Filipino Christian Blogger Ganns Deen

Apparently, Manila isn’t the only city to have drivers complaining about people who wash drivers’ windshields during lulls in traffic and demand payment for their ’services.’ The Italian city of Florence is also struggling with it. The difference is, unlike Manila, Florence has passed legislation to rid their streets of these ’squeegee men.’

Florence Mayor Leonardo Domenici issued a decree forcing these squeegee men off the streets, claiming they were hindering traffic, inconveniencing pedestrians, endangering themselves, and abusing drivers, especially women. Squeegee men caught plying their trade would be fined and detained for possibly up to three months.

Domenici’s measure has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the mayor acting on a problem that was becoming very real in many large Italian cities, comparing him to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani for trying to improve the quality of life in little ways, and others saying he was going after the wrong people, and that being a squeegee man in itself wasn’t a crime.

In Metro Manila, a similar ’squeegee man’ phenomenon crops up during the Philippines’ rainy season. During rainstorms, teenagers and prepubescent boys ply some major Manila roads, lugging rags pails filled with water and powdered laundry soap. (Some popular squeegee centers: Quirino Avenue, Sucat Highway, and Roxas Boulevard.) During traffic stops, these squeegee boys splash water on the windshields of motorists and demand money before washing it off.

I’m inclined to agree with the mayor that ’squeegee boys’ put themselves in unnecessary danger with this seasonal trade. Given their age and physical structure, it certainly isn’t safe for them to be walking the streets in the rain. Then, there is also the issue of their invasion of many drivers’ personal space; many motorists see it as a serious affront when their cars are splashed with soapy (yet dirty) water and haphazardly washed, when they did not ask for said service. Is it right that these young boys should face the ire/road rage of these drivers for a few pesos, even if this money is earned somewhat opportunistically? Many Filipino drivers see them no differently from other beggars on the street.

Nevertheless, I can see how some quarters would defend these boys’ right to eke out some kind of living, especially if their situations don’t allow for much earning elsewhere. Some drivers probably would appreciate the cleaning, especially after a strong rain leaves their windshields opaque and muddy. Perhaps, despite the dangers posed by the practice, it might still be a better idea to have the boys earn money this way rather than squander their time in equally dangerous, more frivolous activities?

What do you think? Should Manila rid its streets of ’squeegee boys’?

Ready to listen to Britney Spears’ Gimme More? Oi vey, never thought I’d post a Britney Spears stream, but we can’t resist the Google AdSense possibilities, kids. Thanks, Berg.

Brace yourselves. Britney Spears is ready to hit the airwaves next week.

The title of Britney Spears’ new airplay track is Gimme More, and sources at Jive Records are optimistic fans will embrace and listen to Gimme More, the first track off Spears’ upcoming studio album.

Produced by Timbaland collaborator Nate Hills, who is more familiar to music fans as Danjahandz, Gimme More is an uptempo dance floor track that Jive Records was hesitant to identify as a carrier single or an airplay-only track.

Other producers working with Spears on her new album featuring Gimme More, include J.R. Rotem and Sean Garrett, who gushed over a track in a June interview with Billboard Magazine as one that would “shake up the world. It’s uptempo, out of control … it’s wowzers.”

Gimme More, the first track of Spears’ follow-up to 2003’s multiplatinum In the Zone, is rumored to debut at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, an event favored by Spears in recent years to grab headlines.

Original article at Billboard.com.

Go on over to Berg’s to listen to Gimme More by Britney Spears.

Britney Spears Gimme More lyrics after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

(For your listening pleasure, this blog post contains a stream of Tattoo by American Idol Season Six winner Jordin Sparks, off Jordan Sparks, her self-titled debut album. GannsDeen.com does not offer Jordin Sparks mp3’s for download. If you like what you hear, please leave a comment in the Comments box. Come back to GannsDeen.com for the latest and best in Christian, country, and pop music. Thanks to Sometimes Ticklish.)

American idol Season Six winner Jordin Sparks has released her debut single. A midtempo track called Tattoo, this is a radio-friendly ditty that can only serve to raise Jordan Sparks’ star higher and higher. While comparisons to Beyonce’s Irreplaceable have been raised, Sparks has deflected criticism with much aplomb, choosing instead to focus on promoting the album and living up to the pressure that comes with being American Idol.

Update: Oh look! Jordin Sparks debuts in the Top 10!

Listen to Jordan Sparks Tattoo mp3
Lyrics to Jordin Sparks Tattoo after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

ALBUM TITLE: True Beauty
ARTIST: Mandisa
RECORD LABEL: Sparrow/EMI-CMG
OVERALL RATING: Four stars (out of five)
MUST-HAVE DOWNLOADS: God Speaking, Unrestrained, Only The World, Shackles (Praise You), True Beauty, (Never Gonna) Steal My Joy
YOU CAN AFFORD TO MISS: Only You

American Idol finalist and now Sparrow recording artist Mandisa Hundley has much to be thankful for, as do her fans. With the record-breaking release of True Beauty, Mandisa becomes the first female artist in Billboard history to debut at #1 on the Billboard Christian and Gospel Albums charts with her debut album. With a #1 single (Only the World, Billboard Hot Singles Sales charts, 5 weeks) and more than 31,000 albums sold in three weeks, Mandisa proves herself one of American Idol Season Five’s more chartworthy contestants.

Sparrow Records certainly pulls out all the stops for True Beauty. With a list of who’s who producers, including Doubledutch, Christopher Stevens, Shaun Shankel, Drew & Shannon, and multiple Dove Award winner Brown Bannister, Mandisa finds herself in very capable hands, allowing her natural charisma and style to flow effortlessly through this 11-track stunner of an album. Mandisa’s vocal skills are highlighted flawlessly throughout the album, with her stellar pipes ranging from a soft and gentle whisper (channel: Most Holy Lord, You have my attention, from Unrestrained) to a blasting furnace (several sections of her kick-butt retouch of Mary Mary’s Shackles); the various song styles show Mandisa’s ability to adapt to a variety of musical genres, further cementing her skill as a singer and performer.

There is an adequate mix of fast and slow songs on True Beauty, and the fast ones do not disappoint. Album opener Only The World is an obvious first-single choice, and for good reason. The Matthew West-penned toe-tapper has “hit” written all over it, with its catchy guitars and feel-good rhythm. (West also contributes Voice of a Savior, a power ballad that speaks of unity and how people search for something to give meaning to their lives.) The track that follows it, True Beauty, is an ode to self-esteem and girl power, packaged in a head-bopping hiphop beat; Mandisa wrote the lyrics to the album’s title track. After featuring her on Lose My Soul, Christian rap-rock artist TobyMac returns the favor with his group DiverseCity in the dancefloor nugget Love Somebody, a catchy, disco-esque stomper of an album track if ever I’ve heard one.

Mary Mary’s Shackles (Praise You) gets a synth horns-drenched uptempo remix, courtesy of Christopher Stevens, who deserves all the props for the rearrangement of this definitive Christian hit; Mandisa lets herself go all out on this stunning revival that can definitely have you headed straight for the dance floor. The Every Heartbeat-esque (Never Gonna) Steal My Joy is a poppy joyful track, while Oh My Lord, which features the Fisk Jubilee Singers, of which Mandisa was once a member, channels old-school Afro-American church gospel rhythms.

True Beauty isn’t short of ballads, however. The jewels of True Beauty are two worshipful ballads: God Speaking and Unrestrained. God Speaking, written by Ronnie Freeman, is a contemplative ballad that speaks of how God can reach out to us in infinite ways; Unrestrained, on the other hand, is a truly worshipful song that takes its inspiration from the grace and forgiveness extended Mary Magdalene when she washed Jesus’ feet with her hair, tears, and perfume. (Luke 7:36-50) Written by Tony Sutherland and Calvin Nowell, both of whom have their own versions of Unrestrained on their respective websites, Unrestrained is taken to soaring new heights by Mandisa. Both must-have ballads are delivered, naturally, by the Clive Davis of the Christian music industry, Brown Bannister. Other ballads worth noticing include the aforementioned Voice of a Savior and album closer He Will Come. As a matter of fact, the only real hiccup on the album is the rather forced upbeat track Only You, a misstep for Shaun Shankel, who hit a home run with Only The World.

Note: if you purchase True Beauty off Amazon.com, you will receive a special enhanced CD that allows you to enter a special section of Mandisa’s website that gives you free downloads and behind the scenes videos. I got a remix of Only The World that was marginally good.

Click here to listen to Mandisa’s version of God Speaking or here to listen to Mandisa’s Only the World.

Listen to Mandisa Unrestrained mp3, with Unrestrained lyrics after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Kitchie Nadal’s new EP, Drama Queen TV, drops on September 15, 2007, at all record bars nationwide.

Drama Queen TV will contain four new tracks - Buwan, Iniibig Kita, Makulay Na Buhay, and Majika - as well as a new recording of her smash hit Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin. It will also contain an instrumental version of Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin.

Kitchie wrote all the songs on this EP, which is envisioned as a partial compilation of material she’s recorded for television (specifically GMA-7’s I Luv NY and Majika, for which she won an Awit Award for Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play). Drama Queen TV is executive produced by Roca Cruz, with arrangements by Cruz and Jack Rufo.

Fans can also purchase Kitchie and Barbie Almalbis’ video collection, now available at all record bars nationwide via 12Stone Records for PHP250. I bought my own copy last week and have enjoyed watching most of the videos, including Greatest Day, the girls’ first collaboration. It’s an absolute essential addition to the collection of any Nadal or Almalbis fan, and I strongly encourage you to pick up your own copy.

Last Thursday, I was privileged to win an Ahhoo 988 DVD player from SM Hypermarket, having placed in a three-way tie for 3rd at their recently concluded SM Hypermarket Blogging Contest. (Thanks once again!)

Cathy and I have a Pioneer DVD player that we purchased when we got married back in 2002.  It has served us extremely well, and I was not particularly enthused about replacing it with a DVD player whose brand I did not even recognize. Once again, my closed-mindedness to lesser brand names reared its ugly head, but boy, was I proven wrong!

This Ahhoo DVD player is PHENOMENAL.

First off, its interface is touch screen. 1000 pogi points! If you wish to operate the Ahhoo DVD player from the machine itself, you press it on a screen that shows eject, play, skip forward, skip backward, and stop functions with a sleek laser-type touch-screen display. No clunky buttons. Gorgeous!

Second off, this Ahhoo DVD player apparently doesn’t care about DVD regions. We tested DVDs purchased from Amazon.com to see if it could play Region 1 and 3 DVDs, as well as a couple of DVDs that were purchased from shady elements at Makati Cinema Square. All DVDs played quickly and efficiently. It apparently can also play mp3 CDs, CDs, VCDs, CD-Rs, and CD-ROMs, allowing you to show pictures and computer slideshows.

Third off, it has a microphone function that plugs in perfectly with my mother-in-law’s Magic Sing. Our Pioneer didn’t have that. Nathan can sing his children’s karaoke songs directly from the DVD player, instead of my having to twist my back to plug the microphone into the mike jack at the back of the TV. Convenient!

Fourth off - and this blows my mind - this Ahhoo DVD player has a gaming computer function! That’s right! We opened the box and there were two computer handsets (I don’t know the technical term), which I could attach to the DVD player, along with a CD that contained over 300 classic games! CRAZY! Super Mario Brothers to PacMan, Circus Charlie to Arkanoid, Galaga, Battle City, Pinball, all the stuff of my wife’s and my childhood!

As I type this, Cathy, Nathan, and Nicki are watching the fourth season of Frasier on our spankin’ new Ahhoo DVD player. I’m about to sit down to a late breakfast of bacon, eggs, and rice. Will wash it down with a cool can of Pepsi Light. Beside me, a bag of Mister Chips in case I get a hankerin’ for the munchies later while watching Kelsey Grammer make a fool of himself. You can make a wild guess where we bought all this sustenance - that’s right, SM Hypermarket North EDSA.

Thank you again, SM Hypermarket, for this spectacular Ahhoo DVD player! It’s gonna make a lot of amazing memories for the Deens. Cheers!

(Note: the Ahhoo Philippines website doesn’t have information on the Ahhoo 988 DVD player, but you can take a look at the variety of available models there. They all look spectacular!)

(For your listening pleasure, this blog post contains a stream of Give You Glory by Jeremy Camp, off the spectacular Jeremy Camp album Give You Glory. GannsDeen.com does not offer Jeremy Camp mp3’s for download. If you like what you hear, please leave a comment in the Comments box. Come back to GannsDeen.com for the latest and best in Christian, country, and pop music.)

Dove Award winner Jeremy Camp is one of the most distinctive voices in Contemporary Christian music today. With over 10 #1 singles and albums in more than four Billboard Christian charts, Jeremy Camp is undoubtedly one of America’s most respected leaders in modern-day praise and worship.

Camp’s latest album, Beyond Measure, is a hotbed for #1 singles across all Christian formats. Carrier single Tonight topped the Christian CHR charts. Second single What It Means rocketed to #1 on Christian AC radio. Third single Give Me Jesus, featured previously on GannsDeen.com, set the Inspo charts ablaze. Fourth single Let It Fade holds at #2 on Christian CHR charts, while the newest single, Give You Glory, is positioned at #6 on Billboard’s Hot Christian charts.

Personally, Give You Glory is readily one of my favorite Jeremy Camp songs of all time. With its uptempo pace, readily sing-able, anthemic chorus, and passionate lyrics that speaks of communal worship of the Lord, Give You Glory breaks Camp’s usual mold to create an instant praise classic. One can listen to Give You Glory and hear it sung from tiny churches to stadiums and arenas worldwide, uniting Christians everywhere in triumphant praise of God. With this fifth single, Jeremy Camp has outdone himself, and positioned Beyond Measure as one of the must-have Contemporary Christian albums of 2007.

Listen to Jeremy Camp Give You Glory mp3
Jeremy Camp Give You Glory lyrics after the jump Read the rest of this entry »

Last night, I attended the second Bloggers Food Fest at the Mall of Asia’s Taste Asia, sponsored by SM Hypermarket, San Miguel, Procter and Gamble, Magnolia, Coca-Cola, Colgate, and CliqueBooth. While Crazy Choco chocolate fountains failed to make a second appearance, it was, without a doubt, the most fun I’ve had at any local blogging event thus far.

I had an entry to the first SM Hypermarket Blogging contest, so it was important to me that I represent well, in the event that I win a prize. Taking a page from How I Met Your Mother’s Barney Stinson (played by Neil Patrick Harris), I suited up! Well, kinda: nice silk polo, black sweater vest, black slacks, and, of course, my awesome new shoes from Bradford (which brought me to a respectable 5″10!). Suiting up pays off; some bloggers paid me compliments on the look. Barney was right!

Riding Gina with me were bloggers Angel and Gurl Alien, and their respective boyfriends. Upon our arrival, we ran into bloggers Riz, Joni, and Marian. Jomar’s list wasn’t updated with my name, and there was no list of SM Hypermarket blogging entries, so I literally had to get in as a “friend” of Riz’s. The absence of my name on the guest list also meant GannsDeen.com wasn’t on the bloggers’ roll provided so people could go around. No hard feelings, though; it’s hard to keep track of 300++ bloggers. It’s a shame, though, because I wasn’t able to go around and make as much new friends as I would’ve liked.

Met a slew of bloggers for the first time, including Joyce, Darwin, and the men (and women) of Man-Blog (including old pals Peter [and his wife Jen], Ade Magnaye, Fritz, AlohaPenny, Helga, and, of course, Mike Villar).

Saw old blogger acquaintances Karlo, beautiful Mae, statuesque Liz, fabulous fabulous Dr. Tess (I beso-ed her on the cheek and regretted it immediately. Come on, Ganns, ano ka, feeling close? Sorry, Doc Tess), a somewhat subdued Shari, Magic Marcel, photobug Chris H, gorgeous Apples H, a bubbly teacher Julie, TinaMats, and the two coolest Moms on the planet, Tita Dine and Tita Noemi. Saw Jeff, who I have to thank for inspiring me to go to the gym. Was inspired by Kuya Jun’s positivity and graciousness, as always.

Special mention to Benj, who I thought snubbed me at first. I literally had to tap him on the back and assert myself. It turns out my favorite med student/debater/atheist didn’t recognize me with the weight I lost. (He even encouraged me on his blog! Few congratulatory remarks on my weight loss thus far have meant as much to me.) Shortly afterward, I congratulated him on his renewed fire for the fine art of debate and med school. Lately, I’ve really enjoying his blog, so do swing by and share my enthusiasm.

Extra special shout-out to Arnold Gamboa, who gave me the privilege of being the person with whom he, his wife Joyce, and his friend Jigs, decided to hang out at their first Taste Asia blog party event. Bro, it was a blast hanging out with you. Rock on for Jesus!

God remains faithful. By night’s end, I won a DVD player from SM Hypermarket for my entry to their contest. My entry was judged one of the three best blog posts. I am humbled, humbled, humbled. Thank you, judges, thank you for affirming how Hypermarket continues to help make milestones in my life major memories. I’m adding this blogger night to that list. God superbless you all! Til next event!

Link love to the some of the best bloggers on the planet who were at the event too:

Paul’s Blog
Touched by an Angel
Pinoy Food Photoblog
Laurganism
Bakla Ako, May Reklamo
Manuel Viloria
The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (live blog)
The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (retrospective)
Geeky Guide to Nearly Everything
Takbo! (sa wakas ng pagkatuliro)
Macuha.com
Utakgago
Magikel
Dax’s Site
Roaming Around with Romela
Cliquebooth
Real People / Real Style (girls)
Real People / Real Style (boys)
Pinoy Moms Network
Teacher Julie
Atheista.net
Abuggedlife.com
Justwandering.org
Jehzlau Concepts
Prudence and Madness
Refineme.org
Scrooch Chronicles
AnitoKid
Mike Villar: Rising Internet Star
TJ Cafuir
Loida de Vera
Mon’s World
The Four Eyed Journal
The Disastrous Urban Primadonna
Pinoymoneytalk.com
Pinoy Blog Machine
SM Hypermarket
Byahilo
Tainted Song
Bababa ba?
Half the World Away
Noisy Noisy Man
Chickenmafia.com
Penny for Your Thoughts
Lastleaf.org

I apologize for the delay in new uploads. I’m experiencing problems with my server. :(

“Although it may sound elitist to you the fact is this country is built on the foundation of haves, have-nots and wannabes.”

This sentence, horrific in both grammatical structure and intention, is the product of Manila Standard Today columnist Malu Fernandez, who suddenly finds herself in the eye of a furious tempest surrounding some very appalling comments she made about Filipino overseas contract workers in her column, Fierce and Fabulous.

While I do join all other Filipino bloggers who have said their pieces about Miss Malu Fernandez, and add my name and voice to the growing list of people seeking her ouster from the Manila Standard Today, I would also like to point out Malu Fernandez is right. Miss Malu Fernandez hit the nail on the head when she wrote the quote at the beginning of this entry: “Although it may sound elitist to you the fact is this country is built on the foundation of haves, have-nots and wannabes.”

The Philippines, like any democratic country, does have its social divisions, although rarely do we see the elite flaunt its riches and so-called class so tactlessly and insensitively, as ironically exhibited by Miss Malu Fernandez. This is not the first time I have read potentially controversial pieces by writers blessed to lead lives of privilege and wealth *cough initials CL cough*.

However, never have I read such a brazen display of contempt for the struggling Filipino.

Suffer Miss Fernandez the indignity of Axe Deocologne! Pity the privileged journalist the abhorrent trauma of flying economy!

We do live in a society of haves, have-nots, and wannabes, Miss Malu Fernandez. We, the middle class and masses, have the comfort and joy of an honest day’s work and the privilege of friends and family - here and abroad - who value us for who we are. Sure, we have not bank accounts overflowing with *undeserved* wealth, but at the end of the day, a piping-hot bowl of lugaw is more filling and heartwarming than the little Beluga caviar appetizers they serve over at first-class.

We would never mock the social standing of another human being, Malu Fernandez, for the sake of satire, sarcasm, ‘acerbic wit’ or humor.

There is just no accounting for class, Malu Fernandez, and, sad to say, class is something that, apparently, you have not.

Care to read more? These bloggers weigh in on Malu Fernandez:
Mahaderang matapobre sa OFWs
Still more on ‘La Diva Loca’
The devil wears Jo Malone
The abominable snob-woman
Bitter, spiteful snob
Supilin si Malu Fernandez ng Manila Standard Today
Fire Malu Fernandez, Boycott Manila Standard Today and People Asia Magazine