Being Thankful for Life's Challenges

We all go through life with its highs and lows. Many would tend to be thankful for the highs--who wouldn't? But how many thank the lows? When our business is running slow or not doing well, are we thankful? When we get robbed of our gadgets like cellphones, laptops and others like it, are we thankful? When our friend cheats as of thousands of bucks worth of merchandise, are we thankful? When we got broke by mid-year because our business has gone downhill, are we thankful? When our families have problems with relationships--with others or with each other within the family--are we thankful? I'm sure I'd hear a resounding "no" to all of this and perhaps you'd stop at the first question and forget the rest, depending on which circumstance you belong to.

I don't claim to know anyone's circumstance for that matter. But I met an extraordinary guy who despite all the problems he has encountered manages to face the world with a smile and strength of a lion who will never give up. Manuel (not his real name) has gone through all the things I've mentioned above. Despite which, this friend of mine often greets me in the morning and asks me how my day has gone. We'd exchange a word or two throughout the day about what we're up to during the day. He also gives me inspiring messages on hope, strength of character, and encouragement to face a new day of challenges. And if I asked these questions to him, his answer would be a resounding YES!

Why be thankful for our trials and problems? Well, we wouldn't grow in character without problems. Without testing our resolve, how can we be strong to face the world everyday? Problems are there not to hinder our progress, but to challenge us; they're there not to discourage us, but to see new opportunities that we might have missed. I admire my friend Manuel for his courage to stand up to face his trials in life and still looking forward to a brighter future ahead.

This song "Circle of Life" is Elton John's composition for the movie "The Lion King." The arrangement follows the version sung in the movie itself, but of course with changes that would showcase the singing prowess of the choir. To you Manuel and all the "Manuels" in the world, I offer this song to you.

 Circle of Life (Elton John)

Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama

Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Ingonyama

Siyo Nqoba
Ingonyama
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

[Chant repeats]

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

First Friday of the Year

Today is the first Friday of the month and the first for the year 2012. It marks the end of the first weekday of 2012. This first weekday of the year for me has been one of rest and preparation for the coming week. For the next two weeks, I'll be having training sessions and God knows maybe even until a third or fourth week. And speaking of God, this first Friday is specially dedicated to him. I've sang many church songs with the choir. The one below is one of my favorites--Ave Verum Corpus.

Ave verum corpus is A short Eucharistic hymn dating from the 14th century and attributed to Pope Innocent VI (d 1362). During the Middle Ages it was sung at the elevation of the Host during the consecration. It was also used frequently during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The most popular version is Mozart's composition. Personally, I prefer Charles Gounod's version of the hymn and this is the composition being sung in the video. 

Ave, verum corpus                       Hail,true body
natum de Maria Virgine,               born of the Virgin Mary,
Vere passum immolatum              Who truly suffered, sacrificed
in Cruce pro homine,                   on the Cross for man,
Cujus latus perforatum                 Whose pierced side
fluxit unda et sanguine,                 overflowed with water and blood,
Esto nobis praegustatum              Be for us a foretaste
in mortis examine.                        In the trial of death.


O dulcis, O pie,                           O sweet, o merciful,
O Jesu, Fili Mariae.                     O Jesus, Son of Mary
Pro nobis miserere.                      Have mercy on us!

Ah, what a way to end the first weekday of the year. The weekend has come and there's more time for relaxation and reminiscing and sharing my fave choral pieces.

Let Others Shine

"Bituing Walang Ningning" is one of my favorite OPM's (Original Pilipino Music). Popularized in a movie during the 1980's, this song expresses one's love as pure and everlasting to the point of being "outshone" by the one you love. Let the loved one shine and its lover bask in its beautiful light. This is also one of many songs sang by Filipino choirs.

Here are the lyrics to the song. Admittedly, translation is not my strong suit. Here is Novo Concertante Manila's rendition of the song. Listen and be drawn into the melody, the harmony, and the feeling being expressed. When I was still with the choir, I'd imagine a lover putting his loved one in the the spotlight. Trust me when I say that any international audience will be caught enamored in its music despite the language barrier.

 
Kung minsan ang pangarap
Habambuhay itong hinahanap
Bakit nga ba nakapagtataka
'Pag ito ay nakamtan mo na
Bakit may kulang pa

Mga bituin aking narating
Ngunit langit ko pa rin ang iyong piling
Kapag tayong dalawa'y naging isa
Kahit na ilang laksang bituin
'Di kayang pantayan ating ningning


CHORUS 1
Balutin mo ako ng hiwaga ng iyong pagmamahal
Hayaang matakpan ang kinang na 'di magtatagal
Mabuti pa kaya'y maging bituing walang ningning
Kung kapalit nito'y walang paglaho mong pagtingin


CHORUS 2
Itago mo ako sa lilim ng iyong pagmamahal
Limutin ang mapaglarong kinang ng tagumpay
Sa piling mo ngayon ako'y bituing walang ningning
Nagkukubli sa liwanag ng ating pag-ibig

My time with the choir is done. It's time to let other people--aspiring singers and choristers--shine!

A Song To Uplift Your Spirits

I began as a chorister in my early twenties. Singing was a passion that ran through the veins of my family, especially my mom. It has become a passion for me to the point that I'd enjoy singing with the choir for sheer joy and pleasure--without a thought of getting paid for it. Sure, I've had gigs with the choir that were paid, but it doesn't necessarily go to the choristers themselves. It was a passion that's difficult to put in words. If I were to name a song that best describes this passion, it would be As Long As I Have Music.

This song goes out to all choristers, choirmasters, music directors, composers and singers around the world. Here is one of my favorite choral pieces sung by one of my favorite choirs, The Philippine Madrigal Singers.

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

And I find the strength within me

To reach out just one more time

For as long as I have music

As long as there's a song for me to sing

I can find my way, I can see a brighter day

The music in my life will set my spirit free

When the road is dark and lonely

And I feel I want to cry

When the dreams I keep inside me

Seem to fade and almost die

Then I call upon my music

And it helps to dry my tears

And I know that I can make it

I'll go on despite my fears

For as long as I have music.....

I've had the opportunity to sing this song when I was a chorister. But I first heard this sang by the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Whenever I feel down and needed a boost for the day, this is one song that lifts up my spirits.