I Dreamed a Dream

Lea Salonga singing I Dreamed a Dream during her

concert at the PICC last February 11, 2007

Last February 11, I went to see Lea's last concert before going to New York for her upcoming broadway show - Les Miserables. I wasn't really a big fan of musical plays. The last play I've seen was Miss Saigon at the CCP, and that was already six years ago. And the only reason why I got so interested in that play was because I became Ms. Vietnam at our school's United Nation way back in 1992 (it was a big thing for us then.. it's like Ms. Universe for the pre-teeners.. haha!).

But that night, as she sang this particular song.. I felt something different. It was a familiar song.. yet, it seemed like I've heard it for the very first time. I know the melody. It has been sung for so many times. But the lyrics.. I have never understood the meaning of the song until that night. And I realized how beautiful and sad it is at the same time.

Although I can't say that I could totally relate to it.. I mean, I wasn't actually abandoned by some ruthless guy (hmmm.. but now that I've thought about it... maybe yes.. maybe not!), with an illegitimate offspring on the side. My life has not yet turned into a total mess like hers so far. Though I must say when it comes to melodramatic stories, mine wouldn't be far from those seen in most telenovelas.

It is a faithful song at first.. Full of dreams, promises.. but most of all.. it is a song made for the hopefuls.. I thought it was a happy song. But then I realized, towards the end how life sometimes is.. The faith, dreams, promises and hope may not always be enough. It is sometimes cruel if it is seen in that light. We can only do so much. Protection is something that is sometimes hard to obtain.. People, circumstances will, inevitably hurt you. Sad as it is, there are things in life that are simply unaltered. Dreams will be shattered, promises will be broken, and hopes... well they will remain hopes incessantly. I thought this was a happy song.. and I was right. It is happy.. It is supposed to be a happy one. No matter how sad, miserable and painful.. At least I know that life isn't perfect. I will experience pain, miseries, and sadness.. And these things, make me human. Experiences may it be good or bad, make up for the person we are. I would like to think that somehow, these experiences made a strong being out of me.

I DREAMED A DREAM - FANTINE

There was a time, when men were kind And their voices were soft And their words were inviting There was a time, when love was blind And the world was a song And the song was exciting There was a time it all went wrong I dreamed a dream in time gone by When hope was high and life worth living I dreamed that love would never die I dreamed that God would be forgiving Then I was young and unafraid And dreams were made and used and wasted There was no ransom to be paid No song unsung, no wine untasted But the tigers come at night With their voices soft as thunder As they turn your hope apart As they turn your dreams to shame He slept a summer by my side He filled my dreams with endless wonder He took my childhood in his stride But he was gone when autumn came And still I dream he'd come to me That we would live the years together But there are dreams that cannot be And there are storms we cannot weatherI had a dream my life would be So different from the hell I'm living So different now from what it seemed Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.