juOnBox Music 13: Leaving So Soon?

Leaving So Soon?
Keane

Ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah!
Ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah!

You must think I'm a fool
So prosaic and awkward and all
D’you think you’ve got me down?
D’you think I’ve never been out of this town?

Do I seem too eager to please to you now?
You don't know me at all
I can't turn it on, turn it off like you now
I'm not like you now

Now you’re here
I bet you’re wishing you could disappear
I'm trying to be kind
I get the feeling you're just killing time

You look down on me
Don't you look down on me now
You don't know me at all
A slap in the face
In the face for you now
Just might do now

You’re leaving so soon
Never had a chance to bloom
But you were so quick
To change your tune
Don’t look back
If I'm a weight around your neck
Cos if you don’t need me
I don't need you

Ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah!
Ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah!

Leaving so soon, soon
Leaving, leaving so, soon

You’re leaving so soon
Never had a chance to bloom
But you were so quick
To change your tune
Don’t look back
If I’m a weight around your neck
Cos if you don’t need me
Then I don’t need you

Ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah!

Keane: Under the Iron Sea

Angelica’s Return

Hotter now, this kid. She holds the distinction of being the only girl appearing sexy on this website (well, that’s aside from snippets of Sandara Park’s sexy exposure in UNO magazine which I made you guys guess who she was before the magazine came out and Ms. Gay Thailand, who’s a he.). Now here’s one for the boys this time.

Related post:

Angelic Angelica

Jeepney Hunk 08

After some weeks of respite, I am bringing back by popular demand the next installment of my Jeepney Hunks series. The truth is that in the past weeks, I never had the chance to scout around for Jeepney Hunks because I just wasn’t interested to look at other guys. Eh malakas kayo lahat sa akin so I’m forcing myself. (hahahahahaha) Now the pictures you’ll see here, I wasn’t the one who took them myself. I got them through email. So what’s a guy got to do when he wants exposure? Expose him!

I hope these are enough for an explosive comeback for Jeepney Hunks. Guys, we just love ‘em, don’t we?

Toilet Paper Pleasure

Wanna wrap that toilet paper ‘round me baby?

This is one of my wildest sex fantasies—to be wrapped in tissue paper. (Hint! Hint!)

juOnBox Music 12: Rent Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

They’ve staged Jonathan Larson’s Rent in the Philippines twice, the last one included Jay-R and Iya Villania in the cast. The movie version also came out which starred among others Rosario Dawson. My interest was never piqued until this morning when my friend let me listen to the song Without You from the original motion picture soundtrack. I’ve read the plot and the musical’s interesting history. Now I wanna see the film.

Without You

MIMI
Without You
The Ground Thaws
The Rain Falls
The Grass Grows

Without You
The Seeds Root
The Flowers Bloom
The Children Play

The Stars Gleam
The poets dream
The Eagles Fly
Without You

The Earth Turns
The Sun Burns
But I Die
Without You

Without You
The Breeze Warms
The Girls Smiles
The Cloud Moves

Without You
The Tides Change
The Boys Run
The Oceans Crash

The Crowd Roars
The Days Soar
The Babies Cry
Without You

The Moon Glows
The River Flows
But I Die
Without You

ROGER
The World Revives

MIMI
Colors Renew

BOTH
But I Know
Only Blue
Lonely Blue
Within Me, Blue
Without You

MIMI
Without You
The Hand Gropes
The Ear Hears
The Pulse Beats

ROGER
Without You
The Eyes Gaze
The Legs Walk
The Lungs Breathe

BOTH
The Mind Churns
The Heart Yearns
The Tears Dry
Without You

Life Goes On
But I'm Gone
Cause I Die

ROGER
Without You

MIMI
Without You

ROGER
Without You

BOTH
Without You

Seasons of Love

All:
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Moments so dear
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure - Measure A Year?
In Daylights - In Sunsets
In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee
In Inches - In Miles
In Laughter - In Strife

In - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure
A Year In The Life?

How About Love?
How About Love?
How About Love?
Measure In Love

Seasons of Love.
Seasons of Love.

Joanne:
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Journeys To Plan

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure The Life
Of A Woman Or A Man?

Collins:
In Truths That She Learned
Or In Times That He Cried
In Bridges He Burned
Or The Way That She Died

All:
It's Time Now - To Sing Out
Though The Story Never Ends
Let's Celebrate
Remember A Year In The Life Of Friends

Remember the Love
Remember the Love
Remember the Love
Measure In Love

Joanne:
Oh you got to remember the love,
You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love, spread love
Measure, measure your life in love.


ALL
Seasons of love
Measure your life in love

Listen to the music here Rent Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

juOnBox Music 11: Frankie J.’s Priceless

Frankie J. has got to be the more interesting new finds in the world of R and B this past few years. His debut album as a solo artist, “Don’t Wanna Try,” churned out several hits including the title track. His equally successful last album in 2005, “The One,” earned acclaim for hits such as “Obsession,” “How to Deal,” “Don’t Wanna Try,” and “Suga Suga.” Following the heels of success of “The One”, Frankie J.’s “Priceless” is predicted by critics to very well become the most successful one in his career due to the album’s “hipper, more diverse range of material and solid song production.”

Never Let You Down

[Frankie J]
I'm never gonna let you down

[Krayzie Bone]
I know we goin through a lot of thangs
But then I'm really keepin you tight
'Cause in the true light
'Cause I wanna do right
I can leave this game
'Cause baby I ain't trippin on the meaningless fame, hey
Never let none test, one flesh
take it step by step 'til death
And we can get back up and we can ball if we should fall (if we should fall)
Its truly a blessin... come directly from Heaven
Through death and a ressurection
I'ma be right there by your side
Never let you down never need to cry
Wipe your eye, eye, eye
Wipe your eye, eye, eye
Wipe your eye, eye, eye
Wipe your eye, eye, eye

[Frankie J]
Girl, I know that you've been hurt
I'm here to make this work
I'm not the type to put you down
Just put your trust in me
And girl, don't be afraid to try
I see you're tired of lies
I know you heard this all before
Just put your trust in me

Whats up Baby?
Would you be my lady?

[Krayzie Bone]
Baby girl you should roll this way
You should already know this way
Is the only way

[Frankie J]
So whats up Baby?
Would you be my lady?

[Krayzie Bone]
Baby girl you should roll this way
You should already know this way
Is the only way

[Frankie J]
When you're down girl you know you can count on me
'Cause I won't let you down
I'm not the type to turn my back whenever you're in need
'Cause I won't let you down

[Krayzie Bone]
Never let you down
Never let you down, girl
Never let you down (down)
I promise I won't let you down
Never let you down
Never let you down, girl
Never let you down (down)
I promise I won't let you down

[Frankie J]
Girl, I know you've been through pain
And that you're used to game
But you know I'm not the same
So come on and ride wit me
And girl, if you were mine you'd see
That I'm the man you need
Go ahead and let yourself be free
So come on and ride with me

[Layzie Bone]
You ain't never gotta worry about a thang
'Cause I got you, I got you
you gon
if you ever need a cure for the blues im the doctor,
remedies i gots lots of
Other imposters talk of good game
But you a cutie wit a brain so you see through that
I'ma keep it real baby, never keep it fake leave that for your ex 'cause he do that
I do things that
You Olive Oil and I'm Popeye
I'ma hit it like I'm on that spinach
Dig it, girl if you wit it, feel it
Yeah come ride with a thug
Come ride with a thug
I'm the realist, you can be my witness
Baby just vibe wit my love
Come vibe wit my love

[Frankie J]
Whats up Baby?
Would you be my lady?

[Krayzie Bone]
Baby girl you should roll this way
You should already know this way
Is the only way

[Frankie J]
So Whats up baby?
Would you be my lady?

[Krayzie Bone]
Baby girl you should roll this way
You should already know this way
Is the only way

[Frankie J]
When you're down girl you know you can count on me
'Cause I won't let you down
I'm not the type to turn my back whenever you're in need
'Cause I won't let you down

[Krayzie Bone]
Never let you down
Never let you down, girl
Never let you down (down)
I promise I won't let you down
Never let you down
Never let you down, girl
Never let you down (down)
I promise I won't let you down

[Frankie J]
I will never let you down
For you I will be around
I will never let you down
For you I will, 'cause I won't let you down
Always be your man
Baby, yeah, yeah
I will never let you down

You can hear the rest of Frankie J.’s newest CD here Frankie J: Priceless.

Supermodel

So you wanna be a supermodel? Honestly, these peeps look more like laboratory skeletal models to me.

Now what I wanna do is put up a foundation to feed malnourished models like these. Apparently, hunger is not only a problem in Africa.

I Love You

I love you is harder to say for the first time when you actually mean it. So I will never say I love you when I do. Just feel it.

Whispers

I said…

I’m whispering to your ear while you sleep things that I want to tell you but I don’t want you to hear. I’ve never been this scared, excited, and happy all at the same time. You know how pukingly exhilarating a ride in a rollercoaster can get? That’s the exact same feeling I have now about us. So many times I want to get out; I want to get off the ride. “You know very well what you’re getting into,” I tell myself. But when I’m on the peak, overlooking the wide expanse of green fields, the colorful sights, smelling the clean air, breathing the same air that you breathe, all I wanna do is stay there and shout at the top of my lungs how happy and contented and how unbelievable the mishmash of feelings I have for you is. At the end of the day, I always figure that whether I survive the ride or fall off the highest peak and kill myself, it will all be worth it. You are worth every minute of my time, every drop of my sweat, every wrinkle on my face, every emotion that I spend my energy on. I don’t care what I have to give and what I don’t get back.

And you whispered to me…

It’s my time to whisper while you’re sleeping. I’m scared. People always leave me when they begin to see my imperfections. I tend to become emotionally distant as well. And no one really has taken care of me. I’m overwhelmed, freaked out, and thankful. That’s why I want to do this at a slow pace. I don’t want you to run away. I don’t want to run away myself when it becomes too much for me to handle. Things are better this way. No shortcuts, no detours.

juOnBox Music 10: The Carpenters

The Carpenters is one of the best-selling American pop singers in the 70s, reaching stellar proportions in hits such as Top of the World, Close to You, We’ve Only Just Begun, among others. I was exposed to their music through my father, who’s made The Carpenters part of his staple Sunday listening ensemble. And just this morning, my Rafiki and I caught ourselves bursting into Carpenters hits. Wanna join us?

(They Long to Be) Close to You

Why do birds
Suddenly appear?
Every time you are near
Just like me
They long to be
Close to you

Why do stars
Fall down from the sky?
Every time you walk by
Just like me
They long to be
Close to you

(*) On the day that you were born
The angels got together and decided
To create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair
Of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue

(**) That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me
They long to be
Close to you

Repeat (*)
Repeat (**)

Just like me
They long to be
Close to you

Woo... Close to you...

Yesterday Once More

When I was young
I'd listened to the radio
Waiting for my favorite songs
When they played I'd sing along
It made me smile
Those were such happy times
And not so long ago
How I wondered where they'd gone
But they're back again
Just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well
(*) Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-wo-wo
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're starting to sing's
So fine
When they get to the part
Where he's breakin' her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
Looking back on how it was
In years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed
It was songs of love that
I would sing to them
And I'd memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away
Repeat (*)
All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
Repeat (*)

Top of the World

Such a feelin's comin' over me
There is wonder in most everything I see
Not a cloud in the sky
Got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream
Everything I want the world to be
Is now coming true especially for me
And the reason is clear
It's because you are here
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen
(*) I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world
Something in the wind has learned my name
And it's tellin' me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
There's a pleasin' sense of happiness for me
There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope that I will find
That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here
Repeat (*) twice

Let Me Be the One

Some sleepless night if you should find yourself alone

(*) Let me be the one you run to
Let me be the one you come to
When you need someone to turn to
Let me be the one

To set things right
When this whole world’s turned upside down

Repeat (*)

For love and understanding, to find a quiet place
For silent understanding, a loving touch
Come to me when things go wrong
And there’s no love to light the way

Repeat (*)

Let me be the one you run to
Let me be the one you come to
When you need someone to turn to
Need someone to turn to
Let me be the one you run to
Let me be the one you come to
When you need someone to turn to
Need someone to turn to
Let me be the one you run to
Let me be the one you come to
When you need someone to turn to


For All We Know

Love, look at the two of us
Strangers in many ways
We've got a lifetime to share
So much to say and as we go on from day to day
I'll feel you close to me
But time alone will tell
Let's take a lifetime to say
I knew you well
For only time will tell us so
And love may grow for all we know

Love, look at the two of us
Strangers in many ways
Let's take a lifetime to say
I know you well
But only time will tell us so
And love may grow for all we know

The Carpenters

Move: The Poetry of Paranoia

Hit the break.
Make it burn to the ashes.
Put it down.
Let it die a natural death.
Watch it fall off the cliff.
Let if drop from the tree.
Allow it to rot and fertilize the soil.
Let it pass you by like dry leaves floating on the rushing river.
Let it go then move on.

---

Some people fall in love with the novelty, not with the person. So when the novelty is lost, the love fades with it. The novelty is fleeting, the person is permanent. So look past it, know the person, then fall. That’s the way it should be.

---

It is strange how people can be so important one time, then inconsequential the next.

Disclaimer: If you must know, these are in no way related to my current personal state. But thanks for wondering. :-)

Inbox Full

One of the reasons I hate Mondays is the number of emails I accumulate over the weekend when authors usually submit manuscripts to me. My hands are full reading mail and sending out receipts the whole morning. So it is such a breather to receive emails such as these two:

Mail 1: ABC Meaning of Names

Does your name begin with A?

You are not particularly romantic, but you are interested in action. You mean business. With you, what you see is what you get. You have no patience for flirting and can't be bothered with someone who is trying to be coy, cute, demure, and subtly enticing. You are an upfront person. You often don’t get hints and you ever pass any. Brains turn you on. You must feel that your partner is intellectually stimulating; otherwise you will find it difficult to sustain the relationship. You require loving, cuddling, wining, and dining to know that you're being appreciated. Your mate's physical attractiveness is important for you. You tend to be very practical, and not very emotional. Your choices are very good and can only lead to trouble. You are very self satisfied and egoistic

Here’s for somebody else:

Does your name begin with D?

Once you get it into your head that you want someone, you move full steam ahead in your suit. You do not give up your quest easily. You are nurturing and caring. If someone has a problem, this turns you on. You are highly passionate, loyal, and intense in your involvements, sometimes possessive and jealous. You are very sharp and talented, often with sense of humour. When people bother to look deep inside they cannot resist what they see. You are stimulated by the eccentric and unusual, having a free and open attitude. You get jealous of other people and lose your temper.

Hhhmmm. Mine was pretty accurate. How about yours?

Mail 2: Wanted Hot Men

Need I say more?

Cheer Dance Update: We Won!

The Diwa Red Team Pep Squad did it again for 2 straight First Asia Ventures Capital Inc (FAVCI) Network Games. It was nerve-wracking at first. The other team had more men, so I assumed that they’d bring us down with unbelievable stunts and clarity and volume of voice. The pep squads of the four competing teams were housed in a row of rooms right in front of the covered courts and it was no soothing thought seeing them. But we stood out. From the costume, to the choreography, down to the execution, call me cocky, but we had it. I’m so proud of the team. I think what did it for us is that our concept was out-of-the-box. Right from the very start, I told the team I don’t want to go there looking like cheer leaders, which explains why I chose a military-inspired concept. We were creative and unconventional. I do know that the other teams did pay attention the last time we won. I can see traces of our old routine from their performance this year. I say to them, go learn. Good luck next time.

Here are tons of pictures of the first day of the sports fest. FAVCI Network Games 2006 Day 1 I hope to upload the video of our winning form soon.

juOnBox Music 09: Spamalot the Broadway Musical

The original cast recording of the hilarious musical Spamalot, a parody of the legend of King Arthur, never fails to pick me up on a bad day. The brainchild of the UK comedy genius Monty Python group, Spamalot was inspired by the team’s Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail, an equally funny movie that was shown in 1975. Click here to visit Monty Python’s Spamalot official website. Here are three of my favorite songs from the cast recording.

Find Your Grail Lyrics

[Lady of the Lake]
If you trust in your song
Keep your eyes on the goal
Then the prize you won't fail
That's your grail
That's your grail

So be strong
Keep right on
To the end of your song
Do not fail
Find your grail
Find your grail
Find your grail

Life is really up to you
You must choose what to pursue ohh yeeeah
Set your mind on what to find
And there's nothin' you can't doooo

So keep right to the end
You'll find your goal my friend
You won't fail
Find your grail
Find your grai-a-a-a-ail
Find your grail

[Company]
Find your grail
Find your grail

[Arthur]
When your life
Seems dejeffed
When we all need a lift
Tell yourself you won't fail
Find your grail
Find your grail

Life is really up to you
You must choose what to pursue
Set your mind on what to find

[Lady of the Lake]
And there's nothin' you can't do
You can't do
Dooooo!!

[Company]
So keep right (so keep right) to the end (to the end)
You'll find your goal my friend
Find your grail!
You won't fail
Find your grail
Find your grail
Find your grail!!

[Lady of the Lake]
Ohhhh
You'll find it!
You'll find it!
YEEEEAH!
You gotta keep on
Goin round!
Goin round!
Cause I know
YEEEEEEAAAH!

Always Look On The Bright Side of Life Lyrics

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...

His Name Is Lancelot Lyrics

Herbert:
Lancelot you might as well just fess up
Really you're a different kind of guy
Move aside your scabbard
For underneath your tabard
There is waiting to escape a butterfly

Men:
His...name...is Lancelot
And in tight pants a lot
He likes to dance a lot
You know you do

Lancelot: I do?

Men:
So just say thanks a lot
And try romance, it's hot!
Let's find out who's really you.
His name is Lancelot
He visits France a lot
He likes to dance a lot and dream
No one would ever know
That this outrageous pro
Bats for the other team.

Herbert:
You're a knight who really likes his night life
And by day you really like to play
You can all find him pumping at the gym
At the Camelot Y.M.C.A.!

Men/Women:
His name is Lancelot
La, la, la
Just watch him dance a lot
La, la, la
He doesn't care what people say
La, la, la

Lance: No Way!

Men/Women:
For when he starts to dance
La, la, la
Just grab your underpants
La, la, la

Herbert:
He can finally come out and say that he is G.A.

All: Y.M.C.A.

All: He's Gay!

Lancelot: Ok!

Spamalot Original Cast Recording

juOnBox Music 08: Harana Digital Style

Thank you D for the songs. You don’t fail to make my heart sing. Reminds me of the old-fashioned harana when Filipino men serenade their sweethearts with kundiman songs. Yours is harana, digital style. What you don’t know D is that every song you send is a song I’d also want to sing to you.

Like a Star
Corrine Bailey Rae

Just like a star across my sky,
just like an angel off the page,
you have appeared to my life,
feel like I'll never be the same,
just like a song in my heart,
just like oil on my hands,
Oh, I do love you

Still I wonder why it is,
I don't argue like this,
with anyone but you,
we do it all the time,
blowing out my mind,

You've got this look i can't describe,
you make me feel like I'm alive,
when everything else is au fait,
without a doubt you're on my side,
heaven has been away too long,
can't find the words to write this song of your love,

Still I wonder why it is,
I don't argue like this,
with anyone but you,
we do it all the time,
blowing out my mind,

Now I have come to understand,
the way it is,
It's not a secret anymore,
'cause we've been through that before,
from tonight I know that you're the only one,
I've been confused and in the dark,
now I understand,
Yeah-yeah

Oooh......Ooohhhh..

I wonder why it is,
I don't argue like this,
with anyone but you,
I wonder why it is,
I wont let my guard down,
for anyone but you
we do it all the time,
blowing out my mind,

Just like a star across my sky,
just like an angel off the page,
you have appeared to my life,
feel like I'll never be the same,
just like a song in my heart,
just like oil on my hands.

Save Room
John Legend

Say that you stay a little
Don't say bye bye tonight
Say you'll be mine
just a little of bit of love Is worth a moment of your time

knocking on your door just a little
so cold outside tonight
let's get the fire burning
I know, I keep it burining right

If you stay, won't you stay - stay

save room for my love
save room for a moment to be with me
save room for my love save a little
save a little for me
won't you save a little
save a little for me - ohh

This just might hurt a little
love hurts sometimes when you do it right
Don't be affraid of a little bit of pain
pleasure is just on the other side

Let down your guard just a little
I keep you safe in these arms of mine
Hold on to me - pretty baby
You will see I can be all you need

If you stay, won't you stay - stay

save room for my love
save room for a moment to be with me
save room for my love save a little
save a little for me
won't you save a little
save a little for me - ohh

[pa-ya-pa-pa] - [pa-ya-pa-pa] - [pa-ya-pa-pa] - [da-da-da]

Ohhh come on

Make time to live a little
don't let this moment slip by tonight
you never know what you are missing until you try
I keep you satisfied
if you stay, won't you stay - stay

save room for my love
save room for a moment to be with me
save room for my love save a little
save a little for me
won't you save a little
save a little for me - ohh

save room for love
save room for a moment to be with me
save a little, save a little for me
won't you save a little
save a little for me

Hawak-Kamay
Yeng Constantino

Minsan madarama mo kay bigat ng problema
Minsan mahihirapan ka at masasabing “di ko makakaya”
Tumingin ka lang sa langit
Baka sakaling may masumpungan
Di kaya ako’y tawagin
Malalaman mong kahit kailan

Hawak-kamay
Di kita iiwan sa paglakbay
Dito sa mundong walang katiyakan
Hawak-kamay
Di kita bibitawan sa paglalakbay
Sa mundo ng kawalan

Minsan madarama mo
Ang mundo’y gumuho sa ilalim ng iyong mga paa
At ang agos ng problema’y tinatangay ka
Tumingin ka lang sa langit
Baka sakaling may masumpungan
Di kaya ako’y tawagin
Malalaman mong kahit kailan

Wag mong sabihin nag-iisa ka
Laging isipin meron kang kasama
Narito ako oh, Narito ako

Sa mundo ng kawalan
Hawak-kamay, Hawak-kamay
Sa mundo ng kawalan

Listen to these at Harana Digital Style.

Camwhoring, Military Style

I took these photos for you D. More photos in Photo Box 3: For You D.

Divisoria Find: Chute Vest

I was costume shopping in Divisoria last week for the cheer dance competition when I stumbled on a red parachute vest which I just had to buy. I tried it on and I just fell in love with it. It’s perfect for jumping out on a plane, something which I did last Saturday. I’m still alive. And so in it.

Pep Squad Update: Pyramid

Here’s a (bad) preview of my cheering team’s pyramid. Hey, give us a break. We had to practice indoors when I took this picture because it was raining outside. You should see us now.

I hope to post pictures (and hopefully the video) of our performance on Saturday. Wish us luck.

We had a dress rehearsal last Monday. You can view the pics here Photo Box 4: Cheer Dance Dress Rehearsal. I'll be uploading the video as well as soon as I get the digital copy.

juOnBox Music 07: Madonna’s Ray of Light

When Madonna’s Ray of Light album came out in 1998, I was one of the firsts to troop to the record bars to buy a copy. I was a college student then. I could only afford to buy the tape which I listened to over and over again in my old Sony Walkman. Madonna’s seventh album is the most critically-acclaimed one she has ever recorded, and one of the most commercially successful. Here are two of my favorite songs from the CD. Yes, I now have the CD. I bought it 2 days ago. I’m still lovin it.

Ray of Light

Zephyr in the sky at night I wonder
Do my tears of mourning sink beneath the sun
She's got herself a universe gone quickly
For the call of thunder threatens everyone

And I feel, like I just got home
And I feel
And I feel, like I just got home
And I feel

Faster than the speeding light she's flying
Trying to remember where it all began
She's got herself a little piece of heaven
Waiting for the time when Earth shall be as one

Quicker than a ray of light
Quicker than a ray of light
Quicker than a ray of light

And I feel
Quicker than a ray of light
Then gone for
Someone else shall be there
Through the endless years
She's got herself a universe
She's got herself a universe
She's got herself a universe

And I feel
And I feel
And I feel like I just got home
And I feel
Quicker than a ray of light she's flying
Quicker than a ray of light I'm flying

Nothing Really Matters

When I was very young
Nothing really mattered to me
But making myself happy
I was the only one

Now that I am grown
Everything's changed
I'll never be the same
Because of you

Nothing really matters
Love is all we need
Everything I give you
All comes back to me

Looking at my life
It's very clear to me
I lived so selfishly
I was the only one

I realize
That nobody wins
Something is ending
And something begins

Nothing takes the past away
Like the future
Nothing makes the darkness go
Like the light

You're shelter from the storm
Give me comfort in your arms

Madonna: Ray of Light

Be My Papaya!

I grew up in Bulacan, a province north of Metro Manila, where most of the families, especially in the places farthest from the city, are agricultural. It is right in the center of the agricultural plains of Luzon that’s why. So before industrial capitalists invaded its farmlands, the Bulakenyos lived by planting rice, fruits, and vegetables. The land is blessed with the richest soil, so fertile the soil that even now, amidst the sprouting of concrete buildings in what used to be farmlands, you’d find it easy to grow any kind of plant anywhere. In our old house in fact, you’d find an assortment of fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs right outside the kitchen. Most of these plants grew from seeds thrown outside the kitchen window. Because of this, we used to have around 5 to 10 papaya trees in the kitchen backyard. My father was fond of the fruit, so you’ll imagine where all the seeds go when we eat them—yes, outside the kitchen window. And yes, this is another nostalgic post. I’ve grown to love papaya myself, but not the ripe ones. I prefer eating green papayas, those that you cook in a stew or in some surprisingly great recipe like this one I’m sharing with you.

Ginataang Papaya
Ingredients:
1 medium-sized green papaya
2 cans of spicy sardines
1 pack of instant coconut milk
Onion
Garlic
Cooking oil

Procedure:
1. Cut the papaya into small slices the way you’d cut sayote.
2. Crush the sardines in its sauce.
3. Saute the garlic and onion in hot oil. Add the crushed sardines.
4. Add in the papaya and the coconut milk.
5. Leave until the papaya is cooked. Its consistency should be like that of laing.

Ginataang Papaya is best served freshly cooked with any kind of fried fish. Try it!

There’s a little story behind this recipe which my brother tells me he innovated himself. My youngest brother, because he is still hunting for a job after graduating last March, is the default housekeeper. Among other household duties, he takes care of budgeting the money I give him for our food. Now last week, he used some of the money for a personal expense which he thought was just okay with me. He was wrong there. So I told him he had to make do with what’s left of the money I gave him. That’s how this recipe was born.

Want to learn more about papaya? Here are some quick facts about the fruit:
• Papaya has papain which, aside from its now more widely-known ability to whiten skin, is an effective meat tenderizer.
• There are parts in the world which use papaya as a contraceptive. Papaya-flavored condoms anyone? Or papaya pills perhaps?
• Ground papaya seeds may be used as a substitute for black pepper because of its spicy taste.
• Eating too much papaya will make your palms and the soles of your feet yellow.

How do I know a lot about papayas? Thanks to this and this.