This morning, just after Pacquiao won his match with Dela Hoya, my teenaged daughter Meg and I wrote together lyrics for a carol in a Yahoo Messenger chatbox.
The carol was an assignment for her English class. She was to come up with the lyrics and her groupmates were to compose the music. She said she didn't know how to do it and asked me to help. In around 1 and half hours of chatting, we wrote lines, argued, filled in missing words, argued, searched an online rhyming dictionary, argued, rewrote and rearranged the lines and reargued. Here are the final lyrics of the carol, which she titled "Christmastime".
It's Christmastime.
I stop and think of love that heaven sent.
It's Christmastime.
I thank God that you took me as your friend
and I wish you a wonderful time,
my buddy, my mate, my pal.
It's Christmastime.
I think of all the days that we've been through.
It's Christmastime.
I'm thankful that I have a friend in you
and I wish you a wonderful time,
as wonderful as you are!
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Rakrakan raks
I went to the Rakrakan Fest 2008 last night with my friends at the Dubai Festival City. The concert, sponsored by The Filipino Channel, featured Pupil, Kamikaze, Dawn and Bamboo.
Pupil, with former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, opened the show at around 7:00pm. Their sound was a bit raw, reminding you of the Rolling Stones. It's OK because the songs are good. Towards the end, they sang Eraserheads songs, including “Pare Ko” and “Alapaap”, in new arrangements. The crowd roared with approval as soon as they recognized the songs and sang along. Their finale number “Ang Huling El Bimbo”, I think, was one of the highlights of the concert. Buendia's Eraserheads bandmate Buddy Zabala, who is now with the Dawn, joined Pupil in this song.
Pupil, with former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, opened the show at around 7:00pm. Their sound was a bit raw, reminding you of the Rolling Stones. It's OK because the songs are good. Towards the end, they sang Eraserheads songs, including “Pare Ko” and “Alapaap”, in new arrangements. The crowd roared with approval as soon as they recognized the songs and sang along. Their finale number “Ang Huling El Bimbo”, I think, was one of the highlights of the concert. Buendia's Eraserheads bandmate Buddy Zabala, who is now with the Dawn, joined Pupil in this song.
Kamikaze played next. I'm not really into their kind of music but I enjoyed their set because the lead singer Jay Contreras was very funny with his confessional talks, dance steps and circus acts. Ang saya!
The Dawn, who's been around since the 80s, followed with “Iisang Banka” as opener. Their sound seemed to me the most polished. Vocalist Jett Pangan is still good. And Francis Reyes is still one of the best guitarists we have around. Their closing number “Salamat” was probably the highlight of the evening. It seemed that everyone was charged up and danced and sang along.
Bamboo was the last to perform. The band started with Rivermaya songs followed by their new ones that I'm not familiar with. They did “Noypi” in the middle of the set. “Here's our song”, former Rivermaya vocalist Bamboo Manalac introduced it. For me, “Noypi” is one of the best Pinoy rock songs ever written, along with “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and “Salamat” and some others. Yup, it's our song. Manalac did well in most of the songs. The surprise for me was the guitarist. I enjoyed his solos which bordered on jazz. They closed the concert with the Rivermaya song “Kisap Mata”.
Bamboo was the last to perform. The band started with Rivermaya songs followed by their new ones that I'm not familiar with. They did “Noypi” in the middle of the set. “Here's our song”, former Rivermaya vocalist Bamboo Manalac introduced it. For me, “Noypi” is one of the best Pinoy rock songs ever written, along with “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and “Salamat” and some others. Yup, it's our song. Manalac did well in most of the songs. The surprise for me was the guitarist. I enjoyed his solos which bordered on jazz. They closed the concert with the Rivermaya song “Kisap Mata”.
Just before the first song of the evening, Pupil's Yan Yuzon proclaimed, “Ngayong gabi, nasa-Pilipinas tayo! (Tonight, we are in the Philippines!)”. He was right. For 5 hours, I felt I was, rocking with my friends and around 15,000 other Pinoys.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The mall
The Dubai Mall opened 2 days ago. At the moment, it is THE mall. It is what everybody is talking about. It is where everybody is going. It is the new center of the earth. (Teka, where did I read that one?)
The mall was the reason why I came here to Dubai 3 years ago. Its completion will not be a reason to leave, I hope. Despite the difficulties, masarap pa ring magtrabaho rito.
See you at The mall.
The mall was the reason why I came here to Dubai 3 years ago. Its completion will not be a reason to leave, I hope. Despite the difficulties, masarap pa ring magtrabaho rito.
See you at The mall.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
In a Wink of an Eye
“Kirat” is the Tagalog word for “wink”. We did some celebration in a popular hang-out bar among the Pinoys here in Dubai, the name is “Ratsky”, when reverse is “Kirat”. A famous Filipino singer-artist conceptualized the name of his bar with this franchise in Dubai.
By the time we arrived, the place is only half full then after an hour the ladies group we invited came, the place is already jam-packed. After some free appetizers, we have ordered our foods and drinks. Jovial mood fills the place.
After holding my glass of drink for an hour and tasted the “crispy pata” and ‘’sisig’’, I was teased by Froilan that I have passed already the “leak test”. I become conscious since I am enjoying listening some of my favorite songs from cover band performing songs from “Journey” and others, I finally dip my lips to my drink with my dummy glass beside to show that I finished my drink, I never really enjoy the drinking except only the songs the cover bands are playing.
The band played so well with lead singers and musicians interchange covering popular male and female hit songs.
During intermission, the dance floor was filled, we were invited by Raissa and her group for a dance and just to accept her invitation we followed them to the dance floor and by that time they were there we were suddenly out of sight, Rey and Froilan excused themselves and go straight to the gents room while me I preferred just to have a snapshots of them I told her instead. The truth we were just afraid that when we dance they will discover that our feet are both left.
When the band returned, dancing stopped and we have now depended ourselves from Raissa’s group why we suddenly got lost from the dance floor. To cap up the night, we were challenge for “bottoms up”, that’s the time I failed the “leak test”.
The following morning, we were satisfied that at least we have shared the reward weve got after working so hard with our project. The group we invited at least has their slice of fun in Dubai’s night life, washing away some hardship and loneliness they are experiencing being far from their families. So are our “Kabayans” in clusters of tables that night.
By the time we arrived, the place is only half full then after an hour the ladies group we invited came, the place is already jam-packed. After some free appetizers, we have ordered our foods and drinks. Jovial mood fills the place.
After holding my glass of drink for an hour and tasted the “crispy pata” and ‘’sisig’’, I was teased by Froilan that I have passed already the “leak test”. I become conscious since I am enjoying listening some of my favorite songs from cover band performing songs from “Journey” and others, I finally dip my lips to my drink with my dummy glass beside to show that I finished my drink, I never really enjoy the drinking except only the songs the cover bands are playing.
The band played so well with lead singers and musicians interchange covering popular male and female hit songs.
During intermission, the dance floor was filled, we were invited by Raissa and her group for a dance and just to accept her invitation we followed them to the dance floor and by that time they were there we were suddenly out of sight, Rey and Froilan excused themselves and go straight to the gents room while me I preferred just to have a snapshots of them I told her instead. The truth we were just afraid that when we dance they will discover that our feet are both left.
When the band returned, dancing stopped and we have now depended ourselves from Raissa’s group why we suddenly got lost from the dance floor. To cap up the night, we were challenge for “bottoms up”, that’s the time I failed the “leak test”.
The following morning, we were satisfied that at least we have shared the reward weve got after working so hard with our project. The group we invited at least has their slice of fun in Dubai’s night life, washing away some hardship and loneliness they are experiencing being far from their families. So are our “Kabayans” in clusters of tables that night.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Resort to Convergence (Taste of an Island Resort)
A fresh adventure started when Edbert and Bong, our project site QA/QC invited us for a picnic. Then Dante again repeat the invitation to us, what will transpires are still hazy for me. After some details and amount of overall cost (100 aed plus) were confirmed by what I know who was the main organizer, Ms. Ro, I joined this summer affair months ago.
Destination. An Island Resort famous for fishing and crabbing they have told us.
What I have experienced. Convergence of adventure loving Pinoys about a hundred and I get to know and have some chitchat with some of them, I thought initially we are only a few groups of totaling at least 20. The transport vehicles are composed of 1 coaster, for me similar to a small plane flying to a rugged route because of how our Patan driver drove is a kind of dangerous adventure itself and a number of vans and cars.
What I have learned. That the place attract so many visitors with words such as Island Resort good for Fishing, that we will cross for about 15-20 minutes thru a speedboat occupied by batch of 10-15 persons with Hermie, Cresh and husband, William seating beside me, that night tide is high , it almost bury the island.
What I have done. About 4 hours of overnight fishing and I catch nothing. Possibilities are, the fish are already full because they are having their own party, some are already asleep, we are on boat landing part of the pier that fish got scared away and lastly, they are tired of eating my bait and they don’t like it. Lucky for Dante who come earlier to the fishing spot, he got a catch of some at least, maybe those who are not able to join the water world grand party somewhere.
What I have discovered. Manny, my colleague in Project Market Market in my previous firm was there and we have nice sort of short reunion. Second, I occupied and slept on a very big open cottage all by myself on a carpet. The breeze of the air compensate the humid environment, I was able to take a short nap although frustrated with my fishing expedition.
What I have seen and heard. In the evening, the food nicely prepared by Ro and her housemates, the way I have roasted the fish, the dimly mile long coast across the island using a powerful telescope brought by Marvin, the loud voice of Edbert while sharing some story, the Arabic dance music in the background, the rising wave and my wasted/useless fishing gear.
What I have viewed in the morning. Whole island previously covered by water was revealed, the trees/scrubs, the sunrise, the birds, a boat model, the different color of banners, tents brought and set up by some couples and groups, the schools of fish who did not cooperate the night before and some guys in their trunks still sleeping, emptied bottles and still lots of foods.
What are the surprises in the shore. We go back to the shore and found more structures waited the whole night to take our snaps. Pyramids, statues, cozy coffee shop etc…
What I have lost. My mobile account number to a taxi driver during my return to my villa from the drop off point and eventually he got two months of outside the country free call perhaps. And about a kilo of shrimp that I eventually throw to the school of fish the following morning in surrender…
What an event…
Destination. An Island Resort famous for fishing and crabbing they have told us.
What I have experienced. Convergence of adventure loving Pinoys about a hundred and I get to know and have some chitchat with some of them, I thought initially we are only a few groups of totaling at least 20. The transport vehicles are composed of 1 coaster, for me similar to a small plane flying to a rugged route because of how our Patan driver drove is a kind of dangerous adventure itself and a number of vans and cars.
What I have learned. That the place attract so many visitors with words such as Island Resort good for Fishing, that we will cross for about 15-20 minutes thru a speedboat occupied by batch of 10-15 persons with Hermie, Cresh and husband, William seating beside me, that night tide is high , it almost bury the island.
What I have done. About 4 hours of overnight fishing and I catch nothing. Possibilities are, the fish are already full because they are having their own party, some are already asleep, we are on boat landing part of the pier that fish got scared away and lastly, they are tired of eating my bait and they don’t like it. Lucky for Dante who come earlier to the fishing spot, he got a catch of some at least, maybe those who are not able to join the water world grand party somewhere.
What I have discovered. Manny, my colleague in Project Market Market in my previous firm was there and we have nice sort of short reunion. Second, I occupied and slept on a very big open cottage all by myself on a carpet. The breeze of the air compensate the humid environment, I was able to take a short nap although frustrated with my fishing expedition.
What I have seen and heard. In the evening, the food nicely prepared by Ro and her housemates, the way I have roasted the fish, the dimly mile long coast across the island using a powerful telescope brought by Marvin, the loud voice of Edbert while sharing some story, the Arabic dance music in the background, the rising wave and my wasted/useless fishing gear.
What I have viewed in the morning. Whole island previously covered by water was revealed, the trees/scrubs, the sunrise, the birds, a boat model, the different color of banners, tents brought and set up by some couples and groups, the schools of fish who did not cooperate the night before and some guys in their trunks still sleeping, emptied bottles and still lots of foods.
What are the surprises in the shore. We go back to the shore and found more structures waited the whole night to take our snaps. Pyramids, statues, cozy coffee shop etc…
What I have lost. My mobile account number to a taxi driver during my return to my villa from the drop off point and eventually he got two months of outside the country free call perhaps. And about a kilo of shrimp that I eventually throw to the school of fish the following morning in surrender…
What an event…
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Out of Order
Our site office situated inside the adjacent ongoing project experienced a total power black out one day due to flooding. The areas are having their pressure testing overnight and nobody noticed that there are parts of the piping system left open. We are not able to work, no recourse instead but to leave the place and just cool ourselves around the development with the invitation and courtesy of our boss. We found ourselves to a newly open coffee shop called Costa and rest are as shown…
Them...
We have found out how our project looks like in the other side of the development at least...
Them...
We have found out how our project looks like in the other side of the development at least...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Journey to Arnel Pineda
Great…I was not able to sleep early because I have a friendster who becomes a fan of Arnel Pineda, then I become curious…who is this guy…I searched Arnel Pineda in yahoo…interesting person… I click the video link…with that I wasn’t able to sleep…I am not yet finished with all of his video but its almost morning, I need to sleep…he's versatile…the world will again salute a Filipino in music scene…one of the greatest american band Journey who popularized "Open Arms" took him as a frontman…one guy with a heartbreaking past now entertains so many people…he sings passionately because of his tear–jerking past…just click this Faithfully , then you may choose which songs you want to watch and hear as shown…then I become a fan too...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
