Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise. Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these sunken eyes and learn to see. All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to be free. Blackbird, fly. Blackbird, fly into the light of the dark, black night.

Written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon-McCartney, Blackbird is a Beatles song from the double-disc album, “The Beatles” – more commonly known as “The White Album,” but honestly, let’s face it, more so than that, more so than being one of the best songs of all time – Blackbird is an anthem, a tribute to the blackbird within us all.

I was thirteen when I was struggling with depression; too young to be too sad. I was immensely pessimistic about life at such a young age and nothing could ever ease the pain of too many problems I wasn’t even supposed to know yet. I was beyond hopeless and about to give up – then The Beatles come in and sing about setting yourself free from everything holding you back, about letting go of the past that scarred you and making room for a better future, one which you deserve.

Here were four lads from Liverpool who just happened to come into my life at just the right moment, right when I was on the brink of it. One of my two favourite quotes about The Beatles, this next one I’m about to show being from the movie, Pirate Radio, explains it all:

“There will always be poverty and pain and war and injustice in this world, but there will, thank the Lord, also always be The Beatles.”

There will always be sadness that takes over each of us at one point in our lives, but know that this is temporary and when it feels as if it isn’t, there will always be, thank the Lord, The Beatles to make everything right.

One song can change your life. Blackbird was my song. Blackbird was that one song that made me feel as though everything will be fine – and eventually, everything was. John, Paul, George and Ringo are my main inspirations in life just because they saved it. Words can’t express my love and gratitude for this song and for the brilliant souls behind it.

End.

This is the essay I’m passing to my professor for Theory of Design on the musicians who inspire me the most and the picture of the tattoo I’m planning on getting.

November 21, 1980 in New York

Stella McCartney photographed by Linda McCartney, 1984

Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating. They have become a ubiquitous symbol of Philippine culture.

I have so much appreciation for History of Philippine and Asian Arts and Interiors, one of my majors for Interior Design. It makes me see how beautiful my country is and the continent that houses it.

There are times when I am just incredibly proud to be Filipino.