph
lawphil.net

Happy reading.

Hello my dear friends. It seems that this is a very busy month for most of the bloggers I know. I have notice some of my added bloggers have been saying that they are unable to blog for quite sometime or that some are saying "I'll be back after a while" or "My internet connection is like crazy" or "please bear with me" and something like that.

I am in that kind of situation myself. We just ended our 5months in law school which comprised one semester. We're about to enroll again for the second semester but before all that is done, my classmates and I have been busy trying to finish "case digests" for our subjects. That was the time I stopped blogging about music but instead, encoded my case digest. I usually write down on a record book my case digests so that I can practice or improve my hand writing, which is really crucial when we take our Bar exams. I write it down on a notebook, consolidate them according to subject then encode them on .doc files. It was quite a task, luckily I am done with everything. It was a success after all my absence in the blog-world.

So for this entry, I am sharing with you what I have done so far. For those law-enthusiasts out there or everyone who might be prompted to ask what the heck is a case digest, I am sharing my work with you. Please take note that each digest is a synthesis of Supreme Court decisions and each of them may contain various topics or issues but since my subject for this digest is the Labor Law, I only included the issue/s related to the Labor Code of the Philippines. Please let me know if your think there should have been a better way of presenting the case and post it on my comment box.

Here are a few:

ST. MARTIN FUNERAL VS NLRC
GRN 130866 SEPTEMBER 16, 1998 295 SCRA 494
REGALADO, J.:
FACTS:
Respondent Aricayos file a complaint for illegal dismissal to the Labor Arbiter. There being no employer-employee relationship, the petition was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Aricayos appealed to NLRC contending errors of the labor arbiter.

ISSUES:
Whether r not the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over NLRC appeals?

RULING:
First established in 1972, decisions of NLRC were declared to the appealable to the Secretary of Labor and ultimately to the President. But under the present state of law, there is no provision for appeals from NLRC decisions. The court held that there is an underlying power of the Courts to scrutinize the acts of such agencies on questions of law and jurisdiction even though no right of review is given by statute; that the purpose of judicial review is to keep the administrative agency within its jurisdiction and protect the substantial rights of the parties; and that is part of the checks and balances which restricts the separation of powers and forestalls arbitrary and unjust adjudications.
Subsequently, under RA 7902, effective March 1995, the mode for judicial review over NLRC decisions is that of a petition for Certiorari under Rule 65. The same confuses by declaring that the CA has no appellate jurisdiction over decisions falling within the appellate jurisdiction of SC, including the NLRC decisions.
Therefore, all references in the amended Section 9 of BP 129 to supposed appeals from the NLRC to SC are interpreted and hereby declared to mean and refer to petitions for certiorari under Rule 65. All such petitions should henceforth be initially filed in the CA in strict observance of the doctrine on the hierarchy of courts as the appropriate forum for the relief desired. The case was remanded to CA.

====================================
MANILA MANDARIN EMPLOYEES UNION VS NLRC
GRN 108556 NOVEMBER 19, 1996

FACTS:
The union filed with the NLRC arbitration branch a complaint on wage distortion. The labor arbiter ruled in favor of the Union while the NRLC Commissioner Zapanta reversed the same. The Union contends that the Mandarin Hotel filed its appeal three days beyond the reglamentary period.
ISSUES:
Whether or not NLRC acquired jurisdiction to take cognizance of Mandarin’s appeal from Labor Arbiter.
RULING:
The Court ruled that the Commission acted correctly in accepting and acting on Mandarin’s appeal. The employee who was authorized to receive payment was not around so the respondent was allowed to pay docketing fee on the next business day which was February 4, 1991. In view of the considerations and in the interest of justice was quite served when Mandarin’s appeal was given due course despite delayed payment of fees. . . the reglamentary period confers a directory, not a mandatory, power to dismiss an appeal…

==================================
KAISAHAN NG MGA MANGGAGAWA SA LA CAMPANA VS SARMIENTO
GRN 47853 NOVEMBER 16, 1984
CUEVAS, J:.
FACTS:
Petitioner demanded for a better working condition and the reinstatement of 9 dismissed workers. Upon refusal of the company, case elevated to the Labor Arbiter for conciliation. The case was certified to the defunct Court of Industrial Relation which issued a return to work order and enjoined the company from laying off as well as hiring new employees without authority from Court. However, the company dismissed and hired employees without authority. The union, through its secretary, entered into a compromise agreement with the company waiving all claims and counterclaims of whatever nature arising out of or in connection with the present case. September 20, 1976, NLRC served a write of Execution to enforce an order directing the reinstatement and back wages. Respondent claimed that subject case has already been dismissed by virtue of the Court’s agreement. CFI issued an order retraining the Sheriff from implementing the writ of execution. Individual complainants filed a motion however denied.
ISSUE:
Whether or not petitioner members have the necessary legal personality to bring suit against respondents.

RULING:
Although petitioner-members are not the original parties, they should not be deprived of their right to question the order of the CFI approving the compromise agreement since they are the ones who will stand to suffer and will greatly be prejudiced by the dismissal of the case. It is the individual members who would adversely affected in the event of the dismissal of the case after and extended litigation. The courts may set aside technicalities, all in the interest of substantial justice.
Generally, a judgment on a compromise agreement puts an end to litigation and is immediately executor. However, the rules require a special authority before an attorney can compromise the litigation of their clients. The authority to compromise cannot lightly be presumed and be duly established by evidence. Undoubtedly, the compromise agreement was executed to the prejudice of the complainants who never consented thereto, hence it is null and void. Money claims due to laborers cannot be the object of settlement or compromise effected by a union or a counsel without the specific individual consent of each laborer concerned. The beneficiaries are the individual complainants themselves. The union to which they belong can only assist them but not decide for them.
The fact that petitioners ceased to be connected with the company and the reinstatement may no longer be possible is no obstacle to the grant of the money claims to the petitioners considering that the money claim had already been adjudicated by final judgment.

================================
LIBERTY FLOUR MILLS EMPLOYEES VS LIBERTY FLOUR
GRN 58768 December 29, 1989
CRUZ, J:.

FACTS:
On February 6, 1974, Philippine Labor Alliance Council (PLAC) and Liberty Flour (Company) entered into a 3-year CBA effective January 1, 1974 providing for a daily wage increase of PhP2 for 1974. PhP1 for 1975 and PhP1 for 1976. The parties also agreed to establish a union shop by imposing “membership in good standing for the duration of the CBA…” as a condition for continued employment of workers. PLAC complained against the company for non-payment of E-COLA under PD 525. A similar complaint was filed on March 5, 1975, this time by petitioners who apparently were veering away from PLAC. Evaristo and Biascan, after organizing a union, filed for a certification election among rank-and-file employees, PLAC then expelled the two for disloyalty and demanded their dismissal by the respondent company, who complied on May 20, 1975. The claim for E-COLA was dismissed as it was already absorbed by the wage increases. The termination case in relation to back wages was also dismissed.
ISSUE:
Whether or not E-COLA was absorbed in the wage increase and WON dismissal of Evaristo and Biascan was illegal.

RULING:
The Company agreed to grant the emergency allowance even before the obligation was imposed by Government. What petitioner claim they are being waived is the additional allowance but the truth is they are not entitled to because they are already enjoying the stipulated increases.
As with the case of illegal dismissal, the CBA concluded in 1974 was certifiable and in fact certified in April 1975. Evidence show that after the cancellation of the registration certificate of the Federation of Democratic Labor Unions, no other union contested the exclusive representation of the PLAC. Consequently, there was no more legal impediment that stood on the way of its validity and enforceability of the provisions of the CBA entered into by and between company and union. Once it was duly entered into and signed by the parties, a CBA becomes effective as between the parties whether or not the same has been certified by BLR.

Just click on the link to see the entire case.
Reference websites:
Chanrobles.com
sc.gov.ph
lawphil.net

Happy reading.

First of all, let me inform the whole world that it was my first time ever to join a contest in the cyber world. Thanks to Her and History for that wonderful contest. It was an eye opener to me that there are other exciting ways of blogging, specially the contests. In real life, I can only name you at most three times I won in either contests or raffle draws. The first one, way back in my grade school days; second, when I one a coin bank from a government office and lastly, I won a blender. There you are... so pathetic I guess.

Now, I can blob to the whole world that I won in a contest. I did not have to win first prize, although it would have been better. Winning, earning EC points was too much for me to handle already. I may seem so exaggerated on this but it gives me a lot of bliss knowing that I WON!!! I actually WON in a contest and I am so excited about it. This is memorable to me that is why I am blogging about it. I also want to thank the following for promptly sending me my "earnings" at EC. My response to them is long overdue but here it is now. I want to thank you here BIGTIME!

Thanks to the following Contest Sponsors:














Special thanks over and over again to:



PS
I hope you'd appreciate my simple token of appreciation. I featured the blogs above based on the Entrecard transactions, so pardon if I may have unintentionally omitted your respective sites, or specific sponsors as I am still honing my skills in getting around the blogging world. I still have t o learn a lot.

To Blog Fusion, I intended to include your badge here but I may have overlooked your badge when I visited your site.

To All, thanks again and happy blogging. You just made my blogging day!

Manny Pacquiao knocks down Miguel Cotto
It was a great fight, I heard. Perhaps I was one of the few Filipinos who were not able to watch the fight of Pacman today (November 15, Philippine time). I got so exhausted from the past week, not to mention my almost sleepless state last night juggling between domestic chores and cracking brain cells on what the heck is wrong with our computers. It was just so much to bear for me, knowing full well that hours spent fixing the laptop and desktop at the same time led me to nowhere.

Alright, before I continue, let me first post here the lyrics of the song because as I was reading it, indeed, the song was just a repetition of "Lahing Pinoy" meaning Pinoy (slang for Pilipino, referring to the Filipino people) and Lahi meaning "race"

======================================
The translation of the song Lahing Pinoy by Manny Pacquiao:

Lagi kung itataas (I will always raise)
Bandila ng Pilipinas (the flag of the Philippines)
Saan mang sulok ng mundo (In any corner of the world)
Iwawagayway ko ito (I will wave it)

Kahit saan kahit kailan (Anywhere, anytime)
Basta't kung para sa bayan (As long as it's for the country)
Buhay ko ay ilalaan (I will spend/dedicate my life)
Sa lupa kong sinilangan (In the land where I was born)

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko (is my race)
Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko (is my race)
Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko
Sumigaw ang pinoy... HOY! (Shout Pinoys... HOY!)
Ang lahat ng pinoy... HOY! (All the Pinoys... HOY!)
Ang lahi ng Pinoy sa mundo (The race of Pinoys in the world)
Pilipino

Lagi kung isisigaw (I will always shout)
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas (Long live the Philippines)
Ang bayan na pinagmulan (The country source)
Kaya ako ay malakas (that's why I am strong)

Dugong bayani ay taglay (Heroes' blood is in me)
Ang syang nalalalaytay (It is what's flowing)
Sa nag aalab kong kamay (Through my blazing hands)
Pag sumuntok todo bigay (It punches with all might!)

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko (is my race)
Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko (is my race)
Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko
Sumigaw ang pinoy... HOY! (Shout Pinoys... HOY!)
Ang lahat ng pinoy... HOY! (All the Pinoys... HOY!)
Ang lahi ng Pinoy sa mundo (The race of Pinoys in the world)
Pilipino

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko (is my race)
Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko (is my race)
Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko
Sumigaw ang pinoy... HOY! (Shout Pinoys... HOY!)
Ang lahat ng pinoy... HOY! (All the Pinoys... HOY!)
Ang lahi ng Pinoy sa mundo (The race of Pinoys in the world)
Pilipino

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko
Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko
Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino
Ang lahi ko
Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipinooooo AKO.
(Pilipino, I am Pilipino)

======================================
I was able to watch the replay of the fight. I was actually expecting that this song will again be used upon the introduction of Pacman, like they did when he fought Hatton. It was that old "Rocky" them (or so I think) which was playing while Pacman was being introduced. Anyway, I stillw as not able to watch the fight (since I already know the result) because I had a more important appointment for the day. I slept while the rest of the kids at home, including my sister, were all watching the fight. Honestly, the schedule of the fight slipped my brain or was I just too confident that somehow Manny would win. Besides, it has always been my notion that the bulk of the pressure lies in Cotto who was defending his belt. The pressure was lesser on Manny so there I was confidently, calmly and soundly asleep. The slumber was very helpful, it made my headache, sinusitis and tired body go away.

When I woke up, I was already expecting a victory.

Manny Pacquiao is an epitome of a true Pilipino. His life resembles a lot of us here in the country who climbed to the top out of hardwork and perseverance. He was born poor, we all know that. A lot of succssful people around us came from nowhere and rose from being nobody. It was really more of hardwork and for Pacman, the biggest factor was God and his family who was very supportive.

I have all praises for Manny as a Pilipno, as a successful boxer. Who wouldn't? HOwever, somehow I pity him because he is being used by other people, the Politicians in our midst. I can sense in Manny that he wants to help a lot of FIlipino people that is why he took a chance at Philipine politics the last time. For me, it was an unwise move. Filipinos support and follow the boxing career of Manny, but politics would be a different ball game for him. I am not confident that people would support him in the political arena the way we support him inside the boxing ring.

For me, as a fighter, he is loved by the Filipinos. It would be different if he nters the Political world again. I, for one, do not like the idea of an icon like pacman, that his desire to help the country would be coursed through his political career. I am actually crossing my fingers that he will not again enter politics. I wan to see him, in the future, as the only person who raised the statur of the Filipinos in the middle of political chaos, corruption and moral degradation in the government. I just want to see him as the person who lifts the soul of the Filipinos in believing the the powerful provision of the Almighty. I want to see him as th source of inspiration to those young fighters, athletes and those who are becoming hopeless. He is by far the most desired Filipino of this time, desired by all poor Filipinos around the word, by politicians and by the religious people. He is indeed a reflection of what true Filipinos are.

To Manny, you are our pride, you are our Champion and Congratulations for all your triumph. I know God is with you. I know you are truly blessed and guided by the Holy Spirit. So may the peace of the Lord be always in your heart as the Filipino blood continues to flow on your veins.

Mabuhay kapatid!
(long live my brother!)

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http://www.imeem.com/people/vKB9iPT/music/5ULublb2/manny-pacquiao-lahing-pinoy/">Lahing Pinoy - Manny Pacquiao

If Only - Lea Salonga

If only I could find a way to say the words
I've kept for a long time
Oh if only I could stay to make you
Feel the way I do
With us not parting I can

If only I could let you know
I love you so
Oh I love you so much
Oh if only I could find a way
To say it easily
Oh god, please let it be

If only we could have more time
To learn, to love, to know our feelings
If only time could slow down and in every minute
We are in each other's arms
Oh if only
Oh if only I can

Adlib

If only we could have more time
To learn, to love, to know our feelings
If only time could slow down and in every minute
We are in each other's arms
Oh if only
Oh if only I can.....


I missed this song. I missed it for two reasons: I haven't heard it for quite a long time already and second, I was not able to find the record during those days. Luckily today, I found it on imeem. Truly, I miss this song but the memory it brings to me give back some joy in my heart. It is just "some joy" because this is a thing in my past. It's something I'd wish I could turn back... IF ONLY.

My brother and my cousins were my co-questers for this song. Its scarcity in the record bars made us more interested in finding it, until the urge died down since all resources fail. Haha! At the onset of modern technology, viola! I found it on imeem! I don't even get the chance to blog about it before because it was obliterated by my/our unsuccessful hunt for this song.

I am truly happy right now because I found the music and I am able to blog about this right now. Other than the lyrics of the song, it was our quest that made this song special to me. We really used all possible and avaialable resource back then just so we can have a copy of this song. We failed.

Have you read the lyrics of the song? I intended to write the lyrics ahead of this text so you would have the feel of it. The part of the song that strikes me most is this: "If only we could have more time to learn, to love, to know our feelings..." I know I had all the time to check on my feelings. I know we all do but I don't think I spent it wisely on knowing the feelings of the other person. The lyrics actually talked about "Our Feelings", not just "My Feelings". True to a relationship, it is reciprocal; it is a two way street; it is a give and take; it is you and me.

I spent so much time learning, loving my feelings. I was busy with my own, I neglect the other. A relationship is a team, it doesn't live with a single person. So you readers out there, beware. Relationship is for couples and as such, it is not just give and give, nor take and take. It is a mixture of everything. So if ever you will find someone whom you thin you are compatible with because you both love the NBA games, or both loved ice cream or both loved the beach, BEWARE! Compatibility doesn't really always work that way. Sometimes, there is more compatibility with variety. Like a wife loves to bake, the husband loves to garden. The male loves basketball, the female loves the boring cross stitching or something like that.

Learning to love our feelings sometimes lies in learning to appreciate the other person, your better half. Being focused is not the real deal here, but the two of you desiring the things so undesireable about the other. This can only be achieved when in those times you concentrate on your own happiness, try to squeeze in and internalize what things would bring happiness to the other one. There is always the other one because our feelings consist of "me and you". "Me" alone could not have saved the relationship. Neither "you" alone would be strong enough to resist the factors that wreck havoc to a relationship. It will always be "us", "we", "ours". IF ONLY we could spend more time together... IF ONLY we could truly fight for a relationship... IF ONLY we could really be together... IF ONLY "we"!

My love thoughts... my love in my thoughts right now.

Folks, I have been "off the hook" for quite some time already. I miss my virtual life, I miss my blogging spree and as much as I want to thank a lot of my blogging friends for making my blogging experience a lot of SUPER fun... I want to do it hereonce and for all (although a personal email is the norm, I am unable to do that as of the moment because of the lousy internet connection in the house. I am not even sure if I will be able to publish this.)

First, I would like to thank BURAOT for that wonderful job on entrecard dropping. The program was really helpful and I never thought I will be able to make 50 EC drops a day, with my way or time of using internet but because of the 300 drops program in the site, it was made possible. For the busy people out there, visit the site iamburaot.com, you will definitely enjoy your stay at their site. You know what made me feel more special? It was the surprise to find my blogsite in one of the batches of that site. Prior to this entry, Buraot and I had an email correspondence and boy, it was a good feeling to be able to help someone and the emotion got higher when I finally saw my blogsite appeared on one of the top batches of the EC program in buraot's. To me, it was more than winning a contest!

Speaking of contest... I was off the net about 3 days ago and imagine my suprise when I came back online and find that my EC account shoot up to another 4000 ECs!!! I still haven't replied on the blog contest sponsors of her and history who transferred EC accounts to me but as I've told Gene, the owner of the contest site, I will retain the sponsor widgets on my site until the end of this month or maybe until the year end since I enjoy seeing their badges displayed on my site. They will remind me of how wonderful my blogging expereince have become.

For a newbie like me, this is really something. This is what I mean when I said "Full of Blessings". As soon as my internet connections gets back to normal, I shall personally thank those bloggers who made me feel very special. For now, there is nothing left to say but....

SALAMAT!
(Thank you)

“HINDI KA NAG IISA”
Composed by: Ogie Alcasid
Sung by: Regine Velasquez

Sasamahan ka namin (We will give you company)
Kahit paligid ay madilim (Even if the surrounding is dark)
Iilawan ang daan tungo sa magandang kinabukasan. (We'll light the path towards a better future)
Ika’y mamuno, kami ay susunod (You'll lead, we will follow)
pagkakaisa’y ating itaguyod (Unity, we shall advocate)
ang Pilipinas ay naghihintay (The Philippines is waiting)
handa kaming kumilos, handang umalalay. (We are ready to move/act, ready to assist)

Hindi ka nag-iisa sa paggising ng bayan (You are not alone in waking the country)
kami ay kasama, hindi ka mag-iisa. (We are with you, you are not alone)
Isasapuso ang dangal ng ating bayan (Instill in our hearts the integrity of the country)
Sa tulong at biyaya ng maykapal (With the help and blessings of the Almighty)

Magkakapit bisig, tayo… (Arm to arm, we...)
ituloy natin laban ni Ninoy at Cory, ng bawa’t mamamayan (shall continue the fight of Ninoy and Cory, of every citizen)
Pagmamahal natin sa bayan (love in our country)
‘wag na nating itago, ‘di tayo susuko (let us not hide, we shall not surrender)

Hindi ka nag-iisa sa paggising ng bayan (You are not alone in waking the country)
kami ay kasama, hindi ka mag-iisa. (We are with you, you are not alone)
Isasapuso ang dangal ng ating bayan (Instill in our hearts the integrity of the country)
Sa tulong at biyaya ng maykapal (With the help and blessings of the Almighty)
Magkakapit bisig, tayo… (Arm to arm, we...)
Sama-sama bawat Pilipino (We will be together, every Filipino)
Mula noon, ngayon at kailan pa man (Since then, now and forevermore)
'di ka nag iisa…… (You are not alone)

So you probably have heard or seen from youtube the advertisement of Senator Noynoy Aquino and living true to the new advocacy of this blog, I am giving you my own translation of this song. As always, I mixed the literal and the "summary" way of translating a Tagalog song to English. There are tagalog words that sounds awkward when translated in english (i.e. sama-sama where "sama" mean "join" or "come" and I used "we will come together" instead.) I hope it made sense and if you think there is the better way of translating it, I'm more than glad to accept your corrections. Anyway, above if the english translation of the song Hindi Ka Nag-iisa ("You are not alone", which reminded me of Michael Jackson).

You will notice from the advertisement some big stars. This is their way of showing support to Noynoy Aquino. The latter decided on taking the Presidential bet after some prodding from his allies. Of course, we all know that Senator Noynoy is the son of the former Senator Ninoy Aquino and the late President Cory Aquino. (It gives me goosebumps as I write this particular entry). The rest of the story is history.

Writing about the Aquinos means so much to me because I cannot help but recall my childhood days. Those are the days I thought that the real hero was Marcos. I actually equated him with some god or something, not really understanding the things of the past. It's not that I've grown to be anti-Marcos. I am not and I will not because I also recognize the good things he did to our country. Besides, he was once a president of this country and perhaps I would write another blog entry for him.

So going back to the Aquinos, particularly Ninoy and Cory, they are heroes to a lot of Filipinos. I still recall what Cory said in one interview. She said something like: "I thank God for making me a Filipino and be able to experience what it's like to be a Filipino" or something like that. To me, that sounded like the Christ giving thanks to God for making him human and at the same time, giving him the cup of suffering. That, I should say is what the Aquinos did. They had a lot of sacrifices for the Filipino people and they continue to do so, even at the point of death.

Now, their "only son" is running for Philippine presidency, as if they haven't done everything yet for the country. I truly admire this family, most especially the late president, for her religiosity and sincerity to help. Her life was such a blessing and a model for all Filipinos, for all mothers, for all women, and is worthy to be emulated by our politicians, especially the loud ones. She will always be special to me, being the first woman president in Asia, and the one I truly admire. I will never forget the pride she brought back to us when she stood firm to prove that a plain housewife can unite the country, lead it and gather the respect of the US politicians as she delivered her speech in the US Congress.

This is my simple way of showing my pride to my race, my gender, my language, my country which I love. I hope you'd appreciate the translations I did for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W16OSkUNNd8

P.S. The other photo you posted above beside that of Senator Noynoy's is the current desktop wallpaper of my sister. It appeared so Filipino to me so I took the liberty of including it here. Thanks.

This is one song that greatly influenced my admiration to my best ever, favorite Eraserheads Band. They just had simple words but a person who is able to combine words and mix it with a wonderful tune possesses a good talent. You can quote me on that. They are like the re-cyclers. You know those "green movement" thing saying reduce, re-use, recycle where we make something out of garbage. For me, Eraserheads is like that. I am saying their song came from, not actually from garbage but from scratch, yet they manage to blend it with art.

It's one thing to have the drive to recycle, when it comes to environment, but it's another to recycle with an art in it. It is just so admirable for me. I love art too, like music is an art right? But the only art I can create is an abstract one, which only me who can appreciate and understand. Haha. I mean, what is the use of an art that cannot convey a message, even a tiny bit of message. So I let the talent die. Was it even a talent? LOL

"Maling akala" or I translated it as wrong presumption, is a common trait. I grew up with it and the saying "marami ang namamatay sa maling akala" is an aged by-word. It has become a by-word, common word, devoid of meaning but when the band sang it, it came back to life. Then again, the phrase "maling akala" just became a song because we have already learned. Somehow, people have learned that before judging a thing or giving reactions or before anything, we should first verify the accounts before we believe them. Most of the people I know, do. Some still lingers on "I thought he said this, but I was wrong" or something like that. That is a wrong presumption, and many die because of it.

Finally, long after Eraserheads, disbanded, a group called Brownman Revival made a hit when they produced their own version of this song. Definitely, it made my heart leap for a moment when I heard it on FM radio, and although I've realized and analyzed that it was not the original band that was singing, I still enjoyed it. Anything Eraserheads to my ear is bliss!

There you are. Please leave your comments.

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Translation of the song
Maling Akala (wrong presumption)
by Eraserheads

May mga kumakalat na balita (There are new spreading)
Na ang misis ni kuwan ay madaling makakuha (That the wife of blank is easy-to-get)
Bago maniwala mag-isip-isip ka muna (Before we believe, you think first)
Marami ang namatay sa maling akala (Many die because of wrong presumptions)

'Di mo na kailangang mag-alinlangan (You don't need to hesitate)
Kung tama ang gagawin mo (If you will do the right thingg)
Basta't huwag kalimutang magdahan-dahan (Just don't forget to slow down)
Kung 'di sigurado sa kalalabasan (If you are uncertain of the result)
kalalabasan ng binabalak mo (The result of your plan)

Chorus:
Maliit na butas lumalaki, konting gusot dumarami (A small hole grows/becomes bigger, a little fold multiplies)
Hindi mo maibabaon sa limot at bahala (You cannot bury it in forgetfulness and come-what-may)
Kapag nabulag ka-hah-ng maling akala (If you are blinded by wrong or false presumption)

Nasa'n na ba ako? (Where I am?)
Kaninong kama 'to? (Whose bed is this?)
Ilang ulit na bang nagigising sa ibang kwarto? (Many times I woke up in another's room)
Naglalayas sa bahay akala madali ang buhay (I ran away from home, thinking life is easy)
Ngayon ay nagsisi dahil 'di nakapagtapos (Now, I am regretful because I didn't finish school)

May mga kumakalat na balita (There are new spreading)
Na ang kaligtasa'y madaling makuha (That salvation is easy to get)
Bago maniwala mag-isip-isip ka muna (Before we believe, you think first)
Marami ang namatay sa maling akala (Many die because of wrong presumptions)

I was trying to find the music from imeem but to no avail. I just hope you know or still remember this song despite its absence in the airwaves lately. I do have a CD although I haven't synched it yet with my ipod, which I regularly use. I was trying to get a song from my past and this popped up.

This was a song contest piece of my brother's peers when we were still kids. Every summer break, which is from April to May, we spend our vacation with our very generous aunt in Manila. They lovingly accommodated us, most especially my eldest brother whom they have vocally acknowledged to be their favorite. Ooops, I'm done with bitterness okay? Of course his sibling envied him especially that all attention are in him. We had a lot of fun as kids too. It was my first "immersion" with Manila kids (as compared to kids from the province, that is from prim and proper to an urchin. Ahh, I just don't know what is the appropriate word for that.)

In the province, we were raised to wake up early in the morning. You should get off the body before the sun shows its rays; we eat breakfast together and we seldom have hotdog on the breakfast table. We had omelet, most of the time. Those kinds of breakfast table that I seldom eat now nor the kids of the new generation wouldn't appreciate. Then again, we eat dinner at around 5PM then we stayed inside the house before the bats start to hover above us. We don't live in caves, alright? I just remember seeing bats, few of them, I now wondered where they were heading.

In Manila, however, hotdog is a breakfast must! Kids tend to rise up any time they want, even when sun rays are all over their face. They manage to bear the heat of the sun in their face, plus the thought that they remain asleep despite the brightness of the sun. Likewise, kids eat anytime, regardless of who they eat with or they eat alone. That same scenario also happens in any meals of the day. And here's what really got me: kids in Manila get to enjoy the games in the evening when all the street lights are on minus the vehicles traversing the populate streets or "eskinitas" of Manila. It was an experience of a lifetime: to be able to play in the evening!

One particular evening that my brother's peers were all out was that one fiesta moment. I think it was a celebration on the feast of St. Thomas happening every May. There was a singing contest and one contestant is Maricel. I still don't know how to appreciate music then. I was just amazed with the idea that a friend of my brother would join a contest, which would I unlikely do. I don't even know a single dance step before.

Perhaps, I was just raised conservatively or I was just to afraid to explore, like a chick who's always beneath hear parent's wings. This was an eye-opener to me and since I am, as I always was, a slow learner, I started spreading my wings, the way Manila kids do. Was I proud? Do I really have to rejoice that I somehow adapted their culture? Why not? I am now a blend of city/province girl, to complain is of no moment.

As a final word: regardless of our upbringing, we are one.

==================================
Will You Still Love Me lyrics

Take me as I am
Put your hand in mine now and forever
Darling here I stand, stand before you now
Deep inside I always knew
It was you, you and me
Two hearts drawn together bound by destiny
It was you and you for me
Every road leads to your door
Every step I take for evermore
Just say you love me for the rest of your life
I gotta lot of love and I don't want to let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
'Cause I can't go on
No, I can't go on
I can't go on
If I'm on my own
Take me as I am
Put your heart in mine, stay with me forever
'Cause I am just a man who never understood
I never had a thing to prove
'Till there was you
You and me
Then it all came clear so suddenly
How close to you that I wanna be
Just say you love me for the rest of your life
I gotta lot of love and I don't wan to let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
'Cause I can't go on
No, I can't go on
I can't go on
If I'm on my own
Do you believe a love could run so strong?
Do you believe a love could pass you by?
There was no special one for me
I was the lonely one, you see
But then my heart lost all control
Now you're all that I know
Just say you love me for the rest of your life
I gotta lot of love and I don't wan to let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
'Cause I can't go on
No, I can't go on
I can't go on
If I'm on my own
I can't go on
No, I can't go on
'Cause I can't go on (Will you still love me?)
No, I can't go on (Just say you love me)
I can't go on
Without somebody I can call my own
'Cause I can't go on (Will you still love me?)
No, I can't go on (Just say you love me)
Just stay around
'Cause I can't go on (Will you still love me?)
No, I can't go on (Just say you love me)
I can't go on
If you could say your love
'Cause I can't go on (Will you still love me?)
No, I can't go on (Just say you love me)
Stay around, you'll never be alone

Here is an entry from a fellow blogger. I am thankful she acceded to my request of re-posting her music story here. Somehow, I got to feel the emotion surrounding her story but I wouldn't claim to fully understand it because as we all know, one will never know the feeling until you are actually in it. That's one thing I learned, and I upheld from one of my pre-Law courses.

You might also want to visit her music blog site. It's really nice, I get to learn a lot of classical music and songs, one can truly appreciate!

Here is the link and the full story below:

===========================


My mother liked classical music in a basic sense, but her taste ran more toward popular music. My love for classical music and opera (adored by her father) was not passed from my mom to me, was developed on my own. It was interesting to share that appreciation with her after she retired and moved to Oregon. I got her to some symphonies but never an opera. In the final weeks of her life I played classical music (and easy listening instrumentals) that I found soothing and assumed that she did also. But it wasn't until one day I put an old Marty Robbins record on the stereo in her family room that I returned to her bedroom to see her face changed to a happy dreaminess. "Love it, love it, love it," she said emphatically.

It is precisely because her interest in classical music took a backseat to other musical forms that I can easily recall her favorite selections. She told me when I was a child that her mother loved "Going Home" and would hum it around the house when she was a girl, which she in turn did for me. She said it was composed by Dvorak, and I remember being somewhat confused that there were words to a classical piece. (See below that the tune was likely a spiritual that Dvorak liked and adapted for the symphony*) It was years later that I listened to the entire symphony with its wordless 2nd movement, but of course whenever I hear it I think of that part as one of the songs my mother taught me.

She died in 2000 on this day and we had her memorial service a few weeks later. Going Home was not among songs on tape that were played over the speakers in the funeral home, although as I read information for this post I realized it is a favorite at funerals.

Less than a year after her death, September 11 happened and I was so grateful that my mother with the "Pollyanna" outlook on life did not have to endure the shock that the rest of us lived through together. Only a few days later, The Oregon Symphony was scheduled to perform at The Oregon Garden here in Silverton, a final toast to summer and the ending of the 2001 outdoor concert series. Michael and I had tickets and we went to the concert with some trepidation (remember those early days after 9-11 when we were unsure of the safety of being in large gatherings?).

The setting for the outdoor concerts there is so lovely. Concert-goers sit (in low lawn chairs only) in a grassy bowl facing where the setting sun is seen through an oak grove behind the stage.

We were advised at the outset of the concert that we could not depend on the program that had been printed prior to 9-11. The conductor was changing some music commensurate with that moment in time. I remember only the final piece -- Dvorak's 9th Symphony, 2nd Movement: Going Home. Michael and I held hands, and as we did I felt so close to my mother. I sat there in awe of the punch of color tracing the coast range in the distance. Did I cry? I do not remember. Many did. The many, who shared the surreal beauty of the song being offered up to the old oaks and the sunset and the ether. It was all we had to give. And such tenderness to take.

The YOUTUBE link is here.

Information on this video at youtube: "Fantastic perfomance by the Norwegian star Sissel. Singing this wonderful tune of Dvorak. This is Largo from Symphony Of A New World."


Going Home - lyrics (Words by William Arms Fisher)

Going home, going home
I'm just going home
Quiet light, some still day
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Going to fear no more
Mother's there expecting me
Father's waiting, too
Lots of folk gathered there
All the friends I knew
All the friends I knew
I'm going home
Nothing's lost, all's gain
No more fret nor pain
No more stumbling on the way
No more longing for the day
Going to roam no more
Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life begun
There's no break, there's no end
Just a living on
Wide awake with a smile
Going on and on
Going home, going home
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
I am going home
I'm just going home
Going home, going home
[Repeat]
=============================

Thank you for passing by!

There was a movie about this song. It was a local film starred by Robin Padilla. Blogging about a Rey Valera song is quite overdue and incidentally, this song came to mind when I just want to blog about my sister.

My sister is or was an avid fan of Robin Padilla. He is a local actor who had the "bad boy" image in the Philippine cinema. Her fondness of this actor died down when the latter got involved in a criminal case from which he was committed to prison.

The other night I attended a prayer meeting, my sister went out with her friends. Before we were to go home, I stayed with them for a few minutes and they had a chat from which I think I overheard her saying "that's why I love my sister", in our dialect and she was referring to me. It caused me to smile although I was unsure of her exact words and whether she really meant it or not. I go for the positive side.

We've been through a lot together and she's been through a lot family-related problems. One would go really crazy if they are in her situation. I couldn't handle it myself if I was in her shoes that is why I admire her a lot. She manages to go through everything, add to that having a sister like me. I am the most uncontrolled sister in the universe but she accepts me, loves me even. And I love her back.

She is the kind of person you will love to love because as I have always told you, she can cope with different types of people. She can sustain relationships throughout the years and have loyal friends behind her. For me, she is simply the most amazing person I have ever seen and I believe she has been blessed fully for all that she has done to our family and to her friends. She is the kind of person one will surely love, whoever they are.

=========================================
Lyrics Translation of the song
MAGING SINO KA MAN (Whoever You are)

Ang pag-ibig ay sadyang ganyan (Love is like that)
Tiwala sa isa't isa'y kailangan (Trust in one another is needed)
Dati mong pag-ibig wala akong pakialam (Your previous love, I don't care)
Basta't mahal kita kailan pa man (I just love you forevermore)
'Wag kang mag-isip ng ano pa man (Don't think of anything else)
Mga paliwanag mo'y di na kailangan (I don't need your explanation)
At kahit ano pa ang iyong nakaraan (And whatever your past is)
Mamahalin kita maging sino ka man (I will love you forvermore)

Mahal kita pagka't mahal kita (I love you because I love you)
Iniisip nila ay hindi mahalaga (What they think is not important)
Mahal kita maging sino ka man (I love you whoever you are)

Mali man ang ikaw ay ibigin ko (It may be wrong to love you)
Ako'y isang bulag na umiibig sa 'yo (I may be loving you blindly)
At kahit ano pa ang iyong nakaraan (And whatever your past is)
Mamahalin kita maging sino ka man (I will love you forvermore)

Mahal kita pagka't mahal kita (I love you because I love you)
Iniisip nila ay hindi mahalaga (What they think is not important)
Mahal kita maging sino ka man (I love you whoever you are)
======================================================

Sharon Cuneta - Maging Sino Ka Man - Sharon Cuneta

Change is permanent. I am a true believer of that Philosophy. I thought it was Parmenides who said "One cannot cross the same river twice" but searching it up on the "wiki" I knew I was wrong. I always confuse these Philosophers but what only matters to me is their view on change, that particular statement.

We are growing everyday, either physically, intellectually, emotionally, economically, name it. That's what I have always believed in. However, I came into a realiation while I was listening to this song going to sleep one night. Everyone changes, as if nothing have really changed. We laugh, we cry, we crave for food and all. It happened all the time, it happened before and it is still happening until now so what changed? Nothing is new, really.

Since I am a self-professed Philosopher, I am skeptic about the song. However, I am an avid Eheads fan (according to my standards) so I am caught in between. LOL! I am always caught in between you know. This is for the reason that there will always be two sides. I am going out of topic here.

I am just trying to share with you my thoughts about this song. Well, things change. That is the only permanent thing I know. I have changed a lot, my friends changed, my family have changed. My hair is now turning from black to gray, call it sign of aging! I'd say, there is already a change going on in this entry the mere translation of this song to English.

Most of the stories told in this blog were about the past --mostly from my past. I long wanted to go back there but I know I couldn't, noone could. This is a testament that life changes, things change, environment change, most especially the climate! Oh and look... Christmas is almost here. We have now greatly recovered from the great flood we experienced and we're somehow hopeful of a merrier Christmas celebration in the house!

Alright, I can't go back to my past but at least, I could stay near it by blogging about things, people and my favorite songs. I hope you would appreciate my own translation of the song "Walang Nagbago by Eraserheads". Please check below.


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LYRICS OF THE SONG WALANG NAGBAGO by Eraserheads with Translation
Nung ikaw ay bata pa (When you were still a kid)
Ang lahat ay masaya (Everything is happy)
Umiikot ang mundo at hindi humihinto (The world is turning, not stopping)
Ang lahat ng makita mo ay bago (All you see is new)

At ngayon may edad ka na (And now you're aged)
At lunod sa problema (And drowning with problems)
Nangangarap na ibalik ang kahapon (You dream of going back to yesterday)
Hindi malaman kung bakit (You don't know why)
Kailangang magbago ang lahat (Everything needs to change)
Magbago ang lahat sa buhay mo (Everything needs to change)

Umaaraw, umuulan (It shines, it rains)
Noon pa ma'y sadyang ganyan (It has been like that ever since)
At kung ngayon lahat ng panaginip mo'y biglang naglaho (And if now your dreams suddenly changed)
Pare-pareho lamang tayo, isipin mong walang nagbago (The same happens to everyone, just think nothing has changed)

Kung ano tayo noon ay ganon pa rin ngayon (What we were before is the same right now)
Umiikot ang mundo at hindi humihinto (The world is turning, not stopping)
Ngunit ang kalagayan mo ay hindi nagbabago (But your status does not change)
Hindi nagbabago, ohh..Hindi nagbabago... (It doesn't change... ohh... doesn't change)
Walang nagbago, Walang nagbago... (Nothing has changed, nothing has changed)

http://www.imeem.com/mcbdlm/music/TWsIhSOD/eraserheads-eheads-walang-nag-bago/">Eheads - Walang Nag Bago - EraserHeads

Another Celine Dion song in time for our All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day celebration in the Philippines. Why do we call it as such? What we usually do during these days? And Why this song?

You still remember the phenomenal movie "Titanic" with Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet? I bet my bottom dollar you do. Who wouldn't? These people, including Celine Dion became popular, at least to me, because of this movie. I watched this movie with a special someone; add an exclamation point and a question mark. (haha!) This was the song when "Rose" was looking at "Jack" from the stairs. Such a lovely scene!

Well anyway, we remember our dead on November 1, some do it on November 2 or a couple of days before or after, every year. It is a celebration because this is another Filipino tradition where family members separated by distance and time, get together, in remembrance of our dead loved ones. We see each other, dead or alive (hoooh, afraid!). I mean the living ones visit the dead, not the other way around, gehehe.

I once told you about my Angel and she is the person who is... "every night in my dreams, I see you, I feel you". Or at least she is the person I know I dream of that reminds me about life. Ironic, you might say, that a dead person reminds me about life.

What does a dead person know about life? huh? Wait I am confused. I mean, are you confused? (There I go again, confusing people. Excuse me but I am just playing with words, with your permission. But to continue with my sentence, the unconfused one, with a wink, read below!)

Sophie, my angel, is a constant reminder that in life, we cannot bring back the past. It is just so impossible. I wouldn't even ride a time machine, if ever they exist. We have to move on, which I don't think I am capable of doing at the moment. This is my main purpose for this blog, remember, to remind me of the songs that connect me to people, events and anything under the sun. I can only move on if I can blog about these things. Not necessarily for the sake of talking about music, songs and the artists but most importantly to let you know guys, how the special people in my life remain special despite and all through these years.

My heart goes on because of the people from my past and the people I am with right now. I am just reliving the past, which is my means of coping with my present and future, that is why I blog about them. I likewise forget about a lot of things and somehow, my brain had served me right when it comes to people I love and to events I cherish.

And for my angel... I miss you! While you are there, please pray for me too that I may be able to meet you there.

Lyrics of the song
My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
(from the movie Titanic)
Every night in my dreams
I see you. I feel you.
That is how I know you go on.

Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on.

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never go till we're one

Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

There is some love that will not
go away

You're here, there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion