Archive for July, 2008

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »
12
Jul

Original Pinoy Music

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: About Me and Music

I can’t tell when did I exactly start loving Pinoy music. And how! 

All I could recall is that since childhood in the late 70s to the 80s, I got smitten with the compositions of Odette Quesada, Cecille Azarcon, Rey Valera, Apo Hiking Society, Jose Mari Chan, VST and Co., Ryan Cayabyab, etc.  Said songs were made famous by the composers themselves and the likes of Joey Albert, Ric Segreto, Jam Morales, Sharon Cuneta, Kuh Ledesma, Gary Valenciano, and Martin Nievera.  Haaaay… Those were the days.

Now, many OPM revivals have been dominating the airwaves but nothing beats the original sound.  Pinoy hits such as “Till I Met You”, “Million Miles Away”, and “Don’t Know What to Do, Don’t Know What to Say” may have been revived over and over again but those who tried paled in comparison.  For me, the 70s-80s is the best era of Pinoy pop music and great Pinoy singers.

Over the years, I had some influences to shift my attention to their Western counterparts. I’ve actually tried listening to a lot of foreign renditions of jazz, bossa nova, country, rock, RnB, and pop. For a while, they seemed to have succeeded because I had kept a few favorites sung by the Carpenters, Sonya, Kenny Rogers, Air Supply, America, Melissa Manchester, Angela Bofill, England Dan and John Ford Cooley. However, I always find myself going back to the kind of music I have learned to love first.  No matter how baduy or jologs OPM seems to be for some people, I’ve remained a fan and will always be.

Right now, I enjoy listening to the songs and voices of Toni Gonzaga, Nina, MYMP, Parokya ni Edgar and other Pinoy bands — be it ballad, rock, country, RnB, alternative, or jazz.  I am even crazy over Kim Chiu’s “Crazy Love” that I literally forced my seven-year old niece to memorize the words and master the tune! When it comes to OPM, for me it’s not really the singer but the song.  As long as it is an original pinoy music that suits my kind of melody and lyrics (read: nakakaaliw at nakakarelate ako), go go goooooo!

Basta. Whatever they say, iba pa rin ang Pinoy!

10
Jul

July 16, 1990

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: UP Palaris Confraternity

“Repent! Repeeeent! For the end of the world is near!!!”

Nagkatinginan kami nina Yasmin at Jeff habang ang lahat ay nagkakagulo na sa may flagpole malapit kay Oble.  Nang marinig namin ang sigaw na ‘yon, hindi namin matantiya ang aming mga sarili kung kami ba ay matatakot, maiinis, o matatawa.

Lunes. Bandang alas kuwatro ng hapon. Masaya ang atmosphere sa tambayan.  May ipi-present kaming neo maya-maya lamang.  Isa ito sa mga pagkakataong maraming uma-attend ng G.A.  Siguro ay dahil gusto nilang masaksihan kung ano ang itsura nila noong sila naman ang nasa kalagayan ng kawawang neo.

Sa isang klasrum sa 20s. 4:15 ng hapon. Pagkatapos ng standard briefing ng aming Chief Squire na si Benjie at Grand Marshall na si Bayani kung ano ang mga puwede at di puwedeng gawin, heto na… magsisimula na ang inaabangang presentasyon. Then suddenly… the chairs were in motion! May sumigaw.  “Lumilindoooooool!!!”

Dali-dali kaming nagsipagtakbuhan palabas ng klasrum.  Subalit sa lakas ng lindol, hindi kami makatakbo. Ni hindi kami makatayo. Ako nga ay nauntog pa sa isang armchair na biglang tumambad sa aking harapan. Ginapang namin ang kahabaan ng 20s hanggang sa marating namin ang parking lot. 

At doon nga nangyari ang isa pang mas malakas na aftershock! Kaya’t di ko masisi ang isang nilalang kung nag-panic man siya nang husto. Oo nga naman, baka katapusan na nga ng mundo. “Repent! Repeeent!”  Buti na lang ay napigilan namin nina Yasmin at Jeff ang aming mga sarili at ang aming mga mata na lamang ang nag-usap. Alam kong nagkakaisa kami sa kung anuman ang tumatakbo sa aming mga isipan sa oras na ‘yon.

Kinagabihan, halos lahat ng estudyante ay natulog sa may grounds ng Oble.  Maririnig mo ang mga impit na iyak. Mga nagduduwetong mga singhot.  Ako man ay nag-alala sa aking mga magulang at mga kapatid.  Subalit sa mga panahong ganito, mabilis humupa ang takot sa aking dibdib.  Alam kong lilipas rin ang lahat.

Labingwalong taon na ang nakararaan mula nang mangyari ‘yon.  Ngunit ang mga alaala ng July 1990 earthquake ay nakatatak na sa aming mga isipan.  At bakit hindi?  We saw. We felt. We survived.

10
Jul

Female, 35, Single

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: About Me

Kanina lang ay “kausap” ko si Christy dito sa Friendster, isa sa aking mga sisses sa UP Palaris Confraternity-Baguio Chapter.  Blooming pa rin ang girlash! Pero kagaya ko, 35 at single pa rin.  Idagdag ko na rin si Alma Fe sa listahan, ang isa pa naming sis na doktora at single pa rin hanggang ngayon.

Magkakaklase kaming tatlo noong hayskul sa Dominican School.  Bagama’t magkaiba ang aming circle of friends sa mga panahong ‘yon, kaming tatlo ay pinagtagpo ulit sa UP Baguio.  Nauna silang sumali sa Confrat at sumunod ako three months later. At doon na nagsimula ang aming pakikibaka sa larangan ng pag-ibig, pag-aaral, at sabi nga ni Jeff, ka-UGhan (pronounced as ka-yu-ji-han).

Nagkaroon din naman kami ng mga long relationships, as in “taon” din ang binilang namin. (May ten years, laban kayooo?) Pero nakakatawang isipin na pagkatapos ng makukulay naming mga usaping rosas, heto kami ngayon… 35 and still very much single. Sabi nila, masyado raw siguro kaming perpeksyonista.  Ewan ko lang ha pero luka-lukahan din kami sa pag-ibig dati.  Siguro lang, dahil hindi naging maganda ang kinahinatnan ng aming mga relasyon before, to the highest level ang pagtaas ng aming mga respective standards pagdating sa lalaki.  Kagaya ng isa diyan, ang gusto niya — matalino, may kotse, at nag-yoyosi!

Anyway sisses, it’s not our loss (ang walang kamatayang justification, hahahaha).  But really, kidding aside, it’s not our loss naman talaga.  Hindi masamang gamitin ang ating mga utak not to settle for someone na alam nating hindi rin worth it, di ba?  Aba, naghintay na rin lang tayo ng matagal, eh sulitin na natin. Tignan n’yo si Juday… kakainggit ang bru!

Yeah right, let’s just stay as gorgeous and smart as we are.  Sooner or later, alam kong makukuha rin natin ang ating mga minimithing happy endings.  It’s just a matter of making the right choice– that one person who is soooo right for us. ‘Pag wala, ‘weno ngayon? 

Hindi nasusukat ang ating kahalagahan bilang mga babae sa loob lang ng isang tahanan. Ito’y nasusukat din sa kung ano tayo sa ating lipunan.

09
Jul

About Me

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: About Me

Sa mga nakakakilala sa akin, ako pa rin ito… MEANINNNNG –I am still the old Lanie who is typically quiet, dreamy, hopeless romantic, simple, smart BUT! sometimes stubborn, domineering, stupid, and sinfully gorgeous (oooops, how i wish!). I enjoy reading books and magazines that I can’t practically last a day without reading anything.

I also love romantic-comedy movies — foreign and local. Name it, I’ve watched it! Yeah yeah yeah I know… Tagalog movies sometimes suck but what the heck, I just love those kilig-laden Pinoy films that make me forget my heart problems(???) for a while especially those Aga Muhlach and John Lloyd-Bea movies with cheeeesy storylines.

There is only one place on earth where I can be my most sane self with all the trimmings of professionalism, respectable demeanor, and hard work — THE OFFICE. Well, when it comes to my work, I am my exact opposite. I can be very serious, focused, strict, and goal-oriented that I have mastered the art of handling pressure and stress. That is why I prefer to just sit back, chill, or relax during my non-office hours by being my “mababaw ang kaligayahan” self.

I am the type of person who will not start a fight but will not run away from one either. I am so easy to please that I appreciate every little thing that others do for me, with or without motives. Despite my not-so-good experiences in the love department, I’m still trusting as ever though a bit wiser now. I’d rather cherish my singlehood than settle for someone lesser! (Taray, huh.)

Ano pa ba? Well, I can keep confidentiality. I’m fair and diplomatic, dependable, kind-hearted, and kinda OC. People with no sense of time freak me out! I simply cannot stand waiting for more than 15 minutes, without you informing me that you’re gonna be late. I also don’t like being criticized without valid justifications. If someone loses my trust and respect, there is no more room for second chances because I highly value loyalty, honesty, and “word of honor”. I can forgive but I can not forget.

Likewise, I like people who are not afraid to show who they really are and once I embraced you as my friend, I don’t really give a damn on what others will say about you, be it negative or positive. I can only base my judgment on the kind of person you are to me and I’d rather prove things on my own than believe in hearsays. When it comes to friends, I prefer quality over quantity.

It’s not how long we’ve known each other that seal our friendship but rather by the battles we fight and the tests that we hurdle together, knowingly and unknowingly.

08
Jul

Dating 101

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: Dating

Four days ago, I found myself in a middle of conversation that went like this:

Kausap 1: Pero open ka naman sa dating?

Ako: Oo naman.

Kausap 2: Naku, ‘yan pa. Sabay sabay pa nga ‘yan eh.

Ako:  Hindi ah. Walang overlapping… (to Kausap 1) Teka, ano ba ang definition mo ng “date”?  Baka magkaiba tayo eh.

Kausap 1:  ‘Yong yayayain kang lumabas, kumain…  Ilan na ba ang naka-date mo?

Ako:  Hmmmnn, dalawa.

Kausap 1:  Dalawa pa lang???!

For some reasons, I didn’t pursue the topic anymore lest I’d contradict myself.  Under the concept of “yayayain akong lumabas at kumain”, of course I had my share.  Sabay sabay pa nga. Some guys have actually asked me out for a number of times and still counting. They are either officemates, acquaintances, former schoolmates and classmates, or even friends.

But you see, I have a different concept of what a “date” really is.  Dating for me is more than just eating out, watching movies, and the usual getting-to-know-each-other rituals.  Of course, I am not oblivious to every guy’s motive but for me to consider it a “date”, there should be an extra effort on the guy’s part to make the date worthwhile and unforgettable.  (Ooops, it’s not what you may be thinking now, okey?!?)

Don’t get me wrong, guys.  I am not asking for something grand, first-class, or lavish for me to qualify your efforts as something extraordinary. You can manifest that extra factor in a lot of ways by just being creative and resourceful, even prior to the date itself. 

“Dalawa pa lang”.  When I said that, what I actually meant was, “dalawa pa lang ang nag-qualify under my concept of dating”.  And yes, both became my boyfriends at one point in time and another.  Walang overlapping.

08
Jul

My Super Beetle

By lvbauzon1007 2 Comments
Categories: My Super Beetle

“Only a Super(wo)man can drive a Super Beetle”.  I’ve always wanted to have a shirt with this quote printed all over it.  You may say that I am so damn proud of my car but hell, that’s the truth.

My love affair with DAGirl started last September 8, 2006.  It was truly love at first sight!  It’s a rare 1973 VW 1303s model with a dashboard, curved windshield, and a prettier body compared to the ordinary 1302.  Back then, its royal blue color courtesy of its former Atenista owner added a certain air of masculinity in its look.  So I decided to have it restored and repainted to fit my personality.

Initially, I opted for lemon yellow but someone suggested flamingo green (perhaps because he is a La Sallista? Hmmnn..)  That gave me an idea to think next of maroon kasi UPian naman ako, bakit ba.  But everyone was against the idea. It’s a dead color, all chorused! So, it became a battle between lemon yellow and flamingo green.  Finally, the greeners won hands down due to the coolness and neutrality the color exudes. Sige na nga.  Besides, I still didn’t know how to drive at that time and it would be a bit embarrassing for my “astig driver” being seen around driving a little yellow car.

My Super Beetle is now staying with me for good.  I’m on my way of getting used to the feel of the steering wheel.  I just love the feeling of having something which is a product of my own sweat and tears.  You see, it’s my very first big time material possession and sometimes, I find it fascinating that we’re almost of the same age!

I am not just proud of her. I am crazily in love with her! Why?  Because my Super Beetle is not just a car.  It’s a culture.  It’s a history.  It’s a people’s car for nothing.

07
Jul

It’s True Love When…

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: Love

We’ll know one when we’ll feel one.  That’s how my guy friends would describe it when asked how would they know if it’s true love they were already feeling or not.  That was twenty years ago.  Two failed relationships, however, provided me with some specific and realistic answers.

You’ll know it’s true love when:

  • you can last a day without seeing or talking to him because you already feel safe and secure that at the end of the day, it’s you he’s thinking about;
  • you consider a "fight" as an opportunity for the relationship to grow rather than a reason to separate or break up;
  • you don’t even try to change his ways and instead accept the fact that change could only be initiated by him;
  • you don’t celebrate monthsaries or anniversaries anymore because being together every day is reason enough for celebration;
  • you don’t dare read the messages in his inbox or email account because you respect his privacy;
  • you don’t get jealous at all even if he ogles at those sexy ladies featured in FHM or Maxim because you know that those almost perfect bods are just products of Photoshop, artificial implants, or cosmetic surgeries;
  • you don’t make him your world and he still loves you just the same because he sees you as an independent woman with your own personal power and dreams; and
  • you don’t feel the need to ask yourself, "Is he my one true love?"
07
Jul

“Harana”

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: EMOs and Music

“Puno ang langit ng bituin… at kay lamig pa ng hangin

Sa ‘yong tingin ako’y nababaliw, giliw

At sa awitin kong ito, sana’y maibigan mo

Ibubuhos ko ang buong puso ko sa isang munting harana… para sa ‘yo.”

I giggled the first time I heard Daniel sing this song. I wasn’t expecting him to belt out those lyrics which I was so sure he couldn’t yet understand. The angst behind those words.  The deep longing behind the melody. Nevertheless, I found it so cute that after his performance, I hugged him like there was no tomorrow.

According to an Atenista-friend, this song was composed by his batch mate Eric in 1988 when they were in high school.  It became a standard ditty of sort for those coñotic boys bitten by the love bug for the first time.  But for Daniel, singing it was more of an achievement than an expression of love.  Those were the days when all that mattered to him was to learn the first few lessons of self-mastery.

Whenever I hear this song now, it always brings back a flood of good and happy memories.  It never fails to put a smile on my face as I reminisce the excitement in his eyes and the innocence of his voice on that sunny afternoon he mastered his first song.  Who wouldn’t?  When Parokya ni Edgar revived the song in 1997, Daniel was only two years old.

07
Jul

Last Login: 24 hours

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: About Me and Happiness

Some of my friends are wondering why it seems that lately I am always logged in to my friendster account.  Well, as of now, I’ve got so much time to spare that I am maximizing the unlimited Internet connection we have at home.  Besides, when I get busy again, I don’t think I’ll have the luxury of time to do this thing which I really love doing — writing. So, bear with me puhhleeeezzzz.

I am a frustrated writer.  The first few articles I submitted for national publication never saw light. Thank heavens for blogs!  Now, I could share my thoughts with anyone who cares enough to read what I have to say.  I’ve always been fascinated with the power of the printed word.  At age 4, I already started scanning books and didn’t stop since then. 

After I finished my Mass Communication-Journalism degree in 1993, I didn’t get the chance to apply the skills and knowledge I acquired during my four years in college. My first job was teaching Grammar and Composition, Public Speaking, and Earth Science (!) to a bunch of Engineering and Comp Sci students.  Though I did scriptwriting for a while, it didn’t give me the liberty to inject my own ideas so I went back to teaching. Then I got employed in a government financial institution where I gave nine best years of my life.

Now, it’s time to shift gears.  While I am still contemplating on what I will do next, I’ll content myself with what I currently enjoy doing — logging in to my email and friendster accounts 24/7.

07
Jul

Wisdom from “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: Life

Last night, I wasn’t in the mood to watch those teleseryes so I grabbed a book from my mini-library, a cabinet full of books and magazines covering a wide range of topics — love, relationships, humor, spirituality, science, wisdom, law, grammar, student activism, health and home, fashion, cars, and even … tuuut tuuut.

I settled for this little book which I bought last year because I was intrigued by its title.  At first glance, just because there was the word “ferrari” on its cover, I thought it was a bestseller about cars. And OMG, I was hooked the moment I started reading it!  It was definitely worth more than I expected.

Here are some excerpts from the book which, in a way, have greatly influenced my approach and orientation toward life, fulfillment, happiness, and destiny:

1.  “There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.  There is no such thing as a negative experience, only opportunities to grow, learn and advance the road of self-mastery.  From struggle comes strength.  Even pain can be a wonderful teacher.”

2.  “The secret of happiness is simple: find out what you truly love and then direct all of your energy towards doing it.”

3.  “A day without laughter or a day without love is a day without life.”

4.  “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you is nothing when compared to what lies within you.”

5.  “Unless you reduce your needs, you will never be fulfilled.”

6.  “Wage war against the weaker thoughts that have crept into the palace of your mind.  They will see that they are unwanted and leave like unwelcome visitors.”

7.  “Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”

8.  “Stop spending so much time chasing life’s big pleasures while you neglect the little ones.  Slow things down.  Enjoy the beauty and sacredness of all that is around you.  You owe this to yourself.”

9.   ”Change is the most powerful force in our society today.  Most people fear it, the wise embrace it.”

10.  “We are all here for a special reason.  Stop being a prisoner of the past.  Become the architect of your future.”

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »