Finding "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration" on YouTube

 "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration"

This has got to be one of my favorite albums of all time: "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration" release in 1992 and executive produced by Norman Miller, Gail Hamilton and Mervyn Warren, is a reinterpretation of the 1741 oratorio "Messiah" by George Frideric Handel - yes it is a famous classical piece usually sung during Christmastime - but was transformed into an extraordinary mix of African-American music including spirituals, blues, ragtime, big band, jazz fusion, R&B and hip hop. The result, pure joy in music.  The album received the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

I've had the privilege to sing the original Handel's Messiah many times during my days in the choir, and I've also had the privilege to perform the "Hallelujah" from the above-mentioned album - complete with choreography! I'd like now to share with you what I mean, in case this is your first time to hear about it - and if not, I invite you to listen in to these selections from the 2 beautiful pieces of music...

Random Halloween Conversation

Rey: Let's find something scary to watch on TV.
Liz: Sige.
Rey: *Channel Surfing* (Zombieland, A Christmas Carol...?!)
Liz: Wala naman...
Rey: *Channel Surfing* Ano ba yan, Halloween night wala man lang nakakatakot na movies sa cable TV?!
Liz: Wala nga...
Rey: Ayan, CNN na lang, nakakatakot ang nangyayari sa Euro.
Liz: *tumbling*

Oh well, we didn't get our scare fix this Halloween, but hopefully we get to watch the current "Walking Dead" Season 2. Haha.

Songs I'd Love to Cover Part 1

As most of you know, singing is a great passion of mine. When I was younger (and more uninhibited LOL) I would break into song all the time, I would sing at home in the bathroom, in the car, while walking in the mall, waiting for the next class... practically anywhere. You know it when a song catches in your brain and you just start singing, softly at first then, suddenly when you hit the chorus, you sing out loud like nobody's business. ;)

If I was to make an album today, and will be doing a cover of any song I want - these songs would be in my short list. Or if I was asked to make a set list for me and my imaginary band these songs would definitely make the cut...

1. "Before We Come Undone" - Kris Allen

This wasn't a huge hit for Kris Allen, but the beat of this song is really cool, it just makes me rock it out like a rockstar (even though I don't even know the words haha). I also like how the song is dramatic but not overly dramatic, sexy but not trying hard.

Remembering 9/11

I could never be able to make a blog post tribute worthy of the tragedy that was 9/11, but hopefully this short post will be able to convey my condolences to the victims, and send to them a message of remembrance and hope.
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It has become one of those events where people ask - "Where were you when it happened?"

I was at home. I received a text message from a friend telling me to open the television to CNN as the World Trade Center in New York City was hit by an airplane. I was mortified by what I saw - one of the twin towers with smoke billowing from one side, and watched in horror as an airplane crashed into the other tower...

The Uber Prestigious Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2011

Last year, six out of my Top Ten EIB choices landed on the winners list. This time around, I enter the writing project (now on its 5th year) much like my first time in 2009 - not knowing any newbies and eager to discover some really interesting blogs. I'm hoping to get to know some new bloggers in the process as well. :)

Reyjr checking in!

Hello Reyjr.com readers and passers-by (haha)!

I just wanted to do a quick update about what's been happening around here and check-in to see what you guys are up to.  It's been ages since I last posted something like this, you know, like a Diary type entry.

This is not going to be lengthy, (but as some of you know I tend to ramble a little bit when I do these kinds of posts) I just wanted to share with you that...

Choco-late de Batirol in Baguio is heaven in a cup!

The rich chocolate aroma wafted in our general direction, and all of us went... "mmmm... sarap!"

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Chocolate de Batirol, the perfect place to spend a cool and sunny Baguio afternoon

Inside Baguio City's Camp John Hay is a little restaurant called Choco-late de Batirol. Oozing with character, this rustic resting spot is the perfect place to spend a cool and sunny Baguio afternoon, sipping chocolate based drinks while reading a good book, or just hanging out with friends and family...

Pacquiao vs Mosley - Pacquiao wins by unanimous decision!

Pacquiao vs Mosley Recap

Fight recap below...

Ferrari Cars Giveaway - Winner announcement!

My ride. Lol!

Ferrari Cars Giveaway!

In Reyjr.com's first giveaway ever, I wish I was giving away the car pictured above - but don't fret because I am giving away the next best thing (LoL!): 2 Shell Ferrari model cars: a 612 Scaglietti and a 599 GTB Fiorano. I realized I already had the whole set, so might as well give these 2 away to one of my lucky blog readers. :D

It's not a contest, but I do want to give it to who really wants it most. :) Here are the very simple mechanics:

How To See Which Facebook Pages Like Your FB Page

How To See Which Facebook Pages Like Your FB Page

I have been using my Facebook Page for Reyjr.com to Like other Facebook Pages, and have recently found out how to see which Facebook Pages have Liked my FB Page back as well. Here are quick and easy directions for "How To See Which Facebook Pages Like Your FB Page"...

I survived iBlog7: The show must go on!

How cool is it that I get to share with you all what went down before our iBlog7 intermission number? ;) Such is the awesomeness of being a blogger.  Hehehe.

The iBlog7 Experience - the show must go on!

In show business, we always say "The show must go on!", a credo all performers have learned and internalized, myself being no exception. On April 2, the 2nd and final day of iBlog7: The 7th Philippine Blogging Summit, I was set to sing a few songs as an intermission number with my choirmates in The U.P. Concert Chorus. But as fate would have it, just 5 days before that, I completely lost my voice...

iBlog7: The 7th Philippine Blogging Summit - See you there!

I can hardly believe how fast my blogging year went by. I was at iBlog6 last year, attending the annual event for the first time. Now I'm going for the second time - I know a quite a few more people now than I did last year, and so hopefully I won't feel as awkward, haha. :p But do say hello if you happen to recognize me. I promise to do the same...

I am looking forward to seeing some people I already know - Blogging couple EJ and Ginger Arboleda, my friend Roy de la Cruz and former schoolmate Jonel Uy will be presentors at iBlog, and Flow Galindez will be hosting - apart from them though, I really have no idea who else is coming. :p Are you going to iBlog7???

If you are, then I will see you there on Saturday! (I can only go on the 2nd day).
By the way, I will also be performing an intermission number with the UP Concert Chorus (UPCC) again this year. UPCC is the Official Choir of the University of the Philippines and we are celebrating the group's 50th Anniversary in 2012! It's going to be epic! ;)

Understanding the Role of Stock Inventories in Oil Pricing

The Press Release below was issued on March 4, 2011 by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. in an effort to address questions raised about why prices are increasing based on global oil prices when they still have inventory of crude bought at a lower price.

To summarize the article below the answers are:
1. To ensure price transparency - it is the norm in open markets in other countries as well
2. In response to market competition (i.e. refiners vs importers)

In addition, crude is bought on a continuous basis, and so while the crude bought at a lower price 3 months ago is being sold at a higher price now, say a month from now when the oil prices go down, the crude bought at a higher price today will then be sold at a loss by the oil companies.

Anyway, onto the article. It explains it in more details. I encourage you to remove your bias for a second and try to read objectively and understand...

The 2010 Philippine Bar Exam Results released!

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the 2010 Philippine Bar Exam Results as a friend of mine took the exam last year. It was held on all four Sundays of September (September 5, 12, 19, and 26) in 2010 at the De La Salle University (DLSU) in Taft Avenue, Manila.

This was also the Bar Exam of the infamous bombing that injured several people including 2 students who both lost their legs. Raissa Laurel, one of the blast victims needed to have both her legs amputated.

Earlier today, Chief Justice Renato C. Corona held a special En Banc session for the “decoding” of Bar results - the directive to decode “is when the Court orders the Bar Confidant to open envelopes containing the names of the examinees in the presence of the Bar Chairman.”

Here is the complete list of the 2010 Philippine Bar Exam Results...

A quick update of why I've been MIA... 2 celebrations and a tsunami

I've been missing in action for the past week and I'm sorry!

This will also be a short post as I only wanted to let you know why I haven't posted anything since March 4 - it's basically a classic case of Life overtaking Blogging. Hehe. I missed my weekly American Idol fix and my boot predictions - I would've picked Ashthon to go home anyway har har - and I missed posting my Self Indulgent Birthday Blog Post (like last year). :( Here's why...

Guest posting on @PhilChoirs: "What I am missing on Glee"

Hello everyone! Are you a Glee fan? If you are, and even if you're not, I'd like to invite you to read my guest post Choral MuSings: "What I am missing on Glee" on the Philippine Choirs Blog where I talk about what I think Glee is missing...

While you're over there, check out the calendar of Philippine Choral events on the sidebar!

Thanks for visiting!


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What would you do if a Zombie attacked you right now?

AMC's The Walking Dead Season 1

So I watched the whole Season 1 of AMC's "The Walking Dead" last Saturday (until about 4am the following day) and have been thinking about zombies for a week now. No nightmares so far, but my thoughts have, of late been returning to zombie attacks and possible escape routes. I mean, will we be able to tell when a zombie will attack? Heck no! So we should be prepared right? Right? :p

What would I do if the walking dead suddenly attacks me right here, right now, while doing some random thing?

It's a zombie! Wah!

What to do if a zombie attacks you while you're jogging

I was jogging the other day. It was evening and the curb I needed to take was dark because the lampost oddly flickered off whenever a car passed by. I wondered, what would I do if a Zombie suddenly attacked me right here, right now, while doing some random thing like jogging? Hmmm....

Manny Pacquiao's LA mansion on MTV Cribs

So I heard Manny Pacquiao's Los Angeles mansion was recently featured on MTV Cribs. Here's the video!

Manny Pacquiao's LA mansion on MTV Cribs

The house sits on a 4,500 sq ft lot (418 sq. m) and has 5 bedrooms. Manny opens the door and announces his name with an odd American accent - ("Hi, I'm Manny Pahkyeow...") then proceeds to give a tour of the house.



"This is my house, so we have to put our pictures." Haha! Nice one. And that amazing swimming pool with a fireplace? That's the way to keep warm, eh?

What did you think of Manny Pacquiao's LA mansion?



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Charice Billboard Watch 2011

"One Day" Music Video!

The Big Bad Blogger an unfolding scandal

Big Bad Blogger aka BBB

Both Bloggers and non-Bloggers alike have been equally intrigued by who the Big Bad Blogger (ingeniously shortened to "BBB") could possibly be - although I must say, anyone in his (we at least know BBB is male) right mind would confess to "giving Blogging a bad name", what with all the hullabaloo and media attention it has received...

Review: affordable luxury in a Phuket beach resort

This is a review for Horizon Beach Resorts and Hotels.

A trip to Phuket, Thailand means a trip down to the beautiful beaches of this tropical island paradise, and if you're looking for a place to stay - a beach resort in the heart of Patong, or considering a karon lodging hotel that's both luxurious and affordable, or maybe budget accommodations on Patong Beach - Horizon Beach Resorts and Hotels offer these and more.

I am quite easy to please in the sense that if there is a beautiful white sand beach, such as with Patong and Karon Beaches, excellent and affordable massages by capable masseurs and masseuses, and a wonderful relaxing atmosphere - then I'm all set. Everything else is a bonus...

Reyjr goes Hawaii Five-O!

Hawaii Five-O! That unmistakable opening title sequence music brings back childhood memories. The original series ended wayyy before I was born and so I never saw a single episode, but despite that, the opening theme sounds fresh to my ears...

Hawaii Five O!

I've been to Hawaii twice - the first time was in the year 2000 during the 14th International Tour of the UP Concert Chorus.  Everyone was excited about Hawaii - the first stop of the 2000 Millennium Concert Tour - I was particularly interested because of all the hype about Hawaii being a paradise, with luscious forests and active volcanoes, creamy white sand beaches and surfing waves...


Liz and Rey at the Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii (taken on April 16, 2003)

Reyjr Random Travel Tip 002: Traveling is not always fun...

Reyjr Travel Tip #002:

"Traveling is not always fun - but if you create the fun wherever you go, then the beautiful places become an awesome backdrop of an already wonderful experience."

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Leaving on a Jet Plane

01-07-11 Friday

Friday: It's past 1 in the morning and I'm still up, packing my luggage for the flight to Singapore on Saturday, but just managing to stuff 2 items at a time before I go back in front of my laptop, wondering why I can't bring myself to finish anything these days.

But wait, I should maybe qualify that - I can't finish anything non-work related... or. Nevermind.

I blame it, my lethargy, on the extended vacation in December. I mean because vacations are never sufficient, they're always "bitin". And so my body is rebelling against any kind of activity.

Anyway, I should prepare myself for a looong day...