When 2007 began, I set goals for myself and I set this year as a year for myself. One of my goals is to write or arrange a song every month. That means, to complete 12 songs for the whole 2007 and eventually be compiled. Big goal isn’t? But what made this year a memorable year for me so far is that I was able to collate 4 songs already. Three of them were poems written by my closest friends and one of them, I wrote and arranged it as a birthday gift for my friend.

I wish I could record these songs and post them here. Anyway, just run thru with the lyrics first and hopefully, within this year, I can commission my friends to sing these songs for me for a one big recording. Hehehe. The songs are arranged from latest to oldest. Enjoy!

Her Masquerade

Lyrics: Almin Manalo
Arrangement: Almin Manalo (soon)
Alternative/Rock-type - Intended for my secular band here in Singapore

1.
She promised lasting insanity
As she gazed to stars above
She promised earthly serenity
Never thinking, it’s all profanity

CHORUS:
Oh, she’ll let you sleep on her bed of lies
And she’ll leave you dream with dull surprise

REFRAIN:
Behold, roll now the red carpet
In the greatest revelry on dirt
Put the mask, start the show
Enjoy the end in her masquerade
In Her Masquerade
In Her Masquerade

2.
And she said her’s as sweet as fantasy
Trying to dress grin of simplicity
She’ll dance with you on shoe of death
Be mesmerized by her poisonous scent

BRIDGE:
Oh, she’s beautiful…
As she crafts a heavy fair
Slowly walkin’ down the fire
She’s killing me with a stare

Repeat Refrain

In Her Masquerade…
In Her Masquerade…
(until fade)

Lord, It’s You

Lyrics: Almin Manalo
Arrangement: Almin Manalo (soon)
Gospel/Praise Song
Verse 1
Lord, in You, I take my safe haven
In you, I won’t be put to shame
Rescue me, from the dark, let me see
Reach out Your hand, free me, save me

Chorus
Here Lord, stand still, be my Rock
And be my stronghold as I walk
For You, O God, my guide and might
In pain, free me, be my light

Refrain
It’s You, O Lord, my pride, my love
That brings peace to every heart
My truth, my trust in days of strife
On You I lean, my hope, my life

Verse 2
Lord, in the hush of my serenity
Shape me; mold me, with Your mighty hand
Fill me with the Joy of heaven
Cleanse me, give Your peace within

Bridge
Faithful and loving, You’ll always be
Never giving up walking with me
Help me strive to serve You each day
That others will see Your will, Your way

Blue Taxi (Joy Ride)

Lyrics: Almin Manalo
Arrangement: Almin Manalo
(Birthday gift for Sis. Raia)
Intro: A-E-Dsus2-E (2x)

I.

A E
Hey, wazzup? It’s late again
Dsus2 E
Let’s grab a cab, let’s go, start the trip
A E
Never mind the distance, just seat back
Dsus2 E
Fasten the strap, plush a seat
REFRAIN

C#m Dsus2 A
See the lights, passing by
E A
We’d rather talk, share a life
E D
Let them out, weariness, pains
Dsus2 (pause)
All heartache, in side of strife
CHORUS

A E Dsus2
Good to know, we share the rhyme
E
Bumping in to humps of times
A E Dsus2
With this blue taxi, passing night
E (pause)
Thanks to you, and this joy ride

A-E-Dsus2-E
II

See in us, with pain inside
But same here, let’s drive the past
With old memories, calm the heart
Into the road, let’s see life’s new start
Repeat Refrain

Bridge

C#m Dsus2 A E
As the old chap do the driving, let’s just relax
C#m Dsus2 A E
We hush distrust, we sense the hope

A (pause) E (pause) Dsus2 (pause) Dsus2
Good to know, we share this life

Repeat Chorus (2x)

E A-E-Dsus2
Thanks to you, and this joy ride (2x)
E A
Thanks to you, and this joy ride

Ngayong Kapiling Ka

Lyrics: Ruschelle Pena a.k.a. Moomai
Arrangement: Almin Manalo
Gospel/Worship-type of song.

Capo on 2nd fret
Intro: C-Em-F-G

I.
C-Em-F-G
Kakaibang saya ang nadarama
C-Em-F-G
Ng nabatid na ako’y Iyong mahal
F-Am-Dm-G
Kakaibang pagmamahal ang nadarama
F-Am-Dm-G
Ng nadama ang Iyong pagmamahal

II.
Kakaibang ngiti ang namumutawi
Ng nalaman na Ikaw ang aking ngiti
Kakaibang tibok ang pumipintig
Ng nalaman na Ikaw ang bawat pintig

III.
Kakaibang sayaw ang ginagalaw
Ng nalaman na Ikaw ang bawat galaw
Kakaibang musika ang sinisigaw
Ng sa’king puso ang naghahari ay Ikaw.

IV.
D-F#m-G-A
Kakaibang ningning ng mga mata
D-F#m-G-A
Ng laging Ikaw ang nakikita
G-A
Bawat saya
G-A
Bawat ngiti
G-A-G
Bawat tibok, galaw ay iba
A (pause) D-G
Ngayong kapiling Ka…
D-G
Kapiling Ka…
D-G
Kapiling Ka…

Pagsibol

Lyrics: Emma Rose Ramos a.k.a Emskie
Arrangement: Almin Manalo
Gospel/Worship-type of song.
Capo on 1st fret
Intro: G-D-Em-C-D (2x)

Verse:
G-D
Sa pagpatak ng ulan
Em-C-D
Isang pagsibol ang inaabangan
G-D
Liwanag na inilaan
Em-C-D
Sa dilim na nararamdaman

Chorus:
Bm-C
Gulo sa isip,
Bm-C
Wala ng mapuntahan
Bm-C
Gulo sa damdamin
D
Di maintindihan

Refrain:
G-D-Em-C-D
Ibubulong na lang sa hangin, itong mga hinaing
G-D-Em-C-D
Iduduyan na lang sa bisig, samyo ng paghihimbing
G-D-Em-C-D
At kung ika’y mahihirapan, wag mag-atubiling
C-D
Lumapit sa langit…

Repeat Intro
Repeat Verse
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Refrain

Alleluia, Praise Thee!

Lyrics: Emma Rose Ramois a.k.a Emskie
Arrangement: Almin Manalo
Gospel/Worship-type of song.
Intro: E-B-C#m-A (2x)

1.
E-B-C#m-A
The song of praise, I will sing
E-B-C#m-A
And forever in my heart, I will bring
G#m-C#m-F#m-B
Joyful songs for the world to hear
G#m-C#m-F#m-B (pause)
And God’s graciousness, for His children
He loves so dear

Refrain:
E-A
Alleluia, Ruler of Heaven and Earth. Praise thee!
E-A
Alleluia, Ruler of Heaven and Earth

2.
The Joy I found in serving thee
Is the fountain that nourishes my soul
My heart sings for joy, for in You I have found
I praise you God my Lord, for blessing my whole life
By giving me Your love

Repeat Refrain

Bridge:
G#m-C#m
My life had changed
F#m-B
My heartbeat had changed
G#m-C#m-F#m-B
The way I see things has brought meaning to my days
G#m-C#m-F#m-B
It is in You I owe, the happiness I claim
G#m-C#m-F#m (pause)
From the bondage to myself, made chain
B (pause)
That you had freed me

Repeat Refrain

Glory!
Alleluia, Ruler of Heaven and Earth
Amen!
Alleluia, Ruler of Heaven and Earth