rAnDoM tHoUgHts + mUsIc

I've been reading about it lately - how this Filipino singer, Arnel Pineda, was discovered in YouTube and then was made the lead singer of the famous American Band, Journey.  Apparently, he started singing at a very young age (long long time ago), and was a member of several bands doing the rounds of folk houses in Manila in the 70s.

From there I remember my high school days, when I would go out at night with my college cousins, and they would take me to folk houses.  And it was also that time when I learned how to play the guitar and imitate the playing style of the bands that we watched.

Alright, time for some reminiscing again... here are two songs which really remind me of those times...

{Click here to listen to Savoy Brown's "Tell Mama"}

{Click here to listen to Eagle's "I Can't Tell You Why"}

Christmas is definitely in the air.  Not only is the breeze becoming colder by the hour but there is the unusual hustle and bustle only happening during the Christmas season.

Here alone in the office, everyone is busy in preparation for the Company Christmas Party.  We have the inter-department Group Dance Contest which every employee takes very seriously.  Our department, CSA (Civil-Structural-Architectural) is the defending champion so we're quite pressured to equalize, if not, surpass last year's record.  I didn't join the Dance group this year but I'm actively participating behind the scenes.

Party, party, party.  Last Monday we held the 50% Milestone slash Christmas Party for our Project.  This included all departments working on Saudi Kayan Project.  It was really a blast and I would say that this was one of the best parties I've ever attended.  There was an inter-department singing contest where my friend Khristine won second prize.  Yeah, the first prize winner from Piping Dept was good, but production wise, I think ours was the best!  Click here for the video.  Khristine not only sang but danced with 2 sexy back-up dancers, Armie May and Julie.  It really stirred some heat at Palms Country Club, heh-heh.  Right after the singing contest was dancing time.  There was a band who played 70s - 80s songs, straight, non-stop for 1 whole hour!  Needless to say, I stayed at the dance floor the whole time, singing and dancing -- as they say, dance as if nobody's looking, hah!

Check out some of our photos...

And here are some of the songs they played...

Let's Groove
Build Me Up Buttercup
Awitin Mo
Tayo'y Magsayawan
Bongga Ka 'Day

The only disappointment was that YMCA wasn't played... darn.

Last Monday's party was actually just an appetizer.  Tomorrow, Friday, is the big day.  It will be the Company-wide Christmas Party where the Dance Contest will take place.  The party will be at Manila Hotel -- big time, huh!  So, gotta go now, I still have to help the dancers with their costumes and accessories...and all of these I'm doing while pretending to be busy working haha!

Oh, didn't I tell you we'll be having a party again next week?  This time it's the CSA Department party... 

And there's also this exchange gifts exclusively for engineers of the "Houston Scope" part of Kayan project...

And the almost everyday lunch treat...

Lloyd and Petz' birthday celebration...

Ex-DCCD Employees Christmas Party/Reunion...

Now when do I rest???

Today i'm posting another hard to find OPM (Original Pilipino Music).  When I heard it (i found it at the net), i got so excited coz i haven't heard it in a loooong time... good thing i was able to download the song, yay!

Listen to:  Bistado na Kita by The Boyfriends

here's the latest 70s music i got from youtube.

here are my 'rare' finds over the net:

Morning Girl by Lettermen     Click here for Lyrics

I Go Crazy     Click here for Lyrics

Tears and Souvenirs by Stylistics

and then here are links to some videos from youtube:

++ Girl, You're Always on My Mind

++ Jennifer

++ Never Let Her Go

++ If I Could Reach You

++ I Didn't Mean To Love You

i get a lot of forwarded emails every now and then, but the one i got last week kind of hit some nerves.  it was a powerpoint file showcasing the circa 70s.  you see, i was not really fond of those years mainly because they remind me of my childhood which i didn't really enjoy.  i grew up in an apartment in manila with my grandma, and she was so strict i wasn't allowed to go out of the house to play.  heck, i didn't even know the names of the kids living next door.  but don't get me wrong, i truly love my grandma, who's now resting in peace.  anyway, my only source of entertainment at that time was the television and listening to the neighboring restaurant's jukebox (i could hear the music playing all the way to my room!) blaring all kinds of music from morning 'til about midnight.  yes, all kinds of music from folk to rock to pop, you name it.  these must be the reasons why years later, whenever i hear a 70s song, it made me cringe.

but time heals wounds, still, as the song goes.  just lately, and reinforced by the email sent to me, i am beginning to love the music of the 70s.  i realized how beautiful the lyrics are and the melodies are so heartfelt.  i bombarded the net last night and found some pretty memorable 70s songs, mostly in youtube.  i couldn't find mp3s, but i'll keep on looking. 

meanwhile here are some interesting 70s photos.  check out the fashion, hairstyle and the komiks!