Fourth of July, Happy Independence Day

On this Fourth of July, Americans across the US celebrate the 238th anniversary of the country's independence from Britain. A national holiday, it is observed with parades, picnics, concerts, department store sales, blockbuster movies, hotdog-eating contests, and fireworks.

Courtesy of Macy’s, the night sky along the East River in NYC was lit with a spectacular display of fireworks with the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge in the backdrop. It was dazzling, electrifying, and patriotic. It was also a reminder of how the United States is a bastion of freedom, a leader of the free world.

I am thankful to and for America. From my native Philippines, I ventured to this faraway land and had spent half my life in this great country. As a naturalized citizen, I bow my head in a prayer of thanks for the boundless blessings and opportunities that were given to me and the countless other immigrants who now call this country home.

Let us remember the founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence, as well as those men and women who keep the country safe. Let us celebrate those who sacrifice life and limb just so we can enjoy our freedom and independence and the inalienable rights granted to us by the Constitution.



Update 7/4/18:
And on this National Day of Freedom, may we all be humane enough to stand for those who seek the same freedom. Although we should always promote legal immigration, let us not condone the separation of families as a means to achieve that. Separating kids from their parents is JUST EVIL.


Update 7/4/2020:
Happy birthday, USA. The land of the free. Quite ironic that people are using the excuse of freedom of speech to malign and oppress. Also, quite stupid and ignorant to espouse the freedom not to wear a face mask when the nation is still in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all this, I am still blessed to be in the land of my dreams, where I have spent more than half of my life. Happy 4th of July, everyone.




God Bless America- written by Irving Berlin

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer

God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above
From the mountains, to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam
God bless America
My home sweet home

Here Comes the Sun: My Beatles' Musical Tribute

radaronline.com



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)