Finding "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration" on YouTube

 "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration"

This has got to be one of my favorite albums of all time: "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration" release in 1992 and executive produced by Norman Miller, Gail Hamilton and Mervyn Warren, is a reinterpretation of the 1741 oratorio "Messiah" by George Frideric Handel - yes it is a famous classical piece usually sung during Christmastime - but was transformed into an extraordinary mix of African-American music including spirituals, blues, ragtime, big band, jazz fusion, R&B and hip hop. The result, pure joy in music.  The album received the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

I've had the privilege to sing the original Handel's Messiah many times during my days in the choir, and I've also had the privilege to perform the "Hallelujah" from the above-mentioned album - complete with choreography! I'd like now to share with you what I mean, in case this is your first time to hear about it - and if not, I invite you to listen in to these selections from the 2 beautiful pieces of music...

Random Halloween Conversation

Rey: Let's find something scary to watch on TV.
Liz: Sige.
Rey: *Channel Surfing* (Zombieland, A Christmas Carol...?!)
Liz: Wala naman...
Rey: *Channel Surfing* Ano ba yan, Halloween night wala man lang nakakatakot na movies sa cable TV?!
Liz: Wala nga...
Rey: Ayan, CNN na lang, nakakatakot ang nangyayari sa Euro.
Liz: *tumbling*

Oh well, we didn't get our scare fix this Halloween, but hopefully we get to watch the current "Walking Dead" Season 2. Haha.

Songs I'd Love to Cover Part 1

As most of you know, singing is a great passion of mine. When I was younger (and more uninhibited LOL) I would break into song all the time, I would sing at home in the bathroom, in the car, while walking in the mall, waiting for the next class... practically anywhere. You know it when a song catches in your brain and you just start singing, softly at first then, suddenly when you hit the chorus, you sing out loud like nobody's business. ;)

If I was to make an album today, and will be doing a cover of any song I want - these songs would be in my short list. Or if I was asked to make a set list for me and my imaginary band these songs would definitely make the cut...

1. "Before We Come Undone" - Kris Allen

This wasn't a huge hit for Kris Allen, but the beat of this song is really cool, it just makes me rock it out like a rockstar (even though I don't even know the words haha). I also like how the song is dramatic but not overly dramatic, sexy but not trying hard.

Remembering 9/11

I could never be able to make a blog post tribute worthy of the tragedy that was 9/11, but hopefully this short post will be able to convey my condolences to the victims, and send to them a message of remembrance and hope.
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It has become one of those events where people ask - "Where were you when it happened?"

I was at home. I received a text message from a friend telling me to open the television to CNN as the World Trade Center in New York City was hit by an airplane. I was mortified by what I saw - one of the twin towers with smoke billowing from one side, and watched in horror as an airplane crashed into the other tower...

The Uber Prestigious Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2011

Last year, six out of my Top Ten EIB choices landed on the winners list. This time around, I enter the writing project (now on its 5th year) much like my first time in 2009 - not knowing any newbies and eager to discover some really interesting blogs. I'm hoping to get to know some new bloggers in the process as well. :)

Reyjr checking in!

Hello Reyjr.com readers and passers-by (haha)!

I just wanted to do a quick update about what's been happening around here and check-in to see what you guys are up to.  It's been ages since I last posted something like this, you know, like a Diary type entry.

This is not going to be lengthy, (but as some of you know I tend to ramble a little bit when I do these kinds of posts) I just wanted to share with you that...

Choco-late de Batirol in Baguio is heaven in a cup!

The rich chocolate aroma wafted in our general direction, and all of us went... "mmmm... sarap!"

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Chocolate de Batirol, the perfect place to spend a cool and sunny Baguio afternoon

Inside Baguio City's Camp John Hay is a little restaurant called Choco-late de Batirol. Oozing with character, this rustic resting spot is the perfect place to spend a cool and sunny Baguio afternoon, sipping chocolate based drinks while reading a good book, or just hanging out with friends and family...

Pacquiao vs Mosley - Pacquiao wins by unanimous decision!

Pacquiao vs Mosley Recap

Fight recap below...

Ferrari Cars Giveaway - Winner announcement!

My ride. Lol!

Ferrari Cars Giveaway!

In Reyjr.com's first giveaway ever, I wish I was giving away the car pictured above - but don't fret because I am giving away the next best thing (LoL!): 2 Shell Ferrari model cars: a 612 Scaglietti and a 599 GTB Fiorano. I realized I already had the whole set, so might as well give these 2 away to one of my lucky blog readers. :D

It's not a contest, but I do want to give it to who really wants it most. :) Here are the very simple mechanics:

How To See Which Facebook Pages Like Your FB Page

How To See Which Facebook Pages Like Your FB Page

I have been using my Facebook Page for Reyjr.com to Like other Facebook Pages, and have recently found out how to see which Facebook Pages have Liked my FB Page back as well. Here are quick and easy directions for "How To See Which Facebook Pages Like Your FB Page"...

I survived iBlog7: The show must go on!

How cool is it that I get to share with you all what went down before our iBlog7 intermission number? ;) Such is the awesomeness of being a blogger.  Hehehe.

The iBlog7 Experience - the show must go on!

In show business, we always say "The show must go on!", a credo all performers have learned and internalized, myself being no exception. On April 2, the 2nd and final day of iBlog7: The 7th Philippine Blogging Summit, I was set to sing a few songs as an intermission number with my choirmates in The U.P. Concert Chorus. But as fate would have it, just 5 days before that, I completely lost my voice...

iBlog7: The 7th Philippine Blogging Summit - See you there!

I can hardly believe how fast my blogging year went by. I was at iBlog6 last year, attending the annual event for the first time. Now I'm going for the second time - I know a quite a few more people now than I did last year, and so hopefully I won't feel as awkward, haha. :p But do say hello if you happen to recognize me. I promise to do the same...

I am looking forward to seeing some people I already know - Blogging couple EJ and Ginger Arboleda, my friend Roy de la Cruz and former schoolmate Jonel Uy will be presentors at iBlog, and Flow Galindez will be hosting - apart from them though, I really have no idea who else is coming. :p Are you going to iBlog7???

If you are, then I will see you there on Saturday! (I can only go on the 2nd day).
By the way, I will also be performing an intermission number with the UP Concert Chorus (UPCC) again this year. UPCC is the Official Choir of the University of the Philippines and we are celebrating the group's 50th Anniversary in 2012! It's going to be epic! ;)

Understanding the Role of Stock Inventories in Oil Pricing

The Press Release below was issued on March 4, 2011 by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. in an effort to address questions raised about why prices are increasing based on global oil prices when they still have inventory of crude bought at a lower price.

To summarize the article below the answers are:
1. To ensure price transparency - it is the norm in open markets in other countries as well
2. In response to market competition (i.e. refiners vs importers)

In addition, crude is bought on a continuous basis, and so while the crude bought at a lower price 3 months ago is being sold at a higher price now, say a month from now when the oil prices go down, the crude bought at a higher price today will then be sold at a loss by the oil companies.

Anyway, onto the article. It explains it in more details. I encourage you to remove your bias for a second and try to read objectively and understand...