#given grace

Local band Days of January marked their 7th Anniversary last January 1, and celebrated it with the release of a new music video.

Watch the music video for “Given Grace”, directed by Jasper Lawan:

Days of January revealed that “Given Grace” will be included in their upcoming album, which is slated for release this year. Speaking with PULP Magazine, the band says that they are “currently writing songs, making adjustments, [and] exploring different kind of sounds” for their upcoming release.

Opening up about the song, the band shared that “Given Grace” is about seeking God in our hearts. “It’s like you’re makin’ a devotion and accepting the changes God made you. Repentance and giving back the glory to the man above. The only inspiration we have for the song and the whole record as well would be God Almighty. Experiencing his GIVEN GRACE is the greatest feeling ever! The song is like giving more praise and worship [through] our own musicality. Giving thanks for all the matter we had and everything he made for us,” they said.

They also share that they’re in some sort of an “LDR situation”, with vocalist Mej Valencia currently working in Dubai. But he will be recording vocals there and will be sending the files to the band’s producer, Emil De La Rosa of Faintlight and Campsite Recordings, according to the band. “Actually, our situation is impossible for some people and we are aware of that but, this will never stop us from making music and [make] the impossible possible over and over again”, they said, hopeful and optimistic in dealing with the situation.

The upcoming album follows their 2014 release, The Road Less Traveled. After putting out the 5-track EP, Days of January said they took the time to really think about what’s next for the band. “Now, we’re ready and we’re excited!”, says the band who also hinted that they have a featured artist on their new album. As for plans in 2017 other than finishing their album, nothing’s set in stone just yet. They want to arrange an album tour, release more videos, plan a merch release, and play more gigs. “We will be here for a long time, and we're hoping that you guys are there with us in every moment,” they said.

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They say time flies, it does. And like a wind, four years breezed past us. We spent the day with laughter, reminiscing good memories. But it is also a day to remember the week of October 2011, when a tragedy happened to us and also rant our dissatisfaction because until now, justice that Given deserved seems so far. 

I was trying to reminisce the day we found out the tragic news. Time knows how to bury bad memories. It was hard for me to dig the series of events. Was it a Monday? Where am I? What we did after we found out? But even without the minute details, I can still remember the sadness, the blank faces of the organization’s members, our friends, the handouts that we should be reading but instead we were in a state of shock. 

UPLB was in grief when the whole world knew what happened to you. It was difficult because you are our dear friend. And now, we just wish that you will soon get the justice you deserve, let the criminals suffer and repent their sins and finally make your loved ones especially your family get the peace of mind they should earn long time ago.

We brought purple candle and purple flowers. We hope you like them because it is your favorite color. We shared stories to you of how we are as we try to remember your sweet voice. 

We wrote our messages and maybe somehow you can read them. It is difficult to write into words our feelings, our misery and hopes. Because honestly, four years may have passed but there will always be regrets. 

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” ~ Abraham Lincoln 

Given, you spent your life touching other people’s lives. You gained friends that will remember you even after long years. Your family will always love and remember you. 

Look at these faces who miss you deeply. We are all wearing our smiles as we remember the good memories we shared. I’m sure our friends, even if they cannot visit you, remember you with all their hearts. Our prayers and love will never end. You will always be special to us, our Given Grace.

I went to the practice for our performance for the death anniversary of Given Grace Cebanico, a UPLB student who was raped and killed last year. It was tiring, considering that we started practicing at around 8:30 pm on Wednesday. I left early because I had to bring Anya home to her dorm. It was 3 pm the next day when we started practicing again, and we only had until 6 pm to complete the dance and do some cleaning up.

The program started at exactly 6 pm. It began with a prayer for Given and for justice. I felt sick, now that I knew exactly what happened to her. It was disgusting. How could people do that to other people? She was innocent, and she was killed in a disgusting manner. I can't believe it! I do hope justice will be served quickly to the identified killers, despite the crappy justice system in the Philippines. My mindset changed from there. I no longer wanted fame; I wanted justice for Given, and I felt that our performance gave respect to her.

Unfortunately, though, I had to go after that, along with Papat. We had plans with our friends to go out for dinner. Somewhat grudgingly, we left the candle lighting ceremony and we went to Sizzlers, an eatery near UPLB. There were six of us there (me, Papat, Carlos, Gem, Marnie, and Aldrin), and we started talking about what's been happening to each of us (i.e., love lives). Tap and Daniel arrived a bit later, and we asked them stuff as well. We were only waiting for Matel, who was super busy with schoolwork, to arrive. Daniel even bought a cake for her to congratulate her on being a finalist for a singing contest in school. We had a good night, but the girls (Papat, Marnie, and Gem) had to go home early. It was suddenly boys' night out.

No, we didn't drink beer. We just watched a bit of TV there at the restaurant and talked until Carlos had to go. The rest of us agreed that if Matel didn't come by 8:50, we would leave. It was 8:49 when she arrived. So we ate the cake, which Aldrin said couldn't be done, and we had an loooooooooooooooooong argument on how much change everyone got. Then we left Sizzlers to bring Matel back to her dorm. Aldrin had to go, too, so we said goodbye to him as he left on a jeep outside the campus.

Me, Daniel, and Tap went on to play at Netopia. We didn't talk much during that; we were focused on our games. Boy stuff, you see. After that, we all left for our dorms (and me, to my aunt's house).

I fell asleep, woke up, and now I'm writing this. Still no followers, though.

Share ko lang. :)