The Tale of the Tape Music streaming by the likes of Spotify and Deezer was about two decades away when I went to high school. Back then, if you wanted to listen to an artist’s music, you could either wait for your local radio station to play their songs or buy or borrow their album.… Continue reading A Thanksgiving Hymn for These Block Rockin’ Beats Part 2
A Thanksgiving Hymn for These Block Rockin’ Beats Part 1
I’ve been living in your cassette It’s the modern equivalent Singing up to a Capulet On a balcony in your mind Singing in My Sleep, Semisonic On weekends or when I’m in a particularly good mood, I’d connect my phone to a white Yamaha micro stereo system via Bluetooth and blast music from its speakers.… Continue reading A Thanksgiving Hymn for These Block Rockin’ Beats Part 1
“Benedicamus Domino!” Part 2
1:00 p.m. Afternoon classes are like being in a state of limbo. We’re still sleepy and splashing water on our faces simply couldn’t wash it off. What’s more is that these classes often feel like an unnecessary intermission to something far more important. I still feel the same way as I write this, so I’ll… Continue reading “Benedicamus Domino!” Part 2
“Benedicamus Domino!” Part 1
Monday, 5:30 a.m. The early morning air is cool, and everything is quiet. I’m still in bed, probably dreaming about finally meeting my crush or being able to dunk the ball in the seminary’s basketball court. It’s a sweet dream either way. And then I start to hear this tiny, faraway sound of metal banging… Continue reading “Benedicamus Domino!” Part 1
Early Days
“The word ‘seminary’ comes from the Latin word seminarium or ‘seedbed.’ Here, we nurture the seed of priestly vocation you have in you,” spoke a priest in front of an altar with wood-paneled walls. At its center was a crucifix flanked by Bible verses in brass letters: “Fear not… I am with you always!” and… Continue reading Early Days
Random Access Memory
I’ve lots of random memories. Many of these only make sense to me. Like that one weekend in late 1995. Here’s what I see in my head: it’s afternoon, and I’m walking with an uncle who is a priest along the street of my childhood home. We’re on our way to Megamall to watch Sylvester… Continue reading Random Access Memory