The Color of My Love

IN April of this year, I wrote about the departed American singer Warren Wiebe after having found out he sung Sadao Watanabe’s song, “Old Photograph”. I titled that blog entry “The Man Behind the Old Photograph” and felt it was a personal achievement to have finally unveiled the owner of the exemplary voice behind that beautiful song.

Four months later, I was having dinner at home when a song my father played in his computer made me halt. It’s a song I’ve loved since the 90s but its title I never came around to know. I asked my papa the name of the artist singing and he said it’s Warren Wiebe. Then I asked him the title of the song and he responded, “Paint the Color of My Love.” Papa said Warren had actually worked with David Foster and other famous personalities in America’s mainstream music. Sadly, he was never given the recognition that’s due him.

I told papa “Paint the Color of My Love” was originally sung by a woman and if I’m not mistaken it was Tamia. After an in-depth research on the said song, I realized Tamia was never in the picture. It was Warren Wiebe who first did “Paint the Color of My Love” then David Foster asked Celine Dion to perform the song also but by this time, they had shorten the song’s title to “The Colour of My Love”.

“Paint the Colour of My Love” is a song about the infinity of love and the lyrics make it a perfect wedding song. Had I known the title of this song way back, it could’ve been my wedding song.

Below are Celine and Warren’s versions of the song, respectively.

Paint the Colour of My Love

I’ll paint my mood in shades of blue
Paint my soul to be with you
I’ll sketch your lips in shaded tones
Draw your mouth to my own

I’ll draw your arms around my waist
Then all doubt I shall erase
I’ll paint the rain that softly lands on your wind-blown hair

I’ll trace a hand to wipe out your tears
A look to calm your fears
A silhouette of dark and light
While we hold each other oh so tight

I’ll paint a sun to warm your heart
Swearing that we’ll never part
That’s the colour of my love

I’ll paint the truth Show how I feel
Try to make you completely real
I’ll use a brush so light and fine
To draw you close and make you mine

I’ll paint a sun to warm your heart
Swearing that we’ll never ever part
That’s the colour of my love
I’ll draw the years all passing by
So much to learn so much to try

And with this ring our lives will start
Swearing that we’ll never part
I offer what you cannot buy
Devoted love until we die

Turn RH to Law

My visit to Hoshi’s blog earlier led me to this and I felt it’s necessary I pass it on to you.

The struggle for the passage of the Reproductive Bill (RH) in Congress rages on. The Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) through our org, the Democratic Socialist Women of the Phils. (DSWP) initiated an online petition that we request you to support by attaching your signature. Please go to http://www.PetitionOnline.com/rhan2008/petition.html to do this.

We hope to gather ONE MILLION SIGNATURES to show our legislators that there is a wide support base for the bill’s passage despite what the opposition says. We will present the signatures both to the House of Representatives (HOR) and Senate within September as we are waiting for the schedule of plenary deliberations in the HOR and the release of the Senate Committee on Health’s report.

Please support the petition. It will not take more than 5 minutes of your time. More than 10 women die daily due to pregnancy and childbirth-related causes. The big bulk of those who die are poor women at the prime of their lives. This is simply unacceptable and must be stopped. Congress has the power to do this.

Let’s spread the word and save lives.

Who’s vain?

Pelicarol tagged me to write something about makeup essentials. Since this sweet couple have always been game in doing tags, it would be silly of me not to do this. I just don’t know where to start because I know absolutely nothing about makeup. I used to write makeover articles some nine years ago when I was still working for a mainstream newspaper. But that was not by choice. I had an editor to obey, you see.

Among my many tasks at the time was to take a plain-Jane to Paradigm Salon’s hair and makeup expert Obet Federizo (I’m not sure if he’s still affiliated with Paradigm since I’ve not seen him for a decade) every week. I remember Obet never failed to turn simple faces into head turners. Every week, I would interview him while he did the makeup of a model. I’d ask information about each makeup item he applies on her but after every session, I forget everything he told me.

I know that what your heart refuses your mind can never absorb. I just can’t stand makeup. It feels sticky and itchy. As a matter of fact I’ve only been made up seven times in my 31 years. I felt the makeup brush on my skin for the first time in high school just a few hours before prom night. The next occasion that required me to wear makeup was a performance at the Malacañanang Palace with the rest of our college choir. The third, fourth and fifth times were for three weddings where I was a bridesmaid. Ahh, the sixth time I was made up was for my best friend’s wedding where I stood as her maid of honor. Then the seventh time I was made up was for my own wedding and this is the only time I smiled in front of the mirror while paint was being applied on my face.

There’s nothing unusual or pretty about my face. It’s just plain, bare. I doubt if anybody notices the raspberry lip balm I’m wearing. Aside from my lip balm, I nourish my skin daily with VCO.

VCO bar

I’m now passing this tag to Hoshi, Avi, Lenski, Dhangski, Brainteaser, Vhincent (Jen can answer :=)), and Lambing

Life and Love

BEFORE the National Friendship Week (which, I was told, runs from Aug. 17 to 23 in the USA) ends tomorrow, I want to post some inspiring words which my cousin, Janjan Rafael, e-mailed me a few minutes ago.

My inbox frequently receives phrases and inspirational stories echoed countless times but the following has a different impact on me. Perhaps, my firsthand experience of them is what makes me feel this way.

I’ve learned….
That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned….
That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned….
That just one person saying to me, “You’ve made my day!” makes my day.

I’ve learned….
That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I’ve learned….
That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned….
That you should never say “no” to a gift from a child.

I’ve learned….
That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve learned….
That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned….
That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to
understand.

I’ve learned….
That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I’ve learned….
That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned….
That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned….
That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve learned….
That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I’ve learned…
That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned….
That the Lord didn’t do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I’ve learned….
That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I’ve learned….
That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned….
That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned….
That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself
with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned….
That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned….
That there’s nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

I’ve learned….
That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve learned….
That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned….
That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned….
That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I’ve learned….
That I wish I could have told my grandfather that I love him one more
time before he passed away.

I’ve learned….
That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned….
That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned….
That I can’t choose how I feel, but I can choose what to do about it.

I’ve learned….
That when your newly born child holds your little finger in his little fist, you’re hooked for life.

I’ve learned….
That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

I’ve learned …
That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is
requested and when it is a life threatening situation.

I’ve learned….
That the less time I have to work on one task, the more things I get done.

Happy Friendship Week to all of you I call friends:)

My Manga Face

MY husband’s fascination for anime characters has somehow rubbed off on me so I occasionally find myself admiring the handsome and pretty images in either an anime program or PS game. I have always wondered why Japanese artists would draw big round eyes for their anime characters when in reality, theirs is just as small as the slit on a piggy bank. I don’t discount the fact though that they always manage to come up with beautiful illustrations.

So when I came across the blog of ihavebeenherkind via wpp, I got so excited when I saw an entry titled “Face Your Manga” which tells about a site that enables you to come up with a Manga character version of your face.

Here’s my Manga face…

Cool eh?

Would you like to see your face in Manga, too? Press this then:)

The Pin-Up Girls’ wave of success

I’VE been very irresponsible last Saturday, shame on me! On the way to my Saturday job on 103.5 Max FM’s Tunog Kalye (TK), I didn’t bother to know what’s in store for the band called The Pin-Up Girls. All I had in mind was that they are Francis M’s replacement on TK since the latter is currently in the hospital and we all know why.

Upon getting to the station, I browsed through the pages of a newspaper while I waited for the band’s arrival. First member of the group who got in was Ryan Nachura. He plays the guitar. I asked him if it’s alright I sat down with him so I could ask a few questions about his band. He said yes so I started interviewing him. In the middle of our Q&A, The Pin-Up Girls’ vocalist Mondo Castro appeared in the doorway and after the introduction I asked him to join the interview.

I learned that they have been around since 1998 so all the more did I feel embarrassed realizing I haven’t been doing my homework. Honestly, I’ve not heard nor seen the band perform prior to their guest stint on TK so most of my questions are what a reporter would normally ask a newbie in the music industry. That, however, shouldn’t have been the case had I prepared for this interview. It’s a good thing none among Ryan, Mondo and Jeng Tan (who’s on bass and vocals) has the star complex in spite of the fact that their album entitled “All Seats Are Taken” is getting good reviews in America.

The tracks in their album are being played over Seattle’s radio station KAOS FM and New Jersey’s flashbackalternatives.com. It got played once in a British station called BBC as well.

Like Zavanna (which I’m still raving about), The Pin-Up Girls serve as fresh air in the current band scene wherein, as I said before, everybody sounds alike. It’s nice to hear something new once in a while. The Pin-Up Girls’ music is inspired by 90s British pop rock so it gives you an idea of why they sound different.

Among the songs they performed last Saturday, my favorites are “The Five-Minute Hallway” and “Love X Ten”. At present, the band remain to be independent because they refuse to compromise their music.

According to Mondo, “We were trying to get signed up to a record label pero ang dami nilang requirements. Medyo sad din kasi you’re not recognized here but we don’t want to compromise. We’re not being snobbish, we just want to stay true to who we are. We recorded the songs that we like because at the end of the day, we want to like ourselves.”

Here are music videos of their songs, “All Seats Are Taken”, which was directed by Mondo himself, and “The Five-Minute Hallway”.

Erotic post

WHAT can I do? I was tagged by Lambing and GMACOMICS so I’m left with no choice but to do this. Thanks Lambing and GMAC:) I thought this is going to be easy for me since I’m married anyway. Let’s see how my imagination works.

Rules:

Create a short erotica of not more than 200 words, with the following words that can only be used once in the story:

1. sleepover – nakitulog
2. whip – latigo
3. handcuffs – posas
4. leather – katad
5. sexy – seksi
6. threesome – tatluhan
7. hairy – mabuhok
8. shotgun – shotgun

9. squeeze – pisil

10. explosion – pagsabog

It’s 11:30 in the evening and there’s a sleepover in Diana’s apartment. After securing the lock on the main door, Diana and her friends Trish, Anna and the latter’s boyfriend, Paeng, go to the kitchen to whip up some strawberries and cream for their midnight snack.

This is a yummy dessert says Paeng as he pulls out a pair of handcuffs from the left pocket of his leather jacket. The guy’s a cop by profession and Anna says she feels sexy whenever he’s around her but tonight she prefers to spend quality time with her girlfriends. So, Anna leaves Paeng in the living room and joins Diana and Trish in the bedroom. The threesome chat for hours unmindful of daybreak and had Lala, Diana’s hairy spitz, not joined them in bed they wouldn’t have stopped exchanging stories.

“Let’s get some sleep,” Diana suggests and just when they were about to do so, someone on the street fires a shotgun! The girls squeeze each other’s hand and slowly walk towards the window to see what or who caused the explosion.

Yehey!!! I’m done!!!

Now, I’m tagging Hoshi, Avi, Lenski, Brainteaser, Kengkay, and Raft3r

Thank you, Ninoy!

IT’S a holiday! Although I don’t remember when and why Ninoy Aquino was proclaimed a hero, I’m thankful to the guy because I get to spend time with my family today. I only have to spend a few hours in the office to wrap up the pages of Pinoy Gazette’s showbiz and lifestyle sections. After that, I’m through and free to do whatever I want.

I also noticed that Mr. Aquino’s death anniversary kept a lot of motorists inside their homes so traveling is easy and the streets get to breathe for once.

Honestly, I’m not the kind who excitedly reports for work on a holiday since I’d rather spend it elsewhere with my family. But today, I was left with no choice. I left our home this morning with a heavy heart. I promised Sonnet I’ll be home before sunset and she just smiled. My Switee, on the other hand, has to go to office also because he works for a company whose clients are US-based so what’s it to them if it’s a holiday here? Jon promised me though that he’ll be home early, too.

It’s been a tough week so a day of relaxation means so much to me. Thank you, Ninoy!

Arte y Pico Awards

I’M still in euphoria as I write this. I couldn’t help myself since I just received the Arte y Pico, my first award from the blog community. It was Chizmosa Lounge who handed me this award and I don’t know how to thank that sight which is nonetheless the No. 1 showbiz authority in the blogosphere (move over Ricky Lo, we’re talking blog here not TV or newspaper).

I want to share this award to my angelic Sonnet, my extremely handsome Johnson, my family, and friends who’ve contributed to the realization of my blog. By the way, I want to thank my one and only sponsor, Virgin Coconut Oil. If you want to know more about it, check out Magic VCO! and Like a Virgin. Remember, only the purest will do.

I want to share my award to all of you, here it is:)

Passing this honor is very easy. Just take note of the following rules:
1) Pick 5 blogs that you would like to award this honor to.
2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

I want to congratulate the following as I pass on this prestigious award to you guys:

Hoshi

Avi

Brainteaser

Pelicarol

Lenski

Master of Rap needs blood

LAST Monday, Ms. Arlene Santos of Max FM instructed me to interview a band called Pin-Up Girls on Saturday’s Tunog Kalye because Francis Magalona, who is supposed to be the segment’s guest, can’t come. Of course, I expressed my frustration because I was looking forward to interviewing the Master of Rap. I’m a fan! But Arlene told me Francis M is sick.

All the while, I thought he’s only suffering from cough or colds since the weather hasn’t really been kind to us these days. But I got the surprise of my life yesterday from an online magazine article which stated Francis M had been diagnosed with leukemia! According to the article he is currently at The Medical City in Ortigas, Pasig City and the hospital is asking for blood donors in hopes of saving the musician’s life.

Fortunately, the latest report is that a blood transfusion had been conducted on Francis already but the hospital continues to accept blood donors to replace its blood bank. His wife, Pia, also informed the press that the doctor said Francis is still treatable.

I’m hoping for Francis M’s speedy recovery because his talent is rare. No one could ever forget how he took the country by storm in the 90s via his hit songs “Mga Kababayan,” “Meron Akong Ano,” “Cold Summer Nights,” “Kaleidoscope World,” and more. He performs not primarily for fame but to make people aware of what’s happening in the country and the world.

Upon seeing his interview with international hip hop artist Wyclef Jean sometime June of this year, I felt really proud. The Master of Rap has to live longer for he has yet to fill up that space reserved only for him in the international scene.