Here Comes the Sun: My Beatles' Musical Tribute

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Even my 19 year-old niece loves the Beatles. She must have been influenced by the good taste of her aunt.

On February 7, 1964, from across the pond, the Beatles started the British invasion. Moptops became the rage as John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr charmed the women (and men) of America.

My fascination with the Beatles’ songs started much later, during my college years when some of the patients in the military hospital sometimes played songs like “Hey Jude, “Get Back” and “Yesterday”.

Fifty years after the group's first US televised live debut on the Ed Sullivan show, Grammy presented a tribute to the Fabulous Four from Liverpool. Only two of the Beatles, Paul and Ringo, survived, but the sons of John and George joined in the celebration of the musical act that had influenced countless musicians.

Beatlemania is still alive and well.

The producers of “The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute To The Beatles” assembled a diverse group of musical performers who both dazzled and confounded me (hello, Katy Perry). The sight of Yoko Ono with her trademark huge sunglasses as she danced/swayed/flailed was quite entertaining. I was thrilled to see my teen idol Peter Frampton and Joe Walsh from the Eagles with their guitar solos.

And finally, the irrepressible Ringo Starr and the musical genius Paul McCartney brought the house down and proved to one and all why their group the Beatles is considered pop's most influential musical act of all time. They made everyone (even those watching on tv) sing along with "nananana, nanana". Love it, love it, love it!

But if I were to put together another musical tribute, I would have chosen an altogether different group of presenters. Critics may accuse me of being bland or musically-gauche, but I really don’t care. To them, I say: make your own tribute. There.


Here are some of my favorite Beatles songs:


HERE COMES THE SUN - written by George Harrison for 1969 album Abbey Road (1969)



Sheryl Crow- on the “Bee Movie”



Bon Jovi-





COME TOGETHER - written by John Lennon, the opening track on the album Abbey Road, and was released as a double A-sided single with "Something", their 21st single in the United Kingdom and 26th in the United States.



Aerosmith- appeared in the movie and on the soundtrack to the film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,





I WILL- written by Paul McCartney



Allison Krauss





"HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE written by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon–McCartney), recorded for the Beatles' 1966 album Revolver.



Clay Aiken





OH, DARLING composed by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon–McCartney) and appearing as the fourth song on the album, Abbey Road.



Arnel Pineda When the band Journey was searching the internet for their lead singer, Neil Schon found this clip of Arnel singing this Beatles' song. And the rest is history.





IN MY LIFE – on the 1965 album Rubber Soul written mainly by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney.



Aiza Seguerra-



Charice-



Bette Midler-





LET IT BE - written and sung by Paul McCartney. McCartney said he had the idea of "Let It Be" after he had a dream about his mother during the tense period surrounding the sessions for The Beatles (the "White Album").



Ray Charles



Adam Levin and Tessane Chin on “The Voice”.





References: Wikipedia ( they’re useful)

I Love The Snow

Based on Dr. Seuss' "I Love My Job"

I love the snow. I really do.
I love the white stuff more and more each chilly day.
I love to frolic in the snow; it’s fun to play.
I love to shovel, just the best exercise.
Got sore arm muscles, but hey, no more black ice.

I do love the tall snow drifts and the brown slush.
It is so beautiful my heart turns to mush.
The winds are fierce and brisk, oh man, they do sting
Dig and sneeze, dig and sneeze, I merrily sing.

I love sub zero temps, oh, it’s bitter cold.
Never mind the aches and pains, yes I am old.
My nose, ears, and fingers are a-freezing
Just walk slowly, hey no more falling.

I love the ED patients with their ankle sprains
So many slip and slides, and even back pains.
Let them come, EMS, bring them our way
We are ready, they're most welcome to stay.

I love the winter storm and the blizzards
And the cars that crawl like lizards
Oh, how pretty are the traffic lights
In the dark, blustery, slippery nights.

I love the snow- I’ll say it again- I even love the friendly Sanitation men,
Those Sanitation men with their snow plow who salt the streets and even my car paint away.



Jan. 21, 2014-
Hello! Never heard these weather terms before. First, "polar vertex", "polar plunge", then “bombogenesis”. It's a term coined by meteorologists to describe an area of low pressure that “deepens rapidly,” creating a strong storm, or cyclone, that intensifies as it moves over the ocean. This crazy weather that turns an already long one-hour drive to three hours. Arggghhh!
I love the Snow. Not.

The Year That Was and The Gift of a New Year

As the year 2013 ended, it gave me much comfort to come to our church in Forest Hills for our Year-End Thanksgiving Prayer. The brethren gathered together in reflection of the year that was, and to pray for the year that will be. Even as New York City was in the midst of frenzied preparations for the ball drop, we bowed our heads in silent retrospection and gave thanks to God.

It has not been an easy year. Tragedy struck the Philippines, first the earthquake, then the super typhoon that had demolished Eastern Visayas.

Four special people passed away this year (Uncle Alex, Amy, Phyllis, Jennifer). Each one of them will be missed. When someone special had enriched your life and had touched your heart, the sadness comes from missing the grace or the knowledge of their presence. We can only hold onto the memories in our minds and give thanks for the gift of knowing them.


Because I am an eternal optimist, I look at the past year as a glass half-full. I was blessed.


FAMILY VACATION…

Who says I can’t go home?

After twelve years, I came home to the Philippines. This time, it was not to mourn my father’s death from a stroke attack. This time, it was to see my family, my mom, my two brothers and an extended family quite unlike any other.

My calendar of activities was filled with places to visit, things to do, people to see in just three weeks. I wanted my son Jordan to experience the land of my birth. He was just ten years old on his last visit; and this time, he came much prepared, his Tagalog vocabulary was much more extensive although still heavily accented with a New York twang.

The Filipinos are known for their extended families. A vacation brings all the cousins back to reminisce our childhood escapades; sometimes it’s the only time when the Cerrudo clan gets to see each other again.

I loved the food trips. Trying almost every restaurant in the mall and sharing the bounty with relatives. Bingeing on fruits (santol, lanzones, mango) and Nanay's home-made cooking.

Experiencing the Walled City of Intramuros. Soaking in the ambience of a world gone by- of old houses during the Spanish era with the wide lattice windows and open verandas. I could almost feel the ghosts of senoritas strolling around the paseo as they cover their faces with the fans.

Riding the calesa around Intramuros. Even if the horse looked scrawny and apathetic, unlike the beautiful horses in Central Park, it knew how to do a proper u-turn in a narrow street.

Jose Rizal's execution site in Luneta. As soon as we saw this tableau, I felt deep emotions at the sad scene of Rizal executed by the Spaniards, all in the name of patriotism. The sculpture pieces were amazing; they captured the life and death of our national hero. It was a history lesson for Jordan.

BALUT!!!!! “Fear Factor” audition recorded on camera. To see the look of utter disgust on Jordan's face- PRICELESS!!!!

Finally, I am thankful for the chance to hug my mother again, tightly but not long enough to last me till my next visit. In her 80’s, she is still a fireball of energy and humor; someone who will break into her funny chicken dance when the spirit moves her. I need another vacation; I want to tell her in person again how much I love her.


CAREER

I love my job. It has its share of challenges and stressors, but I know I have risen up above most expectations, mostly mine. The future holds more opportunities for me, more pathways to explore. So, since being a Clinical Nurse Specialist came up number two in the article "Best Jobs in America", that means, I'm doing alright.

http://money.cnn.com/pf/best-jobs/2013/snapshots/2.html


MY SON

Jordan continues to amaze me. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry. He dabbles in a strange world of molecular biology, genomes, genetics, polypeptides, mutagenesis, quantum physics, and whatchamacallit. He dissects mosquitoes in the lab, and plans to pursue doctoral studies in research. I might have my own Dr. Nye later on. A scientist who also plays the piano. Even though he does not still clean his room.

I guess, like mother, like son. (the cleaning, I mean)



MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS:

1. Choose the people who whisper things in my ear. I choose to surround myself with friends who are trustworthy and with co-workers with no hidden agenda or crab mentality. I will treasure friends, near and far, who grace my life with their presence.

2. Look for things that inspire, and uplift. Life is too short to waste on inconsequential people. I will draw my strength from those who give positive energy and inspiration, despite all odds.

3. Go for it. Live life with great appreciation for the gift of living and be not afraid to explore where else life can take you.


2014, I am ready for the gift to be unwrapped and to let my light shine even more. This year is another gift from God. Ready to face whatever life brings. This year, I am looking forward to celebrating the one hundredth year of the Church.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson

Surviving Yolanda: Disaster in the Philippines

Unknown source


How can one community survive from a disaster called the worst to ever hit the country? How can one recover from overwhelming devastation?

Typhoon Yolanda with its Category 5 winds slammed into the islands of Leyte and Samar in Central Philippines last November 8. 2013. The disaster left a path of destruction which flattened both the concrete houses and nipa huts, and left dead bodies in its wake. The storm surge swept away homes and people. Nature gone mad. A poor community was rendered helpless and hopeless.

Right now, the roads are impassable due to debris and collapsed buildings and fallen electric cables. Misery is everywhere. Even as donations pour in and rescue efforts are underway, there are still some survivors sheltering in makeshift structures, bracing for the next storm, even as they mourn for their dead loved ones. A whole family torn apart; sometimes single survivors left to pick up their shattered lives on their own.

The images posted on the intranet are horrific to behold. Thousands of humans and animal lost, properties destroyed ; the once beautiful coastal areas transformed into a wasteland of rubbles and dead people and animals.

A whole community struggles, waiting for food and water from rescue groups unable to reach the isolated areas fast enough. The lack of electric power makes it difficult to communicate on the whereabouts and destinies of the people of Leyte. The fate of some loved ones are uncertain.

There is an outpouring of sympathy from people around the world. And yet, there are some heartless individuals who begrudge the help that the US government had sent to the Philippines and had demanded that monetary aid be redirected to help domestic people first. Self-entitlement and selfishness sometimes rear its ugly heads.

The rest of the caring world can only watch helplessly as heart-wrenching stories of loss are recounted by the survivors. Prompted by desperation, men and women sought out television cameras to plead for help and to connect with loved ones outside of the affected areas, mostly to tearfully announce which family member had passed away. Good or bad news, those who were left behind just wanted to reach out to anyone who may listen.

Filipinos are known for their resilience. The country had been plagued by natural disasters over the years, but its people had always bounced back from the trauma, made stronger by their faith and the optimism for a brighter future.

Could it be that most of the affected victims have been empowered by the harsh realities of life and that they have learned to live in the moment because the thought of thinking far beyond the present is inconceivable? When there's nothing in the horizon, one can only try to treasure the fact that their lives were spared then give thanks for another chance of redemption.

This latest tragedy had shaken us to the core and had rendered the future bleak and unimaginable. But there is no other option but to survive. To just take each day as it comes. To just hold on to the flicker of hope that there is still something worth living for. To just keep the Filipino spirit of resilience, against all odds.

To find something to smile about. To just find the courage to live again.

My heart bleeds for you, Philippines. Be strong.

All I can offer (aside from my donations) is a prayer that our countrymen in the Visayas will pull through yet another tragedy. Mabuhay.












Please donate:
http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations
https://www.wfp.org/donate/typhoon
http://www.childfund.org/emergency/
http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate
http://www.care.org/emergencies/typhoon-haiyan
https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=16500&16500.donation=form1

Filipino Global photo- Amidst the destruction around them, these kids still managed to find something to smile about. A testament to the resiliency of children


Thank you, Anderson Cooper, for the brave reporting. You bared the ineffective rescue efforts in the country and incurred the criticisms from those who were offended by the truth. There are lessons to be learned in a disaster; it's just too bad that these lessons came at the expense of the victims.




“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
-Confucius

A Carole King Moment

I am having a Carole King moment. I have started reading her book "A Natural Woman: A Memoir" where she chronicled her remarkable journey from young mother to a much-awarded musical icon with far-reaching influence to more generations to come.

Her songs had transcended the passage of time by weaving beautiful rich hues in the tapestry of life. Her songs are timeless and powerful often speaking to simple yet deep emotions. With passion and chutzpah. Vulnerable and strong.

This November, her musical “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" opens in Broadway. This is a much-awaited musical of a passionate Brooklyn girl who followed her dreams into securing legendary status in music history.

She is one-of-a-kind, a prolific singer-songwriter who had given the world countless musical hits. She had been revered as the most successful female songwriter in pop history. A Songwriters Hall of Fame awardee and Lifetime Grammy awardee, she is also slated to receive the MusiCares 2014 Person of the Year in January in recognition of her amazing body of work as well as her charitable works here and abroad.

My favorite Carole King songs: A Natural Woman, I Feel the Earth Move, Now and Forever, You’ve Got a Friend, Tapestry, and of course Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

Carole King was honored at the White House as the recipient of the 2013 Gershwin Prize for Popular song. King is the first woman to receive the award, which was created in 2007 by the Library of Congress to recognize "the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world’s culture". http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/07/02/honoring-carole-king-white-house


Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow


Carole and Gerry Goffin (her first husband) penned a song that became a no. 1 song for the Shirelles. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow was covered by several artists. Here are my favorites:

Carole King (with James Taylor)




Carole King (with Willie Nelson)





Shirelles





Lorrie Morgan




Amy Winehouse





Leslie Grace- a native New Yorker born of Dominican parents had a bilingual, bachata cover which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Radio Airplay,




Gloria Estefan, Trisha Yearwood, and Emile Sande at the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize show





Jocelyne, a French singer recorded this version- Reviendra-t-il encore?





Lil Malmkvist recorded a Swedish version called "Hur blir det i morgon" in 1961.





TRIVIA:

Neil Sedaka went to Highschool with Carol who he claimed to be as his girlfriend. Years later, he wrote this song for her.




Carol’s then-husband Gerry Goffin wrote a humorous answer.





Now and Forever




Tapestry



My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue
An everlasting vision of the ever changing view
A wondrous woven magic in bits of blue and gold
A tapestry to feel and see, impossible to hold




And I started to sing her songs again. Which would be a disservice to her. But I have a feeling she wouldn't mind at all. :)



Addendum: June 16, 2014. Carole King's first husband, Gerry Goffin, passed away this week. It is a testament to his greatness as a lyricist that music lovers still vividly recall the words to the songs of that bygone era. His partnership with Carole King had produced countless hits that had survived the test of time. He was indeed the poet laureate of teenage pop.

Learning the "Cup Game"

There I sat in front of my computer completely mesmerized by the repetitive rhythm of hand clapping and plastic cup banging on the table. The video tutorial looked easy until you have to contend with uncooperative plastic cups with minds of their own.

My son was impressed when he heard me use the word “twerking” after the Miley Cyrus debacle on the VMA awards show. This time, I was trying to raise my 'hip factor' status in my son's eyes, just to dazzle him more that I can learn new tricks that I can show off at the next party. But it seems easier to teach our dog Boomer to stop being psychotic when he sees other dogs in the street.

My hand-eye coordination had been used up with the Tetris games of my youth. With too much neurons that I have to conserve for my real work, I cannot seem to match the singing and hand routine in sync.

Singing the “When I’m Gone” song while performing the Cups routine is proving to be a major challenge for me. Ugh. I know it has something to do with muscle memory but it's difficult to concentrate when I'm still struggling with a perfect pitch. It’s something similar to knowing the next Gangnam style dance step by heart without looking like I’m flailing like a mad woman.

My childhood game of Penpen de sarapen should have prepared me for the dexterity needed for this Cup game. But it’s not working for me so far. I am hesitant to admit that the Cup routine is maybe two generations too late for me. Fail.



“Cups/ When I’m Gone" is a radio-friendly remix of the song that Anna Kendrick performs in Pitch Perfect. The title takes its name from Kendrick's percussion instrument: a plastic cup, which she shuffles around like a person playing the Cup Game.

http://www.vulture.com/2013/08/comprehensive-history-of-the-cups-phenomenon.html





Performed by 600 Irish choir kids-




Accapella cover









Just a hint of nostalgia...

Pen pen de sarapen,
de kutsilyo de almasen
Haw, haw de carabao batutin

Sipit namimilipit ginto't pilak
Namumulaklak sa tabi ng dagat.

Sayang pula tatlong pera
Sayang puti tatlong salapi

Rainbow

Driving home from Brooklyn on the Belt Parkway, I was thankful that I witnessed the magical display by Mother Nature. The bright colors of the rainbow triumphed in stark contrast against the backdrop of gray, angry clouds; its full arc high up in the dark sky.

The setting sun's fierce rays behind me turned the drizzling rain into silver on my windshield and transformed the waters of the Narrows Strait shimmering like gold. There was a calmness in the air as if everyone is held spellbound by this beautiful thing in the sky.

And as I was coasting along the Belt, right where the "Fuhgeddaboudit" sign clued me that I was leaving Brooklyn for Queens, the majestic rainbow loomed right in the middle of the road, beyond the horizon. The colors were so distinct and the rainbow so amazingly near that it took my breath away. The cars slowed down and I could almost hear the collective "ahhs".

I vaguely remember the scientific explanation about the rain as the prism that creates the spectrum of colors. How the lights are refracted when the sun light hits the raindrop at an angle. ROYGBIV. In grade school, I hardly paid attention to the science behind this phenomenon.

As a child, I was more interested with the story of the pot of gold over the rainbow "where troubles melt like lemon drops and happy little bluebirds fly". It was our magical bahaghari from those innocent times where skies are blue,and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true, just over the rainbow.

And if you just look closely, there's a second rainbow! With blue on the outside and red moved to the inside. Double reflections, double pots of gold.

All I know is that I am grateful for the simple joys of a rainbow. As Maya Angelou wrote, “God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us- in the dreariest and most dreaded moments- can see a possibility of hope.”



King James Bible- "And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth".












Nov. 2013- A rainbow after Typhoon Yolanda