You'll Be Okay

Click this: "You'll Be Okay" (original composition)

Lyrics:

I know you're tired

Of all the trials

Same old problem

You face from time to time

It's not so easy

But still, you're in denial

You say you can get through it

You force yourself to smile

Pre-chorus:

I sing this song to tell you 

You're not alone

You're facing all these with

Some friends of your own

I'm always here

I am your shoulder to cry on

Don't you forget

One day the pain will be gone

Chorus:

Don't you give up

It's just a wall that

Has to be broken

Don't you say no

It's just a small game

That you have to play

And in the end, you'll be okay

Hey, hey, hey

I know you're scared

Of what might happen

You keep on running

From all your big mistakes

But now I tell you

That all you need is prayer

Watch and He will guide you

And lead you to the right path

(Repeat pre-chorus)

(Repeat chorus)

Hey, hey, hey

Oh, oh, oh 

Bridge:

God wouldn't give you

A challenge you

Can't get through

Life's full of them

You just have to

Get used

So used

(Repeat chorus twice) 

I Am The Song

Do you see how amazing it is to come up on stage hearing thousands of people screaming your name in a sold-out stadium? Or how awesome that feeling is when your own songs are playing on the radio? What about that one time onstage when you just stand there, pointing out your mic to all those people singing the lyrics to a song you wrote by yourself? 

The Beatles. They are legends. They're not just a band. They are the ones who introduced to the world what real music is. It is them who made us realize that there is definitely more to music. Music is not just a simple tune you hum while cleaning, or a simple tap on your desk. It is what we feel. It is a reflection of who we truly are. 

I have been listening to The Beatles since I was a little kid because of my dad. He is a big fan, and he is my mentor in terms of singing and playing musical instruments. He told me that The Beatles won several awards because of their dedication and great talent. They had lots of fans around the world, including him, who admired their songwriting skills. Fans like my dad sing The Beatles' songs almost everyday, and play them on his guitar. Since then, I thought I found out what my dream is. And that is to become a famous singer. 

It wasn't just The Beatles who influenced me in songwriting. There's Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, who gave me the idea of what to write about. Michael loved to write songs about making a change for the children. I see that Michael wanted to deliver his message of healing the world by means of writing a song. And that's how I wanted to deliver mine too. 

Growing up, I found out about Taylor Swift. It was in 2009 when I heard her song on the radio and fell completely in love with it. As I researched on the net about her, I figured out that her songs were all based from real-life experiences. Her album was always like diary. Each song expresses her exact thoughts and feelings when she was under these situations. And this gave me another idea of how to express myself in writing a song.

Paramore, a punk-rock band, is also one of my influences in songwriting. Hayley Williams, the band's vocalist and lyricist, taught me that I can also write songs about other people. Like, how would I get through those obstacles if I were that person? What would I do if I were in his shoes? This way, I can express myself as well. 

All these bands and solo artists have become successful because of their talents and hard work. And all of them have at least been nominated for the Grammy Awards. Besides my dream of becoming a famous singer, I also want to win a Grammy. I want to be remembered the same way The Beatles and Michael Jackson were. 

Soon, my concert tickets will be sold out in a minute and I'll have fans all over the world. They'll buy my albums and vote for me on award shows. And most of all, they'll sing all my songs loud and love music the way I do. 

I'll be a legend someday. I'll be remembered because of my songs. 

“The only truth is music.”  ― Jack Kerouac

His Story is History

He's my hero as he said I was his.

Eighteenth of March, 2000- the day he told me he'll never forget. It was one of those extraordinary days when he felt so blessed. He said he was very excited and nervous at the same time. His palms were sweaty and his heart full of joy. 

It was seven in the evening when I was born. And my daddy believed it was the start of his wonderful journey. 

I was always a stubborn child to both mom and dad. I've been causing their terrible headaches for a long time now. But still they held on and raised me as to who I am today.

My hero was the one who took care of me. He suffered every day and night, not being able to sleep and rest. He sterilized the bottles, changed my diapers, gave me a bath, and experienced all the things a mother should have done to her child. Yes, my father was my mother since mom had to work. 

Dad and I shared the best friendship anyone could ever ask for. We were interested in the same things especially music. They say it's hard to be close with your dad. But in my case, it was the other way around. 

When I turned seven, things became complicated. Mom and dad often fought. I always hear them yell at each other during my bedtime. From that night on, I knew something was wrong. And not long after that, my parents separated. 

I wasn't able to see dad for a long time. Months have passed, and I miss him so much. But I couldn't do anything but cry. 

Just when I thought I was going to live the rest of my life with no father, that is when I started believing in miracles as a 7-year old. 

My dad came back to us. 

When I asked him what made him do such thing, he said "You are my hero. You saved me from doing the wrong thing. You are the reason why I came back." 

I swore I'd never forget what he said.

For me, he is the hero. 

Dad loved to talk about his childhood. And I loved to listen to him.

He's from a poor family. He was forced to sell eggs early in the morning before going to school. After class hours, he has to be home immediately and start with the cleaning of their house. It was tiring for him, and he said he never had time to play with his friends. But he never complained. 

Dad wanted to be an accountant. He was already enrolled for college but then stopped eventually because they don't have enough money to spare. It must have been so painful on his part, I thought. He wanted so bad to fulfill his dream, but now it is quite impossible for him to achieve it.

He worked as a waiter on a resort in Cavite to help his parents for the meantime. "This is for my college." he often told himself. 

When they finally had money, dad went to college again. But this time, not to reach his goal of being an accountant. He had to shift because their saved money is not enough for an accountancy course. But still, he never complained.

And here he is now, teaching business management to college students. "Aren't you sad you did not become an accountant?" I asked dad. "I am." he said. "But this is what God has planned for me." 

Thank you, dad for inspiring me with your beautiful story. Thank you, Giezi R. Mangoba, my hero.