…nO bLoWiNg Of CaNdLeS

As we filled the room with enjoyment and laughter, we felt tired and so hot, that we even called the assistant to turn on the air conditioner. We rested from dancing. This time, it’s the instant to light the candles and slice the cake they bought for me. A grateful heart is talking to you. Thanks a lot.

Such a good-looking cake they prepared. T’was a chocolate cake. Perfectly decorated. I do appreciate all of you, guys. They lit the candles for me. The big candle opened like petals of flowers, with candles on each, such a beautiful one.

We danced around the tables as we sung HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG. We were like primary students turning around. I missed those times, acting like a kid in front of my family. I wasn’t able to blow the candles, ‘coz they were already out when we stopped dancing. I seriously sliced the cake and served them one by one. We delighted eating the cake and they, too, enjoyed putting icing on my face. T’was really a wondrous moment, worthy to be remembered.

We started singing and dancing again few minutes later. Then, we parted ways a short while after. I, in truth, was truly happy in that moment. Thanks for that feeling. I thanked all of them as we went home. Guys, you are one of a kind. Thanks for the acceptance. I do value that. Take care always and see you soon.

…KTV – tHe rEtUrN

Right after we basked the savory food during our dinner, we proceeded immediately to the KTV right across the restaurant. So funny, we had to hide the cake and soft drink, ‘coz it’s not aloud to bring them inside. We covered them with jackets for it not to be so obvious. Sounds funny, right? Then, we continued our enjoyment there.

Everybody tried to pick their songs and showed their hidden talents. The room was indeed full of laughter as we were singing and dancing. I couldn’t imagine myself doing it. But it’s kinda fun. We all enjoyed that time. It’s a thing I pretty like with these people is that, they are easy going. They are very friendly.

We had our songs one after the other. I also had the chance of sharing my hidden talent to them. And we all laughed. I like that place for they have lots of English songs, than that of the other night. And indeed, they also tried to sing a lot of English songs. Such a joyous moment! We were like kids singing and dancing together.

Guys, thanks for that marvelous time. I did enjoy it. My 25th birthday really was one of the most memorable one. I had such a great moment though away from family. Kinda I haven’t felt it. Thank you all for being there for me. Have a good time everyone.

…tAkE mE oUt Of ThE dArK

By simply reading the title perse, it can actually catch the attention, just like what happened to me. When I first heard this song, I felt elated, upon knowing there’s this truly nice music, soothing to my ears as I listened to it. It touched my ego. I felt so sorry for myself. I kinda stayed in silence for sometime and wonder what I have done in this world. That’s after hearing this meaningful song. Thanks for music and for the singer. More powers!

Take me out of the dark
Gary Valenciano

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 stillMy 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

Temptation finds its way to me

Teach me to trust in You

With all my heart

To lean not on my own understanding

I just forget

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

Take me out of the dark, my Lord

I don't wanna be there

You've never left my side

You gave Your hand to me to hold

Oh Jesus, I'm no longer in the cold

And yet, I leave You there

When I feel satisfied

I'd like to thankYou every day

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's promised us eternity

And we can have that promise

And be His if we have faith

And just believe

Teach us to trust in you

With all my heart

To lean not on my own understanding

We just forget

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

Take us out of the dark, My Lord

'Cause we don't want to be alone

Take me out of the dark, My Lord

We don't wanna be there, My Lord

Trust in You with all my heart

Lean not on my own understanding

I just forget

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

Take me out of the dark, My Lord

'Cause we don't want to be alone

Take me out of the dark, My Lord

I don't want to be there

Edgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano, better known as simply Gary Valenciano (shortened to Gary V.), is a Filipino musician, composer, actor, producer, and gospel singer who is best known for many songs, especially those that became theme songs for movies. His energetic dance moves also garnered him the nickname "Mr Pure Energy.”

…sLeEpLeSs NiGhT

Can we control our emotions, our feelings? Can we choose what to feel, how to feel and when to feel? I am just quite emotional. I am sensitive and easily got hurt. I am so fragile that you have to take care of, if you truly care.

Last night after my class, 8:40 pm, I immediately went to my apartment for I was exhausted from the day’s work. I phoned my family back home to greet our youngest brother, Happy Birthday. After that, I felt strange. I couldn’t sleep. I had mixed feelings. My mom cried while we were talking, saying they miss me a lot, and asking me when will I come home. That led me to shed tears, too. It’s very hard if you are away from your loved ones especially on special occasions. I was just sad because I wasn’t there, wasn’t able to celebrate with them. I even wished I could fly that time. This is maybe because I am just so family-oriented. I guess every Filipino is, due to our culture – close family ties. We are so attached to our families.

I really found it hard to sleep last night. I live alone in my flat and have noone to talk to. I was shy to call my Chinese friends here, thinking I might disturb them. It’s already a little late at night, 10:35 pm. I also didn’t want to bother my foreign friends in other cities, they might be tired like me, and probably be sleeping that time. This situation worsen my feelings. I just got up and increase the volume of my music, for I always sleep with music turned on. I arrange my things and folded my clothes decently. I was just worried ‘coz I was thinking of my ten (10) classes the day after, I have to get up early.

Do you know what I did? I forced myself to sleep. I had no choice or else, I would be sleepy in my classes and wouldn’t be able to execute them well. I, of course, don’t want that to happen. I always want to be active, enthusiastic and energetic in front of my dear students. I don’t want them to see me that way. I do believe, "teachers are the models of the students." So, I am always acting like one. Fortunately, I was able to sleep 30 minutes after midnight.

…MuSiC

As I watched the ants crawled upon the wall, I noticed that no matter how busy they are, they still have time to stop and communicate to one another. But oftentimes, people don’t. Strange, right? Does that mean ants are better than humans as a whole?

With my busy schedule every week, my constant way of communicating is through music, listening to songs because with my situation, I still have to travel two and a half hours to see some of my foreign friends. It’s been my partner eversince I was a kid. I am well motivated to do my work better if there’s music. In fact, I often forgot the time as well as eating. As if it gives me an eternal vigor to go on with my work. It’s my life. Music is life for me and I could do the best when listening to it. It rocks my world. It makes my job lighter, easier and happier while on the go. It has a touching effect. It makes everything a piece of cake for me.

Many people also have several concepts regarding music. For some, it’s a loud noise. They can’t concentrate on whatever they are doing if there’s music. They prefer to work silently. Others find it annoying, loud and even disturbance. They don’t feel the vibrations when music is played. No feelings at all. Do you have the same opinions with these people? By the way, what do you think of music? Does it have an effect in your state of life? Well, what I can say is, it depends on the kind of music you are listening to.

Psychologically speaking, music has a healing power, that even scientists can’t explain until now. Intimately, there was this dying patient in a coma situation for several weeks, upon hearing a mellow ringtone of a cell phone from one of his visitor, the toes responded. It produced a little movement. Meaning, there’s a vivid sign of hope. Then that time on, the wife let him listen to similar music from time to time. Doctors couldn’t believe that there’s an enormous progress in his condition, until he was completely cured and lives happily now.

Another clear example, if you are familiar with the movie entitled, “Mars Attacks,” where people in that movie had done their best to negotiate with the aliens from Planet Mars. But everything turned out to be destruction and war. They fought with these aliens bravely but still they were defeated. Do you know what was the solution that devastated all aliens? It was the music listened by an aged woman that led to the death of all aliens. So, how is that explained? There is really something in music that noone can explicate.

Friends, whatever you conceive music to be, well it’s your choice. But I tell you, there’s an inner power in it. It can unite different races and even the world, for it is itself the language of the world, I believe.