i was inspired to share about some recent improvisation on stale similes by texting to friends life is like a box of chocolates, ____________. here is dumay’s response: life is like a box of chocolates, the music one listens to during bus rides. well, it is so true. on our overnight bus ride via ohiyawa bus from sampaloc, manila to banaue, to distract myself from the freezing temperatures inside the bus! and of course i was ill-prepared with only a sweater and a backpack that i used as a warmer held close to my body, i listed down songs played along the way. maybe you can sing along or guess the name of the song…

1. eclipse of the heart (draw hearts with fingers here – but wasn’t there a real eclipse July 2012?)
2. title unknown but lyrics go: …we can build this dream together, nothing’s going to stop us now…
3. title unknown but lyrics go: …nothing’s gonna change my love for you, so now i’ve come to you with open arms…
4. title unknown but lyrics go: nothing to hide, believe what i say, here i see, hold me, you’ll see what your love means to me (or is this part of song 3?)
5. i know this one. Depeche Mode’s Somebody: …see my way of thinking, she’ll understand me…i want somebody who cares, someone who will help me see things in a different perspective…
6. Guantanamera: (so i googled this one, if you like, click and listen) Yo soy un hombre sincero De donde crece la palma Y antes de morirme quiero Echar mis versos del alma Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Mi verso es de un verde claro Y de un carmi­n encendido Mi verso es un ciervo herido Que busca en el monte amparo Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Cultivo una rosa blanca En julio como en enero Para el amigo sincero Que me da su mano franca Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera. Guantanamera – meaning “girl from Guantanamo” In English I am a truthful man From where the palm tree grows And before dying I want To let out the verses of my soul My verse is light green And it is flaming red My verse is a wounded stag Who seeks refuge on the mountain I grow a white rose In July just as in January For the honest friend Who gives me his open hand With the poor people of the earth I want to cast my lot The brook of the mountains Gives me more pleasure than the sea. but honestly, i love julio iglesia’s version; i take it back i love julio iglesia! draw hearts with fingers here.
   
7. bridge over troubled waters. Hoy, Mark! i can’t believe they are playing my song! Mark is a fellow Alameda High schoolmate whom i reunited with in Manila of all places; we ended up riding tiklops in Quezon City and ate a yummy Batangas burger at Charlie’s in Pasig City. He reminded me that he used tease me when this song came up because i would cry!
8. Pilipino songs that i am not familiar with and enjoyed until the bus stopped at a destination.

life is like a tray of ube jam, you never want to end your favorite song. i’ve been so lucky to live around the corner from the house of ube. by the way, check out bohol’s house of ube if you’re in baclayon, bohol. lami gyud!