Original Demo: Kundiman

My first attempt at an original song in the native tongue of my motherland, the Philippines. I thought it appropriate to write a simple kundiman.
             
KUNDIMAN is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The lyrics of the Kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals. Kundiman was the traditional means of serenade in the Philippines. (source: Wikipedia)






KUNDIMAN / Ikaw Lamang
       
Ikaw lamang
Ikaw lang ang may kaalaman 
Ng tunay na
Dahilan kung b’at narito ako,
Narito ako
Nakaharap sa ‘yo.
   
Ikaw lamang
Ikaw lamang may karapatang
Hawakan ang
Aking puso at maramdaman,
maramdaman
Ang nararamdaman ko
        
Minsan, pag tayo’y magkasama
Hindi ako makahinga
Dahil alam ko ang iniisip mo
Nababasa sa iyong mata
      
Ikaw lamang
Ikaw lang ang may kaalaman
Ng tunay na
Dahilan kung b’at narito ako.
Narito ako
Nagmamahal sa ‘yo.
          
Minsan pag tayo’y magkasama
Hindi ako makahinga
Dahil di ko makapaniwala
Na minamahal mo rin ako
      
Ikaw lamang
Ikaw lang, aking inaasam,    
Sa ‘yo lamang
Ako’y susulat ng kundiman
Isang kundiman
Para lamang sa yo.
    
Lyrics and vocal arrangement: Cara Manglapus
Melody: Francis Manglapus

Original Demo: Song For Peace

*** Listen with earphones for better quality ***

Is It Possible

Is it possible,

After you’ve slapped your neighbor,

To offer him your hand?

Is it possible,

After you’ve knocked him down,

To pull him back to stand?

        

Is it possible,

After you’ve slapped your neighbor,

His hurt you may regret

Or you may have knocked him down so hard

His own Good he may forget;

You can cure his body

Change his mind or stir it,

But what are we to do about his spirit?

Is it possible

To stop and understand

Instead of striking high?

There is really nothing much left for us to do

But try  

But try

(blues guitar solo)

You can cure his body

Change his mind or stir it,

But what are we to do about his spirit?

Is it possible

To start to understand

And ask your neighbor why

There is really nothing much left for us to do

But try

But try

Is it possible? 

Original Composition by Francis Manglapus

Vocal Arrangement by Cara Manglapus

Lyrics rewritten by Cara Manglapus as inspired by Raul Manglapus's original play "Yanky Panky'

Influence & Inspiration 9: Decide.

It isn't cool to complain.

taken from internet, unknown source

Home Movies 1: Summer Lovin'

Those of you who've checked out my humble blog once or twice before may have noticed that my posts are broken down into categories, i.e. Short Stories, Influence & Inspiration, and Travel Tidbits. Introducing a new series on my blog labeled "Home Movies," a little window into the possibly less exciting but equally enriching and certainly entertaining facet of my life. 

Exhibit A: singing along to Grease's Summer Lovin' with some old friends, Macy Yap and Marco Lobregat. 

Sometimes you have to let loose, be silly, and sing along. 

Influence & Inspiration 8: My Tribute to Etta James

I had the great pleasure of paying tribute to one of the most influential and legendary female artists of all time, the late Etta James, with this humble rendition of her timeless song "At Last."

In this video, I am accompanied by The Executives Big Band, as performed at the opening of the Citi-Rustans French Film Festival at Shangri-La Plaza on June 7, 2012.

*** Thanks to tita GR Rodis for the photos!

Travel Tidbits 5: Malaysian Photoset

I had the opportunity to squeeze in a day of touring the city of Kuala Lumpur while on a business trip to Malaysia earlier this month. I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised with what the city had to offer!

Putrajaya Mosque

With Katrina, snapping a shot by a government office

Visiting Beryl's Chocolate Factory - Can you spot the NOT?

Visiting a batik center, all hand painted artwork

The royal thrones of the King and Queen

Jumping for joy outside the old royal palace

Making friends with local students

Jumping... again!

I think it's safe to say, I need a tan...

Making a connection

This fellow just landed on my head!

Angry Birds? A very heavy hornbill and a hootin' owl

Strolling the streets of Kuala Lumpur

Another government building... and more jumping!

At the 500-year-old Batu caves

Climbing over 200 steps to see the temple inside

"Cara the Explorer"

The Petronas Towers

Evidently, I like "jumping pictures."

***Thanks to Katrina Bantug and Dennis Rejoy for the photos.

You only need a little to accomplish a lot.

My parents never gave me too much of what I didn't need.

I wore the same two pairs of jeans to school every other day, the same pair of sneakers,

carried the same book bag.

If I wanted to do something "fun" with my friends, I had to earn it. I have to save the modest allowance I was given for food.

When I got my first job 4 months after receiving my diploma, I was over the moon.

I haven’t asked my parents for a single Peso, since.

It feels awesome.

Thanks, mom and dad,
for putting me through school,

for your kindness and generosity,

for allowing me a sense of self worth.

Thanks, mom and dad,

for always giving me enough to do something,

but never enough to do nothing.

With the joy of every earned Peso,

you have given me the world.

(photo credit: Dennis Rejoy)