I Will Be Here (Steven Curtis Chapman)

Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up And the sun does not appear I...I will be here If in the dark we lose sight of love Hold my hand and have no fear 'Cause I...I will be here I will be here... When you feel like bein' quiet When you need to speak your mind I will listen And I will be here When the laughter turns to cryin' Through the winnin' and losin' and tryin' We'll be together 'Cause I will be here Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up And the future is unclear I...I'll be here Just as sure as seasons are made for change Our lifetimes are made for years I...I will be here I will be here.... You can cry on my shoulder When the mirror tells us we're older I will hold you And I will be here To watch you grow in beauty And tell you all the things you are to me I will be here I will be true To the promise I have made To you and to the One who gave you to me I...I will be here And just as sure as seasons are made for change Our lifetimes are made for years 'Cause I... I will be here.... We'll be together 'Cause I will be here http://pamski71.multiply.com/music

The Seventh Sense (God's Funniest Gift)

God must have been laughing out loud when He was giving out sense of humor (or humour) to mankind. Well, of course, not everyone was blessed with such. Else, God must have been really crazy.

I once read and I deeply believe that life can be extremely challenging at times, and one coping technique you can use virtually anytime and anywhere is your sense of humor.

What exactly is this gift? You are said to have sense of humor if you are able to provoke or illicit laughter and provide amusement. And/or you are able to be amused, to laugh or smile at something funny.

I am blessed with this seventh sense and during the oh-so many trying times in my life, it served and still serves as my weapon. Kung hindi ba naman sa sense of humor ko, siguro namatay na ako sa kaseryosohan ng mga problemang dumating at dumarating (at darating pa) sa buhay. This isn't funny. Certainly, this is no laughing matter. If you can, include in your daily survival kit a sense of humor. And I'm not joking. This is real.

My Little Emperor

After a quick trip to Loyola Marikina over the holidays, we had lunch at SM Marikina. Check out our little emperor.

(Tooth)brush your feet

Lahat ng makitang ginagawa ko, ginagaya nitong batang ito. Habang nagpepedicure ako sa bahay, "Mommy? Toothbrush your feet?"

Pics from the Phone (MOP adventure)

The rest of my MOP pics finally downloaded from my cellphone. Don't mind my dark shots, the background is better.

Caehl turns the ironing board into a slide

Naku, magigiba ang ironing board kay Caehl sa bigat.

Prom Update

Jan 10 - The first visit to New Creation (a local dress shop) was hassle-free. After we showed her the design, the owner knew what Cae wanted that even before Alex could take a nap at the reception area, Cae's measurements were taken, dates were discussed and down payment was made. It wasn't as expensive as I expected and we didn't have to go to Divisoria to buy the fabric. It was part of the package. Hay, salamat naman.

The girls salon-shopped the day before and told me they were settling for Glamour (hair and make-up for 500).

I emailed Cae some hairstyle images I found on the Net. Maybe she can pick one she likes. Two of them are bridal hairstyles actually, but will still look good on Cae. She said she won't have her hair curled since most of the girls would be in curls, and she wants to be different.

I texted my brother to borrow one of their cars on Feb. 6 and he said yes. So the transpo problem is solved. Thank God for siblings.

Jan 17 - Since we were already in the mall (after Cae had an eye check-up), we decided to check out the shoe stores. Cae and I wanted a not-so-high pair so she could go dancing na hindi sasakit paa niya but it seemed that ang tataas ng nakikita namin. The shoes were really beautiful and finally, she chose an off-white pair of sandals. Alas, we couldn't find a handbag that would match. Next assignment: handbag and accessories.

Cae told me they're finally choosing Salon 28 (550), saying they heard something not-so-nice about Glamour. Whatever.

Jan. 28 - gown-fitting day
Jan. 31 - pick up gown

SOS SSS

What's up (or should I say, "down") with SSS nowadays? What's happening? What's the problem with their web site www.sss.gov.ph?   For one, it takes so long to go from one page to another, that is if you can actually view a page at all.   Secondly, I don't think all links are actually working. When you click on a link, it takes quite a while to load, only to display an error message.   I have been visiting the SSS site for the past weeks or so, since I promised my helpers we would continue their membership with us shouldering the contribution. My maid visited SSS Binan branch but there seems to be a problem with her records. I told her I might be able to view her contributions by registering (on the site) on her behalf, the latter I was able to accomplish but the online inquiry was not so helpful. As in no help at all.   Their old site was better, even their old hotline.   Paging SSS!

Stage Mom Diaries (Getting ready for Cae's Prom)

(Thanks, Tex, for my new title!)   Prom checklist   February 6, 2009 Friday Manila Hotel For months now, Cae has been checking out prom dresses. We've narrowed the choices to 3 (or 4) and had them printed out so when we go to the dress shop this weekend, we can show them the designs. If they say yes, they can do it, then the next step is to look for the right fabric.   You can visit her Multiply page to see the designs she's chosen.   Things to Do   1. Book hotel room - DONE   2. Shop and buy for prom shoes and handbag (or clutch) - I'm planning to do this after we've bought the fabric to ensure that they match. 3. Pick out hairstyles or start trying different styles - which brings us to Item#4. 4. Make hair and make-up appointment - So far, I've inquired from two major salons. But her friends find them a little bit expensive. So we're going to ask around again, this time we'll try the local salons. Maybe we should have a trial run. 5. Make prom manicure and pedicure appointment - maybe a day or two before the prom so the polish won't chip, knowing Cae. And maybe this month, we'll have some foot spa and leg waxing as well. And work on the eyebrows, too. (Note the "we.") 6. Purchase accessories for dress and hair - maybe together with Item#2. 7. Prepare the following: camera, extra pantyhose, handbag contents, etc. 8. Arrange for transpo - my major setback is our car is number-coded since it's a Friday. It'll be hard to move around Manila. I'll discuss this with Alex. Keep you posted, I will.

Good luck, HALE!

So, this is the major change Champ was telling us.   INQUIRER.NET EXCLUSIVE Hale far from saying ‘good night’   By Gerry Plaza INQUIRER.net First Posted 19:01:00 01/07/2009   MANILA, Philippines—This band amazed yet touched all who heard its music. A slow, melodramatic tinge of sadness; its vocalist’s soulful yearning made the phenomenon even harder to ignore.   In an instant, Hale became the country’s top OPM band. Pundits view Hale’s sensational rise as a result of its sincerity in its music, how band members put their hearts on their sleeves in each telltale line of its songs.   Diaries “Hale’s songwriting process is so natural. It reflects what we’re feeling. Our albums are actually our diaries over the years,” Hale frontman Champ Lui-Pio reveals in a rare one-on-one interview with INQUIRER.net. Lui-Pio reveals that each song has its own story to tell, reflecting all the personal journeys they have gone through, in its triple-platinum award-winning self-titled debut album, “Hale.”   “In ‘The Day You Said Good Night,’ all the songs there were written years before the album came out. If the songs talk about heartbreak, siguro yun ang state namin,” Lui-Pio says. “When we came out with the album, I just came from a seven-year relationship. Si (guitarist) Roll (Martinez) naman from a six-year relationship, si (bassist) Sheldon (Gallada) naman from a three year relationship. Siguro at that point in time, sobrang sadness ang lumalabas.”   But this sadness clearly did not reflect on its new stature as the country’s breakthrough band. Aside from recognition for record sales, TV and radio listeners and even industry establishments cited Hale as their “favorite band,” “band of the year,” “best new OPM artist,” or “best pop rock band.” The haunting ballad that was supposed to express heartbreak and despair, “The Day You Said Good Night” became the biggest hit in its time, eclipsing even the most popular foreign hits in sales and radio airplay. “Broken Sonnet” and “Kung Wala Ka” were other famous tracks that show how the band’s songwriting became the compelling factor for it to reach its prominent stature in the OPM scene. The song “Blue Sky” is Lui-Pio’s favorite as it accurately reflected the “dilemma” he was facing at that time.   Out of the limelight But suddenly, Hale faded away from the limelight.. Unlike in their banner year in 2005 that saw them appear in all major TV musical variety programs, perform in continuous gigs, and have heavy airplay on radio and music video channels, with a popular endorsement of a coffee brand to boot, the breakthrough act stood still.   According to Lui-Pio, the trouble started when they did their follow-up album “Twilight.” “During ‘Twilight’ kasi it was a very difficult time for everyone,” Lui-Pio said. “Not because of anything within the band but outside the band. Everything was really affecting us that we could not deal with it properly kaya we decided to take a step back to take a breather lang.”   Exhausted and frustrated Lui-Pio said the immense popularity they achieved after their first album took its toll on them, as they became physically exhausted and drained, apart from a growing artistic frustration.   “That time we were just physically and mentally tired from everything—from gigs, pressure from the label. Kasi you have to understand that as much as you want to keep it on an artistic perspective, it’s still business eh. There’s still a business side to music. The label, the recording companies…that’s their side. So we have to compromise once in a while.”   While “Twilight” marked the next level in Hale’s existence as a band, it led to factors that ran contrary to their very nature as artists.   “In ‘Twilight,’ it really affected the songwriting, the performance. So we thought we were very unfair sa listeners, who would go out of their way to see us tapos pagod kami or we’re not giving our 100 percent. So we just felt it was right to just regroup and find that old flame,” Lui Pio said.   The conflicts, he said, even reached beyond the band. “May mga personal [conflicts]. For example, it’s not even the four of us. For example, people related to us. Ex-girlfriends or whatever, mga ganoon. Ganoon yung malaking nakatulong sa pagod,” he reveals.   As a result, despite good reviews, “Twilight” never achieved the success of Hale’s debut album.   “They always say the first album is always the best. Kahit anong banda daw. So, you shouldn’t have to outdo the first one or a certain album,” Lui-Pio said. “When for example yung mga recording companies, sinasabi nila kailangan natin ng ganitong kanta, ganitong theme. Pero kami, iba kaming mag-isip eh. We’re not going to make another ‘The Day You Said Good Night.’ We want something new to offer. We don’t want to get stuck with the same pattern, sound, formula.”   Transition Despite “Twilight” falling short of expectations, which even threatened the existence of the band itself, Lui-Pio notes that Hale is experiencing a rebirth, a transition, especially with its latest album “Above, Over and Beyond,” which was released last year.   “We reached the point na when you’re down, there’s no place to go but up,” Lui Pio says. “With the right momentum, with the right motivation, we start to pick up the pieces. The third album was about a new found passion, new found drive.”   How have the difficulties affected the band?   “All in all, it’s really a learning experience. Constant adjustments kasi ang ginagawa namin every year. Like we constantly evolve…There has to be constant evolution for you to grow and mature.. In a way from the first time we came out with the album, everyday we try to improve, we try to develop not only in songwriting but also in performance,” Lui-Pio adds.   According to him, “Above, Over and Beyond” presents a radical shift in their songwriting. “It’s not really melodramatic anymore. Masaya na siya. In love na kaming lahat,” Lui-Pio declares.   Hale now has a new drummer, Paolo Santiago, formerly of Join The Club. Hale’s original drummer, Omnie Saroca, left the band to focus on other priorities, Lui-Pio says. “But we’re still okay. We’re still supporting him and he’s still supporting us.”   Hopefully with Santiago, Lui-Pio says, “we’ll have a better 2009.”   Label woes He was referring to slow sales of “Above, Over and Beyond” in 2008 due to troubles affecting their label, EMI. Parent EMI International had shut its Philippine division due to downsizing, Lui-Pio says, but all the EMI contract artists were now part of a new label, Polyeast.   “They are marketing the third album. Hindi na-push masyado. Walang guarantee talaga,” Lui-Pio says.   Hale, he stresses, is marketing and promoting “Above, Over and Beyond” on their own. “We’re trying to help ourselves kasi we’re not relying on the label now to push the album kasi they are concerned with their own problems. Hopefully by (this year), we’re going to make a strong push for the album,” he says.   He notes that they are looking at new avenues in selling and recording music, particularly on the Internet platform which is currently exploding.   “There are a lot of avenues to share your music. Hindi naman kailangan you’re under a label. You don’t need big recording companies anymore. You can innovate. You can actually find a lot of ways to access listeners, like online. You can upload and share music.”   “Above” is the third of a five-album deal with EMI.   Despite the setbacks and challenges, Hale remains as a solid unit that still sticks to the basics.   “I will keep on writing songs. Ako naman kasi it doesn’t matter if we’re signed or not eh. I’m still gonna write music. The four of us will still write music.”   Treehouse But their biggest plan for 2009 is expand its “Treehouse” gigs that donate all of the proceeds to charity.   In the 11 “Treehouse” gigs since January last year that saw Hale perform with other stellar acts like Spongecola, Sugarfree, Mayonnaise, Parokya ni Edgar, Hilera, Rivermaya, and Rico Blanco in different venues around the Metro, a significant amount was raised for charitable institutions such as the Asociacion de Damas Filipinas orphanage, and programs including Project Brave Kids for children with cancer and One Gene: One Child, which addresses autism.   “We want to make Treehouse bigger. That can be the first legacy we can leave when we’re done with the band. I just want to make it as efficient as possible. Kasi I can see from our first year how productive we were. Ang dami kasi naming na-raise, ang daming tumugtog, ang daming nanood. So we want to make it bigger. We also want to get more sponsors so we can maximize the cause,” Lui Pio declares.   Indeed, Hale is far from saying ‘good night.’

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090107-181994/Hale-far-from-saying-good-night

 

 

Good luck, Hale!

Welcome, Paolo!

Good luck, Omnie! We will miss you.

Early 2009 Thoughts

Last year, in a trip to Mauban with Alex, I started to open the papers (PDI, of course) and guess what page I landed on - a San Beda College of Law announcement ad.

Dreams and frustrations of becoming a lawyer suddenly came back to me. On that particular moment, I wanted to take the entrance exam. I scanned the requirements and thought, I have them all - except for new transcript of records. What I have was the typewritten version with "kagat ng daga" on the side. Yup, I'm not kidding, may kagat nga ng daga at ubod ng luma. But that was easy, I guess, I mean getting a new set.

I told Alex, who was driving, that maybe it was fate that I should see that ad to remind me of a well, not really lost but slippery dream of mine. Well, most of you should know by now that I married a year and a half after graduation, got pregnant right away and got busy with parenting and career-building that I was not able to pursue the dream. But it has remained at the back of my mind (and at the bottom of my heart) through the years like a piece of meat stuck between your teeth or a splinter in your toe.

I don't know if I'll still be able to take up Law someday (I actually requested for new TOR and my friend Len helped me get them. Thanks, Len!). I could do it under a scholarship program (that's how generous my employer is). Yup, as in all expenses paid. But right now, sobrang pressure na sa job and I don't think I can take much pressure. Baka mag-nervous breakdown na ko. Isa pa, I need to have a stable household. Yung tipong hindi na aalis ang yaya at maid ko para hindi ko na problemahin. Lagay eh, papasok ako at magrerecite pero ang nasa isip ko, shet, walang magluluto, tambak ang labada and all that stuff. Baka mapag-rumble rumble ko ang mga cases, batukan ako ng prof.

Perhaps, in time, in His time. I'm not losing hope. After all, my father took up Law when all his four children were in school (college na ko nun) and passed the bar (Take 1, mind you) at the age of 52. May pag-asa pa.

In the meantime, while I'm waiting for His go-signal, maybe I could take up some units in Education (ayoko kasing mag-MBA) to at least quench my thirst to go back to the academe. Balak ko kasi, after I retire, maybe I could go into teaching, kahit part-time lang. Na-inspire ako sa English teacher ko nung high school who is still teaching Journalism in a local college. She's the adviser of the college publication and parang gusto ko ng ganun. She still looks young and maybe working with young people makes her so. Ayokong tumanda na masungit at idle.

Wish me luck.

The best of 2009 to you all!