I covered this song for Christmas of 2012
but never got the chance to post it here.

Pasko Na Sinta Ko
by Mr. Gary Valenciano
Voice and All instruments by – Ty Martell

This is one of my favourite Filipino Christmas tunes.
But, I don’t know, it’s more like a Love song, honestly.

Anyway,
It was a big hit back when I was still living there
and I am sure everyone there knows this one.
It has been revised and covered hundreds of times.
And now I am one of them.
Because I want to be just like everyone else.
That desire of the feeling of “belonging.”

I succumb to Peer Pressure a lot.

I’m lonely.

Here’s another one by Mr. Rey Valera.
I have mentioned it before,
how I am a big fan of his.

A great example of a great Filipino talent.

This song is called “Kumusta Ka.”
And definitely another favourite of mine.

Music by – Rey Valera
Guitars and Voice by – Ty Martell

It’s also the first cover I did with the guitar effects
purely on Garageband.
Even the mixing and editing.

I am really starting to engulf myself inside the Mac and iOS environment.
Hopefully I would learn a lot more.

Thanks for listening to my stuff.
I truly appreciate it.

Lyrics start here.

(more…)

Alright. I came up with this one.

It’s an old Filipino Classic and definitely one of my favourites.

Maging Sino Ka Man, by Mr. Rey Valera.
The literal translation would me “Whomever you may be.”

The song’s message is
“I would love you whomever you may be.
I don’t care what your past was,
and whatever anyone says is not important.”

I just used some backing drums from a Midi file I found
and I replaced the acoustic guitar with piano,
and the solo Saxophone as solo electric guitar.
I like how that one turned out.
Gave it a bit of a “Rock feel.”

I can’t do anything with the vocals though.
That’s what I came up with after a good 39 takes.
That’s just gonna be as good as it gets.

So here’s Maging Sino Ka Man
Music by – Rey Valera
Cover by – Ty Martell

Hope you like this one.

Lyrics Start Here
(more…)

I have been a parent for 9 years now,
and I must be honest with you,
I still have no clue what I am doing.

I just wing it.
Day after day.

Some days it’s awesome.
Some days it’s … not too good.

It’s quite exhausting.

The only way I can make it through,
is the realization that it is all worth it.

So in honor of all Fathers out there,
especially my dear friends who I know are going thru the same thing day after day.

I covered this classic song by Cat Stevens.
Definitely one of my favourites.

Here’s to you, brothers.
Keep on doing what you were meant to do.

Music by Cat Stevens
Voices and all instruments by Ty Martell

Oh and I miss you Dad.
Happy Father’s Day.

Lyrics Start Here
(more…)

Easter 2012

As always, it has been tradition for me to make a song every Easter.
Here’s a Filipino Worship song called Diyos Ay Pag Ibig. (God is Love)

Its message is that we have a God of Love.
We should help and understand each other.
And if we ever fail or be broken, just always remember
that our God is Love.

With all the trials one faces in life,
It is easy to forget and lose faith.

One of the things I am truly guilty of,
as a Christian,
is that I fail to see hope.

Singing worship songs somehow helps me pause and understand
what my place is in the whole scheme of things.

Though I still fail,
these music keeps me company at least.
Keeps me sane.

Happy Easter to all.
The one true Christmas.

Here’s Diyos Ay Pagibig

Music by: Unknown
Voices and all instruments: Ty Martell

(more…)

Yes, I covered a Manilow.
I don’t care what you say, but Barry is one hell of a songwriter.
An amazing talent and voice to boot.

This is the first time I recorded a song
using Garageband. And I am still learning lots from it.

This is just a simple cover with piano and voice.
I was going to add some more, but I stopped right there.

This is one of my favourite songs.
I wish I can be like Mr. Manilow
who can write songs that make the whole world sing.
Songs of love and special things.
Or what makes young girls cry.
Yiiihhiiiii!!!

Anyways,
Here’s

Somewhere Down The Road
Music by: Barry Manilow
Piano and Voice by: Ty Martell

Lyrics Start Here

(more…)

I tried to do a Video Song post, but it sucked so we’ll forget that.
Moving on.

This song is from a Philippine TV show called “My Binondo Girl.”

There are only two reasons why my friend Jojo would call me early in the morning.
Either she will go vendetta on me because I made fun of Twilight,
or she wants me to check out a song and see if I can do it.
And yesterday was the latter.

She told me about this popular new TV show in the Philippines
which apparently, a lot of my friends are crazy about.
I really have no idea what the storyline is
because I do not have the Filipino Channel
and I am too cheap to subscribe.

Anyway.
Here’s a cover I did of this song
which was composed by one of the actors on the show.

I agreed to do it because I like the lyrics and the message it conveys.
It’s about this guy professing his love to this girl.

They said he wrote it because he was inspired
when he does his scenes with a pretty co star.
Or maybe he really does have feelings for her.

It takes a lot of guts to tell someone how you feel about them.
So, good luck to him. I hope he gets the girl.

I wouldn’t know, would I?
I don’t subscribe to TFC.

So here is,

Ako’y Sa’yo Lamang (I’m Only Yours)
Music by : Xian Lim
All instruments and voice by : Yours Truly

Lyrics begin here:

Sana’y ako ang pag bigyan ng puso
Pangako sayo ikaw ang iibigin
Araw gabi ikaw ang nasa isip
Unang tingin ako’y nabighani

Tunay ang nararamdaman
sayo magpa kailanman

Ako’y sayo lamang
Ibibigay higit sa kaya
Ako’y sayo lamang
Bigyan mo sana ng pag asa
Sayong sayo lamang
Tiwala mo ay iingatan
Ako’y sayo lamang
Iyong iyo lamang ako

Here’s a little thing I covered for the Holidays.
I chose this one and not other traditional songs
because this song gives a message to Believe.

Christmas and its spirit is fading.
Hope and Joy are hard to come by
in these trying times.

Here’s something that made me remember that
even at times of darkness and of grief,
there might still be hope yet.

We just have to believe.

Ghosts On Christmas Eve
Music by: Trans Siberian Orchestra
Voice and all instruments by: Ty Martell

Lyrics start here:

—
In this room where shadows live
And ghosts that failed learn time forgives
Welcome, friends, please stay awhile
Our story starts with one small child

Who spends this night in attics dark
Where dreams are stored like sleeping hearts
And so it’s here that they must wait
Till someone wishes them awake

For somewhere on this night of nights
She’s looking to believe
Here among the ghosts on Christmas Eve

And there near an old looking glass
There was a trunk from Christmas past
That she had somehow missed before
But now decides she will explore

‘Twas filled with toys and one old wreath
And several letters underneath
So as the evening hours leave
The child sat down and started to read

For somewhere on this night of nights
She’s looking to believe
Here among the ghosts on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve
—