Likhang Himig

True Colours

2018-02-18T16:15:00.000+08:00

True Colours by Justin Timberlake with Anna Kendrick

This is an acoustic version of True Colours performed by Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick for the 3D animation movie Trolls released by Dreamworks in cinemas in 2016.

True Colors Original and Covers

The original version was popularized by funky Cyndi Lauper in 1986. In 1998, Phil Collins did his own rhythmic jazzy-pop version.

MattyB mashed a rap version featuring Olivia Kay published on YouTube in 2014. JoshuaDTV published a good cover in 2016 and has garnered more than 2 million views on YouTube.

Here's a version of a 13-year old Filipina as her audition piece for Ireland's Got Talent. This clip trended in February 2018.

Sing along with Justin Timberlake's version.

True Colors Lyrics Version of Justin Timberlake

You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged, oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
The darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

Show me a smile then
Don't be unhappy
Can't remember when
I last saw you laughing
This world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
Just call me up
'Cause I will always be there

And I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful

I see your true colors
Shining through (true colors)
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful (they're beautiful)
Like a rainbow
Oh oh

Christmas Songs You'll Love By Human Nature

2017-12-06T20:28:00.001+08:00

Peace

White Christmas

This version of White Christmas by Human Nature will make you sing with them, snap your fingers, and move your body with the rhythm.

Continue your moves with

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Human Nature is a cool doo-wop pop-harmony boy band from Australia, popular during the 90s. They never disbanded; they continued singing up to these days. Human Nature has remained active since 1989.

Winter Wonderland

In wintry countries, what is Christmas without snow? In tropical countries, Christmas in the sun is as cool as snow.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Do you believe in Santa? Every Christmas, anybody can be a Santa.

No matter what, enjoy the holiday. It's the best holiday in the world. In the Philippines, Christmas is celebrated in the longest days. So,

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Christmas is a birthday celebration. It's God's birthday. So, give love on Christmas day. Greet one another with peace. Be happy and be grateful. Christmas is a time as well to thank God.

Silent Night, O Holy Night!

Hope you enjoy this music of Christmas.

Have A Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Just Give Me A Reason as Performed by Legaci

2017-08-13T01:13:00.004+08:00

Cruisin" With Christian Bautista and Julie Anne San Jose

2017-05-07T19:20:00.001+08:00

Cruisin' is one of my favorite songs. A matter of fact, I didn't know the title of the song until now, when I stumbled upon this video with Christian Bautista and Julie Anne San Jose. I didn't even know then that it was a theme song from a movie and which movie, and whoever sang it originally. I just love listening to it.

Sing along. Lyric below. Listen with your headphone on because they sound good.

Cruisin'

Baby let's cruise, away from here
Don't be confused, the way is clear
And if you want it you got it forever
This is not a one night stand, baby
Let the music take your mind
Just release and you will find
You're gonna fly away, glad you're going my way
I love it when we're cruising together
Music is played for love, cruising is made for love
I love it when we're cruising together

Baby tonight belongs to us
Everything's right, do what you must
And inch by inch we get closer and closer
Every little part of each other
Oh baby, baby oh
Let the music take your mind
Just release and you will find
You're gonna fly away, glad you're going my way
I love it when we're cruising together
Music is played for love, cruising is made for love
I love it when we're cruising together

Cruise with me, baby
So good to cruise with you baby
So good to cruise with you baby

Oh baby let's cruise
Let's flow, let's glide
Oh let's open up, and go inside
And if you want it you got it forever
I can just stay here beside you
And love you baby, yeah
Let the music take your mind
Just release and you will find

You're gonna fly away, glad you're going my way
I love it when we're cruising together
Music is played for love, cruising is made for love
I love it when we're cruising together

So good to cruise with you baby
So good to cruise with you baby

How Great Thou Art Originally "O Store Gud"

2016-10-29T21:17:00.000+08:00

Sing along with Free Home's a capella version of the hymn How Great Thou Art.
Lyrics of "How Great Thou Art", Home Free version. The Home Free version replaced verse 3 of the hymn with a bridge.

Verse 1:
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hand hath made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Verse 2:
When through the world and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Bridge:
It is wealth with my soul
It is wealth, it is wealth with my soul.

Verse 3:
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Coda:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Who Wrote "How Great Thou Art?"

1885. "How Great Thou Art" is based on the poem O Store Gud (O Great God) written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859-1940) in Mönsterås, Sweden in 1885. Boberg wrote the poem with Psalm 8 in mind. It contains nine verses. Fascinated by the beauty and wonder of nature he had observed on that day, Boberg was inspired to write the poem.

"It was that time of year when everything seemed to be in its richest colouring; the birds were singing in trees and everywhere. It was very warm; a thunderstorm appeared on the horizon and soon there was thunder and lightning. We had to hurry to shelter. But the storm was soon over and the clear sky appeared. "When I came home I opened my window toward the sea. There evidently had been a funeral and the bells were playing the tune of 'When eternity's clock calls my saved soul to its Sabbath rest.' That evening, I wrote the song, 'O Store Gud.'" ~ Source: Wikipedia

Excerpts from the original poem by Boberg follows.

När tryckt av synd och skuld jag faller neder,
Vid Herrens fot och ber om nåd och frid.
Och han min själ på rätta vägen leder,
Och frälsar mig från all min synd och strid.

When burdens press, and seem beyond endurance,
Bowed down with grief, to Him I lift my face;
And then in love He brings me sweet assurance:
'My child! for thee sufficient is my grace'.

När jag hör dårar i sin dårskaps dimma
Förneka Gud och håna hvad han sagt,
Men ser likväl, att de hans hjälp förnimma
Och uppehållas af hans nåd och makt.

O when I see ungrateful man defiling
This bounteous earth, God's gifts so good and great;
In foolish pride, God's holy Name reviling,
And yet, in grace, His wrath and judgment wait.

1886. First publication of the poem.

1890. The poem was adapted to a Swedish folk song.

1891. Sanningsvittnet, songbook by the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden, published the words and music of "O Store Gud."

1925. E. Gustav Johnson translated the "O Store Gud" in English with the title "O Mighty God."

1931. Stuart K. Hine composed an English version of the song based on the Russian translation with the title "How Great Thou Art." He also added verses to the song, one of which is now verse 3 of the popularly current version.

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

1948. Inspired by the exiled Polish community in Britain who wanted to go home in their country, Hine wrote another verse for the song which is now verse 4 of the current popular version.

1949. Hine published "How Great Thou Art", composed of 4 verses.

1955. Manna Music released the song, changing the original words "works" and "mighty" to "worlds" and "rolling" respectively. This is the most common version that we know today.

Verse 1:
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Verse 2:
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Verse 3:
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Verse 4:
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

1973. E. Gustav Johnson's English version of the song appeared in the 1973 edition of The Covenant Hymnbook.

O mighty God, when I behold the wonder
Of nature’s beauty, wrought by words of thine,
And how thou leadest all from realms up yonder,
Sustaining earthly life with love benign,

Refrain:
With rapture filled, my soul thy name would laud,
O mighty God! O mighty God!

When I behold the heavens in their vastness,
Where golden ships in azure issue forth,
Where sun and moon keep watch upon the fastness
Of changing seasons and of time on earth.

When crushed by guilt of sin before thee kneeling,
I plead for mercy and for grace and peace,
I feel thy balm and, all my bruises healing,
My soul is filled, my heart is set at ease.

And when at last the mists of time have vanished
And I in truth my faith confirmed shall see,
Upon the shores where earthly ills are banished
I’ll enter Lord, to dwell in peace with thee.

Tagalog Translation

An effective Tagalog translation of the song or the poem cannot be achieved verbatim, not even line by line. One has to understand in full context the thought or the message of the song. The first two verses of the song expresses Boberg's great appreciation and wonderment to God's incredible and beautiful creation. The 2nd and 3rd verses of the song, which are by Hine, express a different experience which are more spiritual edifying in tone. It seems like that the two parts of the song are not coherent.

Let me try to translate the song the best I can, not musically, but rather more poetic.

Verse 1: O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Kamangha-mangha, gawa mo O Panginoon
Sa pagmamasid lamang ng iyong nilikha
Sa di-mabilang na bituin, kumulog man o umaraw
'Di maarok taglay mong kapangyarihan.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Dakila ang Iyong sining na likha
Handog ko'y himig, para sa Iyo, O Diyos!

Verse 2:
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Sa tuwing maririnig ko, huni ng mga ibon
Luntiang kahuyan, kinulayan ng sikat ng araw
Mula sa rurok ng bundok
Lagaslas ng tubig tila'y isang himig.

Verse 3:
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Tulad ng Iyong anak na Siya ring sanlikha
Bagama't inihandog upang bawian ng buhay
Tagumpay Niya sa krus
Kaligtasan, kalinisan, kahabagan

Verse 4:
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Sa muling pagbabalik Mo, O Kristong Panginoon
Akayin mo ako saan man dalhin ng inyong puso
'Di ako magmamaliw, pananampalataya ko'y isisigaw —
O Diyos ko, dakila ang Iyong likha!

Various Renditions of Bryan White's God Gave Me You

2015-11-28T21:40:00.002+08:00

The lyric video of Bryan White's God Gave Me You has been viewed more than 20 million times on YouTube since it's upload in July 2011. Thanks to the #ALDUB phenomenon! Only in November 2015 that Bryan White made his own video with mentions of #AldubYou and #AldubNation written on a white paper.

In a related note, Bryan White performs live in concert entitled "God Gave Me You Tour" at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on 1 December 2015.

If you would search "bryan white concert philippines," Google will give you 437,000 results. This means that his concert has been mentioned around 437,000 times on different sites on the Internet. Image results would show at least 47 results of the concert's poster. That just proves how hot the song is this 2015 even if, originally, the song was released in 1999.

This is the video that has been viewed more than 20 million times. Another lyric video by 09joanne has been viewed more than 15 million times.

Alden Richards recorded recently his own version produced by GMA Records. In his album Wish I May released in October 2015, God Gave Me You is one of the 5 tracks. For the first time, Alden performed this song live on Eat Bulaga. If you are interested to watch Alden's very emotional performance, watch it here.

During her Silver Anniversary concert in November 2012, Regine Velasquez performed for her son Nate her version of God Gave Me You. October this year, Universal Records released her version of the song on its YouTube channel.

If you love the sound of sax, here's a beautiful version

Jaycob Curlee's Voice Is Effortlessly

2015-08-21T03:55:00.003+08:00

An authentic good singing voice is one that produces musical sounds effortlessly just like or even better than a perfectly pitched musical instrument.

Calum Scott - One Of The Best Male Voices On BGT

2015-08-04T03:35:00.000+08:00

Calum Scott, Simon Cowell's golden buzzer, may not have won Britain's Got Talent, he deserves to be called a winner with that kind of vocal talent. He's a cross between Ronan Keating and Sting. Nasal vocals do not usually sound good. There are very few who sound exceptionally good. Ronan Keating's voice is a good example. Calum Scott could come second. Diamonds may have been a wrong song choice for Calum during the finals of BGT. He lost to a dog.

James Wright Is A Perfect Pinoy Pop

2015-02-19T03:05:00.000+08:00

If this young man could sing songs in English, he could penetrate the global audience. The timbre of his voice sounds almost perfect. Something like you recorded in perfect hertz. Ears friendly.

Home Free Releases "Everything Will Be Okay"

2015-02-08T01:36:00.000+08:00

Home Free is a different kind of country band – it is a vocal band in a capella. Home Free's new song is Everything Will Be Okay now on YouTube, released in time for their Spring tour. Listen how the five voices blend into good listening harmony you would hardly notice there aren't any musical instrument playing.

Listen to another favorite, Home Free's version of All About That Bass popularized by Meghan Trainor.

Home Free "Sings Angels We Have Heard On High" A Capella

2014-12-26T02:01:00.001+08:00

Home Free, a vocal band from US, sings, perhaps, one of the best renditions of a Christmas Song Angels We Have Heard On High a capella. In their Christmas album Full of Cheers, their rendition of Silent Night and O Holy Night are music to my ears. Home Free won the The Sing-Off (on NBC) in 2013.

Silent Night

Taylor Davis, a violinist, features Home Free in this Silent Night video. Austin Brown's powerful voice is magnetic.

O Holy Night

In this performance, you'd hear contrasting versions of O Holy Night — bass by Tim Foust and tenor by Austin Brown. When you listen to Home Free a capella, you would hardly notice that there are no musical instruments that accompany their singing.

Kenny Nolan's "I Like Dreamin'"

2014-10-14T02:58:00.001+08:00

Heard over the radio this song one early 2:00 morning. This is one of my favorite songs of the seventies which I haven't heard for years until now again. I did not know who was the artist of the song until I googled it while listening to the song. Thanks to Google and YouTube, now that I have seen the face behind the song.

Kenny Nolan - a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California. He is best known for his song I Like Dreamin', which reached the Top 3 chart in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977¹. Originally, the song was Blue Eyes and Georgia, then later My Eyes Adored You by Franki Valli.

Love's Grown Deep, another favorite song, is as romantic and soothing as I Like Dreamin'.

¹Wikipedia

Disney's Frozen OST, Let It Go Goes Viral Everywhere

2014-03-10T04:10:00.000+08:00

Every morning, I would hear a song from a video that my 3-year-old niece watch every day. The screeching voice of that "girl" started to annoy me because that song that was like coming from a tin can would wake me up every morning. I thought it was from one of those Sofia or Barbie animation. I kept hearing "Frozen" and I didn't know that it was a Disney movie.

Kids in the house kept talking about the movie. If you keep on hearing one thing every day, you'd be curious to know what it is. So, I searched the Net. Indeed, it was a Disney animation movie. The next thing I knew, I was watching the movie "Frozen". I think, the last Disney movie I saw was "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" in 2001.

The songs of "Frozen" didn't impressed me. There was nothing special about it. One day, YouTube featured a video - an Africanized Tribal cover of Let It Go that has received more than 24 million views in just a few days from when it was published (Feb 13, 2014). Curious again, I watched it. The song "Let It Go" sounded different. I thought I liked it. If not for that version, I would have not felt the beauty of the music. If a kid, like my 3-year-old niece, could love it, then the song must be beautiful.

From one video to another, there are hundreds of versions or covers of the song "Let It Go." The song was popular and I didn't even know!

Demi Lovato's version, published Nov 1, 2013, received 84 million views. While Idina Menzel's version, published Dec 11, 2013, received 14 million views. I didn't like both of their versions because they were like shouting from beginning to end. I wanted to hear something more controlled.

The duet version by Regine Velasquez and Julie Ann San Jose, performed on Sunday All Stars, sounded more controlled. There were soft tones that were slowly building up only towards the end. I hope to hear a version from Jonalyn Viray and JayR.

Multi-lingual Versions

There was a Korean version by Hyorin that has received 1.5 million views since it was published on Dec 31, 2013. (Unfortunately, the video has been blocked on copyright grounds.) There were other covers in different national languages : Tagalog, Japanese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Italian, Bulgarian, Dutch Portuguese, Polish, Ukraine, Indonesia, among others. My favorite is the German version by Lara Loft.

Instrumental Versions

The song was also played using a variety of musical instruments like guitar, piano, ukulele, violin, flute,
electric guitar, trumpet, saxophone, and viola. An acoustic version, by Sungha Jung, received 1.9 million views. He also have a ukulele version. Jun Sung Ahn's violin version received 1 million views since Jan 19, 2014. On the piano, this young man played it beautifully. This young lady (Elizabeth Saw) played it by ear and she did it gracefully (except in the bridge). 4JCBrothers did a fast tempo classical version.

Albert and Tiffany Chang performed a medley of "Frozen" songs in violin, viola, and piano. The videoraphy was impressive as well.

But the best of all was The Piano Guys' version, Vivaldi's Winter, having received 8 million views since its publication on Feb 19, 2014.

There was an acapella version by a group from Korea videoed inside a restaurant. It was boring at first, but it gets exciting towards middle. Chad McCallon did his own tenor version but there's nothing to see on his video but one picture of him. The video could have been more impressive if he was videoed while he was singing it.

My favorite among the male versions is by Sam Tsui. His video received more than 5 million views since Feb 4, 2014. He did a mashup of Let It Go / Let Her Go (Frozen/Passenger Mashup). His cover is among the best.

For the fun part, Van Con Castiel's version is not one of the best, in fact, it is not good :-) but you'd enjoy watching his video.

Jay-R's Version of the Song "Himala"

2012-12-31T20:44:00.000+08:00

Jay-R is one R&B singer with a unique classic voice. For me he's the best in town. His contemporaries, mostly balladeers, have no match to what talent he has. Compared to other male singers who rose to fame during their times, like Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera, I would say Jay-R is still the best. His wind pipe is like a perfectly architectured flute that produce sounds so flawlessly. It may be exaggerated but that's how I would describe his voice.

His version of "Himala" (an original of Rivermaya) is one of my favorites. I fell in love with the song when he rendered his own version. I didn't even notice the song was a beauty when Rivermaya released their original version.

Emblem3 Sings Beatles' Classic "Hey Jude" in X Factor USA

2012-12-14T00:55:00.000+08:00

I'm not a fan of Beatles songs. I wasn't born yet when the Beatles became a phenomenon. But if a Beatles classic is given a new flavor, and was good, I get to appreciate how a melody of yester-classics could be so beautiful today.

Emblem3, a contender in X-Factor USA 2012, sings their own version of Hey Jude!

The Prayer by Adam Lambert and Noa Dori

2009-05-14T21:38:00.000+08:00

Here's a fantastic rendition of the song
"The Prayer" by Adam Lambert and Noa Dori.

Thanks to "fiestahere" for allowing us to embed this video at YouTube.

The Prayer of St. Francis Xavier

2009-04-15T23:14:00.001+08:00

I love the album Himig Heswita 2. Very often, I listen to its music and sing. There's one particular song in the album that struck me most. The title is "Pagkabighani." I think that's "allured" or "mesmerized" in English. It's actually the prayer of St. Francis Xavier translated to Tagalog by Fr. Alejo, a Jesuit priest who is an authority in the Tagalog language.
If sung from the heart, it really brings me to tears welling in my eyes. The song, or the prayer, is about St. Francis's love to Jesus no matter what. Below is the prayer in English I copied from web site of Xavier School.
Prayer of St. Francis Xavier
My God, I love thee; not because I hope for heaven thereby,
nor yet because who love thee not are lost eternally.
Thou, O my Jesus, thou didst me upon the cross embrace;
for me didst bear the nails and spear, and manifold disgrace.
And griefs and torments numberless and sweat of agony;
even death itself -- and all for one
Who was thine enemy.
Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ should I not love thee well?
not for the hope of winning heaven, or of escaping hell.
not with the hope of gaining aught, nor seeking a reward,
but as thyself has lovèd me,
O ever-loving Lord!
Even so I love thee, and will love and in thy praise will sing,
solely because thou art my God, and my eternal king.

Johannes Moser

2008-12-27T10:22:00.000+08:00

I learned about Johannes Moser just today. I saw a video of him promoting You Tube Symphony Orchestra. I thought he was one of Google's people who could play a cello, or one of those who auditioned for YouTube Symphony Orchestra . When I Googled his name, I saw his official web site [johannes-moser.com] and learned that he's a popular musician. On his site, I listened a piece of his performances, The Swan in particular, was the one I loved most. Instantly, I'm a fan. He's an amazing musician. Playing the cello since he was 8, no wonder why he could play a piece flawlessly. His music is perfect note for note. I hope he'd visit and perform in the Philippines some day. Meantime, I should start looking for one of his CDs.

His photo on the left is from his official web site Johannes-Moser .com.

You Tube Symphony Orchestra

2008-12-27T09:52:00.001+08:00

This beautiful piece is by Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Composing, conducting, or owning an orchestra is one of my biggest hopes. What makes an orchestral music beautiful to my ears is that it's like listening to someone with a good heart and soul.

Change The World by Eric Clapton

2008-08-30T23:14:00.004+08:00

Eric Clapton's Change The World is one song that when you listen to it, the rhythm goes into your system - makes you snap your fingers, swing your head, sway your shoulders, and really dance to the tune.

Play the video (c/o YouTube) and sing with Eric. You'll find the lyrics (c/o Lyrics007) below.

Change The World

If I could reach the stars
Pull one down for you
Shine it on my heart so you could see the truth
That this love I have inside is everything it seems
But for now I find it's only in my dreams

CHORUS:
That I can change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You will think my love was really something good
Baby if I could change the world

If I could be king even for a day
I'd take you as my queen
I'd have it no other way
And our love will rule in this kingdom we have made
Till then I'd be a fool wishing for the day

CHORUS:
That I can change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You will think my love was really something good
Baby if I could change the world
Baby if I could change the world

- GUITAR SOLO -

CHORUS:
That I can change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You will think my love was really something good
Baby if I could change the world
Baby if I could change the world
Baby if I could change the world.

You can find more of Eric Clapton's music at FoxyTunes.

Here's a guitar version of "Change The World" performed by a young Korean boy named Sungha Jung.

Andrew Johnston

2008-07-27T22:10:00.003+08:00

I stumbled upon this video on YouTube while searching for "Pinoy Idol". The moment I heard the very first few notes of the boy, I was mesmerized, tears welled in my eyes. Fantastic, angelic voice!

My Grown-up Christmas List

2008-01-06T21:46:00.000+08:00

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It has a touching message and beautiful melody. I love the Michael Bublé version.

Grown-Up Christmas List

[via FoxyTunes / Michael Bublé]

My Grown-Up Christmas List
David Foster, composer

Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown up now
Can you still help somehow
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal our hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my only lifelong wish.

This is my grown-up Christmas list.
-----------
This one is a piano version of "My Grown-up Christmas List" played by a young man from Russia who simply played it by ear by listening to Bublé's version.

This one is an interpretation by Aicelle Santos from the Philippines.

And from Australia, Anthony Callea of the Australian Idol.

This classic Christmas song as (originally, I think) performed by Natalie Cole with David Foster on the piano.

A Blessed Christmas to every one!

Bukas Palad Music

2007-12-20T19:56:00.000+08:00

The Bukas Palad Music played a big part in my reformation years. Many of the choirs' songs not only molded my ears to listening to good music, but also formed my heart and soul on how to relate with God. The music and words, mostly written by Jesuit priests, had been the echo of God's messages during my chaotic life. "One More Gift", "Anima Christi", "Take and Receive", "In My Heart", "Your Heart Today", and "Hesus Hilumin Mo" are among my favorites.

God of Silence

[via FoxyTunes / Bukas Palad]

O Hesus, Hilumin Mo

[via FoxyTunes / Bukas Palad]

Awit ng Paghahangad

[via FoxyTunes / Bukas Palad]

"Mahal Kita" in Marimar

2007-11-11T05:02:00.000+08:00

Here's a touching scene from Marimar. Direk Joyce Bernal really knows how to capture the emotions perfectly.

"Mahal Kita"

2007-11-11T02:58:00.000+08:00

Here's another favorite song. "Mahal Kita", which means "I love you" was composed by Danny Tan. The original version was sung by Gerald Santos, Pinoy Pop Superstar grand champion of 2006. The female version was sung by Maricris Garcia, Pinoy Pop Superstar grand champion of 2007. The song is included in Gerald's first album "A Day on the Rainbow". The song is currently the love theme song of "Marimar", a Philippine remake of the Mexican tele-novela with the same title. In the Philippine version, Marian Rivera plays Marimar; Dingdong Dantes plays the the role of Sergio Santibanez. In Marimar, the female version is a response to the male version of the song. In dramatic scenes that focus on either Marimar's (Marian) or Sergio's (Dingdong) emotions, you'll either hear Gerald's or Maricris's version. "Marimar" is currently showing weeknights on GMA Channel 7.

Here's Gerald's version of "Mahal Kita".

Here's the lyrics of the song. (Words in parentheses are for the female version.)

"Mahal Kita"

Kung nasa'n ka, sana ay naro'n ako
Ang mahalin ka, yun ang ligaya ko.
Dito sa aking puso, may munting paraiso
Naghahari'y pagmamahal at ang pag-ibig mo.
(Ang tahanan ng pag-ibig na 'di magbabago.)

Mahal kita, walang hanggan
Iibigin ka, ikaw lamang
Itatangi ko, magpakailanman
Hinding-hindi ka iiwan

Mahal kita, asahan mo (ang langit ko)
Ang puso ko'y tanging sa iyo
Sa aking pangako, sana'y umasa ka
Mahal kita, mahal kita
Wala nang iba.

Kung nasaan ka, naroon din ang langit ko
Lahat ng araw, nagdiriwang ako
Dito sa aking puso, ang ating paraiso (may munting paraiso)
Ang tahanan ng pag-ibig na di magbabago.

~~~~~~o0o~~~~~~~~

Below is Maricris's version of "Mahal Kita" with scenes from "Marimar".

I love the melody of the song so much that I thought it can be an inspirational song that dedicates one's love to Christ. With a few changes in the lyrics, you can already sing the song as an expression of your love to Jesus Christ. You can sing it while you play the piano version of the song below.

"Mahal Kita, Panginoon"
to the melody of "Mahal Kita" by Danny Tan

Pangako ko ang mahalin Ka, Panginoon
Ang ibigin ka, 'yan ang ligaya ko.
Dito sa aking puso, may munting paraiso
Naghahari'y pagmamahal at ang pag-ibig Mo.

Mahal Kita, walang hanggan
Ibigin ka, Ikaw lamang
Itatangi ko magpagkailanman
Hinding-hindi Ka iiwan.
Mahal Kita, ang langit ko.
Ang puso ko'y, tanging sa Iyo.
Hapdi't kirot nito ang tanging alay ko.
Mahal kita, mahal kita
Wala nang iba.

Sa mundong ito, Ikaw ang langit ko.
Lahat ng araw, nagdiriwang ako.
Dito sa aking puso, may munting paraiso.
Ang tahanan ng pag-ibig na di magbabago.

Mahal Kita, walang hanggan
Ibigin ka, Ikaw lamang
Itatangi ko magpagkailanman
Hinding-hindi Ka iiwan.
Panginoon, ang langit ko.
Ang puso ko'y, tanging sa Iyo.
Hapdi't kirot nito ang tanging alay ko.
Mahal kita, mahal kita
Wala nang iba.

Mahal Kita, walang hanggan
Ibigin ka, Ikaw lamang
Itatangi ko magpagkailanman
Hinding-hindi Ka iiwan.
Mahal Kita, ang langit ko.
Ang puso ko'y, tanging sa Iyo.
Hapdi't kirot nito ang tanging alay ko.
Panginoon, mahal kita
Wala nang iba.

~~~~~~o0o~~~~~~~~
Here's a piano version by Aldrich Andaya.

Below is a per line English translation of the song.

"I Love You"

Wish I could be wherever you are
To love you is my joy
Here in my heart lies a paradise
Where love and your love reign.

I love you endlessly
No one but you
To treasure you forever
I will never leave you
My heart belongs to you
Hold on to my promise
I love no one but you.

To be with you is heaven
In all days, I celebrate
Here lies in my heart is our paradise
Home of our eternal love.

A direct translation of the song doesn't really sound good. So, here's a better translation (I hope so.)

"I Love You"

Extraordinary bliss
That's what I feel whenever you're with me
Constantly, wish I could be with you

If my heart were a kingdom
where love reigns incessantly
You're my queen; and I am your king.

It is heaven!
Being with you is like going to heaven
where every day celebrates
A paradise in our hearts -
Home of eternal love.

This I promise you
I will never leave you.
I will always treasure you.
My heart belongs to no one but you.
Endlessly, I will love you.
No one
But you.