Sing a memory

Then: June 26, 1990 — 20 years ago.

It was one of those afternoons when the rains came in torrents. I was caught in the downpour and listened to a rehearsal of a weekend show. I came just when the singer was rehearsing songs of the ‘60s. The first note of “I’m in the mood for love,” came when the sun was filtering through the windows. The rain stopped abruptly. But the rehearsal area already had a flash flood.

Where was I when that song was No. 1?

I remember my college dorm mate who got pregnant to the tune of “I’m in the mood…” with help from a young man who sat in front of her in Literature class. Obviously, they used other positions out of the classroom.

Anyway, as soon as the singer belted some Elvis Presley songs, I remember being in a backseat of car near the seashore. The man of the moment was angry when I brought up the subject of Winston Churchill just when he was starting his discourse on the wonder of birth control pills. When the singer segued into “I only have eyes for you”, I sighed remembering that I never believed in the song.Probably, that’s one of the reasons why I stayed single.

Watching Gabi ni Dolphy this week reinforced the memories. There’s the man himself singing familiar songs with Homer Flores at the piano. Then he was doing the Latin samba with nubile dancers in their barest attire. Every man’s dream becomes a reality for this ageless comedy star who brings our memory to the present time. That’s why Dolphy is beyond time. Guest Rico J. Puno sang of memories with Dolphy and together they fused the decades in our heart. What makes it more stunning is the fact that the two are still very now.

Songs are remembered in the past tense. That’s why the young are not so impressive even in their most impressive. Somehow they still have to build their memory bank. Stupid Cupid said everything. But it was the utter stupidity of it all that makes us look back with a chuckle or two.

Can you imagine going through your teens without any stupid situation to remember? Memories are made with the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, and all the angst and jubilation that makes us what we are now.

My generation grew up into awareness with songs like Seventh Dawn, Love is a Many Splendored Thing, All of Me and Moon River. Elvis was my pop hero while the Beatles symbolized what was both daring and way out of reach. John Lennon was my Mick Jagger of the ‘60s. Yesterday was the statement of our growing up years.

There’s always a man and a woman that come to mind in every song we hear. The song brings back the essence of time and place and that particular person of that time. Of course there is always embarrassed laughter every time old songs are mentioned. Those over 20 often choose to keep their memories in private. But songs do not really age that much no matter how old they are. My teenaged neighbor is into the revival craze and for once the communication gap is bridged in our part of the street.

Some grandmothers were courted with songs from Frank Sinatra soothingly played on the radio crooning from compact discs. Despite the years and some tremor in his vocal cords, some teenagers may still find him interesting enough to set the mood some moonlit night. Songs can be ageless, especially if they flow freely with the times. Only people who fight the past through ridiculous efforts can age before their time.

Andy Williams came and got a standing ovation because he made us remember The Shadow of Your Smile, Our Love is Here to Stay and Days of Wine and Roses. The fact that he came to help build the Spanish Galleon of Cory Quirino’s group made it more worthwhile.

A friend who read this muttered that something must be wrong if you have to remember old songs to feel young. But I told him that any woman from nine to 90 will appreciate Love Me Tender and Fly Me to the Moon.

Now: Sept. 6, 2010

Dolphy is still King of Comedy. His timing and rhythm is still the best till now. He has moved to Channel 5 after not getting assignments from his former home studio ABS-CBN. Rico J. Puno ran for Vice Mayor of Makati and lost. But his popularity in Makati is beyond question. He still acts as adviser on some Makati projects. As of this writing, Rico J. is on tour with the Hitmakers that include Marco Sison, Rey Valera and Nonoy Zuñiga. The latest buzz is that the four was such a hit when they were guests at ABS-CBN’s Music Up Late that now they are being considered to host another big show.

Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Frank Sinatra are long dead. But for the romantic Filipinos their songs still live in our hearts.