Women of Charity

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!

Women of Mind and Heart

Allow me to introduce you to my friends Jenny and Queenie. Jenny (not her real name) is smart, inquisitive, reflective, and always curious. She likes asking questions that would really make you think--questions about justice for example. She is open to new ideas and it would be a good idea to let her speak her mind. When something is troubling her and she feels the need to express it, just let her be--she usually does have a point to make. If she has the time, she could write inspiring messages and send them via cellphone or Facebook--about what went on in her mind while waiting in traffic for example. Last but not the least, she is very generous with her time and energy. Meeting friends, doing her duties, participating in outreach and other social activities--she's all for it!

Queenie (not her real name) is also just as generous with her time and energy. But whereas Jenny exemplifies keenness of mind, Queenie is a person with a pure heart. She is sensitive to other people's feelings and she never fails to make you laugh. Her sense of humor is natural, heartfelt, and downright funny--she doesn't even need to try hard. She greets you with a smile and you couldn't help but feel lifted up. Tell her in a subtle way that you have a problem, she'll surely be the one to lend a hand or even a shoulder to cry on. She will definitely take time to hear what's on your mind and your heart. She won't be afraid to advise or to guide you if you ask her to.

Yes, these are my friends whom I've met only last year. But they've been such a blessing to me that I fondly call them "Mind and Heart"--only in this blog anyway! In line with offering my fave choral pieces, I'd like to dedicate this song to my friends Jenny and Queenie. I believe this song captures some aspects of their character which I've roughly outlined here. Here's to Jenny and Queenie and I hope you like this song.

LET IT BE (by the Beatles, sang by the Philippine Madrigal Singers)

When I find myself in times of trouble, 
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness 

She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken hearted people                
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, 
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the night is cloudy 
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, 
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

This song is about Paul McCartney's mom--which happens to be named Mary and a devout Roman Catholic. I guess this is a perfect song to all women--not just mothers. After all, at one point many women have become "mothers" to a lot of people by sharing their intelligence and love for the other people's benefit. :-)