imitations of immorality

Part 3

This is the last part of my song list.

Your Love—Alamid

“In my mind I can’t believe it’s true; in my heart, the reality is you”

These guys really captured the heart of Pinoys. It’s poppy enough to hook listeners to listen time and time again yet it’s also grungy enough not to turn off rockers to its charms. I have to admit that this is one of the few songs I would admit to have slow danced to.

Lightyears—Eraserheads

“You’re light years away from me”

This tiny tune by Ely Buendia is off the E-heads multimedia release Fruitcake. I have to admit that it’s too obscure even for the average fan. I only got attracted to the song after reading the accompanying book (edited by Jessica Zafra) and got hooked to the pleasant lyrics. Full of allusions to stars and the impossibility of holding, or even being near them. Speaks of the pain often felt by those afflicted by “the bug”; the longing and the torture of hope we often inflict on ourselves.

Sana’y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan—Jun Polistico

“Lapitan man ay di mo matanaw; bingi’t bulag, sa akin ay walang pakiramdam”

Yes, it was originally sung by Sharon. Yes, it was penned by Willie Cruz. But you can’t deny that when Jun P. sang this song, he gave it balls. Jun P. went to the recording studio, stood in front of the mic and owned the song when he opened his mouth to sing.

Reaching Out—Gary Valenciano

“What must I do to make you understand? You mean everything to me”

What can I say? Gary V. at his best.

Kumot at Unan—APO Hiking Society

“Gawin mo sana akong pangarap mo rin”

Bossa Nova anyone? The trio really hit the spot this time. I first heard this song on a Sunday, nung uso pa ang “Great Music Jam” ng 97.1LS fm (aside: whatever happened to my campus radio?). I was then in the throes of college love, and the heartfelt lyrics really spoke of my pain. I miss those guys.

Girl Be Mine—Francis Magalona

“Hard as a rock, not soft like play-doh, everytime I hear your song in the radio”

This song is FrancisM’s tribute to Hootie and the Blowfish. It has a nice harmonica adlib.

Let the Love Begin—Gino Padilla and Rocky

“Look at us ain’t it funny? Is it just beginner’s luck?”

Okay, stop snickering. I heard this song first when I was a Junior in high school. It did not get into this list by virtue of it’s being used as a title of an insipid, vapid and stupid movie starring Richard Guiterrez and Angel Locsin.

Part 2

Songs I Like–Part 2

Filed under: music — bhojoh @ 12:56 am

This is part 2 of my song list. Again, I don’t expect you to agree with my selections. I’m listing songs that appeal to me; songs that would probably appear in a soundtrack album (siguro-double album) of my love life.

Torpedo—Eraserheads

“ mababaw lang talaga ang luha ko”

Part of my college life. Although friends (and former girlfriends!) may vehemently disagree, I really am a torpe at heart.

Bahala na—Neocolours

“Naaalala ko pa, nang una kong madama ang mabigo, at masugatan”

Emo? I don’t really buy into that kind of label, kahit pa in na in nay un. Jimmy Antiporda wrote this monster of a love song long before “emo” became the new catch word. Ito Rapadas really sang his heart out in this paean to that Pinoy expression “Bahala na”

214—Rivermaya

“Gently close your eyes so you would understand”

Say what you will about Rivermaya, but I still believe that the original line-up was still the best. Perf De Castro’s guitar solo was the perfect foil to the keyboard intro by Rico Blanco. Bamboo? Well his rendition speaks for itself.

“Maniwala Ka Sana and Tatlong Araw—Parokya ni Edgar

“Ngayon ako’y nagsisisi kung bakit ako nag-“I love you!”…”Di ko man lang napuna, tatlong araw ko’y tapos na”

Yes, they are two songs but I treat them as one. The first one speaks of the most common theme among young lovers: a friendship destroyed because one party fell in love with the other. It starts happily enough but the sadness creeps in as the song moves along to the heart-rending bridge. Jessica Zafra may be right when she wrote that most of the time mutual understanding really is unilateral delusion in the part of one party. The second song speaks of love too short. It’s about the pain of being played for a fool. A perfect companion to its predecessor.

Hindi Magbabago—Randy Santiago

“Ginawa ko nang lahat, para sa atin. Ngunit iba pa rin ang nangyari”

If you were in high school during the mid-eighties, you probably drew shades on Emilio Aguinaldo’s face on a five-peso bill, made his hair longer and presto! Randy Santiago. If you find yourself nodding at the memory, there’s no need for me to explain my choice of this song. If not, well tough luck. Just ask your uncles and aunts na lang.

Watch out! There’s more…

Songs I Like

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the ubiquitous top ten list. I’m sure that you’ve probably made one of your own, whatever topic that may be. I have wanted for the longest time to make one of my own. My students have been pestering me for my list of top movies, top actors, top this, and top that. But somehow, I never got around to actually doing one. I have a problem ranking items on a list according to their merits. If I were to make a ranking of things I would never get around to finishing the darned list. So I decided to make a random list, based on the items on the list that popped into my mind first. As for the category, I decided to make a list of something that I need to get out of my system first.

And so here it is: BHOJOH’S TOP OPM LOVE SONGS

This list includes songs that had an effect on me. They are

songs that endured and survived through countless brain cell killing drinking sessions. Some are obvious but you may be surprised at some of my other choices.

Gusto Kita—Gino Padilla

“Kahit sabihin na mali ako, alipin mo, o bihag mo; ako’y iyong iyo”

Yes, the lyrics are a bit sappy but no one can deny the pop hook that gives this song its place in my list. I remember clearly the day it got to me. June 13, 1990. I was walking along Padre Faura, contemplating my new life as a college freshman in UP Manila. A jeepney drove by, and the tune it was playing hit me right between the eyes. It enjoyed a minor revival in the videoke bar circuit. My friends give me credit for singlehandedly bringing back this song to life.

Bilanggo—Rizal Underground

“Patay sindi sa init at lamig, maging ang patalim madadaig”

This Mike Villegas tune exemplified the grungy feeling prevalent in the early 90’s. Witty lyrics, killer melody and the fun way that he sang it really made an impression on me. It borders on corny but escapes due to its in-your-face delivery of the message, “Hey girl, how long do I have to wait?’

Perfect—True Faith

“Drowning in a sea of tears, little did I know, there’s someone to set my soul free”

At first I wondered whether a foreign group sang this song. Then I kicked myself for my racial bias. A great example of how an OPM song can be recorded with polish. Few can sing it like Medwin Marfil.

Senti—Yano

“Mahal ka ba niya talaga? Ako, mahal kita”

Smooth and subtle. Made me wonder why I could not write a song as simple and as poignant as this. Dong Abay’s vocals lend a streetwise feel to the song. The kanto boy has learned to love, and is now playing the part of consoler. Cool animal sounds at the end add to its feel—the “zoo song”

Ba’t Di Mo Sabihin

—Donna Cruz & Tony Lambino

“Tila di mo marinig, ba’t di mo sabihing ako ang ‘yong pag-ibig”

This is the most obscure song in my list. I have never possessed a record of this song. In fact, I heard it only in the radio—thrice. It’s part of the Darna soundtrack, I can’t remember which Darna. But I remember the scene: Tony Lambino of Smokey mountain fame was wearing a Boy Scout uniform while singing with Donna. I heard it again while taking a girl home. The song was playing while I was wondering if the girl loved me too. It turned out that she did, but she married somebody else a few years later.

Kaytagal—Rachel Alejandro

“…at para bang ako’y mababaliw”

Soulful and heartfelt. This song evokes emotions that can really melt a man’s heart. If Rachel sang this song for me, I’d sweep her off her feet and promise never to let anything harm her. Hell, if a woman who looked like a horse stepped on her face sang this as soulfully as Rachel did, I’d swoon. This song does it for me. That’s why I wanted to kill April Boy Regino when he recorded a cover of this song.

Ipagpatawad Mo

—VST & Co.

“Alam kong kailan lang tayo nagkatagpo; ngunit parang sa ‘yo ayaw nang lumayo,”

Although Janno’s version is more polished, the version sung by Vic Sotto had that “hesitation” feel. It was as if he was really afraid of that he had done the wrong thing. A great song to use when explaining why you goofed up and did what you did to a girl. I sang this song to the woman who became my wife. I was drunk and feeling lost, I dialed her number on the cellphone, punched the number on the videoke machine, and when she answered, I sang my heart out.

Watch out for part 2!!!

Bangis!

rockedradio:

A friendly reminder from Rock Ed Radio.

Ameeeeeennnn!!!

the 5th

I miss them guys…

Ayos ah!

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