I Gotta Feeling

Everytime I hear this song... I really gotta feeling! yeah!:D

I Gotta Feeling


I gotta feeling...
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling...
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling... (Woohoo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling... (Woohoo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

Tonight's the night
Let's live it up
I got my money
Let's spend it up
Go out and smash it
Like Oh My God
Jump off that sofa
Let's kick it OFF

I know that we'll have a ball
If we get down
And go out
And just lose it all
I feel stressed out
I won't let it go
Lets go way out spaced out
And loosing all control

Fill up my cup
Mazel tov
Look at her dancing
Just take it... OFF
Lets paint the town
We'll shut it down
Let's burn the roof
And then we'll do it again

Lets do it
Lets do it
Lets do it
Lets do it
And do it
And do it
Let's live it up
And do it
And do it
And do it
Do it, do it
Lets do it
Lets do it
Lets do it

Cause I gotta feeling... (WoooHooo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling... (WoooHooo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling
Tonight's the night (HEY! )
Let's live it up (lets live it up)
I got my money (I'm paid)
Lets spend it up (Lets spend it up)
Go out and smash it (Smash it)
Like Oh My God (Like Oh My God)
Jump off that sofa (Come On! )
Lets kick it OFF

Fill up my cup (Drank)
Mazel tov (La chaim)
Look at her dancing (Move it Move it)
Just take it... OFF
Lets paint the town (Paint the town)
We'll shut it down (Shut it down)
Lets burn the roof (Woooooo)
And then we'll do it again

Lets do it (x4)
And do it (2x)
Let's live it up
And do it (3x)
Do it, do it
Lets do it(3x)
Do it, do it, do it, do it

Here we come
Here we go
We gotta rock
Easy come
Easy go
Now we on top
Feel the shot
Body rock
Rock it don't stop
Round and round
Up and down
Around the clock

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Friday, Saturday
Saturday to Sunday

Get, get, get, get, get with us
You know what we say (say)
Party everyday (x2)

I gotta feeling (WooHooo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling (WooHooo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

Woohoo
...........................................................

<3 <3 <3

19 Blogs + 1 Blog XD

I'm having this LSS (Last Song Syndrome) right now... what song it is? You're right! Poker Face by Lady GaGa! Actually, I had posted it's lyrics in my 19th blog. Anywhere I go, I listen to songs thru my MP3. I love listening to OPM songs, RnB, Rock n' Roll, any genre will do.

Being a member of an official music club in our youth organization and a vocalist/songwriter in a new band is really fun and sounds exciting but, it's hard to meet people's expectations... I realized, "what if there'll come a time, our band will be famous then people will come to know God through our songs?"... right now, I'm focusing on writing some Filipino songs that show how I deeply love my country. Other than that, I put tune on my songs, which is hard for me coz I can't play my acoustic guitar much. I only understand chords and do basic but can't do those of which my experienced friends can do.

Well, that's all for now... I'll be eating 'merienda' for a while... ahahahaha...:D

Music Society

I love music, as much as I love writing songs and putting tunes in it...

Poker Face by Lady GaGa

Poker Face by Lady GaGa


Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah

I wanna hold em' like they do in Texas Plays
Fold em' let em' hit me raise it baby stay with me (I love it)
Luck and intuition play the cards with Spades to start
And after he's been hooked I'll play the one that's on his heart

Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh,
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be
A little gambling is fun when you're with me I love it)
Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby when it's love if its not rough it isn't fun, fun
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh,
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

I won't tell you that I love you
Kiss or hug you
Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin
I'm not lying I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunning
Just like a chick in the casino
Take your bank before I pay you out
I promise this, promise this
Check this hand cause I'm marvelous

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)


[Thanks to Yann for these lyrics]
[Thanks to Vanessa, Michael Carlton for correcting these lyrics]

[ www.azlyrics.com ]

I have SPAM BLOGS?!?

I can't believe I have spam blogs... helloooo, FYI BLOGSPOT! I blog for fun, for my own happiness... ookkaayy? CLEAR?!? I want to tell you clearly to stop warning me about these SPAM BLOGS... I hate it... alright?!? thank you!

☆Freelance Writing☆

Last night, I watched my favorite TV series, QTube... I loved their show, all about bags, internet and blogs! I learned about a one-of-a-kind job, the ODesk Job... to learn more about the ODesk Job, just visit-->>www.odesk.com<<--be a member for free... try your skills and surf the internet while earning money... if you love blogging like me, take the ODesk Job...:)

♡KiNG oF PoP♡

Lately, me and my friends are listening to Michael Jackson's music... while listening to his songs... I really felt sad... I thought, "Wow! He was the King of Pop but he never had real happiness in his life until he died." Still shocked by news, I can't believe, my idol, MJ, has passed away... though he died very early, he still had his accomplishments in life...

Last Wednesday, me and mom watched the memorial service of Michael Jackson on television. The heart-warming song numbers, the people who knew MJ and how they celebrated life with the KiNG.

I know that the KiNG is dead but his MUSIC will live on FOREVER.... ROCK ON MICHAEL JACKSON!:)

~C.G.R.~

The secret behind MJ's famous anti-gravity shoes...

Anti-gravity lean

"Smooth Criminal" music video. Shows an anti-gravity lean performed by Jackson.

An image of U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452 filed by Jackson describing the anti-gravity lean.

The effect in the video when Jackson and the dancers lean forward a seemingly impossible distance was achieved using special harnesses with wires and magnets. It was desired to replicate this effect for Jackson's stage show, but it would have been more obvious and cumbersome to use wire harnesses in a live performance. Jackson and his team devised an alternative way to achieve the effect on stage. The props needed for their technique were patented in the United States by Jackson in 1993,^[7] and consist of pegs that rise from the stage at the appropriate moment, and special shoes with ankle supports and cutouts in the heels which can slide over the pegs and be thereby attached to the stage temporarily. These allow the performers to lean without needing to keep their centers of gravity directly over their feet. This patent expired on December 20th, 2005 due to failure to pay its maintenance fee.^[8]

(from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia)

♥HPV Vaccine: Help Protect Yourself♥

Cervical cancer is caused by a virus. This common and highly infectious virus is the human papillomavirus (HPV) more commonly known as skin warts, or for us Filipinos we call it kulugo.

By Bernadette Young

Skin warts are usually found on our hands and feet and can be cleared by the body’s immune system. Women can get genital warts through sexual contact (through direct genital contact, hand-genital contact, oral-genital contact).

Doctors can easily diagnose genital warts which are soft and moist, flesh-colored, in clusters, smooth and flat, or raised with a rough texture. Genital warts appear within weeks or three months after infection. When these genital warts are not cleared by the body’s immune system it can develop into cervical cancer.

Those who are sexually active, have many partners, or have a partner who had several partners are at risk for HPV. Luckily there is a vaccine for HPV.

HPV vaccines are believed to stimulate the body’s immune system to produce neutralizing antibodies that help protect against HPV in the skin cells of the genital area.

There are two types of vaccines available�a bivalent vaccine that prevents two types of HPV and a quadrivalent vaccine that prevents four types of HPV. Of course, the quadrivalent vaccine costs a bit more. Both vaccines are administered within a six month period by a doctor.

A lot of women have asked if they will feel weak or ill after getting an HPV shot just like when they get a flu shot. A doctor will tell you that it’s not supposed to happen, although some have said their arm hurt or they couldn’t raise their arm in the days following the shot.

HPV vaccines are not intended to treat existing cervical cancer and other HPV-caused diseases. Getting vaccinated will help prevent cervical cancer, but it can not treat cervical cancer, so it is still recommended for women to have their yearly Pap Smear test.

Ultimately, shelling out a couple of thousand pesos to prevent HPV and cervical cancer is still a small amount when compared to the cost of having and treating cancer-not to mention the emotional impact on you, your family, and friends. So go out there and help protect yourself. It might just be your best investment to date.

♥Smart Cooking with the Induction Stove ♥

Computers have revolutionized everything-cooking included. Induction cooking is fast becoming popular nowadays, because of its practicality and ease of use. It is also, perhaps, the safest way of cooking. Before I bought mine, I did some research online and this is what I found out:

- Induction cookers are computer-controlled. If you peek into the bottom part of it, you’ll even see the circuit board and the exhaust fan similar to those found in your computer’s CPU.
- Heat is generated by electromagnets, precisely controlled by the circuit board according to your desired heat level.
- Heat is then transferred to the cooking pot, which in turn heats up. That’s why salesmen demonstrating induction cookers in the mall would even show you they’re touching the surface of the cooker right after cooking. This is because the cooker itself does not heat up.
- Induction cookers will only work with metal-based pots, except aluminum. Ceramic or glass materials are useless as well. Basically anything that a magnet attaches to will work with an induction cooker.
- Most of the induction cookers I’ve seen in malls have a built-in LCD screen to tell you the temperature, or an error message it if there is one.
- Two words: environment-friendly. Induction cookers use just a fraction of electricity compared to most electric stoves. It also does not use fossil fuels like LPG and charcoal.

Given these, here’s my review of my own induction cooker:



The Look: 5 of 5 stars
- Most induction cookers are really sleek looking, with clean, smooth surfaces and a glossy finish. This makes it easy to clean after all the messy cooking.
- The single cookers are really easy to move around with its light weight material.
- The double cookers or multiple cookers can be seamlessly installed as a cook top. Plus, the piano black glossy material will definitely blend well with your granite kitchen top.

Usability: 5 of 5 stars
- The controls are idiot-proof and are beautifully integrated with the over-all design. You need not worry about the food getting stuck in the buttons.
- Turning it on is really easy: with just a push of a button it will detect automatically if there’s a pot on the cooker. If there’s one, it will turn on and continue heating the pot. If the cooker detects something incompatible, like a glass pot or you hand, it will just show an error message on the screen and won’t heat up.
- If for some reason it slips your mind that you’re cooking something, it has an automatic shut off feature that will activate after some time, preventing you from burning your food.
- It also has preset timers for most cooking styles like frying, hot pot, etc.
- Heat levels are controlled by a “plus" and “minus" button. Even your first grade daughter will know what those two signs will do.
- Anytime you feel like abruptly stopping what you’re cooking, just push the “off" button, and that’s it.

Price and Availability: 4 of 5 stars
- Most single cookers are really, really cheap. Price ranges from a little over a thousand Pesos to just P5,000.
- I don’t get how they price the double cookers or multiple cookers, however. I think the cheapest I’ve seen is about P18,000, reaching to about P90,000+. I’m thinking it’s mainly because you can install it as a cook top in your kitchen, creating a seamless design.
- You can find an induction cooker in cooking sections in almost every mall in the metro.

Over-all Verdict: 5 of 5 stars
- It’s the best thing they’ve ever invented in the cooking world.

- WMN.ph

♥SuRpRiSeS♥

I'm so happy to be back in blogging... after many months... at least with blogging, I can express what I feel about the world and tell people what I think about.

After watching so many episodes of QTube on QTV Ch. 11, I get more inspired and thrilled in blogging! I also learn more about new and famous gadgets around the world and through my blogs I get to comment or share my opinions with any kind of stuff like FOOD! haha...

Like how I felt when Wacko-Jacko died and actress Farrah Fawcett... I was really shocked to know and hear from the news that my idol, Michael Jackson has died... at the age of 50! My mom's older than him but he died early because of cardiac arrest... how sad for the family and kids he left...

Also, the "Swine Flu or the A H1N1" is really a headliner here in the Philippines... though the DOH told the media that reporting about the flu will be done once a week. Everyday we hear lots of people getting affected by this disease whether local or international. All we have to do is to be careful and have more faith in God.

These days, I notice that more and more are getting affected of the continuous calamities and destructions made by mankind or of nature. This means that God is showing us His greater Power or reminding us that we are starting to be very forgetful in our prayer and spiritual life. We should dedicate more of our time in reading the Bible or praying than doing such unnecessary or worldly things... for it is said in the Bible that God's son, Jesus Christ will be back on Earth and the day of judgement will come. Before this happens, we should have faith in God and truly believe in Him, alone.

Our Very First Meeting

Hehe... Kala ko kanina na-late na ako... thank God at hindi naman... grabe! Ang init ng panahon... di ko nga alam kung ano na ang temperature sa Metro Manila, eh... Anyway... the purpose naman of my blog is about our Music Society, not the weather... hehehe...=))

Nagkita muli kame nila Ate Hannah de Veyra, Hannah Foliente at Ate Abshee Dominguez...

Night at the Museum 2

Hehe... Gandang-ganda ako sa Night at the Museum 2...

Case of Trinidad Etong & Ted Failon

Wow... ang tagal din ng kasong ito... well, ano nga ba naman ang masasabi ng isang 14 year old na tulad ko sa mga balita natin ngayon... ang masasabi ko lang ay, masaya ako para kay Mr. Failon at natapos na ang kaso nila... nakakaawa naman kasi itong si Mr. Failon, sya ang pinabibingtangan sa pagkamatay ni Trina Etong...=(

Masaya ako para sa mga anak nila na nagkaron na ng solution sa kaso... nawa ay tulungan ng

Ang Saya-saya....

Di ko makakalimutan ang araw na pumunta kame sa Singapore... ang saya ng trip namen! First time ko makasakay ng plane! hehehe... naalala ko ang SG dahil sa may Universal Studios na Singapore! Biruin mo yan! Yung version nga nila ng ferris wheel... ang ganda! I wonder kung magkano ang ibabayad mo sa napakabagal na ride na overlooking sa SG! Masaya na rin ako... kahet di pa ako nakakasakay ng ferris wheel nila... kase, nakasakay ang ate ko... hehehe... parang, ako na rin ang sumakay! hahahaha...

Heinakuh...[=

Etong si Jaypee... di na naman nag-uupdate ng kanyang fs... o, friend, etong blog na toh ang tatama sayo! hahahaha... ala lang... basa ka ng blogs ko, ahhhh... einx friend!...^_^...

Mother's Day na....

   Hayy... Mother's day na naman... anu kaya ibibigay ko kay mama? hehehe... Madalas nating piang-iisipan kung ano ang ireregalo natin sa ating mga magulang... ako, simple lang... ano nga naman ang maibibigay ko? Simple... panalangin at tula... 

   Sobrang saya ko kase nagawan ko sya ng tula kagabe... basta pag may trabaho na ako, bibilihan ko sya ng diamond ring... hahahaha!!! Baka may mas maganda pa kaysa sa diamond ring! (meron nga ba?) 

   Wala pa ring tutumbas sa pagmamahal ng isang ina... kaya, mahal na mahal ko ang mama ko... nami-miss ko nga noon... noong maliit pa lang ako... ang mga panahon na sa maliit na bahay lang kame nakatira... nangungupahan lang kame... bumibili lang kame ng skyflakes o magic crackers... tapos 1 sachet ng lady's choice ham/ bacon... pero ang paborit ni mama ay tuna...^_^...

   Di ko malilimutan ung mga unang laruan na ibinili sa aken ng mama at mga kapatid ko... masaya talaga pag binabalik-balikan ang childhood memories...^_^...

   Wala naman akong ibang masasabi, eh... "Happy Mother's Day, mama"... ako ang excited, eh... hehehehe...^_^...

   Salamat at taon-taon may Mother's Day...^_^...

▒✯Youth Org Launching✯▒

WoW! Grabe! As in! Astig! Ang saya-saya ng BRYORG Launching last May 5, Tuesday! Ang dami ng youth na umatend. Yung mga Marikina, Tarlac, Cavite, Q.C., Makati, at marami pang ibang chapters ng BOL ang nakarating! Napuno ang mga upuan… nung una, mahaba ng pila dahil chine-check pa ng mga organizer kung sinu-sino ang mga nagpa-reserve at walk-in lang. Dahil ako ay nagpa-reserve na nung Sunday pa, agad naman akong nakapasok at nakakuha ng ticket ko… Papasok palang kames sa loob ng Convenarium, lamig na lamig na kame, rinig na rinig na ang malakas na music na pinatutugtog ng DJ… hudyat na ng malakihang launching ng BRYORG!!! Brown Raise Youth Org…^_^…

Pagpasok namen, agad kaming pinaupo dahil magsisimula na ang BRYORG Todo! Pagkaupong-pagkaupo ko, nagsisimula na ang bilang, sampu, siyam, walo, pito, anim, lima, apat, tatlo, dalawa, isa……….. MAGSISIMULA NA ANG BRYORG TODO!!!!

Humihiyaw na ang mga kabataan! Magsisimula na ang kasiyahan! Pinasimulan ang launching ng isang banda, ang pinaka-bagong banda ng mga kabataan, ang SULONG NA Band! Nauna nilang tinugtog ang “Sugod”:

[chorus]
Sugod mga kapatid!
Tayo ay magsama-sama
iwagayway na ang bandera!
Brown Raise Youth Org 1 to Sawa!

I
E-text mu na
sina shaun at jopet,
lagyan ng gel
ang buhok na bagong gupet,
labas mu na
sapatos at lonta,
hanep pumorma
walang kokontra!

[refrain]
Isang lingong pinagipunan
isang buwan mung inabangan
ang feedback ng mga guitara
mga paborito mong kanta!
Hala bira!

[chorus]
Sugod mga kapatid!
Tayo ay magsama-sama
iwagayway na ang bandera!
Brown Raise Youth Org 1 to Sawa!

II
Ngayong gabi
ay magsasaya,
manood
ng mga banda,
sumayaw
na parang asong ulol,
Sa bajo at tambol na lumilindol!
Hey!

[refrain]
Isang lingong pinagipunan
isang buwan mung inabangan
ang feedback ng mga guitara
mga paborito mong kanta!
Hala bira!

Fiesta na!!!
[chorus]
Sugod mga kapatid!
Tayo ay magsama-sama
iwagayway na ang bandera!
Brown Raise Youth Org 1 to Sawa!

[chorus]
Sugod mga kapatid!
Tayo ay magsama-sama
iwagayway na ang bandera!
Brown Raise Youth Org 1 to Sawa!

Mapapansin nyo siguro na imbes na “Rak en roll hanggang umaga!” ang nasa dulo ng chorus, ang nakalagay ay “Brown Raise Youth Org 1 to Sawa!”… pinalitan ng bandang “SULONG NA” ang dulo ng chorus na para sa BRYORG launching… Marami pang tinugtog ang banda… sa ibang blogs ko na lang ilalagay dahil sobrang haba na ng blog ko… hehehe…^_^…

Di lang naman yun ang kinanta ng banda, simula palang yun… sya nga pala, Ate Abshee at Kuya Dale, astig po kayo! Ang galling nyo mag elec. & bass guitar! Yan ang tunay na ASTIG!

Ang gagaling din ng mga nagging DJs ng show, sina Ate/ DJ Toni at Coach/ DJ JP… gustong-gusto ko kapag nag-di-“DJ’s Signing In” sila…

Magaganda rin ang mga mensahe na inihatid sa amin ng mga Life Coach… gaya ni Coach Anne Lao, Coach Marie at Coach Tina Clemente… ni-share din nila sa amin ang visions ng BRYORG para sa aming mga kabataan…

Lalo na ang napanood namen na video clips… ang gaganda… lalo na yung Pantene’s extraordinary commercial from Thailand… shocked kaming lahat na Pantene lang pala yun pero, grabe! Galing ng direktor nun! Hehe…^_^…

Nag-serve sila ng lunch at dinner… Masasarap ang hinanda nilang mga food at gulaman…Nagsimula ang launching ng 2 pm at nagtapos ng 2 am... wOw… ung isa nga naming kasamahan ay nagtanong na sa isang kuya, “Kuya, diretso ‘Wide Awake’ na ba tayo? Wala pang Friday… hehehe…”… sagot naman ng kuya, “Di, noh! Napahaba lang dahil sa video clips…”

Nag-perform din sila Diane, Daniella at ang ibang kabataan… ang galing nila mag-perform! Lalo na ung balagtasan… ang galing!

Napabilib din kame sa mga nag-rap… nakakatuwa sila… kahet nakakapagod ang buong araw ng Tuesday… puno naman ng kagalakan ang aming mga puso…. Maraming mga pagkakaibigang nabuo…

Ang galling nga ni Kuya Justine, eh! Namalat sa kakasigaw! Ahahahaha!!!=))… sya ang nag-lead sa mga youth sa isang napakagandang BRYORG cheer. Sarap ulit-ulitin ng cheer! Hehe…;)

Nagtapos ang BRYORG sa pamamagitan ng isang pledge na pinangunahan ni Coach/ DJ JP at Ate/ DJ Toni… ang lahat ng kabataan ay tumayo at inilagay ang kanilang mga kanang kamay sa kanilang mga kaliwang dibdib. Inawit din namen ang Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas.

Sa pagsama ko sa launching na ito, lalong lumalim ang pag-unawa ko sa lahing Kayumanggi at ano ang silbi ko, maging isang tunay na palabang kabataan na may pangitain para sa bayan. Naunawaan ko na kailangan nating kumilos upang maiahon an gating bansa mula sa kahirapan at pagkalugmok sa kamundohan… Kailangang mag-sama-sama, di lang ng mga kabataan, kundi pati ang mga nakatatanda na nagsisilbing modelo sa lahat ng nakababata. Habang may panahon, kailangan na nating kumilos!

Sana marami pang program na ihahanda ang BRYORG… di man bukas o samakalawa… maghihintay muli kame… Go, Go, Go BRYORG!!! Whooo!!!

Let us continue praying for BRYORG…^_^…

Blog from: Convicts No More by Apolinariong Binibini

Australia is known for the Sydney Opera House, the Australian Open, Nobel Laureates, Ian Thorpe, UGG boots, agriculture products, and the list goes on. But wait. Didn’t the country start out as a colony of convicts?

The National Library of Australia by stage88

The National Library—found in Canberra—allows Australians to trace their convict lineage! In short, this country began with terrible conditions. How did the country go from convict colony to a nation with a legacy to the world?

A unique beginning

Last December, I visited the Hyde Park Barracks museum. Not the usual tourist fare. It used to be one of the convict barracks. And it sure depicted the kind of life they lived through the personal items they had, the lodging, and the kind of routine they kept.

Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney, Australia

The museum had an ingenious replica of the convicts log, which documented each prisoner’s name, crime, sentence, and hometown in Britain. There were murderers but a lot committed petty crimes. One was sentenced to 7 years in prison for stealing a hair-brush. Regardless of the severity of the crime, the point is, these people were unwanted by society. Some early settlers were survivors of the Irish famine while some were orphans. To tell you the truth, it was heart-wrenching for me to go through the entire museum all because I realized that Filipinos did not start out as convicts. I remember that the Spanish were shocked to find the early Filipinos clad in gold!!!

Ancient Filipinos clad in Gold from the Boxer Codex

The early Filipinos were learned people. The big question is, while the convicts made a nation for themselves, what happened to the Philippines?

Kangaroos with a vision

The kangaroo and the emu—animals native to Australia—are conspicuously found in the nation’s emblem.

The Coat of Arms of Australia

This is for the reason that these animals have the inability to walk backward, thanks to their physiology. Come to think of it, it would be really funny to see kangaroos hop backwards. But seriously, these animals symbolize the forward-looking spirit of a people who began in the worst beginnings. For instance, in Parramatta, Sydney, you’ll find The Experiment Farm.

The Experiment Farm, Parramatta, Sydney, Australia

Farming was developed here and this made Parramatta the bread basket of the country. There was an urgent need to develop agriculture due to the impending starvation of the colony—since the site where the colony settled was not suitable for planting. The convict, James Ruse, began the experiment and the rest is history!

Even a rock has a story

One by one, the settlers came to love the country. They didn’t see it anymore as a place where the unwanted lived. It became a place where a new life could begin. I’ve been to the amazing places of Australia but what really amazes me is that in present-day Sydney, practically every corner has a story. I would sometimes just shake my head, thinking that it’s already exaggeration. I would often reflect that the Philippines should have more stories to tell because the early Filipinos were ancient! But it’s not really about whether Australia has many stories or not. I realized that stories abound because when people have love for country, even a piece of rock will have a story. I was brought to what is called the Blow Hole. So many people were eagerly waiting for something to happen. And I was wondering what it was, only to find out that they were waiting for the water from the crashing waves to go through the hole in the rocks and shoot up into the air! Well nothing happened that time because it was low-tide—it didn’t dampen their excitement though! Another time I was brought to a cliff. It was called a Look Out. Well, it literally looked out into the sea because it was a cliff!!! And in my heart I wept for the Philippines. We have the most beautiful sunset in the world, the best beaches, the most diverse flora and fauna and we can go on forever. But we will be story-less all because there is no love for country.

Restoring history

Last March, I visited the Old Governor’s House. And there was this sweet old lady who was a volunteer tour guide.

The Old Governor’s House, Parramatta, Sydney, Australia

We spent 30 minutes just talking about a particular tree in the heritage site. By the end of the tour, she asked if there were also many historical houses being restored in Manila. I said that there are some but things could be better. I will never forget her reply. She said, we can only restore when we have come to terms with our history. She was referring to restoring heritage sites but I was thinking about the heritage of the Filipinos as a people.

I dropped by Kinokuniya bookstore in the CBD. Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos and Cambodia have their own sections. The one book I found on the Philippines was in the PACIFIC ISLANDERS section. Why should our identity matter to the world when it does not matter to us? Again I wanted to cry because the world treats us according to how we treat ourselves. The Australians became proud of their accent, which was deplored as un-British, while Filipinos want to have the accent of Beverly Hills and worse, we deplore our own color!

We need not stay convicts

The history of Australia is full of people of vision. James Cook, the founding father, was one of the greatest explorers of the world. Richard Taylor, the first chaplain, took care of the convicts and saw a future in the change of their character. The governor-generals were people of character, learning and discovery. The War Museum in Canberra is a very beautiful testament to the valor of the soldiers who happily died for principle, even in a heart-breaking losing battle!

The Australian War Museum, Canberra, Australia

But what I love the most about the history of Australia is the fact that the country was transformed by the choices of the individuals who considered Australia not anymore as the largest prison in the world but as a place of hope and new beginnings. It is ironic to hear that Australia is now the safest country in the world. A penal colony! The transformation of the country is due to the realization of people that they too can be a legacy to the world. After everything, the trips to the Land Down Under became a message about my beloved country—the Philippines. The real prison sentence is not done by any court but by the kind of actions we choose to take, the kind of life we choose to live and the kind of love we choose to bestow on our country. Nation of Servants is a sentence. Basket Case of Asia is a sentence. But just like the early Australians, we need not stay convicts. Let us choose not to. We too can be a legacy to the world. When our love for country has grown up, the time will come that every alitaptap in the Philippines will have its own story to tell.

-Apolinariong Mabini-

▒☺Youth Run☻▒

I joined our church's Youth Run ... Thanks God I made it or we made it! There were many kabataans who joined our "Takbo Kabataan para sa Pilipinas"... I met many COOL friends... they were soo kind to me... I also met some which were my Shiremates from our Meeting of the Minds and the Stomach...

I'm also surprised, very surprised until now, that I ran 23 laps... can you believe that?!? (maybe for others, no...) Well, I used my "newest of the Nike's women's running shoes my ate gave me"... I 'm sooo happy, I used it, I felt like I ran faster... (hahahaha... duh?!?) really!?!

After all those running & walking for about 5 hours, the church's parking lot was full of tired, sweaty and weary youths... all of those tiring running & walking is worth it... for our country, Philippines...

There were four teams, 2 girl teams & 2 for the boys... the 2 girl teams where divided into "Team Dagohoy" and "Team Lapu-lapu"... I was with "Team Dagohoy"... with my friends... can't believe na nakasama rin namen ang anak ni Ptr. Butch, she's pretty in person...^_^... part of the Wushu team... kasama rin ang 2 kapatid ni Chelsea Bernasconi na babae... yung isa ay si Toni...^_^.... pareho silang mababait...

Also met kuya Gelo Lantico/ Lantaco (?), sorry po... ulyanin na... ahahaha...=))... nagkabungguan pa nga kame, eh...^_^... pati si ate Kara Castro na di nakasama sa takbo kase ay inasikaso daw sya sa BRYORG kaya, ako nalang daw ang pinalit sa team...^_^...

Sila ate Kara, ate Toni at kuya Gelo ay nakilala ko nang mabasa ko ang Silversword magazine ng Crossroad... nabasa ko ang mga testimonies nila at na-inspire ako...^_^...

Kahet nararamdaman ko na ang pagod at kahet may onti akong lagnat...(halos ala naman, eh!^_^)... at may sipon, pinagpatuloy ko ang pagtakbo... di ko ipinilit, talagang dahil sa "ako ay isang palaban na kabataan at may pangitain para sa Pilipinas."...^_^...

Sana maulit itong Takbo Kabataan...^_^... GO, GO, GO BRYORG! GO, GO, GO YOUTH ORG!!! GO, GO, GO PILIPINAS!!! WHOOOO!!!...^_^...

One Step at a Time by Jordin Sparks...

Hi guyz! I can't understand why this song seems to be on my mind, all the time! Well... it's okay... I really love it, so, I decided to make a blog post of it's song lyrics.... hope you also watch it's official music video at: http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/JordinSparks/One-Step-At-A-Time--157399687....=)


Here's my fave song, 'One Step at A Time' by Jordin Sparks...

[Intro:] Dararara, darararara...(3x)

Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away
Everything that you've always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste
But you just can't touch

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus:]
We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen and we
Find the reasons why
One step at a time

[Intro to Verse 2:] Dararara, darararara...(3x)

You believe and you doubt
You're confused, you got it all figured out
Everything that you always wished for
Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours
If they only knew

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus]

When you can't wait any longer
But there's no end in sight
when you need to find the strength
It's your faith that makes you stronger
The only way you get there
Is one step at a time

[Intro to Chorus x2:] Dararara, darararara...(3x)

[Chorus x2]


[Thanks to Nicole for these lyrics]
[Thanks to Jade, Kirsten, Nicola, x_pinknblue_x@yahoo.com, Jazmin for correcting these lyrics]

Hope you liked the song guys.... visit: www.music4lyf.blogspot.com... thanks!^^