Album Description

This album is a birthday dedication to my fiancé, Hazel. A year ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and fought with all her strength until she passed away last May. I was blessed to be by her side through it all, living and loving every day, making memory after memory together with her. Hazel had such a joyous soul and a sweet laugh that would brighten anyone’s day. She was an incredibly selfless person, always giving of herself to those around her, no matter who they were. Hazel always supported my music and loved it whenever I would work on a new song. With deep gratitude to family and friends who helped with the album, I am thankful to share this music with anyone who will hear it and hope you can experience the same love I felt with Hazel.

Hazel

As this album was made in the Philippines, I knew I wanted to have a Tagalog song on the album, but I just wasn’t familiar with anything that I felt really reflected the love between me and Hazel. After some time, my niece, Nicole, suggested this song. I loved it, the sound, the meaning. It was the perfect Tagalog song for the album, and my cousin, Aiza, had the perfect voice for it. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Album Description

This album is a birthday dedication to my fiancé, Hazel. A year ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and fought with all her strength until she passed away last May. I was blessed to be by her side through it all, living and loving every day, making memory after memory together with her. Hazel had such a joyous soul and a sweet laugh that would brighten anyone’s day. She was an incredibly selfless person, always giving of herself to those around her, no matter who they were. Hazel always supported my music and loved it whenever I would work on a new song. With deep gratitude to family and friends who helped with the album, I am thankful to share this music with anyone who will hear it and hope you can experience the same love I felt with Hazel.

Lyrics (Tagalog / English)

Di, di ko inakalang / No I, I didn’t expect
Darating din sa akin / That it would come to me, too
Nung ako'y nanalangin kay Bathala / When I was praying to God
Naubusan ng bakit / I ran out of why’s

Bakit umalis nang walang sabi? / Why did he leave without a word?
Bakit 'di siya lumaban kahit konti? / Why didn’t he fight even a little bit?
Bakit 'di maitama ang tadhana? / Why can’t I correct destiny?

At nakita kita sa tagpuan ni Bathala / And Is saw you in the meeting place of God
May kinang sa mata na di maintindihan / There’s a spark in your eyes I couldn’t understand
Tumingin kung saan sinubukan kong lumisan / You turned to where I tried to leave
At tumigil ang mundo / And the world stopped
Nung ako'y ituro mo / When you pointed to me
Siya ang panalangin ko / She is my prayer

At hindi di mapaliwanag / And I can’t, I can’t explain
Ang nangyari sa akin / What happened to me
Saksi ang lahat ng tala / All the stars are witnesses
Sa iyong panalangin / To your prayer

Pano nasagot lahat ng bakit? / How did you answer all of my why’s?
Di makapaniwala sa nangyari / Can’t believe in what just happened
Pano mo naitama ang tadhana? / How did you correct destiny?

Nung nakita kita sa tagpuan ni Bathala / When I saw you in the meeting place of God
May kinang sa mata na di maintindihan / There’s a spark in your eyes I couldn’t understand
Tumingin kung saan sinubukan kong lumisan / You turned to where I tried to leave
At tumigil ang mundo / And the world stopped
Nung ako'y ituro mo / When you pointed to me
At hindi ka lumayo / And you didn’t leave me
Nung ako yung sumusuko / When I was the one giving up
At nagbago ang mundo / And my world changed
Nung ako'y pinaglaban mo / When you fought for me
At tumigil ang mundo / And the world stopped
Nung ako'y pinili mo / When you chose me
Siya ang panalangin ko / She is my prayer

Song Credits

Curated by Nicole
Vocals by Aiza

Cover of “Tagpuan” by Moira Dela Torre

Tagpuan (cover) - Aiza

Just two weeks after meeting Hazel, I knew I wanted to marry her. We talked every day and night, every chance we could, and we always enjoyed each other’s company. As time went on, our love for one another grew more and more, so selfless and pure. Several months later, I traveled to the Philippines to propose to Hazel, and she said yes! It was always her dream to walk down the aisle, in a beautiful white dress, to marry the love of her life. This song was the perfect way to share Hazel’s excitement for our big day.

Album Description

This album is a birthday dedication to my fiancé, Hazel. A year ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and fought with all her strength until she passed away last May. I was blessed to be by her side through it all, living and loving every day, making memory after memory together with her. Hazel had such a joyous soul and a sweet laugh that would brighten anyone’s day. She was an incredibly selfless person, always giving of herself to those around her, no matter who they were. Hazel always supported my music and loved it whenever I would work on a new song. With deep gratitude to family and friends who helped with the album, I am thankful to share this music with anyone who will hear it and hope you can experience the same love I felt with Hazel.

Lyrics

All the sweat is pouring out of my hands 
From touching all of the sparks burnin'
In my soul, it overflows with
Exhilaration in my heart breathing
All the air my lungs allow from just
Taking in the sight of you

To walk down the aisle, would be my dream moment
Dress in white and teary-eyed, in awe of your presence
Never let go, hold on to this heaven
I've finally found what I've been looking for 

It's always been you, nobody but you
It's always been you, nobody but you

No one else compares to you, yes
The heavens could attest it's true, because
Everyday, I say a prayer to
Our God from high above, saying
A lifetime with you is enough, you know
I can't wait to share my last name

To walk down the aisle, would be my dream moment
Dress in white and teary-eyed, in awe of your presence
Never let go, hold on to this heaven
I've finally found what I've been looking for

It's always been you, nobody but you
It's always been you, nobody but you

You. nobody but you
It's always been you

Shaky hands are getting wet
I can feel the sparks everywhere (nobody but you)
Tension's getting real
As I am filled with (it's always been you)

No one else compares to you
Yes, the heavens could attest it's true (nobody but you)
Because everyday, I pray for no one else but you

Song Credits

Curated by Inah
Vocals by Inah

English cover of “Pasilyo” by Sunkissed Lola (not a direct translation)
Lyrics adapted from English versions by
  - a!ka - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p389teT_-qM&ab_channel=a%21ka
  - maryan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csSIW4xRXmA&ab_channel=maryan

Aisle (cover) - Inah

This moment was from February 15, 2023, the day after Valentine’s Day. The day before, Hazel and I celebrated with a simple dinner where I cooked my famous baked salmon. The next morning, we wanted to have breakfast at Cafe Princess, one of Hazel’s favorite places. We were the only ones in the restaurant that early, and after having some delicious food, we just sat there, talking and laughing together for several hours. This was one of a few moments we captured on camera for our “viewers”, haha. 

Album Description

This album is a birthday dedication to my fiancé, Hazel. A year ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and fought with all her strength until she passed away last May. I was blessed to be by her side through it all, living and loving every day, making memory after memory together with her. Hazel had such a joyous soul and a sweet laugh that would brighten anyone’s day. She was an incredibly selfless person, always giving of herself to those around her, no matter who they were. Hazel always supported my music and loved it whenever I would work on a new song. With deep gratitude to family and friends who helped with the album, I am thankful to share this music with anyone who will hear it and hope you can experience the same love I felt with Hazel.

Mrs. Enriquez (a memory with Hazel)

This song was the start of what would truly make the album very, very special. Originally, the album was just going to be filled with beats Hazel and I worked on together. But the idea to collaborate with others started here when I asked Joman if he could play guitar on this simple beat I made. The beat was called Carefree, and I wanted Joman and his guitar to express that feeling. So I asked him to play a guitar solo throughout the entire song. No verses, no hooks, just one long guitar solo.

Album Description

This album is a birthday dedication to my fiancé, Hazel. A year ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and fought with all her strength until she passed away last May. I was blessed to be by her side through it all, living and loving every day, making memory after memory together with her. Hazel had such a joyous soul and a sweet laugh that would brighten anyone’s day. She was an incredibly selfless person, always giving of herself to those around her, no matter who they were. Hazel always supported my music and loved it whenever I would work on a new song. With deep gratitude to family and friends who helped with the album, I am thankful to share this music with anyone who will hear it and hope you can experience the same love I felt with Hazel.

Song Credits

Guitar by Joman Narvaez

Carefree (guitar) - Joman

This song started from a desire to have a loving duet on the album. Joy and Joman are a beautiful, talented couple who I asked to sing the duet. Joy instantly thought of the perfect song, a song she once sang before in college. For Joman, no one thought he could sing so well, not even himself. But once we recorded the first demo, everyone knew their voices were a perfect match for the song.

Album Description

This album is a birthday dedication to my fiancé, Hazel. A year ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and fought with all her strength until she passed away last May. I was blessed to be by her side through it all, living and loving every day, making memory after memory together with her. Hazel had such a joyous soul and a sweet laugh that would brighten anyone’s day. She was an incredibly selfless person, always giving of herself to those around her, no matter who they were. Hazel always supported my music and loved it whenever I would work on a new song. With deep gratitude to family and friends who helped with the album, I am thankful to share this music with anyone who will hear it and hope you can experience the same love I felt with Hazel.

Lyrics

We've come so far
To leave it all behind
I wonder why

Why did you go away
You left me all alone
No words can say
My love please stay

You and I
We can make it anywhere
You and I
We have moments left to share
You and I
We belong in each other's arms
There can be no other love
Now I know we can have it all
Forever

Each night I pray
That we can be together
Once again

Forever more we'll stay
In love this way
No matter what they say until the end

You and I
We have moments left to share
You and I
We can make it anywhere
You and I
We belong in each other's arms
There can be no other love
Now I know we can have it all
Forever

You and I
We have moments left to share
You and I
We can make it anywhere
You and I
We belong in each other's arms
There can be no other love

Now I know that we can have it all
Forever

Now I know we can have it all
Forever

Now I know that we can have it all
Forever


Song Credits

Curated by Tatarts
Vocals by Tatarts
Guitar by Joman Narvaez

Cover of “Forever” by Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera

Forever (cover) - Tatarts

Hazel and her niece, Heather, share a special bond to one another. Many times, Hazel would tell me such sweet stories of her and Heather. And I knew from the very beginning, I wanted Heather to open the album with a birthday song to Hazel. Heather sang so wonderfully and even her little brother, Matthew, joined in at the end with a fun birthday cheer! 

Album Description

This album is a birthday dedication to my fiancé, Hazel. A year ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and fought with all her strength until she passed away last May. I was blessed to be by her side through it all, living and loving every day, making memory after memory together with her. Hazel had such a joyous soul and a sweet laugh that would brighten anyone’s day. She was an incredibly selfless person, always giving of herself to those around her, no matter who they were. Hazel always supported my music and loved it whenever I would work on a new song. With deep gratitude to family and friends who helped with the album, I am thankful to share this music with anyone who will hear it and hope you can experience the same love I felt with Hazel.

Song Credits

Vocals by Heather (featuring Matthew)

Happy Birthday - Heather

On Time And The Ocean

Birds Of Prey

Inspired by Battleflips #36 and The Number 23

It's All 23

One Page Book

An entry for Benn And Gear / Sarah Longfield Song Contest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc_6bMTdpYM

Tagpuan (cover) - Aiza

Jsen Surreal

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