Another dream came true for me yesterday!:-) I got the chance to ride a horse, a wish my younger sister and I always had since we were kids.

I was all smiles when one of my editors assigned me to do a feature story of a local group in Cebu that breeds and loves horses. Good timing, they had their Kabayo (Horse) Festival. And so I went.

One of the guys let me ride his horse and gosh, I was so thrilled!

After my interview and historical ride, I sat at one corner and watched the race. The range of mountains provided a perfect back drop of the cowboys and horses that raced around the oval. And, there was loud country music. Oh, I was so fascinated. I felt like I was somewhere else! I didn't know Cebu has cowboys, too!:-)

One thing came to mind - a secret I can't help but share after all. I dreamed of riding on a horse with my groom on my wedding day.:-) That should be part of the ceremony, I thought. Haha.

There were times I daydreamed and wished a man like Zorro (in the movie) would come, pick me up for a ride up in the mountains while the song I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You is played during our ride.:-) Oh, silly me.

I grinned as I secretly admired one horse rider yesterday. He just looked so dashing on his cowboy attire as he galloped around the oval. He exuded so much strength, quickness, charm and passion as he rode along. His boots were painted with mud. His face was tanned. He laughed like a carefree kid.

My time was up. My photographer and I had to pack and go back to the newsroom. I was smiling.

Oh, where have all the cowboys gone? :-) Just wondering.

I covered a big business conference yesterday. President Gloria Arroyo was guest speaker. Don't worry I'm not gonna talk about the country's economic and political issues. But I will share three songs that kept me awake this whole busy day!:-)

Just like any other formal gatherings that I attend, there is prayer or doxology before everything starts. Most of the time, there's worship or prayer song. I am always glad for that because it allows me to slow down, close my eyes, breathe and get energized as I pray and thank God in my heart even just for a quick time.

The chorale sang The Lord's Prayer song. I prayed along.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Then the Philippine flag was raised and our national anthem was played. I just feel the need to put the song here, too, because many of us, Filipinos, are beginning to forget the song. We don't sing it as much anymore as we did when we were in school.

Bayang magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan,
Alab ng puso,
Sa dibdib mo'y buhay.

Lupang Hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig,
Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.
Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y
Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati't pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo;
Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.

(English version)

Land of the morning,
Child of the sun returning,
With fervor burning,
Thee do our souls adore.
Land dear and holy,
Cradle of noble heroes,
Ne'er shall invaders
Trample thy sacred shore.
Ever within thy skies and through thy clouds
And o'er thy hills and sea,
Do we behold the radiance, feel and throb,
Of glorious liberty.
Thy banner, dear to all our hearts,
Its sun and stars alight,
O never shall its shining field
Be dimmed by tyrant's might!
Beautiful land of love,
O land of light,
In thine embrace 'tis rapture to lie,
But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged,
For us, thy sons to suffer and die.

Oh, this song always stirs my heart because it reminds me of our country's heroes, the known and the unknown ones, those who died to give us freedom...just everything about history, patriotism, sacrifice, love, courage, and hope.

I remember singing this song six days a week when I was in grade school and high school, but only occasionally when I was in college. Now at work as a journalist and writer, I get to hear it when there are corporate functions, conferences, etc.

Or I see and hear it on big screen when I watch a movie either first full show or last full show in theater houses. :-)

So I decided to have a personal copy of the song so I can play it whenever I want to. I make sure though I don't play it loud. My neighbors and housemates might wonder what's going on!

Regardless where I hear and sing it, I always do with so much love, encouragement and nostalgia for my beloved country. Many a time, I sing it with tears wanting to come out my eyes.

But here's one more song the chorale sang in a capella music that caught me off guard. Their voices ushered me back to some beautiful memories in my life few years back. It goes...

You are the one who makes me happy
When everything else turns to grey
Yours is the voice that wakes me mornings
And sends me out into the day
You are the crowd that sits quiet
Listening to me
And all the mad sense that I make
You are one of the few things worth remembering
And since it's all true
How could anyone mean more to me
Than you

Sorry if sometimes I look past you
There's no one beyond your eyes
Inside my head wheels are turning
Hey, sometimes I'm not so wise
You are my heart and my soul
My inspiration
Just like the old love song goes

You're my heart and my soul
My inspiration
Just like the old song goes

Ugh! That was my ex-boyfriend's song for me. Don't ask how I felt about it. :-(

Finally, I had the luxury yesterday of using the gift certificate for a whole body massage my friend Diadema gave me 370 days ago. Yes, more than a year ago! I can't believe it's been that long. Why did I wait that long when I knew many a time I thought about it especially after a day's hard work?

I kept that gift in my bag the whole time thinking I would have the chance to drop by the massage center after work. But, well, I kept on postponing it. Reason? I had tons of things to do, blah, blah, blah.

I was totally tired and out yesterday. I was reminded of my friend's gift and I was determined enough to go and have the massage. Oh, so wonderful and relaxing. I felt every muscle in my body rejoiced and loosely danced. All I could hear was the soothing music played, the clicking of my bones (?!*# ), and my laughter because I was tickled I almost fought the masseuse! :-)

I was glad I went. Back in my apartment, I collapsed in my bed and drifted to sleep. A sweet sleep. Thanked God for the massage. And thanks to Diadema, for the gift. It was terrible I ignored it for a long time.:-)