DI LANG NANALO (To the Tune of Di Na Natuto by Gary V)

Bad trip ka na naman
Malakas ang kabog ng iyong puso
Lagi na lang ganyan
Daming katwiran di lang nanalo
Sungit sa 'yong mata
Ay kitang kita kahit malayo, ooh
Maninira ka pa
May pa shit-shit pa di lang nanalo

Isang bira mo lang
At ako'y napapa oh no
Baligtad mong katwiran
Ay laging bumabalik sa'yo
Wala kang kalaban-laban
Kinampihan mo tinambakan lamang

Ooh...
O asar ka na naman
Medyo nananakit ang iyong puso,
Ooh...
Muling nababadtrip
Sa mga naririnig
Di lang nanalo

Refrain:
Isang bira mo lang
At ako'y napapa oh no
Baligtad mong katwiran
Ay laging bumabalik sa'yo
Wala kang kalaban-laban
Kinampihan mo tinambakan lamang 

Refrain:
Isang bira mo lang
At ako'y napapa oh no
Baligtad mong katwiran
Ay laging bumabalik sa'yo
Wala kang kalaban-laban
Kinampihan mo tinambakan lamang
Kinampihan mo tinambakan lamang

RMP
10-15-20
Winnipeg MB Canada

RESTLESS (Part4)

 “Words are like nets - we hope they'll cover what we mean, but we know they can't possibly hold that much joy, or grief, or wonder.” Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart

more than halfway on this trip
ups and downs along the way
with lesser spaces yet to cover
and running out of things to say
father time’s slowing me down
no matter how frequent I run
I guess there’re just some things
that I can't possibly undone

there were regrets of course
this life isn’t a perfect one
took for granted a lot of things
as a father, husband, and son
memories will always be there
reminding me of the lost times
I can’t simply bring them back
not even with mournful rhymes

RMP
9-19-20
Winnipeg MB Canada

 

LINYA

Dating malinaw ngayon ay lumabo

Nabura, napalitan ngayon ay halu-halo

Dating tuwid ngayon ay liku-liko

Dating hayag, nawala’t nagtatago

Iginuhit sa isip burado sa dibdib

Kumupas ang kulay nawala ang bagsik

Bandilang bitbit isa na lamang pantakip

Larawang sandigan luma na at punit-punit

Nagsitawiran, gumitna at kumanan

Mga dalang bagahe ay naglalaglagan

Hindi na malaman kasama o kalaban

Kulay naging itim o naging dilawan

Kanya-kanya ng bitaw iba na ang galaw

Hinog na nabulok o bumalik sa pagkahilaw

Ang linya ng pag-asa hindi na basta matatanaw

Tinakpan ng mga sumama sa ganid at magnanakaw

Hindi nagmamalinis linya ko man ay lumilihis

Kahit ang pananaw madalas nang nagmimintis

Maluwag na ang lubid na nagsilbing bigkis

Makapal na prinsipyo panipis na nang panipis

RMP

3/17/2017

Winnipeg MB Canada

COVID BLUES

“There is nothing worse than words of kindness that lie.” Juvenal, Roman Satiric Poet

with separation made worse
by uncertainty and fear
I’m trying to divert my thoughts
from what I see and hear
there are lots to think about
future mingles with then and now
frustrations are building up
I’ve to deal with them somehow

crazy times in a complex world
tolerance is put on hold
crazy times in a complex world
some hearts are turning cold

humanity is held hostage
by threats outside our door
with emotions running high
people are asking for more
there are issues that divide us
some are trivial, some are not
even the ties that bind us
pursue a complicated plot

crazy times in a complex world
tolerance is put on hold
crazy times in a complex world
some hearts are turning cold

scattered assumptions
surround our every move
some may even ask us
what are we trying to prove?
resentments are hiding
in the guise of civility
even at this pandemic
there’s so much hypocrisy

RMP
7-19-20
Winnipeg MB Canada

NOT A WONDERFUL WORLD (Revised version of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World)

We’re in quarantine, and lock downs too
There’s not enough room for me and you
And I think to myself not a wonderful world

I see longer queues and people fight
Not the usual day, budget getting tight
And I think to myself not a wonderful world

The economy’s so slow, supplies are running dry
The politicians they don’t see eye to eye
Irate and diehard fans, saying their point of view
When enraged they say screw you

I see people posting, hit the status quo
They think they know more than their dreaded foe
Then I think to myself not a wonderful world
Then I think to myself not a wonderful world…

RMP
05-24-20
Winnipeg MB Canada

HUGAS KAMAY (Revised Version of Hawak Kamay by Yeng Constantino)

Minsan madarama mo sila ang may problema
Minsan mahihirapan kang intindihin ang Mañanita
Mapupuno ka lang ng galit
Tapos wala pang masusumbungan
Kaya di sila aamin
Malalaman mong may kampihan

Chorus
Hugas kamay
Hindi sila iiwan kahit sablay
Ang hatol nila’y walang katiyakan
Hugas kamay
Hindi sila iiwanan kahit na sablay
Handa silang pawalan

Minsan madarama mo
Ang gulo’t di pantay ang tingin sa mga mali ng iba
At ang agos ng hustisya’y tinatanga ka
Mapupuno ka lang ng galit
Tapos wala pang masusumbungan
Kaya di sila aamin
Malalaman mong may kampihan

Chorus
Hugas kamay
Hindi sila iiwan kahit sablay
Ang hatol nila’y walang katiyakan
Hugas kamay
Hindi sila iiwanan kahit na sablay
Handa silang pawalan

Bridge:
Wag mong subuking mangatwiran ka
Laging isipin baka bumigat pa
Abuso na to ohhh, Abuso na to...

Chorus
Hugas kamay
Hindi sila iiwan kahit sablay
Ang hatol nila’y walang katiyakan
Hugas kamay
Hindi sila iiwanan kahit na sablay
Handa silang pawalan
Handa silang pawalan
Hugas kamay, hugas kamay, hugas kamay
Handa silang pawalan…

RMP
5-14-20
Winnipeg MB Canada

NANAY

Wala pa mang COVID, FRONTLINERS na sila
Naglilingkod sa estado yung iba ay sa masa
STAY AT HOME MOM ang marami sa kanila
Gumagawa ng kusa kahit na walang AYUDA

Mahirap galitin pwede silang mang QUARANTINE
Talo pa ang MEGAPHONE pag tenga’y nagpanting
May LOCKDOWN na agad kahit wala pang WARNING
Kapag nagtampo tiyak may PHYSICAL DISTANCING

FLATTENING THE CURVE hindi na nila magampanan
STRESS sa nasasakupan sa kain na lang idinadaan
Kung masyadong TOXIC na ang pinagdadaanan
Hindi maiwasang ma EXPOSE sa RANDOM na tsismisan

STAY AT HOME o empleyado pareho din ang kwento
Subsob sila sa trabaho sandamakmak ang sakripisyo
Nasa Pinas man sila o nasa ibang dako ng mundo
Sila ay maaasahan kung kailangan natin ng saklolo

Kaya isang makabuluhang pagbati ang aking iniiwan
Mga ginagawa nila ay hindi kayang mapantayan
Sa dami ng hirap na kanilang pinagdadaanan
Pawi ang pagod nila sa  isang “I love you” lang.

RMP
05-10-20
Winnipeg MB Canada

SAWAYAN (Revised version of Sayawan by Sampaguita)

Kayhirap tanggapin
Kung nakikita mo sila sa umpukan
Parang wala lang ang sugalan at inuman
Kabibigay pa lang
Ng hinihintay nilang pondo
Pati mga anak kasamang nagbibingo

Chorus 1
Kayo’y nag-iinuman
Sapat pa ang pulutan
Daming mapupuruhan
Wala kayong pakialam
Kahit na pinagbawalan
Tuloy pa rin ang sawayan

Chorus 2
Galaan nang galaan
Sugalan nang sugalan
Sabay-sabay kayo sa tupadahan
Inuman nang inuman
Naglalaklakan
Kahit anong sigaw
Masama pa ay ikaw

II
Sige na, pare
Magpasaway pa kayo nang todo
Lagaw-lagaw ka lang kahit lockdown pa tayo
Magpasaway ka pa
Huwag lang isipin na libre ka
Gamot sa taong pasaway ay disiplina
(Repeat Chorus 2)

(Repeat II)
(Repeat Chorus 1 to fade)

RMP
May 3, 2020
Winnipeg MB Canada

AWIT NG FRONTLINERS (To the Tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic)

Humaharap sa laban at hindi umuurong
Handa kaming kumilos at magbigay tulong
Buhay ay itataya ang laban ay isusulong
Ang bansa’y iaahon

Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y laging nakapronta
Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y handang lumarga

Hindi kami takot sa bala man o sa sakit
Ang aming sinumpaan kinakapitang mahigpit
Hindi kami susuko kahit na ginigipit
Paglilingkod ang aming langit

Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y laging nakapronta
Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y handang lumarga

Nagbubuwis ng buhay sa gitna ng mga laban
Mga mahal sa buhay ay aming iniiwan
Hindi kami naghahangad na pasalamatan
Ang mahalaga ay ang bayan

Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y laging nakapronta
Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y handang lumarga

Nalalagasan man kami ay patuloy pa rin
May dala-dalang liwanag sa gitna man ng dilim
Ang pagod at sakit ay hindi iintindihin
Pag-asa ang hatid namin

Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y laging nakapronta
Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y handang lumarga

Mayroon lang kaming isang panawagan
Upang hindi masayang ang pinaghihirapan
Makiisa sana kayo sa ginagawang laban
Tagumpay para sa bayan

Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y laging nakapronta
Kahit kulang sa suporta, kami’y handang lumarga


RMP
4-07-20
Winnipeg MB Canada

Covid in Town (Revised Version of New Kid in Town)

There're cops on the streets; it looks so familiar
Due to infections, everybody's watching you
People you meet, they all seem to scare you
Even your own friends treat you like you're something new
Frontliners  on duty, the covid’s in town
Some people got the flu, so they lock you down

You hear people die; your mind begins to say
Global pandemic, here we go again
But after a while you’re looking the other way
With those daily charts there’s now a trend
Ohh Frontliners  on duty, the covid’s in town
What else can we do, when you're not around?

They don’t know the strain you can be a carrier
During day and night you're using a sprayer, a sprayer
Look over your shoulder

There's sign on the street; it's there to remind you
It doesn't really matter which side you're on
You're asked to stay, they’re right there behind you
They will never forget you until somebody sent you straight home
Where you been lately? There's covid in town
Everybody hates it, don't they?
It’s now scarier, and you're still around. Oh, my, my
There's covid in town, a scarier covid in town
Ooh, hoo. Everybody's talking 'bout the covid in town
Ooh, hoo. Everybody's talking 'bout the covid in town

There's the covid in town. I don't want to hear it
There's the covid in town.  I don't want to hear it
There's the covid in town. There's the covid in town
There's the covid in town. Everybody's talking
There's the covid in town. People started dying
There's the covid in town.
There's the covid in town.

RMP
4-06-2020
Winnipeg MB Canada

SAFE HAVEN

“Some human beings are safe havens.” Rumi

in the midst of chaos
you work unselfishly
fighting an unseen enemy
you answer the call of duty
leaving loved ones behind
you headed to a battlefield
armed with heroic dedication
your courage is now our shield

you’re a safe haven
but we've to do our share
your task will be a lot easier
if we show how much we care

hope is what you bring
your presence an inspiring sight
in a nation divided and scared
you fortify our will to fight
it will never be an easy task
since you’ve to pay the price
sometimes in your line of work
you make the ultimate sacrifice

you’re a safe haven
but we've to do our share
your task will be a lot easier
if we show how much we care

words are not simply enough
to show how thankful we are
keeping us out of harm’s way
you’re going deep into this war
you won’t give up this fight
until your noble work is done
our prayers are with you
this battle can still be won

RMP
3-30-2020
Winnipeg MB Canada

KUMUSTA MGA KABABAYAN (To the tune of Kumusta mga Kaibigan by Maria Cafra)

Kumusta, mga kababayan
May alcohol pa ba riyan?
Tagal nang wala akong makita
Kung meron man sobrang mahal na
Pati toilet paper ay nadamay na
Ako po'y nag-aalala
Baka ako’y maubusan na
Ay naku, 'wag po sana

Chorus:
Kaya ngayo’y narito
Sa harap ng Costco
Upang bawasan ang paranoia
Ng ulo ko
Isip ay toilet paper roll
Table-tabla tayo
May hawak na marami ang kamay
At maghohoard tayo

(Repeat Chorus except last word)

... Tayo

Kumusta, mga kababayan
May supply pa ba riyan?
Stock di lang pang pamilya
Meron pa para ibenta

Kumusta, mga kaibigan
Ok ba raket diyan?
Kumusta, mga kababayan
Ok ba ang hatian?

RMPalevino
3-14-2020
Winnipeg MB Canada

CHAIN REACTION

“Extinction is not an event; it is a chain reaction.”

minds on survival mode
triggered by so much fear
the cure is still unknown
an outcome is unclear
the best and worst in us
appears right before our eyes
there’s a chain reaction
we can’t simply deny

resentment overwhelms
those who can’t be pleased
greed is overflowing
resources are squeezed
a situation deteriorates
panic is the now the norm
this crisis in our midst
has opened a can of worms

in an uncharted course
that’s where we are right now
uncertainty as a battleground
it doesn’t seem fair somehow
anxiety overtakes our will
to respond with common sense
I guess with our human nature
instinct is the best defense

falling like dominoes
we draw our own conclusions
choices are now influenced
by distracted assumptions
we unleash the beast in us
thinking it’s the right thing to do
just to realize later that
we bite off more than we can chew

RMP
March 13, 2020
Winnipeg MB Canada

RESTLESS (Part 3)

“Reality is one of the possibilities I cannot afford to ignore.” Leonard Cohen, Beautiful Losers

right words are getting scarce
there’s no more time to waste
redemption is beyond reach
from a journey done in haste
forgiveness isn’t enough
to recover a lost space
resentment will find its’ way
if you can’t find a better place

staying relevant is relative
you can’t simply win them all
some will stay when you’re up
most will leave you when you fall
assumptions maybe a refuge
but you can’t deny a reality
optimism is not sufficient
to restore a dented loyalty

RMP
2/07/20
Winnipeg MB Canada

RESTLESS (Part 2)

“Pain doesn’t tell you when you ought to stop. Pain is the little voice in your head that tries to hold you back because it knows if you continue you will change.” Kobe Bryant

it’s not going to be easy
for it will be a long ordeal
this may sound trivial
but the struggle is real
I can’t simply describe
the heaviness I feel
the deeper the wounds
the longer the time to heal

that tragic accident
left a permanent dent
while the world’s on a rush
to thwart a global threat
the ache is overwhelming
but an example is set
beset by grief and fear
this is a time I won’t forget

RMP
1/30/2020
Winnipeg MB Canada

RESTLESS

“Here's to the few who forgive (accept) what you do, and the fewer who don't even care.” Leonard Cohen

here it comes again
it’s becoming more often
the restlessness you feel
is a recurring burden
burn out or boredom?
things are left undone
there are situations
you can’t simply outrun

one thing is for sure
something’s gone wrong
all you have right now
is a chaotic perception
a fracture is expanding
a yearning is going strong
what else can you ever do
if your heart speaks of home

a fragile situation
disrupts your sensibility
your silence is reinforced
by your complacency
you’re losing your voice
words are inadequate
someone has to listen
before it becomes too late

RMP
1/24/20
Winnipeg MB Canada

KOBE 24

“Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.” Kobe Bryant

you're the Black Mamba
'coz of your ferociousness
the way you played your games
has catapulted you to greatness
you brought so much excitement
whether you’re on or off the court
one who played through pain
you're an icon of the sport

you’re both hated and loved
but a lot loved you more
the endless debates remain
but they don’t matter anymore
it’s no longer about the numbers
but the legacy you left behind
REST IN PEACE KOBE 24
you're truly one of a kind

it will never be the same
now that you're gone
but one thing is for sure
after all is said and done
history will remember you
and the numbers you wore
you started great with #8
left legendary with #24

RMP
1/26/20
Winnipeg MB Canada

#kobebryant
#blackmamba
#kobe24
#RIPKobe

TOLONGGESAN (To the tune of Bonggahan by Sampaguita)

Panahon na para magsaya
Tambak-tambak ang ayuda
Dalhin na lahat sa bodega
Relief goods pati delata
Yaan sila kung sila’y mag cry cry
Wag na wag todo bigay
Kaya join na lang kayo
Let’s all have a good time

Di ko say na mawalan  ka
Say  ko lang ay magpapirma ka
Stop ko na ang pagdurusa
Ride ka lang walang problema
Trip na trip ko’ng magpasabog
Kunyari ay wala pang tulog
Trip ko lang na umiksena
Siyempre dapat ako ang bida
Wag ka say na lang, kumadre
Bow ka lang ng bow
Sumipsip ka lang
Para ikaw ay sumaya

Di ko say na mawalan  ka
Say  ko lang ay magpapirma ka
Stop ko na ang pagdurusa
Ride ka lang walang problema

Panahon na para magsaya
Tambak-tambak ang ayuda
Dalhin na lahat sa bodega
Relief goods pati delata
Yaan sila kung sila’y mag cry cry
Wag na wag todo bigay
Kaya join na lang kayo
Let’s all have a good time

Kaya join na lang kayo
Let’s all have a good time
Kaya join na lang kayo
Let’s all have a good time

RMP
1/21/20
Winnipeg MB Canada

SA LOOB ANG KULO

kalmado man ang paligid
nananatiling mapanganib
hindi pa rin natitiyak
ang nilalaman ng dibdib
ang tanda na ipinapakita
na hudyat ng pananahimik
huwag gawing dahilan
upang muling magbalik

pinsalang naidulot
bahagya nang naglalaho
mukhang nailabas na
ang panganib na itinago
huwag sanang padala
kung siya’y walang kibo
totoo’y hindi makikita
dahil nasa loob ang kulo

magugulat na lang
sa maaaring mangyari
ang ipinagsawalang bahala
nandiyan pa sa ating tabi
kaya patuloy magmasid
tiyakin sa ating sarili
sumabog mang muli
hindi tayo magsisisi

RMP
1/17/20
Winnipeg MB Canada