One of the places I've been through during my childhood days was near the sea.  This song, which was originally a poem, was introduced to me during those days.  It was easy for me to understand its lyrics having have lived in a sandy place for quite sometime.  I remember we were making different footprints in the sand using our slippers (to imitate a footprint of a grown up); our 3 fingers - point finger, tall-man and ring finger (to depict a footprint of a dog); or sticks (to imitate the footprint of a chicken).  I know you can try to imagine what I just described as different footprints.

Those were the days when I was still around 5 or 6 years old.

Now, back to the future, we are commemorating the sacrifice of Jesus Christ before he died in the cross.  For me, this is all about the footprints in the sand.  Jesus Christ did not just carry me, He carried the entire burden of the human kind. And he never stops doing so because of His gargantuan love to this world.

It was such an immeasurable love!

He does not walk with us. He carries us.

He does not point us to go there. He carries us.

He does not push us... He carries because He is more than caring.  He is so loving!

That for me is the message of Lent.

God bless everyone!

“Footprints in the Sand”

Lyrics: Footprints in the sand He held me in his hand Someday I’ll understand Footprints in the sand.

Narration: One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along his path there was only one set of footprint. He also noticed that it happen at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered hin and he question the lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me. The Lord replied, “My son, my precious child, I love you and I woud never leave you. During your time of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you”.

Lyrics above copied from: http://uraniteavoriel.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/footprints-in-the-sand-2/

I just arrived from a Sunday service in our church. This song was cited by the parish priest when we was delivering a sermon about childlike attitude.

In the Philippines, we celebrate the Feast of the Sto. Nino (Baby Jesus) and this celebration was held today, together with a mass. As part of our service, we sang as a choir for the celebration.

As a kid, I know I have heard of this song before; there have been different versions rendered for this song and regardless of who the artists were, this is such a meaningful song.

At the mass a while ago, I remembered my baby who was with his grandparents for the weekend. But he's back home now, playing with my things, messing up everything... time to play with this child now.

thanks for the time!

Lyrics of the song
In the Eyes of a Child

When you look to the past for life's long hidden meaning
For the dreams and the plans made in your youth
Does the thrill to achieve match the warm hidden feeling
That lies so still and lives in you


In the eyes of a child there is joy, there is laughter
There is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future
For the lessons of life there is no better teacher
Than the look in the eyes of a child


You've found the place to walk the path you've chosen
You'll never miss the world you left behind
When life gives life, it's happiness unbroken
When you give love, it's love you'll find


In the eyes of a child there is joy, there is laughter
There is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future
For the lessons of life, there is no better teacher
Than the look in the eyes of a child


In the eyes of a child, there is joy, there is laughter
There is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future
For the lessons of life, there is no better teacher
Than the look in the eyes of a child


In the eyes of a child, there is joy, there is laughter
There is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future
For the lessons of life, there is no better teacher
Than the look in the eyes of a child

More lyrics:
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/air+supply/the+eyes+of+a+child_20004964.html

It's Christmas! I wanna share with you my most favorite Christmas song.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that
He's bringing lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

I got the lyrics from this site: http://www.christmas-songs.org/songs/chestnuts_roasting_on_an_open_fire.html

I love the classy way it was sung but the most memorable interpretation that keeps ringing in my ears is that of Karen Carpenters. I love her singing.

When I was little, I remember asking my mom, "What is a chestnut?"

Having been living in the province, 200 kilometers from the Capital City, I do not know what is a chestnut. During that time, I knew this thing - the chestnut - could only be known in Manila, not in the provinces, never in my hometown. When I finally got the chance to celebrate one Christmas with relatives in Manila, I got to see chestnut, not taste it.

I know we cannot afford to buy that thing or probably it was not an important food during Christmas eve, at least here in the Philippines. I remember seeing the way they cook it in a very big pan, which was very oily with tiny pieces of charcoal, I think. I am not really sure what was that thing they placed in the pan together with the nut.

Eventually, when finances of the family was leaning positive, my mom, whom I always begged for chestnut, finally bought home a bag of the nut one evening. I remember how excited I was to see it, taste it, savor it. That was Christmas and that was the very reason why I love this song.

Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Holidays to all!

This song reminds me of our vacation place in Sampaloc, Manila during break from school. We have our favorite aunt living there with our lola (grandmother, God bless her soul). Summertime is during May, the same time feast (or fiesta) is celebrated there. At an early age, we were trained to sing and one of the songs I remember singing with our friends there was this one. I believe this was a contest piece for that fiesta celebration to be sung by a girl friend Maricel. I wonder where they are now.

I haven't heard or seen them for a long time already but soon I'll be able to search them in social networking sites perhaps. Well, I found a lot of old friends and schoolmates in those sites.

Anyway, here is the song.

You Got It All

I, I was a game he would play
He brought the clouds to my day
Then like a ray of light you came my way one night
Just one look and I knew
You would make everything clear
Make all the coulds disappear
Put all your fear to rest,
Who do I love the best?

Don't you know, don't you know?
You've got it all over him
You got me over him
Honey it' true, there's just you
You must have been heaven sent,
Hearing me call you when out on a limb
And you're all that he's not,
Just look what I got
'Cause you got it all over him

No, don't let him worry you so
Once I met you I let go
Oh, you can surely see you're so much more to me
Just one look and I knew
You would make everything clear
Make all the clouds disppear
You're better than all the rest
Who do I love the best?

Don't you know, don't you know?
You've got it all over him
You got me over him
Honey it' true, there's just you
You must have been heaven sent,
Hearing me call you when out on a limb
And you're all that he's not,
Just look what I got
'Cause you got it all (you've got it all) all over him (you've got it all over him, you got me over him)
Honey it's true, there's just you
You must have been heaven sent,
Hearing me calling you out on a limb

This song has been in my head lately. Other than my "angels" are somewhat pushing me to join them to dance to this music, it reminds me of my mom as well.

My mom hasn't been home for almost two weeks now. She's enjoying the company of her sister and mother (my lola) there in La Union. I call her every now and then, just to hear her voice or give her update, joke with her or let her talk to baby Cheska (our little baby in the house)

I just recently learned that this song is popularized by the wonder girls. They remind me of Wonder Woman. You know that lady super hero who spins and eventually turn out to be a woman with powers. That was Linda Carter who looked so much like my mom. Not that I'm bragging but my mom used to have that curly/wavy long black. She has a picture, I'll just try to locate it. Well, her siblings used to say my mom looked a lot like Wonder Woman and I cannot disagree... So there you are. This is not another story about love. This is just about Wonder Woman in my mom.

I just miss her. I always tell her to come home but due to my schooling, I cannot entertain her as much as her siblings and mother could entertain her. Check the picture again... That's my mom! ;-)

"If my mom is Wonder Woman, then I am Wonder Girl because I wonder." You agree?

NOBODY by WONDER GIRLS
You Know I still Love You Baby.
And it will never change.

I want nobody nobody But You, I want nobody nobody But You
Nan dareun sarameun sirheo niga animyeon sirheo
I want nobody nobody nobody nobody

Nan sirheunde wae nal mireonaeryeogo hani jakku naemareun deutji anko
Wae ireoke dareun namjaege nal bonaeryeo hani eotteoke ireoni

Nal wihae geureotan geumar
Neon bujokhadaneun geumar
Ijen geumanhae neon nareul aljanha wae wonhajido annneungeol gangyohae

I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You
Nan dareun sarameun sirheo niga animyeon sirheo
I want nobody nobody nobody nobody

I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You
Nan dareun sarameun sirheo niga animyeon sirheo
I want nobody nobody nobody nobody

Nan joheunde nan haengbokhande neoman isseumyeon dwae deo baralge eomneunde
Nugul mannaseo haengbokharan geoya nan neol tteonaseo haengbokhal su eobseo

Nal wihae geureotan geumar
Neon bujokhadaneun geumar
Mari an doeneun mariran geol wae molla niga eobsi eotteoke haengbokhae

I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You
Nan dareun sarameun sirheo niga animyeon sirheo
I want nobody nobody nobody nobody

I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You
Nan dareun sarameun sirheo niga animyeon sirheo
I want nobody nobody nobody nobody

I don't want nobody body body.I don't want nobody body
Naneun jeongmal niga animyeon niga animyeon sirtan mallya a~

I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You
Nan dareun sarameun sirheo niga animyeon sirheo
I want nobody nobody nobody nobody

I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You
Nan dareun sarameun sirheo niga animyeon sirheo
I want nobody nobody nobody nobody

RAP
Back to the days when we were so young and wild and free
Modeunge neomuna kkumman gatatdeon geuttaero doragago sipeunde
Wae jakku nareul mireonaeryeo hae
Why do you push me away.
I don't want nobody nobody
Nobody nobody but you.

I just finished fixing the labels for my blog and saw one particular entry which says: "karaoke era"

We were a little younger then but we are already so engrossed with music that our folks bought us karaoke. Remember that big audio system where you'd insert a multiplex tape, read the lyrics from the lyrics book? Thank God we now have videoke with just some push on the button, your songs would play, with lyrics on your TV screen.

This one song reminds me so much of those karaoke days. My mom bought a multiplex book. A pack of 4 cassette tapes inside it, including the lyrics book. I got acquainted with this song because of that incident. Since this was one of the songs from the package, I tried to learn the song. I really couldn't relate with the message of the song, however, I found the music plus the story, really good. Thank goodness for videoke, I learned another love song.

Alone Again Naturally

In a little while from now
if I'm not feeling anyless sour
I promise myself to treat myself
and visit a nearby tower
and climbing to the top
will throw myself off
in an effort to make it clear to who
ever what it's like when you're shattered
left standing in the lurch at a church
where people saying 'my god
that's tough she's stood him up
no point in us remainig
we may as well go home'
as I did on my own
alone again naturally.

To think that only yesterday
I was cheerrful bright and gay
looking forward to well who wouldn't do
the role I was about to play
but as if to knock me down
reality came around
and without so much
as a mere touch
cut me into little pieces
leaving me to doubt talk about
god in his mercy who if
he really does exist
why did he desert me
in my hour of need
I truly am indeed
alone again naturally.

It seems to me that there are more hearts
broken in the world that can't be mended
left unattended what do we do what do we do.


Now looking back over the years
and whatever else that appears
I remember I cried when my father died
never wishing to hide the tears
and at sixty-five years old
my mother God rest her soul
couldn't understand why the only man
she had ever loved had been taken
leaving her to start with a heart
so badly broken
despite encouragemant from me
no words were ever spoken
and when she passed away
I cried and cried all day
alone again naturally.

Alone Again (Naturally) - Donny Osmond

This is a story about Juliet (not her real name). She was still a kid when she experienced difficulty dealing with people. We started our correspondence when I was still a teacher. I recalled her story when we were discussing about a law on Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC). I can't help but sympathize with her plight.

She was a victim of child molestation and growing up with that predicament, she said going to school was difficult especially when their subject is about Biology or physical education or anything that tackles body organs of reproduction or sex. During discussion, she cannot understand the teacher because all she hears was the loud beating of her heart. It was uncomfortable talking about sex, according to her. She knows she is different from every girl in the classroom because her puberty experience was a deviation from normal. She knew this because she had that sad experience from a drug addict relative.

She never told me the name of that person but I know it was someone dear to her or her family. She never had real girl friends because she doesn't want to be confronted with girl talks about the opposite sex and anything that goes with such topics. It was just uncomfortable.

Now, putting myself into her situation... I find it hard but I realized that her experience prevented her from getting in touch with reality, with relationships. I wonder how she is right now.

If only children were fully protected...

...and here is a song relevant to this blog:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bawat Bata (Every child/Each Kid)

Ang bawat bata sa ating mundo (Each kid in this world)
Ay may pangalan may karapatan (has a name, has rights)
Tumatanda ngunit bata parin (they grow old but remains a kid)
Ang bawat tao sa ating mundo (Each person in this world)

Hayaan mo’ng maglaro ang bata sa araw (Let the kid play under the sun)
At pag-umulan nama’y magtatampisaw (And in rain let them get wet)
Mahirap man o may kaya, maputi, kayumanggi (Whether poor or wealthy, white or brown/tan)
At kahit ano ma’ng uri ka pa (And whatever kind are you)
Sa’yo mundo pag bata ka (World is yours if you're a kid)

Ang bawat bata sa ating mundo (Each kid in this world)
Ay may pangalan may karapatan (has a name, has rights)
Tumatanda ngunit bata parin (they grow old but remains a kid)
Ang bawat tao sa ating mundo (Each person in this world)

Ang bawat nilikha sa mundo’y (Each creature in this world)
Minamahal ng Panginoon (is loved by the God)
Ang bawat bata’y may pangalan (Each kid has a name)
May karapatan sa ating mundo (Has rights in this world)

Hayaang mong bigyan na ng pagmamahal (Let them be given love)
Katulad nang sinadya ng may kapal (Like God has intended)
Mahirap man o may kaya, maputi, kayumanggi (Whether poor, wealthy, white, brown)
At kahit ano ma’ng uri ka pa (And whatever kind are you)
Sa’yo mundo pag bata ka (World is yours if you're a kid)

Hayaan mo’ng maglaro ang bata sa araw
At pag-umulan nama’y magtatampisaw
Mahirap man o may kaya, maputi, kayumanggi
At kahit ano ma’ng uri ka pa
Sa’yo mundo pag bata ka(4x)

Ang bawat bata sa ating mundo
Ay may pangalan may karapatan
Tumatanda ngunit bata parin
Ang bawat tao sa ating mundo

Ang bawat nilikha sa mundo’y
Minamahal ng Panginoon
Ang bawat bata’y may pangalan
May karapatan sa ating mundo…….

Bawat Bata - Apo Hiking Society

This is another Ryan Cayabyab masterpiece which became a hit in the airwaves sometime in the 90s or even before that. There was a kiddie group back then, all composed of kids from their elementary years. I remember a Jeffry Hidalgo and Geneva Cruz, who became singers in their own right when they decided to go solo. The name of their group was called 14k and some of the few members left formed another group called "Smokey Mountain".

The message of this song is really nice and although I haven't heard of it for quite some time now, I can still sing it, together with my sister. We have somehow retained the lyrics of the song in our minds because it is truly a wonderful song. It roughly says: "Singing is my means to get along with life's problems and loneliness".

I like it because the kids sang it and you know how kids sing. It's like they are professional singers even at a young age because they can rech high notes of a song. I also remember Ryan Cayabyab used to make these kids sing in Acapella so they are really experts at getting their own notes and have them blend with the other kids during a concert or at the recording.

Ahh, here is another benefit of music: we tend to forget our problems when we sing. Thanks to our music!

Here is the lyrics and my own translation:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ang buhay ay laging may lungkot at saya, ganyan ngang talaga (Life is always sad and happy, it is like that)
kung bakit kakambal lagi ang problema sa tuwina (It is always coupled with problems)
kung ikaw naman ay magmumukmok, dadami lamang ang mga kulubot (But if you will throw tamtruns, you'll have more wrinkles)
tatanda ka't puputi ang 'yong buhok (You'll grow old and have white hairs)

ang awit at himig na 'yong naririnig ay nagpapasaya (This song and tune you listen to gives happiness)
sa pusong nalulungkot at laging mayroong problema (to a heart that is lonely and is always problematic)
'di lahat ng araw ay kabiguan, bukas ang ngiti na may makakamtan (Not all the days is a failure, tomorrow a smile will be achieved)
heto lamang ang naiisip kong paraan (This is the only way I can think of)

chorus:
dadaanin ko na lang sa kanta (I'll make way for singing)
dadaanin ko na lang sa tawa (I'll make way for laughters)
ang lahat, pati na ang problema (for everything, even the problems)
bawat sandali bigyan mo ng ngiti (Give a smile to any moment)
kahit man ito ay sandyang sasandali (Even if it is just for a short while)
sumabay sa kanta, sama-sama tayo ay magsaya (join me in my song, together, we will have fun)

ang awit at himig na 'yong naririnig ay nagpapasaya
sa pusong nalulungkot at laging mayroong problema
'di lahat ng araw ay kabiguan, bukas ang ngiti na may makakamtan
heto lamang ang naiisip kong paraan

(chorus)

dadaanin ko na lang...
dadaanin ko na lang...
dadaanin ko na lang sa kanta...

This is just a short song. This song is memorable for me because it reminded me of the first movie I have ever seen in the big screen. An actor named Rey PJ Abellana was one of the lead actor, God bless his soul. I also remember a child actor named Jaypee, I forgot his last name.

This was the theme song of that first movie I watched in cinema. I will never forget that song because for the first time, I saw what a movie theater looked like. I was around 6 or 7 years old then. Haha... vintage story huh?

Oh well, the moment I set foot on the cinema I saw the dark place. I got scared but it was nothing compared to what I saw next. It was the big screen itself. I stood in awe! I don't recall if I said it too loud but I can still remember I said "The TV is really big!" (My original words were "Nagdakkel jay TV" which was an Ilokano sentence, the only native dialect I knew back then, other than a little bit of Tagalog. At present, I now know how to speak Pangasinense and Bikolano, and I could grasp or understand some Bisaya and Kapampangan)...

That my friend, is the story of my first encounter with the "silver screen" almost 3 decades ago. Here goes the song and I tried to translate it.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
May pumukol sa pipit sa sanga ng isang kahoy (Someone stoned a bird at the branch of a tree)
At nahagip ng bato ang pakpak ng munting ibon (And the stone hit the wings of the little bird)

(2)
Dahil sa sakit di na makaya pang lumipad (because of the pain, it wasn't able to fly)
At ang nangyari ay nahulog nguni't parang taong bumigkas (And what happened is it fell but like a person who uttered...)

Mamang kay lupit (You are so harsh)
Ang puso mo'y di na nahabag (You didn't have a heart)
Pag pumanaw ang buhay ko (If my life whould pass away)
May isang pipit na iiyak (There is a bird that will cry)

(Instrumental)
(Repeat(1), (2)
Repeat (3) twice

Ang Pipit - Asin

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 wrote about a Menudo song the previous post (Please Be Good to me) but you know who is the biggest Menudo fan I have ever known in my entire life? It's my Aunt. I'd like to protect her identity and baptise her with the name Red Rosa just for the sake of this blog ;-) I hope I gave justice with that choice of a nickname for you my aunt! haha!

I would say Explosion was the biggest hit of the group. Members are: Charlie, Roby, Ricky, Rey and Roy. Imagine her influence in me that I remembered the names of those guys. Of course, we all know, Ricky was the youngest back then but now he is a hit on his own. For those of you who didn't know, Ricky Martin was the youngest member of Menudo during the days. And again, I would say I know these stuff, not from the showbiz central but from my aunt. He was really cute. Although, my aunt's favorite was really Roby Rosa.

They were all good-looking and during their teeanage years, who wouldn't fall for them? They reminded me of F4... haha. But that's a different story. You see, my aunt's mom was strick back in the days but she let my aunt watched the Boys in concert. Manila was four hours away but she managed to get there. I'd say, she really was an avid fan. Wait, let me rephrase that. She really was a die-hard fan.

From my aunt, I have learned what it means to be an avid or die hard fan... because she was or at least used to be.

If I am going to ask her right now who were the subsequent members of Menudo, I bet she would still know it. By the way, I am not really sure of the original members of the group but at least, those names were stocked on my braincells. If given the chance to enumerate the songs in the first album of menudo where Roby Rosa was the lead, she could name them ;-) wanna bet?

Lyrics of the song Explosion by Menudo
I can hear ny heart poundin’ loud
Every time I feel you’re near
Something ‘bout the look in your eyes
My defenses disappear

It’s the tension(gettin’ closer)
That you trigger
You’re the spark(gettin’ closer)
That makes my heart quiver

Danger warnings flash in my mind
When I hold you in my arms(warnings, warnings)
Something ‘bout the thrill of your touch
Sets off all my love alarms(danger, danger)

It’s your nearness
It’s the pressure
Your intensity
That I treasure

Like an explosion!
My love for you
It’s an explosion!
My love for you
It’s an explosion
That keeps my heart beating
That keeps my soul alive-ive-ive
(Repeat)

My whole system loses control
When I hear you call my name(warnings, warnings)
Something ‘bout the sound of your voice
Sets my body into flames (danger, danger)

You are the fire in me
Temperature’s risin’ deep within me
You spark my heart’s detonation
You are the thunder, the lighting that strikes me!

It was the 90s when my brother and I watched the concert of Gary V. The Divine Word Academy of Dagupan (DWAD) Gym was the biggest stage that time. We came in early so we were able to see him rehearse. We were almost at the stage with Gary while he was preparing for the big night. It was almost very dark then the crowd slowly gathered inside.

I remember this scene just yesterday. I went back to that school which is where my niece and nephew are currently enrolled. I always associate that place with this singer/actor because it was the very first time I watched a concert, practically by myself and with my younger brother of course. It was really great!

For the information of all, I frequent that place nowadays because I joined a choir and we sing at the church near that school every first and third Sunday of the month.

Well, let us listen to one of Gary V's most heart-warming prayer/song. Here goes the lyrics:

Just what is it in me?
Sometimes I just don't know
What keeps me in Your love,
Why you never let me go

And though you're in me now,
I fall and hurt you still
My Lord, please show me how
To know just how you feel

You have forgiven me
Too many times it seems
I feel I'm not what you might call
A worthy Christian after all

And though I love You so
Temptation finds its way to me

Teach me to trust in You
With all my heart
To lean not on my own understanding
I just forget
You won't give me what I can't bear

Take me out of the dark, my Lord
I don't wanna be there

You've never left my side
You gave Your hand to me to hold
Oh Jesus, I'm no longer in the cold

And yet, I leave You there
When I feel satisfied
I'd like to thank You every day
Not only when I feel that way

I've never known a Man
Who'd give His life for sinners like me
And yet, because He loves us so
He's promised us eternity
And we can have that promise
And be His if we have faith
And just believe

Teach us to trust in you
With all my heart
To lean not on my own understanding
We just forget
You won't give us what we can't bear

Take us out of the dark, My Lord
'Cause we don't want to be alone
Take me out of the dark, My Lord
We don't wanna be there, My Lord

Trust in You with all my heart
Lean not on my own understanding
I just forget
You won't give me what I can't bear

Take me out of the dark, My Lord
Cause we don't want to be alone
Take me out of the dark, My Lord
I don't want to be there

Take Me Out Of The Dark - Gary Valenciano

It was Barry Manilow's birthday last June 17 and I was browsing some of my friends' photos online and there was one picture of Barry Manilow from his recent concert in Las Vegas. I just can't help but blog about another Barry Manilow classic which is one of the favorites. And this is the one!

I particularly liked the song because of its upbeat music. I remember singing this song with the "multiplex tape" since videokes were soon to be invented. Remember playing a cassette tape on a "karaoke" player and when a song is finished, you have to push the reqind button and hope it would stop at the precise point where the song would begin. I'm sure everyone knows what I am talking about. All the hassles of pushing the play button and when one side is up, one would push eject, reverse the tape, insert it back to the panel then push play. And then of course, auto-reverse was invented but still, a maximum of 10 songs could only be played by the cassette player.

Although I used the multiplex tape and read the lyrics on a separate notebook, I was enticed by this song because as if I was watching it in movie. The lyrics of the song is so descriptive. It was colorful with the use of yellow, my all time favorite color. The action in the song was likewise vivid and it was complete story. Although I pitied "Lola" because of what happened.

Oh well, those are the memories. My aunt said we had this blue cassette player, and yeah, I recall that tape player now. So from Barry Manilow to my cassette tape to this song... there goes my story for the day!

Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl
With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there
She would merengue and do the cha-cha
But while she tried to be a star, Tony always tended bar
Across the crowded floor, he worked from 8 til 4
They were young and they had each other Who could ask for more?

At the Copa, Copacabana, the hottest spot north of Havana
At the Copa, Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the Copa....they fell in love.

His name was Rico. He wore a diamond.
He was escorted to his chair, he saw Lola dancing there
And when she finished, he called her over,
But Rico went a bit to far, Tony sailed across the bar
And then the punches flew and chairs were smashed in two
There was blood and a single gun shot but just who shot who?

At the Copa, Copacabana
The hottest spot north of Havana
At the Copa, Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the Copa....she lost her love.

Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl,
But that was 30 years ago, when they used to have a show.
Now it's a disco, but not for Lola,
Still in the dress she used to wear, faded feathers in her hair.

She sits there so refined, and drinks herself half-blind.
She lost her youth and she lost her Tony, now she's lost her mind!
At the Copa, Copacabana...

Copacabana (At The Copa) - Barry Manilow

This would be my second blog about a Kenny Rogers' song. This song reminds me of an extended family member who lived with us when I was still younger. He is Johnny but we fondly call him "Emong". He is a certified gambler, I say because there was not a week that he hadn't held a gambling cards or a mah-jong piece.

One time this song played and he kinda enjoyed it, even to the point of defending himself saying "see, it's not just me" or to such an extent. There was an implication that he was not alone in this kind of vice, add to that my mom's "addiction" to gambling as well. The good thing about that though is noone in my family encountered much trouble because of gambling. They played in moderation and according to their economic condition. They didn't end up selling valuable things nor stealing like other people do. Otherwise, I couldn't have finished schooling if my mom got stucked with gambling.

Well, if there is any good effect on me from that experience... I do not play. In fact, I don't even know how to play the lotto. haha! Nevertheless, I am sharing this to you because of my love of Kenny Rogers and his songs. This is nice so here it is:

Lyrics of the song The Gambler:
On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere,
I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.
So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness
'Til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.

He said, "Son, I've made my life out of readin' people's faces,
And knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
so if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces.
For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice."

So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.
And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.
Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

Ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep.
'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser,
And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep."

When he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window,
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

The gambler - kenny rogers

I do not know why do I remember addiction when I remember this song. As a young kid, I was exposed to poverty and that would be my basic explanation as to how I came to know about addiction at a young age, living in a rather conservative society like my country.

This is one of the saddest moments of my life when I look to my right, there is drug addiction, and gambling to my left. There was nothing to look forward to, or so I thought because there was no adult around sane enough to talk about life 10 years from then. Of course all other relatives had to go to work so we were left with those kinds of people.

This reminds me of an uncle who kept playing this song with his guitar and he kept singing the part where it says, "li-la-li... li-la-li..." The rhythm was so nice, I thought to myself then. Although it was bad for me to be suspicious, nevertheless I suspected him to be hiding "grass" somewhere in the house. I never really caught him with it but when my mom and dad started quarreling him, all suspicion just came to place coupled those chain of events. I am convinced I was right afterall. Soon, he left.

As I've said this song reminds me of a bad point in my life. As much as I want to forget about it, those memories just fly above my head, like birds, over and over, around and around. I don't have anything against the artists though, in fact, I have learned about their songs which I will be blogging about too, sooner.

Here is the lyrics of the song:
I am just a poor boy though my story's seldom told
I have squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles, such are promises.
All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest, hmmmm

When I left my home and my family, I's no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station, runnin' scared, laying low,
Seeking out the poorer quarters, where the ragged people go,
Looking for the places only they would know.

Li la li...

Asking only workman's wages, I come lookin' for a job,
But I get no offers,
Just a come-on from the whores on 7th Avenue.
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there.

La la la...

now the years are rolling by me, they are -[rockin evenly]-
i am older than i once was
and younger than i'll be that's not unusual.
no it isnt strange after changes upon changes we are more or less the same
after changes we are more or less the same

Li la li...

And I'm laying out my winter clothes and wishing I was gone,
goin' home
Where the New York City winters aren't bleedin' me, leadin' me,
goin' home.

In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
'Til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains.

Li la li...

The boxer - Simon and Garfunkel

Before I went to bed last night, I was contemplating on the next song I will blog about. There were a lot of songs running through my mind already. I am not in front of the computer and for many songs I thought about last night and what they would remind me of them, this song, which I haven't actually heard for two decades, (no joke!) came across my mind and here we are.

What made this song so distinct is the memory it serves me. I particularly liked this song becase this used to be my prayer request for my mom. During my teens, my mom is in and out of the hospital because of internal complications in the digestive system. It was shocking to me because it was the first time a family member really got seriously ill. Those were the times I prayed so hard to God. I also noticed my mom frequently prayed the holy rosary and as a family, we also do that. We gather inside my mom and dad's bedroom and pray the rosary there together.

My mom is better now, no more serious problems. Love has healed my mom. She still have illnesses but those are already anticipated illnesses as one ages.

I know how to sing this song and although I haven't really heard of it for such a long time, I can still sing some lines of it.

Lyrics of the Song HEALING

Now that we have gotten through
One more fall, I can just admit I've got it all
Cause I do, Cause I've got you
We've crossed these battle lines to many times
It passes through the heart, but it never leaves a mark

Cause Your love just keeps on healing me
No matter how I bruise, if I just trust You
Your love just keeps on healing me
One more clue, one more chance that wasn't there before
In your arms no pain can harm the way I'm feeling
Lord I know that Your love is healing

I've kicked around those lines in my head
But I've never listened to the words that You said
See where it's lead
Well I know I have it now, cause You showed me how
And all I had to do was just to keep my eyes on You

Cause Your love just keeps on healing me
No matter how I bruise, if I just trust You
Your love just keeps on healing me
One more clue, one more chance that wasn't there before
In your arms no pain can harm the way I'm feeling
Lord I know that Your love is healing

Please take time to listen to this wonderful song:

Denise Williams - Healing - Denise Williams