29 years
of
Community Service
MUNTING NAYON
News Magazine
Operated by couple Eddie Flores and Orquidia Valenzuela
News and Views of the
Filipino Community Worldwide
Songs that define your life



By Willie Jose
July 21, 2017

 
 


One morning while I was navigating Facebook, I saw an entry posted by a close friend of mine, Joey S-- it was a music photo   Frank Sinatra, entitled Cycles, with a little note that says ikaw nagpakilala sa akin sa Cycles”

I really could not remember the time when I introduced him to Sinatra’s songs, possibly, it could be during our good old days at the press corps in the late 80s when we were having the time of our lives, frequenting various Cafes and watering holes and the memorable Remembrances to de-stress ourselves after a day’s hard work of gathering news.

Being a music connoisseur himself, Joey is still busily spending his life these days writing and he’s been going around some music stores, rummaging shelves to get hold of some must-have albums.

Anyway, let’s go back to my story, when I saw his Facebook post, I simply responded, ”I'd like to share with you these 2 songs--That's Life and That's All--by Sinatra and every time I hear these songs, lots of memories come to mind. “

Well, I don’t get tired listening to these Sinatra’s songs because it’s my way of reflecting my own life; these songs always remind me on how I’ve lived through life despite its numerous ups and downs. Also, I’ve been inspired to move on with some hope, as the song Cycles goes, “after winter comes the spring”

So, life is like the seasons, it keeps changing, so we have to remain positive and hopeful, knowing that by not giving up, we can always look forward to a bright future.

Listening to Sinatra’s songs in some quiet place is one good way to reflect our life. Away from the humdrum of the city life and the deepening and sickening noises of politics and gossips, Sinatra’s songs would surely calm our nerves.

Once these songs become part of our lives, we usually find ourselves instinctively and silently singing or humming these songs wherever we may be whether we are on the bus, train, jeepney, malls or even while waiting for our wife in the parlor while she’s having some haircut, hair coloring and manicure etc, etc.

I remember a story many years ago when in one brainstorming session, some friends and I were planning to put up a   community paper and they asked me what could possibly be my column’s title.

Well, without hesitation I simply said,  “That’s Life”

I was waiting for them to ask me the whys and wherefores of my chosen title, but they didn’t bother so I kept my silence. Had they asked me, I could have told them “ well that’s Frank Sinatra song and since I like his songs, that’s why”.

Actually, my favorite is Sinatra’s “Cycles” because it best describes my whole life particularly the line that goes ” life is like the seasons after winter comes the spring… So I keep my head up high and see what tomorrow brings….”

I’d normally say “ that’s life “ when I’m at loss for words to explain and rationalize some going-on in this world -- things I can’t control and change; myriad problems I can’t solve and understand or some mysteries I can’t unravel.

 And I don’t even have to rack my brain to solve these life’s puzzles simply because, I know, they will always be here in our midst to tickle our existence. So at my wits’ end trying to find answers to these problems, I’d just say,  “ I think that’s life.”

With my “That’s Life column, for years, I have been writing about the less serious stuff— things that will surely buoy the readers’ spirit, make them laugh, and give them some respite from your daily backbreaking chores.

Tackling these mundane things is my way of conversing with them and like any kind of conversation; it should always be a two-way process – writing my pieces and then, reading on their feedback.

Oh, before I forget, another song that comes to mind is That’s All, it’s another Sinatra’s piece about love. And I would rather not expound it because it would only drain me emotionally as I reminisce those unforgettable moments that I’d experienced in a real game of hearts. I’d rather quote Benito F. Reyes' poem:

"Read! read the answer in my eyes And in the quiverless muteness of my lips. For there are things that are voiceless And would be told only in the silence.

And now, let me just drop into my favorite Tim Horton coffee shop to sip my favorite double-cream-double sugar large coffee. It’s my way of letting go life’s cares and enjoy life’s little pleasures.

Yes, Frank, That’s Life.

    Tweet
    MoreENFID European Conference in Essen, Germany     September 30-October 1, 2017
    Rohlee de Guzman

    Conference of Europe-based Filipinos: “Kung sama-sama, Kayang-kaya”...
    MoreA Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement benefits all
    Senator Tobias Enverga

    Canada is a trading nation to its core and our agreements with the United States, Mexico and the European Union are testimony to our desire — indeed, our need — to reach far beyond our borders to seek trading partnerships.
     ...
     
    MoreA Tribute to a Remarkable Lady-FELISA RAMOS VALENZUELA
    Wilfredo Valenzuela

    To our Nanay…. Love always
    ...
    MoreFBL Canada Turkey Ball – A 2017 Major Basketball Event
    Emar Sy

    With 71 teams from 19 basketball clubs including teams from Montreal competing in 9 Divisions (8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U,...
    MoreBerghaus Girls - Wehl 1967-1970 50th Anniversary Celebration
    Irma Galias

    Berghaus Girls, Wehl group 1967-1970 celebrated their 50th anniversary, held at Novotel Hotel in Amsterdam last September 23....
    MorePhilippine food fest / Shangri-La Sydney
    Evelyn A. Opilas

    Food fest features all-time Filo faves
     

     
    All-time favourites, such as kare-kare, adobo,...
    MoreAGAPI rocks on their 13th year Anniversary Celebration
    Evelyn A. Opilas

    They rocked. Literally.
     

    The Association of Golden Australian Pilipinos Inc (AGAPI) marked its 13th...
     
    More`CON AMOR’ FOUNDATION B0ARD MEMBERS VISIT PROJECTS IN PHILIPPINES
    By: Orquidia. Valenzuela,  as reported by Myrla Danao

    Businessman Jaap van Dijke, chairman and two board members, Myrla Danao and Dr. John Deen of Con Amor foundation in...
    MoreArt Creations
    Vicente Collado Jr.

    Welcome!

    Many believe formal training is a prerequisite to quality in painting. Not a few will agree with me one can...
    MoreTHE CHILDREN IN DON MANUEL GK VILLAGE
    Orquidia Valenzuela Flores

    Sixty-three children from age three to six years, in the very poor community of Don Manuel village in Barangay...
    MoreHistory of the Filipino Community in the Netherlands
    Orquidia Flores-Valenzuela

    Every story has a beginning and our story begins when a Cavitena accompanied her aunt to sail to another continent....
     
    Disclaimer

    Contents posted in this site, muntingnayon.com, are the sole responsibility of the writers and do not reflect the editorial position of or the writers' affiliation with this website, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine.

    This site, muntingnayon.com, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine do not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages arising for any reason whatsoever from this website or from any web link used in this site.