You've Made Me Stronger With A New Arrangement

Watching Regine's Silver concert on TV last night, I was grateful that two of my songs made it, not only to her concert lineup (to think she's had so many hits throughout her career and not every one of them were performed at the concert), but also to last night's coverage of the concert as well, as not all of her spot numbers were aired.

I was sure they'd show "Shine" because it was the concert's opening number, but I wondered about "You've Made Me Stronger" - and I'm glad they included it in last night's special.   I guess that aside from it being part of a memorable time in her career, which she herself talked about (the song was released as the single of  her album "My Love Emotion" when she broke up with Ariel Rivera, so the timing was just perfect), the song has been given new life with a fabulous new arrangement by Mon Faustino.  Here's a clip I found on youtube of Regine performing this new version on Party Pilipinas.

I love hearing about how the song has helped many people going through a breakup.  People have often asked me who or what was my inspiration for the song.  It was inspired by an someone who, months after we had gone our separate ways, appeared to think I was still not over him.  And I felt so insulted!  I had moved on and was doing fine.  Well, instead of writing a "don't flatter yourself" kind of angry song, I decided on a more positive spin.   Positive with still a bit of a sting in the bridge which goes "Think again/Don't feel so sorry for me, my friend/Don't you know/I'm not the one at the losing end."  In other words, huwag kang maawa sa akin - maawa ka sa sarili mo because it's your loss, not mine.  Ouch!! ;-)  And I meant it, too!  What other feeling could I have for someone who hurt me other than knowing deep inside that I deserved better?  And that I'd be better off without him?  So yes, it really can be therapeutic to listen to and sing this song. =)

One of the stories I heard that I got such a kick out of came from drummer Niño Regalado who says he was in the US many years ago and was talking to some homeless guy who was understandably at the end of his rope.  Desperate to find words of encouragement, he decided to quote some "Asian poet" and proceeded to recite the words of my song.  It makes me chuckle to imagine Niño reciting my lyrics with all conviction.  But hey, the homeless guy nodded and thanked Niño for giving him hope so it all worked out. =)

And so speaking of hope, mine is for this song to continue finding its way into the hearts of people more than two decades after it was written.  Thank you, Regine, for continuing to sing this song.  With your help, it will continue to be a source of inspiration and strength for those who need it.