hay buhay ng sugarfree

parang kailan lang nung ako’y nagsimula pa lang matutong
matuto tumayo, maglakad, sumabay, at lumangoy sa alon ng buhay, ng aking buhay

kay hirap din palang hanapin ang iyong sarili
sa isang mundong laging nagmamadali
sa kakahabol ay tuluyan nang napagod at napaupo
naisip ko nang sumuko

dahil nakita mo na akong sumablay, narinig mo na ang puso kong bumigay

hay buhay, hay buhay, hay buhay nga naman...

parang kailan lang nung ako’y huling umibig
at linamon, linason ng kilig

bawat pangako ng ligaya, sinalubong ng trahedya
ang habangbuhay, naging babay

parang kailan lang nung ako ay mag isa’t nakadapa na, walang wala na
ako’y natutong magdasal, manalig sa maykapal
at unti unti, sa aking sarili

pipilitin kong di na muling sumablay, o ang puso ko hindi na muling bumigay

ang mga titik ng kanta at larawan ng album ay mula sa: www.WeAreSugarfree.com

hay..... ang galing-galing talaga ng sugarfree. ngayon ko pa lang narinig ang kantang ito, kasabay na rin sa panonood ng kaakibat nitong mtv, pero grabe! hindi pa rin ako binigo ng sugarfree. lalo lang nadagdagan ang paghanga ko sa kanila, lalong-lalo na sa pagsulat ni ebe dancel ng titik ng awiting ito. isang simpleng-simpleng kanta na tumagos na naman sa akin, at syempre nagpaalala rin sa akin na gusto ko nga palang kumpletuhin ang kanilang mga albums. wala ka talagang itatapon sa kanilang mga kanta.

ang "hay buhay" ay ang current single mula sa bago nilang album na may pamagat na "mornings and airports." isang magandang titulo, sa aking palagay, na nababagay talaga sa mga katulad ng sugarfree na halos nabubuhay na yata mula sa mga paliparan hindi lang dito sa ating bansa, kungdi pati na rin sa buong mundo. o kung hindi man na gaya nilang bandista, may mga tao ring tila kaakibat na ang mga paliparan sa kanilang buhay, gaya ng mga taong madalas bumiyahe. may mga tao kasing nakakabit ang buhay sa bawat pagbiyahe... sa bawat paglipad... sa bawat paglapag... sa bawat pagdating... sa bawat pag-alis... at sa bawat paghihintay.

kaya't masasabi ring ang pagbiyahe ay hindi lamang tinutukoy ang literal nitong kahulagan na pagpunta o paglipad patungo sa kung saan-saang lugar. ito rin ay maaring maging simbolo ng byahe ng ating mga buhay.

naisip ko tuloy ang aking sariling biyahe... 'ika nga ng kanta:

"parang kailan lang nung ako ay mag isa’t nakadapa na, walang wala na
ako’y natutong magdasal, manalig sa maykapal
at unti unti, sa aking sarili"

lahat yata ng tao ay dumarating sa mga ganoong pagkakataon na halos nakalugmok na sa pagkakadapa, na halos walang-wala nang maibubuga, at ubos na ubos na. akalain man nating wala na tayong patutunguhan o wala nang kwenta ang ating buhay, isang tawag lang naman ang kailangan nating gawin, isang matinding pananalig... sabi nga nila, kapag walang-wala ka nang mapuntahan, iisa lang naman ang walang pag-iimbot na makikinig at tatanggap sa'yo. at kapag kumapit ka sa Kanya, walang imposible. isa itong importanteng hakbang na kailangan nating gawin upang umahon. kasunod na rin ng panunumbalik ng tiwala sa sarili ang paniniwala sa walang kapantay na pagmamahal ng Diyos.

oo nga, pinagdaanan ko palang lahat ng mga 'yon. at oo nga ulit, parang kailang nga lang... sino nga bang mag-aakalang nanggaling pala ako sa dilim at malalim na hukay na iyon? sino bang mag-aakalang nalunod rin ako sa pighati at pag-iisa? na minsan sa aking buhay ay walang-wala rin akong pag-asa? walang-walang patutunguhan?

sino bang mag-aakalang kakayanin kong bumangon pang muli?

at sino rin bang mag-aakalang mas magiging maayos pa ang buhay ko ngayon? sino ba ang mag-aakalang mas magiging masaya ako ngayon?

minsan nga raw ay masalimuot ang buhay. hindi natin alam kung bakit nagaganap ang mga bagay-bagay o kung saan ba talaga tayo dadalhin ng ating buhay. siguro kailangan lang talaga nating manampalataya... maniwalang meron nga tayong patutunguhan. sabi nga, may plano ang Diyos para sa ating lahat. siguro ay inihahanda lamang Niya tayo sa buhay na talagang nauukol para sa atin kaya kailangan nating pagdaanan ang hirap at sakit.

kaya ako... tuloy-tuloy lang ang buhay! maliban sa paniniwala at pagpapaubaya ko sa Diyos ng aking buhay, e syempre...

"pipilitin kong di na muling sumablay, o ang puso ko hindi na muling bumigay"

:)

;p

conspiracy august 2009 gig sked

1 (Sat) - Benefit Show

2 (Sun) - Gospel jam (5-8pm)
3 (M) - Piano Night with Rica Arambulo
4 (Tue) - Writers Night (KM 64) 7-9pm/Lynn Sherman and Egay Avenir
5 (W) - Noel Cabangon
6 (Thu) - Bigkas Pilipinas Open Jam
7 (Fri) - Joey Ayala
8 (Sat) - Swissy/ Shift
9 (Sun) - Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
10 (M) - 3P
11 (Tue) - Writers Night (Alitaptap Storytellers Phil.) 7-9pm/Ray Olaguer
12 (W) - Noel Cabangon
13 (Th)- Brazilian Night: Bossa Nova & Samba Music feat. Guarana
14 (F)- RJ JMNZ
15 (Sat) Cynthia Alexander
16 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
17 (M)- Songwriters Night
18 (Tue) Writers Night (Lirahan) 7-9pm/ Toto Sorioso
19 (W)- Noel Cabangon
20 (Th)- Bliss Café Baguio presents Dharma@Conspiracy
21 (F)- Tori Amos Birthday Tribute
22 (Sat) - Cynthia Alexander
23 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
24 (M)- Mars Garcia with Michael Puyat
25 (Tue)- Writers Night (Bigkas Pilipinas & CDC) 7pm-9pm/William Elvin
26 (W)- Noel Cabangon
27 (Th)- Light it Up: Christian Musicians Night
28 (F)- Miguel Escueta
29 (Sat)- Comedy Night: Mike Unson -Single & 30STH with Stanley Chi, Uli Oposa, Derf Hebrado & LC de Leon
30 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
31 (Mon)- Salinawit ni Pete feat. Pete Lacaba and Friends

Conspiracy Garden Cafe
"...where real people, like you and i, converge and co-inspire..."
#59 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
for inquiries/reservations: 9206517
conspiracy_garden_cafe@yahoo.com

"please don't go" by barcelona

all those arrows you threw, you threw them away
you kept falling in love and then one day
when you fell, you fell towards me
when you crashed in the clouds, you found me

oh, please don't go...
i want you so
i can't let go
for i lose control

get these left handed lovers out of your way
they look hopeful but you, you should not stay
if you want me to break down and give you the keys
i can do that but i can't let you leave

oh, please don't go...
i want you so
i can't let go
for i lose control

this is my LSS of the moment. i saw a video of the 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world in chico garcia's blog and this was the background music. but i opted to post a different version of that video because i think the sound quality is better.

i don't remember if i ever heard this song before, but i was mesmerized hearing it while watching those sea creatures marvelously swimming their way around a tank, sadly though. they are supposed to be wandering free in the ocean, not encased in glass for our amusement. it made me realize that i should really learn how to dive. so, that will be in my "things to do before i die" list, which also reminded me that i should really make that list. not that am dying though, i just want to make the most out of this lifetime. i believe that there are certain things that we should experience even just once in our lives.

i tried to find an mtv of the song, but sadly i cant find one. there was a live version, but the sound isn't really as nice as the one used in that aquarium video. but to put a face on a great song, there's this video response of the band itself, barcelona, that i found.

i haven't heard the other songs of barcelona. i plan to buy their album soon to find out if their other songs are as good as this one or i hope even better. what makes this song good, for me, is that even if it's short and simple, it's also kinda deep and poetic. nice words coupled with a dramatic melody incite the necessary emotions. oo na, emo na nga kung emo... e basta gusto ko sya! ;p

and yet, another video. this time it's a collection of film clips with the same song as background.

o sha, magpaka-emo...

the preacher in blue jeans

if there's one preacher that i admire, it's the preacher in blue jeans, bo sanchez. his preaching is something that is just right. it isn't telling you what a bad person you are, but instead helps you to be a better one. bo is the kind that just shows you the way and guide you, not commands you to do things. no wonder, he is endeared by so many people now that his seminars and talks extend to even as far as the u. s.

i came to know about bo sanchez through reading the "kerygma" magazine when i was younger. my tita had a subscription then and she almost kinda coerced me to read it, telling me that i should read it so i can pick up some lessons and stuff. being religious, tita didn't just let me read religious/inspirational magazines or books, she also reprimands me when i miss sunday mass or encourage (almost to the point of commanding, actually) everybody to pray the rosary everyday, and that also means all the mysteries, all twenty of them. yes, twenty, and not fifteen. it was from my tita that i first found out about the additional mysteries. the new additional five mysteries are called luminous mysteries, alongside with the old ones, joyful, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries.

now, 'bout more than twenty years later, i didn't know i would still be reading, listening, and even watching bo sanchez. although i am not reading "kerygma" anymore, it is already available online if i want to. a friend even gifted me with one of bo's books on one of my birthdays. it was a nice read and i plan to read one of his books again.

and since i am a member of bo's fan page on facebook, this morning i found out about videos on this site called preacherinbluejeans.com. it's good to know that i can be able to watch his talks on the net already because i hardly catch them on tv. the first video i watched reminded me of one of the things why i like bo sanchez. men who really speak well are rare! am not just talking about making sense, but how how well you enunciate your spoken words. amen? amen!!!

(i couldn't put the video within this post as it destroys my blog's format. but i still want to share this nice video about one of bo sanchez's talks about "How to Develop a Postive Mindset." this video is the part about "How to Love Yourself.")

"all i need" by jack wagner

kissing you is not what i had planned
and now i'm not so sure just where i stand
i wasn't looking for true love
but now you're looking at me
you're the only one i can think of
you're the only one i see

all i need
is just a little more time
to be sure of what i feel
is it all in my mind
'cause it seems so hard to believe
that you're all i need

yes it's true we've all been hurt before
but it doesn't seem to matter anymore
it may be a chance we're taking
but it always comes to this
if this isn't love we're makin'
then i don't know what it is

all i need
is just a little more time
to be sure of what i feel
is it all in my mind
'cause it seems so hard to believe

no stars are out tonight
but we're shining our own light
and it never felt so right
'cause girl the way i'm feeling
it's easy to believe
that you're all i need

ahhhh
you're all i need
oooooh ahhhh


i just heard this song from our radio here in the office.  i know that the station
plays old and new songs, but i still kinda get surprised hearing old songs, specially
those that i always hear and sing to when i was younger.  while others may say that
this song is cheesy or corny, i actually find it nice.  i loved this song back then,
and i guess i still do.

listening a while ago to this song, i thought: this is for that one night i thought
i made a wrong move.  that night when i didn't think but followed how and what i feel.
i am just glad things happened the way they did and slowly fell into their rightful
places.

sometimes things happen in our lives unexpectedly, and all we have to do is just to
go wherever it may lead us...  stop rationalizing.  who knows?  it may be what is
really meant for us.

conspiracy july gig sked

1 (W) - Noel Cabangon
2 (Thu) - Diyosa
3 (Fri) - Joey Ayala
4 (Sat) - Syalam & Talahib
5 (Sun) - Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
6 (M) - 3P
7 (Tue) - Writers Night (KM 64) 7pm / Toto Sorioso
8 (W) - RJ JMNZ
9 (Th)- Bonfires for Peace: A Cultural Event for Peace and Justice
10 (F)- Blackout Night featuring Leonecast & JZE
11 (Sat) Chiro
12 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
13 (M)- Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
14 (Tue) Writers Night (Alitaptap StorytellersPhilipp ines) 7-9pm / MJ JAM feat. Lynn Sherman, Rica Arambulo, RJ JMNZ, Bayang Barrios, Noel Cabangon, Jong Azores, Diyosa, Cooky Chua, Agatha et al.
15 (W)- Noel Cabangon
16 (Th)- DJ Alvaro Birthday Gig
17 (F)- Joey Ayala
18 (Sat) - White Ink Night
19 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
20 (M)- Songwriters’ Night
21 (Tue)- Writers Night (Lirahan) 7pm / Agatha
22 (W)- Miguel Escueta
23 (Th)- Light it Up: Christian Musicians Night
24 (F)- Diyosa/ Bayang Barrios & Mike Villegas
25 (Sat)- Comedy Night: Mike Unson Renegade Assault with Stanley Chi, Derf Hebrado and Reklamo
26(Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
27 (Mon)- Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
28 (Tue)- Writers Night (Bigkas Pilipinas & CDC) 7pm / The Music of Burt Bacharach
29 (Wed) - Noel Cabangon
30 (Thu) - Popfilter
31 (Fri) - Mayo Baluyut with DRP

Conspiracy Garden Cafe
"...where real people, like you and i, converge and co-inspire..."
#59 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
for inquiries/reservations: 9206517
conspiracy_garden_cafe@yahoo.com

buses and trains by bachelor girl

Hey Mom
Why didn't you tell me
Why didn't you teach me a thing or two
You just let me go
Out into the World
You never thought to share what you knew

So I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep falling in love
Which is kinda the same
I've sunk out at sea
Crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good
I want to do it again

Hey Mom
Why didn't you warn me
Coz about boys is something i should have known
They`re like chocolate cake
Like cigarettes
I know they're bad for me
But I just can't leave 'em alone

So I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep falling in love
Which is kinda the same
I've sunk out at sea
Crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good
I want to do it again

(AND I WALKED)UNDER A BUS
I GOT HIT BY A TRAIN
AND IT FEELT SO GOOD
AND I WANNA DO IT AGAIN
WANNA DO IT AGAIN
*HEY EY IEEY*
(WANNA DO IT)
Oh, felt so good

Hey Mom
Since we're talking
What was it like when you were young
Has the world changed
Or is it still the same
A man can kill and still be the sweetest love.

So I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep falling in love
Which is kinda the same
I've sunk out at sea
Crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good

So I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep falling in love
Which is kinda the same
I've sunk out at sea
Crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good
I want to do it again
I want to do it again

lyrics from: sing365.com

i love this song. it is one of the songs i wanted to sing when i still had a band but never was able to. when i hear it, i think about all that i have gone through in love. why is it that after a relationship comes to an end, we vow to ourselves not to go through all that again, only to find ourselves falling in love again? but it doesn't stop there 'cause we also find ourselves hurting all over again, then the relationship eventually comes to an end as well. such a cycle... but then again, it isn't really the falling in love that we don't want to go through again. who doesn't want the flowers in the air, everything's beautiful, all happy feeling? i guess, we all do. it's just the hurting, of course, that no one ever wants to go about again.

this song is different from all that blubber about loving and hurting. it actually says that after all she has gone through in love, she still wants to do it again. such a masochist huh? loving or being in love was even likened to being hit by a train or ran over by a bus. well maybe, it just didn't include that she wants to do it again and again because she doesn't want to stop loving so as to finally find the right person for her.

whatever the writer of this song really means, how many times do we really have to love? how many times do we have to hurt? how many times do we have to make those mistakes over and over again before we find the right one?

oh and when do we know it's the right one? oh well, but that's another story.

mom used to to tell me something like, when you love don't give too much nor too little, but just enough. that puzzled me because it's kinda hard to do. but i guess, as i grew older and more mature, it seems that it's not that hard anymore. i realized that it doesn't have to be taken literally. i interpret it now as just still keeping your head when it comes to love, being level-headed. with all the experiences, i somehow tend not to get too much overwhelmed nor clouded by love anymore. it's easier to think and use my head now that i know better, rather than before when i was just a mere neophyte. though i know that my mom couldn't really protect me from hurts and pains, i am just glad that she is around when i go through difficult times.

though we fall in love and have relationships with different kinds of people, somehow relationship "per se" remains the same. we all go through good, bad, happy, difficult times. we go through rough battles to make the relationship work. we hurdle all the challenges to stay together. we defy every contradiction or situation, conquer all our fears. and so, whoever it is we are with, even if the circumstances are different, it is still being in love.

chavit's "baluarte"

before, i only knew chavit singson's "baluarte" from tv or magazine features. i never really thought i would eventually be able to visit the place. well, i guess it isn't part of my "places to go to" list. i don't know why though. i guess if ever there is an animal place or a zoo themed park that i want to go to, it will be at zoobic safari or the ocean adventure, or maybe the nearer malabon zoo, which i never had the chance to visit. sigh.... well anyway, even if that is so, i don't regret visiting "baluarte." i love the animals! they look too good to be true. it was like seeing cute stuffed toys... except they are alive. hihihi...

lazy tigers

since "baluarte" is located at vigan, ilocos sur, if anyone follows my blog, you might have guessed that this is another blogpost installment of my la union-vigan trip last may. there isn't so much to say 'bout this part of my trip, except that i couldn't believe that such a facility can be enjoyed by anyone for free. yes... there is no fee whatsoever. you can enjoy the beatiful birds and animals without any charge.

kyuti birds and miniature roosters and hens... :)

miniature horses cuties...

who could ever think that you can bring deers to the philippines, huh? they hardly move that you won't believe they're real.

"nag-iisa, wala ka na" ni noel cabangon

papalubog na naman ang ilaw
nagpapaalam na naman ang araw
ang gabi ay muling mamayani
at ang lamig ay hahaplos sa pisngi

ilang araw na ang lumipas
magmula nang ika'y magpaalam
ilang gabi na ang nagdaraan
ang pag-iisa'y 'di na 'di na makayanan

ngunit kailangan kong indahin ang lamig ng gabi
ngunit kailangan kong tanggapin wala ka na sa tabi
nag-iisa, wala ka na
wala ka na, nag-iisa

ala-ala'y nagbabalik sa aking isip
mga larawan ng bawat sandali
pag-ibig nating sinumpaan
ipinangako sa liwanang ng buwan

ngunit kailangan kong indahin ang lamig ng gabi
ngunit kailangan kong tanggapin wala ka na sa tabi
wala ka na, nag-iisa
nag-iisa, wala ka na

ngunit kailangan ko nang masanay
at tanggapin na lumisan ka na ng tunay
ang lahat lahat ay bubuti ang pag-ibig ay mananatili
lagi't-lagi hanggang sa walang hanggan...

hindi ko na maalala kung kailan ako nagsimulang mahumaling sa mga awitin ni noel cabangon. basta't ang tanda ko naging madalas ang aking panonood ng kanyang mga pagtugtog sa mga restaurants/bars, hanggang sa nagkaroon na ng conspi. sa loob ng panahon na yaon ay masasabi kong kahit paano'y naging malapit na rin kami. kaya nga ako naging conspirator (at ang aking bespren) ay nang dahil na rin kay noel.

ang "nag-iisa, wala ka na" ay mula sa pinakabagong album ni noel na "himig nating pag-ibig." ito ang isa sa mga kantang nakapukaw ng aking damdamin at naging kasa-kasama ko rin sa mga panahon ng aking pag-iisa.

minsan sa ating buhay ay kailangan din nating tumigil at maging mag-isa upang matukoy natin kung ano ang nararapat para sa atin...

conspiracy june 2009 gig sked

1 (M) - 3P
2 (T) - Writers Night (KM 64) 7pm / TSG
3 (W) - Ray Olaguer
4 (Th)- Toto Sorioso
5 (F)- Johnoy Danao
6 (Sat) Cynthia Alexander
7 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
8 (M)- Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
9 (T) Writers Night (Alitaptap StorytellersPhilipp ines) 7-9pm / Kate Toralba
10 (W)- Noel Cabangon
11 (Th)- Guitars for Good Governance
12 (F)- Cynthia Alexander Album Launch
13 (Sat) Comedy Night: Mike Unson MU32 The Birthday Show with Stanley Chi, Uli Oposa, Derf Hebrado and Trian Lauang
14 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
15 (M)- Songwriters’ Night
16 (T)- Writers Night (Lirahan) 7pm / Cooky Chua with Mike Villegas
17 (W)- Miguel Escueta
18 (Th)- Light it Up: Christian Musicians Night
19 (F)- RJ JMNZ
20 (Sat)- Abby Asistio / Layag
21(Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
22 (Mon)- Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
23 (Tue)- Writers Night (Teatro Pasiking) 7pm /Agatha
24 (Wed) - Noel Cabangon
25 (Thu) - Color it Red
26 (Fri) - Diyosa / Bayang Barrios & Mike Villegas
27 (Sat) - Mayo Baluyut with DRP
28 (Sun) - Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
29 (M) - Salinawit ni Pete featuring Cooky Chua, Lynn Sherman, Mara Viola and Pete Lacaba with Ferdie Borja on Piano
30 (Tue) - Writers Night (CDC sa Conspi) /Alamid Acoustic

Conspiracy Garden Cafe
"...where real people, like you and i, converge and co-inspire..."
#59 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
for inquiries/reservations: 9206517
conspiracy_garden_cafe@yahoo.com

mission "not" impossible

'guess mission impossible (theme, that is...) ain't that impossible with this kid...



nakakainis ka iho! ang galing-galing mo!

ikaw at ako pa rin ni rica arambulo

lagi-lagi na lang
'di maalis ang pagnanais ko
na ipahiwatig
ang damdamin ko sa'yo
at ako ang napili ng puso mo

oh ang nadaramang ito
magpakailanma'y hindi magbabago
tulad ng araw
tulad ng ikot ng mundo
tulad ng pag-ibig ko sa'yo mahal...

at kung ako ay mabibigyan
ng pagkakataong maulit ang lahat
ilang ulit ko ring isisigaw
tanging ikaw pa rin, sinta...
ikaw at ako pa rin...
mahal...

tulad ng araw
tulad ng ikot ng mundo
tulad ng pag-ibig ko sa'yo mahal...

at kung ako ay mabibigyan
ng pagkakataong maulit ang lahat
ilang ulit ko ring isisigaw
tanging ikaw pa rin, sinta...
ikaw at ako pa rin...
mahal...

mahal...

mahal...

at kung ako ay mabibigyan
ng pagkakataong maulit ang lahat
ilang ulit ko ring isisigaw
tanging ikaw pa rin, sinta...
ikaw at ako pa rin...

ikaw at ako pa rin...
mahal...

kung meron mang nagpapasaya at nagpapatingkad ng mga lunes sa conspi, iyon ay sa tuwing tumutugtog si rica arambulo. alam naman nating patay na araw ang lunes sa karamihan ng mga bars na gaya ng conspi, kaya't isang magandang ideya na magkaroon ng "piano nights with rica arambulo" kung lunes. hindi man regular ang gigs ni rica tuwing lunes sa conspi ay mapapanood pa rin naman sya kahit isa o dalawang beses sa isang buwan.

sa galing ni rica sa pagkanta at pagtipa ng piano, hindi mapipigilan ng kahit sino mang manonood sa kanya na mapasabay sa kanyang mga awitin. maraming mga popular na kanta ang inaawit ni rica sa kanyang mga gigs, ngunit hindi lamang iyon sapagkat isa rin siyang magaling na kompositor. kahit hindi mo alam ang kanyang mga orihinal na awitin, siguradong isa sa mga ito ay tatatak sa'yo kapag iyong narinig. gaya na nga ng nangyari sa akin noong una kong marinig ang kantang "ikaw at ako pa rin." ang titik at musika nito ay nilikha mismo ni rica at nagmula sa album na may pamagat ring "rica arambulo."

mapapanood si rica ngayong lunes, may 25, sa conspiracy garden cafe, #59 visayas avenue, brgy. vasra, quezon city.

from la union to vigan... (the heritage city)

to follow-up my last post 'bout my la union trip/vacation... i know, i know, it has been taking too long. but there's just so many things to do... i have a job and a life too. :)

well, there really isn't much to say but our supposedly trip to the haven that me and my bestfriend dreamed of didn't push through. i guess pagudpud would have to wait for some other time. the van we rode on, which is owned by my bestfriend's family, is not that much up to very long trips anymore. a trip to pagudpud will take 5-6 hours from san fernando city (la union). so, we just opted for a shorter trip to vigan. i didn't regret it though... vigan isn't a bad option. besides, it was my first time to visit ilocos, so why would i complain?

vigan is about 2-3 hours drive from my bestfriend's place. the travel time isn't that bad considering the nice scenery you will be passing by on the way. we tried to take pictures while on the road, but we missed most of the best shots or it's just that we can't get a decent shot. it's so hard to take pictures while in transit. besides, we were too engulfed in the beauty of the sights we were passing by that we forget to take out our cameras earlier. but nevertheless, the moment we stepped on to vigan soils, we can't help but to shoot... and shoot... and shoot!

the first thought that came into my mind when i saw vigan was that it was like intramuros, only way, way better. although intramuros has somehow preserved some of our very rich cultural heritage in the form of old buildings and houses, i can't say that it's the same outside of it. there were so many old houses and buildings that have been destroyed in manila to give way to new constructions.

i admire how vigan was able to preserve our rich filipino heritage by keeping the old architectural designs. my bestfriend said that it is a requirement in the city that when new business establishments are constructed, the old architectural designs must be retained and preserved. heck, i nearly didn't recognize mcdonald's there, if not for the big yellow "M" sign. even this popular american fastfood looks like an old spanish house. and to my surprise, i saw a familiar insignia on one of the buildings in vigan. i felt reminiscent looking at it since i was once an employee of its makati head office. i am talking about the CAP building, which looks very much different from its other branches. of course, it also has a spanish look and feel to it, blending nicely with all other establishments in the area.

since we arrived in vigan at around lunch time, we looked for a place to eat. there was one place my bestfriend was talking about but we couldn't find it, so we ended up at cafe leona. it's just a small, cozy restaurant near the heritage village. they don't only serve good ilocano food but the nice interiors of the restaurant would also nourish your artistic appetites.

after munching on some ilocano treats such as bagnet, diningding (which is an ilocano version of pinakbet), vigan longganisa, and some chicken at cafe leona, we proceeded to the heritage city where more shooting and a little shopping took place.

the heritage city of vigan is also much like the wow philippines tiangge in intramuros. you can buy local products ranging from food to crafts. although i never really bought anything for myself, i did buy one small remembrance for a friend. it's a miniature carriage-like swing made of wood. i chose it because i noticed that it is very typical to find one of these swings in the heritage village. i just don't know if it's also the same for the whole of vigan. in fact, tourists like to take pictures sitting on those wooden swings.

here are more of the pics i took at the hertiage city...

our trip doesn't stop here... but of course, i will reserve my story and pictures on the next installment of my la union - vigan trip post. :p

si cha-cha, ang peborit kong bulilit

i can't get over this advertisement that every time it's being shown on tv, i can't help but to smile, laugh, and say.... "awwww, ang kyut-kyuuuut!" hehe.... i bet you do too. i even found out a while ago that there's already a fan group/page in facebook called "bulilit," which was created for the cute little girl in the ad named cha-cha (which i found out from facebook too). of course, i added myself as a fan. hihi... :)

hmmmm.... ang sarap mo i-uwi bata ka! sana 'wag ka na lumaki... hehehe...

"snow on the sahara" by anggun

only tell me that you still want me here
when you wander off out there
to those hills of dust and hard winds that blow
in that dry white ocean alone
lost out in the desert
you are lost out in the desert

but to stand with you in a ring of fire
i'll forget the days gone by
i'll protect your body and guard your soul
from mirages in your sight

lost out in the desert
you are lost out in the desert

if your hopes scatter like the dust across your track
i'll be the moon that shines on your path
the sun may blind our eyes, i'll pray the skies above
for snow to fall on the sahara

just a wish and i will cover your shoulders
with veils of silk and gold
when the shadows come and darken your heart
leaving you with regrets so cold

lost out in the desert
you are lost out in the desert

if your hopes scatter like the dust across your track
i'll be the moon that shines on your path
the sun may blind our eyes, i'll pray the skies above
for snow to fall on the sahara

if thats the only place where you can leave your doubts
i'll hold you up and be your way out
and if we burn away, i'll pray the skies above
for snow to fall on the sahara

i was listening to rx93.1 last wednesday when i heard this song again. i haven't heard it for... god knows how many ages ago. and it was really good to be reminded of good ole songs i loved back then. well, i still do love it now. and thanks to the monster radio that i get to be reminded of nice songs of yesteryears. it's just so sad that i haven't really heard that much of anggun lately. or maybe it's just me.... hehe... am not that updated, you know.... :)

many will agree with me when i say that anggun kinda reminds you of our very own grace nono. not just about the looks, but also with the timbre of the voice and over-all style. i remember that i hear other people say the same things when anggun became a hit a few years back.

also, one thing that i so love about this song is the nice poetic lyrics. i don't know if all her songs are like this, since i never had the chance to buy the album (which i vowed to do the moment i first heard this song). if there are still copies available at record bars, i hope i remember to buy one. for now, am gonna try listening to her other songs at youtube.

according to the comments at youtube, where i got the video of this song, the original version of this song is in french. i was surprised 'coz i didn't know that this is originally done in french. and so i listened to it to find out which version is better...



now, i really wish i know how to speak french so i can appreciate it more. nonetheless, i love this version too, even though i don't understand a tad bit of it. :D and i just can't pick one between the two versions. i love 'em both!

"home" by michael buble

another summer day
has come and gone away
in paris and rome
but i wanna go home
mmmmmmm

may be surrounded by
a million people i
still feel all alone
i just wanna go home
oh, i miss you, you know

and i’ve been keeping all the letters that i wrote to you
each one a line or two
“i’m fine baby, how are you?”
well i would send them but i know that it’s just not enough
my words were cold and flat
and you deserve more than that

another aeroplane
another sunny place
i’m lucky, i know
but i wanna go home
mmmm, i’ve got to go home

let me go home
i’m just too far from where you are
i wanna come home

and i feel just like i’m living someone else’s life
it’s like i just stepped outside
when everything was going right
and i know just why you could not
come along with me
'cause this was not your dream
but you always believed in me

another winter day has come
and gone away
in even paris and rome
and i wanna go home
let me go home

and i’m surrounded by
a million people i
still feel all alone
oh, let me go home
oh, i miss you, you know

let me go home
i’ve had my run
baby, i’m done
i gotta go home
let me go home
it will all be all right
i’ll be home tonight
i’m coming back home

sometimes, in life, we just want to go home. not just the literal meaning of it. at times it's more of going home to your own self. we want to be taken away from the busy, stressful world and the pressures of life. we want to find comfort, familiarity, love, rest...

i find myself in that kind of situation every now and then. nobody can be much too strong not to find time to take a pause. i have to have time to be just me as "me" and take even just a short time off from being "me" as daughter, or "me" as niece, or "me" as employee, and everything else there is.

maybe this is also why i love songs that talk about going home or simply just about "home..." i am not really a michael buble fan, but when i heard this song, i just cant help but to like it, love it even. i guess i had, and still continue to have, a few comings and goings in my life that hearing this song instantly touches the deepest part of who i am.

* purple dreams and lavender wishes on your birthday....

conspiracy may gig sked

1 (F)- Kate Torralba/ Cynthia Alexander
2 (Sat)- Johnoy Danao
3 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
4 (M) - 3P
5 (T) - Writers Night (KM 54) 7pm/ Noel Cabangon
6 (W) - Davey Langit
7 (Th)- Toto Sorioso
8 (F)- Diyosa /Bayang Barrios & Mike Villegas
9 (Sat) Jes Bartolome, Glen at Joel
10 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
11 (M)- Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
12 (T) Writers Night (Alitaptap StorytellersPhilipp ines) 7-9pm / Ray Olaguer
13 (W)- Mayo Baluyut
14 (Th)- Agatha
15 (F)- RJ JMNZ
16 (Sat) Comedy Night: Mike Unson´s Mayday Stand-up with Stanley Chi, Uli Oposa and special guest Maui Zafra
17 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
18 (M)- Songwriters Night
19 (T)- Writers Night (Lirahan) 7pm/The Sentimental Groove
20 (W)- Blues Night
21 (Th)- Light it Up: Christian Musicians Night
22 (F)- Diyosa/ Bayang Barrios & Mike Villegas
23 (Sat)- Makiling
24(Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
25 (Mon)- Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
26 (Tue)- Writers Night (CDC) 7pm/Alamid
27 (Wed) - Standards with the JCO Razon Trio
28 (Thu) - Albert de Pano
29 (Fri) - Miguel Escueta
30 (Sat) - Cynthia Alexander
31 (Sun) - Gospel Jam (5-8pm)

Conspiracy Garden Cafe
"...where real people, like you and i, converge and co-inspire..."
#59 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
for inquiries/reservations: 9206517
conspiracy_garden_cafe@yahoo.com

going home... my other home, i mean (la union trip)

just got back from a very tiring but fulfilling vacation from way up north. fulfilling because i went to a place i have never been before, which is an add-up to my chest of travel memories. this entry will probably be just an intro to a series of posts about my trip. i don't think i can squeeze everything into just one blogging, specially the pictures. :)

it was just a tentative plan i had in mind to visit my bestfriend and my "inaanak" in san fernando, la union for the 3-day weekend of may 1-3, since the last time i went there was january of last year. i told her i might also be bringing my mom with me. when i mentioned the plan to my bestfriend, she got all excited and planned for even another trip for us going to pagudpud in ilocos norte. she has never been there too and she wants to tag along tarko, her son and my "inaanak," on that trip as a treat for him because she will be receiving her payment for some writing assignments she did. well, well, well... what a vacation will that be for me!?! hmmm...

in spite of the tiring scenario playing in my mind, i still decided to make that trip to la union. i definitely need some time away. we all need that from time to time. i remember a quote that my bestfriend shared with me some time ago: "the farther you are from home, the closer you are to yourself." something like that... i forgot who said it though, but i never forget that quote. i guess it's because it is so true. sometimes we need to get out of our shells and explore, rejuvenate, live life to the fullest... because when we do this, we get to know ourselves much better. so, i went away from home... to go to to my other home. i guess la union has always been my refuge and it has saved my sanity far too many times and helped me know and love myself a whole lot better.

and so on thursday night (april 30), i was set to leave manila with my mom. she got to the bus station ahead of me since i was coming from makati, then she texted me that the bus station is already fully-booked. good thing that she was there early so we can look for other options. i immediately texted her back, telling her that she can go to the nearby bus station to check. good enough, the other bus station offers extra buses for those who weren't able to reserve ahead of time. yes, i wasn't able to reserve since i was not sure if i was going or not. it was all fine, i think you aren't a real traveler if you haven't experienced these kinda stuff. all went well, and i didn't care if i had to wait for a few hours just to get a ride. so off to la union we went at 9pm.

it felt like a quick bus ride even if i didn't really sleep that much. i did doze off for very short naps from time to time, but i can't sleep longer. i even envied my mom for she slept for the most part of the trip. i guess that's what's good in traveling at night. you hardly feel the length of travel time.

at about 3am on may 1st, we set foot at the familiar plaza in san fernando city, where almost all ilocos bound buses stop to drop off and pick up passengers. then we took a tricycle ride to my bestfriend's house. and since it was already very late, or let's just say it was already morning, we just hit the sack after short rounds of pleasantries.

the next day we just stayed in the house the whole day to prepare for our trip to ilocos the next day, except for a quick trip to the store to buy ice cream for tarko. we went to an ice cream store aptly named "ice cream house." very literal huh? hehe... then my mom got on an ice cream frenzy once again and bought a half gallon of vanilla ice cream, half gallon of strawberry ice cream, and another half gallon of buco leche flan ice cream. ooops! it doesn't stop there. she also bought, i think a dozen of ice bucos or ice cream sticks. am not really sure coz i never tried them. i just tried the vanilla ice cream (since it's my favorite) and the buco leche flan ice cream (coz i've never tasted it).

before the day ended, we witnessed a traditional procession of santa cruzan, i think. or was it flores de mayo? but i hardly caught the procession to shoot decent pictures. so i only got this....


but! i did catch a nice view from the terrace.... this....


and this...


and most specially, the cutest face i love and miss...