Standing On The Edge

Mixtape 01: Bataan Bound

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:38:00 +0000

photo by Bel Certeza

So this is it. I am finally sharing with you my FIRST EVER mixtape.

I made a playlist last week for the long trip to Bataan for our annual company outing. My ideal road trip going to the beach is riding at the back of pickup truck while the wind touches my cheeks. But last week's trip was far from ideal -- it was a three-hour drive while inside an air-conditioned bus with the rest of my equally beach-excited colleagues.

I decided to make this mixtape to capture that genuine roadtrip vibe by listening to songs that remind me of the beach and those songs that would make one sway while enjoying that satisfying feeling of sand in between one's toes. It definitely set the mood and made me forget that three-hour long and tedious journey. It is originally a 50-track playlist, but I selected my top 10 faves.

I am no expert that's why it took me a while to get the courage to share this mixtape. Hope you enjoy this Bataan Bound mixtape as much as I did. :)

Mixtape 01: Bataan Bound from belolats on 8tracks.

01 The Sundays - Summertime
02 Blind Pilot - We Are The Tide
03 Filter - Take A Picture
04 311 - Amber
05 Soul Coughing - Circles
06 Luscious Jackson - Ladyfingers
07 Happy Body Slow Brain - Move At Different Speeds (On The Road)
08 The Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
09 City and Colour - Natural Disaster
10 Telefon Tel Aviv - Farenheit Fair Enough

Download Mixtape 01: Bataan Bound here.

The Summer Shiznit

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:48:00 +0000

Finally! Up and coming band, tide/edit, will play at their very first gig at Green Apple Productions' The Summer Shiznit at Amos Cafe. My friend tweeted the news while I was researching about steel buildings. These guys have been just playing and sharing their music via their YouTube page. Everything is recorded and 'performed' in the confines of their bedrooms. But on April 20, the band will experience playing their music with a crowd. I will definitely not miss this!

Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:55:00 +0000

Alpinestars Jacket or any kind of jacket for that matter seems to be out of place when one hears the word 'Summer'.

The beach beckons. March is almost over and the temperature is literally rising as days go by. The photo above is from that memorable trip to Bataan some four years ago. I might not have the chance to sink my toes in the sand but I am looking forward to at least bike around town or explore Corregidor.

Pause

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:32:00 +0000

So medical scrubs.

I have been typing, deleting, and then now I just had to continue and write down whatever it is in my head. I am ashamed of myself for not posting anything worthwhile to read here. A lot in my head are worth writing. Definitely. I have been wanting to write everything now for a while but I do not know where to start.

Inspiration is something that I craved for since the start of this year. Something that can give that certain feeling of wanting to do better with everything that I do. One of the important things that I have learned recently is one owe it to oneself to be selfish sometimes. That it is not bad to distance oneself to things or situations that give one self-doubt.

Up Dharma Down Covers Bodjie Dasig's Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:17:00 +0000

Routine broken. Blog idle. A lot of things have been happening that I cannot keep up. Even the task of researching on how to buy gold online had me cramming. I wanted to write everything that's been up with me but I do not know where to start. Guess I have to really take time on organizing my thoughts.

Anyways, on to the good news. My YouTube page (click on the YouTube icon on my sidebar to go to my page) is picking up, having more and more followers each day. That's because of my recent video post: Up Dharma Down doing a cover of 'Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko' as tribute for the late songwriter, Bodjie Dasig who passed away just recently. The video now has 6,950 views! Check it out!

Cutie Drops

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie (photo by Bel Certeza)

Forgive me for doing my Death Cab For Cutie concert posts in drops. This photo of Ben Gibbard is the most decent one I have from the bunch. I still have to research on furniture wheels for a client before I can fully concentrate on doing a full-blown post about the best concert I have been to so far this year (Toe's concert is just around the corner and I think it will bump this one to second place hehe). And I still have to upload the rest of the videos from that night too, but my internet connection is not that decent that's why it's taking me forever to upload. :s

Here's another video I've uploaded from Death Cab For Cutie's first Manila concert: Photobooth.

We Laugh Indoors

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:15:00 +0000

Still on a Death Cab For Cutie high.

Last night's Death Cab For Cutie's first Manila concert was a nostalgic, surreal experience. I'll write more about it on my next post (including the one about leather cleaning products), but in the the meantime enjoy this video I took from last night's spectacular show. Dream come true for me to hear this song played live.

Here's Death Cab For Cutie performing We Laugh Indoors, live at the NBC Tent.

I Have Been Abducted

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:03:00 +0000

It was my first time in Republiq. The place was kinda intimidating because it was really swanky and not the typical place I go to whenever I watch bands. People were all dolled up that one would be shy if their wardrobe consist of just plain top, jeans, and flats. But the heck with that. My excitement was sky-high since I opened my eyes that Saturday morning (despite the writing task on travel system strollers that I needed to accomplish) knowing that I will be watching one of my favorite bands play live. It's Taken By Cars and the event was called 'Abduction'.

The gig was the band's send-off party for their upcoming stint at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas. Taken By Cars is the first Filipino band that was invited to the festival.

Artists from 57 countries came to Austin for SXSW 2011, and this year's music festival promises to be another global gathering. All the way from Manila, the Filipino band Taken by Cars are Texas-bound with their dance-friendly, intelligent brand of indie rock. Known to their fans as TbC, they were featured as one of "Five Asian Bands to Watch in 2011" by Time Magazine, and enjoyed great response to their second album, Dualist, featuring catchy songs like "This Is Our City."

- from the article Taken By Cars En Route to SXSW.

The event started late and the band didn't go on with their 16-song set, but it still was a spectacular show.
Here are some snaps from the event.

The stage.

My ticket. Thanks to Splintr.com!

I got to chat and hang out with Techy Romantics before
their set. They opened the show.

Taken By Cars!!!

Aside from the band's awesome music, another thing that
sets this show apart from the gigs I have been to was the
fantastic stage lights and design. Look at the pink wall!

With Taken By Cars' lead vocalist, Sarah Marco. :)

And now to give you a glimpse of the show, here's my video of the last song they performed, Shapeshifter.

Toe In Manila Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:15:00 +0000

Before I go and research on my article about discount pool pumps, this is just in: Toe's concert tickets are officially SOLD OUT! I thought that was amazing that a lot people really want to see the band play live. And the more amazing thing is there are people that are still looking for tickets.

Call me selfish, but I am not entirely with Terno Recordings' decision to move the concert into a bigger venue to accommodate those who's still looking for tickets.

The concert, formerly set at The Tents in Alphaland, will now be held at the NBC Tent in The Fort. New batch of tickets are available at Dr. Martens The Fort and Team Manila in Rockwell.

Abduction: Taken By Cars' SXSW Send-Off Party on March 3

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:54:00 +0000

Taken By Cars is the first and only Filipino band headlining this year's SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas this March. And before the band head out and conquer the US shores, they want to celebrate this milestone with their fans by having a send-off party on March 3 at the Republiq Club in Newport City.

The send-off party will also be a part of their very first live DVD coverage.

Tickets can be pre-ordered starting tomorrow, February 20-29 at Php500 each. Text Party Bear Productions at (+63922) 8258946 or email party.bear.records@gmail.com for more details.

30 - 48/366: Two Weeks Late

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:56:00 +0000

Been sidetracked from blogging for the past two weeks. It’s only February and life has been giving me interesting twists and turns that I end up pondering with things a lot than I used too. I definitely need one of those meditation chairs, or maybe not. I still am able to keep the habit of taking a picture to sum up my day.

Day 30’s entry has got to be my favorite entry to date. I have walked that path for the past six years and that is the only time I got to appreciate it. It was a glorious sunny day and I just had my lunch. Walking alone and having the time to really observe the things around you and be able to experience it makes one see things in a different light.

I got to finally see the US version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo on it’s opening day in Manila (Day 32). I never read the book but I saw the movie’s original Swedish version with Nomi Rapace playing Lisbeth Salander. Of course, I have some expectations and I tend to compare whenever these things happen. The US version had its points that the original film doesn’t have, and same with the original film lacking what the US version has. I thought Rooney Mara did a brilliant job playing Salander.

Day 34, I had dinner with m friend Mayee at 8065 Bagnet in Makati. The place was packed when we arrived, but we’ve been hearing good reviews about the place and its specialty: Bagnet. We waited outside the restaurant for at least 30 minutes before we finally get to try their Bagnet. And it was worth the wait. It was also Hidden Nikki’s album launch. I brought my camera with me that day, but ended up not going because I got sick. I had a fever earlier that day and it got worst.

Day 45, Valentine’s day. I planned on checking out the parking lot where I took this photo some five years ago. But it’s now gone.

Day 46, I dropped by Rockwell to get my ticket to TOE’s concert on March 20. Concert tickets are officially sold out which I find amazing. It’s going to be an awesome show.

Day 47, I finally got to see Hugo on the big screen. I have been anticipating this movie since I first read about it on FirstShowing.Net. Martin Scorsese is a true genius.

A Week In Metro Manila: Up Dharma Down Documentary (Full Version)

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:30:00 +0000

More than a year in the making, Tony Rago's A Week In Metro Manila: Up Dharma Down documentary is now available to the public.

A Week in Metro Manila: Up Dharma Down” is directed and produced by Tony Rago, a Chicago-based Pinoy Music-loving fan. The film started as a means to chronicle his week-long trip in Manila where he met with his favorite band, Up Dharma Down.

The documentary, which put together over a span of a year, features Up Dharma Down in a way their fans have never seen; in-depth interviews, live performances and fan testimonies are featured in this documentary made by a fan not only for the band but for his fellow fans as well.

This documentary was made not only for Rago’s self-confessed love for the OPM band but also to introduce the band in the international music scene – a possible achievement for Up Dharma Down with their music which is most likely to cross various countries.

Up Dharma Down is Armi Millare, Paul Yap, Carlos Tañada, and Ean Mayor.

The documentary was screened at the Portage Theatre in Chicago, IL on November 05, 2011 as an official selection for the annual Chicago Filipino-American Film Festival.

The Manila screening was held at Capones, A-Venue in Makati on November 12, 2011.

23 - 29/366: Chasing Gleams Even On Sundays

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:40:00 +0000

I really need to figure out a more convenient and organized way to post my photos when creating my weekly Project 366 entries. I wanted to align the photos in threes but Blogger's layout is kinda weird. Windows Live Writer is another option but it doesn't allow captions, just mouse-overs. Yes, I am OC like that, LOL.

Saw J.Edgar last Friday. The movie was set in an era where cufflinks for men are necessary. Writing a review after I closed this entry but will be posting the review on my other blog.

Now on to the week that was:

Day 23

23/366: Eye. Say hello to my London Eye bag. It was a pasalubong from my good friend, Dominique. She's based in London and it was very sweet for her to give a piece of her hometown. The bag is made of generic flour cloth and its size is just perfect. Sorry for the dark image as my room is not well-lit.

Day 24

24/366: After. The MRT station is at least 7 blocks away from my office. The walk lasts at least 30 minutes and the degree of chaos is different each day. I do not ride the MRT and take the bus on most times. I took picture around 6:30 before reaching the bus station in EDSA. Yes, the train is faster but I'd rather be relaxed inside a bus than to compete with stress that is MRT chaos after a long day.

Day 25

25/366. Before. My Tuesday entry was tagged as 'After' so I thought it was only fitting to have a 'Before' entry. This is a view from the overpass in front of SM Megamall in Ortigas where I take the bus going to Makati. It's 6:45 AM and all I can think of is what to have for breakfast because I skipped dinner the night before.

Day 26

26/366: Gleam. Walked three blocks from the office to buy lunch from McDs. I ordered Fish Fillet sandwich. It was a glorious sunny day and I had to take a slower pace to appreciate the afternoon. I was wearing the dress I bought from Armi from the rummage sale. My boss always compliment me whenever I wear the dress. Was wearing my favorite jacket too.

Day 27

27/366: Chase. Look who came with my brother to drop me off at the FX terminal to go to work; our dearest Chase! And yeah, that cutie is my brother Zaide. Heh. :P

Day 28

28/366: Saturday. There is something therapeutic about cleaning one's room. I removed every single curtain on my window because I am certain that it is what's making me sneeze the past week. After tidying up my little corner, I decided to spend the rest of the day in bed and read my book. Sherlock Holmes has 1408 pages and it'll definitely take a while to finish everything. Torn if I should just stick with this one book or start another.

Day 29

29/366: Sunday. Say hello to my lovely parents. I find it really sweet that my father makes an effort to color-coordinate with my mother. This is before we drive off to church to hear mass. I told them I just had to take a picture because they look too darn cute together. I was teasing my father about his bulging tummy, hehehe.

16 - 22/366: Crashed Into An Inferno Of Cupcakes

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:03:00 +0000

Rhinitis is EVIL. Been suffering from it for the past three days. Missed a day and a half of work this week because I feel really queasy and weak. A client just sent me a request for buy morgan silver dollars to write about, but it was a good week, I should say. Ending it hanging out with friends made a huge difference.

Here are this week's photos:

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

16/366: Name. My weekend of editing paid off. Most of my office mates seemed to like the video presentation that I made for Sir Rene and Sir Dennis' Send Off. The Send Off party was a Children's Party at McDs. My group mates made me write 'Bella' instead of 'Bel' on the party hat. I wasn't feeling well all day.

17/366: Step. Still not feeling well because of a bug that I think I caught over the weekend. I finally ended my self-debate and decided to do what I thought felt right. It was a step I took that made me feel uneasy but at the same time sure. Both of us are mixing the cement and polishing the bricks that we're slowly starting to put between us. He's doing it as fast as he can and I am gradually just getting used to it. But I know in my heart he has a mallet lying around somewhere.

18/366: Crash. Third day of not feeling well. There was a point in the day that my energy started crashing and needed a hug. I took three 10-minute naps in between tasks to make it through the day.

19/366: Dust. Decided not to come in at work because my rhinitis had been in its worst. Woke up light-headed and dizzy. I spent the day in bed, slept and had a glass of water in between.

20/366: Complete. Went back to work though I still felt uneasy. My boss said I should've taken the day off because I still don't look good. But I said I don't want to find myself behind my tasks so I decided to come in. My short time at a bookstore at lunch time was worth it because I found a complete collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series in one book. The cover was a bit battered so I asked if they have a new copy. The customer service personnel said that was the last copy. I decided to get the book because it was hard finding an edition like that. I asked if they can just give a sort of discount, and they gave a 10% off.

21/366: Inferno. Popular Days is on when I arrived at SaGuijo. It was the first Terno Inferno for 2012 and all my friends will be there so I decided to come even though I haven't fully recovered. And I am glad I did. Brought my camera with me and was able to film sets from Not Another Boy Band, Hidden Nikki, Sleepwalk Circus, and Up Dharma Down. I just really feel good whenever I film something.

22/366: Cupcake. That's me, Kris, and Armi. It was dark because my BlackBerry doesn't have a flash and SaGuijo's starting to turn off their lights. Terno Inferno ended at 4am. Hung out with friends for a bit after. We surprised Armi, Ean, and Paul with cupcakes because the three of them celebrated their birthdays this month. I'll have to wait for another month to see them again.

Toe Live In Manila on March 20, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:13:00 +0000

This is probably the best news this week (aside from the low prices for med cart, heh) : Japanese band Toe is confirmed to have a show in Manila on March 20!

After their successful 10th Anniversary concert featuring Indie pop-rock band Tahiti 80, Terno Recordings is bringing yet another brilliant music to Manila shores in the form of Japanese band, Toe.

Toe is composed of Kashikura Takashi on drums, Mino Takaaki on guitar, Yamane Satoshi on bass guitar,
and Yamazaki Hirokazu on guitar. (photo from INTASTELLA BURST HK)

I fell in love with Toe after hearing their song, Goodbye, from their For Long Tomorrow LP.

Now if hearing that song and seeing how passionate this band is while playing their music still did not convince you to see the show, then there is something wrong with you. Seriously, seeing Toe live would definitely be an experience of a lifetime and not to be missed.
Update: Toe's first Manila concert on March 20 will be held at The Tents, Alphaland Southgate in Makati.

JGL ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:14:00 +0000

Hi, Joe. May I admire you? ♥

11 - 15/366 | Blogging Pains and Plans

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:42:00 +0000

I've successfully taken one photo a day for 15 days straight, but sort of failed with the 'blogging everyday' part. I guess I just really have to push myself harder and write something about my day on a daily basis. My life is pretty boring and there's nothing interesting for me to write about. Or there is still that fear of being called 'self-centered' that's why I cannot really gain back my enthusiasm when it comes to really writing down my thoughts.

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Here's the run-down of the past five days of my life:

11/366: Break. One of them coffee breaks. I stayed in the office all day just getting used to the new rules and finishing up stuff that needs to be delivered that day. I am getting more comfortable with being myself further and further. More shrugging and not give a f*ck.

12/366: Buddies. Had dinner with my best friend at Tokyo Tokyo in Megamall, beside that hexagon gazebo. We were so into each other's kwentos that we failed to take a picture together to document the evening.

13/366: Transition. Began editing the Send Off party video presentation that day. It had been ages the last time I did some editing. I downloaded a trial version of Avid Studio. I was surprised at how vast the selection of effects, transitions, and other effects that you can do with Avid. The transitions are pretty tricky so I decided to just stick with the basic transitions because of the limited time frame to finish everything.

14/366: Fan. Still did some editing, and then went with Kris to Ayala Museum. It was fun touring the museum specially the Diorama. The last time I had been at the Ayala Museum was when I was in 5th grade. After the museum tour, we went to the Glorietta Activity Center to see Up Dharma Down play at an event there. It was weird they weren't allowed to play Sana, Indak, and Tadhana. Brought my camera with me and shoot the whole thing. Videos will be up on my YouTube page in the coming days.

15/366: Blue. After one week, I still am blue.

10/366: Change.

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:16:00 +0000

Project 366: Day 10

I needed it. As soon as possible. Drowning in a sea of uncertainty and negative vibes for more than two months is just too much to handle. I never had a boyfriend, and maybe will never be a girlfriend for that matter but the first solution I thought of was doing the typical thing a person does when some part of herself is broken: get a haircut.

Don't worry, I didn't do anything drastic.

9/366: Lines.

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:52:00 +0000

Project 366: Day 09

One of those beautiful afternoons after work. I am starting to get the hang of the new routine. Yes, I'd like to say that I am a 'routine' kind of person. The good thing about routines is it somewhat gives you a straight line to follow. My 2011 was a year of routines. And there is one routine that I am trying to get pass. To move on from. Being it an everyday thing for almost eleven months is kinda hard for me.

I guess ~~one~~ change will forever remain constant.

8/366: Brosia.

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:07:00 +0000

Project 366: Day 08

Warning: this book cannot be read in public.

Pol Medina Jr.'s Pugad Baboy Issue One. This was an unexpected gift from Sir Rene back in 2006. I was a newbie at our company and he is one of my boss. I'm always known as a gloomy one and reading this book makes me otherwise.

7/366: Team.

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Project 366: Day 07

Meet Tutets and Chase, our two trusted canines. They have been with the family for more than five years. If only they can learn how to be a 'guide dog', that would help my mother a lot. Funny how they always fight but at the end of the the day, they have each other's back.

Death Cab For Cutie Live in Manila Ticket Prices

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:10:00 +0000

March 05 2012, 8PM The NBC Tent, Taguig

Early bird promo from Jan 06 to 15:

Php 3,420 VIP
Php 2,250 Gold

From January 16 onwards:
Php 3,800 VIP
Php 2,500 Gold

Tickets available at Ticketnet. For more details, call 911-5555.

6/366: Corner.

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:43:00 +0000

Project 366: Day 06.

Say hello to my corner at the office. :)

5/366: Asiong.

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:50:00 +0000

Project 366: Day 05

There are a few things that was going on in my head before I went inside the cinema. The last local movie I saw that I was really impressed was Quark Henares' Rakenrol. And Manila King Pin: The Asiong Salonga Story is the second film that I really took the time to watch. I have seen the trailer more than twice and I've read good reviews about the movie.

The film's cinematography is one of the reasons why I wanted to watch the movie. The whole thing is in brilliant black-and-white, and I must say I am really impressed.

If only they've selected a better actor to play the title role, then it would've been perfect.

4/366 | Sherlock.

noreply@blogger.com (Bel Certeza) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:38:00 +0000

Project 366: Day 04

Ok, I admit, today was a bit busy and was very focused on work today that I forgot to really take time and snap something more interesting (like Medical Office Manager Jobs. Heh.). I thought of sharing something about myself instead.

Sherlock Holmes. One of my most favorite characters in literature. The master of deduction and disguise. I haven't read all of his cases, but as far as I know, it was only Irene Adler that was able to elude Holmes. I have read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes five times and every time I read it again, I still discover something new. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is very detailed with how his hero analyzes each case that sometimes I get too absorbed with the deduction process that I miss small details.