Philpop 2013: OPM not Dead.

Philpop Music Festival 2013 happened last July 20 and they have already unveiled the winners for the said competition. I was not able to watch it but thanks to Youtube, I have listened and watched the music video of the songs that were a part of the competition.

It was an event for songwriters who have not stopped composing and making good music to feed the soul of OPM.

The compositions that made to this year's list are:

1. Christian Bautista
"Araw, Ulap, Langit" by Marlon Barnuevo

2. Jose and Wally
"Askal" by Ganny Brown

3. Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos
"Dati" by Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana

4. Ney Dimaculangan
"Kung di man" by Johnoy Danao

5. Sitti and Julianne Tarroja
"Pansamantagal" by Jungee Marcelo

6. Joey Ayala and Gloc 9 feat Denise Barbacena
"Papel" by Joey Ayala

7. Kimpoy Feliciano
"Sana pinatay mo na lang ako" by Myrus Apacible

8. Karylle
"Sa'yo na lang ako" by Lara Maigue

9. Yael Yuzon of Spongecola
"Segundo" by Paul Armesin

10. Ace Libre from Never the Strangers
"Sometimes that happens" by Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura and Antonio Regalado

11. Kean Cipriano and Banda ni Kleggy
"Space" by Raffy Calicdan

12. Six Part Invention
"Time Machine" by Kennard Faraon

And the grand winner that night was "Dati" performed by Sam and Tippy. The genre was pop, RNB and the voices of Sam and Tippy was really apt to the kind of music it offers. I actually like it.  I know that most may not like or appreciate it the first time they may hear it because for some, it may not be their everyday music or something that they will listen on the radio on and sing along with it. But I wonder what is really the 'tunog pinoy' that we are looking for? Is it the one we can sing and dance along with? Is it something that will make our head banging? Is it the one that we can relate to? Does it have to be narrational? Does it have to be deep? Do we like double meaning?

My hope and love for OPM has never gone. As a musiclover like me, I can say that the choices of music or genre has got wider, that's why we became vulnerable with the songs that we listen to or putting into our MP3's and iPod's. I wish that we open more avenue for OPM songwriters and artists to showcase their beautiful talents to the world.

Here are the three songs that caught me listening on loop mode.

Ako na lang sa'yo - Karylle

Song full of hope from someone who loves from a far wishing that she will belong to him. Karylle conveys the song very well and I could not stop myself imagining as she does in the video.

Dati - Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos

Groovy music. But listening to the lines will put you back to your childhood when you use enjoy those moments with the person special to you.

Pansamantagal - Sitti and Julianne

Great singers in one song!!! They are my idols!! Mixed of bosa, jazz and pop. I like the message and how they play the good music here.

But I have to commend Sir Joey Ayala with his composition. The song has a lot of messages. The title 'Papel' symbolized not only as paper but how are we going to take part as an individual. He never fails to amuse me with his rich words thru his songs. 

Papel - Joey Ayala and Gloc 9

Mabuhay ang OPM!

Why Travel?

Most people would say or even associate that travelling is bragging that you have the budget to do it, pretentious, ambitious, a pricey hobby, for well off people, etc. Even I, have also thought of that many years ago. I thought that it was not easy to plan and execute. I thought that it was not my thing. But since I'm a netsurfer (word!), I have visited blog sites and found myself being slowly influenced by my idol Patty Laurel. She is a jet setter and a happy wife of Patrick Filart. She has gone too many places already. She said that travelling is discovering and collecting memories. I agree with her. Now, thank God that airlines have improved their marketing strategy and they have made fares to be fair.

I have already posted months ago my 12-day trip ala Amazing Race with my travel buddies and I kinda like refreshing those moments that we have bit our time for bus rides, train rides and everything else. The adventure started at Singapore and ended in Vietnam. No plane rides between these 5 countries, just explored everything via land. Yes, it maybe tiring, time consuming and draining activity to do but it's cheaper, better and lovelier to board buses and trains because you get to seize the moment when you are passing the highways and along the road, you will see greenfields, trees, you're close to nature. 

So, why travel? 

It's like an exercise. Travelling means your toes must be prepared for a lot of walking, striding and running. Everytime you will move into another place, you have to have a tough arms and shoulders to carry your own loads. Because travelling is not as fancy as you think it is. Not all the time, you have your trolley bag. In our case, since we are backpackers, we did not overload ourselves since it will be additional to our airfare (Manila to Singapore, Vietnam to Manila). Every passenger is allowed for 7Kg of load, if you exceed, you have to shed money, as it will be considered as a check in baggage. So, travel lite!

It's a discovery. I know Philippines is very rich in culture and history but, stepping outside your territory will give you good stories to know as well. You get to experience their food, their lifestyle, and how preserve their country's treasures. You get to know locals and folks from these countries that may somehow generous enough to share their traits and attitude. Then, you will be able to adjust and manage your behavior when you meet them again or when you get back to these places. 

It teaches discipline. Money is involved in travelling. When you plan, you save. When you execute, you learn to wake up early in the morning to explore the place. You will learn to be time conscious, since you have be ahead of time for your flight, or for your ride. You will be sensitive enough for your travelmates who exercise discipline. 

It will benefit your memory bank. Seldom that we think of crossing borders and flying abroad because we have a lot of excuses or reason. But defying what we can do more, means we can always look back and tell the whole adventure all over again. That there's a time that we were able to break the so-called expensive adventure. Moreover, you will think of saving up and furthering more your wings.

So travelling is not just adding glory to your passport, pictures for your facebook or instagram, shopping, souveneirs and all that stuff. It is a leisure that will give you priceless, sore feet. 

:)

Petronas towers in Kulala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wat Po in Bangkok, Thailand

The Opera House, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Changi Airport, Singapore

Surprises. Bliss. 3 decades of me!!!

How my day went? Amazing!

After speaking with my mom via facetime, we have greeted each other Happy Birthday since we share the same birthday. I felt a bit sad since this is the first time that I don't have her by my side. But I had to shake it off and I have to move on and spend it the way it will be. 

I have visited Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, located in Bras Basah, near the MRT station. I lifted everything to God and I have given thanks for all His shower of love. He has been doing wonders for the past few days and I can't deny how 'kilig' I am. Then I decided to stopover Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf which is just across the street and load myself with some caffeine before going home. Good thing the shop has a free wifi so I totally enjoyed myself for atleast 1 hour! 

Back in the flat, I cooked creamy carbonara and bought an ice cream so that we could feed our rawring tummy! 

But, the suspense was not over. 

I did not expect that all the event happened. I was in awe.

My cousin Joane and Zee and the rest of their flatmates sung Happy Birthday and they have the pasabog birthday cake. They have given me a cute present in an H and M bag, and cute mug from flatmates!!! I have never imagined this would be one of the happiest celebration of my birthday! No expectations, full of surprises and blessings! 

My appreciation is endless with these people. God used them to guide me through. i'm lifting it up to Him.

flatmates <3

from my IG

cake, icecream=happy birthday!!! calorie overload.

sweetest anne and zee... <3

World War Z; 'me' time at Golden Village

This is my nth week here in Singapore and I have never explored the place that much. Well, let's just say that when everything is already in its place, I will embrace all the chances of exploring Singapura. My cousin, Joanne, whose very generous enough to give me a Golden Village Movie Money, a voucher where you can use at any Golden Village in Singapore. Of course, it still has terms and conditions to remember before you go and secure a seat. The voucher will expire on June 30 and right timing to confuse yourself whether to watch Man of Steel, Monster U. or Brad Pitt's World War Z. I was fortunate that there are great movies shown out to spend my voucher wisely. The movie ticket costs around SGD 10, so in PHP, it costs approximately 300. So I think that the money was well spent, from the moviehouse itself, you're gonna love the place. 

This entry is not about the movie, because I was distracted by the hotness of Brad Pitt. I mean, who doesn't, right? Hahahaha. But the movie was good. Brad Pitt is a very loving husband and caring father and strong man here. Well, no spilling of the beans, better watch it so you will know what I am talking about the movie. 

Of course, before pleasure, business first. I was so blessed that I have attended Tagalog mass here. The church name is St. John's Church, located at Queen St., near the Bras Basah Station. After the mass, I rode the MRT and dropped in Plaza Singapura, which is 1 station away from where my first itinerary that day. I really scheduled my 'sundate' to make it convenient for me and to maximize my time. The Golden Village has so many locations here in SG and I picked GV Plaza. The place, is along Orchard Road, by the way. 

Since I was searching for the place, I have not catched any 7 o' clock movie. So the GV people have been very courteous, and polite serving the queue. The agent suggested the 8:30 slot which is WWZ and I was situated at E05. 

Then the movie started. I am loving the very clear sound, the picture and the seat. It seems that you are watching the movie on a humongous TV! The sounnds are superb! When there's explosion in the movie, you will really feel rumbling sounds, almost shook your seat! Surely, I will go back and see a movie here. 

If you're in Singapore, or planning to go in Singapore and see a movie here, you might want to see Golden Village. Also, for much convenience, you can secure your seats on their website. Go to www.gv.com.sg

nice movie!!!

catch a movie here!

A DAUGHTER'S TESTIMONIAL (Father's Day Special)

Mother's day has passed and now, we will celebrate another "Special-non working-domestic/household Holiday". Writing this down creates some sweats at the corners of my eyes. But I need to be composed. This day, I will remember my daddy. The man of few words. The man na minsan lang magpatawa, pero nakakapagpatawa. I miss him.

Daddy was a good provider. If he is not, then, I wouldn't be able to experience toys, foods, shopping, good school and finish college. He did not want my mommy to go to work since he would like my mom to be his queen, naks!

We did not have a tight bond. Since he worked for almost 10 years abroad when we were growing up. I regret that too. I feel sorry for the opportunities I slipped off my grasp. I would be sweeter, I can be the better daughter, if not the best. All of these, will remain "I should have been".

Its been 3 years when he passed away and went home to God. Everything still seems to be fresh. I whispered "I'm Sorry. I love You." but I'm not sure if he heard it. Nasa huli ang pagsisisi. But I think and believe that all the things happens with a purpose. Maybe that's the lifespan of my daddy. It is a lesson for children like me who are not able to express gratitude and love to their parents.

I came to realize that when we were so down, money became a matter, I still have a complete family. He drives before to earn a living. He bid goodbye still thinking of our welfare. Until the end, he remains a good provider.

When the world seems not to care and unfair. When you feel everyone turned their back on you. When doubt, anxiety, weary and unfotunate events consumed you. Our daddy/s waiting for our call. Sometimes, we thought that they do not acknowledge, careless, they are just waiting for us. We can have all moolah in the world, but our daddy, they just want us, we are their happiness. They may not be able to give everything we wanted, but believe me, they have tried. But you have to also ask yourself, "Naibigay ko ba yung gusto ng tatay ko?"

If you still have your dad with you, You are so lucky and blessed! You still have the time in the world to embrace them, kiss them and tell them, "Papa, I love you". Do not waste any chances. If you do, you can only whisper it to the wind.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Click (Father's day sneak peek)

As I am writing this entry, I just finished watching the movie "Click" by Adam Sandler. This movie meant a lot to me but I have never watched this until today. Why? It was a movie that my late brother have watched a lot of times. When I have watched this, I feel like I will just skip na lang and not finish this. But just like the film, I have fast forwarded it and checked on the scenes that might catch my attention.
The movie was about the family guy who just want to win the spot for success in his chosen field and slowly been slipping out on his family affairs that he just wanted to get the magic remote control, simple click, and he can make things fast forward on the things that needs to be done and skip the chapters that he thought maybe unnecessary to him. What he cannot do is to play it backward and let the things be corrected. Well, he can still view what had happened that he missed but cannot make any changes from what was already done. He did not have the chance to savor the days that he has his dad, celebrate each day with his wife and see his kids grow up, because he chose to be busy and skip the events with his family. Good thing that everything was just a dream. It gave him realization from what could have been the reality.
The movie was right. In this world where everything is fast-paced now, we may have neglected and forgotten the core of our existence. The reason why we succeed. The meaning of all the roles played by the people surrounding us. We feel sometimes and correct me if I am wrong, that we don't feel like having family day, camping day, family dinner etc. because there are other 'important things' that we need to get focused to. We have been eaten up by our goals, may it be career wise or whatever you may call it and 'quality time' became an option.
I have seen what my brother have seen in this movie. It came up to my senses. It brought me tears I cannot control. Whoa! I couldn't believe how deep my brother was. His friends told me this, he cried after seeing this movie. The movie was very far from what our family is/was. This was only an example of what if we live in this family.
Whatever keeps us busy and away from our loved ones, let us not skip the chance we can see and join them with eating, playing, dancing etc. Let us not put too much energy on things that we know we can handle naman and take a nice and slow moment with what is more important -- our family! This guys will not give any rejection paper, low scores, red marks but more than two thumbs up! They appreciate all our hardworks but they dislike to lose us.

PS: the time setting of the movie was their 4th of July, the day before our birthday. this give me chills

IT'S HOT MOMMAH'S DAY!

This entry may have an extra special touch since this day is for the women in our lives who saw and witnessed most of our milestones as growing kids. Today, we celebrate a day that may not be a red day in our calendars, but I could say, this maybe considered as "Special-non working-domestic/household Holiday". It appears every second Sunday of May. Mother's Day. Let me splurge some cheesy/melodramatic/emo words for today. Hehehe.

God is truly amazing. He created the better half of men, women. Who carries a child for 9 months. Imagine, 2 person showing and expressing their love for each other, will unite as one and create another human. When I think of this, when moms getting pregnant, they become vulnerable with their lives and will have another human growing inside her body, I mean, Wow! We would not be multiplied without them and we will not see the goodness of God's creations without them. Sabi nga nila, 'nakalibing na ang isang paa' when a woman gets pregnant. But that will not stop from there. She who breast feed, who look after us and our growing years until we become adult. Being a mother is the most critical but the most rewarding of all careers.

My mommy and I celebrate the same birthdate - July 3. We're both cancer. Sa corned beef, siya yung manipis ang hibla, while me is the Chunky. Heheheheh. I am not showy with my emotions. So I hope matuwa siya sa kalokohang ginawa ko.

She is my shield. Mommy sheltered us so much that she doesn't want us to be bullied. She acted as my lawyer, my counselor, my defender. She did not make me feel that there is something that I lack of. She filled it up with love and acceptance. Ewan ko pero may times talaga na I feel wala naman mali sa akin, hindi lang sanay ang ibang tao na makakita ng isang 'unique, chunky and blessed' girl. LOL. Ako na talaga! #feelingerangfrog

I can say that me and mommy are survivors. We have gone through bad times and the worst that you could ever imagine. We have each other to stand for each other. Sometimes instead of me helping mom and be strong for her, she was doing it for us. She boosts my self - esteem ,rewarding me with affirmation. Most of the time, we would argue but in the end, we would laugh it out. Maraming bagay man ang hindi nakakapagsunduan, we would meet not halfway, but with settlement na we would rather not talk about it anymore. But there will be times that she would consult me on what to do or say bilang ako ay mas kalmadong tao than her. Though we are both crazy and mababaw sometimes, we also share the same thoughts on life. She would also ask me if maganda ba yung suot nyang damit, so feeling ko, Im the hidden stylist ng family. She would also not lose hope when we are looking for clothes, ako na yung napapagod pero sya, she would roam around the store and would look for a dress that would fit for me.

Mommy, we are islands apart but thanks to Skype and other technology pieces, parang katabi lang kita. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! <3 you!

To all the moms all over the world, you rock!!!