1981

I wrote this during the Saigon Apartment Demo sessions. Enjoy!

Hello world, 11th of July.
I was a shy and carefree kid, don't know why.
Mom and dad were great; hope I made them proud.
School was boring and fun; I remember the guys and girls, where are they now?
I always rode a bike in the afternoons,
it was great; I always imagined I was a grand prix racer.
And as early as 7, I already wanted to drive a car,
but dad won't let me since I was just a kid,

and everyday I woke up, I said,
"here comes another day."
Everyday, I can't wait
'til I was eighteen years of age.

And I lived and prayed
every night and day
and I took every step
in that space and time,
and I know why I'm here,
and why I'm still alive.

I was young and I didn't care what my life was for,
and now I am thinking why I had been born
in 1981.

While I was in college, I fell in love with the woman of my dreams.
I'll marry her someday, and have kids of our own.
Waited two years for her to say "yes" to me,
and I have to say it's still the sweetest thing that ever happened.
Right after graduation, we got work right away.
We're both into computers; she's an analyst, I'm a consultant.
We've got jobs that pay well, and we're well on our way.
Right now, we're working overtime,

and I'm spinning around,
I'm spinning around this world,
and I'm thinking about
all the reasons why I'm here.

And I walk and say
"I am here today"
to live out my life
in this space and time,
but why am I here?
Why am I still alive?

Is it enough that I go on by my way?
Or is there a meaning why I had been born
in 1981?

What is my purpose in this world
that never gets tired of going around?
Am I meant to be a hero,
or just another face in the crowd?
Am I here to make a diff'rence,
or just walk along with everyone and anyone?
Why do I have to live this life
I have?

Someday, when I'm old,
I'll look back at my yesterdays.
I'll look at the choices I have made.
Will they be wrong or right?

And I'll walk and say
"I will live my day"
and I'll take each step
in the light I face.
I'll know why I'm there,
and why I chose that life.

Would the life that I'll live be enough before I die?
Will there be a meaning why I had been born
in 1981?

Def Leppard is Back!

Yeah!

Some sample tracks off their covers album:
- 20th Century Boy: http://mp3how.com/def-leppard-yeah/Def-Leppard-Yeah-20th-Century-Boy_mp3.php
- Waterloo Sunset: http://mp3how.com/def-leppard-yeah/Def-Leppard-Yeah-Waterloo-Sunset_mp3.php
- No Matter What: http://mp3how.com/def-leppard-yeah/Def-Leppard-Yeah-No-Matter-What_mp3.php
- The Golden Age Of Rock 'N' Roll: http://mp3how.com/def-leppard-yeah/Def-Leppard-Yeah-The-Golden-Age-Of-Rock-N-Roll_mp3.php

Yeah!

I C U

Something I wrote while residing in Vietnam, far away from my love.

Ilang araw na'ng di ka nakikita,
sa bawat araw nagdurusa.
Ang bawa't minuto'y parang oras, ang bawat linggo
ay parang taong...

di ka nakita.

Kailan kaya kita muling makikita?
Kailan kaya kita muling makikita?

Naaalala ko pa ang 'yong tingin
nung ako'y nagpaalam.
Ang aking ngiti'y bigla na lamang nawala
sa sunod na saglit

dahil wala ka.

Kailan kaya kita muling makikita?
Kailan kaya kita muling makikita? Makikita?

Parang taon na ang lumipas
nang huli kang makita.
Konting sandali na lang, aking mahal.
Heto na ako...

pauwi na.

Kailan kaya kita muling makikita?
Kailan kaya kita muling makikita? Makikita?

Dammit... I really hope I'll get home next week.

Happy New Year

...or is it?

Let's put it this way: I'm about a thousand miles away from home (Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam), celebrating - or trying to celebrate, that is - a new year with a group who misses good ol' Philippines. I've been out here since the 2nd week of December.

I've been trying to reach my Katrina May, but the network is just clogged. I was able to greet my folks, though. Iwan na lang ng text; tawag na lang ako bukas.

I miss the Philippines. I know I'm the deadbeat, not-so-emotional kind of guy, but there were two dishes - Pinoy dishes - that shook me. Sweet-style spaghetti and tokwa't baboy.

Heck, I'm never a fan of the sweet-style spaghetti. In fact, I disliked it so much (I'm Italiano, hehe). But on that Christmas Dinner with some Pinoy folks staying here in Vietnam... it tasted so delicious, I wanted to go home. It made me miss home. Alam ko na Pinoy lang ang gumagawa ng sweet-style pasta. Had to admit Erwin's a great chef, though.

I brought some pizza from Pizza Inn, and for tonight, there was tokwa't baboy. I'm a pizza nut, but I went on to eat tokwa't baboy instead.

It made me think about the many new years that passed, and how I took them for granted. Perhaps I didn't see this coming, or because I sort of "got bored" of the usual things. Maybe it's just the tradition rooted in my veins that's sending signals to my senses. Maybe I miss being at home after all. I miss my girl, that's for sure.

To you idiots who don't see how special these days are, slap yourselves and admit you're idiots. Trust me, there's just that really big chance you will miss it, just like me.

And for all you happy people out there, who understand what this is all about... Happy New Year to you. May the pig be with you.