He said he's willing to go anytime. Things are always the same; it became monotonous. The stories, the fight, the words, actions and almost everything were all routinary. He is giving up... This is a story of my friend who's relationship is on shaky grounds, so to speak.

After over five years of being lovers, the sound of the wedding bells is still soft, worst, the guy is giving up. I don't know because it feels like I am surrounded with broken-hearted people or persons with relationship problems. Sometimes, I wonder, is it me? Ahh, silly! I'm trying to laugh in the midst of these serious problems surrounding my friends and coleagues.

I sympathize with my friend but how can I be of much help? I sang to them this song in one ocassion and miraculously, they are still together up until now and just like any other couples out there, they still have petty fights. I tell them that's normal. Would you believe they like this song? Of course, other than it's a Celine Dion kind of song, I sang this for them. I really hope it helped.

For all of you Celine Dion lovers out there, here goes the song. To you MMs, I love you dearest! "Don't give up on your faith... love comes to those who believe!"

****
I can read your mind and I know your story
I see what you're going through
It's an uphill climb, and I'm feeling sorry
But I know it will come to you

Don't surrender 'cause you can win
In this thing called love

When you want it the most there's no easy way out
When you're ready to go and your heart's left in doubt
Don't give up on your faith
Love comes to those who believe it
And that's the way it is

When you question me for a simple answer
I don't know what to say, no
But it's plain to see, if you stick together
You're gonna find a way, yeah

So don't surrender 'cause you can win
In this thing called love

When you want it the most there's no easy way out
When you're ready to go and your heart's left in doubt
Don't give up on your faith
Love comes to those who believe it
And that's the way it is

When life is empty with no tomorrow
And loneliness starts to call
Baby, don't worry, forget your sorrow
'Cause love's gonna conquer it all, all

When you want it the most there's no easy way out
When you're ready to go and your heart's left in doubt
Don't give up on your faith
Love comes to those who believe it
And that's the way it is

Thats The Way It Is - Celine Dion

Day after day of blogging, it seems that the songs written in here are Tagalog, just like this one. I want to blog about my own song diaries in tagalog because I have lots of them. Sometimes, I just brush them off for a while because it's getting too difficult translating them.

Anyway, I will try to translate these songs for everyone's sake. I also love translating just to make other people appreciate our language as well as the thoughts of our local artists in writing their songs.

I am blogging about this song because it reminds me of my UP days, the University that taught me to appreciate my native language; and, the artist or the band whom I admire so much, even until now.

I would like to translate them first:
Hika ang inabot ko (I got asthma)
nang piliting hanggang kanto (when I tried to walk with you up to the corner)
ng isipan mong parang sweepstakes (when you realized it was like sweepstakes)
ang hirap manalo (its too difficult to win)

ngayon, pagdating ko sa bahay (Now when I arrive in the house)
ibaba ang iyong kilay (don't raise your eyebrows)
ayoko ng ingay (I don't like any noise)

huwag mo nang itanong sa akin (Do not ask me)
di ko rin naman sasabihin (I won't say anyway)
huwag mo nang itanong sa akin (Do not ask me)
at di ko na iisipin (And I won't think about it)

field trip sa may pagawaan ng lapis (field trip at the pencil factory)
ay katulad ng buhay natin (is like our life)
'sang mahabang pila mabagal at walang katuturan(one long line, slow, pointless)

ewan ko (I'm not sure)
hindi ko alam (I won't know)
pwede ba'ng 'wag na lang nating pag-usapan (Can we please not talk about it?)

huwag mo nang itanong sa akin ...

Huwag Mo Nang Itanong - Eraserheads

I hope you enjoyed the song. This reminds me of my "sister" Tin. She passed away few years ago. We joined this school organization in the University at the same time and since there are three of us in that batch, we became real buddies. We were made to sing this, because she also had a very nice singing voice. She used to be a choir member back in high school.

I always remember how she was forced to sing this song by our "superiors" (we call the leaders of the organization superiors equivalent to your masters in the fraternity) that night when we had our "finals", the night we are going to take our oath as a fully-pledged member of the organization.

That time was one of my acheivements in life that I won't forget, as often as I have instilled "Tin" in my head. I miss you girl! As the song goes, I won't ask anymore... although sometimes, I wish you would let me know. I remain sis!

Long live Anak-UP!!!

This was a background music of McDonald's old TV commercial. It was sung by a Pilipino artist I admire, together with the rest of the artists who use their music in declaring love for the nation. I find Noel Cabangon as a nationalist artist. He was the composer of the song Tatsulok, popularized by another Pilipino artist Bamboo.

I tried to translate this song in English, in the nearest possible translation I can think of. It was a challenge to translate the word "panahon" because in tagalog (or Filipino dialect) the word either means "time" or "weather". I found the former to be most fitting translation for the song.

I was still living in Quezon city when I first saw this artist. I came to appraciate him more when our parish, Sacred Heart of Jesus, was able to invite Noel during a show or concert of all the church choirs. Two of my closests friends worked with the parish and that is where we go to during Sundays in Kamuning. My friend and I watched the concert, staged inside the church. The presentation was great!

Noel Cabangon sang this song live accompanied by his own guitar. It was really marvelous. There I learned that prior to being a popular singer, he used to be a parishoner of that church and he spent most of his childhood days in Kamuning area. Perhaps, he was even referring to Kamuning, as his "cradle" when he sang this song.
I am not really sure but one thing is guaranteed: he is a good artist and it's too hard not to admire him.
>>>>>> end <<<<<<

LYRICS OF KANLUNGAN
Pana-panahon ang pagkakataon (Time is chance)
Maibabalik ba ang kahapon? (Can we bring back yesterday?)

Natatandaan mo pa ba (Do you still remember?)
Nang tayong dal'wa ang unang nagkita? (When we last saw each other)
Panahon ng kamusmusan (Age of childhood and innocence)
Sa piling ng mga bulaklak at halaman (In the company of flowers and plants)
Doon tayong nagsimulang mangarap at tumula (There we started to dream and create poems)

Natatandaan mo pa ba (Do you still remember?)
Inukit kong puso sa punong mangga (The heart that I etched in mango tree)
At ang inalay kong gumamela (And the flower I gave)
Magkahawak-kamay sa dalampasigan (Holding hands at the sea shore)
Malayang tulad ng mga ibon (free as a bird)
Ang gunita ng ating kahapon (the memories of yesterday)

Ang mga puno't halaman ay kabiyak ng ating gunita (The trees and plants are the spouse of our memories)
Sa paglipas ng panahon (In the passing of time)
Bakit kailangan ding lumisan? (Why do we also have to leave?)

Pana-panahon ang pagkakataon (Time is like chance)
Maibabalik ba ang kahapon? (Can we bring back yesterday?)

Ngayon ikaw ay nagbalik (Now you've returned)
At tulad ko rin ang iyong pananabik (And my eagerness is like yours)
Makita ang dating kanlungan (To see the old cradle/place)
Tahanan ng ating tula at pangarap (The home of our poems and aspirations)
Ngayon ay naglaho na (Now it disappeared)
Saan hahanapin pa? (Where shall we find it?)

Lumilipas ang panahon
Kabiyak ng ating gunita
Ang mga puno't halaman
Bakit kailangang lumisan?

Pana-panahon ang pagkakataon
Maibabalik ba ang kahapon?

Kanlungan - Noel Cabangon

There is a tremendous call for unity at least in prayers for the wellness of the Philippine's "champion of democracy" and symbol of "people power", the former President Corazon C. Aquino. The story of her battle against cancer has always been in the front page of news papers and news online especially in our country.

I am blogging about this song because during Marcos era or right before the "dictator" was ousted through the people power, yellow has been the color of the country. This is the symbol of the First Lady President of the Philippines. Incidentally, yellow is my favorite color, that's the reason why I also love this song.

I am saddened that the former President has to suffer from the big C... but on the other hand, I am thinking that somehow, in her pain or in her loneliness, she is anticipating for her reunion with his deceased husband Ninoy Aquino, a former Philippine Senator who was assassinated as soon as he came back from exhile. I see this couple as a symbol of humility who knew how to use the power in their hands not to amass wealth or to abuse their power unlike the politicians of the present time.

To our beloved former President, hang on there. Rest assured that you will always be remembered as the champion of our democracy, the lady President who rose to power because of the people's love for democracy and for you, not because you cheated. You were cheated on but the people backed you up. That is your legacy... your legitimacy! As a self-professed feminist, I honor you and admire you for that. I was barely 10 years old when I was confronted with the wrath of martial law and the subsequent events that placed you in power and the other obstacles to your presidency.

Now there is another battle in your life and we are one with you in prayers. I honor this President and may God be with you and God bless the Philippines.

I'm comin' home, I've done my time
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me
If you still want me

CHORUS

Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been three long years
Do ya still want me? (still want me)
If I don't see a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree

Bus driver, please look for me
'cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I'm really still in prison
And my love, she holds the key
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
I wrote and told her please

(CHORUS)

Now the whole damned bus is cheerin'
And I can't believe I see
A hundred yellow ribbons 'round the ole oak tree

I'm comin' home, mmm, mmm

Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree - Tony Orlando and Dawn

Have you seen at least an episode of Ally McBeal or at least you have heard of her? Well, I have in my possession a DVD collection of that series. First, I'd like to say I like Ally because she is thin. My goodness, I have been longing to be as thin as her. That is quite an obstacle for me so, I set it aside. Secondly, Ally is so pretty, I have always appreciated her beauty (except that she is so thin, I thought I was watching a kiddy show. I wasn't.) Next, she portrayed to be a lawyer, a profession I have always wanted. (hopefully in 2 years time, I'll be one.)

Next, the show was so "emotionally-charged" because Ally was so emotional. She always seemed to bo in love most of the time. But of course, my all time favorite is her love story with Billy.

All right! Do you know that before the start of the episode itself, this song is being played? "I've been down this road, walking the line, displaying my pride..." Ahhh.... that was just so perfect. How long have I wished I could walk with such a pride?

This is the reason why I pursued my law school. I was just hoping I'd get the title and when I die, I'll have that "ATTY" before my name, on the marble, on top of my grave. What an accomplishment, isn't it? haha. But, honestly, that was just my goal. Nevertheless, if I am to live a longer life, I would see to it that I'd spend it serving the least of the people around me. This is just too much to ask, or to request for as of the moment.

While I try to make that wish come true, I would like to at least focus myself on Ally McBeal. A lawyer I admire, albeit the character is fictitious. Here is the song for the hour:

Searchin My Soul (Album Version) - Vonda Shepard

I've been down this road walkin' the line
That's painted by pride
And I have made mistakes in my life
That I just can't hide

Oh I believe I am ready for what love has to bring
Got myself together, now I'm ready to sing

I've been searchin' my soul tonight
I know there's so much more to life
Now I know I can shine a light
To find my way back home

One by one, the chains around me unwind
Every day now I feel that I can leave those years behind

Oh I've been thinking of you for a long time
There's a side of my life where I've been blind and so...

I've been searchin' my soul tonight
I know there's so much more to life
Now I know I can shine a light
Everything gonna be alright
I've been searchin' my soul tonight
Don't wanna be alone in life
Now I know I can shine a light
To find my way back home
Baby I been holding back now my whole life
I've decided to move on now
Gonna leave all my worries behind

Oh I belive I am ready for what love has to give
Got myself together now I'm ready to live

I've been searchin' my soul tonight
I know there's so much more to life
Now I know I can shine a light
Everything gonna be alright
I've been searchin' my soul tonight
Don't wanna be alone in my life
Now I know I can shine a light
To find my way back home

I heard this song this morning when I woke up. It is now almost late in the afternoon yet the song keeps ringing in my head. I remember one time, Aldrin, my nephew, and I were browsing through the internet. I left this song playing for him, because I know about this song for ages already. Then I realized, he just kept on playing it for I think more than five times.

I got curious and the reason behind is that there is a girl in her life she cannot forget. My nephew is crazily in love with this girl but apparently, there is another man in her life. Agghhhh! Poor guy. He understands the situation though and he seems to enjoy his life despite that. He is a sign of a true gentleman, noble as well.

For me though, I do not understand why the song keeps playing in my head. All I can say is that this is good and despite the years have passed, I still know some of its lyrics. This is me, I could memorize a line or two even the entire lyrics of the song if I like the song.

Got to go for now, I still have to cook spaghetti for our school's Acquaintance Party at the beach! Wow!!!

Here goes the lyrics:
There I was, waiting for a chance
Hoping that you'll understand
The things I wanna say

As my love went stronger than before
I wanna see you more and more
But you closed your door

Why don't you try to open up your heart
I won't take so much of your time

Chorus:
Maybe, it's wrong to say please love me too
'Cause I know you'll never do
Somebody else is waiting there inside for you
Maybe it's wrong to love you more each day
'Cause I know he's here to stay
But I know to whom you should belong

I believed what you said to me
We should set each other free
That's how you want it to be

But my love went stronger than before
I wanna see you more and more
But you closed your door
Why don't you try to open up your heart
I won't take so much of your time

I remember my former boss when one time we got a chance to chat. It was just a very short conversation but it was so full of emotions. He is almost at his retireable age but we talked about his childhood experience with his nanny. He was left with this nanny or "yaya" while his parents are at work. He said, there he was molested. He was traumatized at the very early age of 7 or 8.

I happen to know someone who was a victim of the same fate. She was still very young when it happened to her -she has not even reached the age of 4. She was just surrounded by so much illegal activities: drugs, gambling, alcohol. That was the environment she grew up with. I paid close attention to her story because as a woman myself, I also have nieces who are at the same vulnerable age and might end up on the same plight. This is just too much to bear but I admired her strength.

Instead of hating her parents for raising her up in a well-groomed environment, she protects them. She wouldn't even tell them about this bad event in her life. I would say, her parents would have been her source of strength but she kept the incident from them. I was told to keep this a secret... alright, I'll stop writing now. I just want to express my thoughts on the topic.

By the way, my niece, Ke lin sung loves this song, although I don't think she understands its meaning. I just hope she likes the song for the music, not as a statement towards her parents.

Here is the lyrics:
I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did
You fell so hard
I learned the hard way, to never let it get that far

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die
I heard you cry
Every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry
In the middle of the night
Over the same damn thing

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I tried my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid

Because of you

Because of you by Kelly Clarkson - Kelly Clarkson

I just came out of the shower room. Out of the blue, this song kept playing on my mind and so I sang along. It says "Are you gonnna stay with the one who loves you or are you going back to the one you love?"

Quite a tough question. I would have entertained it if there is anyone I love at the moment. What I did rather, was to caress my skin with the soap, while singing this song... at least I entertained it. What if I was confronted with such a question, which actually I was, while showering, haha! The facts are not clear, they are incomplete. Nonetheless, I'd presume the question was posited in a way that with the one you love, you are happy but with the one who loves you, you are not happy. Would you rather chose what makes you happy or what makes you satisfied?

Ahhh.... life is short, why not chose the one that gives you happiness? Why bother with all the boundaries, with all the legalities and the rules when they don't make you happy? Well, just a thought. But, always bear in mind that there is an ending to everything. Are you willing or capable of handling such ending? Just a warning!

Here goes the song:

I know you need a friend, someone you can talk to
Who will understand what you're going through
When it comes to love, there's no easy answer
Only you can say what you're gonna do
I heard you on the phone, you took his number
Said you weren't alone, but you'd call him soon
Isn't he the guy, the guy who left you cryin'?
Isn't he the one who made you blue?
When you remember those nights in his arms
You know you gotta make up your mind

Are you gonna stay with the one who loves you
Or are you goin' back to the one you love?
Someone's gonna cry when they know they've lost you
Someone's gonna thank the stars above

What you gonna say when he comes over?
There's no easy way to see this through
All the broken dreams, all the disappointment
Oh girl, what you gonna do?
Your heart keeps sayin' it's just not fair
But still you gotta make up your mind

Are you gonna stay with the one who loves you
Or are you goin' back to the one you love?
Someone's gonna cry when they know they've lost you
Someone's gonna thank the stars above

01 - The one you love - Glenn Frey

I'd say this is a very long and lonely song. I thought I couldn't translate this but I did my best shot. I am blogging about this because this is one of my sister's favorites (according to her). This song was pre-installed on her PC when she first bought it. I bet it was a give away.

In all honesty, I haven't heard or known about this song if not because of my sister because I seldom listen to FM or AM stations, not to mention TVs, except TV series or news if I got time. (What a boring life I am living, really?) Other than the song, of course, my sister is my drinking buddy however she is a beer person, while I am a hard-person, i.e. hard drinks. I just thought I gain more calories with beer, that's all.

Still, I love beer because, it is more handy and you can buy it anywhere here (try the sari-sari store).

In MP3 format, this song takes about 6 minutes or over of play time. I hope I was able to capture and translate the lyrics below. So why am I talking about this song right now? It is a good match to a recipe I cooked this afternoon: tokwa't baboy... I am speaking for myself and I'd say it is a match, not necessarily for a beer but anything that has alcohol in it. This is the song that I can currently refer to a drinking session so I am blogging about it now. Huh, do I really need to explain that? I just did. ;-)

Anyway, it is beer and tokwa't baboy so they go together. (If you wanna know the ingredients for that food, let me know. You know where to email me.)

Here is the lyrics and my translation:
Nais kong magpakalasing dahil wala ka na (I wanna get drunk because you're gone)
Nakatingin sa salamin at nag-iisa (looking at the mirror, and alone)

Nakatanim pa rin ang gumamelang binalik mo sa`kin nang tayo`y maghiwalay (the flower you gave back to me is still planted)
Ito`y katulad Ng damdamin ko kahit buhusan mo ng beer ayaw pang mamatay (it's like my feelings for you, it won't die even if I pour beer into it)

[pre-chorus]
Giliw, wag mo sanang limutin (my dear, don't ever forget)
Ang mga araw na hindi sana naglaho (the days that should have not disappeared)
Mga anak at bahay nating pinaplano (the kids and house we were planning)
Lahat ng ito`y nawala Nung iniwan mo ‘ko (all these vanished when you left me)
kaya ngayon (that's why, now...)

Nais kong magpakasabog (I wanna explode)
Dahil olats ako (because I'm a loser)
Kahit ano hihithitin (I wanna puff anything)
Kahit tambutso (including the muffler)
Kukuha ako ng Beer at ipapakulo (I will get a beer and boil it)
Sa kaldero’t lalanghapin Ang usok nito (in a kettle and inhale its smoke)
Lahat ay aking gagawin (I will do everything)
Upang hindi ko na isiping nag-iisa na ako (so I won't remember that I am alone)

Beer - Itchy Worms

This is the first Stylistic song that I am blogging about and my story about this song is "myfriend". I have a very special friend. He is special because eversince I set foot into my first office, my first step in a government office, he was there to assist me. I confided to him about a lot of things. In turn, he gives me pure wisdom, far better than any wisdom I could pick from all the books.

I'd say that to an extent because he goes beyond my queries but made his answers straight to the point, plus practical suggestions. He is a computer geek you know. A genius for me but when I asked him about life, the office, the kind of people we work with, the present trend... he knows them all. That is why I really look up to him and until now.

What made this song remind me of him? He introduced me to the Stylistics and I never thought they sang this one. He even gave me a list of stylistics songs, I listened to the songs and holla! Most of their songs sounds familiar to me.

I am no longer in the government office. In fact, I am no longer working and have left Manila. But myfriend and I still get in touch. We still have updates with each other. I was saddened when I heard his wife passed away just recently. He is now left with their 2 children but he's happy to tell me that his eldest is now self-sufficient and has grown to be like his dad - a techy person!

For you myfriend!

This is the lyrics of the song:
There's a spark of magic in your eyes
Candyland appears each time you smile
Never thought that fairy tales came true
But they come true when I'm near you
You're a genie in disguise
Full of wonder and surprise

And betcha by golly, wow
You're the one that I've been waiting for forever
And ever will my love for you keep growin' strong
Keep growin' strong

If I could I'd catch a falling star
To shine on you so I'll know where you are
Order rainbows in your favorite shade
To show I love you, thinking of you
Write your name across the sky
Anything you ask I'll try, `cause

Betcha by golly, wow
You're the one that I've been waiting for forever
And ever will my love for you keep growin' strong
Keep growin' strong

Betcha by golly, wow
You're the one that I've been waiting for forever
And ever will my love for you keep growin' strong
Keep growin' strong

Betcha by golly, wow
You're the one that I've been waiting for forever
And ever will my love for you

Betcha by golly wow - Stylistics

She was one of our silent classmates but we lived on the same road so we seldom go together after our school. We often had serious conversations about our subjects, teachers and classmates. Cris was a niece of a well-known lawyer in our community but her family was not as wealthy as her uncle. She was just blessed to be sent to a private high school despite financial difficulty of her family, albeit like mine.

One time, she handed me a bookmark and guess what was on that bookmark? The lyrics of this song. I only came to know about the full lyrics of this song when she gave me that bookmark. Then I appreciated the song even more, as well as this friend.

This is really a good song and when this was revived and a movie entitle "Jologs" hit the big screen with this as the theme song, it was a box office hit! I watched that movie and I didn't regret it. As the days go by, I can still remember that incident, almost 15 years ago, when my friend Cris gave me a bookmark.

Lyrics of the song:
What is life to offer me when I grow old
What's there to look forward to beyond the biting cold
They say it's difficult, yes, stereotypical

What's there beyond sleep, eat, work in this cruel life
Ain't there nothin' else 'round here but humans strife
'Cause they say it's difficult, yes, stereotypical
Gotta be conventional, you can't be so radical

So I sing this song to all of my age
For these are the questions we've got to face
For in this cycle that we called life
We are the ones who are next in line
We are next in line

What is life to offer me when I grow old
What's that to look forward to beyond the biting cold
'Cause they say it's difficult, yes, stereotypical
Gotta be conventional, you can't be so radical

So I sing this song to all of my age
For these are the questions we've got to face
For in this cycle that we called life
We are the ones who are next in line
We are next in line
Hoh oh, we are next in line

BRIDGE
And we gotta work, we gotta feel (we gotta feel)
Let's open our eyes and do whatever it takes
And we gotta work, we gotta feel (we gotta feel)
Let's open our eyes, hoh woh

After Image - Next In Line.mp3 - after image