Prophetic Omen

To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour
-William Blakes’ Auguries of Innocence

Ang makita ang kabuuan ng mundo sa isang maliit butil ng buhangin
Ang kagandahan ng buhay sa isang bulaklak

Mahawakan ang kawalang-hanganan sa kaliliitan ng palad ng kamay
Ang walang hanganang buhay sa kaiksihan ng isang oras lamang
-Interpretation mine

Auguries of Innocence written by William Blakes who died in 1827. The work was published in 1863. To quote the interpretation of Auguries of Innocence, “Auguries of Innocence is a collection of conflicting situations written as a kind of prophetic judgement. It pits the innocent against the mature, the rich against the poor, the elite against the underprivileged, and invites the audience to recognize the fragile beauty and balance found within nature.”

About Last Night or Early this AM

On his last rehearsal with UP Engineering Choir, a newly accepted member said goodbye to the group. He will physically leave the Diliman campus to pursue advanced studies for his doctorate in another country. Physically, he cannot be present for the rehearsals and shows.

In a post rehearsal social, which he and their conductor initiated, more than half of the members attended. Riding in a white Starex, the group raided the Ihawan 17 January Friday. Most of them were repeaters attending all three socials at the venue. There were new first timers. There were fall outs too. Like the previous gatherings, it enhanced their connections with each other strengthening their bonding.

Eto ang ganap.

• Gabi ni Kawi (Philip din ang ngalan). Engaged at unimon. Isa rin siya sa nangangalang Philip. Mainstay na si Kawi sa Ihawan. Present siya sa tatlong salu-salu at palaging galak makasama ang mga katropa.
• Engaged si Andrew na dumating na nakabisikyeta. Matino ang disposition kahit umiinon. Habang makikipagkwentuhan, pinapanood din ang palabas ng choir performance sa YouTube UP Engineering channel na mababa ang HD quality at ang views sa ngayon. Tumulong siya sa pagwalis ng bubog na mabasag na baso.
• Syempre gabi ni tatay. Bangkero sa games ang pasimula ng shot ng Johnny Walker Black sa mga game na choir members. Di ko lang mawari kung participant siya bilang choir member o bagong conductor ng choir.
• Ang sipag ni Rova. Parang nanay ng UP Eng Choir, tinitingnan ang pangangailangan ng lahat lalo na sa naglulutong kuya at si tatay. Pag lampas ng hatinggabi, kasama na siyang tumatagay at nakikipulutan. Bago nagpaalaman, naghugas ng mga gamit na plato, kubyertos at panluto.
• Paikot-ikot si Jude sa maliit na tambayan. Di naman umiinom pero nakikipagkulitan sa mga ibang myembro. Isa rin si Jude sa mainstays ng Ihawan na huling umaaalis. Pero ng gabing ito, maaga siyang nagpaalam.
• Game si Lemuel. Nakaupo sa prime seat. Harap sa TV monitor, birds eye view sa chess board at nakaupo tabi ni Thomas.
• Tahimik si Eunice pero nandoon siya. Low profile si Rochelle habang umiinon, kumakain at konting chikaan.
• Panalo si Philip sa chess. Tahimik ngunit pabalik-balik sa banyo.
• May sariling mundo naman si Thomas na naka online. Pero pag inaalok ni tatay ng shot, di tumatanggi hanggang tumanggi na din ang katawan niya.

Nagustuhan ang Post Modern Jukebox, Pentatonix sa YouTube. Masuring pinanood ang mga nakaupong UP Mads. Hinanhanap ang sarili sa UP Engineering Choir. Minsan ay nakikisabay sa koro.

Isang portion ng gabi, nagsing-along sa channel ng coverph ng You Tube. Di ako alam ang konsepto ng vocal harmony ng gabing iyon. Ang narining ko ay volume ng boses. Di pa naman nagreklamo ang mga kapitbahay.

Tahimik ang papalis na choir member. Huling rehearsal na niya sa gabing ito. Tulad ng dati, nagluto, nagpaapoy, nang ihaw at nakiinom. Iniisip siguro kung tatanggapin pa siya sa pagbalik niya.

Masaya ang gabing iyon. Sandali lang daw sila puro umabot naman ng alas tres ng umaga. Nakapagserbisyo naman ang Grab noong madaling araw na iyon.

Ang naalala ko ay sana sa term ni Pres. Philip, nakapag recording ang choir. Para may karagdagang legacy at magkasaysay ang pag hohost ko ng sosyals sa mga iskolars ng syensa na mahilig kumanta.

Alaala ng mga gabing nagbigay buhay nitong paskong 2019.

18 January 2020

Agitated Birds

The birds appear to be under stress and agitated. They may know something we do not know. 


#TaalEruption2020 Latitude 14.676208 Longitude 121.043861

Post Holiday Party Pahabol

Post-holiday gatherings in the country which claimed to have the longest Christmas season have not been given as much significance as other parties associated with the holidays as office party, department party, family reunion, school homecoming etc. At best it is seen as merely a catch up.

Post-holiday parties are still seen as joyous moments because they ride on the infectious euphoria of the season where most (except the depressed) are in their elements. Thus like the gatherings post halloween, post all souls' day and the December socials leading to Christmas day up the new year, the mood is celebratory giving permission to temporarily set aside new year's resolution on food and liquor control.

Food and drinks are served unli. Seafoods (panga), sausages (beef), chicken (roasted) and beef (wagyu) are grilled from fire generated from fanned charcoal by an expert landing quickly at the table for immediate consumption while still steaming hot. Salmon sashimi served cold still remain cold mainly due to the comfortable weather. Drinks served by attentive server from familiar corporate ice box coolers even if several mLs are still waiting to be sipped seem to come from a bottomless box.

There was fun not from entertainment nor from presentation but from phoney talks on almost anything under the sun. Each one gamely contributed in pesos, jokes, anecdotes to create an amusing evening. As most are from sales, naturally each one has a dramatic story to tell.

Such is life in the company of friends. Unlike the December parties, post holiday parties are less stressful as there is no time limit and there is no next party obligation to think about. Party did not end because guests wished and knew there would be another post holiday party tomorrow (even if there was none.)

Ang bati sa okasyong ito ay maligayang pasko! Salamat sa lahat.

Larawan pinitik nina Lenard at Allan

Manigong

Starting the new decade 2020 right
New destination set can be reached with a roadmap, skills, tools, patience, action steps
It is the break that makes the difference
Timing, be on the lookout, proactiveness
That is why we ask for intervention in prayers that the events be kinder
Seeding kindness for destiny to be favorable to us
To realize our grand destination
Happy new year
Manigong bagong taon, translated bullseye to the target for the year (makamtan ang hinahangad)

Memories of the Past Decade

Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you

Salamat sa inyo mga kaibigan ko

Maroon 5 Memories (of the past decade)

Christmas 2019

Max YouTube Cover Star

Max Schneider sings a lot of cover songs. He can carry a tune, any tune. He sings a lot of songs with angst. 7 years after, he still sings covers, thanks to collaborating with genius musician Kurt Hugo Schneider KHS and fellow vocalists Sam Tsui and Victoria Justice.

His channel Max has a base of over 1.7 million subscribers. Posts have been viewed by billions of YouTube visitors. At age 27, his net worth is estimated to be over $1M. (Kurt at age 29 in 2017 net worth is over $5M).

How he reached that stature is through YouTube.
What can’t Max, the incredible, young and talented singer not sing? What KHS can not play?


In USA Today article published 2014, singing covers paid off for actor Max Schneider "LOS ANGELES — Singing his version of pop hits by Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars has paid off for actor Max Schneider. His YouTube channel has more than 700,000 subscribers and helped get his name out there. He co-stars in NBC's Crisis TV show, and is about to embark on a 24-city tour singing his own material, thanks to his growing online fan base. He told us about why so many folks start off singing other people's hits in a recent interview at USA TODAY's L.A. offices."

Here are some of his cover songs posted 5-7 years ago many of which are among my favorites.

Max in his Sugar post gives tips on how aspiring musicians can build a career in pop music.

Manila has both talentented vocalists and musicians. Online infrastructure is in place though unstable at times (internet speed of at least 50 Mbps to support 4K quality. 4K LED TVs available at local appliance stores). Studios can be built.

The template for success has been decoded and deconstructed. Can Manila replicate Max's story? Abangan.

Breakeven by The Script
Without You by Usher and David Guetta 
Demons by Imagine Dragons 
Counting Stars by One Republic 
Not Over You by Gavin DeGraw 
Try by Colbie Caillat 
Say Something by A Great Big World 
Love me like you do by Ellie Goulding 
Titanium by David Guetta 
Maroon 5 Medley 
It will Rain by Bruno Mars 
Payphone by Maroon 5 
When I was your man by Bruno Mars 
So Sick by Neyo 
Somebody that I used to know by Gotye 
Stay by Rihanna 
Hold on We’re Going Home by Drake 
Maps by Maroon 5 
How to Save a Life by the Fray 
Problem by Ariana Grande 
Bang Bang 
Bruno Mars Medley 
Give me Love by Ed Sheeran 
Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke 
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T’s 
As Long as You Love Me by Justin Bieber 
Somewhere Only We Know by Keane 
Lean on by Major Lazer 
The Other Side by Jason Derulo 
Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran 
Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri 
Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis 
Take me to Church by Hozier 
Lights Down Low 
She looks so Perfect by 5SOS 
Sugar by Maroon 5 

Flavors Texture and Colors of Christmas

UPSAri-sari: MusicKasaysayan III

The UP Singing Ambassadors capped this academic 2019 year with UPSAri-sari: MusicKasaysayan III their flagship educational workshop with a choral clinic where invited choirs go through a 4-day crash course and workshop on choir history and singing enhancement.

Facilitated by Dr. Eduardo Manguiat, conductor of the UP Singing Ambassadors, 8 choirs were beneficiaries of their advocacy of raising the level of appreciation of music among choir and non-choristers through lectures, vocalization and other voice exercises, one-on-one coaching and demonstration.


Workshop culiminated with a grand concert where choirs presented a signature classical and popular contemporary OPM number with the UP Singing Ambassadors. Participating in this program were: UP Engineering Choir, UP Mania Chorale, UP Serenata, The Iglesia ni Cristo Sanctuary Choir, Lyceum of Alabang Sangtinig Chorale, Muntinlupa Chorus, Tagumpay Chamber Choir and Quiapo Chorale.

Staged at the UP Diliman David Consunji Theater at the Civil Engineering building this 20 December, the two-hour concert was a musical treat with the choirs performing with enhanced singing prowess.

Show ended with an excerpt from Handel's Messiah by the ensemble composed of all participating choirs closing the concert with a theme appropriate for the Christmas season.


The lead choir lived up to its name of promoting the interest of music through its music and unselfish sharing of skills and competency in choir singing execution.

Thank you UP Engineering Choir for the invitation and ticket.

#EnggChoirEncore
#IlangTulogPaba

Bird Watching and Difficult Documenting at a Gated Residential Area

Hope This Christmas

This Christmas, let me interrupt and surprise you with the message of hope

A hope that affirms our humanity with all its glory and brokenness

That we do feel the hope in our hearts and realize it in our actions

May we attain the joy and peace that comes with this hope

Merry Christmas!

Thought lifted from the homily of Fr. Nemy Que S.J. delivered on the 3rd Simbang Gabi at the Gesu 17 December 2019

Homily starts at 46:14

Kalel 15 Movie

There is still a gem in Kalel at 15, a character sketched by Elijah Canlas who is a product of a dysfunctional family and a young adult diagnosed with a medical condition. 

Even with the hurdles and normal life's derailers, Kalel manages.

He is a dutiful son to his mother, tender, appealing and responsible to his lover, loyal to his friends. In private, he is adventurous and playful. 

Yet, the circumstances have not been not favorable to him; he is abandoned by his mother and sister and eventually dropped by his father. He gets angry when his mother leaves him and his sister for her married lover, when his girlfriend partners with an athlete for not satisfying her sexually, when a close friend betrays him with a guarded secret. Finally, he despised life when his priest father will not support his step sister.

There are yearnings to recover like getting her sister out of jail, going back home and did  not materialize. Even with these major challenges particularly his medical condition which are not just set backs, Kalel did not escape life.

Kalel will live and survive despite all. He has grit and is resilient. 

Elijah essayed an unconventional, uncertain and difficult young adults' life in this well produced film of Jun Lana.

The final frame registered a mischievous grin foretelling vengeance.

#kalel15

Enjoying You Tube Music Covers

YouTube renewed my interest in music, an interest that dated back to my childhood days (although with no musical heritage) but waned because of schooling and work.

Since the discovery of High Definition transmittal (at least 1080p up to 2260p.4k) and receiving, transmittal matched with a stable wi-fi and received in the comfort of home audiophile set up, music appreciation is enhanced.

Three channels captured my interest for their playlist, diversity of music, quality of production and a deep inventory. All three are US-based: TheSamTsui collaborating with Kurt Hugo Schneider (who also has his own KHS channel) and Scary Pockets.

All three have over 400 covers built over a span of  at least 9 years and dynamically increasing. All have a lead musician, Jack Conte for Scary Pockets, Kurt S. for KHS and Sam Tsui. Jack is backed up by a full band, Kurt is the composer, arrangement, musician and plays all instruments as a one-man band.

Kurt and Sam are in their early 30’s with degrees at Yale University. Kurt majored in Mathematics; Sam earned a degree in Greek. The duo graduated summa cum laude. They creatively create mashups, a mixture of several elements or related songs.

On free channel (with local advertisements), the three gift us with meticulously selected pop pieces popularized by other internationally known singers.

Hearing one piece, leads to the next and to the next as if the playlist is limitless. (Music is best appreciated in a home theater set up.)

Sam, Kurt and Scary are your alter options to Wish 107.5. Warning though that this lead can develop into a new addicting viewing and listening habit because selected cover songs are popular, familiar, compelling and well written and arranged.

Click and listen. Scary Pockets, a cover of "Viva La Vida" by Scary Pockets feat. Maiya Sykes https://youtu.be/JP3nskD7ebU

Kurt Schenieder’s medley of Maroon 5 featuring Max Schnieder and Victoria Justice https://youtu.be/p5eoHHrTKvs

Sam Tsui with a mashup of Let it Go and Let Her Go https://youtu.be/aoBELyv9cgk
and Love the Way You Lie https://youtu.be/HkHJ2-zoSB4

Their production is a delight to watch because the three excel in their field. love music and enjoy performing. When music is engaging, I remember this quote by Friedrich Nietzsche “In music the passions enjoy themselves.”

UP Engineering Choir 2019 "Ilang tulog ba pa?"

"There's a fire starting in my heart," sings Adele. Talking to several choir members of the UP Engineering Choir, that perhaps is the compelling reason for them to memorize, vocalise, practice, sacrifice. Balancing with their academic pursuit, family relations, personal agenda, joining a choir to sing and to blend with a group was an effort.

"Nobody says it was easy," says Coldplay but they pulled it through at the David Consunji Theater at UP Diliman last 5 December 2019 with their Eng' G Choir In Encore "Ilang Tulog Pa Ba?" There is the exam tomorrow, Typhoon Tisoy yesterday, the class suspensions this week; these did not get in the way to mount the concert.

Perfection for a singing and artistic performance was not expected from a group studying a  technical field. But the fact that excellence in performing, the same value that drives them to study well was embedded in them for the fire in their hearts made the night truly memorable particularly for them, their college and to us the audience.

Philippe Freznosa  in accepting the UP EC presidency just this September 2019 had three interests: the choir holds, remaining solid and intact, his leadership learning and personal growth. After the last encore "Munting Sanggol" he perhaps realized he achieved them all.

Thank you for sharing with us your music.

Encore! Hanggang sa susunod.


#EnggChoirEncore

#IlangTulogPaBa

Greens and Produce

Produce of the earth sold at prices affordable to its simple folks

Greens nourished well by an abundant water and the bright sun

At the southern back end of an island now made accessible by concrete highways on both the east and west sides, 5 hours via Calapan or 4 hours from Abra de Ilog

San Jose in Occidental Mindoro is slowly moving up from a 1st class municipality to cityhood

Hopefully it still remains as it is for a longer time; quaint, slow-paced, laid-back

Where the indigenous minorities are free to roam around the forest and the mountains

And the farmers still have the productive rice farmlands to till not yet converted to commercial lots and subdivisions

For now

Cellist and Trumpheter

Cinema Paradiso is one of my favourite films. It is a growing up story of an Italian in Sicily who recalls his love for film, friendship and lost love as a boy scored with a melodic music.

Cellist Yo-yo Ma and trumpheter Chris Botti collaborated in  interpretating the moving piece. The live version of the two artists hits you down to the core if you quietly listen.

----------

When we allowed the child in us to prevail in our younger days, we certainly would have had a lot  of unique Cinema Paradiso moments.

YouTube Musical Marathon Viewing

YouTube Marathon viewing seen in High Definition

Is saying “sorry” truly difficult to say? Anyone can say it but expressing it with sincerity is hard.

Which version of “Sorry seems the hardest word” was interpreted with sincerity dramatizing the pain of rejection?
It's sad, so sad
It's a sad, sad situation
And it's getting more and more absurd
It's sad, so sad
Why can't we talk it over
Oh it seems to me
That sorry seems to be the hardest word

The original by Elton John https://youtu.be/c3nScN89Klo
Diana Kralls’ https://youtu.be/_hSn4-F4zjE
Group “Blue” with Elton John https://youtu.be/JCuYcCH3Yos
Clay Aiken https://youtu.be/3_hyY0CDD74
Joe Cocker https://youtu.be/axcXYkiO82Q
Joe McElderry https://youtu.be/j93WvstotJ4

---------------------------

 Simple straight forward messages in a song interpreted by Joe McElderry, 2009 winner of Britain's X Factor.
I felt the sadness hearing him interpret the songs sorry seems to be the hardest word and she's out of my life.
I felt how it was when you reached your peak, you'd wish that you don't let the sun go down on me.
Joe McElderry then age18 caught the imagination of the English viewers. He matured, evolved as a singer and as an artist.

But I wished Joe did not age and remained angelic and pure.
Watch his performances.
https://youtu.be/SI-i_1FtebQ
https://youtu.be/4FpqdqyyNsw
https://youtu.be/WKozpAeHu9w

----------------------------------------

Which cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" relays the message of  "sana tayo na pero may pagninilo (pagtataksil) ka!"?
We almost had it all! but . . .

https://youtu.be/3k5acPIi0f8 Aretha Franklin
https://youtu.be/5NH6aM9YaGI Chinese Opera version
https://youtu.be/wIJC5N4MEZk KZ Tandingan
https://youtu.be/x2Oh7STrSIk Leo Moracchioli (metal cover)
https://youtu.be/_sXrTpOVnak Linkin Park
https://youtu.be/WZ7xADesLNg Vance Joy (acoustic)
https://youtu.be/tt2NIDtp-Ls Simply Three (cello/violin/bass)
https://youtu.be/LvebwuW8xHI Jack Vidgen
https://youtu.be/6R6iqO63ntM
https://youtu.be/nYqbOW4ka8k Han Bryul (K Pop Australian)

And the original live from Adele
https://youtu.be/Mi2cURoOAYY at the Royal Albert Hall
Enjoy

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Poetry in Lyrics. Melody in Tunes. Expression in Interpretation. Reinterpreted in a Cover Song

I am awed by the vocal range, control, versatility, phrasing, interpretation and choice of songs with memorable musicality and well written and crafted poetry of a young Australian-Korean (ex-KPop) singer Jang Han-Byul.

I discovered him on YouTube. From the over 50 videos, I am sharing 5 of my choices demonstrating his versatility and faithfulness to the theme.

Through voice and projection, he dramatizes the pain of separation in covering Adele's "Someone like you" sometimes it lasts in love and sometimes it hurts instead. For me it's not over . . . " https://youtu.be/dr8iyogSxYY

Pain of rejection in Bruno Mar's "Grenade" where "I would die for you but you wouldn't do the same."  https://youtu.be/jIeaneOc-jQ

A gloomy "Story of my life"  by One Direction. "My heart is unbroken but still untamed."  https://youtu.be/CdknvJM-Z6c

Struggling with "Demons" inside interpreting Imagine Dragons "When you feel the heat, just look into my eyes. It's where the demons hide. Don't get too close, it's dark inside" https://youtu.be/PgA136Vu-YI

And the hopeful and my favorite "Counting Stars" of One Republic where he shows singing prowess interpreting the melody of these lines "Old but not that old, young but not that bold," "I feel something so right by doing the wrong things, I feel something so wrong by doing the right things." "Everything that kills me makes me feel alive." Hope comes in the line "no more counting dollars; we'll be counting stars." https://youtu.be/-o5x0SiyegQ

Jan Han-Byul is a talented young artist who conveys his music through his voice though covers but expressed well, very well. He sings in English, French, Korean, Japanese. Currently, he is wowing audiences in Malaysia and India.

Listen to his interpretation to my initial selection of familiar songs. (Studio recordings best appreciated on Smart TV with a sound bar)

To complete my playlist:
Treasure by Bruno Mars https://youtu.be/zmsKikzG2Ns
Just the way you are by Bruno Mars https://youtu.be/3-HR2cLVFjc
Versace on the wall by Bruno Mars https://youtu.be/n-v9H-Tr-DE
When I was your man by Bruno Mars https://youtu.be/qQx7rAeh20E
Blurred lines by Robin Thicke https://youtu.be/On25b7MoyLg
Roar by Katy Perry https://youtu.be/ly9c-rLqMsQ
Royals by Lorde https://youtu.be/zX1r3HUp0D0
Angels brought me here by Guy Sebastian https://youtu.be/Qv1XJt1u84g

The struggle of an aspiring KPop artist. Parents' view and the pressure on Jang Han-Byul to succeed big time https://youtu.be/qgVCdBYd0bk

Undoubtedly talented, intelligent and creative, there is so much pressure for Jang Han-Byul to succeed for his parents and associates. His parents sacrificed their own lives to support their only son's passion for singing. Jang Han-Byul from his videos has been doing everything to decode the formula for stardom. Only destiny will determine if he gets the big break.

For now, I may have deconstructed the motivation for the intensity of his interpretation of struggle songs particularly "Story of My Life."

"Written on these walls are the colors that I can't change
Leave my heart open but it stays right here in its cage

I know that in the morning now
I'll see us in the light upon a hill
Although I am broken, my heart is untamed"

Good luck Han-Byul. Keep track on your professional growth.