Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat

Lady Gaga & Joseph Gordon Levitt - Baby It's Cold Outside

Stephen Bishop - On and On

Didith Reyes - Bakit Ako Mahihiya?

Bakit ako mahihiya? 

Kung ang puso'y sumisinta? 

Dapat ko bang ikahiya. 

Kung iibigin ko, ikaw, sinta?

Arctic Moneys - Do I Wanna Know?

Daft Punk - Get Lucky

Ja'net Dubois - Movin' On Up

Vienna Teng - Ain't No Sunshine / Lose Yourself

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away

Domenico Modugno - Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)

e volavo volavo felice più in alto del sole 
ed ancora più sù, 
mentre il mondo pian piano spariva laggiù, 
una musica dolce suonava 
soltanto per me.

Lorde - 400 Lux

Ella Fitzgerald - The Very Thought You

Celine Dion - I Love You

Lorde - Tennis Court

Because I'm doing this for the thrill of it, killin' it
Never not chasing a million things I want
And I am only as young as the minute is full of it
Getting pumped up from the little bright things I bought
But I know they'll never own me

Ylvis - The Cabin

Leah McFall - I'd Rather Go Blind

Ukulele Underground Philippines - Bahay Kubo

It's that time of the year again- all day all night jamming on campus! Yes, it's Magdamagang Pukpukan, and yes, we did a 24 hour marathon because it's our 24th anniversary: 7am Friday until 7am Saturday, and I was present for 19 of the 24 hours!

Crazy right? I've been saying that since our 22nd anniversary but as you can see, crazy doesn't mean impossible. And though I've been consistently against (albeit passively) this incredibly stressful and tiring event, I admit, I've enjoyed it immensely, especially this year! Well maybe because I took a backseat and didn't involve myself much in the organization of this year's MP. Ah, the joys of being an audience member.

I totally fangirled all afternoon during the lecture series (I even have the fangirl photos to prove it!) Joey Ayala was incredibly fun to listen to as always. Eudenice Palaruan made me want to join a choir again, but only under his direction! Heber Bartolome and his band are much too awesome (note to self: learn guitar, attend his songwriting workshops) and last but most definitely not least, and probably the highlight of my day: OMG. JESS SANTIAGO REMEMBERS ME! 

These one sentence summaries do not properly reflect all the feels I had that afternoon; I will have to devote an entirely different journal entry for this or else I'll just go on and on and that part was just 6 of the 24 hours!

The evening was allotted for our guest performers:

The Concert Chorus (and Prof. Jai Aracama's powerful solo!)
Katribu Kolektib
UP Filipiniana,
Margaret of Polecats Manila,
PUP Banda Kawayan,
UP Dance Sport Society, (total win on gender-bender partners! absolutely loved it!)
Fire Flow Artist Resty Yalung,
Kaya Green Band,
SulatKamay,
The UP Repertory Company,
Ciudad Tribu,
Malate Literary Folio,
Ukulele Underground Philippines,
Bunga Arts Link  (documentation purposes, pagbigyan mo na. HAHA)

One of my favorite performances of the night was Ukulele Underground Philippines (UUP)'s interesting version of Bahay Kubo. Without looking at the video description, can you guess the mash-up tune? ;D

Carly Rose Sonenclar - Brokenhearted

Upon hearing "Feeling Good" on my playlist, I suddenly remembered little miss Carly Rose's auditon for X-Factor USA. I only saw that performance on Youtube, and I can still remember how absolutely floored I was with what I heard the second she opened her mouth. I start to wonder, hmm, whatever happened to her? Late in game, I know.

One Google search later, I found out she went pretty far in the competition; dude 1st runner-up! A bajillion Youtube searches later led me from one performance to another and she's always so consistently good! Damn, if only I could have her sense of musicality at that age, and her tooone!

This here particular performance of hers is a easy favorite for me. (it even tops her audition piece! which I so loved.) I have massive respect for singers who write their own songs, but next to that are the singers who can interpret any song into their own. It takes more than just having a new arrangement; we all know that doesn't always work.

Take this one for example. 'Brokenhearted' is a song by Karmin, whose original arrangement is incredibly upbeat and fun. I do enjoy Karmin and all, but even when I first heard it, I was a bit confused with the song. A happy song about a heartache? Bipolar much?

Then I heard THIS. Now this sounds like a broken heart!

In a daze, going crazy, I can barely think 
You're replaying in my brain, find it hard to sleep, 
Waiting for my phone to blow

Bummer the whole song wasn't aired, because I totally prefer this slow version over the original. I did find another youtuber, Michala Todd, covering the entire song in the same style: alternate here! :)

Neil Sedaka - Laughter in The Rain

It's been quite a rainy weekend for me; I thought that leaving Metro Manila for a while I could somehow escape the rain, but apparently the raincloud was bigger than I imagined. It's a full blown storm! I know it's typhoon season and all, but there was just one last week, albeit a quick one, so I didn't really expect another one to come so soon.

Despite the less-than-idyllic weather, I still enjoyed my time in Laguna with my siblings. I sort of regret not doing it more often in the past when both of them we're still in LB. I have yet to explore Calamba! Better late than never I guess.

Sunday morning commenced with a bike ride around the Los Baños campus, which is quite a feat since I have not properly biked in ages! (no, Netherlands didn't count. That was a pathetic attempt.) This only intensifies my desire to buy my own bike soon. *ah priorities, priorities...*

At around lunch, we start to head out back to Manila, and just when we reached Jolibee, BOOM. The clouds just gave up, and that was the last time I saw dry land. The trip itself back wasn't so bad, I passed the time telling my sister all sorts of stories I had about my recent escapade, and amazing she didn't turn deaf because of it.

The journey back to my apartment though, well that's an entirely different story. Let's just say I had quite an adventure, but something I would probably not be stupid enough to try again, er.. under the same circumstances. You have to understand that I reeeeeally don't like gloomy rainy weather. I could change my mind about it if I were in the rural provinces, but definitely not in the city. I'm probably one of those who suffer S.A.D.

*This is getting longer than expected!* Long story short, on the jeepney ride back to Philcoa, a familiar tune starts to play on the radio. I couldn't put my finger on the song, but when it got to the chorus, I was so singing along. It was a jazzy female cover of Laughter In The Rain, which definitely put a smile on my face. I'd usually hear melancholic songs associated with the rain, so this was a nice happy change and good vibe to all the gloom Maring brought in.

And it's about time I featured Neil Sedaka on this blog!   

Oo, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside

Excellent RnB cover!

If I could steal one final glance, one final step, one final dance with him
I’d play a song that would never, ever end
‘Cause I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again.

JImmy Fallon, Robin Thicke, The Roots - Blurred Lines

The first time I encountered this song was with this fun cover on the Late Show with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots. I really liked how the song goes, as it's quite fun and catchy. I proceeded to listen to the studio version on Soundcloud and it's been endlessly on repeat.

After further googling, I saw that the song is stirring up quite a controversy. I didn't really understand why until I saw the music video. I admit, I was taken aback when I first saw the uncensored video for this song. Naked women and fully clothed men: I was ready to call out bullshit, sexism and female objectification.

But as the video progressed, I got over the nakedness of these girls and I realized, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would go. They were simply walking around, and well randomly dancing and having a bit of fun. There was no humping, and hardly any touching, nor any overtly sexual dancing or gestures. They weren't even fawning over the guys like they were gods. Sometimes it even seemed like the guys didn't exist to them. The brunette was being pretty goofy actually.

Sure there were things in the MV that I objected to, though I honestly think it wasn't as horrid as people have put it out to be, yet neither did I think highly of it. But was it the most sexist and degrading thing i've ever seen? No. I felt offended by a lot worst. (Bubble Butt is horrible.) I actually had more issues with the censored version. To compensate for the not being nude anymore, the girls were seemingly trying harder to be sexy.

What I do note about this whole thing was that they definitely wanted to be talked about. I don't for one minute believe that they didn't expect so much backlash and angry comments or reviews about the naked girls. They knew they'd elicit such a reaction. So for them to argue back that they trying to 'empower' women with a music video like that is laughable. Yeah right. They should have been naked along with the girls too. But I doubt the guys would have looked half appealing. Yeah, just go hide yourselves in your suits. 

But the point is, do the music the exact same way, and it probably wouldn't have stirred up so much attention. It was the people's reaction to nakedness. It shouldn't matter whether these girls are naked or fully clothed. Being barenaked shouldn't be something degrading.

Though for others, it wasn't necessarily the music they took offense with, but the content of the song itself. To me this was a just silly song, even to the singers/writers because it's obvious that even with the lyrics they were far from serious. I never gave it much thought until it was pointed out to me that the line in the chorus sounds like what most rapists would argue back to a victim. "I know you want it." and the "blurred lines" of consent to sex. Mix those lyrics to the very visual nature of the music video, then I understood how this could strike a sensitive chord to some.

Obviously this is the unpopular opinion, and I quite understand why not many people will agree with me and that's alright. I'd never make someone else listen to this if they don't want to, nor will I try to convince anyone else that they're just being too sensitive about the song. As for me, I just genuinely like it for the fun beat, and it's a fact I can't deny. 

You wanna hug me
Hey, hey, hey
What rhymes with hug me?
Hey, hey, hey

"Habanera" - The Muppets

I am not even kidding. This one syllable is stuck in my head, I think my housemates are starting to hate me now, and I don't even blame them.

What started as a side reference comment about the accent of the Swedish Chef, led to an hour or more of random Youtube clicking of these Muppet videos. This one is by far the easiest to sing along to, don't you think? Probably clicked the play button over ten times before I decided it was annoying. Realization too late! It's now stuck in my head.

It's still hilarious though. :D

Caro Emerald - Back It Up

After a surprisingly busy and tiring day of city exploring, train chasing, performing and birthday celebrating, I thought I'd completely pass out cold on the bed when we got home. Surprisingly, Gerie, Baki and I still managed to somehow gather a bit of energy, to sit down in the living room and talk. You know I like good conversations.

This one in particular was something I'll always remember. Baki will highly likely forget it (knowing her memory, and the fact she was the first to give in to the exhaustion), and Gerie might never know it and may forget that night but I got to know her a lot more in the little things she had said. I regret not hugging her, at the time I didn't know if I should. We were both missing someone dear to us.

I asked Gerie what type of songs she liked, wanting to discover a little more of the Dutch music scene. I could tell that she could sing; you could hear it in the little melodic inflections when she greats us good morning or when she says goodbye to someone on the phone. So it wasn't surprising to find out that she sang in their local choir. They even have a CD! She gets incredibly enthusiastic about pointing out her parts in the song as was I to listen to it. I love such people! 

So this song comes on the radio. I had asked earlier that night at the de Jongs if they knew a singer named Sabrina Starke. She's pretty much the only Dutch singer I know, or at least one whose nationality I was aware of. (how I came to know her obviously began in some vain form of googling.) None of the Dutch people I mentioned her to knew of Sabrina Starke. So I'm like, oh well, she's not that famous then.

"Oh, this one. I really like this song. It's Caro Emerald."

I already half-engrossed in the song before she had mentioned it. A few google searches later, I'm surprised I haven't heard of this artist before. She's great! Thanks Gerie!

So get that needle in the core 
Scratch that back and gimme more 
You know exactly what I came here for 
Back it up and do it again

'K Zag Twee Beren Broodjes Smeren

'k Zag twee beren broodjes smeren,
O, dat was een wonder.
't Was een wonder, boven wonder,
dat die beren smeren konden.
Hi hi hi, ha ha ha!
'k Stond erbij en ik keek er naar.

Ylvis - Stonehenge

Sambasunda Quintet - Jaleuleu Ja

I might be in Norway, but my the song currently stuck in my head is Indonesian! (Probably because I can pronounce Indonesian better than Norwegian.XD)

The past few days had been spent inside a classroom creating music pieces that feature an odd combination of Norwegian, Philippine and Indonesian instruments and styles of music. The whole process of collaboration and creation has been an interesting experience to say the least; you can imagine me sitting there starting out confused: someone starts to play an instrument, then someone else starts to sing over the music, another instruments comes in, then it all adds up in the end. By the time everyone stops playing, you're left with a wide smile on your face because you know you just created something wonderful.

One such instance was when Elisabeth was singing a Norwegian lullaby, flowy and melodic, then all of a sudden the Indonesians, Rekah, Yani and Nendar, starts to softly chant the Jaleuleu Ja over her singing. I so badly want to chant with them, but obviously I couldn't understand the words. I had to learn it on the next coffe/tea break!

As they were teaching me the lyrics, I found out from Yani that the song didn't really mean anything. (except for the part where a cat got accidentally hit by a falling bamboo and it sad, "Ngek!" haha) It reminds me of a similar nonsensical Filipino song, Bagbagtu. This just proves that Southeast Asia is much too carefree, you can totally sing nonsense if you want!

Jaleuleu ja

Tulak tu ja éman - gog

Seureuh leuweung - bay

Jambé kolot - bug

Ucing katinggang songsong - Ngék!

Jaleuleu Ja, I found out, is a song from Sambasunda, a Indonesian music group that also does fusion especially on Sudanese music. It was founded by Ismet Ruchimat who I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from here in Norway. As I read up more, I felt that Sambasunda almost seems like Kontra-Gapi's Indonesian brother! 

Leah McFall - I Will Survive

Up Dharma Down - Turn It Well

The Beatles - Don't Let Me Down

Yes, this is my current LSS.
Yes, this is extremely cute and adorable to no end.
Yes, this is excellent parenting, imho.
Yes, this is what I plan to do with my own children.

:D

The Emotions - Best Of My Love

After a good hour of Igal rehearsals, Sir Matt calls it a day and leaves us to tidy up our rehearsal space. Any sort of cleaning requires a soundtrack, and I randomly clicked on this song on my files. Usually if I were alone in the house, it's more likely than not that I will have an impromptu dance party (or flailing party, as some might describe it.) Fortunately, I was with like-minded (or happy-crazy-i-don't-really-care-if-this-looks-weird) ladies, Isay and Krisna, so we just start busting a groove to the song. 

Can you blame us? Listen to it! You just don't fight the urge people. Dance every chance you get!

Doesn't take much to make me happy
And make me smile with glee
Never never will I feel discouraged
'Cause our love's no mystery

Troy Kingi - True Love

So one day, this shows up on my facebook newsfeed.

This was from Michael, a Maori from New Zealand who I had the pleasure of meeting in Shanghai during the Expo back in 2010. Based on his previous posts and musical choices, I knew that anything that he would share, I would most probably enjoy.

What got me even more interested in clicking that play button is that the singer is also from New Zealand and also a Maori! And I'd have to admit, what I heard from him was not what I expected, but boy was I happy to be surprised by smooth smooth vocals; the original song just as excellent!

I hear he's an actor too. Now where can I find Mt. Zion?

 

Find yourself a love 

to hug, kiss and caress 

someone to die for 

without a second thought 

It's gonna take awhile 

but don't you take too long 

it's gonna over before you know

Lumineers - Untitled (Fallin')

Bea came by our house today, she and Isay were trying to convince me to go and have dinner with them in Matalino but I already bought rice for myself and have firmly decided to eat that canned tuna I've had in stock for so long. (also an attempt to offset the expenses of my incredibly impulsive Friday). I'm not exactly sure how our conversation went from that to look-alikes, but it prompted her to show us a video of a street performance by the Lumineers.

Bea thinks the girl looks a lot like Arya Stark, and I agree, she does. But what stuck with me more was her wonderful voice, coupled with a pretty sweet and simple song. 

chords and lyrics here. <3>

Sara Bareilles - Brave

Nicole Cross - Stay

I threw my hands in the air, said, "Show me something,"
He said, "If you dare come a little closer."

Casey Abrams - I Saw Here Standing There (Beatles Cover)

Adele-Daft Punk Mashup - Something About The Fire

Emeli Sandé - Clown

Melanie Martinez - Seven Nation Army

Stooshe - See Me Like This