my music and movies

Take Me Out of the Dark

2009-04-08T08:45:00.005+08:00

This Holy Week one of the songs that we could use for reflection is this Gary Valenciano classic. The very title already expresses a Christian's longing for the Lord, the Light Who guides us through the darkness of life.

Just what is it in me?

sometimes I just don't know

what keeps me in your love

why you never let me go

And though you're in me now

I fall and hurt you still

My Lord please show me how

to know just how you feel

You have forgiven me

too many times it seems

I feel I'm not what you might call

a worthy Christian after all

And though I love you so

temptations finds it's way to me

Teach me to trust in You

with all of my heart

to lean not on my own understanding

coz' I just forget

You won't give me what we can't bear

Take me out of the dark My Lord

I don't want to be there, ooh,hah

You never left my side

You gave Your hand to me

to hold You, oh Jesus

I'm no longer in the cold

And yet I leave You there

when I feel satisfied

I'd like to thank You everyday

not only when I feel that way

I've never known a man

who'd give His life for sinners like me

And yet because He loves us so

He promised us eternity

And we can have His promise

and be His if we have faith

and just believe

Teach us to trust in You

with all our heart

to lean not on our own understanding

cause we just forget

You won't give us

what we can't bear

Take us out of the dark our Lord

We don't want to be there

Yeah, My Lord

Teach me to trust in You

with all of my heart

to lean not on my own understanding

'cause I just forget

You might give me what I can't bear

Take me out of the dark My Lord

We don't want to be alone

You take me out of the dark, My Lord

I don't want to be there, ooh,ooh...hah...

edelweiss

2009-01-27T10:45:00.018+08:00

the edelweiss, unofficial national flower of Switzerland and also an important symbol in other European countries

the sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines.

this is one of my most favorite among the songs performed in the musical "The Sound of Music".

edelweiss, edelweiss

every morning you greet me

small and white, clean and bright

you look happy to meet me

blossom of snow
may you bloom and grow
bloom and grow forever

edelweiss, edelweiss
bless my homeland forever

i love to associate this with sampaguita - the Philippines' national flower as she is also "small and white, clean and bright". actually we also have a song about sampaguita and in the near future i will be featuring it here too.

lyrics are from Lyrics on Demand.

superman

2009-01-16T11:04:00.007+08:00

i liked this song of Five for Fighting because it expresses a person's longing to be understood and to be treated fairly, that is, as someone who has feelings and even weaknesses even though he might have some special talents, skills or capacities that sets him or her apart from others.

i can't stand to fly
i'm not that naive
i'm just out to find
the better part of me

i'm more than a bird
i'm more than a plane
more than some pretty face
beside a train
it' not easy to be me

wish that i could cry
fall upon my knees
find a way to lie
about a home i'll never see

it may sound absurd
but don't be naive
even heroes have the right to bleed

i may be disturbed
but won't you concede
even heroes have the right to dream

it's not easy to be me

up, up and away
away from me
it's all right
you can all sleep sound tonight
i'm not crazy
or anything

i can't stand to fly
i'm not that naive
men weren't meant to ride
with clouds between their knees

i'm only a man
in a silly red sheet
digging for kryptonite
on this one way street

only a man
in a funny red sheet
looking for special things
inside of me

inside of me
inside me
yeah, inside me
inside of me

i'm only a man
in a funny red sheet
i'm only a man
looking for a dream

i'm only a man
in a funny red sheet
and it's not easy,
hmmm, hmmm, hmmm...

it's not easy to be me

sometimes we put a person upon a pedestal and believe he or she could be some kind of a hero or savior and when he or she fails to measure up to what we conceive him or her to be we reject him or her and even turn against him or her forgetting that he or she is just like us - though somehow more gifted, more talented or more capable in some ways than us - he or she is only human, or creature, and not God.

i have a dream

2009-01-15T11:23:00.003+08:00

this song of ABBA is one of my most played songs in high school and college. i loved listening to it and it was one of my favorite parts in the ABBA concert video .

i have a dream, a song to sing
to help me cope with anything
if you see the wonder of a fairy tale
you can take the future even if you fail

i believe in angels
something good in everything i see
i believe in angels
when i know the time is right for me

i'll cross the stream -
i have a dream

i have a dream, a fantasy
to help me through reality
and my destination makes it worth the while
pushing through the darkness still another mile

i believe in angels
something good in everything i see
i believe in angels
when i know the time is right for me

i'll cross the stream -
i have a dream
i'll cross the stream -
i have a dream

i have a dream, a song to sing
to help me cope with anything
if you see the wonder of a fairy tale
you can take the future even if you fail

i believe in angels
something good in everything i see
i believe in angels
when i know the time is right for me
i'll cross the stream -
i have a dream

i'll cross the stream -
i have a dream

i do hope everyone of us will have a dream and the drive to fulfill such dream.

i'll be there (for you)

2009-01-14T10:47:00.005+08:00

this song of Martin Nievera is another significant favorite of mine. it's a song he wrote for his children and surely it's something that i wish to sing to my child.

when you wake up each mornin'
and you feel like callin'
i'll be there for you

when the road seems uncertain
and you can't stop the hurtin'
i'll be there for you

when there's no one beside you
i'll be there to guide you
catch you each time you fall
when the stars won't shine anymore
i'll be there....

when the world is unkind
and your dreams they need more time
i'll be there for you

if the rules they keep breakin'
and the future is fadin'
i'll be there for you

the rainbow will end
in the palm of your hand
don't ever let it go
when the stars won't shine anymore
i'll be there....

who knows where we'll go
what will tomorrow bring
when we have each other
just hold on tight
we can touch the skies and fly......

i'll be there for you....
the rainbow will end
in the palm of your hand
don't ever let it go
when the stars won't shine anymore
i'll be there....
i'll be there....

i do hope that time will come when every child's father won't have to be away so that when the child wakes up and calls for him he would be there for him.

to hear the song, you can visit this site.

strong hearts

2009-01-13T15:31:00.003+08:00

here's the lyrics of Strong Hearts. to hear it, click here.

let every heart with fervor sing
while bugle sounds recall,
let scrolls unfold old tidings bring
the mem'ries dear to all -
for hearts are young again, my dear
for hearts are young again
we've known the warmth of hearts before
let old mem'ries live again.

our Alma Mater Hail to Thee
may each loyal son proclaim
tho' yonder we may roam and die
we'll ever be the same
for hearts are strong in Thee, my dear
for hearts are strong in Thee
we'll stand the test of time and woe
ever loyal sons to you

and when the taps shall sound for men
banners drape my last remains
let singing comrades bury me
to the echo of these strains
for hearts will live and die for Thee
forever live in Thee
young blood shall come to carry on
when the old strong hearts are gone

auld lang syne

2009-01-09T11:00:00.004+08:00

here's a traditional song sung during New Year's celebration. it's a Scot original but it has been popularized around the world by the British and now commonly sung when there are gatherings especially before it ends. it's a song that speaks of eternal friendship.

should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
should old acquaintance be forgot, and old times since?

for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

and surely you’ll buy your pint cup! and surely I’ll buy mine!
and we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

we two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine
but we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.

for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

we two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine
but seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.

for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

and there’s a hand my trusty friend! and give us a hand o’ thine!
and we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.

for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

the melody of the song has been used also to the lyrics of Strong Hearts, an inspirational song that cadets of the Philippine Military Academy sings.

you raise me up

2009-01-07T11:24:00.003+08:00

this song has been performed by many artists such as Selah, Josh Groban, the Westlife, Celtic Woman and many others. it is a very inspiring song which makes one remember how God cares for humanity and how we must acknowledge him in our lives.

when i am down and, oh my soul, so weary
when troubles come and my heart burdened be
then, i am still and wait here in the silence,
until you come and sit awhile with me.

you raise me up, so i can stand on mountains;
you raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
i am strong, when i am on your shoulders;
you raise me up... to more than i can be.

you raise me up, so i can stand on mountains;
you raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
i am strong, when i am on your shoulders;
you raise me up... to more than i can be.

there is no life - no life without its hunger;
each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
but when you come and i am filled with wonder,
sometimes, i think i glimpse eternity.

you raise me up, so i can stand on mountains;
you raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
i am strong, when i am on your shoulders;
you raise me up... to more than i can be.

you raise me up, so i can stand on mountains;
you raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
i am strong, when i am on your shoulders;
you raise me up... to more than i can be.

you raise me up... to more than i can be.

how i wish we'd be more closer to God and be more open to his will in our lives. perhaps it is the only way that could really make this world a better place.

God bless us all and may 2009 be a grace-filled year for all of us!

when a child is born

2008-12-22T11:24:00.003+08:00

this song was sung by Johnny Mathis, Il Divo and Jose Mari Chan. it's a Christmas song which i used to hum when i am putting my son to sleep.

a ray of hope flickers in the sky
a tiny star lights up way up high
all across the land, dawns a brand new morn
this comes to pass when a child is born

a silent wish sails the seven seas
the winds of change whisper in the trees
and the walls of doubt crumble, tossed and torn
this comes to pass when a child is born

a rosy hue settles all around
you've got the feel you're on solid ground
for a spell or two, no-one seems forlorn
this comes to pass when a child is born

and all of this happens
because the world is waiting
waiting for one child
black, white, yellow, no-one knows
but a child that will grow up
and turn tears to laughter
hate to love, war to peace
and everyone to everyone's neighbour
and misery and suffering
will be words to be forgotten, forever

it's all a dream, an illusion now
it must come true, sometime soon somehow
all across the land, dawns a brand new morn
this comes to pass when a child is born

it's a Christmas song which tells us that Christ is the One who will be the realization of peace and prosperity.

count your blessings (instead of sheep)

2008-12-19T11:41:00.002+08:00

this song was performed by various artists such as Irving Berlin, Bing Crosby and Jose Mari Chan, plus some others. it is a wonderful song of being grateful.

when i'm worried and i can't sleep
i count my blessings instead of sheep
and i fall asleep counting my blessings

when my bankroll is getting small
i think of when i had none at all
and i fall asleep counting my blessings

i think about a nursery and i picture curly heads
and one by one i count them as they slumber in their beds

if you're worried and you can't sleep
just count your blessings instead of sheep
and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

i guess it's really better to count one's blessings instead of sheep - even when it's not about going to sleep but in so many occasions in our lives especially when we have so much and we seem to forget that all of these came from Someone up above.

Merry Christmas!

christmas in our hearts

2008-12-18T12:12:00.003+08:00

it's one week before Christmas and i wish to reminisce the many joyful moments we had when I was still serving the parish of St Ignatius of Loyola in Sulat, Eastern Samar. this song of Jose Mari Chan is one of those that really stands out among the many songs we shared during those times.

whenever i see girls and boys
selling lanterns on the streets
i remember the Child
in the manger as He sleeps
wherever there are people
giving gifts, exchanging cards
i believe that Christmas
is truly in their hearts

let’s light our Christmas trees
for a bright tomorrow
where nations are at peace
and all are one in God

let’s sing Merry Christmas
and a happy holiday
this season, may we never forget
the love we have for Jesus
let Him be the One to guide us
as another new year starts
and may the spirit of Christmas
be always in our hearts

in every prayer and every song
the community unites
celebrating the birth
of our Savior, Jesus Christ
let love, like that starlight
on that first Christmas morn
lead us back to the manger
where Christ the Child was born

so, come let us rejoice
come and sing a Christmas carol
with one big joyful voice
proclaim the name of the Lord!

hopefully, all our Christmases will be filled with God's blessings and graces and may our hearts be so full that the outpouring love will become the salvation of other people too.

Merry Christmas everyone!

electric dream

2008-12-15T10:14:00.003+08:00

performed by the Human League and written by Giorgio Moroder and Phil Oakey, this song which is the theme of the movie of the same title, is a wonderful tribute to friendship - and that even distance could never destroy a true relationship.

i only knew you for a while
i never saw your smile
til it was time to go
time to go away (time to go away)

sometimes its hard to recognise
love comes as a surprise
and its too late
its just too late to stay
too late to stay

we`ll always be together
however far it seems (love never ends)
we`ll always be together
together in electric dreams

because the friendship that you gave
has taught me to be brave
no matter where i go
i`ll never find a better prize (find a better prize)

though you're miles and miles away
i see you every day
i dont have to try
i just close my eyes,
i close my eyes

we'll always be together
however far it seems (love never ends)
we'll always be together
together in electric dreams

friendships that we establish through the cyberspace is a manifestation of an electric dream. hopefully it would not remain a dream - it would somehow, someday become real and true.

all my life

2008-12-12T10:33:00.003+08:00

my most beloved song by America. it's a song that i'd like to hear played again and again when i am with my wife to strengthen our bond of love.

all my life, without a doubt i give you
all my life, now and forever till the day i die,
you and i will share

all the things
this changing world can offer
so i sing, i'd be happy just to stay this way,
spend each day, with you

there was a time,
that i just thought
that i would lose my mind
you came along and then the sun did shine
we started on our way

i do recall that every moment spent
was wasted time
but then i chose to lay it on the line
i put the past away
i put the past away
i put the past away

all my life, i will carry you through
all my life, between each hour of the passing days
i will stay with you

there was a time,
that i just thought that i would lose my mind
you came along and then the sun did shine
we started on our way
i do recall
that every moment spent was wasted time then
i chose to lay it on the line

i want this all my life
i want this all my life
i want this all my life
i want this all my life
i want this all my life
i wanted this all my life

i do hope that couples would find this song an inspiration to sustain the relationship and perhaps, become an encouragement to strengthen the bonding when temptations knock at the door.

someone who believes in you

2008-12-11T10:49:00.003+08:00

this one is a Carole King original and revived by the Air Supply. it is a song which manifests the importance of trust. this is one of the many songs that i love because of their message of friendship, love, trust and support (some others that i really love under this genre are Stand By Me, Wind Beneath My Wings and Because You Loved Me).

when there's a dark storm on your horizon
and you think you can't get through it
just put your hand in my hand
and i'll show you how to do it

when the future looks uncertain
you can count on me to be there
and when your heart and soul are hurtin'
just look and you'll see me there

just follow where i lead
i'll give you what you need
a love that's always true
and someone who believes in you

so when you're searching for that rainbow
i will help you find it
and when a mountain stands before you
i will help you climb it

just follow where i lead
i'll give you what you need
a love that's always true
and someone who believes in you

it's time to come alive
your moment has arrived
i'll bring out the best in you
we can have it all
no, we will never fall
looking down from our celestial view

just follow where i lead
i'll give you what you need
and i'll tell you something else
you'll start believing in yourself
it's an easy thing to do
when you have someone who believes in you

someone who believes
someone who believes
i'm someone who believes
and you've got someone who believes in you

it also makes one become a strong person not because someone, or some people, believes in him or her and is always ready to help and show support in times of need.

may each of us find that someone who will believe in us. more importantly, may we be someone who believes in others.

promise of love

2008-12-10T11:22:00.002+08:00

this turn of the millennium song of Martin Nievera ranks number one among my OPM favorites. it's a very meaningful expression of love which attains fulfillment in marriage. hence it is so sad that Martin and his wife, Pops, had to separate.

i kneel beside you here today
i kneel beside you and i pray
that it's you, its only you
who will share my tomorrows and yesterdays

i searched a lifetime and found you
a bridge to forever i share with you
open your heart and let me in
as i give you this promise of love

i heard an angel say your name
now i know my world's not the same
a little heaven is what you are
as we dream a thousand dreams not so far

and may the blessings of our Lord above
His light will guide us with a love
for you and me forevermore
as i give you this promise of love

now that i have you for my own
as God is our witness never let me go
feel the love grow as we become one
one hand, one heart
we are one soul

i stand before you just a man
i need your help to understand
what is life without you
as i promise you this day and forever
this promise of love
this promise of love

this promise of love....

hopefully couples who will use this song during their weddings will be inspired by the words and not by what happened to the life of the singer.

God bless us all.

when you say nothing at all

2008-12-09T11:36:00.004+08:00

this song has been sung by Alison Krauss, Ronan Keating and the Boyzone. it is a vivid and touching description of how a person could express love and concern to another without even saying anything.

it's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
without sayin' a word you can light up the dark
try as i may i could never explain
what i hear when you don't say a thing

the smile on your face lets me know that you need me
there's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
the touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever i fall
you say it best, when you say nothin' at all

all alone i can hear people talking out loud
but when you hold me near you drown out the crowd
old Mr Webster could never define
what 's bein' said between your heart and mine

the smile on your face lets me know that you need me
there's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
the touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever i fall
you say it best, when you say nothin' at all

i guess this is the real meaning of being in love. people don't even have to say a word because sometimes words are very deceptive and doesn't really convey the corect message. but actions are more expressive and more concrete.

isn't it that action speaks louder than words?

now and forever

2008-12-08T10:32:00.003+08:00

this song of Air Supply became a favorite of mine when i was in high school. it was the early '80s, we were in our early teens so the air was filled with young love and the song was right on time:

when love is new
and the world is out reaching for you
we try hard to hold it all
in our hands
but it slips through
like soft drifting sands
and drying the tears
can build it all like new

now and forever
remember the words from my heart
will always be true
now and forever
together and all that I feel
is my love for you

learning each day
that the right time
was so far away
to tell you the things i knew
now it's clear
that the moment
we searched for is here
and counting the years
is all i want to do

hold me as close
as love will allow
until all your fears are gone
what has all passed
is over now
i'm here with you
i'm here with you
i'm holding on
i'm holding on

now and forever
remember the words from my heart
will always be true
now and forever
together and all that i feel
is my love for you

may the message of the song inspire couples to sustain their love even beyond the great divide.

perhaps love

2008-12-05T11:11:00.003+08:00

this is another John Denver song and was my most favorite among his songs before hearing his Autograph. i like the song's descriptions about love more than paint my love's:

perhaps love is like a resting place
a shelter from the storm
it exists to give you comfort
it is there to keep you warm
and in those times of trouble
when you are most alone
the memory of love will bring you home

perhaps love is like a window
perhaps an open door
it invites you to come closer
it wants to show you more
and even if you lose yourself
and don't know what to do
the memory of love will see you through

oh, love to some is like a cloud
to some as strong as steel
for some a way of living
for some a way to feel
and some say love is holding on
and some say letting go
and some say love is everything
and some say they don't know

perhaps love is like the ocean
full of conflict, full of pain
like a fire when it's cold outside
thunder when it rains
if i should live forever
and all my dreams come true
my memories of love will be of you

if i should live forever, i would like hearing the song played again and again together with Autograph.

God bless all those who love!

paint my love

2008-12-04T13:23:00.000+08:00

written by Jascha Richter and sung by the '90s popular group Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR), this song became a favorite of mine. i liked the song very much that i reacted violently (hahaha) when it was used as a love theme song of a bold movie:

from my youngest year
till this moment here
i've never seen
such a lovely queen

from the skies above
to the deepest love
i've never felt
crazy like this before

paint my love
you should paint my love
it's the picture of a thousand sunsets
it's the freedom of a thousand doves
baby you should paint my love

been around the world
then i met you girl
it's like coming home
to a place i've known

paint my love
you should paint my love
it's the picture of a thousand sunsets
it's the freedom of a thousand doves
baby you should paint my love

since you came into my life
the days before all fade to black and white
since you came into my life
everything has changed

paint my love
you should paint my love
it's the picture of a thousand sunsets
it's the freedom of a thousand doves
baby you should paint my love

this song will forever be among the best songs for me. it may not be the BEST but it will surely be among the best.

i particularly liked this song for its vivid description of love as a picture of a thousand sunsets. though sunsets remind us of the end of a day, it also conveys the imagery of beauty and hope of the coming of a new day. while the description of love as a freedom of a thousand doves conveys the truth that love could not be enchained no matter what. it will always be capable of fulfilling its purpose. like water, it seeks its own level and it cannot be stopped by any barricade.

hope you'll enjoy it too.

autograph

2008-12-03T15:56:00.002+08:00

one of the most inspiring songs that i have ever heard is John Denver's AUTOGRAPH. for me it is so full of meaning.

i am posting the lyrics of the song here:

here i am closing my eyes again
trying so hard not to see all the things that I see
almost willing to lie again
i swear that it just isn’t so
it just isn’t me
we are never alone
even though we’d like to be

then i go and open my eyes again
love in your eyes is the thing that i’d most like to see
i’d be willing to die again
to know of a place and a time that it always would be
to be always with you and you always with me

this is my autograph
here in the songs that i sing
here in my cry, in my laugh
here in the love that i bring
to be always with you and you always with me

say a prayer and open your heart again
you are the love and the light that we all need to see
always willing to shine and then
peace on this earth is the way that always can be
to be always with you and you always with me

this is my autograph
here in the songs that i sing
here in my cry, in my laugh
here in the love that i bring
to be always with you and you always with me

if you wish to hear the melody of the song, you can watch John Avellano's collection which i have posted at http://holyfriendship.ning.com/video/autograph-1 from youtube.

i wish you'd be inspired by the song too.