I couldn't see when it was you and me...

I'm a fan of Hey Monday. There's just something so adorable about how raw Cassadee Pope sings. I know a lot of people find her annoying but I just love how delicate she sounds... You can feel her vulnerability in every word.

"Candles" is my favorite track since Hey Monday released the album "Hold on Tight" in 2008. Three years later, they finally released the song. Now, I just heard that Glee made a version of the song for Kurt and Darren Criss (dunno the character name). Anyway, I just want to post the original version before it becomes the new gay theme song. lol. :p

I personally prefer this acoustic version...


...over the full version.


Glee's version can be found here.

I'm taking my stand, I'm risking it all.

I really had a blast watching Tangled! Apart from the lovable chameleon Pascal and the horse-cum-dog Maximus, the movie had a lot of funny scenes. Others may remember the movie because of Rapunzel and Flynn's love story but what struck me the most was the tavern scene with the thugs and hooligans. In the scene, the characters were saying that though we are thugs, we have dreams too.

It got me thinking, what is my dream?

I thought about it for a while and I couldn't give a direct answer. I thought about my current work and I simply can't imagine myself staying in this field. Though I love research, I'm not particularly keen to business research. I do love doing research on ICTs and culture - something that I would want to pursue in the future.

Then I tried to recall the things that I've done that fired up my passion. Once, I dreamed to become a musician. Hello. Itigil ang ilusyon. Hahaha.

Three years ago, I did a couple of stints directing videos. I've made a couple of AVPs for YFC events in my community. I've also done a short film and a music video. The short film was a finalist for a filmfest in PWU while the music vid won best song for a Sulong CARHRIHL.

I would have wanted to hone the craft but I grew apart with my production team. But I do miss creating films. But the question is, should I pursue it?

Again, thanks to Purebliss for letting me create a video for Pilipinas. Thanks to all my friends/actors (naks!). And thanks to my production team. I love you guys. I miss our college shenanigans! Let's bring the old crew back together!

Here's the music vid that I directed:

Purebliss - Pilipinas from christian cangao on Vimeo.

Pilipinas
by Purebliss

When they all seem to stumble, am I alone?
United and divided standing we fall.
I'm taking my stand, I'm risking it all.

The hourglass has too small a hole
maybe I should just quit.
I'm drowsy debating with a wall.
I'm breaking out, I wanna fall.

I cannot hear you, I can't comprehend.
Back-off I am bent.
I'm taking my stand, I'm risking it all.

To see you, I hope is the end.
I'm all about lament.

Purebliss:
Ching Custodio - vocals
Juno Santos - rhythm guitar
Efren Peria - lead guitar
Coco Martinez/Darwin Talay - bass guitar
Benjo Ricarte - drums
Joseph Roble - kudyapi

Talents:
Sarah Salazar
Joshua Torres
Ian Manigbas

Crew:
Hiyas Luis
Rose Caraan
Roel Cruz
Karen Janiya
Kaye Pascual
Daryl Santos
Cyrus Fernandez
Anna Sabularse

My dream world is out-of-date

I had the weirdest dream last night. (when you come to think of it, almost all of my dreams are weird.) Oddly enough, I had the exact dream a few years ago.

I was in a club. The song "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston kept on playing....

....but with different lyrics.


My dream version went like this....

You way too stink for a girl.
You've never really had a bath.
Here's soap that's
germicidal,
germicidal....
(i can't remember the rest)

I was really laughing when I woke up.

Weird. and corny.

I miss the dance...

...the short but witty messages and the waiting in between.
...the subtle suggestions that would lead to spontaneous decisions.
...the lurch in the stomach before the furtive meet-ups.
...the exchange of glances in spite of proximity.
...the quasi-bargaining that always leads to a mutual decision.
...the bittersweet goodbyes.

Look on the brightside

I'm going through a very rough patch.

I may seem jolly at the surface but I've been carrying burden after burden.

Work has become exceptionally frustrating. I'm broke. I miss my family though they are disappointed with me. I am foolish enough to get my heart broken again. But the worst is that I'm being haunted by a long-forgotten memory.

When everything seems to be going wrong, you can sometimes see a glimmer of hope from the most unusual sources.

My sister is a big fan of international indie bands. She got really excited that We The Kings, The Maine and Never Shout Never are coming to Manila on February. Of the three, I'm not familiar with the music of Never Shout Never. So I searched for their music in Youtube. It turns out that Never Shout Never is a solo act. Af first, I found him intensely annoying. The songs are cheesy as hell and his voice sounds very whiny.

As I rummaged through his videos, I came across this gem -

I was really struck by this part of the song:

I'm only as tall as my heart will let me be
And I'm only as small as the world will make me seem
When the going gets rough and I feel like I may fall
I'll look on the brightside - I'm roughly six feet tall.


Yes, unfortunate incidents have occurred. But it was up to me to wallow in self-pity or learn from my mistakes. I've been too absorbed with the negativity that I've neglected all the beautiful things that has happened to me this year.

Indeed, 2010 is such an amazingly crazy and wonderful year for me. Had my first real job in LB. I was asked to present my study in two international conferences. I was published in a Philippine Star. I fell in love. I met so many beautiful people. I fell out of love (a lot). Finally got a job in Makati. Moved to my own place in the city. Had the first taste of the worldly pleasure. Regularly having the fine taste of the worldly pleasure. Haha. Found a family in my new-found friends. Slowly shedding my fear of rejection. Finally starting to love myself.

Yes. Unfortunate events have happened. But they are part of what makes life beautiful. Without hurt, we will not revel in joy. Without pain, we will never fully appreciate pleasure. Without heartache, we will never treasure love. Acknowledge the hurt but embrace catharsis. Forgive but not forget. Truly let go.

Stop carrying the burdens of life on your back. Only then will you discover thatyou are indeed 6 feet tall. =D