WORLD OF MUSIC SING IN US, LIVES IN ME

"The Heart of a Music is in me and that the Voice is in my Heart"

The gift of music resonates the heart to those who love it back

If we try to look back the time of the music’s past, there's so much stories to tell on how it evolved. There could be no other sources other than various sounds that echoes the open wide and hollows in the world under. Though as how it is of today and how it breaks through to the world, its oeuvre is still quite a mystery. But someone, somewhere must have had thought it first... Whatever it maybe, miracle or invented, still a million thanks indeed that music exist. And, one thing is certain, music from the beginning of time is constantly growing, moving, waving and rock and rolling in the flows of time.  

Music is powerful. Too puissant that sometimes manipulate deep emotions surpassing common sense. But understanding music comes with reason. A reason that only music lover alone knows. It’s profoundly personal and yet almost impossible to explain. True. Sometimes it defies empathy yet still comes with reason. Nonetheless it brings pleasure, satisfaction and ecstasy. Be it science or a mere extraordinary phenomenon, it doesn’t matter. Because the moment we hear the whispering tune and sound in the wilderness of silence, the melodic “yonderings” flow along in us in every way and possesses us till we passionately fall in love with it. And, that passion and love remain. Never cease. Never ends - We ask even for more.

There are millions of music lovers around and it resonate unbounded stories. At times, it inspire us. As to why Filipinos have so much passion and love to music, one definite answer comes to mind – Filipinos are musically attached and melodiously inseparable with. It’s nothing ordinary. Built-in for normal goings because music is anywhere and everywhere. If you are a Filipino and in the Philippines be in metro or country-side, you know what I mean. As for its love being abstract and intangible, it’s too ardently immeasurable to grasp and hold to define its meaning. Even library of normative science is near impossible to explain it. Though, studies suggests that specific music DNA called PH-13 (click  link: Stanford University) run in most (Filipino) singers, it must have sounded so exceptionally special that other kind (nationality) might feel envy. If it’s true, then Filipinos are really that good. However, as to this writing, it is best not to go further on the musical genomes inherently prepared for me and or for us. After all, music knows no boundaries for any auricles of human kind.  

Croon to the tune of forever...

The love of music and singing is nothing out of ordinary. As a diverse song lover, music is not only for “eargasm”. It somehow tips to play an essential role that influences our mood or emotion, our life, and partly how we have become. And, how it play shapes our cognizance and it becomes a culture - a way of life, that likely befits the daily normal going because silence is quite deafening for the posse lovers of music. It is somewhat torturing to imagine if music is unheard in a day or two. Just picturing a world without humming or chanting and cascading voice of singing, gee it’s quite boring; without instruments harmonizing, it’s almost dull and uninspiring; without string strumming, fret clipping and chain of chords plucking by the frolicking digits, surely the melody and harmony is quite dreary. Indeed, life without music could be uninteresting. Totally uncool.

These days, revolutionized and innovative music gadgets and its "apps" is quite a wide trend for many millennials. It’s almost impossible for anyone who don’t owned one. Phones and androids are already horde with favorite song list to play for a day (or night) while doing busy works and or so.     

Seemingly, for most of us, it’s quite difficult to translate our own sense of music into strictly measured musical scores. The music hinge in me playing is only out of passion. It is just one another ordinary story of you to me who only loves music in an ordinary or peculiar way. The half-string difference is, we live in our own two separate worlds of the sound of music… And, as to how music made me half of my whole brings good days of the future past.

Psalm 23

The gift of voice certainly brought me closer to people who happened to be music lovers and through the years go by, they became (my) friends. You can connect to what you can't express to speak. But through the songs where words apply in the art of singing, the heart truly speak.  With music in the midst, life’s journey becomes solely colorful and wonderful. But how music got my interest is really quite personal. And, perhaps just like another same old hopeless romantic ordinary story.

Born as Gen-X in year 80's, it started all in nursery rhymes and children songs in a cartridge record for stereo sound component. From "Rock-a-By-Baby" to "Jack & Jill" to "Humpty-Dumpty" and lots of many. It was an epic music of yesterday’s eons for a growing child yearning how to sing them fondly from the heart. But back then, I grew up to wind-up with stereos or audio sing-along system were it was considered an important electronic appliance should every household family must possessed. It was a loved treasure. And back- tracking that cartridge was quite a trend children’s play.

"Music lover before me..."

My parents love music especially my late-father who loved it more than I do. From cartridges to vinyl records, the music cases and drawers were loaded with classic and standard songs of Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Engelbert Hemperdinck and Tom Jones. More so to the pop disco collections of ABBA, the soaring soul voice of Diana Ross, the head-bang rock and rolling labels of Jon Bon Jovi, to the maudlin songs and mawkish lyrics of the infamous Air Supply and then including the many forgotten-iesh.  (chuckles).


   

"Bonding splurge and spree Videoke"
Photo Credit: Brian Quiño

Videoke (Video Karaoke) were mutually shared in every celebration. From christenings to birthdays, to special community gatherings like "fiesta” or group of friends unwinding. It becomes customary or a tradition. Like my friends’ common expression, “otomatik na (it’s automatic)!” For some weird reason, it feels a bit pressure for somebody to throw a party without music. It’s almost a taboo that you need to prevent. If you don’t have anything karaoke to offer, then it’s seriously a boring party if not doom one.  Looking back on my late-dad’s days, Video-K in VHS players were the seeking finds amongst of his companions when during drinking day or night session or party at the house. Since list of songs on VHS tapes were limited, song performers would just made some reservation notice in advance on a particular song until it’s their turn to sing. I was on my early teens, then. I could recall that some of them would site-scrambled whenever they like the song even if it’s not their turn yet.  

Recalling that, I remember Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. An urban legend says that it’s a curse song for Filipinos. Anyone who sang it is believed to be at his “final curtain” or something bad will happened after singing that song. In some grave instances, if you don't give justice to the song (i.e My Way) or any song while many are listening, you can sang it on "your way" but make it serious and break-a-leg. (Sorry for the pun. )

Nowadays, Video-K are normally everywhere. From malls to resorts, to bars and to typical restaurants, it is offered in night or in broad day lights. Singing in public is not restricted, you are even encourage. Bound to sing and to perform (imagine pressure).

The world knows that one of the best choirs can be found in the Philippines. That Philippine Madrigal Singers aka (click link: “MADZ" ) is the epitome of vocal greatness. They are called National Artists for nothing if they don’t possessed the virtuously angelic and beatific voices transcend to heaven and tend to silence the cathedral of eavesdroppers. Their voices can conquer the best choirs in the world. 

Choir Group: College days...

Chorale groups can be found anywhere in every corners of the country. From churches to schools to local towns down to small remote barrios. Choir group exists and organized. culturally-bound, a way of life. 

Choir has a special place in my heart. It became my basic foundation on learning the fundamentals of singing, in a Filipino way. Other than developing my humble vocal skills, it’s were I began to understand, appreciate and value music more the way I do now. Technically, vocal assignments required in a chorale is not as easy as like a radio playing the songs. Being passionate of learning how to sing, putting some extra effort of energy, so much emotion, practice, time, commitment and dedication are normal going things. Then so we can solely connect our hearts to unify and synchronize the four voices (tenor, bass, alto and soprano).  Though with no fundamental knowledge and formal training in music about reading musical notes and other musical signs and symbols, scores and or sort of codes, it all goes down to the trainer and conductor to tune-in on as to how it should soundly intoned to make sense of to the musical piece. Voice quality and listening are the main keys after all - We all do have those.

Above: Choir Group Practice
Below: Music Seminar
Photo: Prelature St. Mary's in Marawi,
"those were the days..."

But taking you all to the unorthodox way of singing in a group, the choir I was once belong with from the humble church was a little bit of unconventional. Without the presence of formal trainer called “the cantor”, just an acoustic guitars, a classic tambourine and some jaw harp bamboo-made instrument called “kubing” served as our main instruments to harmonize with the melody of our songs and chants during celebrations of the Eucharist. We tend to craft and innovate melodious vocal accompaniments to create new texture. We dotingly call it “second voice”. In effect, it generates new form and version from the traditional eucharistic hymns so as long as it does not tend to taint the music or not to chant it inappropriately and or gravely.

(Throwback) - Practice Session: Choir Group, Youth Ministry

(Throwback): Youth Ministry -Choir Group

Besides bonding galore, the fondest moment of being part of the choir ministry were during the yuletide seasons: house to house “Christmas caroling” in the community. Songs and music were more fun and full of spirit. We can rock and roll the songs in full swing with all our hearts. With the guitars strumming, we can all connect. That’s how passionate we were. There’s more Christmas in all the months of “ber”. It’s only in the Philippines! This is one of the reasons music is everywhere in the Philippines. Because singing in wide open along the streets is not forbidden.

Reloaded Rewind Serenade

Not to brag though, but in my own right I’m at best in singing (well, I’m getting old and that so I “was”). And, it lead me sometimes (by request) to entertain crooning a family or a friend’s wedding, birthday and some other intimate fetes and events.  Gracing to chant the "Psalms" during Eucharist back years, was a great learning experience on how to connect yourself to the words of the song. For majority of Filipinos, it’s nothing out of ordinary. It becomes a tradition. I bet that in every special occasion, there’s a relative or a friend of the family who can sing very well. 

For some, it’s business. Making money out of serenading. For singers, especially those professionals, I concur of having that great satisfaction and fulfillment  inside after rendering a song or entertaining the guests and listeners. It's about the pride and joy that it felt being admired and appreciated with your vocal prowess. That's got to be the feeling... 

Strumming my heart with my finger

On a personal level, singing has been the preferred medium of my expression (lot of Filipinos do the same). I have my human relation with the harmony of the music I live to know. I’m totally inseparable to it as it became part of my system through out my daily routine; in every mornings, in doing household chores, in kitchen when cooking, in bathroom when bathing, singing while with my adorable dogs playing, and in evening before sleeping, yes I’m a human -MP3. And when I’m free and alone, singing has been a friend to lean on. With the guitar on my side plus whimsical songs running in my head, it’s more fun to harmonize. Indeed singing warmth and lightens the feeling. Yes, it gives comfort when life feel troubled and strain. Can bring serenity and calmness in the mood especially songs that allow our searching soul to transport back to the past. How I am so attached with music is a proof of my deep relationship with my own sound of music. Because of music, sometimes, I translate my emotions into collective words that deeply resides and inhabits within me.

Ever since,

music has been my first love,

my first best friend,

my dear life, dearest to my heart,

a lover when loveless

a healer when heart is ailing in sadness

A rock ‘n rollin when life is dark and somber

Nothing beats the feeling of joy when songs dwell within the soul

It adds color when voice floats to adorn

It gives more life and jubilation when it rhymes to the tune.

Even the voice can no longer intone within the throne,

Blood scram throughout my throat,

And only one thing is left and that is the love to listen,

Two-thin drums but only one is persistent.

But never should I be tired of listening unto,

Even if the voice is no longer be heard too,

In the end, music is always a friend, a lover, a life saver. 
–bchuy-

Cropped Photo: Battle of Band Competition - "Music Knows No Age"
Link Video: Gramp's on Keyboards

While joining a singing search for finding the best lungs of steel is the bread and butter for many Filipinos, “Battle of the Bands” is the blood life amongst the best talents and musicians in the metro or in the countryside who wants to follow the infamous steps of EraserHeads, Parokya ni Edgar, RiverMaya, Kamikaze, Sida-A and lots of many local bands. Or foreign legendary superstar bands in the likes of Jon Bon Jovi, Journey, Firehouse, Metallica, Nirvana, Linkin’ Park and more. I have not experienced such any battle competitions though I’d been part of a group band then, but “Battle of the Bands” is one of my favorites to witness with. You got to see the real talents, the intensity, diversity and at times the hardcore entertainers and musicians’. No age limit and does not discriminate. In proper battles, you’ll get to see the commitment, you feel the emotions of the performers from both the singers and the band instrumentalists. So damn good freakin’ real and authentic. Timing is everything and coordination is indispensable. The whole thing must be synchronized and soundly fused. Maybe it’s a clash of who will victorious and claim to stand the last who sounds the best. But, the main goal is the showcase of great musical talents flaring-up entertainment value.

Battle of the Bands Full-Reloaded

"Rock out load!"

Compared to other countries, Filipino local music bands have limited resources on devices, gadgets and other electronic contraptions especially in small cities or towns (I guess). But what made Pinoy bands astoundingly different is their great love, their incomparable huge passion, and full blown commitment to the music piece being performed. That's their broad secret weapon up on its sleeves. You’ll get to be amazed and surprised by such promising underground bents. As spectator, the adrenaline is exceptionally high rushing all over! While swarming with the waves of the "jammers", it’s definitely a riot head banging and Rock and Rollin’ battle party. For sure, a full-blown real clash of talents. Electrifying! This is another Pinoy's musical flavor that hasn’t known to most. Yet, it’s another big thing a Filipino have that sets apart from others for being really good in music.

"Tama na 'yan inuman na..."

"Barkada Sesyon" (clique session) is my favorite because music collide us on the same ground. It’s a day or night with friends that shouldn’t miss for every music dude or so you’ll miss the fun and the ‘ma jammin’ red-hot loud. From video-k to acoustic, it automatically sets ahead. With only guitars just around the nook, it’s all jammed-pack with unlimited spree of acoustic songs. From classic to current, from love or tear jerking 'sentis' (sentimental) to hyper cracking rock and rolling melodies, and song after song after song for cozy party. Someone, if not everybody, in the gang would lead to sing-out loud glory. Sky is the limit. No language barrier, no holds barred. Although not without something to drink like brew cold beers or something liquor in distilled, it would be totally incomplete and definitely boring. While in it, it washes away the shyness belting-out the song in a performance level. It feels good.

This so-called “jamming” session is integrally rooted long ages from our forefathers in rural folks. Likely after a long arduous and strenuous day of labor in the farms and or fields, farmers alike would gather around to relax, drinking local wine called “tuba”(fermented coconut juice) and sing out to their best with the guitar’s accompaniment - an old school way to bond and unwind.

Nowadays, we fondly presage it as "jam-jam" or “chill-chill”. Besides harmony, the rapport created by music unruffled with musically inclined friends lift up the collective mood and liven the little party crew. Jam-packed with music, our sense of closeness and togetherness is preserve. Intact, we remain.

Always got new Friends made of music and they made me feel I’m home,

I think the heart and life of Music is forever bound in each on every inch of me and you,

Thank you for the joyful experience and the wonderful journey full of jingles and songs,

Songs that connect our hearts down to the very core of our souls.

Every voice, beat, strum and pluck creates melody and harmony to every pitch perfect note that floats.

Let our love of music defy the odds to every step of the way amidst battle we solely face and fought. 

–bchuy-

For Filipinos, music becomes integral part of life. We love music in all genre. And, I am one of the many living proofs among the plethora of songsters and cornucopia of music lovers. After all, the world of music sing in us, lives in me. 

... and the last song will always be forever in me  -bchuy-