Thursday, September 20, 2012

Some Thoughts About Jessica Sanchez



        Almost every Filipino is all agog with Jessica Sanchez since the first time she performed on the AI stage and received glowing reviews from the judges. More so now that she is in the Philippines (with other AI finalists), the country that she knew of just recently. If memory serves me right, she mentioned in an interview that she has never been to our islands. Judging from her looks, there is no doubt that she is a Filipino, except that her passport claims otherwise.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

The K to 12 Program in Simple Terms



         
        A lot of educators and administrators, and other members of the academic community are talking about the so called K to 12 Program in various fora. Though already in effect, many people are still questioning its viability. In simple terms, the aforesaid program is the addition of two more years to the secondary education of a student. This translates to six years of high school education. The aforesaid program “interfaces” with three government agencies, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Education (DEPED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). I was given the privilege by my school to attend two conventions this year (TEVSAPHIL and AASHPI), wherein one of the topics discussed was the K to 12 Program. Through this blog, allow me to share with you what I have learned as well as my personal insights. 

Sunday, September 2, 2012

MY COMPANION



        My companion everyday is not necessarily a human being. It is something that keeps me company 24 hours a day, when I wake up in the morning, in the car, in my office, when I go to bed, and while I am asleep. It is something that has seen me in both my worst and best times. And this companion I am talking about, is none other than music. I am clear in mind that there is no individual who doesn’t like music. We all love listening to songs don’t we? In fact, each of us has our own list of banner songs, and this list grows longer as more years are added to our timeline.

Why do people smile when no one's smiling?
It's cause their thinking of someone they're loving.......
- Sweetest love by Robin Thicke (2008)

Forever, all I want is forever,
Am I asking too much,
Asking for all your love forever.......
- Regina Belle and James Taylor (1989)

        What I appreciate about songs, is that they either soothe or excite you, depending on the type of song you are listening to. However, there are also songs that can make you sad, most especially when you identify such songs with unfortunate events that happened in your life. But over all, music has that ability to uplift us, and cheer us up. Personally, I get pumped up whenever I hear my favorite songs. It agitates my soul, and makes me feel inspired even for only a short while. A nice song should have the ability to provide your mood with the necessary lift, and your heart with the much needed glow.

I’ll spread my wings and fly like an angel to you,
I’ll spread my wings like an eagle,
And fly straight to you.......
- Fly Away by Shanice (1999)

   Caught up in the rapture of love,
Nothing else can compare,
When I feel the magic of you.......
- Rapture by Anita Baker (1986)
  
        What draws me to a song is its melody or tune. It doesn’t matter whether it is fast, pop, jazz, hip-hop, or any other type of song as long it is palatable to my ears. But what I like particularly about a song, is that it puts into words our sentiments and feelings. It articulates our thoughts and what we feel inside. Songs provide the right words to describe our emotions through its lyrics. In other words, songs are ambassadors of our souls, for a song can fully capture the state of our being…….

Cause my heart starts beating triple time,
With thoughts of loving you on my mind,
I can't figure out just what to do,
When the cause and cure is you.......
- Weak by SWV (1993)
 
I love you just because,
I love you just because,
Just because I do.......
- Just Because by Anita Baker (1988)

        Our list of songs could very well be our album of memories. Listening to music triggers our soul to make that proverbial trip down memory lane, for there are songs that we associate with past events in our lives, both the good and bad. Listening to such songs make us reminisce about them, and could bring to us either a tear or a smile.

The first time I fell in love was long ago,
I didn't know how to give my love at all…
- The last time by Eric Benet (2005)

But have one last cry,
One last cry,
Before I leave it all behind,
I've gotta put you out of my mind this time,
Stop living a lie,
I guess I'm down to one last cry.......
- One Last Cry by Brian McKnight (1993)


Songs are able to impart to the world and the far ends of the universe what we cannot say – too shy to say such.

I only think of you on two occasions,
That's day and night…….
- Two Occasions by Babyface (1987)

Why can’t it be,
Why can’t it be the two of us,
Why can’t we be lovers,
Only friends,
You came along,
At a wrong place,
At a wrong time,
Or was it me…….
- Why Can’t It Be by Rannie Raymundo (1993)

Not enough hours in the night to hold you,
Not enough hours in your arms,
To show you,
The love I feel inside,
There’s just not enough time…….
- Not Enough Hours in the Night by After 7 (1994)

Moreover, songs serve as a mirror which reflects our hopes and desires.

I've wished on a thousand stars,
Just for a sparkle to shine through,
And lead me to you…….
- Heaven and Earth by Al Jarreau (1992)

I wish that you could be,
Dream walking,
Along with me…….
- Dreamwalking by Lee Ritenour (1982)

Oh how I wish,
That you were here,
Oh how I wish,
That you were near,
Holding me tight,
Spending some time,
Wish you were mine.......
- I Wish by Gabrielle (1993)

        I know that my companion will continue to be by my side, as I trek this journey we call life. Music will continue to make a collage of events in my life in melodious strings. Songs that I have listed in my heart and soul will continue to inspire me, and remind me of lessons that I have learned. Whoever invented music, must have had a very good and well accompanied life.......  :)

So I say,
Thank you for the music,
The songs I'm singing,
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing,
Who can live without it, 
I ask in all honesty,
What would life be?,
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music,
For giving it to me…….
- Thank You For The Music by Abba (1977)