One morning in September 2007, I was in the office when boredom got the better of me. And like many bored members of the working class, I logged onto YouTube and looked for the music video of Rihanna’s Umbrella. The search made me stumble upon a band’s acoustic cover of the song. I was blown away. I even loved it better than the original. The band was composed by three brothers — Daniel, Fabian, and Alejandro Manzano. The band’s name was Boyce Avenue.

I became a fan instantaneously. That particularly video had only around 40 views. None of my friends knew them. Somehow I was glad. I thought, “This budding group is going to be my little secret.” I anticipated more “cover videos.” And they never failed to amaze me each time they post a new one. YouTube became my little world and Boyce Avenue was the only thing in it.

It was only a matter of time when those 60 views became hundreds, then thousands, then millions. They became an internet phenomenon with over 75 million total views on YouTube, 143,000 subscribers, and ranked as one of the top musician channels of all-time on YouTube. My little secret became the world’s. My little secret became everything but. And for these men, I’m more than happy.

I blogged about them and their first time in Manila (a mall tour). And now, I’m glad I’m blogging about them again because they’re returning to the Philippines for a major concert. And he’s not alone.

Jabbawockeez arrived in Manila last week and I’m delighted to hear they will be a regular on ASAP XV for a month. I’m not really a dance fan but it doesn’t take a dance diploma to know that they ARE great. Especially after the technical boo-boo on ASAP last Sunday. They were just the most creative-slash-professional group ever. They’re amazing.

Kris Allen will be performing at MusicFest, too. Allow me to die for a moment. (OK, I just died there.) I remember last year when every one of my friends was rooting for that Adam Lambert guy, I think I was the only one in my circle that was jumping out of my seat. Doesn’t matter, though. He’s won. He’s here. And I’m going to see him.

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On with the third batch! If you missed the first two parts, simply click here and here.

Note that this is a personal list. These songs may be those that affected me immensely, became an anthem of a certain period of my life, or just personal favorites.

Click the title to see the music video  or listen to the song. Links will lead you to YouTube. I’m also posting lyrics to the songs.

70. All Saints – Never Ever

I love All Saints. I was at the front line on All Saints’ side during the height of their rivalry with Spice Girls (although I liked Spice Girls, too). Never Ever is not my fave song of theirs; it’s actually Bootie Call but that’s hardly a love song. Haha.

Coke used this song as their jingle at one time. They tagalized this and the lyrics were like, “Ang sarap kasama ng pamilya, lalo pag may Coca Cola…” I adored that TV commercial, too.

Also listen to: Black Coffee, All Hooked Up, Bootie Call, I Know Where It’s At, Pure Shores

69. Kavana – Will You Wait for Me

Well, I’m a pop music fan so that should be reason enough for you why I like this song. When my ex-girlfriend passed away, I was reminded of this song because the time we were together, this song was so popular. And that makes it unforgettable.

The days went by so quickly,
cos I thought you’d always be there.
It’s hard to let you go,
though I know that I must try.
I feel like I’ve been cheated,
cos we never said goodbye.

By the way, where the hell is this guy now?

Also listen to: Special Kind of Something, Thank You

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OK, moving on. If you missed the first part, simply click here.

Note that this is a personal list. These songs may be those that affected me immensely, became an anthem of a certain period of my life, or just personal favorites.

Click the title to listen to the song.

85. The Pussycat Dolls – Stickwitu

I first heard this song when it hit no. 1 in Top of the Pops. The Pussycat Dolls performed it. And I was so blown out of my chair not because the performance was amazing but because I could not believe it was a Pussycat Dolls song.

I wasn’t really a fan then even though lead singer Nicole Scherzinger has Filipino blood. But with this song, I was turned into a Pussycat slave magically. It’s such a happy, feel-good, look-at-me-somebody-loves-me song. But after I listen to this record, I just can’t help wondering if this is really a joyful song. Never in the song, not even once, that the singer mentioned if she also loves the guy she is singing this to.

It’s always:

Nobody gonna love me better
I must stick with you forever.
Nobody gonna take me higher
I must stick with you.
You know how to appreciate me
I must stick with you, my baby.
Nobody ever made me feel this way
I must stick with you.

Er, well, she did say: I want you to know that you’re the only one for me. So I think that’s good enough.

Also listen to: “I Hate This Part”

84. Mariah Carey – We Belong Together

I was so very missing Mariah Carey before the release of Emancipation of Mimi. Its carrier single It’s Like That was catchy, I thought, but there was something missing. When this single came out, all I could utter was “Mariah is back.” And as a big Mariah fan, it was enough for me not the forget this song.

And yeah. The song is just sooo good. Yung tipong kahit hapong-hapo ka na sa pagkanta sa videoke, trying to keep up with Mariah, go ka pa rin hanggang sa last ulit ng chorus tapos gigil na gigil ka na sa part na WHEN — YOU — LEFT — I — LOST — A — PART — OF — ME. IT’S… tas ayaw mo na. Ipapasa na yung mic sa iba. Haha.

When you left I lost a part of me (Together)
It’s still so hard to believe
Come back baby, please
‘Cause we belong together

Also listen to: “Don’t Forget About Us,” “Bye Bye,” “Breakdown”

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After compiling my favorite films of all time, now it’s time to list down the songs that are memorable to me.  However, this chart is limited to love songs for I am also planning to feature other types on a separate list.

Note that this is a personal list. These songs may be those that affected me immensely, became an anthem of a certain period of my life, or just personal favorites.

Click the title to see the music video  or listen to the song. Links will lead you to YouTube. I’m also posting lyrics to the songs that I especially like.

100. Leona Lewis – Bleeding Love

I first heard this song while YouTube surfing. I instantly became a fan. But I forgot about it soon after. Months later, before going to sleep, I heard it again over RX 93.1. I did not recognize the song and honestly, I thought it was Sarah Geronimo singing. Haha. I don’t like the lyrics very much but I believe that the melody and arrangement made the record the catchiest song of that year.

Later, I found out that it was written by OneRepublic’s front man Ryan Tedder and teen star Jesse McCartney, whom I heart so much. Plus points.

Also Listen To: “Yesterday,” “Better in Time,” “Run”

99. Kelly Clarkson – The Trouble With Love Is

I love this song because it’s so true. It summarizes what the problem with love is. Hey, look, look:

The trouble with love is
It can tear you up inside
Make your heart believe a lie
It’s stronger than your pride
The trouble with love is
It doesn’t care how fast you fall
And you can’t refuse the call
See, you got no say at all

Every time I turn around
I think I’ve got it all figured out
My heart keeps callin’ and I keep on fallin’
Over and over again

I first heard this song while Love Actually’s closing credits were rolling. Been in love with it since.

Also Listen To: “My Life Would Suck Without You,” “Miss Independent,” “Since U Been Gone”

98. Counting Crows – Accidentally in Love

I don’t know why but this song is just so addictive. It always induces LSS and gaaaah, sometimes I wake up singing this song. Is it a Counting Crows thing? Or is it a Shrek thing? More like a Shrek thing, I think.

So she said, “What’s the problem baby?”
What’s the problem I don’t know
Well maybe I’m in love, think about it every time
I think about it, can’t stop thinking ’bout it

Also Listen to: “Big Yellow Taxi”

97. Jann Arden – Insensitive

How do you numb your skin
After the warmest touch
How do you slow your blood
After the body rush
How do you free your soul
After you’ve found a friend
How do you teach your heart
Its a crime to fall in love again

I thought that you might have
Some advice to give on how to be
Insensitive

I almost felt exactly like this! I could have been singing this song. In fact, I was so ready to. Luckily for me, it turned out he wasn’t really insensitive. Yay!

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Status: Terrified.
Music: Terrified | Kara DioGuardi feat Jason Reeves

• BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDRE! It was his birthday last Saturday, February 21. I had a great time at his party despite the migraine. Slept in the couch while the rest were belting out diva and boy band songs. Haha. And Andre, alam ko minumura mo ako habang natutulog. Haha. Tangenamurin.
• I finally got to attend a blogger event! Haha. First time. I was a little nervous, though, coz I never really wanted to attend ANY blog event. Too shy for that. But I was so glad to meet Lio, Jehzlau, Ada, Benj, Coy, Eric, Joms, Fitz, and many others. Waah, sorry, I suck at identifying faces and remembering names. Plus, I spent most of the time hiding behind a sheet of paper.
• I met up with Kuya Ethan at UP Shopping Center last night to get the book he owed me, ehehe. Gaahd, I missed him so much. Hahaaaay.
• The Amazing Race 14 has started. Weeeeeh. So far I like the Asian siblings and the flight attendants. TAR is still my most loved reality show.
• American Idol Season 8. Hmmm. I’ll start blogging about it after the semi-finals. But as of now, Alexis Grace and Danny Gokey get my lovin’. And waaah, Anoop Desai didn’t make it. Wuwuwu.
• Speaking of Idol, in an email exchange, blogger friend Berg urged me to listen to “Terrified,” Kara DioGuardi’s collaboration with Jason Reeves. Well, right now, Kara is my most liked among American Idol judges. And Jason Reeves is looove. And Berg has a really, really great taste in music. So I took time to listen to it, and I was blown away. Here’s a live performance:




And I-I-I’m in love (I’m in love)
And I-I-I’m terrified…
I only said it ’cause I mean it
I only mean ’cause it’s true…

• Aside from the pretty song above, other songs that have been inducing LSS include:
  The Fray’s “Never Say Never”
  Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody”
  Jesse McCartney’s “How Do You Sleep?”
  Snow Patrol’s “Crack the Shutters”
  Craig David’s “Insomnia”
• Wahaha. I love the recently concluded Oscars. Knew Slumdog Millionaire would win but I would really be happier had it been The Reader instead.
• Kate Winslet made me cry with her shampoo bottle speech. At last, Winslet, at last.
• And Sean Penn, I adore you not just for your excellent portrayal of Harvey Milk but also for your speech:




I think it’s a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.“ –Sean Penn

• Nicole Kidman speaking and paying tribute to Angelina Jolie was my idea of award-show bliss. Made me giggle a number of times. Anne Hathaway was teary-eyed. Love her.

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Because updating Twitter and Plurk every whatever hour is too grueling a task for me (yeah, I’m lazy like that), why not deliver updates all at once every week? Wahaha.

• February na! Birthday season. Hahaay. Most of my friends are Februarians. And as I said before, unlike January which I have a love-hate relationship with, February is ALWAYS kind to me. And I know this year ain’t gonna be different. 
• Kelly Clarkson is baaaaack! Although I actually think that My Life Would Suck Without You isn’t one of her best singles, I’m just ecstatic she’s back on top, making history. Hihi. She now holds the record for Billboard’s greatest jump formerly clung under Britney’s belt. Eat that, Britney! (Kidding! I love Britney Spears, too.) Also, she’s the first American Idol to score two Billboard Number 1’s. I’m soooo happy for her. She’s my fave Idol ever. And Carrie Underwood. And David Cook… Aright. I have many fave Idols ever.
• I’m loving I Hate This Part by The Pussycat Dolls. Lovet. I gotta do eeeet… I gotta do eeeet… I gotta do eeeeeeeet…
• I’ve just found out that Boyce Avenue is coming to Manila. Somebody slap me now! I just can’t help getting giddy this early. They will be performing in the following:
  February 12 – SM Cebu, 6 PM
  February 13 – SM Mall of Asia, 7 PM
  February 14 – SM North Edsa, 5 pm
  February 15 – SM Megamall, 7:30 PM
  I’ve been in love with them since like the Cretaceous Period! I remember the time when their youtube pages had only a few views. Now, they’re getting bigger and more popular. I’m happy for them.
• I was at Red Box in Greenbelt 3 last Friday night with clients. And it dawned on me that boy band songs love me. I don’t know what he does to make you cry. But I’ll be there to make you smile…
• I’ve finally seen The Reader. I’m sorry Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader just stole my heart from you. Oscar Best Picture? The Reader for the win. (Kate Winslet is love.)  I’ll be posting my Oscar predictions and the second part of my Movie Rundown: Oscar Contenders post soon. I just need to see Frost/Nixon.
• Amanda Tanen of Ugly Betty is the apple of my eyes right now. But no, I’m not going straight. She’s more like my role model. My answer to the question: Whom do you want to be like when you grow up? Wahaha.

• I keep on finding myself in Trinoma lately. Actually, I don’t feel like going out lately. But I have to. Meetings. Groceries. My usual tambayan is at Dairy Queen in Glorietta 4. But Trinoma has been attracting me gravitationally. But it’s aright, Trinoma is my fave mall after all.
• I didn’t realize there’s actually a Froyo (Frozen Yogurt) place near my place. Yogurbud! Waaah. I know they have branches at SM Megamall and The Podium but I didn’t know there’s also one along Tomas Morato. Yaaaaay! Someone’s gonna be a regular!
• I’m buying a fridge. Yay. Finally, I can store as much yogurt as I want. And ice cream. And milk. And salad…
• Andre spent the weekend at my apartment again. So yes, there’ll be a Weekend with Andre Part 2.
• I was WTF-ing and WTF-ing when I read this report: A Filipino machine operator was reportedly sacked by an engineering firm in Australia allegedly for his toilet habits. A Townsville Bulletin report posted on news.com.au said Amador Bernabe, 43, a Filipino machine operator was kicked out of his job by the Townsville Engineering Industries (TEI) for using water, instead of toilet paper, to clean himself during toilet visits. (abs-cbnnews.com)
• Dear God, why is it sooo hard to quit smoking! Give me the determination to expel nicotine from my body.
  images courtesy of dessertcomesfirst.com and stereogum.com
  

Status: Perfectly functional.
Music: Smack into You | Jon Mclaughlin

• Wow, time flies. January has only a few days left.
• I still got tonsilitis. Dammit. But it’s aright, I’m completely functional. Just that my breath smells like a slice of durian you trap in a jar for a week and then you open it and voila… welcome to Payatas. Yaaak.
• So now I’m in Batangas with my family. Yesterday, I was in Tagaytay. And it was COLD. I know what you’re thinking. “Come on, it’s Tagaytay, of course, it’s cold. Duh?” Well yeah, but not that cold. I’m always there. Thanks to its proximity to our house here. But it was really cold.
• And I realized that listening to my dear Jon Mclaughlin’s album “OK Now” in a freezing weather is therapeutic. I’m starting to think that I’m only getting better coz of it. (Yeah, screw antibiotics! Men are THE cure! It’s always men!)
• It’s Sunday! My favorite day. And it’s not because of the church. It’s Philippine showbiz, baby. Sunday means ASAP 09 and The Buzz. Haha. I looove seeing Ruffa Gutierrez and Kris Aquino bickering on POV (Points, Opinions, Violent Reactions). Gaaawd. They really HAVE to replace Boy Abunda. When he sits in between Ruffa and Kris, he’s getting blander and lamer and uglier by the second.
• Been hooked to Tayong Dalawa. Ehehe. Fantastic ensemble. Even Gerald Anderson is impressive. Sana may quotable quotes din like Iisa Pa Lamang, haha.
• Andre, Dohna, Ayn, and I are planning to go to Thailand. And Cambodia. And Vietnam. Later this year. Yay! Me excited. Eeeeeeeh.
• I’ll be posting my Oscar predictions. But I need to watch all the nominated films first. But even though I’ve only seen a few, my heart already belongs to one film — The Reader. I worship Stephen Daldry. I pray to him before and after every meal. (Char!) And as my friend Ayn pointed out, he has made only three movies, but all of them are Oscar-nominated. (The others being Billy Elliot and The Hours.) I might change my mind after I’ve seen all the films, though.
• In a bit more than a month from now, I’ll be turning 23. But I can still barely say I’m a grown-up. It hurts to grow. It hurts to grow.

It’s the awards season once again. Hahaaay. And as usual, the Grammy has all my attention at the moment. Like I said last year, I’m not so sure about how I feel for Grammy. I want them to be unpredictable but whenever they get unpredictable, their being-unpredictable somehow pisses me off. Haha.  So I guess the problem’s with me. Yeah, it’s always me.

Anyway, I noticed that there are a significant number of Britons among the nominees this year. British domination, hmmm.

Buzzine.com summarises: “Lil’ Wayne is the top nominee for next February’s 51st Grammy Awards (on CBS), scoring eight nominations, including Album of the Year for his acclaimed and commercially successful Tha Carter III.

Scoring seven nods is Coldplay for its Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, also nominated for Album of the Year, plus Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

With six each are Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West; and John Mayer, Radiohead, the team-up Alison Krauss/Robert Plant, and newcomer Jazmine Sullivan are up for five Grammys each.”

Here are some of the nominees with my desires and predictions.

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Adele, “Chasing Pavements”
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”
Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love”
M.I.A., “Paper Planes”
Robert Plant and Alison Kraus, “Please Read The Letter”

What might win: Coldplay, “Viva La Vida.” I’m pretty sure of this, actually.

What I want to win: Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love” or Coldplay, “Viva La Vida.” I’m sorry but I really love Bleeding Love. Although the lyrics are a little pffft, Leona’s performance, its arrangement and overall appeal make it one of my favourites this year. I want Coldplay to win, too, but they won this award for Clocks a few years ago. Let’s boost Simon Cowell’s ego some more, let Leona win. Haha.

What actually won: Robert Plant and Alison Kraus, “Please Read The Letter” Pffft

SONG OF THE YEAR
“American Boy” – Estelle featuring Kanye West
“Chasing Pavements” – Adele
“I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
“Love Song” – Sara Bareilles
“Viva La Vida” – Coldplay

What might win: Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”

What I want to win: “Love Song” – Sara Bareilles. I just adore this song. And knowing the song’s background, I think it’s gonna be amusing if it wins Song of the Year. But Coldplay will win this one.

What actually won: Coldplay, Viva La Vida. See? See? I was right!

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Raising Sand
Coldplay, Viva La Vida
Ne-Yo, Year Of The Gentleman
Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III
Radiohead, In Rainbows

What might win: Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”

What I want to win: Coldplay, “Viva La Vida” This one, I want Coldplay to win. The album’s awesomeness is just… awesome. :p  But Radiohead might put up a good fight.

What actually won: Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Raising Sand

BEST NEW ARTIST
Adele
Duffy
The Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

Who might win: The Jonas Brothers. KIDDING! Adele. I think Adele’s grabbing this one.

Whom I want to win: Adele. Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements…

Who actually won: Adele. Told ya.

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I remember this one time I was having a few rounds of beer with my friends Jon and Marck somewhere in Metrowalk when the conversation suddenly made a sharp curve onto “Jologs Avenue.” I was shocked but delighted to learn that they had a jologs side, too. And it made me wonder if my friend Icang was right when she said, “we all have the Jologs factor.”

I am a hodgepodge.

My personality is a mixture of a wide variety of traits and tastes. For example, my taste in music. I appreciate pretty much anything. As in anything. One time, you see me listening to Vanessa Mae; the next minute I’m humming Kylie Minogie’s Locomotion or Nelly Furtado’s Say It Right. Give it an hour, I’m belting out a Basil Valdez ballad or an Aegis classic. Haha.

When it comes to food, I enjoy gourmet food. But if you drag me to the nearest fishball stall, I’ll gorge on street foods nang walang patumangga.

My interests range from a bit highbrow to downright jologs! And I’m proud of it. Haha. And I admire those people who are not ashamed to free their jologs alter-ego every once in a while.

• One of my friends, Aila, may be one of the most conio-looking Atenean in the world. She has this conio aura. But heck, she used to watch “Ang Pangarap Kong Jackpot.”
• Another buddy, Marck, translates English songs to Tagalog (and vice versa) whenever he’s bored, which is like every day of his life.
• Robin just can’t get over the glory days of the Juday-Wowie loveteam!
• RJ will introduce your jaws to the floor once he enumerates his crushes — Jean Saburit, Jennifer Mendoza, Shirley Fuentes, Bunny Paras, Tina Paner!

And me, well, I have more than my share. It’s innate. In fact, everything I touch magically becomes jolog-ish. Haha. Here are some of my J-Facts (jologs factors).

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I kinda miss Donna Cruz. I love her music. During the height of Vina Morales-Donna Cruz rivalry-brouhaha, I was soooo on Donna’s army. Front line pa! (But I like Vina as a performer now.)

Tangena, ang jologs ko. Haha. Here are some of her songs that I grew up listening to.

• Ikaw Lang ang Mahal
• Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot
• Tayo Lang Dalawa
• Hulog ng Langit
• Wish (with that white guy)
• I Can (with Mikee Cojuangco and Regine Velasquez)

But this one… it just strikes through. Only Me and You.

“It’s enough for me that I have come to love you, I see,
Because the heart I have could only want you.
I just want you to remember
even if it takes forever,
I would wait until the world is through
When all thats left is
Only me and you…”

Aaaaw. Maudlin, maybe. I love the 90s! Ah, the schmaltziness of that decade.
image courtesy of filipinoexpress.com