Posts from the ‘Blogs’ category

larger than life on good friday

A quiet day at home in Bulacan with family enjoying late lunch and dinner talks with servings of fruits (watermelon, star apples, bananas), “Totsong Bangus” (Milkfish in Fermented Soy Cakes) and “Tortang Talong” (Eggplant Omelette). I was hoping it will rain to somehow quell the heat outside. Strangely, it always rain on Good Friday on my side of town (as it did last night half past midnight).

Good thing it didn’t or I won’t be able to take some photos of the traditional Baliuag Holy Week procession that happens yearly every Holy Wednesday and Good Friday. As a kid I always marveled at the larger than life carrozas of mostly tableaux from the ministry, passion and death of Christ. Sometimes I join the procession walking behind the float of Maria Salome (a venerated follower of Jesus), lighted candle in hand.

COVER TO COVER: a true blue story behind a pop song

During my heyday as the singer-songwriter, guitarist and creative director of Orange & Lemons (a now defunct outfit), I encountered some interesting projects that challenged me to deliver something different and left of center. And I seldom take interest in singing on a commercial project unless I think it suits me. One of them is the classic song called Blue Moon. A popular ballad written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934. Regal Films commissioned us via Universal Records to produce a version for a film project of the same title back in 2005.

one art by elizabeth bishop

I think poetry has lost an awful lot of its muscle because nobody knows any. Nobody has to memorize poetry. – Peter Davison

I read somewhere that poetry is designed to be read aloud. It’s meant to be given voice and maintains a close relationship with speaking and singing, not just for the eye and the mind. The sound and rhythm are important elements of the music of poetry. True enough, when I try silent reading versus reading aloud, the latter produces more impact, oftentimes pleasurable. The hints of emotions become vivid. Most importantly, it helps to understand and eventually memorize the words.