One of the most influential persons during my college life was "Diday". I had a lot to learn from her -about life, society, freedom, politics and yes, even an activist life. It is part and parcel of a student going to an "activist" university to learn these things. We do not really learn those from our teachers but from the people and group we chose to belong to.

She was the kindest but toughest of all. She was almost a mother to me except that I was older than her and I had to be tough. However, my weakness was being imbibed to her toughness. A time went by that I had no one else in my mind but her. When the moment of truth arrived, I remember I just had to say this song because she was just too tough for me -tough enough that I'd never seen my existence. I was obliterated when I thought I could establish my existence. I failed. It also hit her and terribly pained her to the point of almost destroying her self. I saw her cry but she was too strong to admit she was hurt. As I've said, she's strong!

LYRICS OF I LOVE YOU, GOODBYE
Wish I could be the one
The one who could give you love
The kind of love you really need
Wish I could say to you
That I'll always stay with you
But baby that's not me

You need someone willing to give their heart and soul to you
Promise you forever, baby that's something I can't do
Oh I could say that I'll be all you need
But that would be a lie
I know I'd only hurt you, I know I'd only make you cry
I'm not the one you're needing... I love you, goodbye

I hope someday you can find some way to understand
I'm only doing this for you
I don't really wanna go but deep in my heart I know
This is the kindest thing to do
You'll need someone who'll be the one that I could never be
Who'll give you something better than the love you'll find with me
Oh I could say that I'll be all you need but that would be a crime
I know I'd only hurt you, I know I'd only make you cry
I'm not the one you're needing... I love you, goodbye

Leaving someone when you love someone
Is the hardest thing to do
When you love someone as much as I love you

Oh I don't wanna leave you, baby it tears me up inside
But I'll never be the one you're needing... I love you, goodbye

Baby, it's never ganna work out... I love you, goodbye

I Love You Goodbye - Celine Dion

===Somebody I still would want to see her... wish we're still close, but too hasty to say===

I remember this song and the person who told me how terrible it was when she heard this on the radio. She was my closest friend in college. In fact, she shared her secrets with me. One day, I didn't tell her where I was going nor my activities for the comings days. She came looking for me but I wasn't around. That was the time I was with my group doing some research, trying to come up with a statement and with a policy for an important cause. It was a feminist movement of which she did not agree with. That was the main reason why I didn't inform her about it.

She couldn't find me for three days and she panicked because of a school problem she thought I could help her with. Then when I finally returned, she told me her story about this song.

It was the first time I really felt needed by somebody... unfortunately, I wasn't there... when she needed me most. Looking at our lives, isn't it real that we realize the value of a person when they had gone? Well, I just thought it's true and it's related to this song. We don't feel the need of that person when we know they are just around the corner -they are always within reach. Well, all I can say is: it takes a lot of strength to stay where we really are and to remain there just in time when somebody finally needs us. I used to tell that to myself and to my friends, "Just hang in there!"

Just When I Needed You Most - Randy Vanwarmer

JUST WHEN I NEEDED YOU MOST LYRICS
You packed in the morning I
Stared out the window and I
Struggled for something to say
You left in the rain without closing the door
I didn't stand in your way

But I miss you more than I
Missed you before and now
Where I'll find comfort, God knows
'Cause you left me
Just when I needed you most
(Left me, just when I needed you most)

Now most every morning I
Stare out the window and I
Think about where you might be
I've written you letters that I'd like to send
If you would just send one to me

'Cause I need you more than I
Needed before and now
Where I'll find comfort, God knows
'Cause you left me
Just when I needed you most
(Left me, just when I needed you most)

You packed in the morning I
Stared out the window and I
Struggled for something to say
You left in the rain without closing the door
I didn't stand in your way

Now I love you more than I
Loved you before and now
Where I'll find comfort, God knows
'Cause you left me
Just when I needed you most
Oh, yeah
You left me just when I needed you most

I love the husky voice of Michael Bolton, and once again he proved his soulful singing power with this song.

Last March 30, 2009, I was invited as a Guest of Honor and Speaker to the Graduation Ceremony of my alma mater Embarcadero Elementary School. The subject song was the theme of the 2009 graduates. This was also a memorable event because one of the graduates is my cousin Jason.

I am posting here just a portion of my 3-page speech:
(lights... camera... speak!)"I remember 20 years ago, I was also sitting there, right at this ground. I knew I was happy and it never occurred to me that other people were happier than me –they were my parents. I made it through that first stage of my life and that made them very proud. That day would be one of the happiest moments in my parents’ life. There was a sigh of relief on their part because I graduated from elementary. They are relieved because at my tender and vulnerable age, I survived this stage. They took the risk of letting us go our own way, our own strategy, our own choice!"

Whether we like it or not, we have to go to school. We go to school to learn. That is very, very true! But the fact is: the school is just a fraction of the venues where we could learn -about the world, the universe and anything beyond it. Now the big question is: Is it enough to learn?

Let me share with you the things I’ve learned in school.

In Mathematics: I learned that 1 + 1 = 2, 1 x 10 = 10, 10 x 10 = 100. So one garbage, added to another garbage is equivalent to 2, multiply by 100 becomes 100 garbage!

In Science: I learned that when the rain pours hard, the water will go to the drainage. But the drainage is obstructed because of the garbage we neglect.

In History: I learned that children used to swim in a river because the water is so clear. Nowadays, who would dare swim on the river that has become our garbage bin?

The point I am driving at is this: If we claim to be learned and educated people, then act like one!" (and... cut!)

The speech was too long... and of course this was just a speech but there was a fervent hope that at least half of the audience that day realized my point.

LYRICS OF THE SONG:
I have often dreamed, of a far off place
Where a heros welcome, would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer, when they see my face
And a voice keeps saying, this is where Im meant to be

Ill be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way, if I can be strong
I know evry mile, will be worth my while
When I go the distance, Ill be right where I belong

Down an unknown road, to embrace my fate
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you
And a thousand years, would be worth the wait
It might take a lifetime, but somehow Ill see it through

And I wont look back, I can go the distance
And Ill stay on track, no, I wont accept defeat
Its an uphill slope, but I wont lose hope
Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete

But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a heros strength is measured by his heart
Like a shooting star, I will go the distance
I will search the world, I will face its harms

I dont care how far, I can go the distance
Till I find my heros welcome, waiting in your arms
I will search the world, I will face its harms
Till I find my heros welcome, waiting in your arms

Go the Distance - Michael Bolton

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better days- diane reeves.mp3 -

Here goes my story:

As I recall... this song was very popular when I was still in high school or in my junior years. My brother loved this song so much maybe because of the lyrics but I loved it because Diane Reeve showed off her very powerful voice.

So my friends went to a bar in Quezon City (Virgin Cafe, Timog Ave, QC, sometime in 2005). We occupied two tables not knowing, a singer, a local talent I also admired because of her powerful voice, was seated to a table in front of us. She was Ella May Saison, the talent behind "Till my heartache ends".

Picture this: an artist you love for her song and a song you love to hear all in one! This is one of my most enterntaining days!

I always come across local talents but I do not recognize them until someone tells me they are popular people and I will just say "Ahhh!, alright!" But when it was Ella May Saison, my goodnesss, there was no second thoughts! The moment I realized she was seated beside us, I had nothing but praises for her song and admiration for her powerful voice. (I will have another entry for her song later)

It was Ella May, singing another favorite song of mine at a simple bar! (I meant simple because they did not actually advertise that there would be a professional singer that night) It was like a free meal for me. So when "Better Days" is played, I remember my brother, I remember Ella May, I remember that entertaining moment of my life.

Better Days Lyrics

Lyrics | Dianne Reeves lyrics - Better Days lyrics

This is the first Abba song I heard with Spanish lyrics on it. It caught my attention becuase of the word "manana" which reminded me of a negative Filipino habit.

Alright, you guessed it, I heard this song from my mom - the professional and number one singer in our family ;-) in addition, she also could speak the language.

So what is that negative habit all about? It is called "maniana habit" meaning putting for tomorrow what you can do for today. No offense meant but this is really happening in my country, well at least around 10 years ago, this was very rampant. I think technology have changed that a bit.

When I was still a student, I do not finish my projects on time. I always find myserlf saying, I can do that tomorrow or I still have plenty of time for that. Until I actually run out of time already. In a week, if an exam is scheduled for Friday, I'd tell myself I'll review tomorrow, of Wednesday or Thursday until crunch time. Well, from those experiences, I realized things would have turn much better had I prepared for it earlier. Because of that, I see to it that when I set deadlines, I beat it! I stopped telling myself "manana" or "mamaya na" (translation: later)

That's it. That is my simple story about this song. I continue to hope this negative Filipino habit would really die down and rest 6 feet below the ground. Let's move on.

This is the lyrics: (my apologies for I cannot search for the music)

"Hasta Manana"

Where is the spring and the summer
That once was yours and mine?
Where did it go?
I just don't know
But still my love for you will live forever

Hasta Manana 'til we meet again
Don't know where, don't know when
Darling, our love was much too strong to die
We'll find a way to face a new tomorrow
Hasta Manana, say we'll meet again
I can't do without you
Time to forget, send me a letter
Say you forgive, the sooner the better
Hasta Manana, baby, Hasta Manana, until then

Where is the dream we were dreaming
And all the nights we shared
Where did they go?
I just don't know
And I can't tell you just how much I miss you
Hasta Manana 'til we meet again
Don't know where, don't know when
Darling, our love was much too strong to die
We'll find a way to face a new tomorrow
Hasta Manana, say we'll meet again
I can't do without you
Time to forget, send me a letter
Say you forgive, the sooner the better
Hasta Manana, baby, Hasta Manana, until then

Hasta Manana, say we'll meet again
I can't do without you
Time to forget, send me a letter
Say you forgive, the sooner the better
Hasta Manana, baby, Hasta Manana, until then

This would be the most favorite Abba song for me, my mom and my sister - all the ladies in my family. We love this song primarily because the beat is fast and the tone so high... it's like vein-breaking note is placed all over the song.

I remember we were in my cousin's house (in Tandang Sora, which is in Quezon City). We had this mic which has installed videoke songs on it. It was my mom's favorite gadget. So we were singing with our neighbors and my mom, as friendly as she is, easily got the attention of our equally friendly neighbors while singing this song. It was also a mom-and-daughter-tandem - we shared the song. But all the praises were for my mom (I was second best, I know). When that party was over, the neighbors couldn't forget that note when my mom sung "Diggin' the dancing queen", with full force, with the right pause and perfect note!

That was just one of my stories with this song and my mom! Bravo to my mom!

Here goes the lyrics!

You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh see that girl, watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen

Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for a place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king

Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat
From the tambourine, oh yeah

You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh see that girl, watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen

You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat
From the tambourine, oh yeah

You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh see that girl, watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen
Dig in the dancing queen

and the music:

dancing queen - abba