Filipino Christian Blogger Ganns Deen

I am voting for…

Ganns — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:23:31 +0000

With the Philippine national elections right around the corner, pundits are scrambling to analyze their choices for Philippine president. While I promised myself that I would stay away from political posts because they tend to be very polarizing and stress me out, I have made a decision as regards for whom I intend to vote in May 2010. Please keep the Comments section civil; I reserve the right to edit/delete any comments that may be flame-bait.

I want a leader who expects me to be as equally accountable as he is. I believe an integral problem with us as Filipinos is we expect the quick fix from our leaders; we continue to support the mentality that our leaders have to make things happen for us. I am frustrated with drivers who always run red lights and pedestrians who do not cross at the designated lanes; I am annoyed by persons who use their relationships, positions of influence, money, or physical superiority to break rank and gain access to services ahead of others; and I am angered by persons who think that we as a nation are incapable of change. I want a leader who will challenge me to play my role as a law-abiding, tax-paying, God-fearing citizen; I want a leader who will show by example that the law applies to all men; I want a leader who will inspire me to live up to my fullest potential as a Filipino who contributes to the nation’s growth.

I want a leader who can command his troops and not be intimidated by them. I want a leader who can and will return the government to its main duty: to serve and protect the citizens of the nation. I want a leader who is not beholden to the military; I want a leader who can motivate our armed forces to serve and protect. I want a leader who can promise me that when I drive to and from work and see a policeman, my initial reaction will be one of relief that I will be protected, not fear that I will be pulled over for some imaginary traffic violation or framed for some crime I did not commit.

I want a leader whose track record shows a capacity for creative and reliable ways to strengthen, grow, and sustain our precarious economy. It is not enough that we have leaders well-versed in the workings of economics. I want a leader who has proven that he and his team can come up with sustainable means to fuel economic growth. I want a leader with a stable legislative record that shows a heart for the economy; if I can get a leader who has executive and legislative experience, that would be a bonus.

I want a leader who places an emphasis on the environment. As a Philippine environmentalist, it is non-negotiable that my leader understand the importance of a sustainable green economy. I want a leader who will dialogue with the nation’s leading companies and lead them towards greener ways of doing business; I want a leader who is willing to allocate resources to proper recycling, waste management, reforestation, and renewable energy resource programs.

I want a leader who supports rational, sustainable, and proven programs for education and health care. As a former educator, I want a leader who understands that education is the answer to many of our crippling labor problems, and will take active efforts to bring our sorry education industry up to speed. I also want a leader who will provide our citizens adequate access to health care. I want a leader who will make the necessary budget allotments for both educators and health care professionals so that we do not lose them to other nations.

I want a leader who will rehabilitate our housing and agrarian reform system. It does not work. I do not want my taxes to subsidize the homes of people who will not in turn work towards paying off the houses in which they live; I do not want my hard-earned money to be dole-outs to some random on-the-railroad-tracks family that will sell off the land they are given so they have a temporary influx of cash that will run out in a few months’ time. I want a leader who will create housing and agrarian reform programs that benefit people who can and will work hard for their homes and their land.

I want a leader who places an emphasis on family. I want a leader whose reasons for job creation are not solely economic, but because he understands that a family that is complete, without a mother or father working abroad, achieves a special kind of satisfaction and happiness that simply isn’t there when one parent is absent. I want a leader whose family life is known for its stability, with a supportive wife and adjusted, capable, articulate children.

So who among the current crop of presidential candidates can come close to meeting these demands?

Who has a proven track record of inspiring Filipinos to work – often for free – for the common good? Who has been able to mobilize and motivate Filipinos in times of crisis to give of themselves as best they can? Who has shown himself independent of the military but caring of and for them? Who has actually been able to lift up an otherwise dead economy and revive it to roaring new life?

Who has a sterling track record of volunteerism in his own right? Who has both legislative and executive experience, with overwhelming success in both areas? Who has proven himself capable of selecting the right persons with whom to work, people like himself who are not afraid to get their hands dirty to get their goals achieved? Who has shown that he cares for the environment by ensuring the cleanliness and greenness of the city he has commandeered for all his executive life?

Whose stellar legislative record shows a heart for the grassroots economy, for education, for the environment, and for health care? Whose program of governance includes benchmarking from proven examples of successful programs of economy, education, and health care – local and international – instead of coming up with untested programs?

Whose programs have at their bottom line a requirement for accountability? Who understands that we do not get anything for free, and will not hesitate to tell us what needs to be done as a nation so we can progress as a nation? Who will not be afraid to tell us like it T-I is instead of giving us promises that are either too good to be true, or are obviously empty platitudes, with their having no track record or research to prove the potential of these programs to actually be created and delivered in an efficient and sustainable manner?

I’ve gone through several of the presidential candidates’ platforms, track records, and interview transcripts, and I believe only one presidential candidate can deliver most, if not all, of my prerequisites for the presidency, and that man is Dick Gordon.

My voting history shows that I tend to gravitate towards leaders of passion and action. The annals of Philippine history show a limited but stellar crop. My heart aches for the late Raul Roco, and the incomparable Jovito Salonga, who many consider to be two of the greatest presidents the Philippines never had; their passion for the country, their love for the youth, their respect for women, and their desire to see the Philippines become great, are the stuff of legend. In my heart, I believe Dick Gordon is of the same spirit and heart that motivated great men like Roco and Salonga.

I must admit I am saddened by the argument that many of my contemporaries offer as to why they do not intend to vote for Senator Gordon: they believe he is not winnable, and they do not wish to “waste their vote.” I respect their right to give their opinion, although the polyanna in me has only this to offer them:

If I cast my vote for a candidate who I do not believe is the best possible person for the presidency, then my vote is already wasted.

If I acknowledge that a candidate is the most deserving, most appropriate, and most qualified for a position, and do not give it to that person just because of the possibility that said candidate will not get that position, I would have been better off not voting at all.

If I vote for someone who does not deserve the presidency, and he becomes president, and delivers a terrible or lackluster performance because his track record and platform show it was destined for failure, I have become part of the problem, not the solution. I helped put him there.

Your vote is the most important thing you have for these elections. Whatever criteria you may have for Philippine president is valid; I encourage you to vote for whoever comes up on top of that criteria. (You may click here to develop your own matrix.) I trust and think you’ll find that, if you really think about it and put it down into writing, you’ll find that Dick Gordon is the best choice for Philippine president at the 2010 elections.

Other bloggers weigh in on Dick Gordon:

Ben Kritz makes a persuasive argument here about why Dick Gordon makes sense.
HR Practitioner Ed Ebreo testifies here why he thinks Dick Gordon would make a good president.
Noemi Dado writes about why Dick Gordon would logically top her list here.

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Ganns’ Top 10 – March 13 2010

Ganns — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:31:05 +0000

As of March 13, 2010, these are my top 10 favorite songs. I checked my iTunes’ Top 25 Most Played playlist recently and was shocked to discover that Oetoriya is actually a notch below Sorry Sorry. It’s the 6th most played song on my iTunes! Unless a song comes up later in the year – we have nine months to go, that’s surely possible – I think it’s almost a sure thing that Oetoriya will be the year-end number one!

1. Oetoriya (1) CN Blue

5. Abracadabra (5) Brown Eyed Girls
3. Doc/Run To You (3) Super Junior feat. Kangin

2. Insomnia (2) Super Junior feat. Ryeowook

8. Everything To Me (8) Monica

7. Rediscover You (7) Starfield

6. Let You Go (6) TRAX

9. Solo (9) Iyaz

4. Who Am I (4) Super Junior featuring Siwon

10. Heartbeat (new) 2PM

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Sunday Signdays: Guilt Begone!

Ganns — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:03:35 +0000

Guilt begone!

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Ganns’ Top 10 – March 6 2010

Ganns — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:32:24 +0000

As of March 6, 2010, these are my top 10 favorite songs. Will Super Junior’s Siwon continue to rule the chart for a third week? Will another SuJu star like Ryeowook or Kangin take over? Or will C.N. Blue, which has languished at #2 for three weeks now, finally rise to #1?

1. Oetoriya (2) CN Blue

2. Insomnia (3) Super Junior feat. Ryeowook

3. Doc/Run To You (4) Super Junior feat. Kangin

4. Who Am I (1) Super Junior featuring Siwon

5. Abracadabra (new) Brown Eyed Girls
6. Let You Go (5) TRAX

7. Rediscover You (new) Starfield

8. Everything To Me (9) Monica

9. Solo (10) Iyaz

10. Oh! (6) SNSD/Girls Generation

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Starfield’s Rediscover You is the cry of my heart

Ganns — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:45:36 +0000

Contemporary Christian group Starfield has consistently released some of the best worship songs of the past few years. From Son of God to Reign in Us to I Will Go, Starfield’s anthemic melodies and thoughtful horizontal and vertical worship lyrics speak to generations in many, many ways. The new CD, The Saving One, dropped last week in the USA, and carrier single Rediscover You is a gem in every way. The lyrics to Rediscover You actually express exactly – EXACTLY – how I feel right now about my relationship with God. It was all I could do not to cry in the car as I listened to Rediscover You for the first time. Give Rediscover You a listen and tell me if you agree.

Listen to Starfield’s Rediscover You mp3

Rediscover You lyrics after the jump

REDISCOVER YOU Lyrics
Starfield

I need to just admit
my faith is paper thin
I’m feeling so burned out
On religion

I say an empty prayer
I sing a tired song
I need to just admit that the passion’s gone

And I want to get it back

You told me
Look for You and I will find
So I’m here
Like I’m searching for the first time
Revive me, Jesus
Make this cold heart start to move
Help me rediscover You

I want to learn to pray
The way that David prayed
I want my soul to burn when I hear Your name
I want to feel like new
I want to hunger for you
Bring me back to life like only You can do
Cause I don’t want to stay the same

You told me
Look for You and I will find
So I’m here
Like I’m searching for the first time
Revive me, Jesus
Make this cold heart start to move
Help me rediscover You

Lord, I want to be Yours today
I want to know the passion of the saints
And how they were changed

You told me
Look for You and I will find
So I’m here
Like I’m searching for the first time
Revive me, Jesus
Make this cold heart start to move

I want to burn for You
Bring me back to life, Jesus
Help me rediscover You

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Ganns’ Top 10 – February 27 2010

Ganns — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:30:17 +0000

As of February 27, 2010, these are my top 10 favorite songs. My 2010 birthday week finds a Christian song still at #1, albeit this time sung by a singer whose native tongue is not English. I’m also stoked because Monica is back on my chart for the first time in years, and Janet Jackson returns too, albeit this time as a songwriter, with Iyaz’s “Solo,” which samples her 1993 #1 hit, “Again.” (Toni Braxton finished at #11 this week, sorry luv.)

1. Who Am I (1) Super Junior featuring Siwon

2. Oetoriya (2) CN Blue

3. Insomnia (3) Super Junior feat. Ryeowook

4. Run To You (6) Super Junior feat. Kangin

5. Let You Go (4) TRAX

6. Oh! (7) SNSD/Girls Generation

7. Hot Issue (5) 4Minute

8. We Are the World (10) Artists for Haiti

9. Everything To Me (new) Monica

10. Solo (new) Iyaz

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New song: “Spirit of God”

Ganns — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:11:57 +0000

My songwriting partner Archie Castillo and I have completed a new song. Titled Spirit of God, although originally titled Make My Heart Your Home, it’s our second original song for the year, after a track called Come Together (Shout), which I unfortunately cannot stream here yet because I have to wait until I find out whether or not it will be included in the roster of original tracks for EN2010.

Spirit of God is a song for and about the Holy Spirit. I wrote it because I felt a need to have more songs for Holy Spirit baptism use. Most Holy Spirit opportunities involve Holy Spirit Rain Down, and Come Holy Spirit, which are terrific songs. I just felt it would be nice to have a few homegrown “Spirit” songs. Ps Joel Barrios wrote an excellent song called Holy Spirit of God, which I also meditated on in the course of writing this song. (I wonder why we don’t use Holy Spirit of God more often.)

Well, hopefully, it’ll be another new original song to add to the Fort’s growing original song roster. What do you think of Spirit of God?

Click after the jump to read the lyrics to Spirit of God.

Spirit of God
Ganns Deen, Archie Castillo

Spirit of God, melt my heart of stone
Spirit of God, make my heart your home

Holy Spirit, You’re welcome here
Holy Spirit, please draw near

Spirit of God, rain down
Spirit of God, rain down
And make my heart your home

Spirit of God, my heart’s one desire
Fill my heart with Your all-consuming fire

Holy Spirit, You’re welcome here
Holy Spirit, please draw near

Spirit of God, rain down
Spirit of God, rain down
And make my heart your home

Fill my heart, I desire you

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My Sorry Sorry acapella video

Ganns — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:28:08 +0000

This is my translation of Super Junior’s “Sorry Sorry,” arranged in nine-party vocal a capella harmony. No copyright infringement intended; this is a tribute to my favorite Korean idol group. The translation may not be an exact translation, but I’ve tried to keep true to the spirit of the song. I hope you enjoy it. :) Super Junior fighting! (I can’t watch you in Manila, and it’s killing me!!!)

SORRY SORRY
English Version

Sorry sorry sorry sorry
I’ve fall, I’ve fallen hard for ya
Fallen fallen so hard for ya
Fallen fallen so hard baby
Shawty shawty shawty shawty
I can’t see my world without ya
I can’t breathe at all without ya
I am going crazy baby

When I see your face, I stop and stare
My eyes glaze over
And it feels to me like I am hypnotized
(Never can escape it baby)

The way you look when you come over
Ready to step in and break my heart
Cuz I can see it in your eyes
(Never can escape it baby)

Girl, you know you’re hot
And baby you have got it goin’ on
You are so amazing that you can’t compare to anyone
The world can see the fantasy that you create when you walk on
There’s no escape
It’s just too great
I gotta say I’ve fallen for you

Dan dan dan da dan dan da dan dan
Dan dan dan da dan dan da dan dan
I’ve fallen for ya, baby
Dan dan dan da dan dan da dan dan
Dan dan dan da dan dan da dan dan

Hey Gi-gi-gi-gi-gi-gi-g-girl
I just can’t seem to get you off my mind
Day or night, I see you every time I open up my eyes

Is there a place in your heart
A place where I can get to?
Girl I need to know
(So tell me tell me tell me)

Everyone around me says
I’m comin’ on now way too strong
“You’ll never get her,” they all say,
“Because she’s got it going on”

They can talk and only talk because they talk in jealousy
Let ‘em talk when they see that you’re standing here right next to me

Let’s dance

Hey! Won’t you give half a chance?
I feel I’m going crazy yeah
Oh! I only want to love you all the time
There’ll never be another, hey!

You can trust in me, I’ll be your lover and your friend in one
(Don’t be sad, your secrets are all safe with me coz I’m the one)
I’ll never tell a single soul because the truth is I love you
And no one will love you the way I’ll love you if you let me love you

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Ganns’ Top 10 – February 20 2010

Ganns — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 10:07:30 +0000

As of February 20, 2010, these are my top 10 favorite songs. At five, the number of debuts is totally unprecedented in the history of my personal chart. Also interesting: last week’s #1 falls out of the chart completely, the first time that’s ever happened. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Filipino song followed up by a Korean song, sorry USA. And finally, guess what? I can only understand two songs in the Top 10. lol Okay, KPop has officially arrived on my chart. lol

Casting Crowns’ former #1 song “Who Am I” returns to the #1 spot, courtesy of Super Junior’s Siwon, whose live rendition of this Christian staple at the group’s Super Show 2 double CD is stellar, despite the occasionally distracting accent. I’ve never been happier! Thanks to Choi Siwon, I have a #1 song that is both Christian and Korean! Hahaha!

1. Who Am I (new) Super Junior featuring Siwon

2. Oetoriya (2) CN Blue

3. Insomnia (new) Super Junior feat. Ryeowook

4. Let You Go (3) TRAX

5. Hot Issue (8) 4Minute

6. Run To You (new) Super Junior feat. Kangin

7. Oh! (5) SNSD/Girls Generation

8. It’s U (Remix) (new) Super Junior

9. Jojo (4) SHINee

10. We Are the World (new) Artists for Haiti

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My Mahal Kita Kasi video

Ganns — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:41:57 +0000

I recorded an a capella version of Nicole Hyala’s “Mahal Kita Kasi.” Mostly for myself, but also for my wife, who can’t stand the song. lol

Obviously, I can’t use Papa P and Dingdong for the bridge, so I replaced ‘em.

“Mahal Kita Kasi” is originally by Nicole Hyala off Ivory Records. Images from sxc.hu, deviantart, and other sources. Copyright their creators & owners, no infringement intended. Couples featured in the chorus attend Victory Fort Bonifacio.

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