This morning, as I was getting myself re-acquainted with old stuff I need for web development work, I found myself listening to my phone’s playlist instead of my laptop’s. I had the music on shuffle because I like being pleasantly surprised, and then one of Maria Mena’s songs came up. That brought a smile to my face.

I looked her up to see what’s going on with her and found out she released a new album last year – Viktoria.

She also has videos out now.

The first to be released by Sony Music Norway was Homeless, released Oct 6, 2011.

What is in this wine?
The more I drink the more I wander off
Into a stranger’s eyes
I like the way that they reflect my thoughts

What is in this air?
It feels like feathery dust everywhere
And as I breathe it in
I breathe the masculine scent of his skin

And I feel homeless

Your comfortable caress
Has triggered unfamiliar restlessness
You and I are we
I feel I’ve lost my individuality

You’re watching me rebel
Believing stories only hearts can tell
But when is it enough?
When do I call my feelings on their bluff

And I feel homeless

And I remember us now
But I forgot what we felt like
Somewhere along the way

Sony Music Norway released the video for Viktoria on March 6, 2012. (Why is it that she reminds me of Mandy Moore here?)

I looked away,
The other day,
Growing up slowly.
Have you ever herd me
Laugh so easily,
It’s cos I’m growing up slowly.

Oh, Viktoria

Me and my confidence,
We’re now more than friends,
We’re growing up slowly.
She lives in me,
She whispers when I sleep,
She says “you’re growing up slowly”

Oh, Viktoria

I have let go of my daemons,
They left me when I sang the truth,
No bulges I’m finally even,
I can break all my rules.

When I was ten,
My mother changed my name,
She said “you’re gonna grow into it”
It took quite some time,
But today it feels like mine.
I guess I grew slowly.

Oh, Viktoria

I have let go of my daemons,
They left me when I sang the truth,
No bulges I’m finally even,
I can break all my rules.

I heard this song for the first time and was totally blown away. I love the piano and… Mads Langer!

With this new album, I can look forward to some good mornings for the next few days. Still, with a cup of coffee cradled in one hand, leisurely, if not indolently, waiting for the caffeine to kick in.

Visit her official website at http://mariamena.no/

It’s been more than a year since her passing, and I can’t say I miss her as much as my sisters and brother do, for she was never really that big a part of my life. But when I come home to our house in Bicol, it feels ever more empty. Along with her absence came the feeling of our house being homey. She was truly what kept that house, home.

Some days I think about what I could have done to have loved her better. Some days I still fault myself for not having done more.

Now that I’m a mother myself and my own gone, never has it been ever clearer to me, that my mom, more than the mother I knew she was, was truly her own person, and there were so many things she had to compromise so she can be the mother she thought we wanted.

When I read this, how I wished I had read this before, so that I understood her more or better – or anything that could’ve made us closer. Now all I have are regrets, for things that were never done, things that will never be.

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter:

“My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.
If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.
When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?
When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.
If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.
And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked.
When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love.
I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared.
With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter.”

This post was lifted off from here. Happy Mother’s Day…

P.S.
By the way, this year’s Mother’s Day is on May 13th.

For more info, visit vmcarnival.com and facebook.com/vmcarnival

May 14-23: Pre-enlistment 1
May 24: Batch processing 1 & Results
May 25-31: Pre-enlistment 2

June 1: Batch processing 2 & Results
June 4: Form 5A available for printing
June 6-8: Registration Period
June 6: E-Prerog for New Freshman, Varsity, Graduating and Graduate Students
June 7-8: E-Prerog for Other Students
June 8: E-Prerog Cross-Registrants, Non-degree (OUR), Special Students
June 11: Classes Start

If you pass by or through the UP Diliman campus, you will know that all the gates now require that one presents a valid UP ID in order to pass through. If you do not have a UP ID, you have to use the University Avenue.

In line with the activities at the campus this month of May as well as the DPWH construction works at the Magsaysay gate, the UP Diliman Freshman Council 2011-2012 has issued an advisory regarding the gates:

The Magsaysay gate will be closed from 07 to 28 May 2012. In its stead, the Shuster gate will be opened. Other gates to the university for those who have valid UP identification are at Ylanan, Jacinto, and Velasquez. University Avenue remains open for anybody.

The Shuster gate is usually closed. It is the first UP gate on the left if coming from Katipunan Avenue, across Manila Water compound, right behind the university’s Vinzon’s Hall.

The Magsaysay gate by the GT-Toyota Building/the Asian Center is the first gate on the right if coming from Commonwealth Avenue.

***

By the way, just in case you want to get the UP Diliman Route Map shirt, it’s available for only Php200 each with the proceeds going to school supplies that will be provided to Grade 1 students in Krus na Ligas Elementary School this coming school year.

The UP Diliman Route Map shirt is inspired by the design of subway maps, features the 4 major jeepney routes in UP Diliman and shows key places and buildings in the campus.

You may drop by the Freshman Council booth at the Freshman Orientation Program, Bulwagang Tandang Sora, College of Social Work and Community Development from May 8-12, 2012, or order online by filling up the form here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGZGcW4tZ1hjdkt3UGxGcVhWQlZvTGc6MQ#gid=0

You may also contact Ryan at 0916-554-4839 or Judz at 0927-922-1123

For more info, visit the Freshman Council Facebook page.

From WhenInManila‘s Cool Beans Manila album. Click photo to view original source.

photo by JollyGypsy21, hosted on Flickr.

Photo by Harold Nora, hosted on Flickr.

Photo from Nairaland

Photo by Christian Bederico, hosted on Flickr.

Photo from Health Base.

Photo from gamabunta, posted in Wired New York.

Photo by Charles Pulido, image hosted on Multiply.

Most of these photos show Makati and Ortigas, the country’s business districts, as well as Manila Bay.

Photo by beatjunky/djaryan, image hosted on Flickr.

Photo by Jules Terrado, image hosted on Everywhere Mag.

More photos here: http://wynngd.blogspot.com/2010/05/metro-manila-skyline.html

And here’s an interesting board on Pinterest: Skylines from around the world. If you have a Pinterest account and is into skylines, you may follow this board. I like Pinterest! I go through it when I am bored – a very interesting and useful site if you know how to use it.

Thanks to B Canapi for sparking my interest in this.

The 6th Nasugbu Skim and Surf Competition, one of the most anticipated boardsports event in the province of Batangas, is happening on May 25-27, 2012.

Skim boarding, surfing and longboarding are now the acknowledged emerging alternative sports in the country. This is manifested by the increasing number of skim boarders, surfers and long boarders mostly found in the coastal town of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The growing acceptance of the sports have resulted in numerous support services such as locally manufacturing boards of the skim themselves, the several annual competitions held in different strategic areas in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao regions and the increasing support of several organizations, civic groups, corporation and mostly notably Local Government Units to support.

This May 25-27, 2012 marks the 6th Skim Boarding, Surfing, Push Race and Reggae Fest in Nasugbu Batangas billed as “Save the Last Wave of Summer” The 6th Nasugbu Skimboarding, Surfing, Push Race Competition and Reggae Fest.

An annual national boarding competition geared towards the youth and Reggae Massive Link Up which showcases our much owned musicians from different promising reggae bands with participants coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and people from different cities of Manila; together with NS2C (Nasugbu Skimmers and Surfers Club), Municipality of Nasugbu, Batangas Tourism and the Reggae Enthusiasts of Manila and CALABARZON and ALON Skimboarding.

This event aims to promote skim boarding and surfing as a fast growing alternative water sports in the country and long boarding in where we are starting to get recognized now. And also be a great way for our local artist to share cultures and talents with other countries, as well as expanding our reggae scene.

As a sports and music event combined together, 3 day Skimboarding, surfing competition and Long boarding Push Race will be held by morning and a “jamming-full” Reggae Concert at night dishing out island tunes from some most promising bands in the reggae scene who will shares their roots and culture to everyone and cool tunes coming from DJ’s.

Text lifted from YouTube.

For more info, you may contact Domcar Calinawan Lagto.

Nasa Calaguas Parin Ba Ako? had a video of the Calaguas we knew and the Calaguas that the traveler and concerned citizen found on that Saturday night in the beach of Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach).

The Calaguas is a group of islands in the Philippine province of Camarines Norte. It includes the islands of Tinaga, Guintinua and Maculabo and several other minor islands.

Most of the islands are under the administrative jurisdiction of Vinzons, Camarines Norte while the minor island of Maculabo is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Paracale, Camarines Norte. The island of Tinaga where the famous long beach called Mahabang Buhangin is located is experiencing influx of tourists in the area despite the absence of accommodation. Campers and backpackers are coming and going daily to experience its powdery white sands. (Source: Wiki)

I have been to Calaguas myself and blogged about it here and here. I can understand the sentiment and know exactly what is going on. Unlike my friends, I opted not to say anything about the issue. Two days later though, I found myself being plagued by it because of the number of posts appearing on my Facebook feed. It turns out, except for concerned citizen on Tramping Philippines and the person who wrote on the Calaguas Island Facebook page, I knew all the people involved here. Now I think would be a good time to share what I know and what I think. I am sorry for all those who will be affected by this.

I know well enough the power of social media – and information. Because I have access to information, I feel compelled to use it, to whatever purpose I may deem fit. Since the Facebook page is public, I am assuming that I can post some screenshots here.

I cannot fault Joel Aldor for having done what he did. It was indeed a bold move. Even if a wrong one. I cannot fault Melvic Brinas, the page owner, if he felt compelled to defend himself, his group and/or his company. But looking at all these, there is just something wrong in this whole scene.

One, Mr. Aldor could’ve sent Mr. Brinas a private message, if he wanted an explanation. But seeing that Mr. Aldor wanted it all for the public to see, Mr. Brinas issues then a public reply. A badly done one at that. They all know each other and could’ve easily communicated with each other problems such as these and saved themselves the trouble of pointing fingers, “It was this other group! It was the LGU (local government unit)!” A “Thank you for your concern. I’m sorry about all this. It was not my group but rest assured we have channeled this issue to the right people and we will do what we can. We love the beach/island as much as you do,” or something to that effect, would have sufficed.

Mr. Brinas gave a clue that I was not familiar with; but I saw a friend of mine post photos of Calaguas that were taken on that night and went to look at the album.

Yes, there was a mobile bar. It had a product that is actively being promoted by its owner and developer, Mr. Cabalquinto of Calaguas Northwine, a friend of mine. Yes, there was live music, courtesy of Wowie and Jojo of Tanikala Tribe, a band that regularly performed at Wharf Galley and the two are friends of mine. Because there was live music that needed a microphone and a speaker, yes, there was a generator in the island on that night. And because I did not know what tour operator organized this event, I googled the number on the tarp – a detail that Mr. Brinas pointed out with, “it’s not my genset nor my signage.” and there it was.

Mr. Brinas was referring to Northlink Travels/Tours, the owner/operator of which I personally know. We are also friends, to some extent, just as Melvic and I are. A friend from Travel Factor also happened to be on the island that night and he wasn’t happy either about what happened or is happening.

Why am I naming names, which seems to me not very unlike what Mr. Aldor did, when he said he had connections. These are people I personally know.

Truth is, the issue here is not who did what but the fact that there is something wrong in how all these are being handled by everyone here concerned. Yes, we want to promote the island and boost tourism.

I am well aware of the fact that Cam. Norte is trying hard enough to catch up with its neighbor Cam. Sur, which in turn is not bereft of tourism-related issues coupled with politics and the associated corruption and abuse of power. The whole of Bicol is trying its best to boost tourism, in line with DOT’s drive and its “It’s more fun in the Philippines campaign.” Is it not true that my friends are organizing the week-long Butanding Festival in Sorsogon, the 5th Bagasbas Surf Festival happened just last weekend and the month-long Magayon Festival is still ongoing? I myself actively promote these events. Also, just this afternoon, as I sat in a coffee shop with my frapp and a copy of Cebu Pacific‘s SMILE magazine, I saw three whole-page advertisements for Iriga City, Daet and Sorsogon.

We want to let people know that we have an astounding number of beautiful beaches and islands. We loved that CNN Go just came out with the article, The Philippines’ Best Beaches and Islands. Someone said they forgot to include Calaguas in the list that had El Nido, Boracay, Palaui and Panglao to name the top 4. Melvic once told me he wanted to let people know of Calaguas just as much as people know of Boracay.

A question here is, “Do we really want to turn Calaguas into another Boracay?”

Most of the people I know would say, “No.” Mahabang Buhangin is appreciated for its absence of accommodations, night life, and other so-called comforts.

Another question here is, “What does the government of Camarines Norte really want to do?”

Do they really want to develop the beach into something like Boracay? What of Bagasbas? It is a beach that I love going to to surf and hang out when I am in dire need of a view of sea, the spray of salt water, the sound of crashing waves, and the smell of the salt of the sea in the air, despite my disappointment with tricycle drivers and their tendency to abuse tourists, white-skinned or not, and the overpricing of available accommodations if not the shortage of good ones.

I was supposed to go to the Bagasbas Surf Festival. I almost always go every year, from the first ever to this year’s. I am always paid in advance for it. But when I learned that the new festival schedule (the original schedule of April 13-15 was moved to 28-29 because of the supposed NoKor rocket launch) coincided with the local fiesta, I opted not to go. A wise decision when I was informed a riot had broken out on the beach Friday night.

If we are to promote and boost tourism in this country, we need to educate the locals. What is the sense in bringing people to your place, if they will only be turned off by their experiences, and vow not to come again? We need to educate the tour operators, to take care of the environment, to preserve it as well as preserve themselves, locals of the very place they promote. Not to turn against each other and point fingers when confronted by real problems.

I have seen what tourism can do to a place. Some people say when going to a particular place is hard, it helps preserve the place, but I have personally found this to be untrue. When I was living in El Nido in 2005, we swam in the beach in front of town nearly everyday. Some days there were even tourists sunbathing. The beach was white and beautiful then; but it was even more beautiful in the photos of El Nido I saw that were taken in the 1980s. Incomparable. When I was back there in 2010, only five years later, the sand on the beach was almost brown. You would not want to lay there and sunbathe either. I have enough knowledge of the state of the environment and tourism in El Nido to say that truly, things are never what they seem.

Everywhere, people and places are paying the price of tourism. It is a sad affair and we aren’t even halfway there. While we are addressing issues on how to get more people to come to our shores, such topics discussed in the article, “Special report: Philippines tourism, a tough sell?“, we fail to address the fact that maybe our own people – the local government, with the mayors, baranggay captains, councilors, the tourism council, business owners, tour operators, transport operators, yes, even the local tambays, are not prepared. If that be true, then the P63M the Aquino administration plans to spend on CNN ads would be better off, again, set aside for awareness and education, rather than promotion.

I was forever looking at Twinkle Toes Ballet and Music Academy and their myriad of classes available for toddlers like Baby Day Care, Baby Ballet, Kiddie Yoga, Baby Hop Hop Storytelling, and Little Chef’s but the distance always turned me off. It’s in Fairview! I knew our chances of actually making it to class were slim.

Someone offered Pink Toes Center for the Performing and Musical Art, which had a branch in Marcos Highway and was considerably nearer; but I called and was informed the youngest they take in is 4 years old. My daughter had just turned three last April.

I kept looking for schools that offered classes in music and dancing because that is what Lia is most interested in but I was running out of options.

I stumbled on Kidz Art Philippines and thought art classes were good enough, good enough to get Lia off my back. “Mama, let’s play together!” “Mama, let’s do puzzle pieces together!” “Mama, let’s go to the playground!” “Let’s take a bath together!” “Mama, draw a cat! a dog! a horse! a frog! a pumpkin! a banana! bananas! a monkey! Draw Ewok! Draw ME! Draw YOU!”

One thing I liked about being at our house in Bicol was the overabundance of kids in the neighborhood who were always at our house, begging Lia to play. Lia would sometimes close the doors on them, but they’d stay there in balcony and patiently wait, and then later on, they’d be playing like nothing happened. My daughter does not have any kids to play with here in Manila and that’s quite a problem as I stood in as her official playmate all day and all night.

Kidz Art however is all the way in Mandaluyong and classes were from 3-4pm, which is the hour when Lia feels most sleepy and uncooperative.

So in the end, I stumbled on Kids International Learning Academy (KILA) through a forum for moms like me, realized it was only in the next village, called them and made up my mind. It’s a nothing-special class with a little bit of everything.

Last Monday, we were at KILA to enroll and Lia was all excited to go to school. She had giggled at the other little girls who were in their pink ballerina costumes. She had so much fun in the playground at the back that she even refused to leave.

I, for my part, felt like a real adult, bringing my kid to school, filling up forms, asking questions about what to bring and how to bring her to school everyday.

Starting tomorrow, I’d be feeling like a “real” mom preparing Lia’s snacks and putting it in her lunch box, and putting stuff in her little backpack. I’d wait for the school bus and bring her to school, then hang around, reading a book while she enjoys class time with other little kids like her. I’d be prepared for getting more sickness though, like colds and cough!

KILA is a little school in Jetta St. in Village East. They asked me if we we’re considering enrolling her for regular school year and I said we aren’t sure because we don’t know where we will be this June. I’m cool with sending her to that school though. It’s accessible, the rates are reasonable, and I especially love the school bus.

I’m actually making one of Lia’s little dreams come true! “Mama, I want to go to school, ride a school bus and make friends!”

And that’s just one of my little roles in life – to make sure my daughter’s dreams come true. <3

***

Related info:

Twinkle Toes Ballet and Music Academy
167 Place Casa Milan Commercial Commonwealth Avenue Fairview, Quezon City
Contact: +63-917-5460-515, +63-922-822-9468, 02-434-9928

Pink Toes Center for the Performing and Musical Art
2nd flr Northridge Plaza, Congressional Ave. Quezon City
604 Park Ave. Vermont Park Marcos Highway Antipolo City (Contact Number: 02-668-2118)
32 Buick Street, Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon Cityy
4 Esteban Abada St., Bgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Website: http://pinktoes87.webs.com/

Kidz Art Philippines
3F-2 500 Shaw Zentrum, Shaw Blvd.Mandaluyong City
Phone: 02-925-9950
Facebook: Kidz Art Philippines
Website: http://kidzartphilippines.com/

Kids International Learning Academy (KILA)
27 Jetta St. Village East Cainta, Rizal
Website: http://kila.edu.ph/preschool/
Phone: 02-656-6911, 02-655-9841, +63-920-901-1546

Here you go guys! The Final Schedule for the Biggest Festival ever! Join the fun this summer at the Butanding Festival 2012 happening in Donsol, Sorsogon! Spread the word and see you there!

Day 0 / May 13 / Sunday
4:30 AM Big Run Cross-Country Half Marathon
5:00 PM Opening Holy Mass

Day 1 / May 14 / Monday
7:00 AM Flag Ceremony
8:00 AM Motorcade and Opening Program
9:00 AM Agri-Trade Fair: Big Trades. Big Buys Opening (ongoing from May 11 to 20, 2012)
9:00 AM Big Shots Photo Contest Opening (Exhibit and registration ongoing from May 13 to 20, 2012)
1:00 PM Big Bites Culinary Fest Launch and Chefs’ Showdown
3:00 PM Mutya ng Donsol Talent Show
4:00 PM Big Bingo Bonanza
6:00 PM Pasaling Donsolanon Cultural Show
9:00 PM Butanding Bay Fun (featuring a Manila band)

Day 2 / May 15 / Tuesday
8:00 AM Sibid-Sibid Race Craze: Big Race of the Mini Boats
1:00 PM Derby sa Donsol
4:00 PM Big Bingo Bonanza
7:00 PM Suruntukan 2012 Boxing Competition
7:00 PM Big Summer Style Fashion Show
9:00 PM Butanding Bay Fun
(featuring local bands)

Day 3 / May 16 / Wednesday
9:00 AM Green Summit (Day 1)
9:00 AM Plant for Life: Grand Homecoming Mangrove Planting
4:00 PM Big Bingo Bonanza
6:30 PM Ilaw: A Lantern Release and Thanksgiving Ritual for the Feast of St. Joseph
7:00 PM Grand Homecoming Party
8:00 PM VIP Night
9:00 PM Butanding Bay Fun (featuring local bands)

Day 4 / May 17 / Thursday
8:00 AM Whatta Whale Sight! Butanding Watching Competition
9:00 AM Green Summit (Day 2)
1:00 PM Wacky Race: Big Sprint with a Twist
3:00 PM Little Mr. & Ms. Butanding Festival 2012
4:00 PM Big Bingo Bonanza
7:00 PM Mutya ng Donsol Coronation Night
9:00 PM Butanding Bay Fun
(featuring local bands)

Day 5 / May 18 / Friday
7:00 AM Maritime Parade of the Butanding Replicas
8:00 AM Green Summit (Day 3)
8:00 AM Butanding Parade and Mini Festival of Festivals
2:00 PM Awarding Ceremonies for the Butanding Parade and Mini Festival of Festivals
4:00 PM Big Bingo Bonanza
7:00 PM Bigtime Videoke Challenge (First Elimination Round)
9:00 PM Barangay Night (featuring GMA stars)
9:00 PM Butanding Bay Fun (featuring local bands)

Day 6 / May 19 / Saturday
9:00 AM Thanksgiving Mass
8:00 AM On the Dot Dart Competition
8:00 AM Big Battle of the Guns Airsoft Competition
4:00 PM Big Bingo Bonanza
7:00 PM Bigtime Videoke Challenge (Second Elimination Round)
9:00 PM Baraylihan sa Park (Mister and Misis)
9:00 PM Butanding Bay Fun (featuring Manila band)

Day 7 / May 20 / Sunday
10:00 AM Awarding Ceremonies for the Big Bites Culinary Fest, Big Shots, and Agri-Trade Fair
2:00 PM Grand Big Bingo Bonanza
7:00 PM Grand Finals: Bigtime Videoke Challenge
9:00 PM Big Hits: Joey Ayala and Festival Closing Program and Grand Fireworks

For info on the available accommodations, click here.

For more info, visit:

• Butanding Festival Official Website
• Butanding Festival on Facebook

Credits:
Advertising Agency: BBDO Guerrero
Producer: Jing Abellera / Ino Magno / Anj dela Calzada
Director: Dale Lopez / Meggy de Guzman
Editor: Princess Wendam
Coloris: Musseli Cruz
VFX: Justin Gimeno
Post-Production House: Post Manila

Official “It’s More Fun in the Philippines!” Domestic Jingle

Lyrics by Tin Sanchez
Music by Mike Villegas
Arrangement by Angelo Villegas
Lead Vocals by Jay Padua
Back-up Vocals by Jingle Buena
Additional Vocals and Shouts by Daryl Reyes and Cyril Carbonay
Recorded and Mixed by KC Caballero and Mark Villar at Hit Productions
Produced by Jing Abellera and Ino Magno

It’s More Fun In The Philippines Full Lyrics

Stanza 1
Kating kati na ba ang iyong mga paa
Handa nang umalis mag-liwaliw at lumarga
Buti nalang taga-dito ka
‘sing dami ng happening ang dami ng isla!

Refrain 1
It’s more fun in the Philippines!
(More Fun in the Philippines!)
Bakit pa lalayo?
Sobrang swerte kaya ng tsinelas mo!
Nakatapak ka sa paraiso!

Refrain 2
It’s more fun in the Philippines!
(More Fun in the Philippines!)
Bakit pa lalayo?
Mula Batanes hanggang Jolo
Iba ang saya ng Pilipino!
It’s more fun in the Philippines!

Stanza 2
Nandito nang lahat, san ‘pa pupunta?
Malalim ang dagat at mababaw ang ligaya!
Halatang-halatang Pilipino ka! (Pilipino)
Abot-langit ang ‘yong ngiti, lahi ng masasaya!

Refrain 1
It’s more fun in the Philippines!
(More Fun in the Philippines!)
Bakit pa lalayo?
Sobrang swerte kaya ng tsinelas mo!
Nakatapak ka sa paraiso!

Refrain 2
It’s more fun in the Philippines!
(More Fun in the Philippines!)
Bakit pa lalayo?
Mula Batanes hanggang Jolo
Iba ang saya ng Pilipino!
It’s more fun in the Philippines!

Bridge
Jumping Smiling Showering Singing Driving
Parking Waiting Tapping Jogging Hopping
Resting Sleeping Planking Tweeting Blogging More fun!

History Biology Geometry Chemistry Geography
Philantrophy Hanging out Moving out Working out D
ining out Frostbites Fireworks Bonfires Doubledeckers More fun!

‘sing dami ng happening ang dami ng isla!

Refrain 1
It’s more fun in the Philippines!
(More Fun in the Philippines!)
Bakit pa lalayo?
Sobrang swerte kaya ng tsinelas mo!
Nakatapak ka sa paraiso!

Refrain 2
It’s more fun in the Philippines!
(More Fun in the Philippines!)
Bakit pa lalayo?
Mula Batanes hanggang Jolo
Iba ang saya ng Pilipino!
It’s more fun in the Philippines!