Sa Ating Pagitan

(halaw sa I'm Coming ng BennyBunnyBand)

Ilang oras na lamang

muli ka na namang mamamaalam
habang gising ang aking mundo,
panaginip mo'y ibabaon sa mga unan
bukas paggising mo mahal,
hahagkan ko ang hangin
na sana sa iyo'y makarating
dahil ako naman ang mananaginip
na muli kang makapiling

Nasanay na tayo sa mga larawan
ng mga bagay na hindi nahahawakan
hindi man pigilan, walang mahahagkan
walang nararamdaman,
maliban sa pag-ibig na namamagitan

Mahal ko, patawad
sa tuwing nais kong hagkan ang iyong palad
o ilapat ang aking kamay
mga daliri ko'y tumulay
sa mga linyang sa ati'y nag-uugnay

Patawad mahal ko sa mga panahon
na nais kitang yakapin, ikahon
sa tuwing ang puso ko'y nababaon,
nauubusan na ng pagkakataon
huminga at huminahon
naiiyak, nanghihina
sa pangungulila
sanlibong luha na bumasa
sa mga kobre kamang
niyayakap mag-isa

Nais ko muling kumapit
sa iyong mga balikat
ang aking mukha
sa iyo'y marahang ilapat
damhin ang iyong paghinga
ang init ng ating pagkakadikit

Patawad mahal ko sa aking panaginip
na muli kang marinig sa tainga'y malapit
Gigising sa iyong tabi
Babasahin ang ngiti
ng iyong labi
halik sa mata'y dadampi

Isayaw mo 'kong muli mahal ko
sa awiting alam na alam natin ang ritmo
Sa bawat galaw, bawat hakbang, kapit ko
Susunod ang katawan sa galaw mo
Isayaw mo ako muli mahal ko
Sa ilalim ng buwan, at sa lahat ng pagitan
ng mga haplos na 'di mamamaalam
kailanman

Ilang oras na lamang

muli na akong mamamaalam
habang gising ang iyong mundo,
panaginip ko'y ibabaon sa mga unan
bukas paggising ko mahal,
hagkan mo ang hangin
na sana sa aki'y makarating
dahil ikaw naman ang mananaginip
na muli akong makapiling.

Good Morning, Pam!

Jim and Pam of The Office

(roughly based on BennyBunnyBand's Pam ToGetHer)

My morning starts when your day begins
With all the dreams that midnight brought within
A breaking day is still morning though breaking
Singing the day with a heart beating your rhythm

It may be just another day in the office
But will never be just a day with you
For the sun beams through its varying shades
Thru the panes and the pain when I see you

I'm on my back, the ceiling draws your face
As your face draws out my heart every time
And my dreams tracing every detail
of your elegant features and delicate lines

The revolving door opens my work day
As I work in circles thru your heart's way
An empty hallway greets my silent steps
as my thoughts of you walk in and out my head

Stepping inside the elevator, a box that holds the door
that sums up my world and its not-so-welcomed visitors
As the daily routine, my tummy gets upset as we go up
My brows sweat hard and my heart beats me up

The door opens and I'm never ready
to stretch the awkward smile for you to see
A hesitant high five that never meets your palm
you, perfectly seated at the lobby, lovely and calm

"Good morning, Pam!" I said bravely.
And those are the only words I could utter
The day would pass like a night so silent
Three words aren't enough; what else would matter?

If day dreaming is an offense, I've lost my job long ago
And if staring is a crime, I could've been jailed twice or so
I guess to be your buddy is a choice for me, for us
Among all the eyes on you, mine would surely last

It would have been fair to fight for, even over you
Had not been for Roy who always got your back
Until I figured I got one hit in a million to be with you
Nothing will change anything, I'm on track.

Gusto Kong Magmahal

The ultimate question: What is Love?

Gusto kong magmahal pero hindi ko alam kung paano
Parehas ba ito ng mga binabasa kong kwento?
May prinsesa at prinsipe bang kahit hindi ko kaanyo?
May hantungang hindi alam kung saan patungo?

Gusto kong magmahal pero hindi ko alam kung sino
Nararapat bang ang lalaki ay gwapo at matipuno?
Nararapat bang ang babae ay balingkinitan at pino?
May habang-buhay ba kapag ang larawan ay perpekto?

Pero gusto kong magmura dahil akala ko prinsipe ka
Nang tinanong mo 'ko kung maari mo 'kong gawing reyna
Ako naman 'tong si tanga, naniwala, nagtiwala
Nahulog, nadurog, nakuha ng maling akala.

Pero gusto kong magmura dahil sa 'kin mas maganda ka pa
Kaya kahit kailan, sarili mo lamang ang parati mong nakikita
Dahil ang sabi mo, ang babaeng para sayo ay dapat pino
Balingkinitan at tropeyo na kaiingitan ng barkada mo. Oo, hindi ako.

Pero gusto kong magmahal para malaman kung paano
Tataas nga ba ang aking isang paa kapag hinalikan mo ako?
May mga paru-paro nga bang sa sikmura ko'y magkakagulo?
Kapag hawak mo ang aking kamay, bibilis ba ang pintig ng puso?

Kaya gusto kong magmahal kahit hindi ko alam kung sino
Ang magpapabilis ng tibok ng palaging ligalig kong puso
'Yung magpapa-blush sa 'kin, aakyat sa mukha ko ang dugo
'Yung mapapansin at tutuksuhin ng lahat na nahulog na sa'yo

Pero gusto kong magmura dahil hindi tumaas ang aking paa
Bagkus puno ng kalyo sa pagtayo habang ilang oras na hinihintay ka
Dahil wala ni isang paru-parong dumapo sa pag-alis at pagbalik mo sa aking kama
At kapag hinatak mo ang aking kamay, alam ko galit ka na

At gusto ko talagang magmura dahil kung paano matakot sa tao, alam ko na
Yung tipong kabisado ko ang pagbukas ng seradura kapag nariyan ka na
At hindi ako pwedeng magkamali kung ayaw ko ng dugo sa aking mukha
Dahil sawa na akong pagtawanan ng mga tao sa aking mga pasa.

Pero gusto ko pa rin magmahal kahit di ko na alam kung sino
Ang magmamahal sa babaeng naging tanga, naging basura na para sa'yo
Kaya nagtiis ako, akala ko, pagmamahal kapag hinintay ang pagbabago
Na darating ang araw, ang mga sugat mo, mapaghihilom ng mga sugat ko

Kaya gusto ko pa rin magmahal kahit hindi ko alam kung paano
Ibinigay ko ang lahat ng makakapagsaya sa'yo
Naging sunud-sunuran, naging personal assistant, naging yaya mo.
At kahit anong gusto mo, ayaw ko man, ginawa ko.

Kaya naman gusto ko nang magmura sa kung paano mo ko inabuso
Na pinagsabay mo kaming dalawang babae mo
Dahil ang sabi mo, may naibibigay s'yang higit sa kaya ko.
Pero ayaw mo kong mawala, dahil ako pa rin ang mahal mo.

Kaya gusto ko talagang magmura dahil dinuraan mo na ko
Pero ang gusto mo, hindi ako aalis at humalik ako sa talampakan mo
Ano sya? Ano ako? Ganun din kaya sa kanya'y sinabi mo?
Ganun nga ba talaga kapag mahal mo ang tao? Kung di kaya ng isa, dalawahin mo?

Kaya gusto kong magmahal dahil hindi ko alam kung paano
Dapat ba sa mabait at relihiyosong tao?
Dapat ba sa maingat sa kilos at hindi nasasangkot sa gulo?
Dapat ba yung disente, naka-formal at maganda ang trabaho?

Gusto ko nang magmahal ng tama kahit di ko alam kung sino
Dapat ba yung marami nang napatunayan sa mundo?
'Yung mala-libro ang resume na hindi kailangan para magkatrabaho?
'Yung kaya akong regaluhan ng mga bagay na bibilhin ang pagkatao ko?

Kaya gusto kong magmura dahil sabi nila tama ka, pero
hindi ko kailanman naramdaman na mahal mo ako
Laman lagi ng isip mo ang trabahong kikita para sa pangarap mo
Hindi ko lang alam kung kasama ako sa marami mong mga plano

Kaya gusto ko rin talagang magmura dahil laging tama ang lahat, maliban ako
Dahil ang mga gusto ko, hindi dapat, hindi pwede, hindi disente gaya mo
Dahil hindi mo matanggap ang lahat ng pinagdaanan, pinagkamalian ko
Ang gusto mo kasi, yung hindi nagkamali, yung tamang tao kagaya mo.

Kaya gusto kong magmahal para malaman kung paano
Pero ayaw ko nang sumugal, masyado nang durog ang mapaghanap kong puso
Hindi ko pa rin alam ang tama sa dami ng pagkakamali ko
Ang gusto ko lang naman: romansa, responsibilidad at respeto
Kung kaya ko naman 'yan ibalik sa'yo, mahirap pa ba ang hinahanap ko?

Gusto kong magmahal, pero
 ********* lang talaga! Pagod na ko.

Dear Laarni

(Halaw sa Dear Laarni ng BennyBunnyBand)

Mabillis, makulit, paulit-ulit ang kwerdas na kinakalabit
Isang saglit lamang ang hinihingi ng tugtog at pag-ibig
Patawad sana sa puso kong 'di nagpapaawat sa pagpilit
Ikaw lamang kasi ang ikinakabig ng dibdib at bibig

Itigil mo muna ang pagbuka ng iyong labi
Hayaan mong hawakan ko ng aking daliri
Ano nga ba ulit ang gusto mo sa dami ng sinabi?
Sigurado ako. Ako 'yon. Meron bang hihindi?

Sa tinagal-tagal ng pamimihikan
Nakita ka, nahulog na nang tuluyan
Mapili man, nakapili naman
Oo, ikaw na nga, wala nang bawian

Sa araw-araw na ikaw ay kasama
Pangarap ko ang gabi-gabi na yakap ka
Dati'y akala, naghihintay ako sa wala
Ngayon nariyan na, ikaw lang, sapat na

Sa tuwing ika'y tinititigan
Bumabawi ka nang daglian
Ngumingiti ng lubusan
ang puso kong sinuklian

Nahihiya ka bang basahin ang aking mata?
O pagtingin ko'y di mo talaga makita?
Hindi na bali kung ligaya ko'y di suklian
Pero sige na. Pwede naman.

Ano nga ba talaga ang nais ituran
Sa aking walang pagod na pamamanhikan
Meron ba o wala d'yang nararamdaman?
Ikakahon mo na ba ko ng tuluyan?

Anong ligaya kung saka-sakali
Oo na ang sagot at 'di na lamang ngiti
Pagbigyan mo na sana ang sayo'y pagpili
Ikaw lang naman kasi ang aking minimithi

Iaalis mo ba kapag kamay mo'y hinawakan?
Mabilis man ngunit 'di ko na mapigilan
Hindi naman kita agad hahalikan
Pero kung gusto mo, pwede rin naman.

Sa tagal kong naghintay sa iyo paraluman
Sasandal sana ako ng banayad at marahan
Araw ko'y nakukumpleto 'pag ika'y nagigisnan
Paos na ang pusong sigaw ang iyong kagandahan

Gandang hinding-hindi kailanman lilisan
Hindi lilipas, hindi pagsasawaan
Minimithing ikaw ang tanging inaasam
Sabihin mo man sa 'kin "ang bilis mo naman."

***

If you like the poem, you can listen to it here.

Bugso

(Halaw sa 43 Sunsets ni Burn Mercado)

Binabasag na naman ng ulan ang larawan ng nakaraan
Basang-basa na ang daan, umaagos ang luha ng kalangitan
Nakikiramay sa damdamin kong binabaha na ng tuluyan
Nilulunod ako sa dalamhating humahati sa aking kaibuturan

Nasaan ka na kaya sa malamig na panahong gaya nito?
Muli mo bang isusuot ang mga medyas na pareho tayo?
Magkukulubong ka pa rin ba ng kumot gaya ng  dating gawi mo?
Oo, makasama kang muli sa ilalim ng kumot ang gusto ko

Binubugbog ng hangin ang bintanang kasing rupok ng puso ko
Na pasa-pasa na sa paasang dinimdim ko para lang manatili sa'yo
Ngunit nangingitim na ang mga markang dapat paghihilumin mo
Kasing dilim ng kulimlim na hindi mahahawi hanggang sa paglayo

Ngayong inaagos na ng tubig ang gamit, buhay at alaalang matatangay nito
Dalangin ko rin na tangayin ng agos ang nalulunod na rin lang na puso
Wala nang sasagip dahil walang lalangoy sa pusali at tubig kanal ng 'tayo'
Ng pagmamahal na tinawag mong 'tayo' pero lagi na lamang tungkol sa 'yo

Nakatunganga pa rin ako sa bintana, sa kawalan ng buhay, sa kawalan
Nakakahon sa pader ng ating mga away, sinemento, pinagtibay, sinaraduhan
Nakalimutan mo mahal, na lagyan ng pintuan bago mo pinapalitadahan
Nang mapagtanto ko, mag-isa ko na lamang inilatag ang ating higaan

Higaang naging saksi sa mga larawan ng saya, galit, lungkot, takot
Lahat ng mayroon tayo, sa gitna ng magdamag sa ilalim ng kumot
Pero di ka nanatili gaya ng pagbaon ng iyong mga daliri sa aking balikat,
nag-iwan ng sugat, ng pilat nang hindi mo maikakailang ako'y naging sapat

'Di mo man lang nilagyan ng bisagra ang pintuan upang kita'y masundan
Hindi man lamang kandado na may susing itinago, hahanapin ko na lamang
Hindi mo hangad na ako'y lumabas ng kwartong nilisan mo ng walang balikan
Gayong ang bugso ng damdamin ko ay hihigit pa sa delubyong dala ng ulan

Sa gitna ng tikatik ng ulang bumibingi, higit pa sa hinagpis ng katahimikan
Sa loob ng tuyong kwarto na binasa na ng luha at natigang sa tawanan
Mga luhang naghihintay ng habangbuhay, ng pagpapahingalay, ng kawalan ng saysay
Habang humahangos ang hangin, hinahabol ang dapit-hapon hanggang bukang-liwayway

Ang kulimlim ay naging dilim at bumalot na muli sa akin
Isang magdamag na naman ng mga panaginip na hindi ka kapiling.

***

If you like the poem, you can listen to it here.

PS

(Halaw sa PS Laarni ng BennyBunnyBand)

Ubos na ang mga tintang tinuyo ng paglisan
Naninilaw na ang mga sobre ng kahapon at walang hanggan
Hindi matatawarang paalam sa lahat ng sinimulan
Nariyan ka pa ba para tanggapin ang basang-basa kong liham?

Tadhana ang sabi nilang magbabalik sa ating panahon
Sa bawat selyong inipon, bawat sobreng nilikom
Hindi pa rin tumatak ang destinasyon ng kahapon
May bukas pa nga ba sa pagtanging pilit mong itinapon?

Hindi mo ba naaalala ang awit ng ating mga puso?
Nagpapaindayog sa iyong balikat, pababa ng iyong pulso
Nagdidikit na mga palad na 'sing init ng pagsuyo
Sa iyong malambot na labi'y humahaplos, pumupuno.

Ngunit ngayo'y ibang ritmo na ang nagpapaindak sa iyo
Tingin ko'y hawig naman sa musikang inialay ko
Ngunit ibang palad pa rin ang pinipisil ng mga kamay mo
at humahaplos sa labing araw-araw ay pangarap ko.

Nag-iisa pa rin ako sa bawat araw na ika'y nakikita
Pumupunit, kumakayas, dumudurog sa aking pag-asa
Tuwing mababakas ko ang ligaya sa iyong magandang mukha
Hindi ko na kayang supilin ang pait ng lahat sa ati'y nawala

Mistula nang lukot na sobre ang puso kong 'di mo nilingon
Na dati'y iyong iniingatan, marahang binabasa buong maghapon
Dati man ay halik ang kalakip ng mga salitang sa aki'y pabaon
Ngayo'y iyo nang dinuraan at sa mukha ko'y dagling itinapon

Dalangin ko na lamang na ang pag-ibig nya'y hindi panandalian
At magpapaagos ng mga luhang hindi ko kailanman natunghayan
Bagkus bumura ng aking ulirat at sumakop sa aking katinuan
Naglulunoy sa tila dagat ng kalungkutang sa aki'y iyong iniwan

Sa tingin mo man ako ay paulit-ulit, pumipihit, nagpapakasakit
Hindi ako hihinto sa siklo ng pagsuyo, hindi man nagpupumilit
Hayaan mo akong mahalin ka, na parang linya ng korong binabalikan
Sa tuwing natatapos ang mga berso na tinuldukan mo na ng tuluyan.

Balang araw, mararating ko rin ang hantungan ng mga nilisan
Magpapahinga ang pusong pagal nang magmahal kahit tinalikuran
Tapos na. Tapos na ba?
Sa iyo, oo. Sa akin, hindi pa.

***

If you like the poem, you can listen to it here. 

Ikaw Na

(Ibang anggulo ng pag-ibig sa Ikaw Na Ang Anghel Bow! ng BennyBunnyBand)

Gusto kong maniwala na makikilala mo rin ako

Sa likod ng mga taong naghihiyawan, umiindak at nagkakagulo

Sa dilim ng gabi na kahit anong pilit ng mata, liwanag ay susuko

Nagtatago ba ako? Oo. Sa 'yo.

Ikaw ang tipo na nabubuhay sa gitna ng entablado

at ako, nakukuntento na nasa harapan at nanonood sa 'yo

pilit tinatanaw ang bawat kilos, indayog na dala ng musika mo

habang ang mga tao ay pader na humaharang sa ating mga mundo

Nakalulunod man ang dami ng taong humihiyaw ng pangalan mo

Sa bawat "mahal kita" na ibinabato maya't maya ng mga tao

Walang tumitinag, kumukurot, nagpapalingon sa iyong pihikang puso

at huwag kang mag-alala, marami mang naghihintay, pero hindi ako

Alam ko naman ang hangganan ng mga taong tulad ng kalibre ko

Hindi naman ako nangangarap mahulog sa taong hindi naman sasalo

Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung bakit nagkakilala pa tayo

Ayan. Nabubuhay ako't namamatay sa magdamag, pagtula tungkol sa'yo.

Hinahagilap ko pa ang lakas ng loob ko na ipunin ang aking mga letra

Pagkumpul-kumpulin at ibato sa 'yo ang mapagmahal kong mga salita

Dalangin ko lang na maaari pa 'kong lumiham lakip ang pag-ibig kong kataga

Dahil wala na akong ibang paraan upang marating ang 'di maabot na tala

Oo, isa kang tala na bumihag sa akin at sa puso kong ayaw nang umasa

Ngunit sa bawat kislap mo, hindi ko maipaliwanag, patuloy akong namamangha

Binibighani ng tinig mo sa bawat musikang iyong likha

Sa ritmong humahaplos sa kaluluwa ko na dala ng iyong musika

Umiikot ang mundo mo na hindi kailanman magtatapon sa akin ng pag-asa

Ngunit hindi iyon sapat upang ako'y durugin at tuluyan nang bumitiw sa paghanga

Pagtatagni-tagniin ko na lamang ang puso ko gamit ang iyong alaala

Saka ko pupunuin ng nag-uumapaw na pagmamahal kong hindi mo makikilala

Matatapos na naman ang magdamag na hindi mo ako binabasa

Ngunit patuloy akong tutula, hanggang sa ang sakit ay tuluyang maubos na

Kahit hindi ko alam kung ang sinasaktang puso ay nagmamahal pa

May magagawa pa ba 'ko? Eh, ikaw na. Ikaw na nga talaga.

***

If you like the poem, you can listen to it here.

My Man Every Morning

I have always thought that I did so much goodness in this life or maybe in my past life to deserve someone like you. These are my thoughts in every break of day that opens the beauty that I see beside me, cuddling me, trying to get the sheets on his side, with that naughty smile while eyes closed. I have always thought that every time you do that, you are trying to make my day. You knew, as I have told you, that your smile warms every inch of me, leaving my lips with a smile that only you can bring. Imagine every day. That is how much you give me life. Every. Single. Day. But that's just the beginning. I always spend minutes staring at you while you pretend to sleep away the alarm clock that you, yourself set. I always have to pound on the alarm to stop, and you'll bury yourself on my side, holding me close, covering me with the blanket once more. I find it really cute, so I just allow you your simple morning whims. 

I would always run my fingers through your hair. The strands that softly glide through my fingers remind me of how soft you touch me for every good night kiss. As soft as how you kiss my forehead in the moment I made you really proud. As soft as the pressure you place on my hands whenever I feel that all my nerves are letting me down. As soft as your lips that always make me want to kiss you every second till it hurts. Every strand numbers the reason why I'm beside the man who never fails to make my heart skip. You would find the best moment to crack that joke, green or not, and play with my imagination. You have always been witty, and I never saw each pun coming. You were so unpredictable that I deem you make these simple pleasures on the spot. Forgive me if you find me surly at times of stress, but you never gave up on me. After you listen to my woes, a good embrace will definitely do the trick. And I love it when you're pressing yourself to me. Then you'll cap it off with the best pun. You knew I will never be able to resist smiling to a witty remark. And you don't know how that means so much to me. You are my breather in times I need to tell myself that everything will be okay. And you make them okay. So much okay, that I know, I'll make it through everything when I'm with you.

Then my fingers would find their way to your forehead that I enjoy writing my red lipstick on, every time you sleep before I do. And it will always be my morning notes for you. Every time I do that, I make sure that there's a pocket mirror within your reach. You knew when you see one beside you. Even without reading what I wrote, you would say, "I love you."

You are no longer asleep, I know. You simply enjoy that I trace your facial features with my fingertips. Your eyes are even moving behind those closed eyelids. I love touching your eyelids, as if I'm drawing them. I remember how beautiful your eyes are when I look through them. When we play that game of whoever-blinks-first-lose kind of game, I can't help falling into the deep soulful dark brown eyes of yours. They always bear small wrinkles on the sides when you smile. I love those wrinkles. They remind me of all the times that you smile for me, even when I don't smile back. They're contagious and I thank you for keeping me sane with your smile. As much as your eyes look through me, I always find deep-seated emotions as I look deeply into your eyes. They always feel familiar, as if your eyes speak to my heart. Those are the times that you need not talk to me, because I knew, what lies behind your stare are precious feelings that only the two us would understand. 

My two fingers 'walk' along the bridge of your nose and they are so curious on what lies ahead. Tiptoeing fingers made their way towards your lips. These two plumps that would always make me lose my mind. You always make me lose it, when you smile, you pout, you open them with awe, and even with smirks, they are gorgeous. Tracing the lines of your lips is so satisfying for me. I would love to use a lip liner on that soon. Haha! Just kidding. It's like drawing your face with the familiar contours that will never leave my memory. 

Then all these will be capped with my hands pressing your cheeks together and rewarding you the sweetest morning smack I could give. "Good morning," I said. "I love you so much," you responded.

Then it all went black.

I never wanted to wake up, but I did.

See you in my dreams later, my love.

Vamp Verse

Here is my verse for you.
You who came into my senses in the middle of an ungodly hour
breaking through the windows of my soul
searching for that innocent girl awaiting neverland stories to come true
You who made black the sexiest color
and darkness the ultimate closet of secrets
You who kept me wanting to own you without knowing your name
for a night of whims and dangerous cravings
You were there in a night where the moon watched me bloom
under its dim light in perfect solitude
You with serene dances against your shadows
lurking behind me, holding me close, enclosing my very soul

But you left the night like a thief I will never again find
Whose words scathe as much as your silence did
the sharpest of fangs that pretended to lick my neck
Whose fingers that traced my contours
leaving me breathless in every touch, every pressure
these slimmest knives you struck into my chest
opening up my soul, overflowing with pain
surging with the red of passion
I bathe in the blood of frustrations
disappointments and all things that you are
But you were never there
to share the cup of blood I drink
that kept me up all night
that reddened my eyes until I forcefully close them
You were never there
When I winced at the sight of dawn
for another grueling daytime with your thoughts
that singe my core
burning whatever humanity left in me
scorching the colors I have left and drive me pale

These are the makings of a vamp
And you didn't know I would rise and tear you
for the eternal pain of holding me close
and letting me go, falling endlessly
hopelessly, into your arms then die.

You left me for dead in the break of light,
but I rise again for a perpetual night.

Don't Make Me Look Back

When people leave, they look back

For a glimpse of what once theirs
For a moment to relive the happiness lost
For that bliss you leaped and drowned into
For a sacred memento that you'll always keep

I'm taking a step away now
And every single one hit my very core
That I'm walking away from you who loved
And not aware that you did so well
Yet believed that I hate you so much

I'm leaving you behind, not because I hate you
It is because I've loved so much
That I want you to know how you can fix yourself
Because that is something I can never do
To fix the skeletons that scare you

Believe me when I say it's for your own good
That your thoughts would be for yourself
On what you can do with your life
And where you're going to find home
Instead of all my things and thoughts that you live for

My life is no longer for you to keep
Because you need to learn how to keep yours first
I've seen you lost your sense of self
As your every day revolve around me
You made me your world and I'm sorry

Never make me look back
with all the pleading and the hurt
because I'm hurting, it just doesn't show
But I have to be strong so you'll find yourself weak
So you can find your own strength
And get up, fix things and make a better you

Never make me look back
And take a glimpse of the beauty of us
Because I might break my heart more
And ask you to mend it with your kisses
And realize that I'm missing all the love

I love you still
but with a love with much respect
that I have to leave you
for you to find a better love than I can offer
to find yourself and find your home.

I will always wish weekends never end.

Sa Uulitin

sunrise at Mt. Pulag

Sa bawat sulyap
na nagpapatigil ng lahat, maliban sa umiikot at tuliro kong malay

Sa bawat sulyap
na tila pagtikhim sa matagal nang pangarap na paglasap at pagsilay

Heto ka,
nanunukso sa iyong bawat ngiti, sa bawat paggalaw ng iyong labi.

Heto ka,
nagpapakislot ng aking puso sa halakhak mong saglit sa ki'y kumikiliti

Mali nga ba
na sa tuwing ipipikit ko ang aking mga mata ay nakikita ko ang iyong mukha?

Mali nga ba
na bawat musikang naririnig ko, ikaw ang dulo at simula ng mga linya?

Hindi
man sa akin nakatingin ang iyong mga mata, nangungusap ito, tumutula

Hindi
man ako ang binibigkas ng iyong mga letra, ako'y nakikinig at nagpapaubaya

Oo,
sinasayawan ko ang ritmo ng iyong paghinga

Oo,
hindi nga kita kayang abutin kahit dulo man lang ng iyong hibla

Siguro
hindi sapat ang aking pagtula, nilalamay ko man ay hindi mo man lamang binabasa

Siguro
nga mag-isa kong niyayakap ang lamig ng magdamag upang gising na panaginipan ka

Tama nang
ako na lamang ang nagtatahi ng tagpi-tagpi kong pangarap at paghanga

Tama nang
hindi kita kasama sa paglulunoy ko sa sakit ng katotohanang hindi akin ka

Mahal kita
sa paraang natitira sa aking nakatatawa, nakaaawa, nakahahabag na paraan

Mahal kita
sa kabila ng pag-asang tila dinuraan na ng lahat ng hatinggabi't umagang namagitan

Mahal kita
sa bawat sulyap.
Tama nang
mahal kita.

Nagmamahal (sa) BennyBunnyBand: Album Review

It's been awhile. I know. Forgive me. Adult life.
A month ago during the BennyBunnyBand Tshirt Launch, I got a copy of their EP. If you haven't heard the music of this amazing trio, Kuneho Rock, I had a brief fangirling post about them previously.

After playing their tracks day in and day out, which made my daughter start humming Dear Laarni one day, I've finally found my strength to get up the hospital bed and write a review.

Their EP has six (6) tracks:

Dear Laarni
Ikaw Na (Ang Anghel, Bow!)
5-10
Pam ToGetHer
I'm Coming
P.S. Laarni

Their songs began with "ligaw" songs, upbeat and weirdly nice to hear. Well, that is Kuneho Rock, unique and weird, but good. That is best noted in Dear Laarni which focused on this guy trying to win a girl's heart. Filled with the common words of a seemingly lovestruck guy in a hurry for a yes from his lady love, Dear Laarni poses more on the humorous side of things rushed and ecstatic with young love. With the fast, literal breath-taking singing of lead Benny Giron, and a lot of voice maneuvers, the song made the rhythm like pulsating heartbeat with unpredictable highs and lows, fasts and slows. Ah, young love. That's Dear Laarni.

Ikaw Na (Ang Anghel, Bow!) is another ligaw song with an upbeat, but rather slower rhythm---something you can pick for a good night gig of harana. This song aimed to use all compliments for the girl from flowers to angels. This poses as an all-out pa-impress, boladas to get that yes in a very Filipino kind of way. The signature Kuneho Rock is still in place and the colloquial lingo of the lyrics makes it more relatable even to youngsters who are ready to strum their way towards their girl's heart.

5-10 is another ligaw song, but this time, hitting a higher level of wooing. This could even pass for an Ode, which is a praise song. Placing the girl on a pedestal, the guy had to present himself so little. It may be sincerely done as he has very low self-esteem, or it's just another Pinoy type of flattery which belittles oneself to praise another. Whatever it is, this is simply another rocking piece that would make your heart melt, ironically, in fast beats.

Pam ToGetHer is more of a ballad that tells a story, like "one normal day, I met this girl..." kind of story. This focuses on Pam, a girl, maybe as beautiful as Helen of Troy that everyone seems to fall on their knees just to get her attention. This song works less on the lyrics, but focused on the instrumentals. It's beat is as rad as Dear Laarni, and it's fun all the way. You really don't need to know what happened to Pam and her suitors to enjoy the music. It's that one song that would make you dance even in your lowest of moods.

I'm Coming is my favorite. According to Benny, this is their most serious song so far. Yes. Serious and heart-warming. It was rather short compared to the other songs, but there is a reason behind that. The first two verses were all about the extreme anguish of longing for your loved one. The person may be in a far away place, or can be emotionally far. So it could be a make-up song, actually. It can also be for LDR. Whatever pleases you, just enjoy the music. These verses have a quite long instrumental in between which gives the slow pacing of thoughts and the sadness despite the upbeat music, each verse shifting to another thought. This is followed by a long "haaaahh...." that marks the faster pacing of rhythm and the increasing intensity concluded by "Malapit na!" This intensity became a surge of emotions and excitement on the couple's nearing moment to meet. The same intensity was sustained and ended by a climactic "Mahal ko...nandito na ko." Then an abrupt stop after several plucking. Does it sound familiar? Yup. Though this song is a very heart-warming composition, it has its sexual undertones. Thus, this suits a good make-up...song.

P.S. Laarni will break your heart into pieces, chopped, minced and seasoned with salt. It was a song you won't expect from the band---tear-jerking especially if you have imagined yourself to be Laarni on the first song. And my first thought when I heard this song, "How could you be so cruel?" Yes, it was a cruel song, for a saksak-puso-tulo-ang-dugo kinda cruel. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Maiiyak na naman ako.

I guess that's it! This band is great in live performances and in everyday sound tripping. My kid even memorized Ikaw Na and dance to it while brushing her teeth. But don't take my word for it. Grab your copy of the BennyBunnyBand's EP! But not now. Sadly, they are still reproducing physical copies after it was sold out.

Don't fret! They have Dear Laarni, Pam ToGetHer and Forbidden Song No. 2: Kamandag (Pogi Problems) on Spotify! Kamandag is the ultimate f***boi song. Just saying.

Also, you can see them perform live this coming Fete dela Musique on June 18, 2016, 4th Floor Alfresco Area, Century City Mall! Here's the schedule of the Fusion Stage:

The best thing about Fete dela Musique:

But there are more reasons to see them:

FREE OPM memes SHIRT!

How?
1. Share this photo and caption your post with "I AM GOING TO #FeteFusion2016" Make sure that your post is "PUBLIC"
2. BE THERE ON SATURDAY! Pag tinawag ang name mo at wala ka, mapupunta sya sa iba. </3

Deadline of entries will be on Friday, June 17, 2016 (8pm)
Here's the Facebook post.

Another!

WIN A FREE D&D UKULELE (Concert size) with Belcat pick-up from Ukulele Philippines.

How?
1. Share this photo and caption your post with "I AM GOING TO #FeteFusion2016" Make sure that your post is "PUBLIC"
2. BE THERE ON SATURDAY! Pag tinawag ang name mo at wala ka, mapupunta sya sa iba. </3

Deadline of entries will be on Friday, June 17, 2016 (8pm)
Here's the Facebook post.

In case you are not lucky enough to win these prizes, 

you can always take home a souvenir of this event. How?

P R E - O R D E R N O W !

Email: watunderdogsprod@gmail.com or message WAT UP or Para sa Sining on Facebook.

To get updates and to support the Pinoy Music Scene,
You may follow my favorite bunnies on Twitter: @BennyBunnyBand
Like their page on Facebook: BennyBunnyBand

See you, EveryBunny!

Out of Reach

You are a memory I try to dream of
Within my grasp, you're out of reach

Across the infinite, a definite me
Falling, breaking for a chance of you

Seconds of glance,minutes of talk
Hours of night that seem so long

Resounding images, repeating till fade
and bid goodbye with a hopeless state.

NotWorking by BennyBunnyBand

Dear Laarni by BennyBunnyBand

Forbidden Song No. 2 (Pogi Problems) by BennyBunnyBand

Pam ToGetHer by BennyBunnyBand

I'm Coming by BennyBunnyBand

BennyBunnyBand at 70's Bistro