Sing Like YAMIN it!

The long wait is over. At last, my personal favorite American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin's album is out. It's dubbed Movin' On. I've listened to it and I must say, it's a great jumpstart for my idol.

It's been a year since AI paved the way for Elliott's musical career. He confesses in his blog: “My friends kept saying I had nothing to lose,” says singer-songwriter Elliott Yamin of his decision to audition for “American Idol,” “and I really didn’t. I was at a point in my life where I had no direction. I was just scraping by at my job. I thought, I’m 27 years old and what do I have to show for it? I was lost. Deep down inside, I wondered if by trying out, I could somehow put myself on a path to something I’d always longed for but never admitted to anyone.”

Starting in the competition as an underdog, Simon Cowell's initial comment that he is “potentially the best male vocalist in the history of ‘American Idol.’" definitely gave him a boost. His singing "pierces through the heart," as put by Paula Abdul.

His blog wrote.. "Perhaps even more compelling than Yamin’s status as an out-of-nowhere vocal powerhouse – he came to “AI” with no vocal training and no real performance experience – is his role as the underdog, who as a child had to cope with near-deafness in his right ear and at 16 was faced with Type 1 diabetes."

Beat that. I think it's the rawness of his talent and his humble background made supporters love this "funky white boy" from Virginia.

Back on the album. Among the writer-producers who participated in the creation of Elliott Yamin are the duo known as Stargate (Beyoncé, Ne-Yo, Rihanna), Josh Abraham (Pink, Linkin Park, 30 Seconds to Mars), DJ Lethal (Evanescence, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit), Michael Mangini (Joss Stone, Baha Men, David Byrne), and Derek Bramble (David Bowie, Vanessa Williams, Lalah Hathaway). Add this fact to his remarkable voice and we are sure to get our money's worth.

Elliott's the best talent that AI has so far discovered. With his distinctively soulful vocals, I instantly became a fan when I saw one of his performances in AI Season 5. Here's my Yamin top 5 performances list during AI Season 5.

5. Home (Michael Buble)
4. A Song for You (Donnny Hathaway, Elliott's own idol)
3&2. Trouble and If I Can Dream (both from Elvis Presley sang during the crucial Elvis night, i think this is when Chris Daughtry was eliminated making Elliott reach the Final Three)
1. Somebody to Love (Queen). Impressive!!! Check it out in YouTube!

As a member of Yamin's legion of fans, I encourage you my friends (especially those who are into music) to take a look at this one great artist. He'll make your (musical) world go round!

If you happen to love it too, I welcome you to the E-Train!

'Tol!

Napanuod n'yo na ba yung commercial ni Mike Defensor? Tol! Haha! Nakakaasar, walang kakwenta-kwenta! Walng concept at di malinaw kung ano ang gusto n'yang iparating sa mga manunuod. At may bading na Manny Pacquiao pa ha? Sana man lang eh ginandahan n'ya yung paggawa, walang sense talaga eh. Hahahaha!!! 'Tol!

Now Open: Election Carnival

It's here. And we can feel it everywhere. The election season has official started and it started with a bang! The complete senatorial slates of Team Unity and the UNO have already been made known. To say the least, what's happening is uttlerly CONFUSING. You'll find in GMA's Team Unity some people who were critical of her. You'll be surprised also of the Grand Coalition's lineup. It's as if jumping from a party to another leaves no mark on the consciousness of the voters.

To vote or not to vote? That's the question that we should ask ourselves.

Fab Four's Love Album

Syet! I can't wait to grab a copy of the The Beatles' newest soundtrack compilation album! I mean, who can't be pleased hearing The Beatles? "What people will be hearing on the album is a new experience, a way of re-living the whole Beatles musical lifespan in a very condensed period," producer Giles Martin remarked.

Sabi pa ni Pareng Paul McCartney: "This album puts The Beatles back together again, because suddenly there's John and George with me and Ringo." Astig di ba? Hehe!

All tracks are written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, except where noted.

"Because"
"Get Back"
"Glass Onion"
"Eleanor Rigby"
"Julia (transition)"
"I Am the Walrus"
"I Want to Hold Your Hand"
"Drive My Car / The Word / What You're Doing"
"Gnik Nus"
"Something" (George Harrison)
"Blue Jay Way (transition)"
"Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! / I Want You (She's So Heavy) / Helter Skelter"
"Help!" – theme song ko kapag problemado. Help!!!
"Blackbird / Yesterday"
"Strawberry Fields Forever" -reminds me of Baguio. Hay. Gusto kong bumalik dun. Ngayon na!!!
"Within You Without You / Tomorrow Never Knows" (Harrison, Lennon/McCartney)
"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"
"Octopus's Garden" (Richard Starkey)
"Lady Madonna"
"Here Comes the Sun" (Harrison)
"The Inner Light (transition)"
"Come Together / Dear Prudence" -astig din tong Come Together.
"Cry Baby Cry (transition)"
"Revolution"
"Back in the USSR"
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (Harrison)
"A Day in the Life"
"Hey Jude"
"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)"
"All You Need Is Love" -my favorite track. Ganda-ganda nito. Ginamit pa sya sa isang napaka-astig na wedding scene sa Love Actually. Napapakanta na ko! Hehe!

heed the people's call, Idol!

It's not mayoralty seat but a post in the House of Representatives that Manny Pacquiao is eyeing, the news reported last night.

Worse becoming worst.

Manny should be listening to the voice of the people and not to the call of the self-serving politicians (GMA, Lito Atienza, and the rest) who apparently just want to take advantage of his popularity. Honestly, I still cannot figure out the ulterior motives of these politicians on persuading Manny to run.

I maintain that Manny should refrain from making his life miserable by joining the already-hopeless-and-pathetic political arena. He has already established himself as an excellent sportsman in his field and gained the respect of the Filipino people around the globe.

For that, he should be more than happy and satisfied.

My Bloody Valentine.

I've been planning for weeks now to donate blood but somehow, things got into my way and as such prevented me from acting upon this noble plan.

So, today, I carried my tired feet (I came from a tennis game) to the Philippine General Hospital. I was with Ayn, a law school friend (who's also a regular volunteer). Unfortunately, she did not pass the initial test because of lack of sleep. (I hope you see the connection. Lol.) Luckily for me, I was allowed to undergo the whole process of the exciting experience of blood donation. Incidentally, a couple (Mang Renato and Aling Dahlia) was waiting for a volunteer because they badly need some bags of blood for the impending operation of Aling Dahlia. They talked to me and I sincerely said Yes, knowing that what I will be doing is for a good cause. The dreaded needle expectedly hurt a bit but I was able to bear the pain, thank God.

While the blood is flowing from my system to the blood bags, I read a meaningful poem posted on the wall. It wrote:

I gave blood, Christ gave all
I gave a pint, He gave it all
The needle is small and sharp
The nails were large and dull
The cot is soft and restful
The cross is rough and hard.

The Med Techs are kind and gentle
The soldiers were cruel and mean
The crowd applauds my sacrifice
They that passed by reviled Him

Mine is type O positive
His is positive for all
Mine at best will prolong life for a while
His without doubt, saves all forever.

Mang Renato and Aling Dahlia showed their appreciation and thanked me almost endlessly. On my part, I feel thankful also because I had the chance to help these people unknown to me. I guess we all have this ardent desire to be of help to others. To share. To give. I came there because I felt that urge, that desire to do good. I thought to myself that I've been committing so much shortcomings as a human being (I hope you get my drift, it's hard to elaborate) and that it is high time that I do something worthwhile and meaningful that could produce a positive effect to me as well as to others.

The state of happiness that I am experiencing right now is priceless. I hope and pray that Aling Dahlia will have a successful operation and that she'll be able to restore her health to normal.

With that, I encourage you my friends to be a volunteer. Donating blood can change and help rebuild the lives of others.

CONTACT ME AND TOGETHER, LET'S VOLUNTEER FOR THIS WORTHY CAUSE.
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS,TOO.

Happy Valentine's to all!

persons and family relations

Last Saturday, Sherwin, a very good friend of mine tied the knot with his seven-year (wow!) girlfriend, Pamela. It was history as far as our Class APH is concerned. Sherwin is the very first one to settle down among my Philosophy brothers. Some of us were there but many didn't make it due to work and school. Honestly, we are happy for Sherwin and Pam. A good future is in store for them. I wish them all the best. Cheers to this lovely couple! God bless.