Amazing story! 13 y.o. Marinduqueña fought as a Boy Guerilla in WW2

Kilala natin si Gen. Gregorio del Pilar na binansagang 'Boy-General'. Pero alam ba ninyo na nuong WW2 naman ay may isang 13-taong Marindukenya na nagpanggap bilang lalaki, sumama sa mga gerilya sa loob ng tatlong taon at nakapatay pa ng limang Hapones?

The London Edition of Stars and Stripes, August 13, 1945 where the news item titled 'Army 'Discharges' Girl Who Fought As a Boy Guerilla' appeared.

Girl who fought as a Boy Guerilla!

Ipinanganak siya sa Marinduque, ang ama niya ay isang Amerikano, ang ina ay Filipina.

Ang kanyang nabalong ina ay isa sa mga binihag ng mga Hapon at ikinulong sa UST Interment Camp nang pumutok ang digmaan.

Nagdamit-lalaki ang 13-taong gulang na babae at sumama sa guerilla medical unit sa ilalim ng US 32nd Infantry Division. Kasama siya sa labanan sa Northern Luzon at nakapatay pa ng limang Hapones.

Siya si Virginia Weems. Binigyan siya ni Maj. Gen. William H. Gill, pinuno ng 32nd division ng honorable discharge noong August 12, 1945.

Nang araw na iyon ay nakasuot pa rin siya ng khaki uniform dahil hindi siya nakakuha ng kanyang damit sa isang kumbento sa Cagayan Valley kung saan nag-aaral siya noon para maging isang concert pianist.

Naibalita ang tungkol sa kanyang karanasan sa London Stars and Stripes, August 13, 1945.

Ang English text ng artikulo tungkol kay Weems ay unang nabasa ng blogger sa UlongBeach.

Santo Tomas Internment Camp, also known as the Manila Internment Camp, was the largest of several camps in the Philippines in which the Japanese interned enemy civilians, mostly Americans, in World War II. The campus of the University of Santo Tomas was utilized for the camp, which housed more than 3,000 internees from January 1942 until February 1945. (Wikipedia)

(Above) Copy of the actual news item about Virginia Weeds, born in Marinduque, from ApolloHosting

From London Stars & Stripes August 13, 1945:

Army 'Discharges' Girl Who Fought as a Boy Guerilla 

MANILA; Aug. 12 Maj. Gen. William H. Gill, commanding the 32nd Infantry Division, gave an honorable discharge yesterday to 13-year-old Virginia Weems, who posed as a boy and served three years with Filipino guerrillas. 

Virginia, whose father was an American, and mother a Filipino, was born on Marinduque Island, near Mindoro. 

Her widowed mother was interned at Santo Tomas by the Japanese when the war broke out. Virginia donned boy's clothes and joined a guerrilla medical unit attached to the 32nd division. 

Virginia served through fighting in Northern Luzon and was credited with killing five Japs. 

She still wears a khaki uniform because she has been unable to get a dress at the convent in Cayagayen Valley, where she is studying to be a concert pianist.

Marinduque's phenomenal Joseleo Logdat, Baritone

Marinduque's musical wonder continues to make an impact on the world stage with his resounding, clear baritone. He's just phenomenal! To better appreciate Joseleo Logdat Baritone's music, some of his opera arias could now be viewed on YouTube Channel, JOSELEO Logdat.

His opera repertoire includes Figaro of Rossini’s Barber of Seville, Figaro of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, Macbeth of Verdi’s Macbeth, Alfonso of Donizetti’s La Favorita, Gerard of Giordano’s Andrea Chenier, Valentin from Gounod’s Faust, Don Giovanni from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Rodrigo from Verdi’s Don Carlo, Enrico of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermor , Dr. Malatesta of Donizetti’s Don Pascuale and Escamillo from Bizet’s Carmen.

Joseleo C. Logdat, Baritone:
(reprinted with permission from Joseleo Logdat, Classical Musician, Baritone). 

He finished his Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima, Japan where he was chosen as the Best Recitalist for the year 2014. He started singing in a choir in Boac Marinduque under Rev. Fr. Edwin Sager who inspired him to pursue his music career.

Finalist at the SLO - ASEAN Vocal Competition in Singapore 2018. Semi- Finalist at Accademia de Bel Canto International Vocal Competition in Graz Austria 2018. Logdat launched the annual “Musika sa Isla” in Boac, Marinduque, 2014, with the noble aim of promoting classical music in his home province.

Joseleo won the 2nd prize (Opera Category) at 14th Osaka International Music Competition 2013. 

A 2013 awardee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) “Ani ng Dangal” (Harvest of Honors) for Music, bestowed for his achievements in Japan. 

He is a Grand Prix Winner of the 6th Yokohama International Music Competition (2012) where he also won the 1st place in the Professional Voice Category at Yokohama, Japan; also won the Grand Prize of the “Mga Awiting Pilipino” (Philippine Art Song) Vocal Competition (2007).

Joseleo C. Logdat has performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra featuring excerpts from Filipino operas, “Takayama Ukon and Spoliarium” (2008). He has worked with the numerous conductors such as Kuzufumi Yamashita, Hiroyuki Odano, Kyosuke Matsushita, Helen Quach, Oscar Yatco, Chino Toledo, Arturo Molina, Rodel Colmenar, Michael Jacinto, Daniel Bartolome, Gerard Salonga, Dr. Raul Navarro, Gabby San Pedro- Rojas and Crisancti Macazo. 

He has sung with the following orchestras namely Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, Elisabeth University of Music Orchestra, Phil. Philharmonic Orchestra, Metro Manila Community Orchestra, Manila Symphony Orchestra , Manila Philharmonic Orchestra , Angono National Symphonic Band, and the ABS CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.

Has performed in operas such as Gianni Schichi (Phil.), Amahl and the Night Visitors (Phil.), Magic Flute (Japan), Noli Me Tangere (Phil.), La Boheme (Phil.) I Pagliacci (Phil.), Spoliarium (Phil.), Mayo Bisperas ng Liwanag (Phil.), and Why Flowers Bloom in May (Phil.). 

He performed as soloist in various oratorios: Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. He was a featured soloist of Beethoven’s Chorale Fantasy and the 9th Symphony.

The Philippine Embassy in Vienna recently invited him to perform for an opening of exhibit in the embassy of the Philippines in Vienna. Philippine embassy in Australia organised his tour in Australia in celebration of the Philippine Independence Day earlier on in 2015. The Philippine Consulate General invited him to perform at the Osaka International House, Japan for their “Tribute Concert for Two Great Filipino Composers”: Felipe de Leon and Francisco Santiago together with Eri Yoshida, Japanese soprano, and Dr. Raul Navarro as pianist.

Joseleo C. Logdat studied with musical pedagogues: Hiroharu Orikawa, Masako Katsura, Victoria Rapanan, Fides Asencio-Cuyugan. While studying in college, he was a protégé of Filipino bass-baritone, Gamaliel Viray. He is now under Arthur Espiritu’s mentorship.

He is also an artist of Sinagtala Management, Musika Klasika Filipino and Music Theater Foundation. He is also one of the founders of Jovita Fuentes Vocal Competition and currently the artistic director and the founder of the Gamaliel Viray Music Festival.

Also read:

Marinduque's award-winning artist performs in Noli Me Tangere, the opera at CCP tonight

Marinduque's award-winning artist performs in Noli Me Tangere, the opera at CCP tonight

Joseleo Logdat, Baritone

It is said that the character of Elias in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere is the most unique personality in the famous novel. As a villager with little education, the injustices suffered by his family under the guardia civil and friars have sharpened his intellect and vowed to fight social injustices and prejudices.

An opera in three acts based on Rizal’s 1887 novel goes on stage tonight at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theater, Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (March 8-10, 2019). The CCP celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year.

“Noli Me Tangere” is a full-length opera combined with orchestral arrangements from kundiman composition and Western classical music tradition.

Chosen to play Elias is Marinduque’s homegrown talent, Joseleo Logdat who started singing as a choir boy in a chapel in Brgy. Balimbing, Boac, Marinduque under the tutelage of the late Rev. Fr. Edwin Sager. 

Logdat eventually earned a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance at Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima, Japan, among others and has competed and received international vocal and music competitions in Singapore, Austria, and in Osaka and Yokohama (Japan).

A timeless story of love, betrayal and hope, Noli Me Tangere depicts the abuses suffered by Indios at the hands of Spanish tyrants, set against a repulsive backdrop of tyranny, torture and murder.

The opera illustrates “social cancer,” a rotten system of governance, the illicit way of the Church and the unfavorable trade of the privileged class.

This all-new production will be a grand gathering of cast and crew of 200 actors-classical singers and musicians.

“Expect a brand-new production of the ‘Noli Opera.’ We will be using LED walls instead of mapping projections alongside physical set pieces, which create a more ‘cinematic’ look and feel. Although it’s very expensive to mount this opera, ambitious even, we’d like this new production to be more affordable to students, tickets at 50 percent off, suggested by CCP and the art enthusiasts,” says New York-based event stylist, set and costume designer Jerry Sibal.

Sibal and veteran actor-director Jose Jeffrey Camañag co-directed the 2019 production that will feature the 53-piece Noli Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera.

Among others, leading the cast are Nerissa de Juan and Bianca Lopez (Maria Clara); Ivan Nery and Nomher U. Nival (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra); Allison Cervantes, Kelly Peralejo and Bernadette Mamauag (Sisa); Joseleo Logdat (Elias); Greg Abelardo de Leon (Pilosopo Tasyo); Nils Flores and Ronaldo Villaruel Abarquez (Padre Damaso; also Kapitan Tiago at certain performances); Miguel Espiritu (Kapitan Tiago); Noel Comia Jr. and Mari Yapjoco (Basilio) and Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin).

The opera will be performed with English supertitles with a gala performance tonight, 8 March (8 p.m.) and matinee performances on 9 to 10 March (2 p.m.).

For tickets:  J&S Productions Inc. at 0947-168-1714, 0915-819-3459, or (02)998-2356, CCP Box Office at (02) 832-3704/06, TicketWorld at (02) 891-9999. 

Buhay at kasaysayan ni Thomas Puertollano, Marinduquenong nangibang bansa 1891 at hindi na bumalik

Si THOMAS PUERTOLLANO ay tubong baryo Suha, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, nangahas bumiyahe papuntang Australia noon pang 1891. Nagtrabaho siya dito bilang pearl diver. Isa siya sa naging founding father ng Lombadina, isang lugar sa Broome, Australia. 

Ang Thomas Bay na isang white sand beach dito ay isang napakagandang lugar na ipinangalan sa kaniya.

Old photo of Thomas Puertollano.

(Ang sumusunod ay hango sa isang dokumentaryo ng I-Witness na isinulat ni HOWIE SEVERINO at isinahimpapawid sa GMA-7, Nobyembre 26, 2016.)

Malimit isipin sa kanyang buhay ni Kevin Puertollano ang tungkol sa kaniyang dakilang lolo na hindi na niya nasilayan.

Kanyang lolo ang dalawampu't-isang-taóng-gulang na si Thomas (Tomas) Puertollano ng umalis mula sa kaniyang sinilangan sa baybaying-dagat ng Marinduque noong 1891, papuntang Australia at hindi na bumalik kailanman.

Fr. Martin Puertollano of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque was instrumental
in unearthing the baptismal records of Thomas.

Sumama siya sa libu-libong iba pang mga kabataang lalaki mula sa buong Asya tungo sa isang sumisikat na bayan sa hilagang-kanluran ng Australya kung saan sila naging mga pearl divers. Ang mga Pilipinong sumama sa adventure na ito ay tinawag na 'Manila Men' saan man sila nagmula.

Book launch was held in 2016, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) with its President, Dr. Raul Sunico, Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely, and the author herself who welcomed these descendants of the first “Manila Men”, including those of Thomas Puiertollano  – now balikbayans.

Sa pearl diving ay malaki ang kita bagamat isang mapanganib na trabaho, nalalantad ang mga divers sa mga pating at mga buwaya ng tubig-tabang. Mga walong oras sila sa isang araw sa pagkokolekta ng mga shell na kinukuha sa karagatan.

Si Thomas ay nag-asawa ng isang aboriginal na babae at naging isang respetadong miyembro siya ng lipunang Australya, ngunit hindi kailanman binigyan ng pagkamamamayan. Tinaguyod niya ang isang pamilya na hanggang ngayon ay wiling-wili pa rin sa pagluluto pa ng adobo. Napanatili rin nila ang relihiyong Katolisismo simula noong una.

Birth records of Thomas (Tomas) Puertollano were recorded here.

Pagkalipas ng 125 taon, sinamahan ng kanyang kapatid na babae at pinsan si Kevin papuntang Pilipinas sa wakas at naglalakbay sa unang pagkakataon sa tinubuang-bayan ni Thomas. Pakay na makipag-ugnayan sa mga kamag-anak sa Marinduque na hindi niya nakilala.

Sinaksihan ni Howie Severino at ng kanyang kasamahan upang kunan ng dokumentaryo ang hindi pangkaraniwang pagkikita at ugnayang ito at nagpasiyang sundan din si Kevin pabalik sa Australia.

Isinaboy sa puntod ni Thomas ang mga puting buhangin mula sa kaniyang lupang tinubuan.

Si Kevin, ang kanyang kapatid na si Roma, at ang kanilang pinsan na si Patricia ay nagdala ng isang bagay mula sa Marinduque, at sa isang simpleng seremonya sa libingan ni Thomas, ginamit ito upang muling kumonekta ang dakilang si Thomas Puertollano sa kanyang sariling lupain – mga puting buhangin mula sa Suha, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque.

Rodolfo L. Jao, M.D.: From Boton (Boac) to Boston - Marinduque's first celebrity doctor

High up in the mountains I heard about the passing away of Marinduque's famous celebrity in the 60s, Dr. Rudy Jao. His family used to live in the quiet barrio of Boton where I also grew up. I just remember that one summer day in those days there was unusual excitement among the local folks. 'May mga parating na mga artista!' Si Tessie Agana, who was famous for having been the child star of 'Roberta', a tearjerker of a movie, and she was also known as the daughter of the beautiful accomplished actress, Linda Estrella. She was accompanying the couple visiting the humble barrio. Tessie got married in the U.S. to our barrio boy, a well-respected physician there. To welcome the party people lined up the dusty Ilaya road to warmly receive them.

As a kid I just heard people talking about 'nagapandaw laang yang Rudy na 'yan nung araw sa ilog (Boac River) mandin pag walang pasok'. He went to school at the Marinduque High School and returned another time to receive an Outstanding Alumni Award from his Alma Mater dear.

Here's what I came across about the late Dr. Jao:

Rodolfo L. Jao M.D.

OCTOBER 16, 1933 – FEBRUARY 28, 2018

Dr. Rodolfo (Rudy) Jao age 84, of Valparaiso, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Second child of 8 siblings; Beloved husband of 53 years and survived by his wife: Maria Teresa Jao. Devoted father of Marita, Radmar, Rodger, Roderick (Melissa), Michelle (Dino), Mylene (Andy), Rodolfo Jr., Rodney (Noriko), Rodell (Toba), and grandchildren: Brianna, Marcella, Liam, Alexi, Ty, Cassandra, Xander, Lara, Gia, Cali, Chapman, Harris, Rodolfo III (Brody), Maxton, Emilia, and grandchild #16. Cherished brother and brother-in-law and proud uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Rodolfo L. Jao, MD was a practicing Internist specializing in Infectious Disease in Northwest Indiana for over 40 years. As a young boy growing up in Boac, Marinduque in the Philippines his intelligence, curiosity for science and incredible personal drive and ambition paved the path to be a doctor. Dr. Jao went to the University of the Philippines Medical School, however, as he seeked more opportunity he moved to the United States to do his Fellowship training in Infectious Disease at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Dr. Jao’s passion and dedication to the Philippines and the medical community led him to be co-founder of many organizations and led to charitable medical missions in the Philippines. He served in a leadership role and was deeply committed to all organizations. Dr. Jao was an active member in the University of the Philippines Medical Association of America, Marinduque International, Inc., Philippine Professional Association, Indiana Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Medical Association in Chicago, Asian American Medical Association, and Association of Philippine Practicing Physicians in America just to name a few.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Marinduque International, Inc. EIN 52-2184326 A 501 3C Corporation: Mail Checks to: 124433 North 149th Drive Surprise, AZ 85379 to help support medical missions and the church in Marinduque, Philippines. Visitation will be held Friday, March 9, 2018 at Geisen Funeral-Cremation & Reception Centre at 606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN from 2:00 to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 509 Division Rd., Valparaiso, IN. Entombment will be at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, IN.

FAMILY

Maria Teresa Agana Jao, Wife

Marita Jao, Daughter

Radmar Jao, Son

Rodger Jao, Son

Roderick (Melissa) Jao, Son

Michelle (Dino) Jao-Velasquez, Daughter

Mylene (Andy) Richardson, Daughter

Rodolfo Jao Jr., Son

Rodney (Noriko) Jao, Son

Rodell (Toba) Jao, Son

Brianna Jao-Stuppy, Granddaughter

Marcella Jao-Stuppy, Granddaughter

Liam Jao-Stuppy, Grandson

Alexi Jao, Granddaughter

Ty Jao, Grandson

Cassandra Jao, Granddaughter

Xander Jao, Grandson

Lara Velasquez, Granddaughter

Gia Velasquez, Granddaughter

Calista Velasquez, Granddaughter

Chapman Richardson, Grandson

Harris Richardson, Grandson

Rodolfo Jao III, Grandson

Maxton Jao, Grandson

Emilia Jao, Granddaughter

Baby #16, Grandchild

Amadeo Jao, Brother

FAMILY

Maria Teresa Agana Jao, Wife

Marita Jao, Daughter

Radmar Jao, Son

Rodger Jao, Son

Roderick (Melissa) Jao, Son

Michelle (Dino) Jao-Velasquez, Daughter

Mylene (Andy) Richardson, Daughter

Rodolfo Jao Jr., Son

Rodney (Noriko) Jao, Son

Rodell (Toba) Jao, Son

Brianna Jao-Stuppy, Granddaughter

Marcella Jao-Stuppy, Granddaughter

Liam Jao-Stuppy, Grandson

Alexi Jao, Granddaughter

Ty Jao, Grandson

Cassandra Jao, Granddaughter

Xander Jao, Grandson

Lara Velasquez, Granddaughter

Gia Velasquez, Granddaughter

Calista Velasquez, Granddaughter

Chapman Richardson, Grandson

Harris Richardson, Grandson

Rodolfo Jao III, Grandson

Maxton Jao, Grandson

Emilia Jao, Granddaughter

Baby #16, Grandchild

Amadeo Jao, Brother

Herman Jao, Brother

Aida Jao-Mariposque, Sister

Napoleon Jao, Brother

Conchita Jao-Manalo, Sister

Sison Jao, Brother

Vivian Jao-Herrera, Sister

Dimash with that incredibly stunning vocal power and prowess

Dimash Kudaibergen 

You've never heard anyone sing like Dimash, I swear! He has a vocal range of 4-octaves (that's according to his mother, but other reports claim 5-octaves), plus a little more... (like hitting a D8 with sheer clarity!) 

I recently came across a YouTube video with this artist singing a highly emotional French song. Turns out it was a cut from a singing competition held in China earlier this year.

Couldn't get enough of him afterwards, watching his live performances, his baritone, tenor, countertenor, soprano and OMG whistle registers (Kazakh musicians classify his voice range 'from counterbass to kontraltino'), till I find myself agreeing with this one YouTube comment: 

A once-in-a-century genius, with amazing voice, perfect techniques and special charisma. His live performance is solid and brilliant, being able to replicate notes hit in the studio when in a live setting. Even though he speaks only a little English, his voice is transnational, trans-cultural and transgender.

(Update: In a recently posted YouTube video Dimash was asked how wide really is his vocal range, five or six octaves? His answer: "Possibly wider than six octaves. But that is not important to me. Success to a singer is his/her pursuit of music and their inner feelings. Neither bass nor treble is important. Most important thing is singing beautifully.")

Who's Dimash?

Dimash (pronounced di-ma-shi or di-ma-xi in China, elsewhere it's di-mash') Kudaibergen (Kudaibergenov is the longer name), is a 23 year-old male singer well known in Kazakhstan where he won national competitions for young performers. The outside world started to notice him after winning the Grand Prix in the 25th International Contest of Pop Song Performers "Slavic Bazaar 2015" in Vitebsk (Belarus).

At age 5 he was sent to music school by his grandmother who raised him,
after finding his "ear for music".

Then, earlier this year he joined the Singer 2017 (Chinese TV series on Hunan Television), the winners of which were determined by audience voting. While he won the first round, his combined score in the semifinals and final placed him second in the competition, with Sandy Lam, a veteran singer from Hong Kong as the winner.

During the competition Dimash set the record for singing the most number of songs in different languages (English, Mandarin, Russian, French, Kazakh and Italian). And the only baritone, tenor and soprano in one singer. He only speaks Kazakh and Russian fluently. 

He has since won the following awards: 

2017			Fresh Asia Music Awards	Best Overseas Artist	Won
2017			Hong Kong Golden Music Awards	My Favorite Male Singer	Won
2017			MTV Global Chinese Music Awards	Best Overseas Singer	Won
2017			MTV Asian Music Gala	Most Popular Overseas Singer	Won
2017			OK! Style Music Gala	Favorite Male Singer Of The Year	Won
2017			Top Chinese Music Awards	Best International Artist	Won
2017			Chinese Top Ten Music Awards	Most Popular Asian Singer	Won

"SOS d'un terien en detresse" (SOS from a distressed human being), that song I first heard him singing was from the repertoire of French singer Gregory Lemarchal. It is now one of Dimash songs that has become much talked-about and my favorite, too. 

Says a YouTube subscriber (Ian Kain), of this "ever most beautiful interpretation" of this song: "His presence and the power of his voice is not just making goosebumps, it rather makes people cry. The tears of remembering who we are, where we come from, (there we go again), and that this planet is a very tough place to live on." 

One could listen to other interpretations of the song by other acclaimed singers and find that their excellent versions may be weighed but found paling side by side with Dimash's incomparable interpretation, apparently the most reviewed Dimash song on YouTube right now.

Watch/listen to two of the older versions at the bottom of this page. (By song artists Gregory Lemarchal and Daniel Balavoine)

Best to listen to Dimash himself as he tells his personal, developing story in this well-crafted video:

French - S.O.S. d'un terrien en détresse  (with English translation courtesy of YSGBSongs Pourquoi je vis, pourquoi je meurs Pourquoi je ris, pourquoi je pleure Voici le S.O.S. d'un terrien en détresse J'ai jamais eu les pieds sur terre J'aim'rais mieux être un oiseau J'suis mal dans ma peau J'voudrais voir le monde à l'envers Si jamais c'était plus beau Plus beau vu d'en haut, vu d'en haut J'ai toujours confondu la vie Avec les bandes dessinées J'ai comme des envies de métamorphose Je sens quelque chose Qui m'attire Qui m'attire Qui m'attire vers le haut Au grand loto de l'univers J'ai pas tiré le bon numéro J'suis mal dans ma peau J'ai pas envie d'être un robot Métro boulot dodo Pourquoi je vis, pourquoi je meurs Pourquoi je crie, pourquoi je pleure Je crois capter des ondes Venues d'un autre monde J'ai jamais eu les pieds sur terre J'aim'rais mieux être un oiseau J'suis mal dans ma peau J'voudrais voir le monde à l'envers J'aim'rais mieux être un oiseau Dodo l'enfant do English - S.O.S. from a distressed human being Why do I live, why do I die Why do I laugh, why do I cry Here is the S.O.S of a distressed human being I never had my feet on the ground I would rather be a bird I am not comfortable in my own skin I would like to see the world upside down In case it was more beautiful More beautiful viewed from above, viewed from above I always mistook life For a comic strip I feel the need to transform myself I feel something That is pulling me That is pulling me That is pulling me towards the sky In the great lottery of the universe  I didn't pick the right number I am not comfortable in my own skin I do not want to be a robot Working eating sleeping* Why do I live, why do I die Why do I scream, why do I cry I think I am picking up waves Coming from another world I never had my feet on the ground I would rather be a bird I am not comfortable in my own skin I would like to see the world upside down I would rather be a bird Sleep, child, sleep Gregory Lemarchal's version: Daniel Balavoine's version:

And where is Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, sharing borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, and also adjoins a large part of the Caspian Sea.

An important nation along the ancient Silk Road, Kazakhstan has had a long relationship with its Chinese neighbors. It is a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic with a diverse cultural heritage. In the 13th century, the territory joined the Mongolian Empire under Genghis Khan.

Political map of Kazakhstan

Sources:

Dimash Kudaibergen - Wikipedia

Dimash Kudaibergen: Biography Of The Famous Kazakh Singer

Dimash Kudaibergen newest symbol of Sino-Kazakh relations

Kazakhstan - Wikipedia

YouTube

Autographed photo of Dimash

Trivia: Dimash also sang Contessa + The Diva Dance. The latter was from the movie "The 5th Element" sung by Albanian soprano Inva Mula and recorded with the help of computer editing (she was able to sing 80% of the aria, but the other 20% was computerized. It's the part that was deemed not possible to be sung by humans. But Dimash sings it live without the aid of computer editing to the amazement of his audience.

Ric Manrique, Jr., Hari ng Kundiman, namaalam na

Ric Manrique, Jr. Ang larawan sa kaliwa ay mula sa kanyang album 'Kapalaran', ang nasa kaliwa ay kuha ng kanyang anak, Ronald T. Manrique.

Ricardo "Ric" Manrique, Jr. (23 May 1941 - 23 September 2017), may dugong Marinduqueno (Boac), ay mang-aawit ng mga Kundimang Filipino. "Hari ng Kundiman" ang naging bansag sa kanya. Unang nakilala siya noong 1960, bilang kampeon sa loob ng 12 linggo ng sikat na paligsahan sa pag-awit, ang Tawag ng Tanghalan.

Nagsimula siya bilang miyembro ng Mabuhay singers noong 1950s. Ang kanyang iba pang kasabayang mga mang-aawit noon ay sina Ruben Tagalog at Diomedes Maturan.

Gumawa si Manrique ng isang album bilang solo singer noong 1960s sa ilalim ng Villar Records. Ilan sa kanyang mga awitin ay naging theme song din ng ilang pelikula, tulad ng Ang Daigdig Ko'y Ikaw, Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak, Florinda at Maruja.

Ilan pa sa kanyang mga awitin ay Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Sapagkat Kami ay Tao Lamang, Tanging Diyos Lamang ang Nakakaalam, Ikaw, Mahiwaga, Ikaw ang Ligaya Ko, Kundiman, Ang Pasko ay Pag-ibig, Sa Piling Mo, Magbalik Ka Lamang, Alaalang Nagbabalik, Bituing Marikit, Hindi Kita Malimot, Giliw, Magbalik Ka Lamang, Kahapon Lamang, Limutin Mo't Mamamatay Ako, Iniibig Kita, Magandang Bituin at napakarami pang iba.

Ilan lamang sa kanyang mga album ay ang mga sumusunod.

Nag-migrate si Manrique sa US noong 2001, kasama ang kanyang pamilya, subalit patuloy pa rin siyang naging abala doon bilang mang-aawit para sa Filipino communities. 

Noong nakaraang taon ay nagawaran siya ng isang Lifetime Achievement Award ng Outstanding Pilipinos in Los Angeles (TOPLA).

Mananatiling buhay naman ang kanyang mga iniwang mga awitin sa puso ng mga Filipino.

Manrique sa kanyang pagtanggap ng TOPLA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016

Kuha naman noong 2001 sa Amerika kasama sina Cely Bautista, Rita Rivera, (Manrique), German Moreno, Diomedes Maturan, Raye Lucero at  'Tatay Naning' ng Mabuhay Singers.