When the world seems far beyond me, And I have no place to go, When my life seems cold and empty, And I feel I’m all alone, Then a song that I remember Helps to ease my troubled mind...
I had a dream the other night. I dreamt that I was asked to sing. It seemed odd to me because I haven't really sung all by myself--I've always sung with a choir. Since it was a dream, anything is possible! The one thing I remember in that dream was that I actually sang a song that I used to sing with the choir.
The next day, I started looking for that song. In the process, it led me to a video--actually two videos on Youtube. I was surprised but at the same time ecstatic because it was a live performance of a choir that recently participated in the Asia Cantate International Choral Festival 2012.
Words could hardly express the joy I felt when I heard these voices sing. I was utterly speechless; I've had goose bumps and a pleasurable tingling sensation that seemed to have lifted away all my worries and pains. It is no wonder that this choir won the top prize in this competition. It gives me great honor to share these two videos with you.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s
life for one’s friends.
(John 15:12-13)
The passage above
comes from today's Gospel in which the central theme of the readings is about
God's Love. As Christians, we are reminded that this is the one that should
characterize our actions--that we do everything out of love and our model for
this love is none other than Jesus Christ.
We have many songs
in Musica Sacra that pertain to God's love and one of them is Ecce Quam Bonum.
This song speaks about Christian brotherhood as expressed in Psalm 132. It
reminds us that this unity that we have as Christians centered on the love that
Jesus has given to us through the Holy Eucharist. We united ourselves in this
sacrifice of Christ in order to share in the life and be granted the grace from
the Father in heaven in order to imitate his love that Christ has shown us. And
this love is to "lay down one's life for one's friends"--it is not
forced, but offered, not conditional, but pure giving in the spirit of
generosity. Here is the Latin lyrics and it's English equivalent from Psalm
132. (source: Breviary) The rendition sang by Novo Concertante Manila is that composed by Hans Leo
Hassler.
Ecce quam bonum,
et quam jucúndum * habitáre fratres in unum.
2 Sicut unguéntum in cápite, * quod
descéndit in barbam, barbam Aaron.
3 Quod descéndit in oram vestiménti
ejus: * sicut ros Hermon, qui descéndit in montem Sion.
4 Quóniam illic mandávit Dóminus
benedictiónem, * et vitam usque in sæculum.
Behold, how good
and joyful a thing it is, * for brethren to dwell together in unity.
2 It is like the precious oil upon
the head, * that ran down upon the beard, even upon the beard of Aaron.
3 That went down to the skirts of his
clothing : * like as the dew of Hermon, which fell upon mount Sion.
4 For there the Lord hath
commanded blessing, * and life for evermore.
It's truly difficult
to love one's neighbor let alone to the point of laying down your life for
another. But it is a challenge to all of us if we really want to love.
Sometimes I hesitate to share how I feel if it means I'll end up hurting the
other person. And because it is also something that hurts me, I tend to keep
it. What's dangerous about it is that whatever it is that you're hiding, might eat you up or make you isolated from people who could show love to you. Hence, in cases like
these, it is also good to resort to prayer. If there's anybody who'd always be
willing to listento our cares and
sufferings, that would be Jesus Christ. Because he is the one who loved us
first before he even tried to save us.
Do you remember The Jets? The Jets is one of the popular bands during the 1980's. What's nice about this group is that all eight members are brothers and sisters. You can read up on the Jets from this website. Some videos of their greatest songs are also contained in this website.
In 2007, Novo Concertante Manila sang one of the popular songs by the Jets "You Got It All," arranged by Paoi Eulalia. This week's pop songs continue as I bring to you a taste of the 80's with "You Got It All."
Yesterday was really something! It was traffic all day and I can't understand why. Was it due to the long weekend? The extended vacation from Saturday to Monday? I don't know. I was so dead tired yesterday that I couldn't write my blog.
Well, we all go through struggles in life. Everyday hassles could either wear us down or get back up. Let's hear what the Beatles have to say. Here is a song about a woman, probably a single mom with kids. The woman struggles to earn a living and make ends meet. Perhaps in a way, we could identify with her travails in life.
LADY MADONNA
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who find the money when you pay the rent
Did you think that money was heaven sent
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlegs
See how they run
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
Pa pa pa pa...
See how they run
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
See how they run
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
This is the happiest day of my life. Today is my birthday. And normally, I'd simply have dinner or lunch with my family and of course, I get to treat them. At least once a year, I'd do this for my family. However, this day turned out to be more than just a normal birthday celebration.
First, I went to Ayala Triangle Park to join a get together with friends. I wasn't bent on going at first because I wanted to take a rest and stay at home. Going to Ayala on a Sunday meant that I had to trek the long way from Antipolo to Makati--i.e. commuting through various public transports. But I went anyway because we only have this get together once a month. The last month I've been with them was October 2011. Besides, being with friends is also a good way to spend one's birthday. The peculiar thing about it was that, not one of them greeted me today. Deep inside, I didn't feel bad about it. It was a monthly get together and I was thinking that that get together wasn't about me. It was simply having a good time with friends where everyone is treated as special and whose stories are a joy and delight to listen to. So I didn't mind that no one greeted me--the world doesn't just revolve around me.
It should have been a surprise, but during the last few days I began to saw hints of what's going on. Last Thursday night, I met some of them and I saw them passing birthday cards to be signed. There were two of them, but I only signed one. Hmm...
While I was at MRT station today, I received a text from Gina (not her real name) saying that she's already at the Park--it was around 2:45pm and our scheduled meet up was at 3:00pm. Gina is one of those people who's normally late when it comes to these gatherings. So I was teasing her about it. When I finally came, after rounds of kisses, I saw what seemed to be gifts underneath the table. Still, I pretended as though it was nothing--the day is for friends and not for me, even if today is my birthday.
After rounds of laughter and storytelling, I noticed Alex (not his real name) come up behind Leslie (not her real name) with a guitar. Hmm...is he singing for someone? Someone's birthday perhaps? Well, there were two of us who had a birthday there--the other one was Leslie. After her sharing, bouquets of flowers arrived and two slices of cakes with small candles on them. They were given and set before Leslie and me. But wait! There's more! The gifts were distributed and I was the first one who received it--it happened to be a small statue of St. Joseph. Tears ran down my eyes for I've been praying and hoping that one day, preferably on my birthday, I'd get a glimpse of my future partner in life. It was my constant prayer in 2011...and receiving this small statue reminded me that St. Joseph's intercession is a great help regarding my prayer for my life partner.
The Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s
different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship, but to keep her on
course. – St. Boniface of Mainz
This is one of my favorite quotes. We need to be reminded that the church is not just some building or structure or the clergy or its leaders and laws. The church is the people and people help each other out in times of great need. And this is done through prayers and coming together as one big happy family of God. If we abandon the church, we are abandoning people who may need us, who look for love and happiness, who needs to be shown the way to God. The Blessed Mother Mary is one such person we go to so that we may find our way back to God. She is that "star of the sea" that guides the ship to its course. But she couldn't do that alone. As St. Boniface puts it, it is our duty as part of the church to help keep her (the church) on its course too. I truly felt what family means today when I celebrated my birthday with my family and with friends--people who would never abandon me and would help me "stay" on course. Here is my song for you--Ave Maris Stella.
Ave maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix cœli porta.
Hail, star of the sea,
bountiful mother of God
and ever Virgin,
happy gate of heaven.
Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Evæ nomen.
Taking that Ave
from the mouth of Gabriel,
preserve us in peace,
giving Eve a new name.
Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen cæcis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.
Loose the chains of the bound,
bring light to the blind,
drive out our ills,
invoke all things good.
Monstra te esse matrem,
Sumat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus,
Tulit esse tuus.
Show thyself to be a mother,
may he who was born for us
receive our prayers through thee.
Virgo singularis,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solutos,
Mites fac et castos.
Singular virgin,
more gentle than all,
absolve us from sin and
make us gentle and pure.
Vitam præsta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut videntes Jesum
Semper collætemur.
Grant us a pure life,
prepare a safe way,
that in seeing Jesus
we may rejoice for ever.
Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus. Amen.
Praise be to God the Father,
glory to Christ on high,
and with the Holy Spirit
honour to the three in one. Amen.
Folk songs present the character and beauty of one's culture. In choral singing, folk songs are entitled as one of many categories in music festivals and choral competitions. Furthermore, choral competitions open the door to cultural exchange in the form of swapping and/or trading folk songs among the different choirs.
Rosas Pandan is one of the Filipino folk songs that's been around the world. When you go to YouTube for example, I've seen many non-Filipino choirs sing this song--choirs from Europe, the USA, and Asia. It's upbeat and catchy tone gives the audience a "wow" experience. It's final notes are sang in a grandiose blend of polyphonic harmony.
Personally, this song is special to me because of the one person whose love for singing has influenced and touched my life--my mom! My mom loves this song that every time I sing this with the choir, she's all smiles like her day has brighten up more than any other day. My mom was a singer before she got married. She told me that Rosas Pandan was one of the songs she used to sing in a competition. And she won that competition, so the song--apart from being enjoyable on its own--truly holds a special place in my mom's heart.
Cheers to mom and to all the mothers in the world! Here is Rosas Pandan.
CEBUANO VERSION: ENGLISH TRANSLATION: (from this blog) Ania si Rosas Pandan Here is Rosas Pandan Gikan pa intawon sa kabukiran Just arrived from the mountains Kaninyo makiguban-uban To be with all of you Sa gisaulog nga kalingawan To celebrate the fiesta
Balitaw day akong puhunan This song is my livelihood Maoy kabilin sa akong ginikanan An inheritance from my parents Awit nga labing kara-an A most ancient song Nga garbo ning atong kabungturan The pride of our hill country
Dika ding dika ding dika ding Dika ding dika ding dika ding Ayay sa atong
balitaw Hey!, our song Manindot pa ug sayaw Is still nice to dance to Daw yamog ang kabugnaw Like fog on a cold day
Dika dong dika dong dika dong Dika dong dika dong dika dong Ayay usab si Dodong Hey!, also the young man Nagtan-aw kang Inday He's looking at the young lady Nagtabisay ang laway His drool is falling
Ayayay ayayay ayayay Ayayay ayayay ayayay Aya-ay sa akong balitaw Hey!, my song Kanindot ba mosayaw Is it nice to dance to Daw yamog ang kabugnaw Like fog on a cold day
Tigadong tigadong tigadong Tigadong tigadong tigadong Ayay usab si Dodong Hey!, also the young man Nagtan-aw kang Inday He's looking at the young lady Nagtabisay ang laway His drool is falling
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life -- Berthold Auerbach
It rained quite hard today. To many, rain is associated with sadness like its a non-stop shedding of tears from heaven. To me, rain is a blessing, a cleansing and washing away of life's "everyday dust."
I'm not sure what to write in this blog save that I know what its subject is. I spoke with my financial adviser and I wish I could say that all was well. That conversation left me in a downer mood. It was ironic that that mood set in just when the rain has stopped. So what do we do when times are rough? When the unexpected mars our plans for the future? Then, I remember addressing a blog to one of my good friends. I shared a song and the first line goes "When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary talks to me speaking words of wisdom: let it be."
Music truly has a way of answering our deepest thoughts and sought after dreams. Choral singing in particular has that cleansing and reflective effect upon me. Each song has its own way of catharsis. Each song has its own way to ease the soul.
Sometimes when you feel down, you'd need the comfort of someone who cares for you the most. And I find this beautiful trait in the Most Blessed Mother Mary--the Mother of Jesus Christ. She is a mother not only to Catholics, but to everyone. Yes, believe it or not, she can and is the mother of everyone who seeks for a mother in his/her life. Just think of what a perfect mother should be like: kind, tender, lovingly caressing and nurturing her children, understanding and concerned about their feelings, worries and wants in life; a constant shoulder to cry on, giving hope and encouragement for the young ones to continue to struggle amidst the trials and difficulties...oh I could go on and on and on. Anyone could seek this mother--if he/she wants to--in the Blessed Mother Mary.
You may or may not agree with me. But allow me to invite you to listen to one of the most popular hymns dedicated to our dear Blessed Mother. This prayer has been set into song for several generations and until now, composers continue to revisit and write new arrangements. Without further adieu, I present to you "Ave Maria" arranged by Ralph Hoffman and performed by Novo Concertante Manila. I invite you to bask in its highs and lows, its soft and loud moments...for it is in these moments in our life that our Mother's love can truly be felt if you wish to seek it.
Ave Maria Lyrics (Latin) English
Ave Maria Hail Mary
Gratia plena Full of grace
Dominus tecum The Lord is with you
Benedicta tu in mulieribus Blessed are you among women
Et benedictus fructus ventris And Blessed is the fruit of your womb
Tui, Jesus Jesus...
Sancta Maria Holy Mary
Mater Dei Mother of God
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus Pray for us sinners
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae Now and at the hour of our death
Amen. Amen.
This
week will feature my favorite choral pieces. Most of these are the ones
I sang with Novo during my last year with them in 2009. This year is by
far the most memorable and meaningful to me. I’d never thought that it
would be the year where I’d fly off to one of my dream destinations:
Spain.
In
Torrevieja is an annual choral singing competition called the Certamen
Internacional de Habaneras y Polyfonia. Choral groups from around the
world come to to Torrevieja for an awesome display of choral singing in
two categories: Habaneras and Polyphony. Today, I’ll feature my favorite
Habanera choral piece. The habanera is a genre of Cuban popular dance music of the 19th century. It is a creolized form which developed from the contradanza. (From Wikipedia) For more information about the habanera, you may also go to eNotes and StreetSwing.
In
many competitions, choral groups need to sing a required choral piece
and a choice piece. The choice piece that we chose to sing was “A
Tulado” composed by Javier Busto.
Me sabe a sal tu pelo y es verde tu mirar
Me miras y me muero por se tu respirar
Tu chispa es loque quiero para ir contigo al mar
Me sabe a miel tu boca y para me es poco un beso
Si me hablas o me tocas me nublo me embeleso
Tu fortaleza de roca me retiene preso
No quiero escapar de ti, no quiero vivir sin virte
Porque seria un triste fin, haber vivido y perdete
Deja me aqui como un perro da me comida en tu mano
Ponme a taduras de hierro y ol vida que soy humano
Quiere me como a una sombra o ye me como a un latido
Pero deja que me esconda en tu pecho y que me duerma contigo
Whenever
I sing and remember this song, I feel like swaying and dancing to the
rhythm. I just move and groove deep within. And my favorite part is
“Pero deja que me esconda en tu pecho y que me duerma contigo”--roughly
translated means, “But keep me in your heart and there I shall sleep
with you.” Truly, this is one song I’ll always keep in my heart. ;-)
Today, the Philippines celebrate the Feast of Sto. Nino (Feast of the Holy Child). It is celebrated every third Sunday in January. This commemorates the time when the Sto. Nino was brought to the Philippines some time in the mid-1500s, when Spanish Conquistadors discovered the Philippines. It somehow marked the beginning and the spread of Christianity throughout the Archipelago. You can find some good insights into this festival through this article: Sto. Nino Feast: A Colorful Philippine Fiesta.
I wrote a blog yesterday wherein I shared my own secret to being young, that is having that childlike disposition. This disposition is characterized by humility, healthy curiosity and willingness to know and learn from other people. Children have simple joys in life--you may disagree since a lot of them nowadays would ask for gadgets as presents. ;-) But children perceive the world in a simple way and if we adults do our duty to protect their right to learn and grow, we'd be doing them and ourselves a really big favor. After all, as the song goes, "I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way."
So, have we taught them well over the last couple of years? I may not be a parent yet, but I have nephews and nieces. Also, as a trainer I encounter trainees in their early 20's. This is the generation that is still on its way to discover their place in this world. As a trainer, I'd make an effort not just train them for the job, but to tell them about how to live life and encourage them to live it to the full.
The song I will feature today is "Kyrie eleison" (Greek for "Lord, have mercy"). It is a prayer being said at the first part of the Holy Mass as a spiritual preparation for the entire celebration. Here churchgoers recall those things they've done that are not in keeping with the virtues of faith, hope, and love. We remember them and seek the grace of God to show mercy upon us and give us another chance to make up for it. Thus, the words of the prayers go: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. In line with the Feast of Sto. Nino, let us be humble and acknowledge our failures and ask forgiveness from the Lord. Then, we shall do our best to make amends and change our life for the better.
Thank you Mr. Ralph Hoffman for this beautiful arrangement.
Ah, it's one of those days when you've been busy all this time that you don't have time to relax and do the simple things. I haven't written a blog in two days, which has not happened since I started this blog. Time to populate it with my fave choral groups and songs.
For today, still honoring friends I've decided to honor a particular group of friends. Admittedly, I am young--young at heart. There are many ways to be young at heart. For me, I've had the privilege of being in the company of young people. Ever since I taught as a college instructor, the younger generations has so fascinated me in their growth, their progress in life, alongside the changes that we have these days in terms of technology. At first, I find today's generation of youth quite spoiled--everything seems to be convenient and easily accessible to them, from cellphones, to portable music players, to tablet PC's, etc.
Despite all the convenience, there are those who continue to dream of something better like Minnie and Casey. Minnie (not her real name) is in her mid-twenties. She works for a travel agency in a busy city, while her family remains in the province. She loves her family to the point of providing for them financially--to the point that so little is left for her needs. When I met her last time in Christmas 2011, she shared quite a touching story of how she gave her dad a brand new TV as a Christmas present. Ah, the youthful smile and happiness that I saw in her face still remains a comforting image to me. I know someone else whose youthful smile is just as contagious--Casey.
Casey (not her real name) is in her twenties as well. Talkative, bubbly, and she never seems to run out of stories to tell. Check out her Facebook and she's one of millions of youth who wouldn't miss a day not posting new pictures, statuses and such. She has lots of dreams and she wouldn't hesitate to talk about almost anything. When I met her last time in Christmas 2011 (the same time as Minnie), she has this smartphone--I'm not sure if it's an iPhone or some other gadget--that I was experimenting on. We chanced upon a funny game called "Angry Chickens" and we were figuring out how to play it. It's unlike "Angry Birds" wherein you have birds reeking havoc on a bunch of enemy pigs. But that experience was enjoyable in itself. As we grow old, we shouldn't detach ourselves from the reality that the youth are experiencing these days. Rather than just grow up and leave the youth behind, we should grow alongside them, share experiences with them, feel what they feel whether happy, sad or angry. Casey (and many others!) has given me that rare opportunity to be a happy child once again.
It's not that I'm that old (Ahem!). But I know that the times I lived in are so different from that of Minnie and Casey. They and others before them is what makes me feel and keep a childlike attitude--dreaming, asking, being curious and unafraid to explore. If you want to stay young, I think medical remedies are not enough. You have to live alongside the youth of today and tomorrow.
There is one song that I've sang with the choir wherein we'd sing it and have fun with it. Of course, there are lots of songs that are like this. For today, I shall post one song and I dedicate this to Minnie and Casey.
(Ba-um boom boom!)
Call my baby Lollipop, tell you why,
her kiss is sweeter than apple pie
and when she does a shaky rockin' dance
man I haven't got a chance
I call her Lollipop Lollipop oh Lolly Lolly Lolly Lollipop Pop!
(Ba-um boom boom)
Sweeter than candy on a stick, huckleberry, cherry or a lime
if you had a choice she'd be your pick,
but the lollipop (pop!) is miiiiiine
Lollipop Lollipop oh Lolli Lolli Lolli Lollipop (Ba-um boom boom)
Crazy when she thrills me, tell you why,
just like a lightning from the sky,
she likes to kiss me till I can't see straight,
Gee my lollipop is great
I call her Lollipop Lollipop oh Lolli Lolli Lolli Lollipop
Bum bum bum bum bum!
Pardon the noisy fan near the camera. It's difficult to see me on this video. But I just wanted to share this really fun song. There are many choral pieces like this--simple, loving, fun and makes you feel young again.
In one of the concerts, I remember a song being dedicated to a special guest. I likened this special guest to two wonderful people I met in 2011--Mel and Gene.
On February of 2011, I met Mel (not her real name) together with my new found friend Queenie (not her real name and subject of yesterday's blog). Like me, Mel loves to read books. I envy her in a way because she works for a publishing house and she has access to books of various genres. ;-) But more than just a book lover, she is a lover of people. Mel belongs to a special group whose purpose in the community is to pray for other people. She is active when it comes to outreach programs--taking orphans to an amusement park, soliciting and distributing medicines for the less fortunate ones in public hospitals, giving gifts to senior citizens, street children, and orphans to name a few during Christmas...and so much more!
Alongside Mel is another great person who serves with her in these outreach programs. Gene (not her real name) is the perfect antidote to a bad day. She always has good, positive, and joyous things to say and share. She's funny in her own way, especially when she sends you messages via cellphone that confuses you sometimes. :-) But she always attends to her friends with love and concern, asking about how their day went by, what makes them happy...in a word--she cares.
In a world that's filled with greed, cold hearted, and selfish people, it's comforting to meet many people out their who'd go out of their way to serve and be happy with what they do--like Mel and Gene. Here's to you Mel and Gene. This song is for you.
Paraiso (arranged by Fidel Calalang, Jr.)
Return to a land called paraiso
A place where a dying river ends
No birds dare fly over paraiso
No space allows them to endure
The smoke that screens the air
The grass that's never there
Refrain 1:
And if I could see a single bird
What a joy!
I try to write some words and create
A simple song to be heard by the rest of the
world
I live in a land called paraiso
In a house made of cardboard floors and walls
I learned to be free in paraiso
Free to claim anything I see
Matching rags for my clothes
Plastic bags for the cold
Refrain 2:
And if empty cans were all I have
What a joy!
I never fight to take someone else's coins
and live with fear like the rest of the boys
Chorus:
Paraiso, help me make a stand
Paraiso, take me by the hand
Paraiso, make the world understand
That if I could see a single bird
What a joy!
This tired and hungry land could expect
Some truth and hope and respect
From the rest of the world
Repeat Refrain 2
Repeat Chorus
I was still part of Novo when this was sung. Unfortunately, the one who owns the camera is also a singer in this video. So the camera remained steady. :-D I hope you liked it though!
What
comes to mind when New Year has come? Resolutions! I think that before
resolutions can be made for the year, it would require self-reflection.
Here is a song that I believe captures that self-reflection that we all
need: Man in the Mirror.
I'm Gonna Make A Change, For Once In My Life It's Gonna Feel Real Good, Gonna Make A Difference Gonna Make It Right . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On My Favourite Winter Coat This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind. I See The Kids In The Street, With Not Enough To Eat, Who Am I, To Be Blind? Pretending Not To See Their Needs A Summer's Disregard, A Broken Bottle Top And A One Man's Soul They Follow Each Other On The Wind Ya' Know 'Cause They Got Nowhere To Go That's Why I Want You To Know
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place **Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change
I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love It's Time That I Realize That There Are Some With No Home, Not A Nickel To Loan Could It Be Really Me, Pretending That They're Not Alone?
A Willow Deeply Scarred, Somebody's Broken Heart And A Washed-Out Dream They Follow The Pattern Of The Wind, Ya' See Cause They Got Place To Be That's Why I’m Starting With Me
**Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make The Change, You Gotta Get It Right, While You Got The Time 'Cause When You Close Your Heart You Can't Close Your . . .Your Mind!
That Man, That Man, That Man, That Man, With That Man In The Mirror...
