By Dr Abe V Rotor
There is one commodity in life that, whenever you divide it, it multiplies. (unlike money or pizza pie) It defies mathematical rule, or any scientific law. It is the most important thing in life while we are on earth. It is universal and crosses all borders - race, culture, country, age, status, time and space, for that matter. What is it?
Above, author and wife Cecille Rotor, pose with celebrant. Left, sunset over Quirino Bridge, Banaoang Pass, Santa, Ilocos Sur The second great mystery of life is that, life begins at 40, or 50 or 60, or 100. Though it may start in childhood or in youth. It starts when we think the road has ended. Or when the race is over, when we think we didn’t get what we wanted.
The third mystery of life is that love is sweeter the second time around. I say after 50 years of happy marriage. When the sun turns golden, we say we are in our golden years. (“The gold that is sunset,” may be likened to “the glory that was Greece, the grandeur that was Rome.”)
I believe that our celebrants don’t find these mysteries odd and strange. It is not because they have cracked their secrets, but it is for the reason that they have earned the true understanding to these three mysteries of life – by obligingly submitting themselves to their very source – the all-knowing Omnipotent Being.
I’ll play a popular Filipino composition, invariably arranged kundiman, serenade or ballad. It is a song written by Filipino composer Constancio de Guzman. It was covered by singers such as The New Minstrels, Pilita Corrales, Eva Eugenio, Leo Valdez, Diomedes Maturan and Ryan Cayabyab. To have an idea what the title is, here is a select part of its lyrics:
O, how delicious life is
especially with someone to love
The joy in my heart
will nevermore vanish.
The answer to the first mystery of life – one commodity that whenever you divide it, will multiply. Begins with H, three syllables. HAPPINESS.
The next piece I’ll play leads us to the second mystery, Why life starts at 40, 50 or 100. And to the third mystery, why love is sweeter after 50 years of happy married life. Here is a select part of its lyrics.
Composed by Enrico Tosseli (1883-1926), an Italian pianist and composer his most popular work is Serenata (Rimpianto), which has been popularized as Nightingale, a thrush (Luscinia megarhynchos) noted for the sweet usually nocturnal song of the male. Nightingale also refers to any of various other birds noted for their sweet song or for singing at night. I’ll close my eyes as I play Nightingale and imagine the nightingale’s sweet song.
Like a golden dream, in my heart e'er smiling.
Lives a vision fair of happy love I knew in days gone by.
Still I seem to hear, your laughter beguiling.
Still to see the joy, the love light beaming from your radiant eyes.
I thank you.
Maalaala Mo Kaya
is a song written by Filipino composer Constancio de Guzman.
It was covered by singers such as The New Minstrels, Pilita Corrales, Eva Eugenio, Leo Valdez, Diomedes Maturan and Ryan Cayabyab.
“Maalala Mo Kaya” has been a part of every Filipino home. Each episode features real-life story that brings laughter and tears that strengthen the ties that bind all of Kapamilyas wherever they are in the world.
Maalaala Mo Kaya? (Would You Remember?)
ORIGINAL TAGALOG LYRICS
Maalaala mo kaya
ang sumpa mo sa akin
na ang pag-ibig mo ay
sadyang di magmamaliw
Kung nais mong matanto
buksan ang aking puso
At tanging larawan mo
ang doo’y nakatago.
‘Di ka kaya magbago
sa iyong pagmamahal
Tunay kaya giliw ko
hanggang sa libingan?
O, kay sarap mabuhay
lalo na’t may lambingan
Ligaya sa puso ko
ay di na mapaparam
FREE ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Would you remember
your oath to me
that your love would
never fade
If you want to understand
open my heart
Only your picture
is hidden there.
Wouldn’t your love
change?
Would you really be
my love till the grave?
O, how delicious life is
especially with someone to love
The joy in my heart
will nevermore vanish.
TOSELLI'S SERENADE
(Music : Enrico Toselli)
Mario Lanza & Mary Schneider
Rimpianto, one of the sweetest serenades, was composed by Enrico Toselli (1883-1926), an Italian pianist and composer who wrote operetta, chamber music, and songs, including his best-known, this Serenata (Rimpianto). The lyrics were written by Alfredo Silvestri. Born on March 13, 1883, Enrico Toselli, Count of Montignoso, was an Italian pianist and composer. His most popular composition is Serenata ('Rimpianto) Op.6. No.1. This version, known as “Dreams and Memories” with Como`s perfect velvet voice, is tune from his album “Perry Como in Italy”, released in 1966. and English lyrics were written by Carl Sigman.
Like a golden dream, in my heart e'er smiling.
Lives a vision fair of happy love I knew in days gone by.
Still I seem to hear, your laughter beguiling.
Still to see the joy, the love light beaming from your radiant eyes.
Will my dreaming be in vain?
Will my love ne'er come again?
Oh, come, shall we waste the golden hours of youth far apart?
What care I for live, without you by my side?
Do not delay, the hours slip away.
Your arms are my paradise.
You and only you can fill my heart.
Oh, star of my heaven,
Come back and shed your light upon my way.
Come back! Come back! ~
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