Finally (A New Post And Then Some)

It's been a looong time since I last posted anything here and a lot has happened to my life in those past seventy (yes, 7-0) days of uhm, writing dormancy. As much as I want to fill you in about everything that happened, I'll save you the burden of a very, very, very long post and just write about two major, major (Raj, insert year here) life events which transpired recently. 

April 5, 2013

I was very blessed to have been given the chance to be the front act of The X Factor Philippines' TOP 6: LIVE IN RHAPSODY which was held in Metro Concert Bar, West Ave., Quezon City. Not only did I get to sing for an entirely new and bigger audience, I also got the chance to catch up and bond with my friends from TXFPH. Missed all of them so much and I'm really praying that I'd get to perform with them again in their coming shows. Check out my performance that night below!

(Video taken by my best bud, Bryan Katigbak.)

(A closer view of my performance. Posted by Johnny Legaspi.)

I know the above-mentioned event might be too grand and it somehow elicits the feel that nobody can top it. But something did. Something I've worked hard for for so many years. Something that my family, especially my mum, has been waiting and praying for to happen.

April 27, 2013

I finally graduated from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños with a degree in Biology, Major in Plant Biology! It was a very long and tough ride, but looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way. My longer than usual stay in the University gave me the chance find my niche and to find all the missing pieces I've been trying to find. Hashtag cheesy. I just want to grab this opportunity to thank everyone who became a part of my college life. BLD Youth Ministry, UPLB Street Jazz Dance Co., UP ECOSS, and UP Entrepreneurs' Club. I've learned so much from being a member of all those amazing organizations! 

As you can imagine (and see), my family, especially my mum (Haven't I typed this before? LOL), was very ecstatic at the thought of me finally finishing my degree. They've always been supportive of everything I do and I love them for that. I may have given them a lot of stress, but they never gave up on me. A year ago, I was so sold on the idea of me moving to Manila and work there, but right now, I'm looking hard for a job near Elbi. I guess it really is hard to leave this place. I'm excited to go get a job and earn and help and give back to my family while staying with or close to them.

To end this post (finally), I'd like to thank my Ultimate Best Friend. I wouldn't have gotten this far without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Thank You, Lord, for the wonderful life filled with so many amazing opportunities. I may have stumbled a lot of times, but You're always there to pick me up, support me, and give me another chance. I may be one of your most stubborn son, but I'll always try my hardest to follow Your commandments and Your will, for I believe that there is no other way to live my life. Thank You, Lord! I love you! 

First Time.

As some of you may know, I've been joining singing contests since late 2011 and with God's grace, I've managed to bag a couple of runner-up spots but I've never had a WIN. Well, that changed a couple of days ago when I won Dream Catchers Vision's LOKAL RHYTHM: The Search For The Next PINOY ONLINE SENSATION!

A little background: I came across one of my Facebook contact's post about joining this certain contest in Dream Catchers Vision's website and I got a lil curious so checked out the mechanics and found out that the contest is open to all Filipinos aspiring to make it big in the music scene. Dream Catchers is a Singapore-based talent showcase platform with global ambitions. It is an online community for musicians/artists/performers which regularly holds contests for registered users. Aside from the amazing platform of hosting the users' videos on their website, Dream Catchers Vision awards winners of their contests with cash prizes! 

So, anyway, I signed up, uploaded my video, and prayed to God (seriously) that my video gets chosen. I wasn't even praying for the top prize. I guess that's what happens when you've been a runner-up all your life. Ha ha! Kidding aside, I wasn't really expecting anything, so imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail from none other than the CEO and Founder of Dream Catchers Vision herself, Miss Shalima Motial saying this:

This couldn't have come up in a better time. I'm really grateful to all the judges and to everyone who voted for my video! I seriously won't forget this because this is my first actual win! And with $500 to boot! But more than the cash prize, I'm just really thankful that there are people who actually appreciate what I do and there are those who are overly supportive of my music. Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart! :)

Really cool to see my video on the number 1 spot in their website! Argh! By the way, I uploaded my cover of One Direction's "More Than This" as my entry for Lokal Rhythm. Who knew a 1D song can win me $500? Ha ha! Thanks to Sir Caio Cadiz of 10-0-71 Digital Post for helping me out with the track! Watch the video below :)

Again, thanks to everyone behind Dream Catcher Vision's Lokal Rhythm and to everyone who voted for my video! I encourage everyone to visit Dream Catchers Vision's website and register so y'all could join their contests, too! Such a wonderful community of talented people! See you there, okay? :)

Fire Away.

Posted another cover on my YouTube account last night! Do check out my cover of the phenomenal song "Titanium" which was originally done by David Guetta and Sia. I chanced upon this amazing yet very tough to sing orchestral instrumental of the song by Jamie Cleaton so I decided to finally record it, being it one of the most requested songs in my inbox. I decided to do it in one take so it'd be more raw. I struggled with the belts because the arrangement's about a step high from my range but I took it as a challenge and did what I could. 

It's weird (not really) because as of typing this, I can actually hit the notes better now. Ha ha. Talk about muscle memory. Anyway, do check it out and feel free to LIKE, COMMENT on it and SHARE it!

Let Me Kiss You.

So, I finally have a new cover up on my YouTube channel and what do you know?!  It's another One Direction song! Ha ha! I got several requests for this song ever since management (One Direction's, not mine coz I still don't have one. Yet.) announced that it'll be the next single off of their sophomore album. I copped a high-quality instrumental of the track and started recording while trying out several audio interfaces and editing software. Halfway through the track, I felt that something wasn't right so I took a break from doing it. After a couple of hours, I decided to do a live, acoustic cover of the song instead of just putting vocals on top of the track. I was hesitant at first because I haven't played the guitar for a long time and since I'll be recording it live, there was added pressure to do good. After n takes, here it is! My live, acoustic cover of One Direction's "Kiss You"!

I used my Samson C01U Condenser Microphone for this and Garage Band. I also added the back-up vocals after the live recording because I just love doing harmonies. Blame it on my dream of becoming a back-up singer. Ha ha. Feel free to LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE! :)

Gig-less.

Nope, I did not misspell giggles. 

It's kinda frustrating to face the reality that I'll have no gigs slash rakets up until March. I made the decision to not accept invites from January to March (except my primary school best bud's wedding on February) so I could really focus on my last few months in the University. I'm excited to graduate and the days are rolling by so fast and yet a bunch of academic stuff still have to be done before I can finally  finish my degree and walk in the graduation grounds with a sablay on. T'was tough saying no to some invites especially this one big thing which could've given me decent exposure on the telly again. Anyway, I believe na pinapagraduate na muna talaga ako ni Lord and that He'll give me more time for my craft after I give my mum my college diploma. 

I had no intentions to blog tonight (this morning, really) but because my body clock's still on holiday mode, I tried to update this thing to make me even just a tad sleepy. To no avail, apparently. Thank God I only have a 7am-10am class later. Hello, Cell Biology. I missed you.

Sound Check.

After months of lusting thinking of getting a condenser microphone, I finally emptied out my wallet and got myself a SAMSON C01U. It's one of those USB microphones and it's pretty cheap but it's been getting a lot of great reviews since 2009! Yup. the mic's been around for almost four years and yet it is still touted as one of the best USB microphones out there today. I initially wanted to get an XLR type of mic but then it'd mean that I'd have to get a pre-amp/mixer as well and that it'd take more time of studying and tinkering with it and I don't have the luxury of time especially in the coming months since I'm finally graduating from the University and y'all know how busy graduating students are. Or not. Turns out even USB mics need an ample amount of time, too. Sound quality's really good and it even captures the sounds from 25 feet away. Eavesdropping at its finest. Anyway, I'm still "breaking in" to it plus I've been studying and practicing mixing and mastering for over a week now and so far, so good. I think. Ha ha. I'll be uploading a new cover hopefully next week so y'all better check out my YouTube channel for that.

As much as I'm lovin' the SAMSON C01U, I know I have to upgrade to an XLR mic soon and soundproof my room if I really want to get serious with this music-making stuff. And dead serious I am, so alam na kung saan mapupunta ang ipon and TF. Ha ha! Leaving y'all with a sexy photo of my mic. Should I give it a name?

Coloud's "The Pop" In-Ear Headphones

Happy Holidays! It's been more than a month since I've updated this thing and I hope I still have readers even after a month-long (short LOL) hiatus. I was blessed to have been invited to perform in several events during the past month and that plus school took so much of my time. Anyway, those nice-paying gigs (LOL again) have helped me in copping some really nice stuff this holiday season. I was able to treat my family, some of my friends, and even get myself a condenser microphone for my  home recordings! But probably one of the best item I got for myself is a new pair of headphones from Coloud. 

"The POP" by Coloud

The Peninsula - Manila's SING@NING Search For The Ultimate Voice Grand Finals.

Last November 6, The Peninsula - Manila's SING@NING Search for the Ultimate Voice held its grand finals in Salon de Ning. After more than 200 initial auditions and 2 months of eliminations, rehearsals and coaching (and eating), the final 3 took the stage and showed the audience and the esteemed board of judges why they're in the Top 3. Each of the grand finalists was given 15 minutes to impress the judges, and audience alike, with their musical talent and witty spiels; pretty much like having their own show. 

Joselle Feliciano (Photo by Jamin Lim)

21-year old Joselle Feliciano from the Ateneo de Manila University started the competition with her set aptly named "Jazzelle". She opened her set with "Let Go", a Mon David Original, and was followed by "Memories" by Joey Albert. She also shared an almost a capella version of "Blue Skies" by Irving Berlin, which she used as one of her audition pieces during the live audition stage of the competition. She ended her set with a jazz-bossa version of Rivermaya's "214". Joselle's elegance, wit, and genuine "jazz-y" style and voice truly enchanted the audience as well as the judges.

Garrett Bolden Jr. (Photo by Jamin Lim)

Garrett Bolden Jr., a 21-year old student from Lyceum of Subic Bay, impressed Salon de Ning with his soulful voice. Garrett opened his show with a tribute to one of the country's acclaimed jazz singers, "The Vamp", Miss Vernie Varga, by doing her song "Being With You". This was followed by a very soothing yet still heartbreaking version of Bamboo's "Much Has Been Said". He more so tugged the hearts of everyone in the venue when he sang a snippet of Luther Van Dross' "Dance With My Father" right after he told the story of how music helped him get reunited with his father. He closed his show with his own English interpretation/translation of the George Canseco hit, "Ikaw", or in Garrett's version, "You". 

Rafael Gutierrez (Photo by Jamin Lim)

Representing the University of the Philippines - Diliman, 19-year old Rafael Gutierrez wowed the audience with his suave singing style, technique, and humorous spiels. His show featured his own understanding of the "Stages of Love". His first song, which corresponds to the first stage of love aka the courting stage, was an English translation "Para Sa Akin" which was originally done by Sitti. He then sang Boy Katindig's "I Will Always Stay In Love This Way" which represented the "being in love" stage. He even dedicated this to his girlfriend, Karen, who was present in the venue. He then called up on stage two of his pals and they did a very funny impromptu song making segment using words that the members of the audience had given them. Rafael did a heartbreaking performance of Martin Nievera's "How Can I" as a representation for the "break-up" stage of a relationship.

Joselle performing "Kalesa" (Photo by Pixelado Productions)

Garrett performing "Sitsiritsit" (Photo by Pixelado Productions)

Rafael performing "Pen Pen de Sarapen" (Photo by Pixelado Productions"

The 3 finalists were also given the task to interpret a classic Filipino folk song and make it their own. Joselle performed "Kalesa", Garrett sang "Sitsiritsit" and Rafael did "Pen Pen de Sarapen". This part of the show was really fun and it was exciting to hear folk songs which were given several musical twists!

The Company (Photo by Pixelado Productions)

Shiela Valderrama (Photo by Pixelado Productions)

The Company, probably the most acclaimed vocal pop group in the Philippines, graced the event with several songs, including my favorite APO Hiking Society song "Mahirap Talagang Magmahal Ng Siyota Ng Iba". It was fun to see one of our mentors, Teacher Sweet Plantado, and one of our previous judge, Sir Moi Ortiz, perform! Miss Sheila Valderrama sang a medley of Disney classics while a video montage of the whole SING@NING experience was being shown. I reckon several semi-finalists, myself included, were fighting back tears while seeing what had transpired over the past couple of months. Ha ha!

Top 7 Finalists with their brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9!

Before the winner was announced, the Top 7 contestants were called on stage. They were surprised when it was announced that each of them will receive a brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9! The other finalists included in the Top 21 were jeering for tablets, too! Ha ha! Never did it cross my mind that I'll be getting a tablet, too! More on that on the next post, though :)

The top three finalists were called up on stage again for the announcement of the winner. Garrett got the 2nd Runner Up award. Rafael finished in the second spot and got the 1st Runner Up award, while Joselle bagged the top spot and was awarded the Grand Prize Winner of the first-ever SING@NING Search for the Ultimate Voice competition! Along with the P100,000 cash prize, Joselle also received a scholarship from John Robert Powers and Spotlight Artist Centre, plus a three-month contract to perform at Salon de Ning!

Joselle Feliciano wins the first-ever SING@NING Search for the Ultimate Voice! 

Joselle with our Musical Director Sir Onyl Torres and the members of the SING@NING band. (Photo by Jamin Lim)

SING@NING Finalists :)  (Photo by Jamin Lim)

Congratulations, Joselle! I know that our Lord God has so many amazing plans for you and this is just the start! Keep on dreaming and performing your heart and soul out and just let go! Ha ha! We'll be here to support you always! EK! EK! EK! :)

I'm gonna post a separate entry for thank yous and kadramahan, so y'all better check the blog in the coming days for that! Ha ha!

And Then There Were Three.

And, I'm back! "Abandoned" the blog for a little over two months 'coz there's too much happening with school and with my eternal quest to be a singer. Ha ha. Anyway, I was chosen as one of the final 21 contestants for The Peninsula - Manila's SING@NING Search For The Ultimate Voice and I can't stress how much I'm thankful for everyone who viewed and liked my video on YouTube and especially those people who prayed for me. After three grueling rounds, the SING@NING finalists are down to just 3!

I'm really excited for these three! They're all unbelievably talented and really good and genuine people! If you have time, drop by Salon de Ning at The Peninsula - Manila this coming Tuesday, November 6, 2012, at 7:00PM for the Grand Finals of SING@NING Search For The Ultimate Voice! Get to listen to these three amazing singers while experiencing world-class ambience that only Salon de Ning can give! 

I'm gonna do another entry solely for my SING@NING experience so y'all better watch out for that!

CHRIS BELISON for The Peninsula - Manila's Sing At Ning

Hello, guys! Kindly LIKE and SHARE my Self Introduction Video for The Peninsula Manila's Sing@Ning :)

The top 3 SELF INTRODUCTION VIDEOS with the most number of LIKES in YouTube by August 31, 2012 will automatically be qualified for the next round. If you don't have a YouTube account/channel, you can still LIKE this video by simply logging in to YouTube using your G-Mail/Google account :)

Here's my LIVE SINGING AUDITION video for Sing@Ning! This is "Tuwing Umuulan" by Sir Basil Valdez.

I cannot express how thankful I am for my good friends Matt Baguinon of Matt Baguinon Films and Jeremiah Pilapil of JePe litratography for helping me out with my online video entries! Please don't forget to visit their Facebook profiles and pages! Also, don't forget to check out and like my Facebook page as well :)


Thanks, guys! :)

Exit: Chris Belison on The X Factor Philippines (ABS-CBN)

Pulled a Mac Arthur during my exit interview for The X Factor Philippines and I got bombarded with tweets, wall posts and messages about it. I guess it's about time I write about the amazing time I had during my TXF journey. Photo dump coming right up! Pardon the not-so-good quality of some of 'em.

First screening. December 8, 2011 in SM City San Pablo Activity Center.  Quede up at 7:00AM, got to sing at 1:00PM.

Performed "Breakeven" by The Script for the first screening aka the pre-audition. Watch/listen to my studio version of the song here.

Got called back for the Producers' Auditon on April 20, 2012 and I performed "Look At Me Now" and "One and Only". Click on the links to watch/listen to the studio versions of the songs.

Blessed to be called back again for the LIVE AUDITION in front of the celebrity judges (Sir Martin Nievera, Sir Gary Valenciano, Ma'am Pilita Corales and Charice) which was held in PAGCOR Grand Theatre last May 31, 2012.

Registration jitters. Ha ha!

Live audition pieces. British pop and a lil soul/RnB. Watch/listen to my studio versions of "Glad You Came" and "I'm Going Down".

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Was able to perform after more than 12 hours of waiting.

Performed "Glad You Came" by The Wanted and I can honestly say that that was one of the fun 2 minutes of my life! :)

Received very good feedback from the audience and most importantly from the judges. 4 YESes and it's all because of God and the talent He lent me! :) I, along with 171 acts from all over the Philippines went straight to BOOT CAMP!

Checked in at Remington Hotel for BOOT CAMP.

BOOT CAMP stage! 

Some of the talented boys I was with during BOOT CAMP.

Our category (Boys under the age 25) was assigned to perform the Basil Valdez classic "Tuwing Umuulan" a capella. Received a "Great job!" from Sir Martin Nievera for this one :)

Unfortunately, I was one of the 106 acts which got sent home the first day. Of course, I was devastated at first but the amount of things I've learned, the friends I've gained, and just the ultimate blessing of being one of the TOP 35 BOYS or one of the 172 ACTS OUT OF THE 20,000 who auditioned made me feel happy again. The announcement that I was eliminated broke me, but once I got my thoughts back in place, I began rebuilding myself and I'm now in the process of working even harder just to achieve what I want. It's like I finally know what I want to do for the rest of my life. Those few minutes I've spent on that stage, in front of the camera, in front of thousands of people, in front of the 4 judges, were just "previews" of what I could be doing if I work hard enough and if I'll be given the right break/opportunities. 

I know this entry's quite long already but I'd like to take this chance to express my gratitude to everyone who supported me with my The X Factor Philippines adventure! Thank you all especially for your prayers! Special thanks to my family, especially my MUM, for letting me do this. For sacrificing money and time for the screenings and for the live auditions. To all my friends and organizations (BLD Youth Ministry, UPLB Street Jazz Dance Co., UP Entrepreneurs' Club, UP ECOSS) in UPLB, thank you all for your unwavering support! Wouldn't have done this without all the things I've learned from the times I've spent with y'all. 

Last but definitely not the least, I'd like to thank the Lord God, Almighty for this wonderful experience. For the talents and skills you've lent me. For making my family change their minds about this thing. For always guiding me. For always being my inspiration. For always keeping my hopes up but still keeping my feet on the ground. For Your never ending affirmations. Most especially, thank You for Your love. Lord, I'm not really the best servant or follower and yet You still bless me with these amazing things. For that, I'm really grateful. I love You, Lord. And I'm always praying that in everything that I do, may YOU always be GLORIFIED.

My TXF journey might have ended already, but this is just the start of my journey towards the realization and actual fulfillment of my dream. You'll see me around :)

"Basta, babalik ako. Babalik ako."

CHRIS BELISON's exit interview for The X Factor Philippines.

Don't forget to LIKE my Facebook page! Click here! :)

One Direction - More Than This (Cover by Chris Belison)

Yes, I listen to One Direction and honestly, I think their songs are good! Try listening to all their songs from their debut album Up All Night and I'm pretty sure you'll be listening to a track or two (or the entire album) everyday! 

Here's my take on one of my most favorite songs off of the album. I love the lyrics and the harmonies so much and I decided to try doing the harmonies myself.

This was recorded and filmed in 10-0-71 Digital Post and mastered by Sir Caio Cadiz.

Please feel free to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE! :)

Chris Belison - One And Only (Adele Cover)

Can't get enough of this song so I decided to make a cover! 

Thanks to Juls Parado for playing the guitar and to Caio Cadiz of 10-0-71 Digital Post for playing the keyboard and for engineering the track!



DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO HERE:


http://soundcloud.com/chrisbelison/chris-belison-one-and-only

Chris Belison - Biglaan (6 Cycle Mind Cover)

Finally got the chance to have another session in 10-0-71 Digital Post yesterday! I did two songs and here's the first one. Here's one of my most favorite OPM song from 6 Cycle Mind, "Biglaan". 

DOWNLOAD AUDIO HERE: http://soundcloud.com/chrisbelison/chris-belison-biglaan-6-cycle

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my channel and share my videos if you like 'em!

I do not own the song. This is just for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement intended.

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

Chris Belison - Gone (*NSYNC Cover)

Chanced upon *NSYNC's "Gone" and couldn't get it out of my head so I decided to make a cover. Did this around 4:00AM, I think. What is with me and doing covers during untimely hours? Ha ha! Check it out!

I swear I didn't say fvck! I mispronounced "fact" in the second verse! Ha ha! 

Early Christmas Greeting From Yours Truly.

Check out the Chris Emoticon:   -.-

LOL.

Here's to an amazing Holiday Season for all of us! :)

Surprise, Surprise!

We participated in the Gaudium Mundo: The 1st Inter-Organization Choral Festival of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, UPLB, which was organized by the Liseux Music Ministry and guess what? We got 3rd place! Ha ha! Only five (5) organizations joined and we were blessed enough to be included in the top three spots.

The process/practice was a bit gruesome hard because around 80% of us didn't have any background in chorale singing (re: SATB and all that jazz) but God sent us Ate Kris Reyes and she did an amazing job handling us! Thank you, Ate Kris! Next year, we'll be more prepared :)

Here are some photos from the event :)

Team Choral Fest

Ate Kris Reyes :)

Where's Ivan?

Carol of the Bells

Pasko Na, Sinta Ko

3rd Place, baby!

I think it's safe to say that you'll be seeing and hearing more from our group in future choral festivals in STCJP :)


Thank You, Lord! Lakas Niyo lang eh :)


Congratulations to St. Therese Choir for placing 2nd and to Singles For Christ for winning 1st place!




Oh, and thanks to Glee for the outfit-inspiration :)

HA HA!

Catch all five choral groups who joined this coming December 15, 2011, at the 8:00PM Eucharistic Celebration in St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish! We'll all be singing together and SFC will perform their winning piece! See you all there!

Chris Belison - Breakeven (The Script Cover)

Title says it all, I guess. Ha ha. Check it out!

Again, a big thank you to my good friend and band mate Lisette Quilloy for doing the piano track and to the Chubby Habbi himself, Sir Caio Cadiz! Til next time!


Recorded and filmed at 10-0-71 Digital Post

No, It Don't Break Even.

I've always liked "Breakeven" but have always thought of The Script's "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" to be my favorite song, but after trying out "Breakeven" earlier, I think I might have a new one.

Ang sarap lang ng kirot na dinadala nung kanta.

I'm Chris Belison, and Music Inspires Me.

Merriam-Webster alone has more than five definitions for music. I'd love to share all those here but I know y'all can do without it. Many a man have also shared their insights on what music is to their lives, and as a music-lover myself, I can say that I can relate to most, if not all of them.

Here comes the part where I share why music is important in my life. Music gets me through everything. Apart from God and my family, I can say that music is my drive. Simply put, music is important to me because it inspires me.

The fondest memory that my mom has of me singing is when I was just three years old. After watching the movie Robin Hood, she saw me climb our dining table and stood there whilst holding a toy guitar. She was surprised when I began "singing" the theme song of the movie, "Everything I Do, I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams. She reckons the words were messed up, but said that I was in pitch. From that moment on, she made me listen to a lot of music through the radio and from our now defunct vinyl record player. It's safe to say that I grew up with music.

  

Music inspired me to do good in my academics. During my elementary days, when MP3s and MP3 players were basically non-existent still, I'd study real hard for my exams just to get top marks so that mum would get me cassette tapes and CDs of my favorite artists. Let's just say that my mum bought a lot of tapes and CDs because of my grades. Ha ha!

My fondness for music grew in high school. I became a member of my school's glee club and that's where I was exposed to different genres of music. Glee club inspired me to research on different kinds of music. I believe this is the time I fell in love with blues and big band jazz. I eventually tried out for this reality talent search in a major network but was only able to get in up to the top 100 for Luzon. One of the judges told me that I was too big for TV. That put me down for a while but that didn't stop me from making music and it sure didn't keep me away from performing.

When I entered the University, I told myself to take it easy on music and the performing arts, especially since I'm taking up a course that needed severe concentration; add to that the fact that I don't really like the course I'm in. I tried to let go of music and performing but I guess music and me are two inseparable things. I may have put my singing in the back seat, but music kept up with me in the form of dancing. I was blessed to have been given the chance to be a member of the University's official hip-hop dance group, the UPLB Street Jazz Dance Co. Yet again, I was slowly being drawn back to my musical roots, of course, with the help of the group.

UPLB Street Jazz Dance Co. at the Skechers Street Dance Battle Year 4 held at the Araneta Coliseum. I'm the biggest of the bunch. Ha ha!

Being in the group made me a meticulous listener. I learned how to really "hear" music; all the beats, the instrumentation, the syncopation and everything along that goes with it. Because hearing all the beats mattered a lot, I decided to invest on a headphone that could let me get more out of my music. I bought a Skullcandy HESH and I was quite impressed with its performance. I really took care of it but one fine day, one of my cousins accidentally sat on it. Here's what it looks like right now.

Skullcandy Hesh. Can you say broken? Ha ha. And so I'm stuck with this pair of Apple Earphones.

Moving on. Ha ha.

Of course, music helped me get through the most painful times in my life. Ironically, those painful moments helped me become more of a musician. I began writing songs when I first had my heart broken. Somehow, my inspiration from music paved the way for me venturing into writing which has become another one of the things I am really passionate about.

The song "Ulit-ulitan" is one of my original compositions. This song has a very special place in my heart since this is the first song that I made that I ACTUALLY liked. Ha ha. Another reason is that this song has touched a few of my friends. A lot of those who've heard this actually said that they can relate to it, and for a songwriter, that's a very, very good thing. After all, I write songs because through them, I could tell things that I'm afraid to tell or admit. Apparently, most people have these feelings, too, and I feel honored to be their "voice", too.

When I first encountered Unbox's give away for the Audio-Technica M50 Professional Headphones, of course, the prize drew me. I mean, who wouldn't want to win a pair of cans that has exceptional audio quality? It's used by professionals, for crying out loud. That says a lot, right?

I started to write my entry for this contest and I came to a realization. I needed this contest. I needed this article. Writing this piece made me realize how much music has given me. How it has molded me. How music literally and figuratively inspired me. How music has affected my life. As of typing this, I can say that I'm sending in this entry without thinking of winning. I'm sending this entry not because of the prize anymore. I'm sending this because I want to share how music has made me who I am. And like music, I'm sending out this entry so that I could maybe, just maybe, inspire someone.

I know a have a wee chance of winning the coveted Audio-Technica M50 Professional Headphones, and it'll be okay if I don't get chosen. Music is music. As long as my heart longs for music, all things that I'd be listening to will come out as if it is blasting through one Audio-Technica M50.

I'm Chris Belison, and music inspires me.