Christmas Without End

It's 12.31AM - It feels extremely surreal, because my performance is just 19 hours away. I am overwhelmed at how we executed 5 pieces in just 5 rehearsals, and tomorrow we will be facing at 1000+ audience at Esplanade. It is a really really rare opportunity and I cannot believe that I will get to experience this performance! Such a great honor as a chorister! :)

This concert is titled Pagdiriwang, which means "celebration" in Tagalog. This is because our guest conductor is Mr Velasco from the Philippines. After having his masterclasses with dhschoir in 2012 and 2013, I was really thrilled to meet him once again! His sense of humor never fails to crack us up, and I had really benefited from him, like I became much brighter.

I'll end off this post by sharing one of the Tagalog songs we are presenting this concert (haven't been sharing song lyrics since last year.) It is a combined piece known as Paskong Walang Hanggan, and its translation can be found in the title. I am immensely blown away by the melody and upon knowing the english translation of the song, I just fell in love with it once more because the melody really brings out the atmosphere of this song! (Help - becoming a choir geek...)

Play and read at the same time! :)


Tinanong mo sakin kung ano ang gusto ko
You asked me what I want for Christmas,
Upang mapaligaya ang aking pasko
so that my Christmas would be happy.
Bakit mo pa kaya sabihin sa akin yan?
... why did you have to ask that?
Para namang kasi hindi mo pa alam
As if you didn't know.

Ang aking araw-araw ay iyo nang iniba
You have changed my life,
Mula pa noong ikaw ay aking nakilala
from the moment I knew you.
Pinasayaw ang ikot ng aking munting mundo
You changed every turn of the world, 
Binigyan ng dahilan ang bawat oras at minuto
You gave me a reason for every hour and minute.
Ang bawat kong pangarap iyong pinalitan
You changed all my hopes and aspirations.
Binigyan ako ng lakas, tiyaga at tapang
You gave me strength and courage,
Na harapin ang bawat tanong at pag-aalinlangan
to face every question and every doubt
Dahil alam kong ikaw ay katabi ko lamang
because I know that you are right here beside me.
At sa tuwing pagsikat at paglubog ng araw
At every sunrise and sunset,
Nagsisimula at nagwawakas sa salitang "ikaw",
every day begins and ends with the word, "you".
Kaya’t huwag mo nang itanong kung ano pa sa akin ay kulang
So please don't ask me what I still need,
Dahil bawat araw kasama ka ay Paskong walang hanggan
because every day I am with you feels like Christmas without end.