Christmas Carols... Este Memoirs Pala

My first and only anticipated Dawn Mass where I served... December 22, 9pm at the Manila Cathedral

Invoce at the Manila Cathedral... December 22.

My five kittens finally framed after 5 years after crossstitching was completed!!! December 23, 2008.

Awww... Absent si Jongster, ang lalabs kong teammate on the Christmas Eve shift, December 24, 11:30 pm. Nawalan kasi ng boses, kaya hindi makapag-calls... huhuhu


The first batch of gifts I wrapped; December 18.


View from the eighth floor of Vivere Hotel... December 16. Wala ako tulog for 36 hours nyan... (What else is new?!)

My College Alma Mater, PATTS College of Aeronautics. I visited December 10 after 2 years. So much has changed, whooo hooo...

After the Divisoria Christmas shopping galore... Eto ang design ng tren na sinakyan ko... December 15. This looks rather familiar...

The PATTS Chapel... Dyan nagpraktis ang PULSE for the Vivere competition... December 10.

I sang with The Singing Christians at EDSA Shrine for the installation of Fr. Nilo Mangussad as the Shrine's Rector and the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception feast. December 8.

The PATTS Universal League of Singing Enthusiasts after the Vivere competition December 16. Ano masasabi nyo sa costume namin?? Espacially the girls'... walang bra yan... hahaha!!

Si TL Rey.. Na unang tl kong mabibigyan ng straight 100% eval for a month... wai! wai! wai! December 23, final eval for the month...

Feeling Santa Claus

Hapon na at nararamdaman ko na ang paglamig ng panahon. Alas kwatro pa lang ng hapon eh basa na ng kakaibang lamig ang hangin. Disyembre na nga. Magpapasko na...

Handa na ako sa aking dapat gawing ngayong hapon. Heto at nakalatag na sa sahig lahat ng mga gagamitin ko...

Apat na piraso ng gift wrapper, iba-ibang kulay...
Gunting...
Scotch tape...
Apat na lumang kahon...
Isang napakalaking plastic ng mga pinamili galing divisoria...

Gets mo na gagawin ko?!?

Edi magbabalot ng mga regalo!

O diba, feeling Santa Claus lang ang drama. For the first time in my life, nagbabalot ako ng mga regalong ako mismo ang gumastos at namili. After 23 years of receiving gifts during Christmas, ako naman ang magreregalo, for a change.

Boring ang hapon dahil masyadong tahimik ang paligid. Kumuha ako ng isang cd mula sa cd rack at isinalang ko ito sa dvd player. Pagpindot ko ng play sa remote control, nagsimula ang tugtog. Wari'y nanghaharana ang boses ni Jose Mari Chan sa buong bahay habang umaawit ng mga kanta sa Christmas album na ito.

[My idea of a perfect Christmas, is to spend it with you...]

Isa-isa kong tinanggal ang mga tag ng mga pinamili ko at tsaka ko nilagay sa mga karton ang bawat isa. Sapat lang sa tatlong tao ang mga regalong nabili ko. Meron para kay Papa, meron para kay Ate, meron din para ka insan Peps. Apat na kahon ang kailangan dahil may karamihan ang regalo ko ke Papa. By request kasi eh. Alam nyo na, tumatanda na tatay natin, kaya go lang sa lahat ng gusto, basta keri. Tinape ako bawat karton para hindi agad mabuksan ang mga regalo. Un bang mag-e-effort muna ang makatatanggap bago makuha ang regalo.

[Whenever I see girls and boys, selling lanterns of the streets...]

Bigla akong nalungkot habang binabalot ang unang regalo.

Naalala ko pa noon, siguro mga grade 6 ako, kinanta ko ang kantang Christmas in Our Hearts sa isang bonggang-bonggang Christmas party kasama ang karamihan sa mga kamag-anak namin, maternal and paternal side. First solo performance ko yun in a crowd (30+ katao yun, kala mo ba, at napagkasya sa aming mumunting tahanan, ahihihihi). At kahit na pawisan kong natapos ang kanta, standing ovation naman, ay mali (feeling amp!), round of applause lang pala. May nga palaro, may kainan at may paregalo ang nanay ko sa mga kamag-anak, as in lahat ng kamag-anak na nadoon, lalo ang mga bata. Sama-sama kaming magbalot ng regalo, kakain ng sama-sama, magtatawanan ng sobrang lakas, bibong-bibo ang mga chikiting sa mga palaro. Galanteng-galante ang pamilya namin noon, sobra. At dahil lahat ng kamag-anak eh kalapit-bahay lang, madali lang silang maimbita sa bahay.

[Long time ago, in Bethlehem...]

Years ago pa yun, decade na nga eh. Ngayon, mag-isa na lang ako nagbabalot ng mga regalo, iilang tao na lang ang kailangan regaluhan, kami-kami na lang sa bahay ang magcecelebrate ng Pasko at ang pinakamasaklap, wala ako sa Noche Buena at maging sa Medya Noche.

Nanlulumo akong umuwi kahapon dahil pagtingin ko sa schedule namin para sa susunod na Linggo, kailangang pumasok kami ng alas onse y medya ng ika-dalawamput apat ng Disyembre at alas dose y medya ng madaling araw ng unang araw ng Enero. Kauna-unahan Pasko at Bagong Taon ito na hindi ko idadaos sa bahay. Malungkot man isipin, pero kailangan gawin, kesa mawalan tayo ng trabaho diba, mahirap ang buhay ngayon, kahit na sabihin mong may rollback ang pamasahe (make sense?!?). Ndi ko lang maimagine kung paano ang bumiyahe sa Bagong Taon na may mga paputok all over the place... scary...

[Pasko na, sinta ko, hanap-hanap kita...]

Times change talaga. Hindi na pwede ibalik yung dating party with the whole clan sa bahay. Una, halos wala nang kamag-anak na kasundo ang pamilya ko, for all reasons I may never know. Kung mayroon mang in good terms, malalayo naman sa amin. Ako naman, may trabaho na, graveyard shift pa, kaya pag-uwi ko kinaumagahan ng Pasko, siguradong pagod ako, tulog mode agad ako. At higit as lahat, wala na si Mama na laging nagpapahanda tuwing Pasko. Mula nang nagkasakit at sumakabilang-buhay ang nanay ko pitong taon na ang nakalipas, wala nang nag-aasikaso. Ang hirap talaga na ilaw ng tahanan ang nawala; lagi na lang madilim.

[Ang Disyembre ko ay malungkot...]

Kunsabagay, kung nabubuhay man si Mama ngayon, alam ko proud siya sa mga kinahinatnan naming magkapatid. Si ate, sa Singapore na nagtratrabaho, dollars na ang profit. Ako, nakapasa na rin ng Board Exam, may trabaho na rin, kumikita. Si papa, petix mode na lang sa bahay, kahit hindi na gaanong mamasada, tutal dalawa na kaming may trabaho ni ate at wala na sya pinapaaral, go lang kung ano na gawin nya. Ngayon, ako na nagbabayad ng mga bills, nagbabayad ng lupa at kung anu-ano pa (Uy, ulirang anak na hahahaha).

Ganon lang siguro talaga. Everything has a price. Maunlad nga at nakakaluwag na sa pera, nawalan naman ng oras sa pamilya.

[Ang Pasko ay kay saya kung kayo'y kapiling na...]

But then, what the heck! Sabi nga nila, Krismaskipaps. Kahit paano kailangang maicelebrate ang Pasko, sa anumang paraan. At syempre, we have to bear in mind na anuman ang kalagayan natin ngayong Pasko, dapat pa rin itong ipagdiwang hindi dahil sa saya na dulot ng mga regalong matatanggap natin, kundi dahil sa pag-asang bigay ng isang Batang isinilang sa sabsaban. Ni minsan ay hindi humingi ng regalo ang Batang yun. Pagmamahal mo lang, ayus na.

[Fall on your knees, O hear, the angel voices...]

Ayan, natapos ko na balutin lahat ng regalo, redi na idisplay sa Christmas tree, bahala na sila magbunutan dyan, lagyan ko na lang mamaya ng pangalan.

Siguro nga, kung hindi man maging masaya ang sarili kong Pasko dahil sa kaeemote ko dito sa sala, sana Pasko naman ng iba ang napasaya ko. Sa mga kantang inawit ko kasama ang koro, sa mga mumunting bagay na ginawa ko na ikabuti ng mga minamahal ko sa buhay, sa mga salita kong nagpagaan ng problema ng isang nababagabag, sa mga bagay na binigay ko ng buong puso; sana'y isang tao ang nabigyan ko ng isang makabuluhang Pasko...


Paskong Walang Hanggan
Ryan Cayabyab

Tinanong mo sakin kung ano ang gusto ko
Upang mapaligaya ang aking pasko
Bakit mo pa kaya sabihin sa akin yan
Para namang kasi hindi mo pa alam

Ang aking araw-araw ay iyo nang iniba
Mula pa noong ikaw ay aking nakilala
Pinasayaw ang ikot ng aking munting mundo
Binigyan ng dahilan ang bawat oras at minuto

Ang bawat kong pangarap iyong pinalitan
Binigyan ako ng lakas, tiyaga at tapang
Na harapin ang bawat tanong at pag-aalinlangan
Dahil alam kong ikaw ay katabi ko lamang

At sa tuwing pagsikat at paglubog ng araw
Nagsisimula at nagwawakas sa salitang ikaw
Kaya’t huwag mo nang itanong kung ano pa sa akin ay kulang
Dahil bawat araw kasama ka ay Paskong walang hanggan


Maligaya at makabuluhang Pasko sa iyo!!

Makati vs Libis; Hydra vs Shohoku

Makati PBCom; Team Hydra; TL Errol Villanueva

Libis CyberOne; Team Shohoku; TL Reynaldo Cruz

Isa na siguro ako sa mga maituturing na NPT ng mga ahente sa kolsenter. No Permanent Team. Sa siyam na buwan kong pagsagot ng mga tawag, tatlong team na ang nagkanlong sa akin. Pero hindi naman ako nalipat dahil pasaway ako o dahil hindi ko naabot ang sapat na antas ng kumpanya kundi dahil kailangan lumipat ng buong shift sa ibang site. At hindi sinabay-sabay ang lipat, ginawang per batch. Nangailangan lang na ako'y magpaalam sa aking orihinal na team dahil kailangan ko nang magresign upang ipagpatuloy ang aking tinapos na kurso. Sa kasamaang-palad, mukhang matatagalan pa na ako'y makalipat sa mga paliparan at aprubado na ang pagkatanggal na ako sa original na team kaya ako'y nailipat sa ibang team. Pansamantala lang ang pananatili ko sa nilipatan kong team dahil sila ang maiiwan sa site. Siguro isa't kalahating linggo lang ang tinagal ko. Nang dumating ang oras na lilipat na ang huling batch ng mga teams sa patutunguhang site, kinailangan na uling mailipat ako sa panibago nanamang team. Kaya ito, nasa ibang team ulit ako.

Itinuturing ko na ring swerte ang pagpapalipat-lipat ko ng team. Kahit na paulit-ulit na mag-adjust ako sa mga miyembro at sa TL, ayos lang, sanay naman tayo diyan eh. Kelangan lang flexible, bukas ang isip, at madaling maka-adapt. Buti na rin yun at exposed ako sa mas maraming tao, iba-ibang leadership styles ng mga TL iba-ibang ugali ng mga ka team. Nakakatawa pa nga, kasi kahit na malipat-lipat ako ng team, parang may katumbas; yung mga taong magiging ka close, mga pinanggalingan, mga kinahihiligan. Hindi ko alam kung may ganoon talaga o gawa-gawa ko lang ang mga bagay na ito. May analogy ba kumbaga; (tama ba term ko?). Kung may Toni sa Hydra, may Jongs sa Shohoku (mga lalabs kong asst team leader); may JM sa Hydra, may Richard sa Shohoku, (the gwapings); may Felrose sa Hydra, may Jalyn sa Shohoku (the sweetie gals); may Ate Marlo sa Hydra, may Mommy Des sa Shohoku (mga thunders ng team na lalabs ko rin ahihihihi); may Beng sa Hydra, may Jen sa Shohoku (mga lesbo cuties). mahilig magsulat si TL Errol, mahilig kumanta sa choir si TL Rey, kaya madali nilang nahuli ang aking soft, artistic side na laging sentro ng chika kapag may coaching. At parehong pang Pasigueno ang dalawang TL ko (hmm hitchhike ito hahahaha).

Sa totoo lang, hindi ako nahirapang magadjust sa mga tao, sa lugar lang. Kung tutuusin, mas pabor ang bagong cite. Mas mura ang pamasahe. Kumbaga eh tumambling lang ako mula sa bahay, nasa opisina na ako. Iba na kase ang view, may konting kaingayan, mainit ng kaunti, (kumpara sa dati na parang nasa North Pole ang floor!!) at may kasikipan din ng mga stasyon.

Pero shempre, hindi pa rin dapat isaalang-alang ang stats. Saan mang team ako malagay, saang site man ako maitapon, kailangang pagbutihin ang trabaho. Kailangan lang sanayin ang sarili sa mga pagbabagong hindi mapasusubalian. Aba, sayang ang bonus ba? Minsan lang ako matanggap sa isang galanteng kumpanya, kaya karirin na. Dapat na ring gawin ko itong sanayan para sa inaasam-asam kong trabaho.

Kailangan lang maghintay, at magsanay...

Igalang Natin si Manny!!

Marco Antonio Barrera
Héctor Velázquez
Juan Manuel Márquez,
Fahsan Por Thawatchai
Erik Morales
Oscar Larios
Jorge Solis
David Díaz
Oscar dela Hoya

Ilan lang sila sa mga napatumba ni Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao sa banyagang ring.

Kabog!

In fairness naman, malayo na rin ang narating ng ating kababayan sa larangan ng boksing. Mula sa pagiging bagitong manununtok ng Mindanao eh bumubulaga na ang ating bida sa padaigdigang boksing. Ngayon eh alamat na hindi lang ang mga laban nya kundi ang mga katagang binibitiwan nya pagkatapos ng laban ('ya know... ya know...'), na minsan talaga eh may pahangin effect pa. (Aminin, nakarinig kayo nyan!!) At in fairness at in fairview pa rin, hindi lang sya ngayon sikat na boksingero, kundi commercial model, aktor, host at kung anu-ano pa. Balak atang gawing National Artist for Entertainment si Manny.

Ahahaha.

Sa sobrang galing nga ng taong eto eh mukhang nakakasawa nang malaman na panalo sya sa mga laban nya. Parang nasusuya na ang mga Pinoy sa bawat panalo nya. mapapancin natin na hindi na maririnig ang mga kapitbahay mong nagsisisgaw sa kada suntok niya. Pero iba itong kakatapos na match niya with Oscar dela Hoya. Pinagusapan talaga; kesyo mismatch daw, malaki daw masyado ang itinapat kay Manny, mahaba ang braso at kung anek-anek pa. Pero wag ka, walong rounds lang at sumuko na ang kalaban. At ito pa, pati laban ni Manny eh ginawa na ring business. May mga sinehan nang nagpapalabas ng laban nya live via satellite, (shala dbuh?) kaya nawalan ng kwenta ang mga telebisyon, delayed telecast daw kasi. Naalala ko pang nagalit ang tatay ko kasi pagkauwi ko nang Linggo ng umaga eh inunahan ko na sya ng balita, "Pa, panalo na si Pacquiao, ruond 8, plakda si dela Hoya wahahahaha!!" Nasa sixth round pa lang noon sa tv kaya pinaghahahampas ako ni Papa ng dyaryong hawak nya. Nawala daw kasi excitement nya.

Pero ano ito?!

May mga kumakalat nang text kesyo may sumpa daw lahat ng panalo ni Manny. After daw nya manalo, may mga sakunang magaganap. Andyan ang Wowowee stampede, paglubog ng MV Princess of the Stars, at ngayon naman pati pagkamatay ni Marky Cielo eh associated din sa pagkapanalo ni Manny. At ito pa, ang siste pa eh binenta na daw ni Pacman ang kaluluwa nya kaya may kapalit na mga buhay ang bawat tagumpay nya.

Kaloka naman yon...

Sa halip na gumawa ng kung ano anong tsismis at haka-haka eh sana hindi nating nakalimutan pasalamatan si Manny. Aba, hindi madaling tumanggap ng suntok sa ibabaw ng ring ba? At dahil sa mga panalo nya, umaangat ang estado ng atletang pinoy sa loob at labas ng bansa. At hindi ba dapat nating ipasalamat na sa bawat laban ni Manny eh walang trapik sa kalsada, zero ang crime rate, tumataas ang piso sa pandaigdigan pamilihan? At higit sa lahat, marami nang nakakaintindi sa matigas ni Ingles ni Manny, kaya hindi ka kailangang mag-effort magpaka-slang ang mga Pinoy para maintindihan ng mga banyaga.

Ahihihi.

Anjan Ka Pala!?!

It was a table full of laughter at the dining area of Brooklyn Pizza in Tiendesitas. And yes, the laughter will be so loud, it covers the sound of the rain outside. Flunked with all the members of TSC, or The Singing Christians, this long table is the witness of the celebration of the choir's thirtieth anniversary.

Thirtieth... Wow!

While everyone is enjoying the multiple-flavored pizzas, pasta, garlic bread and spicy chicken, I approached Kuya Ronan, the choir's musical director, sitting on the far side of the table. Holding my K770i, I reread to him the text message I recieved from my boyfriend just a few minutes ago,

"Kuya, pinapatanong po ni Jon yung about sa school", and shows him the message on the cellphone.

"Ay, oo nga pala. Sige, pakisabi tawagan nya tong number na to", he picked up his own cellphone and showed me a number from his phonebook. "Pakisabi kailangan tawagan, huwag itext at hindi sya rereplyan nyan. Paki sabi kako siya yung student kong piyanista na nirefer ko..."

I felt apalled on the no-text, just call statement; this person must be too important not to waste time pushing buttons on a bussiness talk. While I was taking down the number on my phone, a question popped out of Kuya Ronan's lips.

"Saan kayo nagkakilala ni Jonathan?"

Whoa... I was surprised that question popped out of thin air. I swing my eyes sidewayd to see if anyone on the table was looking for me to answer..

"Uhhhmmm, common friend kuya." That answer was lightly sounded, but determined.

"Boyfriend mo ba sya?"

That statement seemed to have killed the talk on the table, everyone was looking at me, an answer they anxiously waiting. TSC doesn't know I'm bisexual; I'd rather be quiet about that issue, else being brought up. It took me seconds to answer that question, jokingly.

"Why not kuya? Hahaha!" That was a fake laugh, ignoring the reaction from the choir.

But then, a heartful laugh burst on the table.

"Phillippe, ikaw ha, may sikreto ka, hahaha!" says one of the members.

I myself gave a half-hearted laugh. Kuya Ronan faced me again, "Ako ata nagulat dun ah."

Since that little joke, I know I'll have to confess everything this evening, at least before we part our ways, or else an issue will cloud the singing with the choir.

After that noisy dinner, everyone packed up to proceed to the next activity. We will be proceeding to the house of one of the members to have the yearly assesment through a game and a few hard drinks. At first I have to say no, because I haven't slept for the last 38 hours (Gosh, that was a record, and it seems I'm breaking it again!) and I'm feeling a bit dizzy but then, everyone was persuading me to go. After a few minutes under the rain in the middle of the parking lot, I choose one of the vans and hopped in. What the hell, I have this murky feeling that I need to go. I need to go with them or I'm SUPPOSED to go with them, I will never understand why, but then I made a decision to go.

Inside one of vans, I have to rest myself to at least a few minutes while on travel. I laid my head backwards, lounging on the middle seats together with my co-basses. In a few minutes, I fell asleep.

"Oi, gising na, dito na tayo."

I woke up with a heavy, aching head. That was the first nap in 38 hours and its really pissing me off to have my little joy taken away from me. With a blurry vision, I see the rest of the convoy parked in a subdivision in Santolan, Pasig, facing a big house, (when I say big, its big!), a two story house with a garage and a small garden. This is the house where the anniversary continues.

The choir gathered at the sala, made a few announcements and the work was divided. Some have to cook the pulutan, others to mix the drinks, others to make the activity paraphernalia, others to collect contribution and others to prepare the venue. As per the sleepless me, I have to stay at the sala, watch tv, and left to fall asleep. The tv was showing the animated CLone Wars flick, but my eyes are yearning for something more essential; a few minutes to close.

It was past midnight when I was awaken by the laughter emanating from the garage. I noticed myself slacked on the sofa, one feet on the backrest and the other on the floor, left hands on my head, right on my chest, mouth open, drooling...

Gross..

Should someone took my picture in this state, I'll look like a freshly-raped homeless hooker.

Anyway, I went to the garage with the rest of the choir encircled on a table with whiskeys and brandies with juices and softdrinks for chaser. They gave me s shot of the drinks and that first shot burned my throat and chest that I necessarily have to take the chasers immediately. I took a seat. It was just that I realized, I'm the only one waited to arrive to start the festivities.

We did a truth or consequence type of game. A beer bottle was spinned and whoever is the person who the bottle points shall pick a question. Should the person decides not to answer the question, he/she pays P20 to the choir. (so much for fund raising, eh?)

Every after two persons picked a question, awards were given to the deserving people. And we say awards, they are like...

Am Baho mo!! (Bassist who stink the worst)
Anjan ka pa rin!?! (Most tenured choir member - winner has stayed 28 years, Bow!!)
Megaphone of the Year (loudest voice)
Tira Ru (choir laughstock)

And yes, I was lucky enough to recieve an award, hahahaha.. Presenting...

Anjan ka pala!?! (most quiet choir member, hmmmm seems to work for me)

Yes, I have to wear my award on the party..

When it was my turn to answer a question, I picked from the question basket and I have to read the question aloud. And alas! My question is this...

"Was there any instance that you feel attracted to the same sex in this choir?! How did you respond?"

It was actually the question I'm dreading to answer that night; but lo and behold, its the question I'm about to answer. After a deep breath, I smiled and said,

"This is the question that I am avoiding this night, but then mukhang ako talaga ang nakatokang sumagot ng tanong na ito. Since I was a child, I know I have this tendencies of same-sex attraction, and it will be unfair for myself and for the rest of the people who care for me to deny who I really am. If there are attractions, shempre I don't have to deny it, but I have put aside what I feel when it comes to this choir; I'm here to serve God, and that's what I will do to the best of my abilities."

The applause thundered the garage.

Everyone was tapping my shoulder as I returned the piece of paper with the question on the table. It was a big surprise to them, knowing that I never was too outspoken when inside the choir. Just singing and serving is all I could do, and hopefully, this part of me that I finally revealed to them will place another point in the history. Its a good thing the revelation was accepted with open arms, and that will surely make me stay in the choir in a years to come.

Before the night ended, I was again asked as a follow-up..

"Were you attracted to anyone in the choir??"

Hmmm.. the plot thickens...

"Uhh, yes, I think I did, pero eventually nawala din, na set ko na kase ang status na hindi pwede dito sa choir, tska para wala na ring tsismis."

"Uy, sino? Sino??"

The whole choir was excited to hear my answer.

All I did was to get myself a fresh twenty peso bill from my wallet and placed it on the table.

Of Vampires and a Shining Volvo...

We, ladies, still do believe in fairytales, but this time, we don't need knights in shining armor...
But a vampire in a shiny silver volvo!!

-forwarded text

Yes, there is a Twilight mania in the country!

From the time that I saw the movie's banner in the malls, there was a hush. People were so excited to see the movie, basically an adaptation of Stephanie Meyer's series. And with the tag line saying, "The hottest book since Harry Potter", it gave everyone a curiosity too irresistible to take, since any movie adaptation having comparable to the seven-series JK Rowling blockbuster will surely raise an eyebrow to the literary and movie addicts.

It was a Sunday morning when my teammates decided to watch Twilight. We chose to watch at the Gateway Mall in Cubao to have the most accessible travel back home to everyone. It was not surprising to that 7 out of 12 cinemas shows Twilight. And with the number of moviegoers snaking the lines on the ticket booths, I could feel the excitement this movie had brought everyone. But then, never did my colleagues that I watched this movie on the very first day of screening with my boyfriend (I just can't help doing this, its HIM I'm with, come on!!), just not to spoil the weekend plan. After buying the tickets, we have to take our lunch for its almost an hour to go before the show, and that hour seems like eternity for us as we talked on what to expect with the movie, with me being so careful not to bring about information that will spoil them. We even checked on the bookstores to see if there are books available for the title, and true as what we expect, it was sold out. To our excitement, we have to go in a few minutes before the trailers started.

We took the upper middle seats to have a good view. As we walk the stairs to the seats, I could hear a buzzing noise on the crowd. It seems like most of the audience has read the book and are also have a lot to expect on the flick.

And then the movie started, and eventually ended.

Then, I thought the story will be dragging, having read a few chapters of the book prior to watching, maybe perhaps that there is a number of descriptive words to every scene that colors the imagination of the readers. But I was surprised to see that the movie was fast paced and as usual, a few points of the plot was changed. (So much for movie adaptations! And what happened to Seattle, why Jacksonville?!) But then, one could not miss the things that Stephanie Meyer has described intricately in her book; the shiny silver Volvo, Bella's ancient chev truck, Charlie Swan and his house, La Push beach and the old ballet studio to name a few. Also, Robert 'Cedric Diggory' Pattinson made the ladies scream on his first appearance on the screen and with every Edward Cullen immortal lines that he delivers like "You are my life now!" and "I don't have the strength not to be with you!" (AWWWW!). Kristen Stewart made a perfect Isabella Swan persona, where everyone was hooked up with her angelic narrative voice, her anti-Arizona complexion, and her girl-next-door looks. I don't deny this; she's too hot for the screen.

At first, one could find the story too teeny bopperish, but then Stephanie Meyer was able to put more colors to the story that made it a blockbuster. Her definition of new age vegetarian vampires, their pro-solar skins and the factions inside this blood-thirsty line apart from the usual werewolves-vampire war, are just a few of the flavors that made the plot less scarier and suitable for every age to read. And the usual course of the story, the message of love trancending from differences and the will to fight for it makes it, oh well, watching. And yes, I'm lucky enough no to finish the book yet prior to watching, as not to get disappointed with the difference between the lit and the flick.

"I’m definitely fighting fate trying to keep you alive..."
Edward Cullen, Twilight, Chapter 14, p.311

"I may not be a human, but I am a man..."
Edward Cullen, Twilight, Chapter 9, p.191

The Warrior is a Child.. Still

Du doo du doo du du du doooo, ooooh...

As the choir starts the song with an angelic ooing, I felt the tears flooding on the side on my eyes, but shouldn't be seen; as crying may differ my voice, ruining the performance.

"Lately I've been winning battles left and right..."

It was late in the morning, Sunday, sleepy as I may feel, having the most luxurious 12-hour sleep after seven weeks, I have to wake up to tend to my laundry which is stacking up in the bin, amongst the rest of the things that I have in mind that I have to do for the day. First off, picking the cellphone, I woke up reading Richard's text that one of my colleagues in college has passed the board exams after three trials. I feel so happy for my friend, for he continously tried the exams despite the level of difficulty. It made my day a bit brighter, despite all the heartaches I'm trying to evade.

Just like a year ago when I passed the Board Exams, placing 8th out of the 94 examinees. It was the time of my life, then; passing the board, earning my license, the family having the second engineer, meeting my special someone. It was a bliss swimming with all the memories of the year passed. But then, all I have are thoughts of those times, wishing that I could turn back the time and be in those moments to relieve my pains.

"But even winners can get wounded in the fight"

I went home early last morning from an overnight shift. I slept for only two hours the other day, and three hours the day before that; and at the slightest closure of my eyelids, I could fall into slumber, even at the noisiest street. That particular shift was a knock-out, literally. I have two escalated calls (while trying to calm the customer, all sorts of curses are shouted back, customer could have just shouted "Avada Kedavra!" with a wand pointing on the other line satisfy herself!), one one-hour call and two consecutive 60% evals, due to notes error, I'm running at an average of 78% this month, client wants 85%. I have recieved my latest schedule, 10:30 pm till 7:30 am, SPLIT OFF on Wednesdays and Sundays for three weeks. I have to file for a leave next Saturday for me to watch the finals night of my boyfriend's choir competition (he is the conductor anyway) and until now, the approval is undetermined. While going home, my ex-boyfriend's close friend confessed that he was courting another guy while we are still on, confirming the third-party issued that caused the "Falling Out of Love" that ended the relationship. As I get home, my father persuades me to make it up with my elder sister, after the months, soon to be year of no talk and 'you're invisible to me' status. I tried to talk to him out of it, for I can just do just yet what he's asking me of. What she did was nothing I can easily forget, for it had made me suffer to much, those things that made sudden turns for me and as time goes by, its harder for me to go back to where I've started since everything was fine. She's leaving to work someplace out of the country in a couple of days, but that didn't gave me the reason to work things out with her.

"People say that I'm amazing I'm strong beyond my years.."

Yes, I've been a leader since I was a student, I was a former Editor-in-Chief for the school magazine, a manager for a College-level choir, and a Secretary for the course organization (just imagine my College days then, huh?); trying to solve all issues and problems, create decisions, lead the rest of the subordinates for a common goal and plan. I'd have the luxury of a five-hour sleep on normal days and three on toxic days. Even while on training on my first job, I have to lead and unite 30 people who I don't know that much to be able to help them do the work we are supposed to do in the next weeks proceeding that training. People will be looking up to me and say, "Hey, you're the Man of the Hour!"


"But they don't see inside of me I'm hiding all the tears..."

People would say I'm someone they can lean on, someone who will always be there, someone to call in trying times, a shoulder to cry on, a steadfast lover, a strong soul. Everyone would see me as great as they think I am, or what am I showing, but the thing is...

"They don't know That I come running home when I fall down'
They don't know Who picks me up when no one is around..."

I'm not a tower that stands tall and strong, I'm just a bamboo shoot that sways at the will of the wind...
I'm not a rock that stays untouched and rigid after all the blows, I'm just a hardened clay that forms however my Master wants me to be, than softens at the touch of water...
I'm not an man with honor and glory after ever battle that I won over, I'm just a little child walking in the rain, crying for help, soaking wet, wanting for shelter...
I'm not a just brain that analyzes and understands, I also have a heart that is loves, cares, gets hurt and feels pain...
I'm not a piece of wood that splinters my oppressor, I am a human that bleeds when the skin is cut...

"I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child "

With all these things happening to me, I can't help but to scream inside in pain. I would cry my tears to sleep and wake feeling the same pain that doesn't seem to ebb away. I'm mingling in the dark path that I'm not supposed to walk unto, shivering in the coldness of despair and hopelessness. All I want is to be loved and be cared for, and for the slightest feeling that the world denies that simple need, I would sink into my fears, cry till I realize that I didn't need the world to be happy, but hence the world needs me, despite everything that I may be going through.

"Unafraid because his armor is the best..."

But then, there are people who continually believes in me even if I may be at my worst, and when someone like You came in my life, it felt that my life has another purpose. When life came tumbling down, Your presence gave me all the courage to stand once again. Knowing your story, how much you've done with your life and how you made yourself the man that exists today, made me realize that alas, I was a squire for difficulties in life. Your story was an inspiration, and with you falling for someone like me, its like a another life that you breathe in me that will make me go on, continue with life and face every morning with hope, joy and courage. I wanted to be the shelter when storms are raging in your life, a tower that can let you see the beauty of the earth in a pedestal, a rock that will shelter you inside for you not to get hurt, a wood that will splinter anyone who tries to bother your slumber, and a brave man with a heart to love you and a mind to fight for you.

"But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest..."

Sometimes, I can't avoid to disappoint You, I never expected You were asking more of me that what I can do. You're disappointment made a sudden change of our story, You were not as loving as what you are before, your sweetness dies down everyday. And the worst thing, ITS KILLING ME SLOWLY, every morning that I never receive a message from you feels a breath less in my lungs, a beat less in my heart.

"People say that I'm amazing I never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies That lay me at his feet..."

All I'm ever wishing is that I could make things up for You, at the least, if I cannot bring back the old feeling that You have for me. I'm down on my knees, begging at the mercy of Your understanding. I'm just a man wanting so much to be loved by someone like You. Don't let this warrior fall again, I beg you, for when the strength dies completely and the hope fades, the child inside will mourn eternally.

I love You, I just can't lose you...

As the choir goes back to the chorus, ending it with the transposition notes, from piano to fortessissimo, the pain deepens, intesifies, it likes to get out like a ferocious monster waiting to consume what's left of me...

Paghahandog...

Wow, angtagal na ring walang update itong blog, marami lang talagang naganap sa buhay ko, parang napakabilis ng mga araw, napakabilis din ng mga pangyayari.

Parang kailan lang eh malungkot at sawi ako, ngayon naman ang haba ng hair ko...
Parang kailan lang eh kaibigan ko sya, eh dahil mag higit pa sa kaibigan ang gusto nya sa akin at hindi ko maibigay ang gusto nya, ayun, para lang kaming hindi magkilala sa opisina...
Parang kailan lang ay Team Hydra ako, naging Team Shohoku na...
Parang kailan lang ay Paskong Masaya, ngayon nama'y Paskong Walang Hanggang...
Parang kailan lang, umiibig ako sa isang kalbo, ngayon nama'y iniibig din ako ng isang kalbo, at wala akong balak na pakawalan sya...
Parang kailan lang, humahanga ako sa Madz, ngayon nama'y isang dating Madz ang umiibig sa akin, awww...
Parang kailan lang, 18 oras lang ang itinatagal katawan ko na walang tulog, ngayon 36 oras na...
Parang kailan lang, nasa Makati ako, ngayon nasa Libis na...
Parang kailan lang, sampung channel lang alam ng tv namin, ngayon mahigit limampu na, keybol na eh...

Andaming nangyari, andaming kaganapan, mabuti na lang at may isang katulad mo na dumaan sa buhay ko, kahit na napakabilis ng oras, dagling humihinto sa isang sulyap ng ngiti sa iyong labi, naghahatid sa akin na kaligayahang hindi man kayang ibalik ng oras na lumipas, hindi naman mabubura sa aking ala-ala. Hindi kayang ipagpasalamat ang ligayang dulot ng pagdating mo, may bagong direksyon ang buhay kong sali-saliwa, may kahulugan ang bawat sandaling tinatamasa ko ang pag-ibig mo, at muling napatunayang mahal ako ng Diyos dahil isang katulad mo ang umiibig sa abang katulad ko...

You're Still You

Here is a video were I sang You're Still You...



Thanks to Ms. Ma. Elena Gatmaitan for the video, I love you Ate Marlo!!!

The Return of the Crusader

Naks! Parang parang kabanata lang sa Star Wars ang title ng post, pero wag ka, ano lang ang topic ko ngayon. Ang powers talaga ng pagsusulat oh.

Hmmm, seryosohin ko na kaya ang pagsulat?

Oo, ngapala, pagkatapos ng higit na ANIM na taon, ngayon na lang uli ako nagpadasal ng Rosaryo. At huwag ka, sa harap pa ng altar, habang nanonood at pinakikinggan ng mga sosyal, pasosyal at mga hampas-lupang nagsisimba sa EDSA Shrine. Opo, at Inggles pa ang banat.

Panalo!

Habang nagsesermon ang pari, pinakiusapan ako ni Ate Lou (ang aming leader sa choir) kung pwede ako maglead ng Rosaryo. Bilang Buwan ng Rosaryo ngayong Oktubre, lahat ng choir sa Shrine ay nakatokang maglead ng Rosaryo pagkatapos ng misa. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang unang nakita ni Ate Lou o dahil malapit ako sa kanya kaya ako ang pinili (ano daw?). Hindi naman ako makatanggi dahil matagal na rin akong hindi nakapagrosaryo at galing ako sa Katolikong paaralan kaya dapat marunong ako. Pagkatapos ng hindi makasigurong "oo", binigyan ako ni Ate Lou ng kopya ng mga dasal at isang perlas na Rosaryo (mahal ang Rosaryong yun, pwamis!!!). Buti naman at may kodigo. Sa tagal ko nang hindi nakapagrosaryo eh siguradong limot ko na ilang mga bahagi noon. Habang communion eh hindi ako makakanta ng Il Signore ng maayos, kakaisip kung makakaya ko bang mamuno ulit ng Rosaryo.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Italian parts only

Il Signore, mi rende uno strumento della vostra pace.
Dove ci e odio, lasciarlo seminare l'amore.
Dove ci e ferita, perdone.
Dove ci e dubbio, fede.
Dove ci e disperazione, sperare.
Dove ci e nerezza,illuminarsi.
Dove ci e la tristezza, gioia.

At ano ito? Marami nang nadagdag! Ang dating Joyful, Sorrowful at Glorious mysteries, may kasama nang Luminous or Light Mysteries! May nadagdag din na sasabihin pagkatapos ng Ejaculation (ewan ko bakit ito napili nilang term..) to Our Lady of Fatima. At may nadagdag din after nung prayer after the Hail Holy Queen!

Ayan na, tapos na ang misang pinagsilbihan ng choir, tumayo na kami at inawit ang pagwakas. Eto na at magmumuno na akong sa pagrorosaryo. Pagkaayos ng mikropono at pagkalagay ng kodigo sa music stand...

"Alltogether, let us pray the Holy Rosary... In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."

Hindi pa ako makapili ng kung Eymen o Amen ang gagamitin ko, leche...

Napaghahalatang matagal na akong hindi nagrorosaryo...

1. Kinakabahan akong mamuno sa pagdarasal, na saliwat dato kasi adik ako sa ganito nung high school ako, kaso anim na taon na pala ang lumipas, at hindi ako nagdarasal na pinanonood ng mga tao...

2. May binabasa na ngang naturingan eh nabubuyoy pa rin ako sa Hail Mary at sa Glory Be...

3. Tingin ako ng tingin sa Rosaryo at baka sumobra ang Hail Mary's ko...

4. Tumatagaktak ang pawis kong hindi ko mawari kung bakit eh napakalamig ng shrine...

At higit sa lahat..

5. PUMIPIYOK AKO!!! Waaaaaaahhh!!!

Matapos ang limampu't tatlong Hail Mary's, limang Our Father, limang Glory Be's, limang Ejaculation (bakit ba ito ang ginamit nilang term for that, ansagwa!!), limang Glorious Mysteries, ang Hail Holy Queen at isa pang dasal, natapos din ang padasal. Pwede nang pigain ang polo kong suot sa sobrang pawis, na malapit nang matuyo dahil sa aircon.

Magkaganoon man ang nangyari, nairaos naman ang padasal, at pinagpala naman ang pakiramdam ko dahil mahigit limandaang tao ang nakidasal kasama ko, dalangin ang ikabubuti ng buhay at kapayapaan sa mundo (ang cheesy naman!) at shempre, magandang kalusugan at gabay sa trabaho at pamilya (mas lalong cheesy!).

At dahil sa kaunting pagdarasal, bumalik ang ala-ala ng mga taon ko sa highschool, ang CAT (oo naman, naging opisyal ako nun, makikita nyo ako sa larawan sa ibaba...). Naramdaman kong puso at isip lalaki ako noon. (Bakit ngayon pa rin naman ah!)

Ang mga kapwa ko opisyales na mga engineer, nurse, pulis at boxer na ngayon, at ang AGIDON (Agila, Dragon, Ibon) na simbolo ng batch.

At higit sa lahat, sa ilang sadaling namuno ako ng pagrorosaryo, namumbalik ang binatang maka-Diyos, makatao ang makabayan.

Bow!

The Elevator Trip

It was five minutes till the start of the shift and here am I, just went off the fx infront of the Madrigal Bldg, a few meters from PBCom Tower. I hasten my strides because I can't afford to be tardy on a Monday morning shift due to the big queue I'm about to plunge in. Being late is just not my thing, else the whole shift will be a mess.

Here comes the herald of the blue tower of Makati, my beloved PBCom. As I enter the doors of the building, I quickly grabbed by ID from the bag to stop the guards from hindering me, asking "ID nyo ser?". I have to run big time now, its two minutes away from login. I posed for an elevator to signal going up when someone called my attention.

"Boone, kamusta ka na?"

I turned around and saw her.

It was Leslie, my ex's cousin.

She looked surprised seeing me again, after almost three months from the break-up. She was the last person I'm expecting to see, and that moment turned out to be a surprise for me as well.

"Hi Leslie!"

I kissed her cheek, like a normal guy to his girlfriend. She kissed be back and that felt sweet. An elevator opened up and we stormed in.

On the elevator she asked me, "Kamusta na ka?"

It felt lousy to answer her, "Eto, a few weeks magreresign na, tapus na contract ko eh"

"Ilang months ka na ba sa etel?"

"More than six months na."

Long pause...

With some hesitation and determination she asked me, "Okay ka na ba?"

It felt like I really know that will be the next question she'll ask me, so I asked her back, "Alam mo na kung ano nangyari?"

With those eyes of loneliness she said, "Oo, grabe nagulat ako sobra nung binalita ni pinsan."

After a sigh I replied, "Wala na tayo magagawa dyan, desisyon na nya yan eh."

Yes, she has the news, but the real story I don't know, and at this time, I don't seem to care. Everything just flashed back like all things happened yesterday. Everything went so informal; the relationship just ended saying that the other one has FALLEN OUT OF LOVE, ASKING FORGIVENESS FOR ALL THE SHORTCOMINGS, AND THUS WILL RESPECT ALL I FEEL AFTER THAT MESSAGE.

But then, it was just a message; a message on the cellphone that never recieved any reply. I don't even have the strength to put things into just words on a text message. Its much more than that. All the dreams, hopes, efforts and longing just evaporated into a wisp of hatred, disappointment and pain. All I felt was too much for a text message to handle.

But nevertheless, how the relationship ended is by just a text message.

Isn't it just unfair??

The elevator is on its 10th floor, stopping on a halt. This particular floor has a curse; when the door opens, a stench so bad and so strong fills the elevator and the rest of the passengers. And the stench smells like it came from the poso negro. We covered our noses but our clothes didn't spare the odor. Gross.

After that horrible floor, removing the cover on our noses, Leslie asked me again.

"O, bakit hindi mo hinabol?"

That question of hers popped a thousand things in my head.

I just don't know if I'll get insulted with that question or what. Am I the one who was supposed to have done something to save the relatioship?? Am I the one with the shortcomings?? Should I still go for someone who just had a change of heart?? What is effort and what is letting go??

Weird is, after all the things I'm thinking, this is the thing that I told her, "Its not worth it, Les, baka magmukha lang akong tanga."

The door opened for the 15th floor. After the short kiss on her cheek to say goodbye, I walked out of the elevator. Damn, its a minute to go...

Sa Panuluyan

Tapos na ang shift...

Nasa lobby ako ng opisina...

Kaharap ko'y tatlong elevators at sa likod ay tatlo din, panik-panaog; umiilaw ang mga panurong pababa at pataas, senyales na may lalabas, lilingain ko bawat lalabas at papasok...

Ilang tao na ang nakapasok at labas ng opisina, andun pa rin ako, matamang naghihintay sa iyo...

May hinihintay ako, pero wala ka naman...

Parang tanga lang... parang gago lang...

Eh ano magagawa ko, eh minsan lang kita makikita??

Magkaiba tayo ng shift, ibang program...

Kilala ba kita, o hindi kaya'y kilala mo ako??

Alam mo ba na nagkakanito ako dahil sa iyo??

Eh sa paningin lang tayo nagkakasalubong...

Tingin na waring nagpapatigil sa mundo kong hilo na sa pag-inog...

Ang mga ninakaw na tinging hindi ko malimutan hanggang paghimbing...

Eto, parang gago lang, naghihintay sa iyo...

Umaasang kapag nakita lang kita'y buo na ang araw ko...

Parang awa mo na, isang sulyap lang...

Kahit magmukha akong tanga'y wala akong pakialam...

Kahit saglit lang...

Raptusinco! Part 12

Force Over Area...
Yes, that's the equation for pressure!
I can't believe I'm into lots of these things at this moment...

Work Pressure...
September is about to end and I have to pass my PIP (Personal Improvement Plan) for the AHT (Average Handling Time). I have to get at least ten minutes and forty seconds before the month ends. To date I'm missing seconds (as in F%^$^#g seconds!) to pass it. Last week I'm at 11:07, from 11:05 from last last week to 11:15 on the first week of the month. I'm just torn between doing great calls and fast calls. Yes, it is a battle between quality and quantity. Good thing I'm doing great on evals (four straight 100's!!!), but then the quantity of the calls I'm taking should be more. While the rest of the team have 600 - 700 calls this month, which is normal, I'm at 577!! I guess I'd better be the one-question-one-answer-no-shits-or-I'll-end-the-call agent rather than the rapport-to-get-customer's-trust representative.

Career Pressure...
It's almost one year since I passed the board exams and then here I am on a different field. Time is running out for me as I have to be on an airline sooner or the next batch of engineers will be coming in, steeping the competition even harder. Yes, I was named Mr. Underemployed by one of the teammates (but thanks for that, Kiel!) because I deserve a better job other that answering America's most irate callers and keeping them to the company's line. But then, I have the clearance to take my exit, save that I'm sure on the job I'll be taking. And here comes a singing contest and I'm the one to represent the team, I'd love to sing for them to the extent that I have to stay with them a few days more. It's all worth it, having Team Hydra as one of the world's greatest teams! (What team?? Hydra!! What team?? Hydra!!) It's a battle to chase the dreams and making my colleagues proud. Geez, I'd better the that 'Michael Buble' they say I am, for I'd like to leave the floor with a memorabilia.

Attitude Pressure...
Be the kick-ass boy or the altar good boy, peers from different parts of my life are having me on different ways of handling life's b*$%#@+s. Well, fortunate for me, I go with different peers for they see me not for what they want me to be but just as I am. But then its good to know someone watches my actions, God I'm aware at the least. One says to stand up and be strong, the other tells to do the right thing and forgive to be divine. I'm torn between my sexualitites, should the attitude be a battle as well?? Come on!!

Singlehood Pressure...
Ah, this pressure is nonsense, says who?? Having someone isn't a status symbol, right?? But then the way the last relationship ended and the things I'm hearing on the news are hindering me to get to another relationship. I have to take a step back into relationships and not to run into circles once more. Get a grip of oneself first, dude. Learn to love oneself first before another. And have a good and true guy/girl for you, will you?? (What was that?)

Truth Pressure...
Yes, I'm with a date with Zechariah Sitchin, lying on a couch, reading the first part of his seven-series book Earth Chronicles. He thrives on facts on evolution, civilization, beliefs and fiercely, faith. The acheological, biblical and historical analogies to the earth's past brings Sitchin to the most credible theories that are truly mind-blowing and astounding. I have six books left to read but the reads are unstoppable. One may think the ideologies Sitchin tries to inculcate may be overrated and purely fictional but then here goes his poise for cohere his writings to the things that we have today; news, acheological finds; biblical prophesies and even astrological discoveries that were believed are supposed to be hidden from human knowledge. These are few of the reasons why I can't bring the book down!

O, yes, the pressures are overwhelming, uncanny and vindicated. I need to survive all these before I break my body and mind to it. But then, good thing, I have Grace...

Grace under pressure, that is...

Something Something...

The team went on a general assembly at Tiendesitas in Ortigas; I happen to see one for the restos in the area with a funny name; so funny I laughed so loud people came looking at me...

Here is a video a friend of mine mistakenly took for a picture. Look at the rest of the ladies and TL Errol laughing... todo pose pa kayo huh...

The Videoke Alphabet

Everytime an establishment comes with a videoke, there goes the craze. Everyone will go looking for a song an toss in coins and the fun goes on and on. Natural na sa mga Pinoy yan, happy people eh.

Being a videoke addict, we'll see if I have completed the alphabet on the songs that I sang on a videoke machine, one time or another...

A

Ang Aking Awitin - Side A
[awit ng mga may crush na ayaw magsalita, i love you sa tago ba..]

Always Be My Baby - David Cook
[buti na lang may version nito si david, kase hirap gayahin ni mariah eh... hahahaha]

As Long As You Love Me - Backstreet Boys
[bata pa ako nung una kong marinig ang kantang ito, always a favorite, always a song in mind]

Awit Para Sa Iyo - Jamie Rivera
[kantang 'friends na lang tayo', mababa pa ang pitch]

B

Beauty and Madness - Fra Lippo Lippi
[all time favorite ito, and ganda ng message at madaling kantahin kase mababa]

Bakit Ba - Siakol
[sinong nagsabing puro classic ang kinakanta ko? pang emo din to bah!]

Be My Lady - Martin Nievera
[parang chauvinist lang... at pang straight lang, hahaha, pero kayang kayang kantahin]

Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang - Freestyle
[sino bang hindi nakakanta ng power duet na ito?]

Bituing Walang Ningning - Sharon Cuneta
[a classic pinoy song, kaso mas favorite ko sya nung Madz na kumanta, iba talaga ang choir sa solo..]

C

Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore - Reo Speedwagon
[a love to die for.. pero kailangan malaman mo.. sounds cool and hot, dba??]

Change The World - Eric Clapton
[change the world, i will be the sunlight in your universe... awww]

D

Dust In The Wind - Kansas
[i love the interlude of the song, the violin thing.. cool]

E

Even Now - Barry Manilow
[kantang bitter, buti si barry and kumanta kaya gusto ko]

Everytime I See You - Fra Lippo Lippi
[kantang bitter pa rin, pero cool kantahin, 'my life, turns upside down..']

Ewan - APO Hiking Society
[pangchoral, panglasingan, pamvideoke, ayos to...]

F

Father and Son - Cat Stevens
[ang kantang power octave ang laban, karirin din ito, maganda din kasi ang kanta eh, patriarchal nga lang masyado...]

Forever - Regine Velasquez
[song ito nang isa sa mga commercials ni Piolo for Maxx's with Isabel Oli]

G

Gold - Spandau Ballet
[pambading na kanta, keri lang isingaloo itech, bet ng mga bax and song, ahahahaha]

H

Haplos - Shamrock
[ever memorable song, kakakilig at kakatuwa kantahin, always a song in heart, thanks shamrock!!]

Hanggang - Wency Cornejo
[isa sa mga pangkontest ko ito, dati akala ko ndi ko ito makakanta, ngayon andali lang, ganda pa ng kanta, wai! wai! wai!]

Habang May Buhay - Wency Cornejo
[dahil hindi natuloy and solo ko nito nung magconcert kami sa PULSE, ayun , videoke na lang tinuloy, love the message of the song]

Hindi Mo Ba Alam - Siakol
[minsan ko na tong kinanta, panlasing daw... pero cool pa rin ang song]

I

I'll Be - Edwin McCain
[sinong mag-aakalang makakanta ko ito, eh ubod ng taas nito, basta nakakanta na ako ng mga sampu tsaka pwede na kantahin to]

I Lay My Love On You - Westlife
[a favorite din, kakilig kase ahahahaha]

J

Just Once - James Ingram
[OMG! Sinong lalake be hindi nakakakanta nito sa videoke?]

K

Kahit Sandali - Martin Nievera
[Never akong nakakanta nito na ako lang, kapag tumaas na ang tono, ipasa ang mic sa mataas ang boses.. hahaha. maganda rin kantahin, pero pamatay ang range]

Knock Three Times - Tony Orlando And Dawn
[o ha? akala nyo pambago lang to, pang oldies din ako no... knock three times on the ceiling if you want me]

L

Later - Fra Lippo Lippi
[another heartbroken favorite, madali kantahin

Lead Me Lord - Gary Valenciano
[you are my life, you're the lamp upon my feet...awww]

M

Melody Fair - BeeGees
[eto naman ang nakanta ko kina Matthew sa kanilang magic sing, nagtrip magconcert ng beegees, ayan ang isa sa mga kanta]

My Love Will See You Through - Marco Sison
[pangkontest na kanta ito, maganda at mataas, pero pamatay ang arrangement]

N

Nag-iisang Ikaw - Louie Heredia
[when i was young, napanaginipan ko ang kantang to, kaya memorable, ayan, kinanta din sa videoke, kaya naman, pero mataas]

Ngiti - Ronnie Liang
[favorite song ni John kaya ko kinanta, i love you sa tago ang theme, good song din]

Never Thought - Dan Hill
[song for the blooming lovers, ang ganda kantahin nito habang nageemote. ahihihihi]

O

Ocean Deep - Cliff Richard
[antaas ng pitch, nangailangan akong magfalsetto to the max, wag kasi pilitin eh... pero at least effort!!]

On The Wings of Love - Jeffrey Osborne
[akala niyo ba si Regine lang pwede magrevive nito? pumiyok ako dito huh.. hahahaha]

P

Parting Time - Rockstar 2
[i don't wanna lose you girl, i need you back to me... awww]

Part of Your World - from little Mermaid
[P&*%$*#A! kinanta ko to?! Oo naman, minsan sa isang birthday, power falsetto ako nito, tawa nang tawa lahat ng nakarinig!]

Panalangin - APO Hiking Society
[a love song to touch the soul, and ganda ng combi diba??]

Q

Queen Of My Heart - Westlife
[another westlife favorite, theme song daw ni ano... ahihihihi]

Que Sera Sera - Doris Day
[another power classic song, nakanta ko yan kala mo...]

R

Run To Me - BeeGees
[basta beegees, hit as akin, kaya dapat makanta sa magic sing!]

S

Sana - Shamrock
[I don't know why Shamrock songs are soooo goood!!! another favorite!!]

Sigaw ng Puso - Father and Sons
[ang all time favorite classic Pinoy love song, walang makatalo o makatapat, kaya lahit na super taas ng tono, dapat nang ibaba ang key, peborit ko to eh...]

Skyline Pidgeon - BeeGees
[another beegees classic, kinanta ko ito kahit napakataas, hindi ko magets and meaning ng kanta pero basta kantahin na lang...]

T

Take Me I'll Follow - Bobby Caldwell
[from the movie Mac and Me... love the songs, antaas nga lang ng tono... shet]

Torpedo - Eraserheads
[kanta ng mga hindi makaamin sa minamahal, obvious ba?]

U

Unbreakable - Westlife
[dahil kanta to ng weslife, kailangan kantahin din sa videoke!!]

Ulan - Cueshe
[ayan, sino may sabing hindi ako nakanta ng Cueshe?]

V

Vulnerable - Roxette
[pambading daw ang kantang ito.. eh hindi naman, ganda kaya kantahin, dali pa sabayan]

W

When I'm Gone - Albert Hammond
[aww, this song was so memorable]

Will Of The Wind - Jim Photoglo
[power emote song ito, mabagl nga lang pero banayad]

When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating
[cute din ng kanta, madaling kantahin, a personal favorite]

X

[walang akong nakanta na may X... hirap hanapin... hehehehe, pero kung may masuggest ka, why not??]

Y

You Got A Friend - Kenny Rogers
[ultimate friend song, madali kantahin, kasabay ang mga kainuman, tagay na pre!]

You're My Everything - Santa Esmeralda
[akala ko noon mababa lang to.. lintek mataas pala... pero maganda ang kanta]

You're Still You - Josh Groban
[pangcontest piece ko ito just in case, try ko pa rin abutin ang makabasag-lalamunang linyang... I've found one LOVE (with matching kulot pa) pero diba, the worth itself is worth the effort?]

Yakap sa Dilim - APO Hiking Society
[another APO sexy rendition... weeee]

Z

Zoom - Regine Velasquez
[i don't remember who sang this song originally, pero its a good song]