The Stories of Kokong

It was some time on a Sunday
When morning dews were all to see,
And birds chirping with no dismay
So blissfully for being free.
The sight was splendid, I agree.

Then, when the cool wind came gushing,
A fair lady calmly appeared.
Candelaria, her name being
Of whom this heart of mine endeared,
And is for me highly revered.

She then came running up the hill
Of cogon grass where I stood. In
Awe of such a beautiful feel,
Her body pressed against my skin.
With only nature to be seen,

We were all alone, me and her
In a magnificent landscape,
Where trees almost vividly purr
And the clouds over us, our drape
Clothing us in this sweet escape.

She clutched my hands and so did I,
We laid down together in love.
So humble, our lips then met nigh
They then osculate. She’s above
As both our bodies interwove.

Magic was written everywhere,
Upon the blowing of our dreams,
To the high skies for us to smear,
This moment will forever freeze,
And time will never ever cease.

“I love you, hun,” said I to her.
She replied, “I love you more, hun.”
I breathed deeply and grasped for air
Then kissed her while grabbing a gun
In my pocket. Under the sun,

Scattered brightness is our witness
Of what we have for each other.
Even with impending sadness
Let this pure love of ours gather
The pieces, we will move further.

I pointed the gun on her head.
She smiled back at me with no pain,
She kissed me even more and said,
“I will be seeing you again.”
I pulled the trigger, no refrain.

Bang! Blood was all over her face,
Her lifeless body on the ground.
My Candelaria, sweet to taste
Here I am, to you I am bound.
But suddenly it came around,
Porphyria, a love I confound.

“Multi-awarded Filipino rap icon Francis Magalona has passed away at the Medical City in Mandaluyong around noon today (March 6, 2009). He was 44.

According to TV reports, this was announced by actor Vic Sotto in the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga, where Magalona used to be one of the hosts.

Magalona, considered as a major pillar of rap music in the country, was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2008. He is survived by his wife Pia Arroyo and children Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and actresses Maxene and Saab.” -Yahoo! Philippines

I was in our school’s library studying for my final exams. My mood was well as I covered topics after topics until I received an alarming text message from a friend that read: “Yatap na francis m. gaw. tsk” or in other words, “Patay na si Francis M., gaw. Tsk!”

Suddenly, my mood went down drastically because of that message. I was very uncomfortable while I continued studying as the sad news lingered. Deep down in me, I wanted to cry but I chose not.

I clearly remember back then when I was in kindergarten, I sang proudly Mga Kababayan in front of my classmates and teacher in school. I was not forced to sing but it was my own will, and his song was my personal choice. I grew up with an ambition that someday I will be just like him. Even with his death, that ambition is still very much alive in me.

This is a sad day indeed as a good lad left the world. And o, my real name is Francis Alex. Curious where my name Francis came from? Go figure it out.

You may be gone, but you will be remembered forever. For the last time, R.I.P. my model, my idol, my inspiration, my katukayo, Francis ‘Kiko’ Durango Magalona (October 4, 1964 - March 6, 2009).

I know it’s kinda late already but it’s worth the telling. I am very ecstatic to tell everyone that my band’s song IKAW NA NGA is included in the soundtrack of the indie film THANK YOU GIRLS! Even though the film finished its major screenings in certain locations around Mindanao and Manila, I hope that you would still continue to patronize it. For more details about the film, its future screenings, and its soundtrack, check the TYG’s official website here.

Film teaser:

Complete TYG soundtrack:

Naroon by Michael Cruz and Holen
The Pill by Gasulina
Karma by Lizardchips
Starsick by Kampai
Kalibangon by Reggztheory
Lilipas by Sidecrash
Anywhere by The Roxymorrons
Rubberband by Lizardchip
Churvaloo by Haphazard
Exasperation by Cathy Sulit
Paghihintay by The Roxymorrons
Saliva by Reggztheory
Christmas R&R by The Roxymorrons
Ikaw na Nga by The Superflirts
Boom by The Roxymorrons
Come with Me by Pink Mustang
Crown me Queen by Chris Uy & Steve Marzke
Para Sa’yo by Happyest
With My Bestfriends by Chris Uy & Steve Marzke
Paalam by Lizardchips
Gunita by The Roxymorrons
Fueled by Gasulina

Buot Ko Nga Masayod Ka
(by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

Buot ko nga masayod ka,
Dili gayod matugkad akong kalipay,
Kalipay nga dili mabay’ran,
Nga ikaw akong kuyog
Niining pag dagan-dagan nato sa ulan.
Duyog nato ang hangin
Nga nag gakos sa atong mga pangandoy.
Dungan nato kalimtan ang kalibutan
Nga nalukop sa kasakit,
Sa problema,
Ug sa mga dili maayong buhat.
Kini’ng luna nga atong gitumban,
Saksi kini kung unsa ka sa ako.
Buot ko nga masayod ka,
Ikaw akong gihandum,
Ikaw akong pangandoy.
O ulan, ayaw intawon pag hunong.

If I Die
(Francis Alex E. Tahud)

If I die right now,
Let me be the wind someday,
And when you’re alone,
Feel the wind for I am there;
My love is sempiternal.

As we turn to yet another page in life’s unpredictable race, we bade 2008 goodbye and welcome 2009 with open arms. And as for me, 2008 will forever be a memorable year. Why? You may ask. Well, this is the year, to be specific March 1, 2008, 7am, that I have truly manifested my love to my Savior through water immersion or Baptism. Yes, after living 21 years of emptiness, I have finally given myself to Him in full. My life’s journey is towards Him.

2008 has given me a box-full of memories. Well, I guess you too. Yeah, memories that are sad, happy, and sometimes preposterously funny. I won’t elaborate on that anymore because it’s way too personal. Hahaha! Anyhoo, the year has also opened my eyes to certain issues that has really moved me, and gave me a lesson or two that I will hold forever in my life. Poverty, injustice, war, poor education, etc., all those things made me realize that life isn’t really pretty after all, but, because of God’s undying love, He made life worth living for you and I.

And so as we leave 2008 and face 2009, I hope and pray that we will be strong in life and in faith. Basing on the news and on what I see personally, we should really brace ourselves this coming year for 2009 will not be a pretty sight. As the popular saying goes: “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” But if I were to rephrase it, it should be: “when the going gets tough, the faithful overcomes.” In the days of tribulation, this is when our faith gets tested, and I urge you, be faithful unto Him because He has promised us with goodness. We find strength to be faithful to God because God is faithful in dealing with us. I know we will overcome all the can of worms ahead with God, and God alone.

May we all have a blessed 2009 with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!

Sleep
(Francis Alex E. Tahud)

As we paint the sky red, run with me my sweet January
Let this cul-de-sac be the start our forever
You are my confidant, my sweet tenure whom I rest my soul with
Embrace me with your condescending eyes, cuddle me with your benign touch, and soothe me with your saccharine voice
O how I long to see you smile, just to see you smile
The warmth of your presence is my euphoria
You are the ultimate source of my existence
And as we engage ourselves in this surreal episode, I’ll cover you from all the perils outside
I hear you breathing… I breathe slowly, slowly, slowly
I watch you to sleep… sleep now my love
For tomorrow I’ll dream again that I am with you.

Sunday Dress
(Francis Alex E. Tahud)

The way you smile, it melts my heart;
Your gleaming eyes, they comfort me;
Your enchanting face is like art
Painted by the Painter in glee;
We sit upon church pews apart,
Yet the distance, it’s you I see.

Upon this dwelling place of praise,
I lift my hands in awe to Him;
Thanking Him for His gift of grace,
A sweet angel like you of glim;
O, everything is in slow pace
As you walk, I could see no dim.

And so I lay me heart to rest,
A dream of you and I no less;
Hoping one day, I’d get the best
A part of you is happiness:
Sorry if I’m not the finest,
You look good on your Sunday dress.

Mere words couldn’t perfectly capture the euphoria I was in during the whole 3rd Day Uth Sunday last August 31, 2008. Webster Dictionary couldn’t even supply a word that would describe how I felt.

The feeling I had when I was on the pulpit reading the Bible, singing praises to our Lord Jesus Christ, and performing my part in our ‘Awesome God‘ skit was a dream come true. Not only that, I felt God was standing beside me the whole time.

I felt really blessed that I was able to deliver my part and I know for sure, because of God’s work, many were also blessed with all the performances we did. Even though we had to squeeze every ounce of strength we had during our practices, not to speak that it was also time-demanding, it was all worth it. And I mean worth it with a capital W-O-R-T-H I-T. We owe it to You, Lord!

The experience was a roller coaster ride, from the practices up the final day itself. There were many ups and downs and if God wasn’t there with us, we would have easily surrendered to the pressure. But God had planned everything ahead. He wanted us to finish what we started, and that’s what we did. If ever I have to ride the roller coaster again, I would do it with you guys again and again, my 3DU family.

I couldn’t name each and everyone of you but rest assured that in your little ways, you made a big positive impact in my life, and I thank you for that. I know this will sound corny and chessy but I couldn’t care less, each one of you guys hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for welcoming me in the 3DU family and Glory to God!

Photos available at www.nluvwdjesus.multiply.com (Kitty’s Multiply account)