On the wings of skyray

“Trampolene…..from the heavens to the bottom of the sea”

“Well I stand at every corner of the world….and I stand in every corner of your heart….and I give you everything that you call love, from the heavens to the bottom of the sea…..”

They say love never dies…but what about this relentless fascination that has developed all these years thinking that many persons could be the persona of one?……The eyes that could speak a thousand languages, the piquant nose that has breathed a thousand souls and their stench, those ruby lips that have osculated through different barriers and space…..those sinewy features with skin so opaque and white….

In one instant you have gotten me smitten!  In one move you’ve swept me right out…..this is not the result of one last song syndrome….I have tried to search for the truth but once more, I have to accept the facts that there are things that are so inexplicable and somehow you try to relate to other people you thought who felt the same in which in the end only to surprise you that you are barriers and reefs apart…..

“Well I stand at heaven’s gate come see me cry…..heaven’s gate is like a will that won’t let me by….”

Nothing is what it seems.  Even time stops every single time I would gaze at your picture or watch your videos as you come to life…..your image swoons over me and looms….for a time you seemed larger than life.  Your music though sometimes discordant and incongrous to the untamed ear has somehow captivated me like an incessant drum beater looking for that perfect beat.

“So I walk a little a mile into your dream…and tell me what’s on your mind my Trampolene.”
I have watched you in the shadows and lurked into every word and allure that you have presented.  You have sold all of us with your dreams.  Enticed us with a promise of a bigger and better world.

“I can’t believe you’re trampling me…..Trampolene!”

One day I found out that I have grown.  That very same evening I saw your face on the telly and your hair has grown gray and you have developed lines in your face and you are a little bent now when you try to arch your shoulders.  You were old.  I was suddenly looking at pictures from a different time.  Suddenly, it was clear now.

You were never a figment.  You were never an obsession but an indecent crush I have nurtured all these years.  All has become clear.  You reminded me of an innocent time when all of us felt invincible and that we could change the world.  It was the world that changed us.  You especially.  I have no tear to shed for what you have become but I have a faithful memory to thank because this would attest to the fact that indeed, you have walked the earth once.

You and me can never belong to anyone because we belong to everyone and yet progress to be alone.

No one can fathom these thoughts except so I leave you now with a semi-sweeping paradox of question to ask that why is it that crushes last longer than ex’s and husbands maybe?

skyray is love,
Giselle

Hello Everyone,

This was one of the unfortunate interviews I had with Rhanny Torres, yes, of Ethnic Faces which unfortunately, was not published in the music mag that I used to write for…anyways, I’ve decided to come out with it now since it’s kinda stale plus…my main goal then was to re-introduce (for those who were not familiar with our generation) who Ethnic Faces were and how they challenged the music industry and prevailed until today…come to think of it, this was a very lighthearted interview because I was trying to somehow bridge a sort of generation gap between people who lived through the 80s and today’s generation…To Rhanny AND the rest of ethnic faces….I guess you know I’ve really wanted this to be published but in my own way….this is me thank you…for your continued friendship….Rhanny…your requested songs are coming soon…just been extremely busy as always…..

Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 2:20 PM
Subject: PULP interview

GISELLE ROQUE:  Ethnic faces did not only create ripples.  It was one of the
bands
that stood against the tide of the New Wave british invasion and made a

stand.  Of course, this ripple had to come from somewhere.  The way I
see
it, it had to have been an under current swirling somewhere.  How did
Ethnic
Faces start?

"My band, Lost Boys & Jack’s Ocean Zoo were part of the Brave New World
scene
in the early ’80’s. The 2 bands merged as Ethnic Faces & joined the TV
show,
Ito Yun Ang Galing’s "Punk Band Contest." Luckily, we won grand prize.
That
was 1984."

GISELLE:  I know what the scene was then but for those newbies who are
just
discovering ten of another kind, what was the scene then? Who did you
consider professional rivals and co - equals?

"The other bands in Ten of another Kind, Pagan Away, Silos, Sake & lots
more.
When the album came out in ‘89, everyone knew what New Wave was. XB
days na
yun. Dance party was the in-thing. DJs alternated with live bands. It
was
the time of The Smiths, Xmal Deutcshland etc. Did you now that in the
early
days, when New Wave music was really the "New Wave"-  Di agad masakyan
ng
mga Jeproks (though it was considered rock) because the music wasn’t
that
‘noisy’ & guitar-oriented.  Dancy but not Disco, so it took some time
before
this music called New Wave was recognized & accepted in the mainstream."

GISELLE:  Of course, after the gigs, some, if not most of them became your
good
friends.  Who are these people and what drew you and Ethnic Faces to
them? 
Mutual admiration?

"Well, in the early 80’s before Ethnic,Tommy Tanchangco, Arnold Morales,
Nito
Palacios, WUDS, Howlin’ Dave (aka Dante David). He introduced New Wave
&
Punk on Philippine airwaves via The Rock Of Manila - DZRJ AM. Jack & I
naman
go way back. grade school pa. After we won at Ito Yun.., Teddy & the
rest of
Ironic Trauma,, Betrayed, Runaway Boys etc. all co-finalists at the
contest.
Music was the main thing that bonded us. We were these small group of
musicians who’s into something fresh, something new. It was exciting in
the
early days, pretty much like when Grunge was the new thing in the early

’90’s."

GISELLE:  Ethnic Faces started playing and then exploded to being……..

"Ngyek! di naman exploded into… A Pinoy New Wave Band that even Punks
admired na lang."

GISELLE:  What was the goal of the band then?  Did you ever foresee
yourself as
brilliant inspirations to the coming generations?

"Play music. Introduce our own songs to people. We played all originals
- we
knew our music was different.
On being an inspiration, hmm… didn’t think about that. We were
teenagers,
man!"

GISELLE:  Back then, just wondering, who got most of the girls?

"Jack & Boyet I think. : )"

GISELLE:  Anyway, what was it like putting up with your brother and Jack?

"We all have our idiosyncrasies but we’re friends cum barkada so
oks lang. Ethnic Faces wouldn’t have lasted for 14 years if there was
no deep friendship between its members."

GISELLE:  Let’s go to the album 10 of another kind.  Who picked the songs
there?  Why the title 10 of another kind?

"I don’t remember who chose the songs. Maybe it was WEA or Tommy
Tanchangco,
who produced the album.
Well, perhaps WEA thought the music in the album was really different
so
they called it that."

GISELLE:  Can you please tell us regarding the 10 of another kind tours?
  What
were the ones that were memorable?

"Wow! I got loads of memories from that tour, you may end up editing
this. It
was a 10-school tour, Colegio De San Agustin was the first stop. That
was a
pisser.
We were the 1st band  & the stage was so long, we couldn’t hear
anything
from the monitors. Pakiramdaman na lang. The best gigs were in Alabang
-
Benedictine Abbey & another school. Rico Blanco told us he was one of
the
kids in the audience. I don’t remember the other school but feeling
Beatles
kami because the girls
were screaming the whole set! Charmis (remember the Cologne?) was a
major
sponsor - we get our share every gig tapos nagbabasaan lang kami.
At FEU, the opening act was a band was called Strictly Confidential -
True
Faith na sila ngayon. In UP, Sisig opened the gig - Wency Cornejo’s
pre-After Image
folk duo. Jack later told me that the future Eheads was in the
audience.
Binky was already a showman even then. Parang Jim Morrison but singing
New
Wave. Under Blue Skies, barkada talaga. Kahit walang gigs, magkakasama
kami.
Basketball, hanged out at George’s house, recorded demos there, AT
masarap
palagi pagkain dun, hehe.. Every luchtime we met at Kwachie’s family’s
canteen infont of UST.
Pati Introvoys din, they were the darlings of that tour. Ira, Jonathan
&
Paco were the Pin-up boys, sila yung talagang tinitilian. There was one
leg
di kami naktugtog. La Salle Zobel yata.We came late, so tambay na lang.

Girl-watched. The last leg was in Adamson U. The finale was Himig Natin
with
Binky on mic. Lahat ng bands onstage - feeling we are the world. ha!
Then
the whole entourage went straight to Marbella condo for a cocktail
party
with the WEA people, Tommy & some press people. That was kewl!"

GISELLE:  Your album "Dekada" for Ethnic Faces, and even earlier projects
such
as Ocean Zoo and The Lost Boys are the still the most sought after
collectibles for dilligent new wave collectors.  Are there any plans of

putting them out commercially or rather, do you think the timing would
be
perfect to release them at the present time?

"I believe there have been calls to EMI requesting the label to reissue
Dekada. I have no idea why they still have not reissued our album. They
must
have lost the DAT master, but any Dekada CD can be a new master because
it
is digital.
I have released an ep of a live radio performance under my indie label,

IndiRha.
As for the earlier recordings of Lost Boys & Ocean Zoo, got no
intention of
releasing them commercially. Share them with friends sometime in the
future
or play them on my radio show."

GISELLE:  Ethnic Faces split.  The truth behind it was…..

"We did not split up. The group died ‘naturally’. Jack left in ‘96.
Actually
our music was evolving again when the group dissolved. We didn’t have a

manager, no booking agent, our 2nd album didn’t materialize, the band
scene
was in the dumps, Ariel & Jayvee joined Color It Red, I had a day job
then I
  joined The Brownbeat Allstars. Ed Ramos, our keyboardist was too busy
with
studio work."

GISELLE:  What were the most memorable moments between the band and the
fans?
"Too many to mention! We are also proud of the fact that our peers liked
what
we did."

GISELLE:  What makes Ethnic Faces totally endearing and memorable?  The
songs? 
The antics?  Jack?  Jayvee?  You?

"Jack Sikat, his antics (complete with his magic Salakot & gong), our
camouflage-bahags, self-produced ‘45, our songs in 5 compilations,
Within
Tribes- our winning song in Ito Yun.., Golden Boy, Dekada - glad to
know it
is listed as one of Pinoy Rock’s all-time great albums."

GISELLE:  Today, where is Rhany Torres?  What is Jayvee Torres up to and
where
could Jack Sicat be found?

"I work for Alpha Records. Have retired from live performing. I’m more
comfortable now watching artists than being onstage. I have a weekly
radio
program , The RockShow, produce albums. Full-time husband & Tatay.
Jayvee still plays drums for Color It Red. A dad of a baby girl. He
still
teaches at Yamaha. Jack? he’s somewhere in the Kalingas with his wife &
kid.
He owns a grocery store. I heard he keeps in touch with some friends
here."

GISELLE:  For a one time event, let’s say a one night concert that
includes
other artists in the ten of another kind album, would the band reunite?

"Oo naman! Actually Ethnic Faces almost reunited last year. Ariel,
Jayvee, Me
& Buddy Zabala have recorded backing tracks for 4 new Ethnic Faces
songs.
We were rehearsing na, planning our ‘reunion’ gig. Then Jack suddenly
disappeared."

***todate, they just issued a public apology but really, is that enough? 

THEME SONG: (playing below–please click on play–10 story of a jew by this final frame from the album snakes and ladders)

Work is finished and the sun has now risen to its full extent as I press the "G" button.  I was fidgeting as to whether or not to have breakfast at home or McDonalds but what the heck.  Little did I notice that there was a child standing next to me.

That was weird!  I know when I got in the elevator, I was the only one inside.  Fourteen floors to go.  She was looking at me with those soulful eyes and smiling.  I had never seen such a sad smile with those two prominent dimples on each side.  Her hair was well kept and braided and she was wearing this pink and green tafetta dress with a raggedy ann doll pressed closely to her chest.  That was quite ancient.

I noticed that my ID was still hanging on my neck so I imediately wrung it out of my neck and kept it in my bag.  She was still staring.  She was almost three feet tall and quite chubby.  The elevator’s temperature was still alright but somehow hitting a freezing point.

She touched me and I was electrocuted.  I felt that my skin was scalded with magma specs.  I just blamed it on static but wait!  The floor was not carpeted.

"Excuse me miss," her tiny voice crackled, "but I am looking for my mommy."

I was first taken a back and still shaken from her touch, "Oh so sorry miss but I did not mean to scare you."

"No.", I whimpered, "It’s just that," I regained my composure, "Well, anyways, mommy? What’s her name?"

She continued with her lips almost pressed, "and my daddy as well."

"This is the first time I’d seen you.  Are they on the 15th floor as well?"

"Yes they are." The elevator lights then began to flicker as the it came to a slow yet jerking motion to stop in between floors.  I shook my head and I became nauseated all of a sudden.

"Sorry," I shook my head, "Sorry about that. What are their names?  And why are you alone?"

"I told you. I came to look for them.  They need to go home now.", she was resolute and yet this time her voice was forceful and every vowel and consonant seem to be more pronounced as it resonated in my ears.

"Need to go home now? What are their names?

"Ted and Nancy."

"Hmmm. But there are no Ted and Nancy in the office.  Are you sure you are in the right building?", this time I felt pressure as if the elevator was being squeezed that I had to hold on the wall.

"Yes I am.  They are just that way.  Always forgetting me."  Her glance was piercing as she turned towards the closed door. "Please find them for me."

The door suddenly opened and a throng of ten people greeted me.  It didn’t occur to me that the child has vanished.  Once more I can breathe. 

"Hey! Are you alright?", a hand slapped me on my shoulder and it was Alistair.  His scrawny figure would not have figured him for a former football coach.  His lean figure and his goatie was reminiscent of the punk rock era, "You look like you’ve seen a ghost!"

"Shut up!", I winced.

"Anyway, did you see the child with me in the elevator?"

"How could I when I came off the other elevator?", he wiped his nose.

It made sense, "I was with a child wearing a pink and green," I slapped my forehead, "Oh God I can’t remember!"

"Child?"

"Yes, it was a child, a kid!  There!  I can’t remember what she even looks like!"

"Take vitamins."

"Cute. Hahaha! All I can remember is that she was looking for her parents."

"Where did you come across this child?", he rubbed his chin.

"On our floor.  Come to think of it, I didn’t even notice her come in."

"Her? Ok.  Anyways, parents? Who?  There are only five couples in the office."

"That’s the weirdest thing.", my fingers became clammy as sweat suddenly rushed out of my eyebrows, "She mentioned a Ted but I can’t remember the wife’s name."

"Ted and Nancy?", his eyes grew, "You mean Ted and Nancy right?", He shook me.

I shrugged him off and said, "Heck…yeah…I think.  Why?"

Alistair grew silent as his shoulders dropped, he looked at me in disbelief and started to walk away, "Look, just stay away from me or better yet, stay away from that kid."

I followed him and gripped his arm until he turned and winced, "Ted and Nancy died a month before you came in.  They were killed when the bus we were all riding was held up.  I was there.  Ted was shot first while trying to fight off the assholes who were trying to rob them.  Nancy was shot in the face when she tried to help Ted.  I was one seat behind them!"

<object width="200" height="20"><param name="movie" value="http://static.boomp3.com/player.swf?id=c384d1e7de56"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://static.boomp3.com/player.swf?id=c384d1e7de56" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="200" height="20"></embed></object>

Tonight I get in the elevator and believe me, it was deathly cold. It was only me since I was what….30 minutes late? Just as the elevator was about to close, it stopped midway and in came Anita. Such a darling airhead she was. She had that long wavy hair, those large brown eyes and those pouting lips topped with a rich layer of strawberry lip gloss.

“Late again!”, she guffawed.

“So what? It’s none of your business.”, I flinched because of the heightened frosting inside the elevator.

Come to think of it, she was wearing that aweful gawdy green-striped sando and those wicked pink polka dotted stilletos and a creamish grey skirt with white ruffles.

“Isn’t the cold getting to you?”

“No.”, she leered at me and laughed.

“This is my last day. I’m moving to a new office. Not far from here. I can still see you guys from time to time if you need me.”

This time I noticed that I had my earphones on and the music was blasting out of my ears yet I could hear her pristine clear. I took off my earphones and wrapped them on my mp3 player, “What? Why? I thought you said you loved this place!”

“And I still do and that is why I am not leaving.”

“Huh?”, I tucked my mp3 player inside my fluffy bunny bag,”but you just said this is your last day and that you are resigning?, I frowned.

“I am moving out of the office but I will still be in this building so you can still see me from time to time.”, she smiled and suddenly I saw her cheeks turn pink. Real pink even though layers of tan powder were splattered over those chubby cheeks.

I leaned back on the cold steel wall of the elevator and this time, I swore the entire place was becomeing misty. “What brought about this big change? Did Clark push you over the edge? You were doing good as far as your stats are concerned. You were already out of the danger zone as of last week.”

“I can never be like the rest of you.”

“Rest of who? All of us are just trying to survive. As far as I’m concerened. I shouldn’t be here.”, my eyes were now squinting at the cold and haze.

“We all deserve to be where we are because it is us that make our choices.”

Now that made me just a wee bit warm. “Really?.” I snapped and tilted my head, “So did you choose to fail your statistics? The last time before my former company closed, I was in a better place but because this freaking company promised me that freaking promotion and pirated me, I should not be here. Guess what Anita, maybe not for long. Who knows, I might be joining you in the nearest future.”, my lips twitched.

“Oh!”, she touched my arm. “Don’t you dare say that! It is not yet your time.”

“Time? And who are you to judge or say whether or not it’s my time?,” I emphasized, “Like what you said earlier, we make our choices and I choose not to be here!”

Anita pleaded, “Please. You have a very big chance of getting that promotion. And it will happen soon. Just you wait. This company has been good to you, me and all of us.”

“Then why the transfer? I wrapped my arms on my fluffy bunny knapsack, “And it is getting too cold here plus the elevator is moving so slow!”, I shook my head.

“Because I want a better place. Please understand, there are places that are just suited for people like you who can beat the odds. I’m not one of them. As you very well know, I’m not really suited for this job.”

“Because you chose to. All I can say. You never listen anyway.”

The elevator flung open and Anita gently tapped my shoulder, “Goodluck. Don’t give up just yet.”

“Aren’t you getting out?”

“No. I have to go upstairs.”

“Now I know where you applied.” I sneered. “Text me sometime and tell me if the pay is good much less if there is an opening for the former position I was in.”, I smiled. She kissed me and I left. Funny but her kiss gave me the goosebumps when I ran towards the main door of the office.

When I entered the floor, almost everyone was in a daze wheeling back and forth and there was some sort of commotion on the end of the floor where my team was at. I punched in and proceeded to walk steadily as I pass by people crying and whispering.

When I reached my seat, Carl was crying despite his hulk-like six-two frame.

“What happened?, It’s as if somebody died.”, I twitched and suddenly, it was insanely hot.

“That’s the problem. You’re late as usual.”, he wiped his tears and then stood up. “Anita committed suicide by jumping from the penthouse of this building early this morning. Apparently, she heard a rumor that she was being fired and that got it.”

“What?”, I almost became dizzy but Carl suddenly engulfed me in his arms and cried without shame, “It’s unfair!”, he sobbed, “She was already out of the danger zone and when everything was ok, that’s when she heard she was one of those that will have to go.”

“It’s unfair!”, he bellowed.

Ever went through a shopping mall where you suddenly felt goosebumps and believe me, this has nothing to do with the sudden rush of the aircondition blowing down your head. Ever went to a building, although as modern as it is yet something as comparable to a frostbite has gripped your bones to the core? In a parking lot, one afternoon, you walk towards your car yet you feel like someone is watching….waiting….in an elevator you stand alone yet you feel like fifteen people are crowding you. You can’t breathe until you cough and choke and sweat gushes out of your body?

Scary isn’t it? You think you feel death is near yet it is not. You feel light headed yet your feet are firmly planted on solid ground. No one is there yet who do you see? You hear faint and echoing noises yet no one is with you. You are with your friends yet you sense a different language and their faces start to contort to undefined shapes. The clouds are clear yet you sense it is about to rain.

Maybe someone is there. Maybe there are others other than what you see. You are gripped with a sense of paranoia but really, there is no reason to be. Are you normal? Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends. You close your eyes yet you are numb. Is there such a thing as a third eye or are you affected by the last DVD you watched?

Tell me, what for? I just entered my office tonight. I walk towards the elevator. Press the arrow sign up. 15 floors going up….it’s the usual journey believe me as opposed to the stairs. Now tell me, what is it that you want? What do you see?

People make mistakes. Some are just too arrogant to admit because it demeans them. Others are too afraid because it will diminish their capacity to think. For most, it is equivalent to a chuckle and a low soft prayer that the offended party or category would realize that no harm was intended…..It would have been forgivable, it would have passed and to some point of dellusion, it would have been perfect…..however, people like these would always go back to the scene of the crime……

Tender Years - John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

When the moon hung soft and low,
Catchin’ stardust in the light
You held me closer and closer
There was magic in the night

He’s all grown up now. Big, strong and mighty. When he was younger, the best that he can do was to command a legion of ants but now he commands his own team of humans just like him. When he was younger, he used to be popular yet unpopular. His body may have shamed him but his brains always gave him fame. Throughout the years, while amassing thoughts through other people’s sweat glands and martyred souls, he has learned the art of deceit. Can you imagine that there is beauty in loneliness and handsomeness in scarred and pimply tissue? People now revere him as some wunderkind, a demi-god from outer space perhaps..can you imagine that he is awed at the revelry of his own imperfection and flaunts this like a rose in bloom? One day, symbolically after coming out of church, a boy in big rimmed glasses accidentally stepped on his chucks, I mean Converse. Instead of apologizing, the boy cursed him and then strutted along with avenging eyes. He recognized that awkard walk….he recognized those books and that big knapsack….he found himself back in 1978 when he was still that gawky child! However, there was a big difference, he was well liked and somehow, it was sincere way back then….but now, with that humped little creature that just brushed up on him? did he just see his mini-me? How he wished he could be young and geeky again because way back then….he was far more innocent and different….

A sweet love song, a melody
that I still can recall
Two young hearts filled with dreams
To walk away with it all

It was obvious, she loved him from the very start even if he was eons her senior. He loved her for being her. One joke led to another and before anything ever began. She rejected him after sucking up his spirit and violating his dignity. He was broken and defeated while she danced upon the damage that she has caused. He meant no harm. She had no scrupples. One day, she heard he left home and found someone who has shared his passion and his life. By now, she was ageing, wasting, rotting and almost aimless. I saw her you see, going back to that very same resto where she first met up with him, going back every single day just to relive what once was…..but she could never go back because time always moves forward and it would never go back….trying to capture it once again….even if it were just a memory…..

Whoa, whoa tender years
Won’t you wash away my tears
How I wish you were here
Please don’t go, tender years

Do unto others what others would want to do unto you. The golden rule. I stayed away from them because they were trouble however, they were the favoured ones. I stepped away because they would steal, cheat, plunder and rape people of their dignity of living and existing. I hated all of them and yet on the surface, they tried to remain friends with me until the time has come that I was asked to choose……stupid teachers and other dumb parents saw them as a class of their own and that because they blinded these weak souls with their false maturity, they were heralded to lead the future. They could not be more correc! One is still in rehab, the other works as a caregiver, the other is a battered housewife while the rest never even got to college. Well, where do they live and how do they live? Right now, they wish that they could turn back time and apologize while looking through mall window wishing they could buy what is on sale right now…..as for their wellwishers?….Still in their puny little jobs and their thin little fragile cages because they always wish they were them…..pathetic….like I told them before and I will say it again, the throne that they all sit upon is a wide bowl made out of ceramic with a flusher and their scepter is a little pail to wash their asses off…..

A summer love, a beach romance
Sought her kisses in the sand
Two young hearts filled with fire
Lost in never-neverland

He thought he had it all, the power, the money, the control. One day, everything was gone and I saw him walking aimlessly outside a coffee shop one afternoon. I treated him for coffee while he ranted about what it was like for him in the past. I did not know he was an orphan and that he grew up in one of those “homes”. He swore he would never have to suffer. But at what expense? Now he is lost and confused, recalling and recounting and that if he could find himself again, he would never repeat the same mistakes. One question though that I asked, “If you find yourself again, will you ever know?”

Whoa, whoa tender years
Won’t you wash away my tears
How I wish you were here
Please don’t go, tender years

Reading through her deck of cards, she would always tell me that mother fate has a plan for all if only we would reach deep down to find it. Is this the reason why people go back to what once was? To reenact the scene of the crime?…..And then what?…..Where it will eventually lead?…..Is this purging or is this persecution? Will you find forgiveness or will you find total absolution? Will you see the light if you recall your happy times?….What if there was none? Would you wish or would you move on?…..These are the questios I often ask myself and others once we go back and retrace our steps to the scene of the crime……

reposted from Dindo Lopez:

Jonathan Tiongco A.K.A. DJ Jamtrx has been professionally re-mixing since 1991. Was one of the Top Re-mixers for DISCOTECH USA before it closed following the death of partner and company owner; Lenny Gray back 1996. Also did ULTIMIX Bootleg re-mix of "Let’s Wait Awhile" - Janet Jackson. Credits include re-mixes of songs like "Sidewalk Talk’96" by Madonna, "Padlock’96" by M People, "Down Under" by Men at Work and the Intl. New Wave Diary Megamixxes.

He is now running his own Music Production firm, DSP-ENT-SYS. A true survivor, DJ Jamtrx can write, compose, arrange and produce tracks all in his Studio and is a Digidesign & Sound Forge Pioneer for 10 years. He is also responsible for the Big Asian Hits "Tiny Bubbles 2000" & "Terminal" by Rupert Holmes. In August 2005, Jonathan was commissioned by the Philippine Government to analyze the infamous "Hello Garci" wiretapps, which almost impeached Philippine President Gloria Arroyo. After a decades experience in Digital Audio Production, he concluded the tapes tampered. Jonathan is now putting up a local group of DJ and Digital Audio experts so in the future, an institution of authority may deal with such audio recordings.

Based on a police traffic report, the incident happened at 3:50 a.m. in front of the Commission on Audit office on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

Tiongco, 36, was driving his car, a Toyota Avanza with license plate ZHE 496, on his way to Fairview from Tandang Sora when he slammed into an Isuzu dump truck parked by the side of the road. He sustained serious injuries while his vehicle was heavily damaged.

The driver of a taxi cab passing by the area brought him to the Far Eastern University Hospital. Tiongco died that night.

His body was brought Tuesday to the St. Peter’s Chapel on Quezon Avenue where the wake would be held. No date has been set for his burial. According to officials of St. Peter’s, Tiongco’s family had asked them to bar media men from attending the wake and to ban the use of cell phones in the viewing room.

This is a story of a boy who grew up in a castle in a land not so far away, he was not a prince but neither was he a friend of the king.  He was just a nobleman who kept to himself and let time take its toll.  He grew up handsome.  He grew up talented yet he kept his sanity and dignity in times when there was none…

Circle by Edie Brickell And The New Bohemians

Me, I’m a part of your circle of friends
and we notice you don’t come around
Me, I think it all depends
on you touching ground with us.
But, I quit. I give up.
Nothing’s good enough for anybody else
it seems.
And I quit. I give up.
Nothing’s good enough for anybody else
it seems.

This is the story of a girl who grew up in the plains that turned into a valley which then grew into a city.  You would recognize her because she is just the neighborhood girl who lived close by.  She had talent, she soon developed pizzazz.  She dreamed of the stars, yearned for the sun, shot for the moon and flew the galaxy almost beyond…..

And being alone
is the best way to be.
When I’m by myself it’s
the best way to be.
When I’m all alone it’s
the best way to be.
When I’m by myself
nobody else can say goodbye.

The boy soon became a man.  Of course, the girl has blossomed into a woman and one day, by faith’s hand they meet.  They greet and then the pleasantries soon disappeared.  It was rekindled once more through the lines of a song.  One enchanting moment and the man was taken however, she just wanted to be entertained.

Everything is temporary anyway.
When the streets are wet —
the color slip into the sky.
But I don’t know why that means you and I are
- that means you and….
I quit — I give up.
Nothin’s good enough for anybody else it seems.
But I quit. I give up.
Nothing’s good enough for anybody else it seems.

He was ready to shoot the stars and bring her to their hallway.  What he has forgotten is that this woman was well travelled.  She knew the boundaries of the earth like the palm of her hand.  She knew what she was doing.  All is fair in love and war she whispers.  Taken in and then spitted out, she breaks her silence!

And being alone
is the best way to be.
When I’m by myself it’s
the best way to be.
When I’m all alone it’s
the best way to be.
When I’m by myself
nobody else can say…

To the dungeons his heart was thrown mercillessly.  His soul was shackled and his convictions have faltered.  Blame it on innocense.  Blame it on something but his heart has now yearned to be free just like before.  He now dreams to walk the plains and smell the fresh air and feel the silk green grass upon his feet.  He cries but only discordant notes fell upon his lips….poetic it may seem….ordinary this story may seem to be….anyways, it happens to the best and even the best does fall down sometimes.  Now where have I heard that before?

Me, I’m a part of your circle of friends
and we notice you don’t come around.

Some can only look at him from his prison while some like me plot to liberate his ageing soul.  I dare publish not because this is the usual story.  I guess this simple story could serve as a heed to those who are still blinded by the truth that stares them in the face or because yes, reality does bite.  The truth of the matter really is yes, people lose their way only to find themselves again…not to pick up where they left off…but to begin where the vortex was voided.  There is never an easy road to recovery but, the lesson to be learned is simple, never count your friends. See beyond the vale.  And then look back to those that really mattered and use them as weapons and tools for the future.  Karma is a bitch believe me.  And I am just waiting for a perpetual beginning to a story that seems never ending…….

Love Song For A Vampire by Annie Lennox

Come into these arms again
And lay your body down
The rhythm of this trembling heart
Is beating like a drum

It’s cold where I am now…the clouds have dimmed to a greying black….the wind is still and yet I walk through the dead leaves…I could see the crowes hovering yonder through bushes thick as sponges…voices ring through my head….they are real I know but I know not where direction it comes from….

It beats for you - It bleeds for you
It knows not how it sounds
For it is the drum of drums
It is the song of songs…

Two days ago I had the solution….24 hours ago it was the perfect plan….I was so sure…but now after this holocaust….I do not know where I am….is this an alternate world I am doomed to live in?  A destiny I am suppose to fullfill? 

Once I had the rarest rose
That ever deigned to bloom.
Cruel winter chilled the bud
And stole my flower too soon.

This is rubbish!  I see those cruel beings pretending to be humans seeking church guidance, preaching the prophecies of their religions and yet I see them naked as the sun in all of their brazen and calloused souls slaughter the innocents, the helpless and the powerless….they use the power of their voices and the vigilance of evil thoughts to bring others down….they came to convert…they came dine on other people’s poverty and other people’s charity….

Oh loneliness - oh hopelessness
To search the ends of time
For there is in all the world
No greater love than mine.

They speak in all tongues….they come in all forms…what they do not know is that I know them by their first name which is PAIN and they come in many disguises.  Before I fear them but now they are my enemy.

Love, oh love, oh love…
Still falls the rain… (still falls the rain)
Love, oh love, oh, love…
Still falls the night…
Love, oh love, oh love…
Be mine forever…. (be mine forever)
Love, oh love, oh love….

I held up my hand and suddenly I could produce fire….I looked towards the thickening forest and yet could see through a million eyes that greeted me in anger….in wonder….in bewilderment….in atonement….in shame….slowly I made my way towards them.  I hid my hand in my pocket.  I picked up a dead twig on my left and casually swung as I approached…..

Let me be the only one
To keep you from the cold
Now the floor of heaven’s lain
With stars of brightest gold

I saw the tears of friends who were victims of some kind of infestation and the wrath of deadly vultures…they were there in the thick of the forest, trapped and unmoving….their faces were dirty and old…yet I can hear their hearts beating….slowling rattling…slowly humming…..their voices told me to move on…just move on….I cannot do anything….they commanded me not to let the fire out of my hands and yet to just keep on moving….moving….moving…..

They shine for you - they shine for you
They burn for all to see
Come into these arms again
And set this spirit free

……..I am back in the city….alone infront of my PC….typing endlessly in a trance….I tried to call…I tried to text but it seems that my hands just went through the phone…through the cell…..this is weird?  Am I dead?  Or is this some kind of phantasm that I am condemned to be at right now for a certain time being?…..I must find the purpose…and then….only then can I move on…..