I love to sing!

I was ready to boycott American Idol promising not to watch the show anymore (as if it would have an impact on the show's rating, LOL) after Chris Daughtry was booted-off. But with Lemuel’s prodding to support Taylor, his favorite, I easily gave in and ended up watching the last 2 shows, and even alternated with the kids voting for Taylor. I don’t know why we’re so hooked up with this show and this year the household was divided equally, me and Brack for Chris, Abraham and Lemuel for Taylor. In the end, the four of us, united for Taylor Hicks, the unique, funny, and silver-haired idol. AI is the only show that we as a family really look forward to watching twice a week. From Abraham’s words, “American Idol only lasts for three and a half months, and we have to wait for a year for their next season, long wait.”

You might think my kids love to sing, no they don’t, and definitely not Brack, he refused to even hum a note for me, even in the shower, no sound at all. But I am. I am a frustrated singer, and will remain to be, not a singer, frustrated I meant.

Two decades ago, I enrolled at the famous Ryan Cayabyab’s The Music Studio in Makati. I learned vocalization and some singing techniques, added knowledge but I never really improved. The only consolation I had from the voice lessons was my time slot caught in between the lesson hours of two popular actresses in the Philippines back then. Lea Orosa, the beautiful Shell model once linked to Robin Padilla and Nanette Medved, who played Darna after Vilma Santos. I saw them once or twice there. It’s also nice to recall when Celeste Legaspi spent a few minutes to hear me sing, not because I had a good voice, but she was just curious of the song I’m singing, Debbie Gibson’s Eternal Flame, was one of the newest songs then.

I guess I’ll forever love to sing. I sing when I’m happy, I sing when I’m bored, I sing when I’m sad, extremely lonely or depressed. I remember when my most loved grandmother passed away; I would stay in the room, lie on the bed, and sing endlessly, to ease my broken heart until I fall asleep.

I sung to Abraham and Lemuel each time I put them to sleep when they were babies, in fact I have original lullabies for them.

My memories have theme songs, but I’m pretty much selective in singing them, I just chose those which bring back good memories.

I love to sing and since I can’t be a singer, I’ll just enjoy my American Idols. ‘Cant wait to hear them sing, I bought the tickets three months in advance :-)

There is delight in singing, though none hear beside the singer. Walter Savage Landor

Have you ever really loved a woman?

They say mothers are the most understanding people of all. I agree. That’s why I think its okay to post this late “Happy mother’s day!” greeting to all mothers out there, especially to my friends. I don’t want to miss out a name so omit the names; you know who you are anyways. And because blood is thicker than water, I started my mother’s day roll call with an overseas call to the Philippines as early as Friday to greet my Mama and then went on calling across the US to reach a couple of moms starting with my thoughtful mother in-law.

I guess all mothers are “cool” in their own rights and I salute each and every woman for bearing, surviving, and continuously loving this very important role. They deserve to be treated special and pampered, for the very least, a day in a year.

On my first mother’s day in this country four years ago, not only I was blessed and given a long stem rose by the parish priest during the mass but I also received a nice crucifix for having the youngest child in the church that day. From then on, I am always looking forward to attending the mass on mother’s day, to receive the blessing with matching long-stem rose.

When I came to work this Monday, some officemates asked how was my mother’s day. This uniform response I gave, “I had a very good mother’s day!” It was indeed worth the sunburns. Just sitting there and watching the tide relieved me of the accumulated pressures I had the past days. Although feasting on Thai foods, El Pollo Loco’s roasted chicken kicked me off-the-track my supposedly diet, it was still fun. Nothing compares with doing the things you enjoy doing, with people you love. And although I lost the short run race to Abraham and Lemuel, the laughs can’t be bought.

Before sunset, we packed up and headed to my friend Lorie’s house, where the fun continued, more talking…more food. The kids always loved going there because not only they are so comfortable with Nanay (Tagalog term for mother – is how we call Lorie’s mom) they also loved her cooking so much. Off with some take out food, we brought along the fun and laughter back to LA. Indeed, it was a very good day.

And don’t I deserve to have some fun after being debilitated when Chris Daughtry was booted-off from American Idol last week? Oh my, what happened? Why did he get the lowest number of votes? Have we lost our concept of quality? He could have been the best American Idol as obviously he is the best singer of the competition, excellent tone quality with built in vibrato combined with outstanding singing artifice. His going home too soon obliterated the essence of the show – to find a new idol – not anymore. All that remained of the show is a big lacunae – the real idol is out.

Why Chris Daughtry on my mother’s day entry? No offense to Bryan Adams, but I loved Chris’ rendition of Have you ever really loved a woman better. When he sung it on Idol, I felt he is serenading me, it was perfect! Like a scene from a romantic movie, more like Romeo and his sonnets to Juliet. Very appropriate for husbands to sing for their wives – more so, if you have been married for quite some time. A song very appropriate to sing for mothers who does all the good things for people she loves, who serves with pleasure, loves unconditionally and yet sometimes neglected by those around her. (I guess, I belong to the few lucky ones who are pampered and treated well, as Brack and the kids loved to spoil me, which I really appreciate.)

And so Dear Mothers, with my prodigious admiration…this song goes for you.

When you love a woman
you tell her that she's really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she's the one
Cuz she needs somebody to tell her
that you'll always be together
So tell me have you ever really -
really really ever loved a woman?

You got to give her some faith - hold her tight
A little tenderness - gotta treat her right
She will be there for you, takin' good care of you
Ya really gotta love your woman...

Give a smile, if nothing else...

Driving after work, my eyes were caught by a creative placard carried by a guy on the road – “GIVE A SMILE, IF NOTHING ELSE.” He looked homeless to me, for obvious reasons. But while begging for coins from drivers, he also flashes a sweet and natural smile. A smile so contagious and powerful, definitely switched me into a better mood. So why don’t we…give a smile if nothing else :-)

Postscript: The guy got coins and bills and a couple more smiles.

Smile and others will smile back. Smile to show how transparent, how candid you are. Smile if you have nothing to say. Most of all do not hide the fact you have nothing to say nor your total indifference to others. Let this emptiness, this profound indifference shine out spontaneously in your smile. Jean Baudrillard