Jeez, I can’t believe it’s been a year since I released my last remake. Sorry to keep you waiting (just in case you’re waiting).
I’ve actually been working on a handful of remakes but all of them are put on hold due to my schedule or some technical constraints. However, since I found some time lately to again express my creative side, I seized the chance and recorded a remake. I chose Rihanna’s #1 hit “Diamonds”.
Every cigar that I breathe represents the times you’re near with me
You’re sending chills so unique, now I wanna think it’s just the wind
I’m not that stupid to dream that anytime soon you’ll comfort me
There’ll be no happy ending; your love’s been always so out of reach
Uh, I can see that you’re intoxicated
Wonder if you know I’m wasted too
But one thing’s got my mind in deep amazement
How come my body’s drawn too close to you
Up from the ground, underneath the night
I’m sitting here waiting for you
Up for the rounds, getting so high
It’s a little late, where are you?
There’s so many strings attached in your heart
And so many apples stuck in those eyes
I can cut ‘em all and spoil ‘em all, but I wasn’t raised like that
So I’m letting this feeling pass ‘til it dies
The sands of time have started to move
In every second, there’s one chance to lose
Are you gonna let this thing go on, won’t you even do nothing at all
Let go of the one who cares for you the most
When I met you, I right away knew you would get me good
And when I talked to you, that’s when I knew this feeling might be true
And I got noticed, friends keep on asking if I like you
I can’t deny it, can’t seem to fake it ‘cause I really do
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Date Taken: December 28, 2011
Location: Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines
![Pirates Of The Caribbean [On Stranger Tides] (2011)](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oFDX_6EoRDw/T89UBeGm_QI/AAAAAAAABA4/CdGLvBSESu4/s1600-h/Pirates%252520Of%252520The%252520Caribbean%252520%25255BOn%252520Stranger%252520Tides%25255D%252520%2525282011%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg "Pirates Of The Caribbean [On Stranger Tides] (2011)")
Sitting on top of the Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City is Cebu Taoist Temple, a well-known tourist stop-off and religious spot among worshippers of Taoism.
During my most recent excursion, I was able to go back there and take cool pictures. Though I’ve visited the place five times, I still couldn’t help myself but be attracted with its beauty and grandeur. I also got fascinated with the many dragon statues placed in various portions of the temple.
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Date Taken: December 28, 2011
Location: Cebu Taoist Temple, Cebu City, Philippines
A Taoist Structure
This is one of the noticeable structures inside the temple. Here you can throw a coin and make a wish. I can’t personally consider it as a wishing well as it doesn’t look like one…Kinda like a wishing pond. But never mind ‘cause it’s beautiful in its way. Now can you read the Chinese characters on the pillar?
This year, I am proud to say I justifiably observed Good Friday as I managed to participate in the “Stations of the Cross” (also known as “Via Crucis” or “Way of the Cross”), a Catholic practice remembering the Passion of Jesus Christ.
My legs (plus my faith) really did their best as I walked, together with my friends, from the first up to the last fourteenth station. The trek was not that easy because aside from the scorching weather, the place, which is officially called Celestial Gardens, was situated on some limestone hills in uptown Cebu City. Most locals though are familiar of it with the name “Good Shepherd” (originated from the religious congregation “Good Shepherd Sisters” which is based in the said area as well).
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Date Taken: April 6, 2012
Location: Celestial Gardens, Cebu City, Philippines
The Gateway to Celestial Gardens
This is where we began our journey…Well, not really because we walked a kilometer or two prior to reaching this landmark (LOL). Celestial Gardens actually serves as a memorial park; or without the euphemism, a cemetery…a beautiful one. As engraved on the top portion of the gateway, the place is owned and managed by Tanchan Foundation, Inc.
And here’s another remake y’all!
But first and foremost, allow me to express my thanks to all who lent their ears and listened to my previous work “Lanog-Lanog (Super Bass Bisaya)”. I was really thrilled to see the number of views rise so fast just days after I released it. You gotta know it means a lot to me. Woot!
Now, back to the main game…
You see, for around 5 years now, I’ve been remaking songs by translating them from English to Cebuano (or Bisaya—my mother tongue). But the one that I’ll be presenting to you now is a bit different ‘cause I did the other way: that is lyrical translation from a local language to English. It’s not a Cebuano song though but Tagalog. The song, by the way, is called “Hindi Na Bale”, which was first popularized by Jessa Zaragoza, then lately by Bugoy Drilon.
I admit it took a while for me to finish this one but finally it’s done and out!
This time, I took a break at remaking pop divas’ hits and instead, explored a more challenging and fast-paced tune by the Trinidadian-born American rapper Nicki Minaj.
“Super Bass” is undoubtedly Minaj’s most successful single worldwide including the Philippines, wherein at one point, it was heavily played on the radio, clubs, TV shows and local dance competitions. Well, with its captivating musical and lyrical arrangements, I must say it does deserve the fame it has achieved thus far…just as deserving to have its own Cebuano remake (with all humility. LOL!) from me. It was quite a challenge though but I made it.
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Date Taken: March 16, 2012
Location: Town plaza of the City of Naga (Cebu), Philippines
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Date Taken: March 16, 2012
Location: Town plaza of the City of Naga (Cebu), Philippines
Aside from swine, poultry and cattle, goats are also considered a chief livestock in the agriculturally dependent nation of the Philippines. Goats are raised mainly for their meat and milk. Filipino dishes such as kaldereta and kare-kare employ goat’s meat as a main ingredient.
Lately, I got to observe a goat pen owned by a certain Cebuano family man. He’s not really a farmer by profession but does raise some goats as sideline business. This is how it looks like.
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Date Taken: March 11, 2012
Location: Sangat, San Fernando, Cebu, Philippines
Goat Pen
His goat pen is basically made of indigenous and recyclable materials like bamboo, coconut wood and used tin roofing. Albeit being simple and small, it in fact serves its purpose (big time) as it houses around 10 goats of various sizes. The pen is guarded 24/7 by a dog.
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Date Taken: March 11, 2012
Location: Sangat, San Fernando, Cebu, Philippines
