Saturday, March 22, 2008

Young Manhood by the Wild Swans

22 March 2008
Saturday

Another one of my faves from the Wild Swans. Take note that Paul Simpson was both the vocals of the Wild Swans and The Care.


Bringing Home the Ashes by The Wild Swans

22 March 2008
Saturday

One of my fave bands and songs! Goodness, I remember those days of 102.7XB.





Whatever Possessed You by The Care

22 March 2008
Saturday

You just got to love the intro and guitars... damn. It feels like highschool all over again.





80's Music: A Toast to the Blokes from Liverpool

22 March 2008
Saturday

No, I'm not referring to the most famous Fab Four. After all, they are more of the 60's and 70's.

I'm talking about the laddies from the old English county of Merseyside, particularly those from the '80's. There is something about Liverpool that produces a significant number of great musicians during the New Romantics era, more popularly known in the Philippines as New Wave. I suppose coming from an area noted for its poets and great poetry, I guess you can say that these artists are a step ahead of the others. Too bad I can't say the same of today's pop culture and stupid rap music --- I have yet to appreciate that kind of noise.

What comes to mind are the following bands:

1. The Wild Swans
2. The Care (not the Cure)
3. China Crisis
4. Echo and the Bunnymen
5. Flock of Seagulls
6. Icicle Works
7. Lightning Seeds
8. Lotus Eaters
9. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)
10. The Pale Fountains

Take a ride with me down memory lane for those of you who are children of the '80's as I post later some of my favorite songs from a number of my fave bands.

Voltes V (the theme song)



22 March 2008
Saturday

Okay, since I already posted the end song of this all-time favorite anime of mine, I might as well post the theme song.

The Japanese version:

        Tatoe arashi ga hukou tomo
Tatoe oonami areru tomo
Kogidasou tatakai no umi he
Tobikomou tatakai no uzu he
Mitsumeau hitomi to hitomi
Nukumori wo shinjiau
Go nin no nakama

BORUTESU FAIBU ni
subete wo kakete
Yaruzo chikara no tsukiru made
Chikyuu no yoake ha
mou chikai

Tatoe ikazuchi hurou tomo
Tatoe daichi ga yureru tomo
Tobidasou tatakai no sora he
Mamorou yo tatakai no niwa wo

Nigiri au tagai no te to te
Magokoro wo shinjiau
Go nin no nakama

BORUTESU FAIBU ni
inochi wo kakete
Yuku zo shouri wo tsukamu made
Uchuu no yoake ha
mou chikai

Tatoe kemono ga hoeru tomo
Tatoe yukute wo husagu tomo
Utaou yo tatakai no uta wo
Katarou yo tatakai no michi wo

Ashinami wo soroete yukou
Otagai wo shinjiau
Go nin no nakama

BORUTESU FAIBU ni
Azuketa inochi
Tobu ze uchuu no hate made mo
Minna no egao mo
mou chikai

Here's the English version (as heard in Philippine TV):

       Someday the sons of light shall
fill all the earth
The morning of justice shall have
come to its birth
So we'll all wave our banners
high and free through the air
For the love and glory
we then all shall share

Soldiers boldly unite to fight
and fight for peace
Hand in hand like eagles
through the breeze
Over lands and over seas

Voltes V we come to you
Flashing through with wings of steel
Fates of foes are what we seal
With swords of laser light
And over lands and over seas
Onwards victory / Voltes V!



Voltes V (the end song, "Looking for Father")



22 March 2008
Saturday

This cartoon brings back old memories so close to my heart. The song's message, even the context involving three brothers and their father smacks straight at home.

Here are the lyrics both in Japanese and English:

Chichi wo motomete (Looking for Father)

Oya ni hagureta
hinadori mo
Itsuka wa yasashii
hutokoro ni
Kaeru ashita mo aru darou
Danoni naze meguri aenu
chichi no kage

Naku mono ka
Boku wa otoko da
Shinjiteru shinjiteru
Sono hi no koto wo
Kono te de chichi wo
Daki shimeru hi no koto wo

English translation:

Even a chick that got lost
from its parents
has a tomorrow
to return someday
to the tender breast again
But why couldn't I find
my father's figure?

I won't cry
I'm a man
I believe, I believe
in the day
I will hold
my father in my arms.



Back in 1979, there were only three of us (ages 9, 8, and 3). I was Steve, Jing would be Big Bert, and Jay would be Little Jon. Our youngest, Jojo, wasn't born yet at that time. Dad has been away for a very long time, and yes, he was in Japan for both work and further studies in the field of Geothermal Energy.

Anyway, every time I watch and listen to this song, I can't help but quietly shed a tear, reminiscing of those times when we missed Dad really bad and wished he was home soon. When he finally arrived he gave us one of the best "material" presents we ever got --- an original die-cast complete set of Voltes V.


Sunday, March 16, 2008

A Little Retrospect... think Fashion...

16 March 2008
Sunday

...the '80's...

... the Decade that Taste Forgot!

And to think that I thought that my taste in fashion back then was cool. HAHAHAHAHA!!!

However, be that as it may, the 80's music is definitely one of the best there is... bar none? Maybe the 60's people would beg to differ.

And yeah, though off topic, I had to heave a huge sigh of relief that Pacquiao won today. It could have ended both ways since Marquez had a real good fight despite the third round knockdown.

Friday, March 7, 2008

38 Years of Meaningful Partnership.

7 March 2008
Friday

Dearest Dad and Mom...

Happy 38th Wedding Anniversary!!!

Love you.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

A Looooong Weekend in Singapore

2 March 2008
Sunday

Nope, it definitely wasn't a holiday. I surely wished it was since I badly needed one. At any rate, I think that the trip was okay.


Saturday, Feb 23
Arrived in the afternoon from Manila. Stayed at Fairmont Hotel.











Went to the Night Safari in the evening.

  • Tram ride was a good experience. One of them damn deer got run over after that mini stampede. Good thing it turned out still alive and manage to still run away.
  • Dinner at Ulu Ulu Restaurant was sumptuous! As usual, I gorged on Japanese food although I had a few Chicken Tandoori... yummy. For dessert, I splurged on ice cream.
  • My tummy felt funny. Good thing we arrived on time at the hotel before my innards gave way. HAHAHAHAHA!!!
Sunday, Feb 24
Mass at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
.
Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe

  • Food was okay but service was slow.
Visited the Science Center

Monday, Feb 25
Attended a talk and walkthrough at SMU (Singapore Management University) Checked out the National Museum of Singapore
  • They have this "companion" gadget that serves as your own private tour guide. Real cool. I like the way they presented things in that museum. Not too interactive yet very informative.
Tuesday, Feb 26
Shopping at Fun Nam for those techie stuff. I got myself a Sony Cybershot DSC-T70 at half the price here in Manila. The PS3 is roughly Php16K there.


Whole afternoon at Sentosa. If there is anything I enjoyed, that would be The Luge and the Light and Sound Show at night with the use of lasers, fountains, and firew
orks. One of the performers there (Cheryl) is drop-dead gorgeous!!! *major drool*

Wednesday, Feb 27

Last minute preps
then off back home to Manila.

I really don't know who this looker is, but I took a photo of her during breakfast at Kopi Tiam. Testing my new cam, I felt bad though that I had to charge it for 8 hours. Meaning, I didn't take it with me to Sentosa. I must say though, that this babe is OOOO-LALA!!!

One of my stress relievers...

2 March 2008
Sunday



My dearest nephew, Tyler.

Feel sorry though for the little fellah. Born in Virginia cold climate and all, he has yet to get used to the humid and tropical heat we have here. Hence he has all these rashes on his face.

But this little guy really brightens up the home. Such a happy kid, he smiles a lot. His head and nape reminds us of my paternal grandfather. I swear, anyone from our family who sees Tyler's back of the head would say that he looks exactly like Grandpa Flo.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Alphans in the aid of a Fellow Argonaut.

1 March 2008
Saturday

Alphan Pride.


That's what makes us (among others) stand out above the rest. With Brod Dante Madriaga's plight, more brods come to his aid. For security reasons, I can't divulge the names and what forms of help we have given Dante'66.

Romy Nones'73, our present TAFI Chairman said:

He has continuously expressed his pride of being a Tau Alphan. Once, during a gruelling 3-hour grilling by the technical working group of the senators, he was asked if there is a chance that he will recant his testimony, he said " Tau Alphan ako. Hindi kami umaatras sa laban. At kung umatras ako, ano pang mukha ang ihaharap ko sa mga brods ko."