MYRA the Muse

REMEMBER Myra Mendoza -- the JINGLE face who, akin to Helen of Troy, launched a thousand and more hearts wildly beating, fluttering and swooning in the 70's? She with the captivating smile and angelic face who, I agree with most, was among JINGLE’s lucky charms which catapulted our sales to heights we all enjoyed and basked in. It is so nice to be able to reconnect with her through FB.

Please narrate how you were discovered then.

"There was a big event in FEU where I was taking Algebra summer classes. Don't know how my friends and I ended up doing a dance number in that concert where I met someone who took some photos of us. The following week there was Gilbert at my house. Not sure now who he was with but they spoke to my parents…asked if they could feature me in JINGLE. Emil Davocol may have been with him."

"I was a HS freshman at Siena College then. I went to FEU because I failed Algebra, the bane of my HS existence."

Describe the music scene then...the fashion...radio stations you listened to...

"I can remember that the APO had more than 3 members. The Circus Band was the best showband there was. And Hotdog wasn't around then because the RedFox was still active. "Stairway to Heaven" was the song to dance to.😂 The albums I first owned were by the Guess Who, Steely Dan, CSNY and Doobie Brothers. But I sang and played Karen Carpenter songs, too among other cheesy love songs. Hehe. I can't live that fact down as my brother teases me about it to this day."

"The radio stations I loved listening to were DZBM and sometimes RJ. But when
99.5RT came along, I was stuck to it. They played the songs I really liked."

"Fashion? Siempre I had flare jeans and clogs. Embroidered cheese-cloth tops, chambray shirts, hair by Budjiwara, hoop earrings. Di ba that was my look in the magazine?" 

 
How did you get into watercolor art?

"That one is my latest but it's still not very new. Maybe a year old. Started painting in my 30's na but was always interested to do watercolor. Actually when I used to visit the JINGLE art department, I was so impressed with the artwork they were doing."

 

Games We Used to Play

AS children growing up in San Juan in the 60's, little (and precariously naughty) boys like us had to be inventive and creative about the games we played. AM radio was our constant companion then (my Nanay always listened to it blasting standard ditties by Sinatra, Mathis, Como, Cole, et. al.), black and white television was just being introduced (although it was officially launched in the 50's with very limited shows) and everyone was ecstatic about it. Just like when cellphones were introduced in the market. Playing records also kept us preoccupied. "Wala pa nung Internet," sabi nga ni Raymund M. 

That's me (foreground, second from right)!

All of my siblings studied at Pedro Cruz Elementary School, a stone's throw away from our house in Lope K. Santos. Katabi lang namin ito. It had a big open field peppered with trees at the back where we tended our vegetable gardens required in our Home Economics class. This was also our (together with my playmates) playground. I spent most of my childhood days playing the games below with my friends there. Hindi matatawaran ang masasayang araw namin doon. Yun bang tuwing uuwi ako eh palaging basang-basa ng pawis ang maduming t-shirt ko at nangangamoy araw pa ako. Pagod pero sobrang happy.

Mabibili pa rin ang iba sa mga sinaunang laruang binanggit ko sa ibaba sa kasalukuyan kung matiyaga ka lamang maghanap (sa Divisoria syempre at sa mga tindahan ng laruan sa kahit saang palengke).

                                                      Photo credit: Aha! GMA7

Saranggola ni Eric

An elementary classmate of mine -- his name was Isagani Cruz, Jr. (heard he passed on) -- lives in a multi-level house that boasts of a penthouse perfect for kite-flying. Doon kami nagpapalipad ng saranggola pag wala kaming pasok. 

Hindi ko makakalimutan nuong magpalipad ako ng boka-boka (mga grade 2 or 3 ako nuon) na gawa sa tiniklop na pad paper at binaling walis tingting na pangsuporta. Larga lang kami nang larga hanggang maubusan na kami ng tali at hindi na namin ito matanaw. Nuong ibinaba nga namin...nagulat kami dahil nabasa nang bahagya ang papel. Dahil siguro umabot ito sa ulap o di kaya'y nahamugan. Kapag bata ka pa kasi, hindi mo pa naiintindihan ang mga bagay-bagay dito sa mundo...

Natutunan din namin ng sinundan kong kapatid na si Raul kung paano maglagay ng bubog sa tali ng saranggola. Iyon kasi ang ginagawa ng mga binatilyo sa amin. Kadalasan pa ngang malaki ang ipinupusta nila sa kung sino ang unang makapagpapaentang (makapagpapabagsak) sa kalaban. Mas nagiging exciting kasi ang pagpapalipad kung may pustahan. Nanonood pa kami sa kalye kapag may laban sila.

Una ay didikdikin namin nang pinung-pino ang pundidong flourescent sa lata habang niluluto ang hardened paste (para itong puting bato) para ito maging likido. Sunod ay ihahalo namin ang pulbos na bubog sa malagkit na likido. Kailangang magandang klaseng puting sinulid ang gamit para mahirap itong maputol.

Ilulubog na namin ang rolyo ng sinulid sa lata ng bubog at maingat naming ipupulupot ang nilargang tali sa magkabilang puno. Pag tuyo na, pwede na itong irolyo pabalik sa lata.

                                                              Photo credit: dreamstime.com

Holen in the Hole

Naglaro rin kami nito nuong maliliit pa kami. Humuhukay kami ng tatlong magkakasunod na mabababaw at maliliit na butas sa lupa. Isu-shoot namin ang pamatong holen duon. Kung sinuman ang maunang makabalik ay siya ang panalo. Depende sa usapan kung ilang holen ang gusto niyong itaya. 

Marbles of different colors are available in neighborhood sari-sari stores. Meron nga pala kaming tindahan na nakatulong din ng malaki sa amin. Malakas ang benta namin dahil pinuputakte kami ng mga estudyante tuwing recess.

Kami-kaming magkakapatid ang salitang nagbabantay dito. Remember that our father passed on when we were still young. Mother, who also left us just recently, raised us (her 6 children) all by her lonesome. 

 

Nilalagay ko lahat ng holen ko sa plastic na garapon. Tuwing makakakita ako ng pambihirang kulay sa tindahan namin, tinatago ko ito duon at hindi ipinanlalaban. Syempre pang ayaw mong mabasag ang paborito mong dyolens. Collector's item nga, di ba?

Gumuguhit kami ng malaking bilog sa lupa gamit ang putol na tangkay ng puno at ilalaglag namin ang tiglilimang holen doon. Kung apat kayo, saktong beinte piraso ang holen. Kung asintado ka at kaya mong tamaan ang mga holen at tumalsik ang mga ito sa labas...sa 'yo na yon. Hangga't kada tira mo ay nakakapagpatalsik ka ng holen, tuluy-tuloy ka lang. Titigil ka sa pagtira kung hindi mo na tinatamaan ang holen sa bilog. Kapag nakapagpalabas ka ng holen at naiwan sa loob ang pato mo, rest ka muna. Yung susunod na kalaban na ang titira...

                                                        Photo credit: pinoyexchange.com

Trumpong Tuliro

Ito yung kahoy na kinorteng parang makopang tambis na may pako sa gitna. Ipapalupot mo ang tsate (makapal at mahabang puting tali) na may tansan sa dulo sa kabuuan ng trumpo. Kapag inihagis mo ito, sabay haltak nang malakas sa tali, iikot nang kusa ang trumpo. Iipitin mo sa gitna ng dalawang daliri ang pinitpit na tansan...breaker o stopper ito ng tsate, kumbaga.

I had the luxury of choosing the best spinning tops because we used to sell this, too. Namimili talaga ako ng pinakamaganda...

Kapag natamaan mo ang trumpo ng kalaban, tatalian mo ito sa pako gamit ang tsate. Ilulubog mo nang bahagya sa lupa ang trumpo mong nakausli ang pako. Ihahataw mo nang malakas ang tinaliang trumpo ng kalaban sa kadalasang minamartilyo at hinahasa pang pako upang madali itong bumaon o makabiyak. Brutal ang larong ito na may pagkamasokista pa. Madalas pa ngang tampulan ng panlalait at katatawanan ang gutay-gutay na trumpo. 

Delikado rin ang larong ito dahil pwede kang matusok ng pako sa mata o sa braso anytime, o di kaya ay sa hita. Madalas ngang may pasa ako sa kamay pag natatalbugan ako habang pinapalo ko ang trumpong nakatali sa isa pang trumpo...

                                                                  Photo credit: pinterest.com

Teks Teks na Lang

Ito yung gawa sa makapal at matigas na karton na ang harapan ay colored drawing ng Superman, Batman & Robin, atbp. na halaw sa imported comics. 3x2 ang kadalasang laki nito at mabibili sa lahat ng suking tindahan (ours included) na may libre pang bubblegum. 

Madalas kaming magkasama ni Raul (alalay ako at tagakabig ng taya ng natatalong kalaban) kapag may naghahamong bata sa amin. Bale tatlo ang teks -- tig-isa kayo ng kalaban ng pamato at panabla ang pangatlo. Dapat ay nakataob o nakatihaya ang dalawang teks at iyung sa iyo ang nakasalungat dito para manalo ka. Depende sa kung gaano kakapal ang gusto mong itaya (madalas ay may dagdag pang barya). Palagi kaming nananalong mag-utol at madalas na napupuno ang taguan naming shoebox. Ibinibenta namin yung iba...

                                                                 Photo credit: pinterest.com

Goma 

Naglaro din ako nito nuon. Pinagsasama-sama ko ang magkakaparehong kulay, at kada sampu ay itinitirintas ko ito hanggang humaba na parang buhok ni Rapunzel. Wala naman akong maalalang larong ito ang gamit...except yung hinihipan sa ibabaw ng mesa ang gomang pato at pag pumatong ito sa goma ng kalaban, win ka na...dahil hindi naman ito talagang laruan. Ginagamit ito sa opisina, paaralan at sa bahay. Being inventive doesn't hurt, right?

                                                                   Photo credit: pinterest.com

Sumpit ng Bulilit na Makulit

Para itong straw ng softdrinks, pero gawa sa yero. Monggo ang binabala namin dito na nakalagay pa sa kaha ng posporong nakatali ng goma sa mismong sumpit para mabilis ang reloading. Bale nagsisilbing hawakan din ang kaha ng posporo...pang-asinta baga.

Looking back...ngayon ko lang naisip na delikado pala ang paglalaro nito. Anytime eh pwede kang madapa habang nasa bibig mo ito at tumusok sa lalamunan mo. Hindi ko ito inirerekomenda (kung meron pa nito) sa mga bata ngayon...Mag-FB, YouTube, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram o online gaming na lang kayo. Safe pa.

                                                             Photo credit: Marcelo Santos III

Plastic Balloon 

Para sa mga hindi nakakaalam, ito yung tinunaw na plastic na bibilugin at hihipan gamit ang maigsi at matigas na putol na plastic straw hanggang makabuo ka ng lobo na palulutangin mo sa ere habang tinatapik-tapik ito. Ganun kababaw. Pwede itong laruin ng kapwa lalaki at babae (and others). Unisex game ito.

                                                                             Photo credit: pinterest.com

Sipa Dito, Sipa Doon

Mga shredded plastic straw (yung panali) na binalumbon at inipit sa pitsa na sinisipa paitaas nang paulit-ulit. Paramihan ng dami ng sipa. Hindi ito carry ng powers ko. Hirap ako sa pagsipa. Coordination, balance at motor skills ang kailangan dito.

Hindi Ko Alam Tawag Dito

Hindi ko rin malilimutan ang paglalaro ko nito na gamit ang pinakamalaking pako na may goma sa ulo at may nakataling 2 mahahabang pakpak o buntot ng lalaking manok sa kabila. Hindi ko na maalala ang tawag dito...kung meron man. Binabalahan namin ito ng pulbura -- yun bang pula ang harapan at magkakatabi ang nakaumbok na pulbura -- at hinahagis namin ito pataas para pumutok sa pagbagsak sa sementadong kalsada. Law of gravity...

                                                                      Photo credit: pinterest.com

Tirador

Naghahanap ako ng letrang "Y" na sanga ng puno (guava wood is perfect for this). Puputulin ko ito. Gugupitin ko ang balat ng lumang sapatos (yung sa may parteng dila), at ang pinakaimportante sa lahat: ang gomang malapad. Kadalasang lata ang pinagtitripan namin...minsan ay puno ng saging.

                                                                        Photo credit: nolisoli.ph

Mga Tansang Pangkaroling

Nag-iipon ako ng mga tansan sa tindahan namin. Isa-isa kong tinatanggal (gamit ang pako) ang nakaipit na tapon (cork) sa ilalim nito. Pupukpukin ko ng martilyo papaloob ang gilid, at gamit ang pako at martilyo...magbubutas ako sa gitna nito. Tutuhugin ko ng alambre ang mga pinitpit at binutasang tansan. Voila! Meron na akong instant tambourine for Christmas carolling. 

Taun-taon...isinasama ko ang kapitbahay naming si Rey (mahusay siyang magdyolens), at nananapat kami sa kung saan-saang bahay. Minsan malaki ang bigay...minsan maliit lang (hindi mahalaga kung magkano)...pero palaging 50/50 ang partihan namin. Hating kapatid. Nagagamit ko tuloy ang likas na hilig ko sa musika sa ganitong pagkakataon. Hmm...talking about self-promotion again...

                                                                    Photo credit: pinterest.com

Tumbang Preso 

Hindi mo kailangang gumastos (hindi katulad ngayon na saksakan nang mahal ang mga gadgets) sa larong ito. Basta may lata ka...ayos na ang lahat.

Babatuhin mo lang ng tsinelas ang lata at kapag natamaan mo ito, tatakbo ka nang mabilis patungo sa itinakdang base. Parang softball kasi ang larong ito. Marami rin ang pwedeng sumali dito. Unlimited.

                                                               Photo credit: wsimag.com

Spiderboys

Dinaanan din naming magkapatid ang paglalaro nito. Nangunguha kami ng mga matatapang na gagamba sa puno, sa nakabalumbong dahon, sa kawad ng kuryente. Iyong mga pula o di kaya ay purong itim (pwede ring kulay kape na may disenyo pa sa puwitan) ang mainam na panlaban dahil likas na mahuhusay (at masigasig) silang lumaban. Wild eh. Yung mga gagambang bahay ay mga duwag at kadalasang umaatras pa sa laban. Domesticated eh. Hehe...

 

Gamit ang barbecue stick o di kaya'y walis tingting, paglalabanin namin ang dalawang gagamba. Kung sino ang unang makapatay sa kalaban, yun ang panalo. Kapag sinasaputan na ng nanalong gagamba ang kalaban...yun na. Ginugutom muna kasi namin yung mapapalabang gagamba para mabangis siya. Syempre pang pag busog eh tamad at mabagal yang kumilos.

Nilalagyan namin ng ginunting na kaha ng sigarilyo ang bahay ng posporo. Dibisyon yon...kanya-kanya sila ng dorm. Pag pinagsama mo kasi, rambol ang mangyayari. Nirarasyunan namin ng patay na langaw (minsan ay sariwang dahon) ang bawat partisyon...food supply nila. Pero dahil in captivity, hindi rin gaanong tumatagal ang buhay nila. Maaga silang namamatay. Nagluluksa pa nga kami at kuntodo prosisyon pa bago namin sila ihatid sa huling hantungan.

Patintero sa Kalye

Pwedeng group of 5 or more ang kasali.  Mga guhit lang sa kalsada ang katapat nito at pwede na kayong maglaro. Kada linya ay may nagbabantay na kalaban. Kapag tumawid ka nang alanganin at nahagip ka...talo na ang grupo niyo. Dapat kasing makarating ang isa sa inyo sa dulo at pabalik para manalo. 

 

Tumpak ang Sumpak 

Bago pa sumapit ang piyesta ng San Juan tuwing June 24, makakabili ka na ng sumpak na gawa sa maliit na kawayan sa palengke. Dapat ay testingin mo muna ito kung walang depekto at malakas humigop at bumuga ng tubig. Isinasawsaw sa malaking lata o baldeng may tubig ang nguso nito sabay batak sa hawakan para masipsip ang tubig. 

Legal kasing mambasa ng mga dumadaan sa kalye -- mapatao man o sasakyan -- tuwing piyesta sa San Juan. Kapag kulimlim at tipong uulan, malungkot kami dahil mauunsyami ang kinagisnang masayang ritwal taun-taon. Once a year lang kasi ito idinadaos...

                                                                     Photo credit: breeze.com.ph

 Piko 

Ito yung ihahagis mo ang pamatong bato sa loob ng kuwadradong linya at patalun-talon kang nakataas ang isang paa (parang one-legged kangaroo) na palipat-lipat sa iba pang kuwadrado hanggang mapuntahan mo ang pamato mo. Pwede namang ibaba na ang paa kapag nakapasok ka na sa square. Kung sino ang unang makarating sa dulo, siya ang panalo.

                                                               Photo credit: britannica.com

                                                                  Photo credit: pinterest.com

                                                                        Photo credit: pinterest.com

Atbp.

Ang jackstone, taguan, luksong tinik, pick-up-the-sticks, sungka, pitik-bulag, skipping rope, hulahoop at yo-yo ay ilan lamang sa mga dapat naisama sa listahang ito. Bahagi rin sila ng kinalakihan kong mga laro na nakapagbigay din sa akin ng di matatawarang karanasan...

In closing...

The games we used to play contributed immensely to my development as a well-balanced kid leading to where I am now. I will never trade my happy childhood with that of the tech-savvy children's nowadays who spend most of their time focused on their gadgets within the confines of their rooms. Worlds apart ang dalawang henerasyon...

00's Rock Singles Playlist

THIS decade (unlike the past ones) would be dull and boring without Coldplay, John Mayer, Maroon 5, The Calling, Matchbox Twenty, Amy Winehouse(+), Pinoy Rock Part 3 (yes, OPM bands [led by Bamboo and Itchyworms] still came in full force!). One thing I noticed: the OPM lyric videos are preferred by the younger crowd more than the official ones. I'm pretty sure the millennials would disagree with me, but to each his own video preference. Or maybe I'm just too old for this...Thanks anyway to Google, YouTube and Spotify. Okay, here goes nothing...

♡ "Hallelujah"/Bamboo (2005). An apropos opening cut for this playlist; 3.8M YouTube views; a supergroup that comes once in a lifetime: Bamboo Mañalac (vocals), Nathan Azarcon (bass), Ira Cruz (guitars), Vic Mercado (drums); From Light Peace Love album; a shot in the arm (pampagising) for sleepy heads; meritorius (and angry!) drumming.

♡ "Sex on Fire"/Kings of Leon (2008). Not your typical cut-and-dried rock band -- several notches above the rest -- led by singer Caleb Followill; Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2009.

♡ "Fix You"/Coldplay (2005). Off the group's third album X&Y; post-Britpop; "Lights will guide you home/And ignite your bones/And I will try to fix you"; rock ballad at its finest.

♡ "Could It Be Any Harder"/The Calling (2001). From Camino Palmero album; honest-to-goodness (heart-on-his-sleeve) warbling.

♡ "Heartbreak Warfare"/John Mayer (2009). This one is about his tempestuous relationship with goddess Jennifer Aniston; from the album Battle Studies; the line "Drop his name, push it in and twist the knife again" is about Brad Pitt; arguably the most gifted artist to emerge in the new millennium.

♡ "Hari ng Sablay"/Sugarfree (2004). From Dramachine (PolyEast Records); 6.6M views; "Please lang wag kang magulat/Kung bigla akong magkalat"; my son is enraptured 🎧 everytime he hears this; an unparalleled head-bobbing tune from Ebe Dancel and his band.

♡ "One Hundred Years"/Five for Fighting (2004). "I'm fifteen for a moment/Caught in between ten and twenty"; Five for Fighting is singer/songwriter/pianist/producer John Ondrasik.

♡ "Everybody's Changing"/Keane (2004). Off Hopes and Fears album.

♡ "Rehab"/Amy Winehouse(+) (2006). "They tried to make me go to rehab/I said, 'no, no, no' "; from Back to Black album; she died of alcohol poisoning (maybe mixed with substantial drugs) in July 23, 2011; Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

♡ "Mr. Clay"/Bamboo (2004). "Rush of blood to the head/Look at you, I see red"; Bamboo Mañalac remains the best rock vocalist of this generation...bar none!

♡ "Bubbly"/Colbie Caillat (2007). Key of A (capo on 7th fret); "It starts in my toes/And I crinkle my nose."

♡ "Chasing Cars"/Snow Patrol (2006). This Northern Irish alt band's video had 219M YouTube views; the song title was inspired by lead singer Gary Lightbody's father, referring to a girl Gary was infatuated with: "You're like a dog chasing a car"; the most-played song on British radio over the last 20 years; used in one of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo's romance movies. Forgot the freaking title; "Would you lie with me/And just forget the world."

♡ "Sunday Morning"/Maroon 5 (2004). The 4th single from their elephantine debut album Songs About Jane; jazzy; Adam Levine will surely be around for a long time...

♡ "Oo"/Up Dharma Down (2006). The 1st single from their Fragmented album c/o Terno Records; JINGLE magazine is featured in the vid; "Malas mo, ikaw ang natipuhan ko," croons Armi Millare.

♡ "Bring Me to Life"/Evanescence (2003). The dreamy video where American singer/pianist Amy Lee free falls; "How can you see into my eyes like open doors/Leading you down, into my core."

♡ "It's Been Awhile"/Staind (2001). Off their Atlantic Records album Break the Silence; former country act Aaron Lewis changed horses in the middle of the stream and shifted his sights on alt/pop metal.

♡ "Why Georgia"/John Mayer (2001). "Am I living it right/Why, tell me why/Why, Georgia, why"; from Room for Squares (his debut album).

♡ "Collide"/Howie Day (2003). "Even the best fall down sometimes"; pop/slow rock off his Stop All the World Now album.

♡ "Kanlungan"/Noel Cabangon (2009). "Pana-panahon ang pagkakataon/ Maibabalik ba ang kahapon"; used to watch Buklod (Noel's early folk/counter- culture group) back in the days.

♡ "Dani California"/Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006). 210M views; the farcical video features the band impersonating Elvis, Beatles, Hendrix, Cream, Parliament Funkadelic, Bowie, Sex Pistols, Misfits, Poison, Twisted Sister, Motley Crue.

♡ "Somewhere Only We Know"/Keane (2004). From Sussex, UK.

♡ "Here Without You"/3 Doors Down (2000). American post-grunge/soft rock; from The Better Life album; 550M views.

♡ "Bagsakan"/Parokya ni Edgar ft. Francis M. & Gloc 9 (2005). Fab collab; 12M views; from Halina sa Parokya album; Chito Miranda standing his ground amongst rap luminaries.

♡ "Complicated"/Avril Lavigne (2002). Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2003; from The Matrix album.

♡ "Superman (It's Not Easy)"/Five for Fighting (2000). "I can't stand to fly/I'm not that naive"; from America Town album.

♡ "Love Song"/Sara Bareilles (2007). A happy and positive ditty from this American singer/songwriter/actress; off her Little Voice album.

♡ "Wag na Wag Mong Sasabihin"/Kitchie Nadal (2004). From her double platinum (80,000 copies sold) album; Education and Psychology (double degree) grad at Dela Salle Univ.; the lyric video has 9.1M views; "Oh-woh, wag na wag mong sasabihin/Na hindi mo nadama itong/Pag-ibig kong handang/Ibigay kahit pa kalayaan mo." That's love...

♡ "Wherever You Will Go"/The Calling (2001). This American band featuring band leader Alex Band (from LA, CA) -- a true-blue rock vocalist -- scored a bestselling album: Camino Palmero; the video is about tattooing and unfaithfulness; my wife loves🌷this.

♡ "In the End"/Linkin Park (2000). Lead singer/actor Chester Bennington(+) died in 2017; off their nu metal/rap rock Hybrid Theory album.

♡ "You Found Me"/The Fray (2009). "Lost and insecure/You found me, you found me." Heart-wrenching vocal delivery.

♡ "Love Team"/Itchyworms (2006). 3.1M views; my fave local band delivers with their unorthodox songwriting skills and studio razzle-dazzle; Jugs Jugueta, Jazz Nicolas, Kelvin Yu, Chino Singson -- a tightly-knit quartet that can give any local band a run for their money.

♡ "Mr. Brightside"/The Killers (2004). The well-thought of video featuring the dressed-to-the-nines band members is truly impressive with Eric Roberts in a cameo role; "Coming out of my cage/And I've been doing just fine"; about jealousy and paranoia of a man who suspects his significant other is cheating on him.

♡ "Welcome to the Black Parade"/My Chemical Romance (2006). 122M views; sleek and nicely-done video; the Black Parade is a rock opera about "the Patient."

♡ "American Idiot"/Green Day (2004). A statement about George Bush's campaign in 2004; the punk rockers will play Manila on March, 2020; "Don't wanna be an American idiot/One nation controlled by the media/Information Age of hysteria/It's calling out to idiot America."

♡ "Blue Sky"/Hale (2005). 9.8M views. Off their Hale album; members: Champ Lui Pio, Roll Martinez, Sheldon Gellada, Pao Santiago, Chino David.

♡ "Unwell"/Matchbox 20 (2002). This is about mental illness and "having a despondent relationship with yourself. In the end, it's a positive song, because you come to terms with the fact you're not crazy," says lead vocalist Rob Thomas; the banjo riff is indisputable.

♡ "This Love"/Maroon 5 (2002). This danceable 1st single launched the band's career worldwide; about keeping women happy and gratified: "I tried my best to feed her appetite/Keep her coming every night/So hard to keep her satisfied"; Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2005.

♡ "Photograph"/Nickelback (2005). Canadian singer/guitarist Chad Kroeger is worth $60 million. Hmm...money for nothing?!

♡ "Gitara"/Parokya ni Edgar (2005). 12M views; from Halina sa Parokya album.

♡ "One Last Breath"/Creed (2001). The group splurged on the special FX video complete with sandstorm scenes that resemble a Hollywood movie; off the Florida-based group album Weathered.

♡ "You and Me"/Lifehouse (2005). A post-grunge (slow rock/pop) entry from this LA band.

♡ "Chop Suey!"/System of a Down (2009).The millennials love this: 899M YouTube views lang naman; Armenian/American nu metal from their second album Toxicity.

♡ "The Day You Said Goodbye"/Hale (2005). Awit Award for Best Ballad Recording in 2006; Awit Award for Song of the Year in 2006. What the frog? Two awards for a group in a year?

♡ "In My Place"/Coldplay (2002). From the British band's A Rush of Blood to the Head album; Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Group.

♡ "When It's Over"/Sugar Ray (2001). "All things that I used to say."

♡ "Lips of an Angel"/Hinder (2006). Post-grunge, glam metal: call it any way you like...for me it's just another soft rock (commercial in its appeal) entry.

♡ "Same Ground"/Kitchie Nadal (2004). 6.8M views (lyric video); from her Warner Records album called Kitchie Nadal.

♡ "You Know I'm No Good"/Amy Winehouse (2006). Contralto is the lowest type of female voice (perfect for soul, RnB, jazz, retro genres) -- very rare indeed; an upcoming full-length movie is in the works about her life; two docus: Amy (directed by Asif Kappadin) and Back to Black were released to commemorate her life.

♡ "No Such Thing"/John Mayer (2001). The first single off his Room for Squares album; his music has a little bit of alt rock/folk/country/soul/jam/blues/RnB and everything in between for added flavorings.

♡ "Can't Stop"/Red Hot Chili Peppers (2002). Funk featuring Flea's inescapable bass.

♡ "Stay"/Cueshé (2005). Off their Sony BMG Half Empty, Half Full album; "Think about it/'Cause we only have one shot at destiny"; these Cebu-based band had 4 studio albums to their credit; members: Ruben Caballero, Jay Justiniani, Mike Manoloto, Jhunjie Dosdos, Joven Mabini, Fritz Labrado, Omnie Soroca, Roll Martinez.

♡ "Use Somebody"/Kings of Leon (2008)."I've been roaming around/Always looking down at all I see"; 230M views; from Nashville, Tennessee.

♡ "Home"/Daughtry (2007). Chris Daughtry: a prolific American Idol (5th season) alumna.

♡ "Decode"/Paramore (2008). Twilight saga soundtrack; "How did we get here/When I used to know you so well"; emo/pop punk featuring Hayley Williams on lead vocals; Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

♡ "When We Dance"/Sting (2001). Off his solo output All This Time; the futuristic, dreamy video is unsurpassed; "When we dance/Angels will run and hide their wings."

♡ "Jaded"/Aerosmith (2001). From Just Push Play album; j-j-jaded...

♡ "Elevation"/U2 (2000). Used in Tomb Raider; from All That You Can't Leave Behind album; Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Group or Duo.

♡ "Sundo"/Mojofly (2006). From Universal Records' Blush album; 4.9M views (lyric video); "Kay tagal kong sinuyod ang buong mundo/Para hanapin, para hanapin ka"; Kiara San Luis, Myrene Academia, Tim Cacho, Zach Lucero, Mervin Panganiban.

♡ "Half of My Heart"/John Mayer (2010)."I was born in the arms of imaginary friends"; off his Battle Studies album.

♡ "Drops of Jupiter"/Train (2001). Sweeping symbols galore; songwriter Patrick Monahan wrote this in memory of his mother who died from cancer.

♡ "Dare You to Move"/Switchfoot (2004). Christian Rock sings: "Welcome to the planet/Welcome to existence."

♡ "Betamax"/Sandwich (2008). Written by R. Marasigan, M. Dizon, M. Academia; the band's tribute to JINGLE mag. Won't say nothing more...

♡ "Big Yellow Taxi"/Counting Crows (2002). Written by Joni Mitchell in 1970; Adrian Gurvitz sings: "They paved paradise/And put up a parking lot"; discriminating guitar lines/chords.

♡ "My Immortal"/Evanescence (2003). This is about "a spirit staying with you after its death and haunting you until you actually wish that the spirit were gone because it won't leave you alone," intones singer Amy Lee.

♡ "Sunday Driving"/Rivermaya (2003). Off Between the Stars and Waves album; post-nu wave; cute animation video.

♡ "Penge Naman Ako N'yan"/Itchyworms (2008). Another riotous vid from the "scratchy" boys. Jazz is a natural...

♡ "Breakeven"/The Script (2008). From Dublin, Ireland featuring frontman Danny O'Donoghue, vocal coach of The Voice UK.

♡ "How to Save a Life"/The Fray (2005). From Denver; off the album of the same title.

♡ "The Scientist"/Coldplay (2002). "Come up to meet you/Tell you I'm sorry"; written by all band members off their 2nd album A Rush of Blood to the Head.

♡ "Blurry"/Puddle of Mud (2001). "Can't you take it all away/Well you shove it in my face/This pain you gave to me."

♡ "Sugar We're Going Down"/Fall Out Boy (2005). "Am I more than you bargained for yet"; emo/hardcore off the album Under the Cork Tree.

♡ "Lose Yourself"/Eminem (2002). 702M views; from the movie 8 Mile starring the rap influencer himself; "Eminem wins by a knockout!" raves Rolling Stone.

♡ "Akap"/Mojofly (2004). "Sabihin sa 'kin lahat ng lihim mo/Iingatan ko"; melodic tune from Take 2 album.

♡ "Stigmatized"/The Calling (2001). "If I give up on you/I give up on me."

♡ I grouped these dance/soul/pop jewels for easier finding: "Umbrella"/Rihanna (2008); "Empire State of Mind"/Jay Z ft. Alicia Keys (2009); "Livin' It Up"/Ja Rule (2001); "Shape of My Heart"/Backstreet Boys (2000); "Where Is the Love"/The Black Eyed Peas (2003); "Thong Song"/Sisqò; "Sleep All Day"/Jason Mraz (2002); "With You"/Chris Brown (2007); "Independent Women"/Destiny's Child (2001); "Hot in Herre"/Nelly (2002); "In da Club"/50 Cent (2003); "Don't Matter"/Akon (2006); "Family Affair"/Mary J. Blige; "Big Girls Don't Cry"/Fergie (2006).

♡ "Valerie"/Amy Winehouse (2006). The video features a full band with horn section and back-up male singers doubling as dancers; "Why don't you come over, Valerie?"

♡ "Beer"/Itchyworms (2006). 3.2M views; the beer-guzzling girl in the video is rib-tickling.

♡ "The Reason"/Hoobastank (2003). Nominated for Grammy Award for Song of the Year; Doug Robb, lead singer; 598M views.

♡ "Pinch Me"/Barenaked Ladies (2000). "Like a dream you try to remember but it's gone"; from Canada; the vid features the clean cut, wholesome band members working in a fastfood joint (isponghado ang buhok).

♡ "The Only Exception"/Paramore (2010). This 3/4 time signature tune is the 3rd single from the band's 3rd studio album called Brand New Eyes; "When I was younger/I saw my daddy cry/And curse at the wind."

♡ "Tatsulok"/Bamboo (2007). Written by Rom Dongeto and culled from We Stand Alone Together album; "Hangga't marami ang lugmok sa kahirapan/At ang hustisya ay para lang sa mayaman"; Awit Award for Best Performance by a Group.

♡ "Like a Stone"/Audioslave (2002). 585M views; supergroup composed of Chris Cornell(+) (guitars), RAtM members Tom Morello (lead guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (acoustic drum).

♡ "Your Body Is a Wonderland"/John Mayer (2001). "Something 'bout the way
your hair falls in your face"; about foreplay.

♡ "Hey Ya!"/Outkast (2003). 423M views; André 3000 (Outkast) resembles Sammy Davis, Jr.(+) that he could pass off as the multi-talented celeb's son.

♡ "Noypi"/Bamboo (2004). From As the Music Plays album; "Ang dami mong problema/Nakuha mo pang ngumiti."

♡ "Sk8er Boi"/Avril Lavigne (2002). MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video; 2nd single off the Canadian's debut album Let Go.

♡ "Hey There Delilah"/Plain White T's (2005). From Illinois; off All That We Needed album.

♡ "Speed of Sound"/Coldplay (2005). "How long before I get in/Before it starts, before I begin"; from X&Y album; MTV Music Award for Best Cinematography in 2005.

♡ "Much Has Been Said"/Bamboo. Off Light Peace Love album; jazzy; 7.6M views; Awit Award for Best Ballad Recording.

♡ "If You're Gone"/Matchbox Twenty (2000). This poignant cut is from the Mad Season album; "If you're gone, maybe it's time to come home/There's an awful lot of breathing room/But I can hardly move"; another enthralling vocal delivery from my fave rocker.

♡ "Thnks fr th Mmrs"/Fall Out Boy (2007).The video features monkeys ala Planet of the Apes; from the album Infinity on High.

♡ "Bad Day"/Daniel Powter (2005). 1st used in a Coca-Cola Christmas TV ad in Europe in 2004; Daniel is from Canada; "Where is the moment we needed the most?"

♡ "Narda"/Kamikazee (2006). 3M views; Awit Award for Best Performance by a Group.

♡ "I Miss You"/Blink-182 (2004). This cut was inspired by The Cure's "The Love Cats"; "Don't waste your time on me/You're already the voice inside my head."

♡ "Hanging by a Moment"/Lighthouse (2000). From No Name Face album.

 
♡ "Apologize"/Timbaland ft. OneRepublic (2007). 269M views; from the Colorado band's Shock Value album.

♡ "Vindicated"/Dashboard Confessional (2004). From Spider-Man 2 album.

♡ "Tulog Na"/Sugarfree (2004). 3.4M views; Ebe Dancel, Jal Taguibao, Mitch Singson, Kaka Quisumbing.

♡ "Daughters"/John Mayer (2003). Grammy Award for Song of the Year; from Heavier Things album; 3/4 beat.

♡ "Our Lives"/The Calling (2004). In August 2013, Alex Band (lead singer) says he was left for dead when he was beaten after performing in a concert in Michigan.

♡ "Perfect"/Simple Plan (2002). MTV Music Award for Best editing; "Hey dad look at me"; punk/pop; from No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls album.

♡ "She Will Be Loved"/Maroon 5 (2002). 507M views; "Look for the girl with the broken smile/Ask her if she wants to stay awhile"; written by Adam Levine and James Valentine; this one will never get old through time. Classic eh!

♡ "Moonlight Over Paris"/Paolo Santos (2009). This is better than Peter Mayer's  original version; off his Back to Basics album.

♡ "My Sacrifice"/Creed (2001). Waterworld-inspired video; off the Weathered album; MTV Music Video Award for Best Rock Video; "When you are with me, I'm free/I'm careless, I believe."

♡ "Back to You"/John Mayer (2001). 1.1M views only! Payat; from Room for Squares album; adult contemporary.

♡ "You'll Be Safe Here"/Rivermaya (2005). 14M views (lyric video); Rico Blanco proves that he can sing, too.

♡ "Clocks"/Coldplay (2002). 278M views. Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2002.

♡ "Sugod"/Sandwich (2008). Off S Marks the Spot album; "Rock 'n' Roll hanggang umaga"; retro groove reminiscent of Devo and B-52's...

♡ "You're Beautiful"/James Blunt (2004). 415M views; former British Army Officer; "But it's time to face the truth/I will never be with you."

♡ "A Thousand Miles"/Vanessa Carlton (2002). Studied in School of American Ballet but pursued singing instead performing in different New York bars and clubs while studying college; convoluted classical-inspired piano; 233M views; this baroque pop is originally titled "Interlude."

♡ "Yellow"/Coldplay (2000). A befitting tune to close this playlist; "Look at the stars/Look how they shine for you"; they met and became friends while living in the same dormitory at the University College of London (UCL) in the mid-90's. They first formed a band called Starfish with Parachutes as their debut album; members: Chris Martin, Johnny Buckland, Guy Berryman, Will Champion, Phil Harvey; the group's first single amassed 390M views; another one of those immortal hits...