centering and letting go

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifAm in a tizzy. Everything seems to have been turned upside down.

My life in Sydney for five months was quiet and yes, idyllic
.

1) I recieved few texts a day and they came from a handful of people–my family and a few friends. I got few calls on my cell and all from the same people above.

2) I had a lot of quiet time, and chores that took the place of zen sits at times

3) My concerns were about basic stuff: washing dishes, throwing out the garbage, picking up people from the train station, teaching guitar lessons, some photography.

4) I had a lot of good, relaxed , quality time with my family. We laughed a lot and the loneliness of leaving friends behind made us discover each other more. It is no exageration to say some of the best family times we’ve had happened during the last five months.

5) I could hear my thoughts anytime of the day. I was clear to myself. In other words, I was centered.

6) I had very few vanities to attend to. I am in t0shirt and rubber shoes everyday.

My life in Manila these days is the opposite.

1) My phone is beeping or ringing many times a day

2) I have little or no quiet time. Life is too busy. Manila is a noisy city. In Aus, I wake up when I am ready to wake up. Here, I wake up to sounds of cars, trycicles, the pandesal delivery, etc.

3) My concerns affect more people now–APO and management, the new show in ABS, my house here and my home in Sydney. There are things to attend to like the strong resurgence of APO’s music, crazy stuff like the Inquirer brouhaha, and so many other things.

4) I do not have family time because they are not with me save for Erica and Ananda. But they will be leaving and I will be left behind in a few weeks. I content myself with YM and chats with Lydia, Mio and Ala.

5) I have made a vow not to lose my centrer and so have to work at it. I am back to zen sits and meditations.

6) Working on TV means being subjected to make up all the time which I absolutely hate. Physical vanity is a factor I have to deal with again. Also, I am reminded to dress more formally. Naninibago ako sa TV culture ulit. But since Dream Academy is a reality show, they will probably wave the make up requirement. Good!

Crazy, exciting, unpredictable life!

The Inquirer episode is over. They have apologized and I am content with that. I know an apology will not completely restore whatever was before. Not all the feathers that were thrown to the wind will be recovered. But the important thing for me is to move on. There is no good in crying over something like this. That was yesterday. Today is a new day. In fact, I will not even let this affect my dealings with the Inquirer in the future. Forgiveness is freedom. Not to forgive, to hate is crazy, like taking poison and wishing someone else dies. The art of letting go of baggage is a life skill which is so important to learn. And I am constantly teaching myself that.

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Me with Kamikaze

The concert tribute to APO, KaminAPO Muna was, from the looks of it, a great success. Danny, Boboy and I were honored by the performances. Sobra. Nakakatuwa. It is great to be honored and recognized while one is still alive. But I am also glad that it happened 37 years into our career already since we are grown men and supposedly more matured, and so can handle all this adulation better. No getting drunk and no puffed-up sense of self-importance after. Just a high five between the three of us but accompanied with a humbled sense of fulfillment and pride.

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APO is hip (again!).

Throughout the concert, I kept thinking how strange and magical life is. You never know what God is gonna throw at you. At the same time, I knew that this high moment shall pass too. Every moment is a wave of form with its signature mark of impermanence written on it. Fame, Money, even life itself is fleeting. The moment is all we have. And so we must be present to its gifts. Boy, was I present that night and so was filled with gratitude.

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Orange and Lemons singing Yakap sa Dilim–the biggest song on radio and ringtones currently.

Today we had rehearsals with our musicians. When I left for Sydney, I wasn’t sure if I’d even see them again. It was great to listen to their great playing. I can’t wait to do our Mall of Asia concert on September 2, and the Pampanga one on the 9th and the Alegria show on the 15th.


My blog hits have quadupled over night with the comments reaching unprecedented numbers. It’s always like this when the topic is on the political side. But this one was quite over the top. Things I deduced from the comments:

a) More Pinoys do not hold it against fellow Filipinos if they wish to migrate or have actually done so.

b) That a majority of Pinoys do not like to judge other people’s reasons for leaving.

c) That people respond to positive messages more than negative ones

One thing I learned living abroad is that there are infinitely more things in life than just politics. In our society, it seems sometimes that it is the only game in town. And the bad thing about is that our brand of politics is quite toxic and one can get so easily consumed by it. We react so viscerally since it strikes at the heart of the ego’s need–to win, to be right, to be superior and to protect its views at all costs.

And so let’s all simmer down. For the next comments, can we try NOT to bite the meatless bone of politics since it does not seem to give any sustenance? It’s a bone you can keep biting and chewing but it will not give you anything. Instead, I would like to end this blog as I’ve done before, with the vision of John Lennon’s world order. And don’t argue if it is attainable or not. That’s not the point. It is just a reminder that there are are more things that can unite us than the temporal, fleeting lure of politics. Not worth losing our sanity over.

Imagine
By John Lennon

Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

Peace Pinoy Brothers and Sisters all over the world!

70 thoughts on “centering and letting go”

  1. PEACE SIR JIM…AND EVERYBODY…FORGIVENESS IS THE WORD… I’M SURE YOU”VE EXPERIENCED THAT AS A DAD TO YOUR YOUNG KIDS…

    LET’S TALK ABOUT STOCKS IN THE FUTURE…OKAY LANG BA? JUST LIKE HOW TO///YOU KNOW…MAKE THE ECONOMY MORE ACTIVE… JUST A DREAM…FOR NOW BUT TOMORROW A REALITY…ESPECIALLY FOR OUR COUNTRYMEN… LET’S TALK ABOUT HOW TO … HOW TO DO IT THIS TIME…

    THANKS FOR LETTING ME IN SIR JIM…

  2. Congratulations with the success of the “kami nAPO muna” concert a much well deserved tribute for you, danny and boboy!

    Now i have few things added on my Christmas list, this kami nAPO CD , that red shirt (posted on this entry) and your book.

    all the best neyburhud!

  3. hola senor jim,

    i’ve been a fan since way back when your group was known as the apolinario mabini hiking society. the first time i watched you guys perform was at st.pauls college manila 19…71? kopong-kopong. i just would like to express my thanks to you, danny & boboy for the contributions you guys have made to the Filipino Pop culture through music. nationalism and patriotism are truly evident and palpable in your music!

    saludos,

    DatuPanot

  4. Hey Jimbo!

    Your “Maharishi” pose on the blog really makes me wonder if you really have a thing for Ronnie Nathanielz.

    Good to hear about the three of you. It’s about time anyway. Regards to everyone at Abada.

    Ponsoy

  5. Tanong ni Fan-ni-Jim:

    “LET’S TALK ABOUT STOCKS IN THE FUTURE…OKAY LANG BA?”

    Suggestment po:

    1. Bago ka mag-invest bayaran mo muna lahat ng non-tax deductible debt.> Dito sa Aus, hindi tax break ang owner-occupied home kaya iyan muna ang pinupursige namin. Sa Amerika naman, tax break ang anumang tahanan kaya hindi inaapura ang pagbabayad sa mortgage.

    Bakit bayaran muna ang non-tax deductible debt? Kasi “TAX FREE” ang savings mo sa interest kung babayaran mo agad. Samantalang subject to tax ang anumang earnings from investments. Makes sense, ‘di po ba?

    1. Sa larangan ng stock market: Think Buy-and-hold. Patok na patok ang strategy na iyan over the long term (10-20 years). Huwag aksayahin ang panahon sa TRADING dahil iyong broker at taxman lamang ang kikita sa strategy na ito.

    2. Pumasok ka sa INDEXED FUNDS. I-research mo ito upang malaman kung ano ito. Umiwas sa MANAGED FUNDS dahil malaki ang KIKIL ng fund manager dito. Samantalang kumikita lamang ang indexed fund manager kung magpapasok o maglalabas ka. Sa buy and hold, walang kaltas!

    Karamihan ng pondo sa superannuation (sa Aus) at 401k (sa Amerika) ay nakapasok sa mga indexed funds na ito. Kaya walang kaduda-duda ang strategy na ito.

    3. Gamitin ang equity ng home loan sa pag-utang para magsimula sa indexed funds investment. Subali’t huwag maging gahaman: conservative lamang ang uutangin. Tandaan na anumang inutang para sa investment ay tax deductible. Kaya mainam na “interest only” ang kuning loan para hindi malaki ang paglabas na pera.

    Maganda ang website na ito upang magsimula ukol sa investment in general. Marami akong napulot dito:

    http://www.travismorien.com/FAQ/main.htm

    Email mo ako sa j0hnnyth0r at yahoo dot com dot au kung may karagdagang tanong ka pa. Nakakahiya kay Tito Jim at off-topic tayo, e.

    -JT of Dural

    P.S. Tito Jim, nasanay ka na uli sa MANILA-STYLE DRIVING? Wala nang O.A. na “shoulder check”? 🙂

  6. Hi Jim, mabuti at nag-apologize ang Inquirer. Okay na yun. Ito pala si Nori, wife ni Mel – I just discovered your blog this morning; ayan may mababasa na ko lagi!! Thank you for sharing, malaking bagay…

  7. You’re right on the money again, Jim. Let’s move on.

    It ‘s funny that I had another dream (the fourth) of the Beatles just the other night. I was stranded after a night of partying and had to go back home at 3AM by local commute. John, Paul and George thougth it was dangerous and asked me to crash at their house for the night. I refused as they had a German Shepherd at their house. Sayang, I could have heard him sing Imagine…(laughs)

  8. One thing I learned living abroad is that there are infinitely more things in life than just politics. In our society, it seems sometimes that it is the only game in town.

    This is spot on and I actually found it surprising in a previous comment directed at me that you find my comments always “political”. There is nothing political about my comments. They all have to do with the nature of our society and our collective character as a people. Our politics is a mere reflection of our character as a people. When we begin to understanding the nature of this collective character, we start to understand where our transformation as a country might begin. 😉

  9. Sana, isusulat ko ito sa nakaraang “blog”, ngunit sa dami at haba ng mga pananaw ng mga mangbabasa, minarapat ko na maghintay na lamang na ibang pagkakataon. At ng mabasa ko itong “blog” na ito at binanggit ni Apo Jim ang awit ni John Lennon, baka maaari ko nang ipaabot sa lahat ang aking sariling pananaw sa pamamagitan ng awit, tungkol sa mga Pilipinong nangibang bansa. Matagal ko na po itong isinulat ngunit tila naaangkop sa mga usapan sa nakaraang “blog”. Ito po ay isang awitin na hindi pa naiilathala, na may pamagat na “PILIPINONG LAGALAG”

    Pambungad at Salit-Awit (Koro):

    O, PIlipinong Lagalag
    Ano nga ba ang sa iyo ay itatawag
    Ikaw by ay isang mamamayang taksil
    Sinilangang bansa ay iyong itinakwil
    O isang taong nagtatago sa dilim
    Sa katunayan ay bayaning lihim

    I. Sa dami ng taon ng hirap mong
    dinanas
    Naghanap ka ng magandang lunas
    Nag-ibang bansa at nagsapalaran
    Asawa at anak ay iyo ngang
    nilisan
    Mataas na katungkulan sa bayan
    ay iniwanan
    Nagsimula sa mababa dito sa
    bagong bayan

    Salit-Awit:

    II. Pitong araw isang linggo kung
    ikaw ay kumayod
    Di alintana ang anumang pagod
    Lahat ng overtaym, tinatanggap,
    sinusugod
    Kahit na masakit na ang iyong
    likod
    At hindi maipahinga ang mga
    tuhod
    Karagdagang kita, maipadadala sa
    kamanhud

    Salit-Awit:

    Ang buwanang pera na iyong
    ipinadadala
    Asawa at anak, may pagkain sa
    tuwina
    Pagaaral at kailangan ay
    natustusan
    Pati bahay ay nagawa at
    naayusan
    Nahango sa hirap ang iyong
    pamilya
    Nakatulong ka pa sa takbo ng
    ekonomiya

    Salit-Awit:

    Sana naman po, Apo JIm, pag-isipan ninyo ang alok ko na lapatan ng himig at isa-tinig ang abang awitin ko.

    MARAMING SALAMAT PO

    MAKATANG SAMPAY-BAKOD

  10. Okay… moving on…

    Congratulations with the new CD’s success. My mum is actually in Manila for a holiday at the moment and I have asked her to buy me the CD. I’ve spoken to her last and she already bought it! Yay!

    I can’t wait to listen to it!

    I hope you’re enjoying your stay in Manila. Ingat.

  11. I’ll link you up Mr Jim. I enjoy reading your posts. Very informative.

    Have heard from Sharon Cuneta’s show that you’re in town.

    You’re so quite true that there are more things in life than politics. Pinoys are just too drawn to it. Maybe, because everything here, economy, education, etc are directly hit by our political culture and climate.

    I am not into politics. Just my two cents worth.

  12. Thanks for the stock and investment options. very informative.

    Obet–makata ka talaga

    balikbayan box-have a good christmas with the CD.

    DagtuPanot–Salamat.

    nori villena–Heeeey! Nice that you dropped by. If Mel wants to talk to me about my Aus experience, sabihin mo tawagan niya ako.

    da king–Wow! I’ve only dreamt of the Beatles once at si Paul lang. Hmm…the presence of the dog seems to suggest that while greatness is reachable, there is something that’s holding you back. Hmmm… don’t believe me. I am really just an amateur dream analyst. But very fascinating dream. Parang carl Jung material.

    Hey M–everyday is a good, fresh, new day! Live the 5 rules!!

    Ponsoy– great to hear from you, my friend. That maharishi up there was designed by my creative daughter ALA. Keep in touch bro!

    jennie–enjoy the cd

    princess of cj–yup. my thoughts exactly. Salamat sa bisita.

  13. Another blog well-written! Another blog that somehow resonates truth in so many levels. Kudos!

    Honestly, there were countless times I was almost in tears on the words you have written here.

    BTW, I also do not bear judgment on Filipinos who migrate abroad, live and let live, I say. We all have our own individual ways of handling our life’s trials and if we can better ourselves away from home, then so be it. Migrating does not mean giving up on our native land. It can also mean we want to grow somewhere else so that once we are ready, we can bring our better selves back home!

    I had been living and working in China for 4 years now. I already love where I am at yet HOME is always the Philippines for me. 🙂

    Anyways, the first 3 items on my X-mas Wish List are also the following things:

    1) kami nAPO CD (no. 1 yan!!!)

    2) Red APO T-Shirts (for me & my daughter)

    3) Your 4th Book!

    Keep blogging. Keep growing. You inspire us to better ourselves with your honest writing.

  14. Like I told you, I still feel that there’s still going to be a burst of creative genius coming from the three of you. Maybe this time…

    Great work by Ala and Erica’s make up work is pretty good too!

    Love to Lydia and the family!

  15. Oh Boy. I wonder if I can get my uncle to snag me an APO shirt!

    Glad the shows went swimmingly!

    Oh, whenever I’m visiting in the PI, i’m usually woken up by the “BAAAALUUUTTT!” and “TAAAAHHOOO!” guys.

  16. Hi Jim,

    Isa ako sa mga “Filos” dito sa Sydney na nagbalak dumalo sa seminar mo sa Campbelltown. Unfortunately, I was not able to because of work commitments (i.e. I had to travel to Melbourne that weekend for work and have been doing so every week).

    When are you running the next workshop? Do you think there will an opportunity to hold it somewhere closer to the city?

    Good luck sa mga ginagawa mo sa Pilipinas. Nagulat ako doon sa mga palitan ng salita ng mga tao tungkol sa Inquirer article.

    Salamat.

    Ian

  17. I have always been a big fan of the APO since I was in grade school and was sad to hear that you decided to leave for so called greener pastures. Pero sa totoo lang, it’s ok. The World is Really Flat now so it’s very easy to be creative and share that creativeness from anywhere in the world. (Obvious ba na I read the book by Thomas Friedman). Pero totoo naman yan….anyway, we still enjoy your music because of the new CD….Thanks for the memories!

  18. Hi Jim- Kaya naman next to the dalai lama your blog is the next best thing…IMAGINE- i love John Lennon and this song specifically. Sana nga wala nang wars…enjoyment nalang of aesthetic things like music, travel, foood!. Yeah- the secret of success is treating life as a journey and moving on.
    I wish that the people back home would develop the tourism industry (this is one of the top if not the no. 1 industry of most develop countries the the U.S/U.K,) each region should compete with one another, pagandahan, palinisan, restore the historical artifacts, promote your city e.g. baguio(kawawa na Baguio kay dami nang tao) and visit each other- I was impressed about the ‘wow philippines’ campaign- visit each other’s region. I went to Intramuros and San Agustin- and it’s sad that the original paintings there are fading na and not being cared for properly. This is our heritage.

    And on a positive note- i wish you well while in the phils.

  19. Hello Mr. Paredes. I shall begin with a line that you must have heard a thousand times… I grew up listening to APO songs 🙂
    I never knew you had a blog. I was looking for some Philippine news (I live in Holland now) and saw the news about you and PDI. LIKE YOU, I have not given up on the Philippines and love going there still as most of my family live there but I do not have a sense of ‘nationalism’. I read that you returned your green card before, I’m not sure I can do that not because I would prefer the US but because I don’t have any strong bond with the Philippines. I have been to India too for a while and I envy their sense of nationalism, their pride for their country… Anyway, I wish you happiness and success… wherever you are 🙂

  20. wow, your manila homecoming is sure a hit and really busy, and more social and lots of night life…unlike life in oz which is more predictable , waiting for the day to finish and TGIF at weekend party with friends or relos na naman!
    good luck and no matter what i still read your blog and loved it! i admire how you and your kids write , you maybe subject to scrutiny but you know how to deal with both positive and negative comments anyway.

  21. Hope you and your family enjoyed your first winter in Australia. I’m interested in your guitar lessons. Where do you conduct your lessons ,when do you conduct it and how much is the cost of the lesson? Many thanks.

  22. nanditonaposya–emial me at jim_paredes@yahoo.com and I will get back to you with details.

    ayn_rand–ha ha. Though I’ve heard it a thousand times, it’s still a thrill.

    vicky–right on gthe money with youyr observation. Tourism is really a grreat way to go.

    grace high school– I like reading Thomas Friedman too. There are no more borders. we can contribute from anywhere.

    Anonymous–I will be holding a workshop again sometime January since I will be Manil abased till december.

    Joann, salamat! I ‘m glad you enjoy reading what I enjoyn writing!

    ang–those are the thinggs that wake me up too.

  23. benignO:

    “There’s nothing political about my comments. They all have to do
    with the nature of our society and our collective character as a people”.

    WOW, GALING MO AKALA KO PA NAMAN HINDI MO ALAM ANG NATURE NATIN AS A PEOPLE.

    TAPOS NA POLITICS DI BA. MOVE ON KA NA. SAY SOMETHING NAMAN ABOUT STOCKS OR TOURISM OR GOLF. SABI NGA APO JIM THIS IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE SITE FOR INAPROPRIATE COMMENTS.

    KUNG GUSTO MONG DUMAING TUNGKOL SAYONG BAYAN:
    TELL ME YOUR BLOG SITE AND WE’LL DISCUSS “COLLECTIVE CHARACTER AND WHERE OUR TRANSFORMATION AS A COUNTRY MIGHT BEGIN”.

  24. Shocks gusto ko ng t-shirt with you three guys on it. Hehehe! Wow, you guys are hip. 😉

    Vintagely hip. 😛 hahaha! Peace.

    Hey, did you know we just lost a planet? Man. Now I only have to memorize 8. Hahaha!

    Ingat always.

    Later!

    -Jononymous

  25. Hi Jim,

    Wow, a big congratulations for the reemergence of the APO music in the Philippines. It shows you that Filipinos are still hungry in listening and digesting beautiful, timeless and profound APO music.

    To all my fellow Filipinos in the Philippines and in the world, “Forgiveness is the greatest healer of all!” Peace, love, equality and tolerance to all of you!

    Hanggang sa muli.

  26. Hi Jim and to all bloggers,

    Just a quick reminder, please check out the book:

    “Personal Finance for Dummies”

    This book is well-written, simple and easy to understand and most of all is it very funny and humorous. It is a financial book that tells you “Money cannot buy true happiness”.

    Enjoy reading!

  27. Hi Sir! I’m planning to write a research paper about you guys, APO Hiking Society! 🙂 But I need print sources(books, magazines, newspaper artciles, etc.) in order for it to be approved. Can I get suggestions from you? :)like wat are books written about you besides the book by Rosa De sequera(APO Hiking Society, singers with a cause)? thank you so much!
    IM A BIG FAN! hehe 🙂

  28. Hi again Jim. Mel will call you soon. We’re both very interested to know more about your life in Sydney; my sister lives in Glenwood, and Mel’s been there, but it would be good to get a perspective from a musician/artist/performer, a great one at that. Hay naku, matagal na akong fan ni Jim Paredes. Anyway, I was at 70s Bistro last night and they were playing your new CD. Renard, Bistro’s manager remarked that it’s been selling very very well. Wagi nga daw. i said I better get a copy. Today. Thanks again for just being a good soul.

  29. fan-ni-jim and JT of dural,

    LET’S TALK ABOUT STOCKS IN THE FUTURE…OKAY LANG BA? JUST LIKE HOW TO///YOU KNOW…MAKE THE ECONOMY MORE ACTIVE…

    You’re right

    Having a solid economic base before launching into business back home is essential. Rely on your own funds for your venture rather than borrow money. Especially back home where interest rates will always be much higher than elsewhere.

    And when you do go into business, make sure you have the profit motive in mind. We are not NGOs after all.

    -Chris

  30. Neva– I agree with you that their apology was actually supot. It was not an apology really. It was good that abs-cbn headlined it in their TV news that Inquirer apologized. That created a bigger, more beneficial (to me) impression than what PDI had intended.

    I’ve decided not to sweat over it. The people whose opinions matter to me were not fooled. We should feel sad that we are actually losing a once credible newspaper really fast. My case is only one of many falsehoods through the years that have damaged the PDI.

    As for me, the lesson I am learning is a spiritual one. I will not allow muck to wreck my spirit and my disposition. At least I am trying not to let it.

  31. hi sir jim,
    i’ve been a fan of your fabulous music since i learned to play my 1st chord on the guitar.
    i just moved to sydney about a year ago. anak ako ni lilian tiongson, yung sinasabi ni nori villena na sister niya who lives in glenwood. i’ve been wanting to get in touch with you for years now through tita nori and tito mel, ewan ko kung bakit di ko nagawa noon. siguro kinakabahan lang talaga hehe. anyway, the reason for this is i have an arrangement i’ve been performing for sometime now. it’s a medley of some of my apo favourites arranged for solo guitar, and everytime i perform it, kuhang kuha ko ang attention ng mga tao coz they all know the songs at syempre..iba talaga ang apo hiking society. i told tito mel and tita nori na gusto ko sana maiparinig sa inyo, not to get anything out of it, basta maiparinig lang.

    i haven’t recorded the complete version of the arrangement. una walang paalam, pangalawa..aba’y ang hirap linisin! pero just to give you an idea of how i play it, you can check out some videos i did at http://www.youtube.com/paomigs

    kapag naririnig ko yung mga palakpak at sigaw ng mga tao everytime i perform it, i’m being reminded of how much your music has affected the hearts of the pinoy. maraming salamat! 🙂

  32. Hello Mr. Paredes. I was very happy with your short comment. How do you make the time to even comment here?!? 🙂 Where can I buy your new CD online?
    Also, news naman about Mr. Danny and Mr. Boboy! Thanks.

  33. Sabi ni Chris:

    “Having a solid economic base before launching into business back home is essential.”

    Chris, kung naghahanap ka ng patok na patok na negosyo sa Inang Bayan: SENIOR HOMES.

    Mantakin mo iyong milyon-milyong overseas Pinoy na mangag-sisipagtandaan sa darating na panahon. Wala silang bukang-bibig kundi ang pag-uwi sa Inang Bayan balang araw.

    Simulan mo na habang maaga upang mauna ka na! 🙂

    -JT of Dural

  34. hi Jim

    just excited to watch you boboy and Danny in Mall of Asia. and congrats again for the very successful tribute album.sorry this is off topic and shameless plugging. I am just passing off to you since you are widely read. please read the following message from gary granda. am helping out. pakipasa na rin kung gusto niyo po. worthwhile naman. 🙂 and the songs really are downloadable for free. sayang kasi dahil hindi naririnig musikani gary granada sa mainstream

    thanks,
    tina b.

    ———- Forwarded message ———-
    From: Gary Granada
    Date: Aug 24, 2006 11:32 PM
    Subject: My name is Gary Granada..
    To: dyezebel@gmail.com

    —————

    My name is Gary Granada, i’m a volunteer in an
    ecumenical community called Kaalagad. I also teach and
    write songs. I would like to invite you to a website I
    made, and if you like some of the things you see, most
    of them are downloadable for free.

    There’s a little information there about Kaalagad as
    well, and the little that we can generate out of that
    all goes to the programs and projects of Kaalagad.

    It would also help if you can tell others about it,
    thank you. (and so sorry if im being a nuisance~~)

    http://garygranada.com

  35. Trina–thanks for the visit. No problem about the plug

    Gary G—YOu are one of my idols as a songwriter and as a human being. Everyone, let’s all check out the website and do our share. Walang pinapasukan si Gary na hindi maganda o hindi ikabubuti ng mundo.

    Mabuhay ka Gary. Saan ako makakakuha ng kopya ng ‘bading’ song mo. very good song and well-written.

  36. paolo–just visited your youtube works. Galing! Am excited to hear what you’ve done to our music. Send naman.

  37. i can send you a short version. i recorded it last year, home recording lang kaya di masyado malinaw

  38. I just my copy of kaminAPO last night…hope to get it signed by you, Danny, and Boboy on September 2.

    congratulations!

  39. JT of dural: thanks for your comments. I’ll give SENIOR HOMES
    ***** (FIVE STAR) rating pero long term. Siguro naman on time ang payments ng mga retirees.

    Pagkatapos kong mag-alaga ng matatanda uuwi rin ako sa Inang Bayan pag matanda na ko. Isa na ako sa sinabi mo bro.
    Meron ka bang expereince sa mga online trading firm sa Phils.?

    vicky: tourism will always outperform… dyan dapat focus gaya ng sinabi mo, promote your city!

    Sir JIM: that website you suggested … di ba masyadong leftwing yan…just curious…my suggestion to gain more insight into U.S. geopolitical/economic standing: http://www.dailyreckoning.com

  40. Mr. Jim!!!!!! I luv luv luv the KamiNapo tribute. I mean.. to be honest, I was still young when you were in the airwaves so it’s like discovering your songs. nakaka-inlove yung mga songs ninyo. i luv when i met you (although mas gusto ko yun version ninyo kesa kay barbie – no offense to those barbie fans!) and panalangin. ewan ko kinikilig ako talga! hihihi!

    as for the brouhaha, glad you’re okay with it now Mr. Jim! imho, i dont see your migrating as somewhat un-patriotic. baket ba!? eh you wanted to explore other land eh.

    -still listening to Panalangin-

    nette =)

  41. I uber love APO! i used to listen to one of your CDs every morning way back when i was in college (im not as old as you think, im only 22) It was a collection of your best songs ever and my roommates loved it. My family also migrated to new zealand recently and have been missing the Philippines everyday, crazy as it is. True, where I am now is way quieter and a whole lot different from what we have, but then again, the Philippines is and will always be home. Nakakainis lang yung mga pinoy na nakarating lang ng ibang bansa e ni halos ayaw na magtagalog. I admire you for everything that you are and what you do for our country. I wish other Filipinos would be more like you. Kudos to you Mang Jim and more power!

  42. Congratulations on your new job at ABS! BTW, you only lived 5 mos. in sydney, I was there for 5 years and swear I will never ever go back. I visit Manila every year during Christmas time, I prefer to spend Christmas there than in sydney. I left sydney because there are only 2 ways I can end up there, in an asylum or ending my life. I worked with the largest companies in sydney so I know very well the culture and have experienced the worst, just like everyone else there suffering depression. So you don’t really know what it’s like to live in oz, you have to be a buddhist monk to be happy living there.

  43. Hi Sir! I’m planning to write a research paper about you guys, APO Hiking Society! 🙂 But I need print sources(books, magazines, newspaper artciles, etc.) in order for it to be approved. Can I get suggestions from you? :)like wat are books written about you besides the book by Rosa De sequera(APO Hiking Society, singers with a cause)? thank you so much!
    IM A BIG FAN! 🙂

  44. Do not be concerned about that article. According to Michael Tan, the Inquirer only has a few hundred thousand readers compared to one million plus for a newspaper like the Bangkok Post. That is so because only 50 percent of Filipinos finish high school and even fewer finish college. And that in one of the weakest educational systems in Asia (e.g., class size of 60, incredible shortages in classrooms, etc.).

    It is likely that most Filipinos will be less concerned about personalities leaving the country than finding out how they can leave themselves.

    One recent Pulse Asia report shows that 3 out of 10 Filipinos want to leave and most do not trust the middle class or the government.

  45. Mang Jim!

    About sa first part, so saan mas okay? dito o sa Australia? hihi…

    and oo nga nuh? its been a long time na since you worked as a host in a nood time show. kakatuwa din ung mga days na yon. almost everyday. Kaya ngayon, nakakapanibago talaga. Dami na kasing pamamaraan sa bagong telebisyon. May mga nag sulputan nang mga pagong theme or concept. Well, goodluck sa pagiging HEADMASTER. Pahirapan mo sila ah! BUWAHHA.. lol.. ay di pala lahat, may friend kasi ako dun eh. si Yeng. Vocalist ng band ng bassist namin. ^_^

    Buti naman napatawad mo na ung nagsulat sa newspaper. Bilib ako sayo, biro mo, anlaking bagay nung naisulat nya, nabasa ng buong Pilipino and just like that :snap:, napatawad mo sya. ^_^.

    -iVan

  46. from your daughter’s site:

    Anonymous said…

    I agree with the assessment that Jim was banking on his nationalistic image before, but had to swallow a lot of his former ideas, which he won’t admit, and hides it with words like “gain new experiences”, “expand your horizons” (duh, couldn’t you do that just being a tourist?).

    American Junk
    APO Hiking Society

    Leave me alone to my third world devices
    I don’t need your technology
    You just want my natural resources
    And then you leave me poor and in misery
    Third world blues is what I got
    Troubles, yes I got a lot

    (American Junk)
    Get it out of my bloodstream
    (American Junk)
    Get it out of my system
    (American Junk)
    I can only take so much
    (American Junk)
    Gotta get back to who I am

    You call it new music
    I call it pollution
    You music I now see on my television
    (American Top 40)
    Why is it now I can only sing
    In English language that you people bring
    (Da da da da)
    Why is it now that they only
    Play top 40 music on TV and radio

    It’s been so long since I had
    A glance of what I think I really am

    Sadly Jim, now you have to live in a land where they speak English everyday and pump nothing but Western music on TV 24/7. And where first world technology is a way of life.

    5:04 AM
    Anonymous said…

    And I especially like the part where you sang “leave me alone to my third world devices”. Such hypocrisy. Looks like you left your third world devices behind sir.

    5:10 AM

  47. I know who you are. Why are you so angry at Ala and I to go the extra mile and blog hop this inane comment. Is it STILL about the discussion in Ala’s blog where you suddenly turned mean-spirited because we did not lose hope on ythe Philippines like you did?

    I don’t have to explain, justify my life or work especially to anonymous bashers like you.

    Begone little mind!

  48. Man, that mr. anonymous is OBSESSED with us hahaha. And I mean really, really obsessed. Di mabitawan. So obsessed with our lives and our decisions, e wala naman talagang kinalaman sa kaniya. Nag post na nga sa blog ko, nag post pa ulit sa blog mo.

    If he thinks were nothing but hypocrites, why is he so obsessed with proving his point to us? I don’t think he even knows what his point is. At first it was that the Philippines is a hell-hole. When he wouldn’t agree, it became about us being bullshit idealists. When we wouldn’t agree, it became about us being hypocrites. Now it’s about a song you wrote 20 years ago in different context. Ano ba talaga? Ang labo kasi eh hahaha.

    And of course, malicious people never like to identify themselves. (But I think he’s from Rhodes, Sydney)

    I hope he finds what he’s looking for (which he apparently thinks he’ll find here).

  49. Psycho stalker dude: And I especially like the part where you sang “leave me alone to my third world devices”. Such hypocrisy. Looks like you left your third world devices behind sir.

    Jim: I don’t have to explain, justify my life or work especially to anonymous bashers like you.

    First of all I just would like to say that the psycho stalker dude is scary. Second, I think Jim is evading the question.

    And don’t bother asking for a link. I don’t have a blog (just web surfing while at work wink wink 😉 ). But I will freely give out my name, which is Marcus Aurelius Rivera, from Dresden, Germany.

  50. Psycho stalker dude: And I especially like the part where you sang “leave me alone to my third world devices”. Such hypocrisy. Looks like you left your third world devices behind sir.

    Why would Jim be hypocritical? We all look at old photos from time to time and wince at the clothes and hairdo we used to wear.

    The same goes for when we hear an old tune and think back how we used to “dig” it.

    Borrowing a leaf from Jim, we go thru a journey of metamorphisis over time.

    Youthful rebellion and idealism give way to conservative sentiments and pragmatism. We move from the left to the right.

    I know I have mellowed. And I’m no where near Jim’s age 🙂

    -Chris

  51. There was a time to kill ‘the great white father’ so to speak, to move on. I thought that was evident in the song. If you grew up in the 70’s when American Imperialism was the burning issue, you would know where that was coming from.

    In many ways, we still have to kill our colonial affectations. That’s why Pidro sang it in that accent.

    As for me, I wrote it 20 years ago and i do not see why I have to explain it. It is STILL true for many. And my moving to Aus has nothing to do with it. Australia has a more benign relationship with us than the US. It is a country we never went to war with, traded lightly and knew little of.

    I do not hate America. I like it in many many ways and even admire it for many things. But we must learn to stop comparing ourselves with the US and instead develop our culture oblivious to it. We are Filipinos. That is the thing beyond the early OPM movement. We wrote in Filipino and sang in Filipino inlike our predecesors.

    A UP professor explained to me that American Junk was the best 3 minute explanation of the need to getting back our national identity. This was in the 70’s of course. It’s a different world now.

  52. Youthful rebellion and idealism give way to conservative sentiments and pragmatism. We move from the left to the right. – Chris

    I think the reason why some people are ticked off with Jim Paredes lately is that he won’t admit that he’s moving his family to Australia because he sees a better future for them than they will if they lived in the Philippines. As a parent, I understand Jim’s position.

    Jim would find that he won’t be hounded if he just came clean and said that he doesn’t see a brighter future for his kids in the Philippines. But that would be a complete reversal of his old ideas and sentiments.

    Actions speak louder than words. Jim, you may not have said “I’ve lost hope in the Philippines”, but your actions certainly do. And there is no shame in that.

  53. Jim: Australia has a more benign relationship with us than the US. It is a country we never went to war with, traded lightly and knew little of.

    Oh c’mon! I’ve never heard of so much B.S. in my life. You migrated to Australia because a) it is a rich, western nation willing to give you a visa b) it would have been EMBARRASSING to ask the U.S. for a green card AGAIN since you tore up the old one.

    We may have a benign relationship with the Aussies (sure, they only continually reject our agricultural products to protect their local farmers at the expense of our export industry using quarantine as an excuse), but remember these people made a whole generation of alcoholics with the Aborigines, are still part of the coalition of the willing in Iraq, and have stolen East Timor’s oil and gas in the guise of security keeping and nation building.

    So what is it Jim? You can migrate to a country as long as they’re not “rude” (and this is debatable) to Filipinos (while being evil to others like East Timor, Iraq, and the Aborigines)?

  54. felix r,

    Are you angry at Jim or are you angry at Australia for accepting Jim, invading east timor, being part of the coalition of the willing and driving the aborigines to drink?

    -Chris

  55. What can I say? Wala ng katapusan kung talagang may ill will kayo. You look for motives other than stated. Patiently, I will write this but for the last time.

    Cresencia–About ‘coming clean’, you say? Of course Australia offers a bright future. I never denied that. It’s in my blog. READ my the relevant entries in my blog before you comment. I have always written about my intentions clearly. Why don’t you come clean and say you never got the chance to read them, or worse, that you misread them?

    As I said countless times, I am giving my kids the CHOICE where they want to live. I do not see anything wrong with that. One can do that and still love one’s country of birth.

    What is it in going for personal growth in another country that you do not understand? Or what’s wrong with it? What is so ungraspable about it?

    My advice is, stop analyzing and live with it! Really! I had a chance and took it. And I will pursue every dream before I get too old to do them.

    And do go for own dreams, and not just talk about why it is wrong for people to go for theirs.

    If my having moved ticks you off, find out why. Is it jealousy? Is it because I dared do what you can’t or don’t have the guts, chance, nerve to do?

    Felix–If you must make general statements about a whole nation that is unsavory, or reduce their entire history to one or two unflattering phrases, I don’t think I want to continue any dialogue with you any further. By the way, that’s called racism. It’s the same mindset that we complain about when we are called ‘a nation of cheats’, or whatever. Nations and peoples are infinitely bigger realities than bigotry and petty thinking can ever encompass.

    By the way, your style of writing is VERY similar to…. Parang si.. di naman siguro….. hmmm…

    Di na ako sasagot. Wala ng pupuntahan ito. Kung di niyo pa magets, baka ayaw niyo talaga i-gets. As Anais says, we see the world not as it is but as we are.

    G’day mates! And may you have peace in your hearts always.

  56. And so this discussion ends. If you recall, this entry is about APO music, my life these days. But somehow, some of you derail it and make the discussion political, tedious and yes, toxic. As blog owner, I will insist that comments be connected to the topics at hand. People are tired of this. Enuff already,

    I will now excercise my right to delete comments that make this blog a forum for unrelated opinions.

    If you don’t like it, report me to the police, ha ha ha.

  57. Whenever I think of APO, I think of my dad and his college barkada. I guess it’s because theme song nila ang “Awit ng Barkada”. Just recently, I learned that my parents’ theme song is “Pag-Ibig”. Then I realized I know more of your songs than I thought I did, I just don’t know the titles. You, Buboy and Danny rock! I am glad that there’s this tribute album. Congratulations!

  58. Hi. Stumbled on your blog while reading the inquirer today. It kinda gets a little bit iffy especially with someone with a profile such as yourself migrates to another country. Do realize, however, that you are not alone. Any other migrant, be they Filpino, Chinese, or any other nationality have agonized over the same dillema.

    Australia is a good place to be now. It can be alienating a first, but I do believe that you are now getting accustomed to the “Australian lifestyle”. Laid-back, calm, free to do as you wish. (You’re not in the dole aren’t you? ha ha, just kidding). You can choose to be busy whenever you want, and its very fortunate, especially with someone of your experience, to be ready to migrate into somewhat unchartered territory.

    Frankly, being a migrant myself, I have never felt more Filipino than to be here, in the land of the mixed races. I am so loving it.

  59. hi all.

    i am one of the pinoys who moved to sydney. i am happy here because the country is good to us. he pinoy’s working in factories can own a house and suvs. work is paid and you are not exploited.

    jim you made the the right choice to move here.

    from,

    kellyville guy

  60. Mr. Jim, where can I buy the kaminAPO muna album wherein naroon din ang version niyo? Nakita ko lang dito sa 3 record bars na pinuntahan ko ay iyong interpretation ng mga banda.

    Dahil sa September na rin lang, I want to greet you Merry Christmas, simula na kasi ang X-mas season dito sa atin. Natutuwa akong marinig ang mga Christmas songs sa radio. And oo nga pala, kaninang 10-11am ay karamihan ng songs niyo ang pinlay sa 101.9 for Life. Bigla akong nag-senti, naalala ko iyong panahong bata pa ako.

    APO songs bring back good memories. Congrats po at pati na rin kina Mr. Danny and Mr. Boboy at sa inyong family.

    Saludo ako sa inyo!!!

  61. ELOW PO IM SO HAPPY FOR APO DAHIL BINIGYAN KAYO NG TRIBUTE NG MGA BANDS NGAYON I HAVE THE ALBUM ACTUALLY PINAPAKINGGAN KO SYA NGAYON HAHA I REMEMBERED THE TIME WHEN I WAS A CHILD KINAKANTA ANG SONG NA PANALANGIN LA LANG, “WE THANK APO FOR THE MUSIC FOR GIVING IT TO US…” =>

  62. apprealicious–salamat din at nagustuhan mo yung music namin

    lani–merry xmas din kahit maaga pa. you can get the CDD everywhere.

    kellyvilleguy–right on mate!

    abet–same here.

    kat– it’s great knowing your parents are APO fans!!

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