DENYING

 We were just starting off.

 

And it started so damn well. Right from that first time we got closer, we just got closer and closer. And they couldn’t break us apart. Not even distance from the bottom tot the top could.

 

Mainly, that’s because, just as what I have always said, love finds ways. Love, love is on its way.

 

Even for a short time, I have come to love the woman that you are. You make me the man I am today. And I will be the man I will be tomorrow, for I am loved by you. And I love you.

 

Do you want to know why I did what I did? I meant, pursuing and not stopping in making you feel loved truly, madly, deeply. It’s because…

 

Denying Ain’t Nice, It’ll Continue Anyway.

 

And I hope, what’s just starting off will go on and on and on.

Imagining Your Audience

What better way to come back to writing than to have a looking back at the year that was 2024.

This year was quite a big one. It was challenging, a wild rollercoaster ride, and a marathon that seemed to stretch beyond the 42K mark. But hey, we’re already at the end of it. “Yo, Adrian, we did it!”

Since we’re already running late, let’s get on with it. Shall we?

For a timid individual such as I am, I’m not fond of having the spotlight turned at me. The stage would be something on the top of the “Things I’m Scared of” list. The top spot still belongs to the Lady Gaga Illuminati Conspiracy. Coming in for a close second spot is the Paul Is Dead Conspiracy. Is it safe to say I’m a believer of conspiracy theories?

Going back, what made that year different were the times I pushed myself outside the box. The man who was afraid of the spotlight went on to different speaking engagements and actually said things that matter.

It was never on my listed plans for that year to speak to a group, even a mixed group of professionals. But hey, that year was complicated. That year was different. That year was unusual, but good, nonetheless.

The first one back in January (MEPF Town Hall), I was a designated speaker on a refresher talk for my then-group, under Construction MEPF. Not bad for ta first time, and in fact, I was just a replacement being that the first speaker was my then-mentor who was not able to attend the refresher talk. He had to leave for a management-initiated level improvement. And I must say, it worked out well for the both of us.

Honestly speaking, the topic was new to me, and not necessarily my niche but learning’s fun. And as I spoke, I also learned. I went on to do the same talk again to the same group albeit with new members in September for another round of Town Hall.

The second and third quarter of that year focused on further developing my public speaking skillset. I was enlisted on various Learning & Development talks focusing on various topics that would supposedly help me improve in my field. However, what I really got on those talks was the art of public speaking itself. Being that there were different topics, there were also different speakers which meant different approaches and methods were handed out to us.

 

As months passed, I didn’t essentially think that I would be putting such learnings to practice. Not until my lateral movement was finally effective. And I guess that would warrant a story separate from this.

In the last quarter of that year, I transferred to another department. The transfer was highly evident being that from doing field work on site, I would now be seated on a third-floor office space, facing my laptop most of the time.

This was when I heard the wonderful news that I would be one of the speakers on another series of Learning & Development talks. A few months before, I was just one of the audience. By this time, I would be a part of what they would call Learning Advocates.

The experience was surreal. I was new to the team, and to the department. But with what I had, the team trusted that I would be capable of doing a three-day talk involving participants from a wide range linked to the Construction Department – which I was previously a part of.

A quick side trip outside the office led me to another public speaking event, though quite toned down a bit. I was tasked along with other members of our department to provide assistance on the educational advocacy of a private NGO in Valenzuela City. We had the chance of teaching elementary level subjects to 200 students (ranging from Grades 2 to 6). I got the chance to talk about History – something that could be found on my bucket list being that I had been a Rizal fan boy and to be honest, I just wanted to talk about Rizal, Bonifacio, and the whole bunch. I could’ve spoken for a whole hour about it.

Jumping to December, it was a bit unplanned and unexpected, but I got my first hosting gig. I got to host, together with two other friends, the year-end party of the project site I was a part of for the past three years. The project had reached its RFO status this December and we all just wanted to give back and look back to the past five years which the project had run. It was one emotional night for everyone involved, from the top-level managers down to the staffs and crew of workforce that provided help to the project.

 

The cherry on top of that final event was that my significant other was there to witness me goof on stage, with all my unnecessary hand movements, awkward swaying, and carefree touching of phones. Yes, I'm glad she was there to witness that final curtain call.

One last note, I was also under the shadow of alcohol.

Instead of imagining my audience naked, as notable speakers would say, I imagined myself naked. Thanks, free-flowing alcohol.

It's always been me.

 Yesterday was evaluation day at work.

It was the day that my colleagues and I had been waiting for. It was that chance to sell ourselves to the managers, and big bosses as we scream, "Hey, boss. Here are the things that you made me do for the past year. Also listed are some things I did that were well beyond what's should be expected off of me."

I should be sad, and mad, being that I had been drained for so long and I should be giving more time to myself, to my friends, and loved ones (cliche as it is), instead of giving more time to my work.

But thinking about it now, I'm the same tired working-class hero from a year ago, I'm sad, but I'm not mad. I believe that the past year has taught me much, more than what I had during the first year and a half of my professional career. And I will always be thankful for that. Don't bite the hand that feeds you, eh?

And to be completely honest, life has not given me many options. Beggars cannot be choosers.

With that, I'd like to say that not everything from that evaluation seemed to be true. 

From someone verily deeply close to my heart told me during an argument that I haven't moved an inch from where I was months ago. I'd still get toxic over petty things; I'd still get mad over unnecessary things even if I'd rather be on the opposite side of the argument.

It had been said multiple times, "Nothing is forever," and "Change is always inevitable". However, I'd started thinking about the opposite of changing for the better.

What if I am changing, but I am vastly, but gradually, having my decline?

Tomorrow is today. Tomorrow is today.

Love Goes Full Circle in “Rocketman”

Sir Elton John had one of the best biopics ever made (or at least, it was a better biopic than “Bohemian Rhapsody” which was for Queen frontman Freddie Mercury). Aside from the historical realignment made on BohRhap, another thing that let it down for me was the presentation of the songs.

“Rocketman” did better for as for me, it was aware of what it was. A musical biopic featuring the songs made by the power duo of Elton John and Bernie Taupin to celebrate the trials and the redemption that Reggie Dwight had overcome to be Sir Elton John.

Elton John's "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from umusic.ca

There are two songs that perfectly highlight the greatness of this film. There was a clear story, complete with the conflict, and ultimately, the resolution, as presented by the songs “I Want Love” and “I’m Gonna Love Me Again”.

“I Want Love” was a ballad release din 2001 from the album “Songs from the West Coast”. A music video was released to accompany the single featuring a lip-synching Robert Downey, Jr. in a one long shot.

The song was used in the film in a very effective manner. Right from the start, the viewers were made aware of the challenges that young Reggie had in his family, comprising his father, mother, and a grandmother.

“I Want Love” speaks about a long-standing longing for love. In the song, love was described as something that is of “a different kind”, something “that don’t mean a thing”, and on his “own terms”. Considering these vague descriptions about the love that he is longing for, I think it would be safe to say that these were like shots in a dartboard.

"I Want Love" album art from wikipedia.org

A vague description was given probably because the writer was unsure whether having his chance at love would even be possible. In the film, it was masterfully presented as parts of the song were given to the mother, the father, the grandmother, and Reggie as if that was their best shot at explaining why love on the family had been elusive.

Fear not though, for Reggie or Sir Elton John would figure it out eventually in the film and in real life. As the song “I’m Still Standing”, another song about redemption, the song “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” starts to play, completing the 360-degree turn of the film’s arc about love that was addressed by “I Want Love”.

“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” was written originally for the biopic. From the title, it could be inferred that the love that he had been longing for could only be satisfied by the love coming from within, from himself. The song which spoke about embracing the imperfections and visible and non-visible flaws, also told us that loving oneself is a decision that one must be inclined to achieve.

The line “Unbound by any ties that break or bend; I’m free, don’t you know?” reiterates that loving yourself first can lead you to being free, by not relying on somebody else’s love for you hold on.

Folks, let’s love us again.

 

 

21st

 (08 / 21 / 21)

    August 21st marks the commemoration of the death of Filipino hero, Benigno Aquino II, or simply, Ninoy. But also, August 21st marks a unique date being that we are in the year 2021.

    Here's a little something about peace, love, and everything in between.

To want you is to want to have you accompanied

For the whole infinite journey

Never going back to zero

Proving I can be your hero

To do that is to do all things possible

Everything that I can control

Rest assured they'll be delivered

I'll always have you under my cover

To see you smiling is to see a heart filled up hard

One smile is already the utmost reward

One hug assures I'll always be on your side

One kiss ensures enjoyment for a lifetime

To fail in doing these is to fail miserably

You can argue I don't love you too deeply

Yet I'm banking on having a second shot

On giving your daily dose of love, care, and whatnot 

x

Dating Apps in the New Age of the COVID-19 Scare

    How do we flirt, engage with, and/or meet and greet new people amid the Covid-19 pandemic? It may not be of top priority in situations like these. However, it's not bad to still look for someone whom you can truly share life stories, and even life itself. After all, we all have our own distinct lifelines.

With more than half of the year being consumed by efforts to contain and ultimately eradicate the Coronavirus scare, most of us are now well-informed about the various effects that the pandemic has brought to our lives. Everything is literally cancelled, not only in Twitter or other social media platforms, but in all aspects. Though there is one thing, among other essentials, that the virus has not cancelled and that is dating, or “online dating” to be more appropriate.

Big-budget movies, concert tours, and public gatherings had been postponed, if not cancelled. For a time, basketball biggest stage was postponed until the NBA Bubble was set. Schools were forced to switch to online learning to limit face-to-face interactions of the teachers and students. These events basically kept the general public in their homes, with massive amount of free time to dive into wherever their unabsorbed minds would take them, since the best way to combat the disease would be via social distancing.

If necessity is the mother of invention, it may be safe to say that boredom and having lots of available time can be father and mother to soul-searching, contemplations, developments, and ultimately, “online dating”.

· Online Dating

Dating applications and sites started surfacing way back 1959 via IBM’s “Happy Families Planning Services” (Wikipedia, 2020). Since then, we have had “Date-Mate”, “Match.com”,   “OkCupid”, and “Scout” among other dating apps and sites that have innovated based on the needs and desires of their eras. These would bring us to the modern day counterparts such as “Bumble”, “Tinder”, “Grindr”, and “Omegle”, among others.

Bumble interface from Bumble.com

    

Dating app “Bumble” recorded a 21% increase in Bumble Video Call usage (Costa, 2020) during the early stages of the Covid-19 quarantine measures. Still from the early stages of the quarantine, from March 12-22, Bumble had a 21% increase in Seattle, 23% increase in New York City, and 26% increase in San Francisco with regard to the tally of sent messages.

Another dating app, “Tinder”, also had an upsurge due to more people staying in their homes. Recorded on March 29 were 3 billion swipes made worldwide for that day alone, the most swipes the app had for a single day (Shaw, 2020).

The busiest hands now belong to only two groups of people: those who are medical researchers and professionals, and those who are swiping left and right, whether day or night, in these dating apps.

It would be not surprising to see more folks switching to online dating as another means of preventive measures due to the elephant in everybody’s room that we cannot afford to risk going out and contract the virus at the expense of the people we share our homes with. It wouldn’t just be worth the risk. Just don’t provide your exact location, or turn any GPS equipment on so you will not have unexpected visitors knocking on your doors with hands infected with Covid-19 droplets.

Additionally, it would not really be far-fetched considering that most of the things we have to do have switched to the Internet, the digital way of doing things. Take for example online streaming services replacing the satellite TV and cinemas, online classes replacing face-to-face classes, online corporate meetings via video-conferencing applications, and online banking.

· The Trouble with Online Dating

Still, online dating still has its own perils. Because romantic relationships shall still be based on both physical and emotional attractions, falling in love with someone you know only via avatar may bring risk. There is a risk of fraud. The Internet is highly vulnerable to fraudulent activities which may eventually lead to security risks. There is the risk of being hacked and exposed to the online community against your will. However, what’s worse is that fraudulent people can actually track down your location due to the access to various GPS equipment that can be manipulated into tricking you to provide information about your location.

· Dating Priorities in this Pandemic Era

The coin always has a flip side as folks would say. Having the privilege to do something at your command also brings with it certain responsibilities. Always be reminded that the use of online dating may either be a permanent adjustment or just an alternative for the physical dating we used to do. It shall still depend on how you think you are doing with dating. If doing things online increases your “datability” (the chance of you being dated by someone you want), then keep on doing the good things inclined with it.

It will always be best to have a clear understanding of what your priorities shall be. With Covid-19 still lurking, to be safe and free from the virus shall still remain at the top. No matter how long your drought has been going!

 

Sources:

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/24/how-singles-are-meeting-up-on-dating-apps-during-the-coronavirus.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52743454

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_online_dating_services

Taking the First Step

It has been four months since the first lockdown in Manila. With that, I've yet to have my hair cut until today. After weeks of debating with myself regarding whether or not I should have my hair cut, I finally decided to do it today.

With the new normal due to the pandemic, it'd be very surprising to still see barbershop scenarios like these. (From Facebook.com)

It wasn't easy. Since I was a kid, I wanted a longer hairstyle, one that I could slip onto the back of my ears, one that could hide my ears. School regulations didn't allow me to try having that. So when I graduated, I saw that as a chance to sport that long hairstyle, except that I had lost my silky smooth straight hair I used to have when I was a kid. Also, the Coronavirus scare was not ready to leave us yet.

My curly wavy hairstyle got me through my licensure exam last year. Now, it got me through the first four months of the Coronavirus lockdown. 

Not like last year, I was motivated and eager to do what I had to do because I knew I wouldn't ace my licensure exam without doing the essentials.

However, things were different during the past four months. I procrastinated and used the pandemic era as a reason to not strive the same. way I did last year. I was neglecting my side hustles, my writing, and further development in my profession.

For some reason, I thought that cutting my hair would be the first step in beating down this procrastinating season I've been having. Cutting my hair would mean I would no longer be accepting mediocrity in my outside appearance. Lousy hairstyles sometimes could reflect a lousy lifestyle in any aspect. 

Just as I am now back on track with my hair, I hope to also be back on track with regards to my eagerness and drive for further improvement in my professional career, passion, and character. 

It's a work in progress, but it will never start without taking that first step.

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Daniel Craig Scene (Day 6)

"Spectre" was the first film I watched in the theater. Other Bond films were watched only on TV presentations or released copies. And how I loved watching "Spectre", especially when the white dots appeared for the gun barrel sequence, the first proper one for a Craig film!

However, my favorite Bond film wouldn't be from that scene. It would have to be from the scene that led to the events of that film, the very last scene of "Skyfall"!

The scene was just perfectly built up. From the reveal of Eve as Moneypenny and Mallory as the new M to the reveal of Bond meeting M in his office. Although it was a kind of a fan service moment, it was subtle and very much not like the fan service moments sprayed all over "Die Another Day" and "Spectre" through the countless references to previous Bond films.

What made it so memorable was the fact that it was the first time we saw Bond and M talking in the traditional office since "The Living Daylights" in 1987.

In "License to Kill", only Moneypenny's office was shown, while in the Brosnan films and Craig's first two, M's office was always redecorated and changed into something new.

This scene helped build up the interaction between Bond and the new M for the coming films, what's left of Craig's contract, at least. They even have the naval painting in the wall above M to match the details making it easy to accept Mallory as the new M.

This scene was the best scene to close for a great Bond film, "Skyfall", while also transitioning it to the next entry in the series, "Spectre" which would have the established MI-6 regulars - Bill Tanner, Moneypenny, Q, and M.

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Pierce Brosnan Scene (Day 5)

Excuse the delay, here's the entry for the fifth day!

I really find the Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan eras very much alike. For the films in these eras, you suspend your disbelief high enough so that there's won't be frequent eyebrow raises. 

There was Sir Roger's "Moonraker". while there was Pierce's "Die Another Day". In terms of the action, there were "Octopussy" and "Tomorrow Never Dies". In terms of villains who were equal to Bond, there was Francisco Scaramanga for Sir Roger while there was Alec Trevelyan for Pierce. 

With that, we should go to my favorite Pierce Brosnan Bond moment and this would definitely be an action scene since the action, gunfights, brawls, and machine guns were commonly seen in this era of movies. 

My favorite would be Bond going up against Gustav Graves in a fencing match. This happened in the film "Die Another Day". Investigating what really happened in the mission in the pre-title sequence, Bond was led to Graves who was dealing counterfeited diamonds. 

Although this scene gave the Madonna cameo, I had to pick this one as my favorite since it was one of the most memorable and watchable moments of the film. "Die Another Day" was not a very good outing but it was very entertaining while having the potential of a good one. One of the reasons for the film having some rare praises would be due to this fight scene. 

Watching the fight, you would be reminded of Bond and Goldfinger's golf match and also the swordfight scene in Moonraker. Very fitting since it was a 40th-anniversary offering. 

The fight choreography was also done superbly. The actors were believable and not suspicious at all with all the stunts. It was really great to see Pierce Brosnan kicking the butt of a much younger villain who was very athletic and as tough as a Robocop. 

Gustav Graves was also good as a villain. Having a villain that could match up Bond physically every once in a while could be really great for the sake of the action scenes. 

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Timothy Dalton Scene (Day 4)

Timothy Dalton is my favorite Bond actor. His two Bond films are easily in my Top 5. Needless to say, this pick is going to be an easy one. 

Of his two Bond outings, I liked License to Kill better. During its time, it was the one among the other previous Bonds. It was the first one not to have an Ian Fleming title. There were no megalomaniac villains, humorous reactions, and ultimately, there wasn't any mission at hand. 

"The Man with the Golden Gun" had the chance of having Bond go out on something that was not a mission. He was out to go after Scaramanga whom he thought was paid to kill him. However, there was also the conflict concerning the Solex Agitator and guess what, the man behind that conflict was also Scaramanga. 

As for "License to Kill", this film had no sub-plots. Bond was out to seek the killing of Felix Leiter's wife and Leiter's own casualty. Plain and simple. No missions, for now, M. Not until I avenge my best buddy, Felix Leiter. 

That made it stand out among the other entries. 

During the middle part of the film, Bond was in the fictional location, Isthmus City, in Franz Sanchez's casino. He posed as a very able player to catch Sanchez's attention and he was right. He was then about to meet Sanchez.

And this next scene would definitely be my favorite. Bond and Sanchez having a conversation. They even threw a very subtle "Bond. James Bond." introduction, although it was left unattended b Sanchez. 

Sanchez wanted to know what Bond does for a living, and asked if he was a "problem solver". Bond, gathering his wits, replied that he was a "problem eliminator". Timothy Dalton's delivery of that scene really caught my attention because it seemed that every aspect needed to make that scene perfectly aligned. The grit was present, the dedication to play the part too, but most of all, the hair was so overly done, it made the scene shine brightly. 

It was also during this meeting that Bond displayed some good spy stuff when he took a glimpse at Sanchez's window to gauge how much of a trouble it would be for him. 

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite Roger Moore Moment (Day 3)

My favorite Roger Moore moment as 007 would have to be the final showdown with Francisco Scaramanga in "The Man with the Golden Gun".

Although there were lots of massive Bond moments during the Roger Moore era, which gave seven films, this has to be the one for me. 

Options included the Crocodile Jump in "Live and Let Die", the meeting with Lazar in "Golden Gun", and the Union Jack moment in "The Spy Who Loved Me." Amazingly, those were just from Roger Moore's first  three Bond films. 

Ever since the Bond movies blew up big time during the Sean Connery era, fans had toyed with the idea 9f Bond being matched up with someone who could be his equal. After numerous extravagant villains from Dr. No to Blofeld, and Dr. Kana nga, it was time for Bond to face Scaramanga.

Scaramanga was Bond's equal in the sense that they were both the best in their field (an assassin versus a secret agent), their towering physique, and their ability to fight for what they'd think would be the best for them. 

Roger Moore inside Scaramanga's fun house in "The Man with the Golden Gun" from onenewspage.com

Scaramanga tried to trick Bond by giving him the advantage of having the Walther's six bullets against his Golden Gun's one. With the help of his fun house, Bond was down to his last possible shot. Thankfully, he thought of making the environment work to his advantage.

I won't spoil that for you anymore. You'd be doing yourself a favor watching that final battle between the two assassins. 

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite George Lazenby Moment (Day 2)

George Lazenby was Bond for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" after Sean Connery chose not to star as the secret agent.

My favorite moment on that film was when Bond called Draco, Tracy's father, after having some disagreements with M for the rescue of Tracy.

The conversation was set in Bond's office which was already shown earlier in the film when he has packed his spy stuff memento from previous missions. Once again, the setting was used as a place for Bond to cool down and clear his mind after a heated conversation with his boss.

George Lazenby as James Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"

Bond dropped the line "Bond. James Bond." in this scene as he was talking to Draco. It was such a cool macho moment for Lazenby's Bond because, for the second time in the film, he has shown that he can go rogue and be against M's orders.

Not that going rogue is highly recommended for subordinates, however, this proves that having a license to kill is also having the license not to kill, as M would say In Spectre. With that, it sends the message that we can still stay true to our duties and responsibilities while being discerning of which things are of high importance.

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite Sean Connery Bond Moment (Day 1)

While everybody is in quarantine and on lockdown, I thought of giving this challenge a go.

First up is Favorite Sean Connery Scene. With 7 films to choose from, there's definitely a lot to choose from.

Among all the explosive action scenes and pun-filled remarks, my favorite had to be the Moneypenny scene in From Russia With Love.

From Russia With Love started with the new threat from SPECTRE and the defector, Tatiana Romanova, that had been known to M. M.asked for 007's presence through Moneypenny.

Unaware of the tension due to the situation and of M's presence, Bond enters the room playfully.

Moneypenny (left), M (center), and Bond (right) in From Russia with Love from bamfstyle.com

"Now for my next miracle...".as he tossed his hat to the hat stand, completely shocked and quite embarassed seeing M witness his mischievous side.

The scene had nothing more than that fun entry of Bond into the mission. It showed the personality of Bond when he has not yet been handed his mission. I think I like that because it gave us a chance of humanizing Bond and not think of him as an emotionless blunt instrument for MI6.

Rocking with The Beatles After the Break-up

I have listened to The Beatles since I was a six-year-old boy. Over the years, I have listened to every little thing that has been connected to The Beatles. I have been an avid listener for more than half of my lifetime.

Still, take this with a grain of salt. I'm just basing this writing on my observations as a fan who lived not on the era of the Beatlemania, but rather on the era of the Internet, YouTube and social media.

So, here are some of those whom I think are very lucky, or even blessed, to have the chance of playing, recording, or performing with all former Beatles after the group broke up in 1970. There could be more, but here are three of those I have noticed.

1. Elton John

Sir Elton recorded a single with John Lennon in 1974. The single was called "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" and peaked at number 1. Lennon and Sir Elton played the song with other Beatles hits on a Thanksgiving concert that Sir Elton had in Madison Square Garden on November 28, 1974.

Vinyl copy of the concert's live recording with Elton John (left) and John Lennon (right) from discogs.com

Elton John played with two ex-Beatles at the Prince's Trust Rock Gala in 1987. George Harrison played "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Here Comes the Sun" alongside Sir Elton John (piano), Phil Collins (drums), Ringo Starr (drums), and Eric Clapton (guitar) among many other performers. Ringo Starr sang "With a Little Help from my Friends", accompanied by all performers, at the end of the concert, which was a very fitting end for a benefit concert such as that.

George Harrison (left) and Elton John (right) at the Prince's Trust Rock Gala from gettyimages.it

Ringo Starr (left) and George Harrison from pinterest.com

Elton John performed at the 1997 Music for Montserrat wherein Paul Mccartney was also a performer. Elton John joined Paul McCartney for a stanza in the Beatles hit "Hey Jude".

From left to right: Sting, Elton John, Mark Knofler, Paul McCartney, and Eric Clapton at the Music for Montserrat benefit concert from eltonjohnspics.blogspot.com

2. Ray Cooper

Ray Cooper has been a percussionist for different musical acts. He has played for Elton John, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and all-star bands playing at benefit concerts. With that, he was also at the Thanksgiving concert in MSG where John Lennon and Elton John had performed "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night."

Ray Cooper also played percussions for George Harrison for his 1991 tour in Japan. Cooper was also present in the 2002 Concert for George held at the Royal Albert Hall to commemorate Harrison's passing in 2001. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were both performers in the Concert for George. 

Ray Cooper at the Concert for George from concertforgeorge.com

Ray Cooper was also at the Music for Montserrat benefit concert and played percussions.

3. Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton was probably the luckiest in this list. He was able to record a song with the Beatles in 1968 via White Album's "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" and that only made his friendship and connection with the group even more solid.

Clapton was in a one-time band with John Lennon, The Dirty Mac. He was also at Lennon's 1969 concert performance in Toronto, Canada.

From left to right: Eric Clapton, Yoko Ono, and John Lennon performing in 1969 from YouTube.com

Clapton, being very dear friends with George Harrison, was in almost all concerts that Harrison was a part of. When Harrison organized the Concert for Bangladesh, Clapton was one of the performers. Harrison's performances for a Carl Perkins special during the mid-'80s also had him and Clapton playing with Carl Perkins. The pair was also a part of the 1987 Prince's Trust Rock Gala. Additionally, all three aforementioned concerts also had Ringo Starr playing the drums. 

George Harrison (left) and Eric Clapton (right) playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" from guitarworld.com

From left to right: Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Dhani Harrison at the Concert for George from dallasnews.com

Clapton was also the one who encouraged Harrison to tour Japan in the early '90s. They went on to do the tour and released an album consisting of the live recordings of the tour.

Clapton performed on the Music for Montserrat with Paul McCartney in 1997. He played some of the guitar licks in the Beatle's "The End" which McCartney played as part of the Abbey Road Medley. The two also performed the song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with McCartney on piano and Clapton on guitar as a tribute to George Harrison after his passing in 2001.

Eric Clapton (left) and Paul McCartney (right) at the Conceert for George from societyofrock.com

Paper Year

In the next series of blog posts, along with this one, I will take you to what went on during our anniversaries, or love birthdays, as we call it.

It was April 1, 2017, and we just had our first year together. To be honest, it was not really easy but, hey, it was very worth it. The honeymoon stage really felt like a honeymoon with love overflowing, while also adjusting to the new things that we learned about each other. 

Much like one year ago, we just had some misunderstanding before our first birthday. I had some personal flaws that she wanted me to rid, (which I still have as of writing and it's not something I should be proud of). We settled in and choose to stay with each other despite my wrongdoings, had our favorite, Burger King, and headed onto Ball Pit Manila in Makati City.

Ball Pit Manila logo from Facebook.com

Ball Pit Manila had already caught our attention even months before our birthday and we really wanted to come and see what had been going viral in social media. Ball Pit Manila had this pool of white plastic balls that you could drown yourself into. 

I made the reservations and when we went there, it met our expectations and we had a very good time feeling like a kid once again. As for me, I never experienced playing outdoors with neighbors, and other kids and that made the Ball Pit Manila moment a really enjoyable and memorable one since I don't really have a lot of memories playing happily and care-free with someone outside my family. I was happy that it had to be you, love.

Aside from the huge pool of balls, the murals and the ambiance of the place were really inviting. It had that innocent but very engaging feel to it. We also had the chance to play card games, and board games! The stay really made us feel like childhood friends turned classroom lovers.

After the events at Ball Pit Manila, we went on to a massage parlor called "Mont Albo Massage Hut" and had our first massage treatment together. Before the actual massaging, we were first scrubbed by the therapists. Then, the massaging that went on for about an hour really made us felt relaxed and free from all negative auras that could invade us. I just did not like it when they had to put massage oil between our fingers. That gave me a really irritating feeling. The finger massage did so, too. I kind of hated them.

Mont Albo Massage Hut logo from montalbomassage.com

However, I was with the love of my life so I just ignored everything and started to live in the moment. And I could feel that in that very moment, the presence of love was undoubtedly together with us. Forgotten was the earlier dispute.

Before going home, we went on to try a nearby "Sinangag Express" (a Tapsilogan) and it was good. Everything was going our way that night, and I could not be any happier. I bade her goodbye and kissed her in the forehead. Happy first birthday to us, love!

A paper may be thin, and easy to scratch on and be crumpled, however, it can still be straightened and fixed to pave way for a new chapter of love mixed with of happiness, and sadness.

Happy Anniversary

A 2018 Netflix movie called "Happy Anniversary" explored and gave us the story of a couple that was supposed to celebrate their third wedding anniversary. Sadly, it was not a happy one.

Official movie poster from imdb.com

Directed by Jared Stern, his directorial debut, "Happy Anniversary" opened up with the woman saying to her man that she was "not happy". For a person who has been having a long-term relationship with somebody, that has got to be shattering. No person who invested his or her love deeply would be happy after hearing those words. However, those words should not be taken away from couples. Those words should be said one way or another.

"Not happy" does not always mean "I want to get away from you, I want to leave you, I don't love you anymore." Sometimes, it only means "there is something wrong that should be fixed." Long-term relationships are messy, a crazy roller coaster ride with lots of bumps, curves, and ups and downs, but the thing that makes it worthwhile is this: You are in that roller coaster ride with that someone you love deeply sitting beside you and taking the challenges that come along in the ride with you. 

Personally, I have a lot to think about this very topic. Not that I am unsure with my love, but because I have numerous wrongdoings and shortcomings, I do not know if I am still worth her love.

I wanted her to change into the person that I wanted her to be - to be just as mature and to be the same person as I am. However, that thinking was wrong in all aspects. I should not be wanting her to change, I should just accept her as she was when I decided that I would court her and ask for a chance to love her. Here's what I just learned - both of us had our own shares of wrongdoings, shortcomings, and personal issues, among other flaws. I should not blame her for that and force her to change, and vice versa. Accepting that love could still be perfect despite the imperfections, that would be a clear sign of true love. Love would do the work eventually.

Another thing that I should be very sorry for, I wanted love to be convenient. However, love would never be convenient at all times. Love would be expressed and shown best when it would be inconvenient. When there would be hassle, stress, and irritations for you, and you would still go all the way just to show love to that person, that would be a clear sign that you truly love that person. 

I have broken most of the promises I made, however, as long as I have the time, I would try to replace those promises with legit actions to let you know I would still love you no matter what. 

Still, love is on its way. Love is still going to keep on loving you. I am sorry.

Happiness in a relationship is not forever because quarrels and misunderstandings are inevitable. Staying in a relationship is a decision you should make, just as happiness is a decision to look on the brighter side of things. Acceptance truly is the key.

Love?

"What's love without trust and respect?"

"I don't know, but as long as there is love, you can't give up on it."

I want to ask you something

It's a question about love

How would you get the feeling

That it is sent from above

You long for love

But not only love

You need trust and respect

That's how it works in your retrospect

But what if I can't 

Give those three that you called

Does it mean we're not meant

To be together after all

You long for love,

I'm afraid, I do, too

Also, I'm not perfect

Oh girl, please don't you try to expect

But I'd give love

I'd pour love onto you

Oh, don't give up

Just give me love, too

As much as I want to linger

I have a feeling I could not

I have a feeling I'm not what you ordered

Somebody might take my spot

'Cause you long for love

But not only love

Little by little, piece by piece

I will try to be the man of your dreams

Photo by Gus Moretta from unsplash.com