I will be writing about Piolo Pascual. My closest friends wouldn't believe I will be blogging about Piolo Pascual. I don't subscribe to soap opera on TVs that's why. But don't get me wrong... I just seldom glue my eyes on TV sets, that's another reason why. But I like Piolo Pascual. Who wouldn't, by the way?

He is this local heartthrob and he is really good looking in person. Me and my friends were fortunate to have a glimpse of him within the grounds of ABS-CBN a few years ago. We were only having coffee then we saw them coming out of the giant TV network's studio gate. He is friendly too.

Anyway, my classmate, who is going to get married this year, was playing this music in her car. She said this is a Piolo Pascual song and although there was nothing really special about his voice, except that he could really sing and there's nothing bad I can say about it, the lyrics of the song struck me the most and this is the reason why I took the liberty of translating it the way I understood it so please bear with me. Here it goes:

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Nagmamahal ng Tunay (Loving you truly)

Simula noong makasama ka (Since we were together/Since I had your company)
Nagbago na'ng lahat (Everything has changed)
Sa buhay kong kay gulo (In my life which is in chaos)
Itinama mong lahat (You corrected/straighten everything)
Mga mali sa buhay ko (The wrong things in my life)
Salamat at ika'y nakilala ko (Thanks that I have known you)

Chorus
Pagkat kailangan ko (Because I need)
Ang 'sang katulad mo (Someone like you)
Na nagmamahal sa akin ng tunay (Who will truly love me)
Pintig ng puso ko (The beat of my heart)
Ay dahil lang sa 'yo (Is because of you)
Kung sa 'yo'y mawawalay (If I'll be taken away from you/If we will separate)
Kulang ang aking buhay (My life will be incomplete)

Nang inibig mo (When you loved me)
Nagbago ang aking mundo (My world changed)
'Yan ang hiwaga ng (That is the mystery)
Pagmamahal mong taglay (That your love brought to me)
Ang tangi kung dasal (My only prayer)
Pag-ibig ay magtatagal (Love will last)
Iingatan natin sa habang buhay (We will cherish/take care of it all our lives)

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

It is indeed a love song an as my classmate commented, "this is beautiful" so I couldn't help but agree. I was just thinking about the greatest love that this world has ever known... or maybe the greatest love that this world has ever taught me. The love of God to his people by sending His only son to redeem his people.

All I can think of was God and his love for his people. The story of his love life. I said to myself, this song depicts God-like kind of love and let me reiterate that a love which does not expect something in return is laudible. I have been longing to love like that but I guess I'm still mies away from that. Oooops, I am not trying to be God or at least to be a saint all right. I just thought I could do the same. The question of how and when can I do that remains a question up until now... you may have the answer, please share it with me.

"I can love you only up until there, but I will love you up to i-don't-know-when"

Say that again? Never mind, just go back to the song and read the lyrics. Enjoy!

In 2009, I was able to post at least eight (8) Eraserheads songs here. Seven of them were translated in English, the other one was Poorman's Grave. This year, I will make it a point to feature one OPM artist or group per month. I will try to do it on a regular basis so that their songs will be translated as well. Let this be my simplest way of giving tribute to our artist. The best way to start this little contribution to the industry is to feature the band that was practically my life's theme. If movies have theme songs, this is my theme song simply because, of all the music and songs I grew up with, Eheads had been in my system: when I sleep, when I wake up, when I drive the car, while I am reading, etc. There is always Eraserheads in my head!

So much about me. This is the song about Hey Jay. I really don't know who is Jay in this song but all I can say each time I hear this song, it refers to a gay person. Part of the lyrics said "hey Jay, be happy and be gay" so I thought they refer to a person belonging to the 3rd sex. (Please pardon my wording. I know third sex is not an acceptable term, neither is it politically correct but that is largely known as a reference to Homosexuals. Oh my, homosexuals is not even a correct term because it connotes sickness, a psychological one.) All right, so I will just settle on the word gay, referring to both male and female gays. I hope that is fine with you my dear readers. I know there are still questions on the word gay (some would say this only refers to the male gays). Hah! I think I will not be able to go straight to my blog about this song because of those confusing terminologies. I guess, I'll just have to translate the song and try to see or analyze, in each phrase that I will translate, if indeed the song is referring to gay people. Try to ask yourself if indeed, the lyrics talk about the experiences of someone who is gay. If anyone of you might ask, or have asked what is the meaning behind the song Hey Jay by Eraserheads, this is what I have to offer:

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Hey Jay by Eraserheads

Hey jay nabugbog ka na naman kahapon (Hey Jay, I heard you were into fight yesterday)

Hey jay ba’t kasi pumunta ka pa sa lugar na ‘yon? (Hey Jay, why did you have to go to that place?)

Alam mo namang galit sila sa tulad mo (You know that they hate people like you)

Alam mo namang di ka nila maiintindihan (You know that they do not understand you)

Hey just look to the left and just look to the right ()

Makikita mo naman na hindi pantay-pantay (You will see that it's not fair)

Now he-he-he-hey jay

Everything’s gonna be okay

Everything’s gonna be okay

Hey jay nagaway na naman kayo ng tatay mo (Hey Jay, you had a fight with your dad again)

Hey jay wala raw siyang anak na katulad mo (He said he does not have a child like your)

Alam niya namang wala kang kasalanan (He knows it is not your fault) Alam niya na ipinanganak ka ng ganyan (He knows you were born that way)

Jay you can get it all up Jay you can get it all down

Ipagdasal na lang natin na balang araw ay (Let's just pray that someday...)

He-he-he jay(2x)

He-he-he jay Everything’s gonna be okay

Everything must be okay

Bakit ba sila ganyan (Why are they like that)

Puno ng galit ang isipan (Their minds are filled with anger)

Ba’t ba tayo ganito (Why are we like this)

Walang galang sa kapwata-o ta-o ta-o (No respect with fellow/people) Hey jay sa’n ka na ngayon pupunta (Hey Jay, where are you going now?)

Hey jay kailangan ay magtiis ka (Hey Jay, You need to sacrifice/bear the burden/have patience)

Alam mo namang may iba ka pang magagawa (You know that there are other things you can do)

Alam mo namang ang mahalaga ay nabubuhay ka (You know that what's important is you're alive)

Jay what you are and wherever you go

Isip-isipin mo na lang na may nagmamahal sa ‘yo (Just always think that there's someone who loves you)

Now he-he-he-he jaybe happy and be gay

He-he-he-he jay

we still love you anyway

We still love you anyway(2x)

Sha nah nah nah nah(4x)

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

There is goes. What you think about my interpretation and translation? If you have some comments, please let me know.

Have a nice one!

This song was introduced to me by my brother. I became more familiar with it and REM because of my borther. He used to be a fan, when we were still in colleg, I just don't know if it still stands true today. I can not recall the latest hit made by REM, and I mean like 2009 hit or song release. I am not really a wide fan, I am just familiar with them particularly with this song.

What was it like losing my religion?

It was not a secret that I once lost my faith, so to speak. I neglected my religious duties and lived life as if my soul didn't matter. Oooops... I didn't intend to say that I've grown bad when I lost my religion. I just think that I did nothing to "nourish my soul" back then. I could say I was really lost, and I lost everything, including my faith to my family. What only mattered was myself.

Hah! Selfish whale, that was me! What I did? I completely debunked that idea that there is a god. I somehow imbibed the philosophy of Nietzche that God is dead... because we killed him. I killed God in my thoughts. I was like a hard disk, erasing every bit of document, file extension and folder name from my memory and worst, I convinced others. However, they were not too shallow to follow my lead. At least I had that consolation. I even forgot my Sunday obligations and got to the point of almost burning the bible that a friend gave me. I was really insane and what I did was really horrible, that I don't want to expound on it anymore.

I really don't want to delve so much on this because I know, religion is a very sensitive topic. All I want to convey to you right now is my dark past. I call that my great divide where I learned so much so that I regain what I usually was: God-fearing. As a last note, let me tell you what I dramed of becoming when I was still a little kid. I wanted to be either a nun or a lawyer. Maybe God wants me to become a lawyer first then be a nun later. Who knows? Who could have guessed the thoughts of the Almighty? At the moment, I am setting aside my ambition to become a nun by becoming a lawyer first. Who knows really? God is full of surprises!

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

Lyrics of the song Losing my Religion by REM

Oh, life is bigger
It's bigger than you
And you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up

(chorus)
That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight, I'm
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

Every whisper
Of every waking hour I'm
Choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up
Consider this
Consider this
The hint of the century
Consider this
The slip that brought me
To my knees failed
What if all these fantasies
Come flailing around
Now I've said too much
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream
That was just a dream

(repeat chorus)

But that was just a dream
Try, cry, why try?
That was just a dream
Just a dream, just a dream
Dream

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)

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

Lyrics of the song Isang Lahi with translation
Kung ang tinig mo'y di naririnig (If your voice isn't heard)
Ano nga ba ang halaga ng buhay sa daigdig (What is the value of life in this world?)
Darating ba ang isa ngayon at magbabago ang panahon (Will another come today and season will change?)
Kung bawat pagdaing ay laging magulo (If every sigh is always in random)

Aanhin ko pa dito sa mundo (What use will it be in this world)
Ang mga matang nakikita'y di totoo (To have eyes that see untruth/false)
May ngiting luha ang likuran (There's a smile but tears are behind it)
At paglayang tanong ay kailan (And freedom with a question of when)
Bakit di natin isabog ang pagmamahal (Why don't we spread love?)

Sundan mo ng tanaw ang buhay (Follow life with gaze)
Mundo ay punan ng saya at gawing makulay (Fill the world with joy and make it colorful)
Iisa lang ang ating lahi (We only have one race)
Iisa lang ang ating lipi (We only have one generation)
Bakit di pagmamahal ang ialay mo (Why not offer love)
Pangunawang tunay ang siyang nais ko (Genuine understanding is what I like)
Ang pagdamay sa kapwa'y nandiyan sa palad mo (To sympathize with fellow is there in your palms)

Diba't ang gabi ay mayroong wakas (Isn't night has ending?)
Pagkatapos ng dilim ay may liwanag (After the darkness, there is light)
Araw ay agad na sisikat (The sun will soon rise)
Iilawan ang ating landas (It will light our path)
Ng magkaisa bawat nating pangarap (So each of our dreams/goals will become one)...

I translated the song Isang Lahi because I love its message, other than of course, I love singing it when we have our videoke sessions.

I am always tearful when I hear news about racism or see people who think they should be recognized as superior than others. It is also sad for me that people identify themselves as inferior in relation to others. I told you about an incident in Manila when we attended the Bar ops. Our "camp" was beside a school based in Manila. We were from the province and we seated so close to each other and this lady started blobbing and shouting at us saying we shouldn't stay beside their "camp". I asked myself why? Maybe it's because they are one of the institutions of Law School in our country but the heck! We stood on our ground and we stayed there. Their enlightened chairman approached us and apologized for the actuation of the lady. We were comforted and we set the tone down and dwell in that same place in harmony. We even offered each other food during the lunch break.

The grudge is still there, however, cool-head empowered us. We just placed in our head that indeed there are un-enlighted people whether rich or poor, educated or not.

Ahh, I am getting out of topic I think. My point is, we should not compare ourselves with others. We just have to cool down our heads, pull all wits together and talk thins over. We should not be overwhelmed with prejudice that this person does not understand us because he belongs to a particular race and that race is known to be so and so. Oh, which reminds me of my own prejudice that I though lawyers, or law students at least, has a badge of high distinction because they are well-educated. I was wrong because of what that lady did to us. Ahhh! I can't help but be lonely and sad of what's going on with people lately.

So I am sharing with you this song and I hope that time of realization that we are ONE RACE is nearing.

Good day everyone!

Isang Lahi - Regine Velasquez

When I was still a little kid, my family and I stayed in a big house. That was the ancestral house of my dad's side of the family. It was somewhat a modern house. I will not be blogging about the house but about the monkeys you see on the left of your screen.

My aunt used to have a tiny metal cast depicting the same picture, the same image you see here. I was curious and later on found out that it meant "hear, see, speak no evil". That's what I will always remember about those monkeys although sometimes, they refer to it as the naughty kids like us. The older folks would always say, this is you, and your brother, and somebody else. Now, after learning about Charles Darwin, what I though was a tease, had in fact a scientific basis. For the evolution theory, I leave it to the scientists.

To conitnue with my story. I thought it was an image of monkeys being ashamed to show they faces in full view. That's just it! Growing up, however, reminds me of this figure -that it is better to zip your lips if you have nothing to say; better close your eyes if what's in front of you is disgusting; and shut your ears if you hear others are just gossiping. Life could be easier.

You have to close your eyes, shut your ears and zip your lips at the right time but it doesn't mean you remain dumb of the wrong things going on around you. Now, that is the role of your brain and make those bones and muscles move! Life could have been easier, simpler, happier, you think?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Madilim ang iyong paligid (Your surroundings are dark)
Hatinggabing walang hanggan (Midnights are never-ending)
Anyo at kulay ng mundo sayo'y pinagkaitan (You were denied the image and color of the earth)

Huwag mabahala kaibigan (Do not worry my friend)
Isinilang ka mang ganyan (You were born like that)
Isang bulag sa kamunduhan (Blinded with worldliness)
Ligtas ka sa kaslanan (You're saved from sins)

CHORUS
Di nalalayo sa'yo ang tunay na mundo (You are not far from the true world)
Marami sa amin nabubuhay nang tulad mo (A lot of us live like you)
Di makita, di madinig, minsa'y nauutal (Can't see, hear, sometimes can't speak)
Patungo sa hinahangad na buhay na banal (Towards a life that's holy)

Ibigin mo mang umawit (You wanted to sing)
Di mo makuhang gawin (but you cannot)
Sigaw ng puso't damdamin (Shouts of your heart and feelings)
Wala sa'yong pumapansin (Noone notices)
Sampung daliri, kaibigan (Ten Fingers, my friends)
Dyan ka kanila pakikinggan (The means you'll be heard)
Pipi ka man nang isinilang (You were born mute)
Dakila ka sa sinuman (You are noble to everyone)

CHORUS
Di nalalayo sa'yo ang tunay na mundo (You are not far from the true world)
Marami sa amin nabubuhay nang tulad mo (A lot of us live like you)
Di makita, di madinig, minsa'y nauutal (Can't see, hear, sometimes can't speak)
Patungo sa hinahangad na buhay na banal (Towards a life that's holy)

Ano sa iyo ang musika (What is music to you)
Ito ba'y mahalaga (Is this important?)
Matahimik mong paligid (Your quiet surroundings)
Awitan ay di madinig (Their singing you cannot hear)
Mapalad ka o kaibigan (You are lucky my friend)
Napaka-ingay ng mundo (The world is so noisy)
Sa isang binging katulad mo (A deaf person like you)
Walang daing walang gulo (There's no complain, no war/disaster)

CHORUS
Di nalalayo sa'yo ang tunay na mundo (You are not far from the true world)
Marami sa amin nabubuhay nang tulad mo (A lot of us live like you)
Di makita, di madinig, minsa'y nauutal (Can't see, hear, sometimes can't speak)
Patungo sa hinahangad na buhay na banal (Towards a life that's holy)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
GULO - it means anything without order.

I believe this song was also revived by Yeng Constantino.

BULAG, PIPI AT BINGI - Freddie Aguilar

He was in all-out-war against his father who appeared to be a perfectionist person. His father was always finding for something that his son didn't have in the very first place. The son in return, turn his back on his father and tried to do everything possible on his own way, on his own terms.

"Who needed supervision anyway", he thought. "I am just a kid but I have a life to live and nobody's gonna control it for me..."

Then pause, stand still as the music fades....

Sounds like a movie, but this happens in real life. Such a sad song, this one. I always associate this with a person so close to my heart. He sings this with full conviction, as if broadcasting to the whole world that, "hey, dad, I am not perfect".

Yeah, many of us always fall into that pit of saying "nobody's perfect that's why we are weak and we commit many mistakes". That is out fall back each time we receive criticisms. For me, that is a lame excuse. Although I fall into that pit too, you know, because I am not perfect. hahaha!

O yeah... this song perfectly depicted him. Each time I see him I understand why he felt that way. I just hope he understands the things going on with his life. I would just want to say, we either make up or break up, no excuses.

This is a nice song by the way. The lyrics really blended with the sounds and the singer did well.

Hey Dad look at me
Think back and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
Do you think I'm wasting my time
Doing things I wanna do?
But it hurts when you disapprove all along

And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't pretend that I'm alright
And you can't change me


'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry, I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late and we can't go back
I'm sorry, I can't be Perfect

I try not to think about the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't care anymore

And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't stand another fight and nothing's alright

'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be Perfect

Nothing's gonna change
The things that you said
Nothing's gonna make this right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard
Just to talk to you
But you don't understand

Perfect - Simple Plan