FREESTYLE: ONCE IN A LIFETIME
THE NEW ALBUM REVIEW
By: Lil Sorio and Grace San Miguel

Yes, it's true, it's very true. The long wait is finally over.
Freestyle's new album "Once In A Lifetime" was released last September 17, 2004. The album is composed of ten songs including ones written by Mike Luis and Joey Benin of Side A. Here's a review about the new album and see what's really in store for all the Freestylers out there.

SA AYAW MO'T SA GUSTO
"ayaw ko na sanang umibig pang muli
lalo na't kagagaling lang sa pagkasawi....
Ngunit di na ko makapigil
o heto na naman ako
o ako'y nanggigigil
napapamahal na sa yo
sa ayaw mo at sa gusto...."

This is a song written by the Freestyle's main man Top Suzara. Honestly, when I first heard this song, it's really like listening to a Side A song because of the beat. It will remind you of the song "Tuloy Pa Rin Ako." It's a song about expressing your feelings for somebody because you're afraid to get hurt again. But despite of the risks involved, you still can't say no to your heart, even if loving means getting hurt once more. Hmmm...I think I can relate to that... do you guys think you can too?

RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE
"every day we go for different things
we need not know what tomorrow will bring
but I know it all be okay
baby come what may....
when it's time to cry
we can cry together
know that I'll be with you
with you through whatever
when the times get rough
know that I will be right by your side
I'll be right by your side..."

The song, again written by Top, is dedicated to all lovers and friends who vow to stay beside each other through good and bad times. The words of the song are very meaningful and the beat is so nice and it will keep you humming even after listening to the song.

MANANATILI
"paano magagawang limutin ang sandali
yakap kita sa aking piling
hanggang katapusan walang ibang sasabihin
kundi pag-ibig ko sa yo'y mananatili
hindi magbabago ito'y sa yo lagi
habang umiikot pa ang mundo
iibig lang sa yo pag ibig ko'y mananatili...."

A song that I think that's already popular even if it's not yet officially released. People who watch their gigs are already familiar with this song. It's written by the talented Mike Luis. Another song that promises a love that shall stay forever. It's like another promise of a life-long commitment to someone with and without the pain and happiness. Quite serious, huh?

FOREVER LOVING YOU
"I just want to say...
that I give my world to you,
and I promise to be always true
and I swear that from today I will stay this way
forever loving you....
you've turned my world around
with a love that you and I have found,
I've waited for a lifetime and now you're finally here, since you came into my life, it all just seems so clear..."

This song, another one composed by Top, is a personal favorite of mine. The beat is so "Freestyle" and it will remind you of their hit song "'Til I Found You." For all the lovers out there who waited patiently for true love to come, this song expresses the fulfillment of finding that perfect someone for you at the right place in the right time. Are you in-love already? We are just nearly half of the album...

HINDI NA BA PWEDE
"di na ba pwede wala na bang pag-asa,
pag-ibig sa iyo'y wala na bang ibubuga,
kasiyaha'y pansamantala lamang pala,
saan ako nagkulang o di kaya'y sumobra,
kung ano man iyu'y sabihin mo na sana,
mga luha'y di na malabanan pa,
para bang hindi na mawawala..
hindi na kaya pang magmahal ng ganito,
hindi magmamahal kung hindi rin sa 'yo,
hindi na kaya pang...."

Do you ever wonder why songs that have questions for their titles have great impact on people? Like "Bakit Ngayon Ka lang?" by Ogie Alcasid and "Have You Ever?" by Brandy? Maybe this is because people always have so many questions about the heart, that they never seem to get enough answers. Well here's another song that will stick into the hearts of those who loved and lost but still have the guts to hope that what they have can still be more than friendship or that second chance is possible. A song for those whose hearts never cease
to love someone because they know they can never love anyone like that again.

SA 'YO
"nagsimula lang ang lahat sa isang tingin,
mula nun napamahal na ko sa yo,
gabi gabi nananalangin sa mga bituin
maramdaman mo sana, maintindihan mo sana..
para sa 'yo lamang ang puso kong ito
magpakailan pa man asahan mo,
para sa 'yo lamang ang puso kong ito
magpakailan pa man para sa 'yo...oooh..."

Another song composed by Mike Luis, it's a powerful song and if your loved one dedicated this song to you, it will really hit you in the heart. C'mon, aren't you the luckiest person in the world if your loved one sings to you a song as beautiful as this?

HANAP KA
"paano na ang bukas ko, na sana'y nasa piling mo...
hanap ka at umaasa pang sana'y muling makapiling ka
at hindi na maalis ang nadarama at
ipinagdarasal na sana'y magbalik,
wala nang mahihiling pa kung maaari
pang makapiling ka..."

I really like this song especially the chorus. It's very soothing and mellow. It's a song that talks about missing someone so special to you. It's a song you can listen during a time when you feel like reminiscing the beautiful times you had with your ex-lover and you can't help but stare in the big blue sky and realize that you still love him/her.

I'LL WAIT FOR YOU
"in the middle of a cold night can you feel my heart beating,
in the middle of the pouring rain
can you hear me calling your name,
in the middle of the quiet night
can you hear me saying I will
oh I will, I'll wait for you..."

A song composed by Joey Benin of Side A, you will feel a different kind of Jinky as she sings this song. Another powerful song from the diva herself, you can feel a little rock edge in this song and yet the lyrics will still touch your heart.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME
"oh I've heard it all before,
finding so-called love
then you leave it behind,
ooh but now I feel so sure,
I listened to my heart this time,
with my heart before my mind,
I know that what I found is once in a lifetime
and I know there's no way out
'cuz it's once in a lifetime..."

Alternative or rock music...a new genre for Freestyle? Ei, don't be fooled by the voice you're hearing. It's not Edwin McCain guesting on the new Freestyle album. It's Top singing. Another one of his great compositions, this can be an international hit. But even with a different kind of beat, you can still feel it's a great love
song because of its lyrics. Hey Freestyle, you guys really rock!!

WHEN HELLO MEANS GOODBYE
"I've been waiting for you,
I wanted to see who'll you turn out to be
imagining who you will be
the day you began to live in me
and I wonder...and I wonder
I can't wait to say hello,
can't wait to say hello..."

A song composed by Jinky Vidal, the word that best describes it is......touching. Honestly, when you listen to this song, you need a big box of tissues beside you. With the recent obstacle Jinky had encountered, you can definitely feel how strong and true the words are while she sings the song. The piano also moves you as you listen to the song. All we can say is that...Jinky, we love you, we'll always be here for you...

There you have it guys! If I would rate the album, it's really 10 out of 10. I know you'll love it 100%. If only my player can talk, it will tell you the same thing. I know you can't wait to get your hands on the new album...let's support Freestyle....let's support OPM music together....This is LIL your webmaster, signing out...