The Last of the Jukes

'From purple to gray-orange, JUKES signing off...'

Eto na naman, parang water cycle lang ika nga, precipitation, condesation hanggang sa mag evaporate na naman. The same old feeling is haunting me again, been here, feel that, done that. Pero mangyari man ng paulet ulet lagi kong sinasabi na "ayoko ng drama", di siguro ko panatiko ng mga drama sa TV para ilahad ko yung mga nararamdaman ko kapag may dumarating at may lilisan. Buti sana kung ang kwento ng buhay natin eh parang sa Daisy Siete baka mapaluha niyo pa ako. Pero hindi ee ang iba sa atin normal lang na mga prends. Pasok-sagot sa customer-uwi tapos bonus mo pa kung may sermon ka sa pagmamalupit ng ating minamahal na si Ate K, pero mas gusto ko siyang tawaging Krissy na mala Senyora Santibanez. 

Pero di ko talaga alam paano ko napunta sa Jukes, iniisip ko nung makita ko sila hmmmm sabi ko baka merong mala-Batibot state of mind ang HR, "pagsama-samahin ang pareho-pareho ang magkakatulad ay ating igrupo". Tapos sa tingin ko nga baka mala "Eat Street" ang tema ng account na ito. Kala ko talaga puro pagkaen, pero sabi ko, ang exam ay tungkol sa concerts  at musical events. Hindi maaaring pagkaen yun. Baka kaya kako ako dun inilagay kasi fit ako sa puzzle. Pero sabi nga ni Molly Ringwald, "In life, there is always that special person who shapes who you are, who helps to determine the person you become." Kaya naman salamat sa pag shape up (big circle, small circle, medium circle man yan ang mahalaga nag fit in pa rin ako sa campaign). Peace! hehehe! Quits!

A  taste of Jukes, this is how we roll! 

Malungkot-masaya (Basta Nutri-Asia), yan ang nararamdaman ko. Masaya na lang sana ang kaso may nahiwalay na dalawa, si Ate Marya Carey mo pa at ang ating Mother Earth na TL. Oo nalulungkot ako dahil may lilisan na hindi naman maiiwasan. Pero yun nga.....hindi nga naman ito eskuwelahan na kailangan poreber magsasama sama kayo. Kaya ako yung taong ayaw ko ng maraming sirkel of friends, okay na sa akin yung tamang pasok-kwentuhan-tsikahan-(hingi ng foods niyo)sabay uwi. Ayoko ng mutual, ayaw ko ng friend with a "ship", cause ships are made to sink. Wag ka nang   umapela na hindi lahat ng barko lumulubog. Isipin mo na lang ang Titanic. Walang pagmamahalan na Jack at Rose na ililigtas ka sa exam ng grammar. Kagaya niyan abandon ship na naman at the end ikaw pa rin ang bahala sa sarili mo. Dahil walang Batman na bahala sayo na tutulong sa exams, walang Superman na tuturuan ka sa lahat ng dapat mong matutunan sa  training. Tama nang friends na lang.

Napakabilis ng isang taon, hindi ko mawari na tapos na. Endo na. Parang kelan lang tinuturuan pa ko ni Dox Gragas kung paano gagawin ang ganito-ganyan. Parang kelan lang nasa 2nd floor ako ng TH coaching room habang tsinitsinterview (chika-interview) ako ni TL Cat sa mga buhay-buhay ko. Parang kelan lang tinatanong ni Jose kung sino yung nakasalamin sa Jukes pagkatapos naming mainterview. Parang kelan lang kayong nagyakag sa  SNR (unang sweldo niyo "ata") pero di ako nakasama. Parang kelan lang na stuck sa bantot ng CR na nangangalingasaw sa ground floor room ng ARC. Tapos, tapos na agad? Pero ganun talaga eh, hindi natin puwedeng iislowmo ang mga bagay bagay, sa kaunting kurap maiiwan ka ng bilis ng panahon. #ChangeIsComing era na daw kasi. Kaya every day, every single second of the day we must learn to accept changes. (insert hugot here, Vicky).

Well I'm proud to say "mission accomplished" at mas well-done pa sa itlog na niluluto mo sa umaga ang performance natin dito. Yun ang maipagmamayabang ko. We did our best at the very end. Absent nga lang ako nung last day, ang sama kasi ng pakiramdam (ng wallet) ko. Ika nga nila "Teamwork makes the dream work" (especially pag may foods). And I hope we will carry the same performance as we jump off to the next mothership. 

*Tonee's Testi para sa lahat:

TL Cat- Thank you for believing in me. I know i'm not capable of doing other tasks but you've been very patient for guiding me all along. Thank you for being a good mentor, ate and a leader!

Ate Fe - Magsalita ka na po please. HAHAHAHA! Sorry kung maingay ako palagi haha hindi minsan. Alam kong naiinis ka pag tanong ng tanong pero salamat po sa pasensya!

Ate Genieve Austine Erishka Telmo - Ate Gae! Thank you po sa pag intindi. I can say na hindi ako nagkamali ng pinagkatiwalaan. Thank you so much sa pagtatanggol sa akin palagi. Love na love kita!

kuya Jack Maico - Since magkasama pa din po tayo, sana this time mas makilala pa kita. Alam ko madami akong matututunan sayo. Thank you for the patience haha! 

Inaaaay Marya Carey - “Spread your wings and prepare to fly!” sabi nga daw ni ate mo Mariah. Madami po akong natutunan sa inyo. Don't be sad Inay ha? We'll see you around! I love you Inay! *insert Hiram ni Zsa Zsa Padilla

Freilla - Beh salamat sa pag intindi sa mga keme ko sa buhay. May forever tayo diba? haha! Nasabi ko na naman sayo lahat at thankful talaga ako na nakilala kita. 
:*

Janelle Iris Dreu - magpakatino ka ha? please lang saka magbaon ka ng madami hindi yung para sayo lang. Wag ganon. haha labyu!

Vviicckkyy - madami pa tayong pagsasamahan. Alam mo yan and isa ka sa mga pinagkakatiwalaan ko ng lahat. Salamat sa pag intindi palagi sa mood at sa ugali ko. 
😂

Yu Hsuan Hsiaoo Shen, congratulations sa achievements! You deserve it beh. Keep in touch okay? Basta kasama ka pa din namin sa lahat.

*Fe's Testi para sa lahat:

I am really feeling emotional now, I cannot believe this just got into me..

At first I was hesitant that I'll be able to get along with them - they're the perfect example of weird crazy peeps!

Marya - wag ka na malungkot te. lagi ka namin maaalala since di naman nawawala sa playlist si Mariah kahit sang building tayo mapunta. keep your spirit high and we're just a text/chat away

Gae - di tayo fb friends but it's fine. Di naman kailangang maging fb friends para maging friends literally. kahit di namin maexplain ang mood swings mo, happy pa rin ako to meet you, lakas mo makagising lalo na pag dinadabog mo yung mouse, haha!

Jack - di rin tayo fb friends pero like Gae, di kailangan nun. exact opposite of Gae, lakas mo nman makaantok sa sobrang tahimik mo, pero ok din pang balance.

Janelle - friend pala kita, haha! saktong sakto ang tawa mo lagi ha, at yung pauso mong prank, benta!

Vviicckkyy - sus! isa pa to! humuhugot na, ang ingay pa. pero masaya kasama yan, kahit ttanong nya muna kung ok yung gawa nya. dahil sayo tumaas standard ng quality kya clap clap!

Tonee - aray ko, isa pa to. sabihin ko na ba ngyon? mgsasalita na ba ko? haha! Daanan lng ang pinagdadaanan. Hugot lng ng hugot pero siguraduhing sa lhat ng nraranasan may mgandng napupulot. akalain mong fliptop-an to?!

Freilla - usapang ina, usapang may-asawa yan favorite topic natin pero ok yan. mrami pa tyo pagchichismisan, puro bagong tao naman simula lunes!

Yu Hsuan - ikaw yung unang ktabi ko, bigla ka kcng na-hire, hehe! Mamimiss ka rn nmin lalo na ung stress level mong 100 at pagka-OC-OC mo, haha

Tl Cat - salamat sa lahat. ikaw lang yung TL na nakanood kmi ng movies yey!

Wherever we may go, we cannot deny that we will all be part of each other's lives kaya wag kayong umarte. Echos lang naman to, magkikita pa kaya tyo bukas!

Mamimiss ko yung prod tracker na dpat sakto, yung templates na pabago bago kc ang bilis mag update ng process, yung self study nating pag intindi sa process, screenshots, yung mini heart attack na message from K, yung di mo mhanap na bio ng artist, free soundtrip at pagstalk ntin thru fb..

I will miss Jukely!!!

I will miss being a Juke -

We are certified Jukes!!!

Testikels ko para sa lahat:

*TL Cat 

Boss thanks sa all of the above. Sayang talaga di natuloy ang journey namin with you. Pero siyempre we understand din naman. Decisions changes as quick as the brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Thank you for everything, for checking our in and outs, sa approval ng VL's at SL's. We'll see you again! 

*Gerlan

One quote. "You can make it through the rain." It's just a small storm in your teacup manay. Pero til now di ako convinced that you didn't make it. Prove them na mali sila with a smile ala Maricel Soriano. I'm glad na hindi ka na magflofloating, kasi hindi ko maisip sa pisikal na lumulutang ka Inay. We'll see you around. Chat ka lang kung ano schedule mo.

*Tonee

Gusto pala ko ni Tonee makilala ng husto, sa papaanong paraan?  Slambook? joke... Deh ganito lang talaga ko tahimik, lalo na ngayon, mabigat din kasi ang dibdib ko minsan, kasing-bigat din ng dibdib mo kapag humu hugot kayo ni Vicky tungkol sa love. 

*Vicky

Hugot lang din ng hugot tapos kapag marami na kayong collections ni Tonee gawa kayo libro. Mas masarap sinusulat ang pinaghuhugutan para mas intense at napupublicize. Then ang title ng libro "The Art of Hugot". 

*Fe

Nagsalita ang madaldal eh noh? Pero di ko makakalimutan na nagkabalitaktakan din naman kame ni Fe ng kwentuhan nung pang umaga kame. One word per talk nga lang ang conversation. Ang naaalala ko nung pinupug kame ng tickets tapos nawalan pa ng connection ng 30 minutes tapos pagkabalik ng Internet, sandamukal na yung ticket. 

*Genieve Austin Erishka Telmo

Si Gae? nako ano bang masasabi ko diyan. Mataray yan ee. Nagpasurvey pa yan sa lahat kung mataray siya o hindi  eh ang kaso ang official canvassing sa botohan panalo ang mataray siya. Mataray yan si gae pero mabait yan tsaka adik sa  tracker at productivity. Gamit din ng health card minsan kasi lagi din siyang nahihilo. Di na  tayo pabata kaya ingat lang sa ating mga nararamdaman. Mataray yan si gae ee. 

*Yu Hsuan Hsiao

Good luck sa bagong achievement siyempre. K-Pop rocks!!! Isa sa mga supportive teammates nung nagsstart palang ako sa Jukes. Kung usapang buffet kay Shen at Gae kayo makikinig. Minsan kapag wala na talagang mapagusapan sa sobrang kaboringan usap sila tungkol sa pagkain. Hindi nila alam na naglalaway nako sa sulok sa mga pinaguusapan nila. Kaya ako may time na nag search na lang din ako ng "Top ten hottest potato chips in the world." 

*Frei

Napakaraming sense of humor niyan e lalo na pag asaran ang usapan. Puwede sila maghost ni Fe ng "Magandang Buhay" ng channel 2 dahil sa usapang motherhood, livelihood at pagaalaga ng kani-kanilang babies. Sabi ng iba "natawa ko, mga bente" kay Frei at Tonee asahan mong hindi mo mabibilang ang tawa mula gabi hanggang umaga. Okay din naman walang dull moments kapag sila ang kasama mo, hindi ka makakatulog. Ay teka, nakatulog pala kame ni Frei. Ayun na NTE. 

*Janelle

One word. Kengkoy. The more aura you make, the more kengkoy it gets.

PS: We will also miss our friends from FLING, di rin biro ang isang taon na kasama po kayo namin under one room, from TL Kelvin, Jessie, Will, Marvin, Dapsi, Fred, Ish, Mommy & Jean. 

So ayun  na nga....we'll be missing each other day by day. But before the next page flip on our lives sariwain muna natin yung bongacious na buffet sa last team building ng Jukes sa Carl Cedz.

'Carl Cedz Grill, Kawit, Cavite'

Waiting......

Round 1 lapang

Round 2 lapang

Round 3

Round 4 

Big smile and nga-nga for foods!

Foods at Cedz......

Pika-pika muna

Wake up, little sushi's, wake up!

Soups

D for Desserts

Juice ko day!

Churros 

Di ko na-enjoy bawal sa sumulat part 1 

Di ko na-enjoy bawal sa sumulat part 2

#RelationshipGoals

'Kailangan pa ba ng goals'

Sabihin mo nga sa aking tohl kung ano ba yang relationship goals na yan? Kasama ba yan talaga sa main goals ng buhay natin? O parang pa-cool lang na salita ng mga hipster na ang totoong ibig sabihin ay "Ideal relationship?"

Ganun? parang hindi naman cool eh.

So kapag nagsubuan lang ng kikiam, relationship goals agad agad? Nagkasabay lang sa jeep, relationship goals na?

Ang babaw naman.

Ayaw ba nila ng kasapatan na in a relationship ka na, kelangan pa ba ng goals? tsaka hashtag? Ang malaman at maramdamanang mong mahal ka ng taong mahal mo at may kasiyahang taglay kayo pareho sa kabila ng lahat ng kapakshetan sa buhay, kung tutuusin, isang napakalaking goal na. 

Hindi porke't  yung kakilala mo na relationship goals yung kanila, yun na talaga ang basehan ng tunay at pangmatagalang relasyon. Motolite lang tohl ang pangmatagalan. Isang larawan lang yan ng inuupload sa FB pero hindi ibig sabihin porket masaya ang larawan, hindi yan dinidefine na masaya sila in terms of their relationship as a whole. Puwera na lang kung may special powers ka na katulad ni Jean Grey, hawakan mo lang yung picture eh makikita mo sa isipan mo at puwede mo maramdaman yung tunay na kalagayan ng relasyon nila. Premonition ika nga. Hindi ka X-men at wala kang superpowers. Ang tanging sandata mo lang eh yung keyboard mo at mang-bash ng mga pictures sa social media. Tandaan, walang mental hospital bound na magjowa na ipaglaladlaran nila ang mga sarili at ipopost sa FB para mag self video ang kaniya kaniyang sarili nilang pagpuputang-inamohan at pagsusumbatan ng mga pagkukulang nila. Walang magkarelasyon na gagawa ng event sa FB na "magsusuntukan sila sa Ace hardware". Yung "almost perfect", yung may pagka "fairy tale" at edited version lang ng kwento ang pinapakita nila. Hindi ang buong episode. Bawal ipakita ang behind the scenes. Hindi ipinapakita ang kabuuan ng kanilang relasyon.

Hindi kinakailangang ipagkumpara ang kung anong relasyon meron kayo sa relasyong meron ang iba. Hindi lahat ng bagay na nakikita mo pwedeng mag work out sa  inyo. May mga bagay na applicable at fit sa kanila na hindi fit sa inyo. Hindi mo puwedeng ipagdiinan na gustuhin niya si Justin Bieber lalo na kung Slayer, Pantera at Mastodon ang gusto niyang trip na tugtugan. Maaaring iparinig sa kanya pero hindi para ipasamba at ipagdikdikan na si  Bieber ang pakinggan niya. Puking-ina maski sino iiwanan ka. Paano na lang kung ang gusto mong #RelationshipGoals ay yung tipong "I can show you the world", mahilig ka sa teatro eh siya sa totoong buhay puro siya rak en roll to the world sa pagdodota. Pero kung talagang mapilit ka at gusto mong makipagrelationship goals, siguraduhin mong mutual ang mga tatahakin niyong plano sa buhay. Hindi yung one sided lang, hindi yung ikaw lang ang makikinabang, hindi yung ikaw lang ang may gusto. Dahil minsan, sa halip na nakakatulong yang trip mong #RelationshipGoals, eh mas lalong nakakasira.

7 Foot Jr. - "Daisy"

Kung iisipin at iaanalisa mo ng husto, mas masarap na isipin na hindi niyo kailangan ng kahit anong #RelationshipGoals. Parang lakad lang ng tropa yan, parang yung nag aya lang yan sayo ng beach summer vacation na anong petsa na ng tag-ulan hindi pa rin matuloy-tuloy. Mauuwi lang sa sketching at drawing yang #RelationshipGoals niyo. Mas maganda yung excited kayo pareho araw-araw sa mga posibleng mangyari na walang iniintinding kahit ano. Nakakapressure  yang #RelationshipGoals na yan. Wag puro goals. Isaisip na mas mahalaga kung anong meron sa inyo ngayon na kayong dalawa lamang ang nageenjoy.

At isa pa, kung tunay ang iyong pagmamahal, kelangan pa bang isipin kung may patutunguhan o wala? Ano yan bagong goals na naman? #PatutunguhanGoals? Ang ending naman nun nagmamahal ka pa rin ng walang pag-iimbot at buong katapatan di ba? Nasa relasyon ka ngayon hindi para may marating o may maabot na kahit ano. Walang hierarchy map ang pagmamahalan, walang mataas na position na dapat nandun ka sa kaitaas-taasan. Okay na sa kanya yung maramdaman niya yung totoo mong layunin para sa kanya. Kase andiyan ka na mismo, kasama mo na yung taong gusto mong dakilain sa pagmamahal mong iaalay para sa kanya. Malaking achievement na yun tohl, maniwala ka. At the end of the day, dun pa rin tayo liligaya sa pinakasimpleng bagay na pinanghahawakan natin.

*Pero kung ipipilit mo pa rin, bago ka mag skip sa   #RelationshipGoals kembular na yan, dun ka muna (o dun muna ako) sa #PanoMagkaJowaGoals muna. Dami ko nang sinabi nagkakalimutan  na ata.*

LOVE 101: Ang Umibig ay hindi Skill Set

'Ibigin mo siya hanngang gusto mo, but the hardest thing is how you can keep your love flowin' like an endless river'

Sa panahon ngayon masyadong basic pa sa basic salary pay mo ang magmahal. Sobrang effortless. Ito ang pinakamadaling gawin dito sa mundo. Mas madali pa sa pagluto ng Instant Lucky Me Pancit Canton. Hindi yan special skills na kailangan pa ng exam at training. Kaya mong mahalin ang isang taong isang linggo mo lang nakilala. (Yung jowa nga ng tropa, nilibre lang ng extra rice napamahal na sa iba. Malala eh.) Kayang-kaya mo mahalin  yung mga seafoods na lumalandi sa'yo sa chat. Yakang yakang mong umibig muli duon sa taong ilang beses kang sinaktan kase may bachelor's degree ka sa pagkakatanga. Kayang kaya mo kantahin yung "I'd still say yes to you again"ng Klymaxx. Napakadaling magmahal lalo na kung ginu gusto mo yung pakiramdam na nagmamahal ka. Masarap eh di ba? Mas matindi pa sa droga yung feeling na ginamit sa Close Up Forever Summer. Heaven ang feeling pero for sure hindi ka ipapabitay ni Duterte dahil parang droga lang naman ang magmahal. Addictive ika nga. Kaya hindi mo dapat ipagmamalaking dakila ka dahil sa umibig ka. Hindi ka bayani porke't nagmamahal ka. Napakaliit na bagay lang niyan. Alam mo kung ano ang pinakamahirap gawin? Yun ay ..... TO STAY IN LOVE.

Atlantic Starr - "Always"

Sa dinadami-dami ng Ped Xing sa Pilipinas kung saan marami kang nakakasalubong na taong tumatawid sa kalsada, nagaabot ng pamasahe mo kapag sumasakay ka ng jeep, mga taong nakakasalamuha kapag nasira ang MRT at sabay sabay kayong naglalakad sa railings, nakakasama sa trabaho at mga naglalabasang nakakaakit na larawan sa newsfeed mo, asahan mo tohl makakakita at makakakita ka ng mas higit sa kanya. (Yung mas spicy, mas appetizing, mas mabait, mas sweet at mas malaki dede, mas bibigyan ka ng oras at panahon, at higit sa lahat mas malapit.)

Aabot ka sa sitwasyon na mararamdaman mo na "parang mahal mo na lang siya", kumbaga from "hayok sa pagmamahal" hanggang sa "medya medya na lang". Alam mo sa sarili mo na mahal mo pa rin pero hindi na katulad ng dati. Yung pakiramdam na unti-unting nauupos na parang yosi pero alam mong nagvavape ka na pala at hindi nawawala. Yan na nga siguro  yung "Falling out of love".

Ang pagmamahal ay hindi lang naman sa basta tungkol sa bugso ng damdamin, hindi lang kung sa anong nararamdaman, hindi sa kung ano ang ipinahihiwatig ng pusong palaban. Hindi ka nagmamahal dahil lang sa rasong dito ka masaya. Kung gusto mo lang magmahal dahil gusto mo masaya, eh di mag happy meals ka na lang everyday kapiling si Jollibee. Dahil kung gusto mo lang maging masaya, gusto mo lang makinabang. Nanggagamit ka lang ng ibang tao dahil gusto mong sumaya. (Eh di sana nagpamassage ka na lang. Masaya din yun sa feeling.)

Ang pag-ibig ay isang tuluy-tuloy na pagpili. Ang pagpiling mas tingnan kung anong meron sa kanya dahil kuntento ka na kesa sa mga pagkukulang niya na pwede mong makita sa iba. Isang pagpiling hindi dahil sa yun ang tama at kailangan o dahil sa isa lamang siyang bahagi ng pagpipilian. Habang buhay mo siya pipiliin dahil sa kanya mo pa rin gustong manatili. Dahil siya ang huli at wakas. Ang pagpili na wala ng pagpipilian pang iba kug di siya. 

Because staying in love needs commitment!

Pero pinakamahirap pa ring magdesisyon - "kung saan ba talaga kayo kakain?"

Air Tsinelas: Kalye Basketball Hoops Pinoy Style

'More fun in  the Philippines: Pinoy Streetball'

"Tae, tae, tae", yan ang sigaw namin habang nagdidribol siya ng bola ng basketball, lamang ang Barangay Itaas Purok Singko ng isa 71-70 at 4 seconds na lamang ang nalalabi sa oras. Sumalaksak si tae sa loob  ng depensa ng kalaban at nakapagpasabit ng isa. Foul ang dipensa. Penalty at wala nang natira sa oras. At dahil ubos na ang oras ay siya na lamang ang nasa free throw line. Naka pokus sa kanya ang lahat ng atensiyon ng mga nanonood. Magaling si tae at star player siya sa dating pinaglalaruan ko sa Multinational Gillage (gilid ng village). Pero kahit magaling si tae masusubok ang kanyang lakas ng loob kung tatalunin ba siya ng kanyang kaba o kung sa dalawang tirang yun ay mapapachampion niya ang Barangay Ibaba Purok Siyete. Sa may kabilang panig ay may nagchecheer, "i-shooootttttt mo taeeeee! tae! tae! tae!".  Alam ng lahat kung panalo o overtime o  pagkatalo ng Barangay  Ibaba mapapagdesisyunan ang katapusan ng laban. Binigay ng reperi ang unang bola para sa freethrow. Hiyawan at sigawan sobrang ingay na ng court. Pinaikot ni tae sa kanyang kamay ang bola, nagdribol,  nagdribol, nagdribol ng apat na beses. Inhale at exhale nagconcentrate sa ring, iniangat ang kanyang shooting hand at.........sablay!  Tumama ang bola sa likod ng bakal ng ring at sa lakas ng pagkatama ay tumalbog ang bola papalayo sa ring at sa kasamaang palad tumalbog ang bola sa damuhan. Oo sa damuhan. May pumulot.....sumigaw siya dahil di niya namalayan na...."PUTANGINAAAA may tae yung bola refffff." Lalong nagsigawan at naghalakhakan ang mga miron. Napuno ng katatawanan ang huling sandali ng basketball. May nagmagandang loob naman at  hinugasan ang bola sa poso. Pinunasan at medyo tumagal ng kaunti dahil pinatuyo pa ang bola. Nang matuyo ang bola pumito na ang reperi at hudyat ng pangalawang free throw ni tae. Pinaikot muli ang bola sa kanyang kamay bilang style ng kanyang pag free throw. Uminhale, umexhale. Ininstrongka ang ring at nagconcentrate. May mga sumigaw na taga Barangay Itaas  "Wala yan, walaaaaaa kontrapelo ang tae sa tae booooooo Hahahahaha!" Sabay bitaw ni tae ng bola. Diretso ang bola sa ring (slow motion) animo'y parang isang pelikulang Pilipino katulad ng "Last Two Minutes". Papasok na sana ang bola  ngunit biglang kumalog ito pagdampi sa bunganga ng ring. Tanggap ng taga Barangay Ibaba na lalaban sila ng patayan maishoot lang ni tae para mag-overtime. Sa pagkalog ay naiwan ng bahagya ang bola sa bibig ng  ring hindi malaman kung mahuhulog papasok o palabas ang bola. Sa kasawiang palad hindi hinigop ng ring ang bola. Olats ang mga taga Barangay Ibaba. Dahil ba sa tae? o dahil kay tae?

Coz ang aming tsinelas hindi nadudulas! Legitz Misfitz - 'Air Tsinelas'

Lesson learned. Malas talaga ang tae.

Ganyan talaga sa isang basketball game maraming drama at naguumapaw ang emosyon. Matalo na ng tambakan huwag lang matalo ng isang puntos. Yan ang isa sa mga karaniwang settings sa isang liga ng basketball. Diyan makikita kung sino talaga ang magaling at kung sino talaga ang may daga sa dibdib at nagmamagaling. Siya si tae ang tropa ko na mahusay maglaro ng basketball. Nabansagan  lang sa mabahong codename na iyon dahil sa di malamang dahilan sa tuwing maglalaro kame ng limahan sa basketball ay laging na lang naiinterrupt ang laro dahil naeebak ang kumag in the middle of  the game. Ewan ko ba kung may scientific explanation o sadyang oras ng pagtae niya yung oras ng laro namin.

Tumira ako noon sa Paranaque at ang madalas na pinagkakalibangan doon ay tatlong B, bingo, bilyar at basketball +  E pa pala Ending ng numero ng score sa basketball. Hindi lahat ng nakatira sa Barangay Itaas ay mayroong telebisyon kaya kung araw ng Biyernes at Linggo na araw din ng telecast ng PBA ay makikitang nagkukumpulan ang mga kabataan at matatanda sa isang tindahan na ang mga manonood ay mga panatiko ni Jawo, Patrimonio, Guidaben  at iba pang manlalaro.

Kung hindi nanonood ng PBA at NBA. Asahan mo na naglalaro naman ng basketball. Nakahiligan ko rin ang larong ito. Makikita mo ko araw araw sa half court. Dito 3 on 3 ang labanan at kadalasan may pustahan. Minsan pera-pera o kaya isang bote ng Pop Cola. Ewan ko ba tapos Coke o di kaya Pepsi, Mountain Dew naman ang binibili nila. Nakasanayan na lang sigurong "Pop" dahil madali kasi sabihin, madali din naman bigkasin ang Coke pero ewan ko ba tradisyon na ang salitang "Pop" kung softdrinks ang pustahan. Kapag walang walang pera ang magkabilang panig ay mapagkakasunduan at mauuwi na lang ang pustahan sa "Ice-tubig". Pag wala  pa rin pang ice tubig sa papawis na lamang mauuwi ang laro. Noon ang setting ng court sa amin nang hindi pa ito nasesementuhan ay  parang disyerto sa sobrang alikabok ng buhangin. Kada takbuhan at pagfootwork ng mga paa ay natatakpan na mismo ang mga naglalaro ng makapal na alikabok. Ang half court ay napapaligiran ng mga damuhan kaya minsan kapag napupuno na ang damo at tumatayog na ay pinuputol muna ng mga manlalaro ito. Dito naman sa atin sa Pilipinas walang kiyeme ang mga manlalaro basta may ring, bola at players set na yan at ready for action na for hoops.

COURT SETTINGS

'Flood Ballers'

Gumanda rin ang aming pinaglalaruan na half court dahil sinimento na ito. Hindi na siya seasonal basketball court. Dahil kapag June hanggang December ay March na ulet makakapaglaro ang mga basketbolista. Bakit? Dahil binabaha ang court sa tuwing tag-ulan at nagmimistulang bump boat ng mga batang nakasakay sa kani-kanilang batya. Sa bagong court mas maraming nang dumadayo. Ang ibig sabihin ng "dayo" sa basketball ay mga manlalarong bumibisita upang makipagpustahan at makipagtungali sa mga mainstay player ng barangay. Kadalasan maraming miron ang nanonood sa tuwing may dayo. Minsan masaya  kapag ganito at meron din namang ilang bayolente kapag mainit ang laban  at malaki ang pustahan. Kapag ganyan ayokong manood dahil paniguradong may magsasapakan at maghahabulan ng saksakan. Kung meron nga lang Facebook na noon ay gagawa ako ng event "Basagan ng Muka sa Barangay Ilalim" o di kaya "Rambulang Hardcore sa Hardcourt". Naging maaliwalas ang court noong napinturan ang mga common basketball lines at sa wakas nagkaroon ng basketball logo ang barangay namin. Napagkasunduan ng mga kabataan na ang logo na ilalagay sa court ay logo ng Toronto Raptors, eh putangna  ewan ko ba't naging mukang butiki yung inaasahan ng kramihan na dinosaur dapat. Mali pa ang kulay imbis na pula ang katawan eh naging kulay violet. Kakapanood kasi kay Barney nung gumuhit. Leche!

'Riles ballers'

Sa isang tipikal na basketball court nariyan ang mga grupo ng manlalaro,miron,mga batang naglalaro sa playground, mga kababaihang nagkukuwentuhan sa semento o wooden bench, may tindahan sa gilid ng court na laging nakhanda ang ice-tubig, sofdrinks, ice candy, samalamig at kung anu-ano pang pampalamig at pamatid uhaw para sa mga players. Meron ding mga inuming alkohol kapag bote ang nilaro ng mga ito. Mayroon ding ihaw-ihaw nariyan ang barbeque, betamax, tenga ng daga, paa ng manok, hotdog. Sa di kalayuan naman ay nariyan ang kariton ni manong ng tusuk tusok katulad ng fishball, squidball, at chicken balls. Kaya naman kahit maglaro ka at mapagod ay hindi ka magugutom dahil maraming pagkain at inumin sa paligid.

Ang laro na nasa gitna ng kalsada ay normal na sa ating mga Pinoy ngunit maituturing na kakatwa sa mga banyaga. Ang mga sasakyan ay nakikiraan at bola  ng basketball ang simbolo ng kaharian. Ang manonood ay may opinyon sa nangyayari sa laro ang iba ay nagiging instant basketball analyst na miron, bawat galaw ng player ay sinusundan at may kasamang hiyaw ang bawat shoot sa  ring. Bawal ang pikon dahil siguradong panunuya ang aabutin. Bawat player ay may A.K.A iisang word lang. Iba-iba, sari-sari may tae, komang, daga, wanbol, manu, jograd at kung anu  ano pang  out of this world na pangalan.

Hindi rin kailangan ang mamahaling sneakers. Kakantyawan ka kung keron ka nito sa isang street basketball. Alamat kung maituturing pag lagi kang nakaka-shoot even though you're barefoot. At dahil ang mga Pinoy ay henyo pagdating sa mga pangalan sa likod ng jersey, mula sa paglalagay ng H (Jhograd, Jhimmy, etc) at mga kakaibang pangalan (Sniper, Robocock atbp) pati pangalan sa mga koponan sa mga liga sa barangay ay hindi papahuli diyan.

Ang court ay pinagdarausan din ng beauty pageant (minsan mga bakla) at singing contest tuwing piyesta.

Gnash - 'Basketbolista' (LA 105.9 Back Traxx)

PLAYERS

Pinaka popular talagang sports sa mga Pinoy ang basketball. At kung iyong mapapansin kada sulok ng baranggay ay may nakalaang espasyo para sa mga nag lalaro ng tong-its este basketball. Kung sa isang paaralan may iba't-ibang uri ng estudyante gayun din naman sa larangan ng paglalaro ng basketball. Eto ang ginawa  kong listahan para makategorya ang mga manlalaro. Nasaan ka dito?

*THE ENERGETIC NEWBIE

Sila yung mga karaniwang bagong lipat sa isang baranggay. Mahiyain at tahimik, pero magagaling. Ito yung mga tipo na gusto kong kakampi. I also calle this type Sakuragi's style. Ito yung malalakas maglaro at intense at masipag sa laro. They can easily adjust on the type of the game of his teammates. Sila yung tipong magpapakita ng depensa in terms of rebounding and shot blocking. Kung baga kayod-marino at hindi nagbabuwakaw panay depensa lang at panay power moves sa loob ng shaded area.

*BALL HOGGER

Isa sa pinaka-karaniwang nakakabuwisit na uri ng player since naimbento ang basketball. Walang ginawa ito kundi tira, tira, tira. Kahit siguro sa isang fastbreak at nauuna ka na di ka nito papasahan  at siya pa rin ang titira. Madalang mamasa pero mahina naman dumipensa. They have skills but the problem is their attitude. Isa mga kinaiinisan maging kakampi ang mga Ball Hogger.

*ACE PLAYER

One of the coolest teammates. Sila yung may pinakamaraming skills and maganda ang attitude. May disiplina sa laro at go to guy ng isang team kapag kailangang pumuntos. Sila yung mostly na pinagkakatiwalaan ng coach kapag gagawa ng play sa isang huddle. They occassionally trash talk and let their game do the talking.

*MR. SPORTSMAN

Maituturing na sakristan sa isang basketball game. My favorite type of player to play with. Sila yung magsasabing kahit tambak na kayo sasabihin niyang, "Kaya pa yan, mahaba pa ang oras tiwala lang", "Okay lang yun pre, makukuha mo rin yung shooting touch mo". Madalas nagbibigay ng fighting spirit sa team. At kapag natalo naman kayo, siya yung nangunguna sa pagsalubong sa kabilang team para magcongratulate. Asahan mo lahat yan kakamayan niya.

*THE CHEATER

Sa larong limahan sa kalye alam nating tayo-tayo rin ang tumatawag ng foul sa kalaban. They will call a foul kahit non-sense at minsan umaakting na lang na nasaktan. Ayaw ko ng ganitong kalaban sa basketball. Hindi ka mananalo sa mga ganitong player at sa mga ganitong player naguumpisa  ang init ng ulo ng lahat ng players. Gagawin nila ang lahat manalo lang, player na reperi pa. Pakshet  ibibigay mo na lang talaga yung pusta kasi ayaw magpatalo.

*ANTI-CHEATER

Siyempre kung may cheater merong anti-cheater. Sila yung kontra. Palakasan ng sigawan yan kung sino mas malakas na sigaw  yun ang correct na tawag. Pero minsan sa cheater at anti cheater nagsisimula ang Royal Rumble sa street basketball. Sapakan na tohl!

*THE CLOWN

This player is totally the funniest to play with. Yung tipong 5% lang talaga ang kaalaman sa larng basketball at nakakalaro lang kapag kulang sa lima ang player para makumpleto lang at matuloy ang whole court game. Tampulan ng katatawanan kapag hindi niya na alam ang gagawin sa bola kapag nadepensahan na siya. Funny weird dribble and a circus shot yan ang mga ginagawa niya sa court. Pero trust me sila yung pinakamasayang kasama.

*BULLSHIT BULLY

Ito yung mga nagpapanggap lang na marunong maglaro ng basketball. Madalas tambay na ng court lalo na kapag covered ang court  niyo. Mga tatuan, laging nakahubad baro, mabantot at basag ulo. Ang hanap lang talaga nitong mga ito ay away at rambol. Wala talaga silang pakealam kung manalo o matalo ang mga kakampi niya. Matapang lang siya dahil nandoon siya sa kaniyang teritoryo. Ito ang pinaka-ayaw ko. Nakakaburaot ang mga ganito, bakit hindi na lang sila magboksing?

*TRASH TALKER

The most annoying player you may encounter in a street basketball game. Sila yung mga tipong ipapamuka sa'yo na magaling ako, mahusay ako. Walang ginawa kung di mag trash talk kapag nakakashoot siya. Minsan nakakakuha din ng rambol ang mga ganitong player. Dahil yung iba sa muka ka pa minsan sisigawan ng pa trash talk. Sisirain niya ang laro mo at mawawalan ka ng full concentration sa game. To beat this guy iwasan mong mapikon sa kanya di ba Calvin Abueva? 

*VETERAN ALA-JAWORSKI GUY 

Pagtapos ng laro masakit na katawan niyo olats pa kayo. This types usually one of the dirtiest player of the game. Sila yung mga not very senior age guys na makakalaro mo. Mga dads usually and yung iba dadbods kumpletos rekados ang bigote at yung tipong hindi ka makakatawag ng foul dahil natatakot ka. Yung pag rebound ay naka-alma ang mga siko. Subukan mo sumundot ng mawasiwas ang muka mo ng siko nila. Trip din ng mga ito na manghawak ng short o kaya sando. They are bit    annoying to be an apponent because of the fact that they're skilled and tricky.

*THE PLC's (Player, Coach & Referee)

Ayaw ko kakampi ang mga type of player na ganito. Teammate mo siya pero sisirain niya diskarte mo sa paglalaro. Madaldal, they think the'ye really good in basketball. Minsan tuturuan ka pa. Magaling manisi kapag nagka error ka sa game. Pero kapag siya naman ang nagka error ayos lang. They shouting orders, make plays, demand the ball a lot  and always blame his teammates.

*MR. SMILING FACE

Basta lagi siyang nakangiti ewan ko ba kung for the love of the game or sadyang may mental problem lang ang ganitong type. Ewan ko kung may ganitong type sa inyong mga barangay hardcourt. Basta di mo siya mawari, hindi naman siguro siya nag-uunderestimate ng kalaban basta sa tuwing makikita mo siya di niya maialis ang smiling face sa kanyang muka. Trust me may mga ganito. 

*BENCH WARMERS

Di talaga mawawala ang mga ganito. Ang sabi nila yung mga nagbubutas ng bangko at naghihintay lang maipasok sa basketball game in a two options: (a) kung tinambakan niyo na ang kalaban niyo ng  bente at two minutes na lang ang natitira sa oras or, (b) tinambakan na kayo ng bente at kaunting oras na lang ang natitira sa oras, (c) kapag na injury ang star player o foul trouble na ang kakampi.

*MR.JERSEY BOY

Adik lang sa jersey at nangongolekta lang ng jerseys. Sa unang  game lang maglalaro at hindi mo na makikita pang muli sa mga susunod na games. Karaniwang mga dota boys at video game na ang lalaruin kapag nakuha na ang jersey.

*KOLORETE KINGS

Ahh eto naman yung kumpletos koloretes sa katawan. Nariyan ang kanyang arm sleeves, knee pads, headbands, wristbands at mga tattoos sa katawan Kung baga panay porma lang at wala naman talagang alam sa basketball. Yung mga ganito maaangas lang, pero kung makikita mo sa porma niya, shet parang ang galing galing. Tohl, hindi fashion show ang basketball paalala lang. 

Oh tohl, sa aking mga nabanggit saan ka diyan nabibilang?

Tayong mga Pinoy ang may pinakamalaking puso pagdating sa larong Basketball parang nakakabit na ito sa pang-araw araw nating buhay lalo na sa mga kalalakihan. Mas natetest ang pagmamahal natin sa larong iti lalo na kapag may mga Internation competition na sasalihan ang ating bansa. All of the 7,100 islands asahan mo yan ang cheering squad ng bayan ko. If we can channel our obsession to basketball to become productive citizens and be vigilant of  inconsistencies in our government then we can truly be a great country. 

Sabi nga ni manong na nakasuot ng Barangay Ginebra San Miguel jersey: "Parang kadugtong na ng buhay ko ang basketball. Kahit walong taon na silang kangkong umaasa pa rin ako hanggang sa huling hininga ng buhay ko makakamtan din nila ang kampeonato."

PS: If you're gonna play the game, you gotta have the love"

   

Nostalgic NU 107: Saddest Songs Compilations

'NU 107 Rocks forever!!!'

It's time again to get nostalgic folks. When I'm not doing anything and gets bored of the day I just simply searching for old alternative rock music on  the Internet. With a cold beer in my hand, a fair temperature on the night time and a fry lumpia-like food, a wild chili coated with bread crumbs (we call it here in Cavite, "Dinamita") to make it crisp and spicy it completes my hobby of searching nostalgic music aired in NU 107 20 years ago. In case some of you kids didn't know, NU 107 (DWNU) was a radio station in Mega Manila that plays mainly rock music. So many playlists I have forgotten, all  of the band names that gives perfect rhythm to my ear got lost in my mind. I can't remember the good old bands that I used to sing in the bathroom even if my voice sounds like a broken string. So here I am again digging deeper through search engines and Youtube files for you to bring the ageless fell between the cracks alternative rock songs. I compiled the very sad songs ever played on air by NU 107. Here is the list:

JEFF BUCKLEY - "Last Goodbye"

This is our last goodbye
I hate to feel the love between us die
But it's over
Just hear this and then I'll go
You gave me more to live for
More than you'll ever know

This is our last embrace
Must I dream and always see your face?
Why can't we overcome this wall?
Baby, maybe it's just because you didn't know you at all

Kiss me, please kiss me
But kiss me out of desire, babe, not consolation
Oh, you know it makes me so angry
'Cause I know that in time, I'll only make you cry
This is our last goodbye

Did you say, "No, this can't happen to me"
Did you rush to the phone to call
Was there a voice unkind in the back of your mind
Saying maybe you didn't know him at all
You didn't know him at all, oh-oh, ya didn't know
Ooo didn't know

Well, the bells out in the church tower chime
Burning clues into this heart of mine
Thinking so hard on her soft eyes
And the memories, offer signs that it's over
Over

*For me the song is beautiful and full of emotion. Jeff is a good singer and the best lyricist as well. I can only imagine all the great songs he had left in him when he tragically died so young. This is truly a sucker for a sad song.  Although this song is about  the ending of a relationship that has obviously meant a lot to the person singing. My favorite line, "You gave me more to live for more than you'll ever know." :'( 

LIVE - "Lightning Crashes"




Lightning crashes a new mother cries
Her placenta falls to the floor
The angel opens her eyes
The confusion sets in
Before the doctor can even close the door

Lightning crashes an old mother dies
Her intentions fall to the floor
The angel closes her eyes
The confusion that was hers
Belongs now to the baby down the hall

Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.

Lightning crashes a new mother cries
This moment she's been waiting for
The angel opens her eyes
Pale blue colored iris
Presents the circle
And puts the glory out to hide, hide

Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.

Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.

Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.

*I am a freshman in high school when it was first released in 1994. Earthly, primal, elemental. It can unlock the soul's basement and soul's attic. Distant voice to the final revelation of the song is amazing. No wonder I'm a big fan of Ed Kowalczyk's Live not just because of they're soulful music but because every song has a lesson in life. You can also tell that the song is all about the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It is about the peaceful passing of a life (an old mother whose children are grown), and the joyful if the hectic arrival of a new life (the new mother and her baby). 

CAROLINE SPINE  - "Sullivan"

Its not hard to reach back to the day
underneath an Iowa sun
running to the tower of Waterloo
looking for the Sullivan train to come
His five boys would run to the top and salute him as he went
by
first he'd wave hello, and then we'd wave goodbye.
Its not hard to reach back to the days
after the attack on Pearl
and overnight my buddies turned into men
running out of time for games and girls.
The Sullivan boys were not overlooked
Uncle Sam called them each by name.
The very next day they left on a mystery train. so say goodbye mrs. sullivan and don't you cry "...we regret to inform you,
the Navy has taken your sons away..." all five...
so put your blue star in the window.
It's not hard to reach back to her smile
when she'd receive a letter.
The letters sounded generally the same it said
if they couldn't be home at least they were together
on a mighty fighting battleship,
somewhere in the south pacific.
The letters never got much more specific.
Say goodbye Mrs. Sullivan and don't you cry
"...we regret to inform you
that the Navy is keeping your sons away" all five...
so keep your blue star in the window.
It's not hard to reach back to the day the war finally came
home
Uncle Sam will send you a telegram,
so he doesn't have to tell you over the phone.
I heard she cracked up when she found what the war had cost.
All five of her boys were lost.
Say goodbye Mrs. Sullivan go ahead and cry.
"...we regret to inform you all your sons have passed away."
All five...
So change your blue star to gold.

*The song was released in 1995 and the melancholic lyrics is based on a true story. This is about 5 boys from Waterloo, Iowa who were all drafted into World War II, leaving their mother alone at home. The song tells about the mother waits for them to come home, only receiving non-detailed letters about their situation on a battleship in the South Pacific. In the end of the song, she receives a telegram from Uncle Sam (US Government) saying all her sons have passed away.

NAKED - "Raining on the Sky"

When the night falls on metropolis
Neon dissonance, warm lipstick
When the moon shines on the playground
I will find you in the tinsel town

Moving shadows in the shape of what you want to see
Painted fingers and the aromatic Jean Nate
And when they're spinning you can see them
do the strangest things
Building bridges from the slivers of another's dream

Whatever you want
I'll give it to you, I will
What ever the cost
I'll get it for you, I will

Let's go raining on the sky
Throw a kiss and wave goodbye
Let's go raining on the sky
And one kiss seals the tie

Riding home she falls asleep inside a Checkered Cab
In a dream she comes across Alice in Wonderland
The Maddest Hatter surely had her in the recent past
Now she hears him saying "Honey, you are home at last"

He'll be waiting there and you can start again
Rhinestone darling, know you're taken
You'll have a lot of laughs and Cadillacs and bubble baths
Just say the word and he'll forget about your past

What ever you want
I'll do it to you, I will
What ever the thought
I'll do it for you, I will

Let's go raining on the sky
Throw a kiss and wave goodbye
Let's go raining on the sky
And one kiss seals the tie

When your heart aches with horizon
Caked eyelash, torn nylon
When the light breaks through and frightens you
You'll hear the cry to come raining on the sky

Let's go raining on the sky
Throw a kiss and say goodbye
Let's go raining on the sky
And one kiss seals the tie
Let's go raining on the sky
Let's go raining on the sky

*One of my best find so far. The song is so beautiful. Bar-none. What it makes so sad is that I remember my high school crush in the good old memories. I used  to sing this song every time I see her and I wish I could sing it  in front of her but I never had a chance to do it until we both graduate from our senior years. I really like the part "Whatever you want, I'll give it to you, I will. Whatever the cost

I'll get it for you, I will."

SARAH MCLACLAHN - "I Will Remember You"

I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by,
Weep not for the memories
Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us when things got bad.
How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun
Want to feel your warmth upon me
I want to be the one

I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin' on the edge of something much to deep
It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard

I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I'm so afraid to love you
But more afraid to lose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was a darkness
Deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me life

I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

*The song interprets of someone who passed away. Words can't describe how touching and beautiful this song is especially when you're missing someone who is already in God's loving arms. It is also talking about how based on your past you are bound to certain memories and patterns. Like you are afraid to love but afraid to lose at the same time, and your past says that it's not possible to get one without the other. 

ADDICT - "Teenage Angel"

She's in love but she doesn't know
What she needs or how to let go
It feels like being married
She was to young to miscarry

She says, "Bye, bye, my childhood dream man
I will keep in touch if I can
Spend the best years of my life with you"

Happens every time you start to lose yourself
You turn to blame the one that loves you the most
To stay and work it out is harder than to run away
So she leaves a note because to his face she couldn't say

Bye, bye, my teenage angel
I don't know how the spell was broken
I don't know what I'm doing but I'll miss you

*My explanation here is just like a cut from a song "Yes, it sad to belong to someone else when right one comes along" It seems like a girl of his dreams that she calls teenage angel when they're still young falls to a wrong man.

BLACK LAB - "Time Ago"

I watch your window for hours
Moon has set down without us
All by ourselves riding in the front seat
Watch the sun come up

All by ourselves we would run
Remember?
It was so long ago
It was a long time ago

Feel your hand close beside me
Hear the highway behind me
All by ourselves we made love 
Under the sleeping moonless night

All by ourselves we would run
Remember?
It was so long ago
It was a long time ago

I couldn't stop you crying
Or stop myself from fighting back
I tried but never hard enough
Don't you remember, love?

All by myself
I can see it like it's right before my eyes
By myself time goes by
Remember?
It was so long ago
It was a long time ago

*Very romantic and a sad song as well. :'( To me it is just kind of reminiscing about a love lost. Maybe a love lost that he regrets parting ways with and he's thinking about and realizing "Wow we really had a great time together, I should still be with this girl." 

THE NIXONS - "Sister"

Here I am again,
Overwhelming feelings
A thousand miles away
From your ocean home
Part of me is near

Thoughts of what we were invade
The miles that stand between
We can't separate
Your all I hoped you'd become

Sister I see you
Dancing on the stage
Of memory
Sister I miss you

Fleeting visits pass
Still they satisfy
Reminders of the next
Overshadow goodbye
Our flames burn as one

Sister I see you
Dancing on the stage
Of memory
Sister I miss you

All I am begins with you
Thoughts of hope understood
Half of me breathes in you
Thoughts of love remain true

Here we are again saying goodbye
Still we fall asleep underneath the same sky
You're all I knew you'd become

Sister I see you
Dancing on the stage
Of memory
Sister I miss you

Entwined, you and I
Our souls speak from across the miles
Intertwined, you and I
Our blood flows from the same inside
Half of me, breathes in you
Thoughts of love remain true

I see you, I feel you
When I close my eyes
I see walking there...
I see you dancing in my mind

*Almost sounds like Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. One of my favorite bands back in the 90s era. This song is about one of the band member's sister. She died when she was young and he still remembers the good days he had with her "Sister I see you dancing on the stage of memory."

SHADES APART - "Valentine"

Sometimes she fades away
She's seen too many movies
Killing enough rainy days
With nothing else to do

We'll make our escape
Like the end of Casablanca
Taking off from a dark runway
With nothing left to lose

The sun is shining somewhere
Somewhere far away
I could sell everything and go there
Just to hear her say, listen my

Valentine, say the line
We can be famous for tonight
Superstar, there you are
Bigger than life in black and white
Valentine, say the line
We can just leave it all behind
Say the line, my valentine

Just like roman holiday
A princess and a schemer
Killing an ordinary day
Any way they choose

Back in Hollywood
Convertibles and palm trees
Matinee movie-stars and sunscreen
I wonder if it's true

The sun is rising somewhere
Brighter every day
We'll forget everything and go there
Nothing's in the way

Listen my valentine, say the line
We can be famous for tonight
Superstar, there you are
Bigger than life in black and white
Valentine, say the line
We can just leave it all behind
Say the line, my valentine
Leave it all behind

Sometimes she starts to fade
With starry eyes she tells me
"I want a place in the sun"
She's not the only one

The sun is shining somewhere
Somewhere far away
If we just pack our bags and go there
Everything will change

Valentine, say the line
We can be famous for tonight
Superstar, there you are
Bigger than life in black and white
Valentine, say the line
We can just leave it all behind
Say the line, my valentine

We can just leave it all behind
We can just leave it all behind
We can just leave it all behind
We can just leave it all behind

Valentine

*Damn so excellent song for unhappy girls. It's kinda like he's telling this girl that she could stop being unhappy if she is with him. If she does  go with him, it will be perfect, just like in the movies. But just like what hugot-Filipino line says walang forever, walang happy forever.

GUSTER - "Demons"

My words confuse you
My eyes don't move a blink
Cause it's easier sometimes not to be sincere 
Somehow I make you believe
Believe

When I speak I cross my fingers 
Will you know you've been deceived? 
I find a need to be the demon 
A demon cannot be hurt 
Honest is easy 
Fiction is where genius lies 
Cause it's easier sometimes 
Not to be involved 
Somehow I make you believe 
Believe 

When I speak I cross my fingers 
Will you know you've been deceived? 
I find a need to be the demon 
A demon cannot be hurt 

When I speak I cross my fingers 
Will you know you've been deceived? 
I find a need to be the demon 
A demon cannot be hurt 

When I speak I cross my fingers 
Will you know you've been deceived? 
I find a need to be the demon 
A demon cannot be hurt

*It's about how people sometimes are too frightened to be sincere about who they are and what they're feeling. Thats the sad part of it. Because of this fear, we mislead people deliberately and tell complete lies. All because it's easier to not take risks, to not chance getting hurt. 

TRAVIS - "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

I can't sleep tonight, ever body saying everything's alright
Still I can't close my eyes, 
I'm seeing a tunnel at the end of all these lights
Sunny days, where have you gone?
I get the strangest feeling you belong

Why does it always rain on me?
Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?
Why does it always rain on me?
Even when the sun is shining, I can't avoid the lightning

I can't stand myself, I'm being held up by invisible men
Still life on a shelf when, I got my mind on something else
Sunny days, where have you gone?
I get the strangest feeling you belong

Why does it always rain on me?
Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?
Why does it always rain on me?
Even when the sun is shining, I can't avoid the lightning
Oh, where did the blue skies go?
And why is it raining so? It's so cold

I can't sleep tonight, ever body saying everything's alright
Still I can't close my eyes,
I'm seeing a tunnel at the end of all these lights
Sunny days, where have you gone?
I get the strangest feeling you belong

Why does it always rain on me?
Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?
Why does it always rain on me?
Even when the sun is shining, I can't avoid the lightning
Oh, where did the blue skies go?
And why is it raining so? It's so cold

Why does it always rain on me
Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?
Why does it always rain on me?
Even when the sun is shining, I can't avoid the lightning
Why does it always rain on me
Why does it always rain on

*Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry. It's the "rain" metaphor again, which means why do bad things happen to us all the time? This is another story life songs. Sometimes when it rains it pours hardly and pounding us to the ground until we cannot get up anymore and you've gotta wonder when it's ever going to get better.

COUNTING CROWS - "Long December"

A long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leavin'
Now the days go by so fast

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think that I could be forgiven I wish you would

The smell of hospitals in winter
And the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls
All at once you look across a crowded room
To see the way that light attaches to a girl

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think you might come to California I think you should

Drove up to Hillside Manor sometime after two a.m.
And talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower,
Makes you talk a little lower about the things you could not show her

And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass

And it's one more day up in the canyon
And it's one more night in Hollywood
It's been so long since I've seen the ocean I guess I should

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

*One of the best songs composed in the 90's. I think this song is about the lead singers ex-girlfriend is in a car accident and the song is about his visit to see her and tries to make peace with his ex-love. Parts like in the song "The smell of hospitals in winter..." and "drove up to Hillside Manor sometime after 2 AM." Very sad song.

OUR LADY PEACE - "Somewhere Out There"

Last time I talked to you
You were lonely and out of place
You were looking down on me
Lost out in space

We laid underneath the stars
Strung out and feeling brave
I watched the red orange glow
I watched you float away

Down here in the atmosphere
Garbage and city lights
You've gone to save your tired soul
You've gone to save their lives

I turned on the radio
To find you on satellite
I'm waiting for this sky to fall
I'm waiting for a sign

All we are
Is all so far

You're falling back to me
You're a star that I can see, yeah
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there
You're falling out of reach
Defying gravity, yeah
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there

Hope you remember me
When you're home sick and need a change
I miss your purple hair
I miss the way you taste

I know you'll come back someday
On a bed of nails, I'll wait
I'm praying that you don't burn out
Or fade away

All we are
Is all so far

You're falling back to me
You're a star that I can see, yeah
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there
You're falling out of reach
Defying gravity, yeah
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there

You're falling back to me
You're a star that I can see, yeah
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there
You're falling out of reach
Defying gravity, yeah
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there

You're falling back to me
You're a star that I can see, yeah
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there
You're falling out of reach
Defying gravity, yeah
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there

I know
I know
You're falling out of reach
I know

* For me this song is all about long lost friendship. A friend that you're thinking about and someone who played a major part in your life at some point. And you know they're out there. And you miss them so much and you hope they remember you.

This is why I really loved the alternative rock songs of the 90's. Full of emotions with good rhytmns. I'm quite sure that  if you played one of this songs in a radio station today definitely people would love this kind. NU 107 is  the best radio station back in the 90's because more people followed alternative rock genre back then. The most decent English speaking disc jockeys on air where you can learn many things in there different segments. I really like Zach and Joey in the morning's "Small talk in the Breakfast" where they will tackle different topics and callers speak their sides on the given topic. I really missed NU 107 nowadays. 

NU 107 signed off for the last time a little past midnight on November 8, 2010. The station was reformatted and renamed 107.5 Win Radio (ultimately became Wish 1075).

Found this video if NU's last few minutes on air with the whole crew   huddled in their Emerald Avenue station with a ton of fans outside. Truly the end of an era. :(

NU 107 SIGNING OFF!

PLEASE  BRING BACK NU 107!!!