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Today, Cathy and I took a day off from work to process our application for our digitized Social Security System (SSS) cards; we also intended to secure registration for our Revo and get CTCs from the local barangay hall. Later in the day, if there was time, passport photo shots for us and Nathan. That was the plan.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, the SSS now requires the card to claim maternity leave benefits and/or salary loans, among other “benefits.” We had no choice - we had to take time to get these cards, to claim something from the government that takes away a significant chunk of our income every month.

If you’re ready to hear the horror story that unfolded and ate up our day, read on. Read more

Ayiesha Woods’ debut album, Introducing Ayiesha Woods, is now available locally at all House of Praise outlets nationwide.

If you’d like to start your year off with a bang, I suggest you pick up a copy of this clever opus and enjoy the brilliance that emanates from Ayiesha Woods.

The Gotee recording artist’s international major-label debut does not disappoint at all. It is nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Contemporary/Gospel album (going up against Chris Tomlin, MercyMe, Third Day, and fellow debut artist Leeland), which, by my standards, only underlines the quality that comes with this album.

Woods is a truly soulful singer whose album captures essences of pop, alternative rock, hiphop, even reggae/dancefloor. On this album, she works with Chris Stevens (Toby Mac, Shawn McDonald, Paul Wright), Otto Price and Ric Robbins (Out of Eden, Grits), and David Mullen (Nicole C. Mullen, Anointed); the latter penned Happy, my #1 single of 2006.

Woods’ vocals revolve around a textured, gritty voice that can adapt to soul, pop, and reggae flavorings. She may not have much range, but her rich vocal and passionate delivery certainly make up for it (glad to see that the ‘black Christian diva’ is not at work here).

Aside from Happy, do try the folksy The Remedy, the driven Big Enough, toe-tapper Days and my personal favorite, Crazy, the dancefloor Caribbean stunner that could get as much airplay on secular stations, were it not for the openly Christian lyrics.

Woods’ album resonates around the themes of redemption, finding God’s love, and living the life. I strongly encourage you to give it a listen (it’s a free listen at House of Praise!), and test me in this, see if this album will not grab you by the collar and refuse to let go. One of my current albums on constant replay, and undoubtedly one destined to become a classic in my collection.

For this week’s Thursday Thirteen (Fridays in Manila), I list 13 Guilty Pleasure songs (with links to YouTube videos to add to your enjoyment) from the 80s team of Stock, Aitkin, and Waterman. Relive the joy and the synthesizers.

1 Love in the First Degree. Bananarama. Take you back to the 80s, when big hair was in vogue and it was okay to dance with hunky prisoners.

2 That’s What Love Can Do. Boy Krazy. One-hit wonder girl group made a darn catchy song.

3 Especially For You. Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan. This duet sold millions, and established both Kylie and ex-BF Jason as bonafide stars. The link takes you to her version with Kermit the Frog.

4 Better the Devil You Know. Sonia. She’s had bigger hits, but came in 2nd in Eurovision 1993 with the rehash of the Kylie single.

5 Better the Devil You Know. Steps. Can’t stand Sonia? Try Steps!

6 Together Forever. Rick Astley. Oh, Lord, have mercy on the cheese! But I’ll give Rick Astley this - his voice continues to be one of the most distinguishable in modern music.

7 Too Many Broken Hearts. Jason Donovan may not have ended up with Kylie Minogue, but it’s hard not to care when music is this poppy.

8 This Time I Know It’s For Real. Donna Summer sang this gem years after disco’s heyday, but it remains one of her definite tracks. It’s still pretty good - doesn’t sound dated at all.

9 When I’m Good and Ready. Sybil. Her biggest hit in the Philippines was Make It Easy on Me, but I like this pop smash right here.

10 Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now. Samantha Fox. One-time soap star becomes one-time pop singer. But this song is still classic.

11 Gonna Catch You. Lonnie Gordon. This song was HUGE here in Manila.

12 Showin’ Out. Mel and Kim. God, 80s madness! “Get fresh at the weekend!” What a LINE!

13 Cross My Broken Heart. Sinitta. This song was also a big hit for Sinitta in the UK, so give it a listen.

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[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE3Q9CGrvrk”]

Bananarama’s Love in the First Degree! CLASSIC!

The big hair! The cheesy prisoners! The ridiculous dancers! The weird dance moves!

Sure, they’re big in the UK again, but Bananarama was the most fun when they worked with Stock, Aitkin, and Waterman. Venus may have been their biggest pop hit in the USA and elsewhere, but this little synthesizer-driven bangle (Whoops! That’s another band, for another Guilty Please VOTW) was my favorite Bananarama track.

Enjoy!

Eight of my top 10 songs of the year have YouTube videos, so please feel free to enjoy them because the songs rock my socks. They are Orphans of God by Avalon (#2), Our God Reigns by Brandon Heath (#3), Son of God by Starfield (#4), My Wish by Rascal Flatts (#5), Find Your Wings by Mark Harris (#6), My Savior My God by Aaron Shust (#7), Say Goodbye by Jordan Knight & Deborah Gibson (#9), and Broken and Beautiful by Mark Schultz. The only two that don’t (shame on their record labels!): Happy by Ayiesha Woods and Hear My Worship by Jaime Jamgochian. Videos after the jump. Enjoy!

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