Fascinating Strange Days

What makes a perfect film?

2012-03-04T23:36:00.004+08:00

I haven't watched that too many films. But why is it that whenever I watch a Filipino movie, mostly recent ones, a question often pops in my head: Why am I always bothered by weak scenes?

I'm no critic. I know nothing about film theories. I only watch movies. And I try to support Filipino films as much as I can. Sometimes, I'd like to think there are weak scenes because

1. The actors are not very good.
2. Unimportant scenes are hard to let go for some directors.
3. The film is too telling.
4. Devices are sometimes overused.
5. I am too acquainted with my own culture.

I sometimes fail to see the weak scenes in Hollywood and other foreign films maybe because

1. I'm too overwhelmed by stunning visual and sound effects.
2. What is a 'weak scene' for A-list directors (no matter how crappy or sell-out the movie is)?
3. I'm not too acquainted with the culture and artistic motivations of foreign filmmakers.

I must watch more movies.

Reading assignments

2012-03-04T00:08:00.004+08:00

Thank you to my housemate for providing me a stash of good books to read while I continue to ponder about how f~~ucked-up~~ life is. I'm still reading Kurt Vonnegut's A Man Without A Country. Vonnegut's too egotistic. Too American (because he's one). He has too many opinions about living the American life that no matter how their culture is strongly influential, it is not a perfect society.

I noticed I've been reading more from male authors. Does it matter? Yes because

1. What I read and how I think should not be too influenced by male ideas. Much more, I don't want my opinions to be influenced by western ideas. I don't want to think 'too male' with my perspectives.

2. It is only that women really think differently from men in some ways.

3. Even though I sometimes deny that most great thinkers came from the testosterone team, I'm still coping up and learning how women formed and influenced society purely from the female perspective.

4. I realized that all my books are from male authors.

5. I am deconstructing feminist ideas. This is NOT a battle of the sexes.

Kurt Vonnegut Man Without A Country. The Journals of Anais Nin Volume Five.
The Pocket Muse| Ideas & Inspiration for Writing.

A room without books is like a body without a soul ~ Cicero

Scheduled airing of Art Republik on Knowledge Channel (Sky Cable)

2012-03-03T23:01:00.001+08:00

Visit Art Republik on Facebook

February 28, 2012: Sari, Aba and Kiri Lluch Dalena and Rox and Romeo Lee share their family experiences in Episode 1’s Siblings in Art. The Dalena sisters and the Lee brothers are in the fields of visual arts and film. Replays on March 1 and March 3.

March 6, 2012: Poets Michael Coroza, Nerisa Guevara, Kooky Tuason, and Fliptop rapper Batas speak of respect in the worlds of Balagtasan, poetry slam, and Fliptop battles in Episode 2’s Spoken Word. Replays on March 8 and March 10.

March 13, 2012:Actors Irma Adlawan, Soliman Cruz, Gabe Mercado and dance artist Myra Beltran present how performers give of themselves on stage and off in Episode 3’s Performing Bayanihan. Replays on March 15 and March 17.

March 20, 2012: Architects and musicians jam on adaptability with Francisco Mañosa, Lolita Carbon, Ana Mangalino-Ling and Cooky Chua on Episode 4’s Space and Sound. Replays on March 22 and March 24.

March 27, 2012:lawyer/playwright Nicolas Pichay, medical doctor/musician Moel Diaz, teacher/actor Anna Deroca, and advertising executive/musician Isa Garcia share how they balance their multiple roles in Episode 5’s Artists by Night. Replays on March 29 and March 31.

April 3, 2012:Responsibility is exemplified by directors who lead creative and art projects such as Sid Maderazo for TV commercials, Marie Jamora for MTV, Claro Ramirez and Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez for art exhibitions in Episode 6’s Directors’ Cut. Replays on April 5 and April 7.

April 10, 2012: Theater artist Joel Saracho of Taumbayan, filmmaker Avic Ilagan of Blacksoup Cafe + Artspace, musicians Marben Moreno of Hades Bar and Andre Umali of Headstock Bar build a stronger and closer community with their spaces in Episode 7’s Tambayan. Replays on April 12 and April 14.

April 17, 2012: Episode 8’s On Women shows the high level of commitment of visual artists Brenda Fajardo and Karen Ocampo Flores, and literary writers Malou Jacob and Aida Santos to their craft and advocacies. Replays on April 19 and April 21.

April 24, 2012: Female tattoo artists Gel Cabrera and Minnehaha Calleja, street artist Whooop, and comic book creator Budjette Tan discuss courage in the urban art episode, Episode 9’s Skin, Street and Comics. Replays on April 26 and April 28.

May 1, 2012: Episode 10’s The Old and New focuses on quality work as filmmaker John Torres, visual artist At Maculangan, media artist Tad Ermitaño, and dance artist Rhosam Prudenciado, Jr. compare the traditional form with the new. Replays on May 3 and May 5.

May 8, 2012: Visual artists Mark Justiniani and Alfredo Esquillo, Jr., art collector Robert Bjorn Santos, and gallery owner Albert Avellana show the upside and the downside of sentimentality in Episode 11’s The Collector. Replays on May 10 and May 12.

May 15, 2012: Filmmakers from different genres and generations, National Artist for Cinema Eddie Romero, Ditsi Carolino-Garcia, Antoinette Jadaone, and Pepe Diokno define their brand of excellence in Episode 12’s And the Winner is… Replays on May 17 and May 19.

May 22, 2012: Ildefonso P. Santos, National Artist for Landscape Architecture; Virgilio S. Almario, National Artist for Literature; Abdulmari Asia Imao, National Artist for the Visual Arts and; the late Salvador Bernal, National Artist for Theater Design narrate how they persevered in the beginning of their art journey until they were conferred the highest recognition for the arts in Episode 13’s The National Artists Special. Replays on May 24 and May 26.

Mental Shit V

2012-03-01T22:47:00.000+08:00

The Beginning Is Okay But The End Is Not

I've lost my faith in nights
swimming in deep murky waters
that settle on my chest. Where voices
talk of unveiling a blanketed body.
A thick, musty cover hardened by
many months of being left wet
into oblivion.

I leave open the lights on, at night,
when sleep comes to visit. I seduce
the walls, to warp and eat the space
that drown my pores. Leave only
my eyes. Wondering,

if absence is equal to a nil,
to the loss of light and truth,
words we cannot hold. A body
vertical at rest, decaying.

Lights bouncing off, mirrors
reflecting the night drowning.
Eyes living. The head,
sometimes, is enough
without the body.

030112

Id(l)es of March

2012-03-01T11:26:00.004+08:00

I am trying to figure out how I can add another entry under the Rushmorebelle who? page. The title page sounds cheesy too. I'm updating my post on what this blog is all about without publishing it on the main page since I'm planning to put all my personal rants and whatnots there. I have to work on it more.

Anyhow, it's the first day of March. I'm unemployed for two months now.

Let's drink to that!

In other news,

This Charming Man (Steven Patrick) Morrissey is coming to Manila for real!

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - The Smiths

And I need a real job now.

Not last night

2012-03-01T09:42:00.000+08:00

Say No To Love
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Missed post no. 2 : My Birthday Song

2012-02-22T03:51:00.004+08:00

7/4 Shoreline - Broken Social Scene

I'm being sentimental. I'm always sentimental. And it's a not shitty thing for me. Every year I dedicate a song on my birthday, which pretty much sums up the total meaning of my existence in a year. That I have lived another year. And I'm facing another one.

When I was 24, my birthday song was Kings of Convenience's 24-25. And seeing them play live when I was 24 was one of the happiest moment.

'24 and blooming like the fields of May', 24-25
Kings of Convenience, Manila 2010

When I turned 25, Cut Copy's Lights and Music was my birthday song because

1. The music trend in the latter part of 2010 was pushing to 80-ish sounding/ disco music.
2. Cut Copy was my break out band of 2010
3. They released an album in 2011 and a friend of mine gave me a copy as a birthday gift
4. Lights & Music is included in their 2008 album In Ghost Colours and has the word 'birthday' in the lyrics

Cut Copy with their mean machine

My birthday song this year is Broken Social Scene's 7/4 Shoreline because

1. Leslie Feist sang the song
2. The guitar layers and bass lines are awesome
3. Kevin Drew looks like Ethan Hawke in the music video
4. Honest, truthful and heartbreaking lyrics
5. I love the horn section on the last part of the song

I can listen to this song the whole day in loops.

It's a shoreline
And it's half speed
It's a cruel world
And it's time

***

A very happy birthday to one of the people that I admire in dealing with extreme sports, loving the beach and drinking pale pilsen, Winna (@alwaysthewinna).

Verification codes

2012-02-21T11:38:00.002+08:00

I missed several posts especially on my birthday where my thoughts were overflowing at that moment. Thank you to Google for not helping me recover my account. There are other ways to find my password without your help and I did it!

****

Missed post no. 1

My supposed Valentine's Day mixtape which I posted on my Tumblr. And my love for Conor Oberst for ruining the line-up. Thank you Bright Eyes!

Black & White

2012-02-14T12:53:00.005+08:00

B & W photos captivate in a way that feels strange. Haunting yet beautiful. A visit to a deserted, undeveloped public beach with big waves licking and racing to a shore break is not a common sight for someone who is trapped in a boxed city. A black & white picture of sky-meets-sea waves will suffice to keep me dreaming.

Photo credit: Grasi & Dhen
Location: Sta. Catalina
Vigan, Ilocos Sur

New TV show on Filipino artists airs February 28

2012-02-12T22:35:00.001+08:00

Art Republik, a new TV show that features Filipino artists, debuts February 28 on Knowledge Channel at 8:40 p.m. Art Republik is a 30-minute program on Philippine arts and culture, profiling 51 artists from various art fields and two art collectors or a total of 53 guests for its first season. The first season of Art Republik carries 13 episodes anchored on themes, which are based on cultural traits.

The cultural traits used as episode themes include close family relations with a focus on siblings' relationships, respect, Bayanihan, adaptability, hard work, responsibility, strong sense of community, commitment, courage, quality, sentimentality, excellence, and perseverance.

For the first episode, Art Republik features two families involved in the fields of independent film and the visual arts: the Lee Brothers and the Dalena sisters. Roxlee is the hero of underground cinema; Romeo Lee commonly known as Lee is a University of the Philippines-Diliman icon and visual artist/performer.

Sari Lluch Dalena is a multi-awarded filmmaker who recently bagged the Best Picture and Best Director awards at the 2011 Cinema One Originals Film Festival for Ka Oryang. Aba Lluch Dalena is a visual artist, an art teacher and the lead vocals of Rockbato. Kiri Lluch Dalena traverses the fields of visual arts and film.

“We created the show to provide an alternative program to the usual entertainment and political fare on television. TV is a powerful medium to inform and engage people. We hope that Art Republik could contribute in increasing the awareness on Philippine art to a wider public by presenting its creators, the Filipino artists, whose work reflect our culture,” Betty Uy-Regala, producer of Art Republik, said.

The other members who complete the show's team are co-producer Evie dela Cruz, director JL Burgos, Imelda Morales, Opaline Santos, Ria Torrente, Kathrina Reston, Tom Estrera III, Allan Alcantara, Erwin dela Cruz, Rene Bayking, and Joel Laserna. Alma dela Pena, Mavie de Ocampo, Kristine C. Tabada, and Phillyn Lorenzo were part of the pilot episode production.
The show is produced through the Asian Christian Arts Association, Inc., a non-governmental organization, and partially funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the policy-making body and grants-giving government agency for the preservation, development and promotion of Philippine arts and culture.

Felipe de Leon, Jr., chairman of the NCCA, said, “The Philippine government recognizes the role of culture in the development of the economy and national unity. This is embodied in our Constitution (Article XIV) and the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP).”

Art Republik will be aired on Knowledge Channel every Tuesday at 8:40 p.m. with replays on Thursday at 8:40 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Knowledge Channel is channel 42 on Sky Cable. Art Republik is on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/artrepublik)

Scheduled Airing of Art Republik on Knowledge Channel

February 28, 2012: Sari, Aba and Kiri Lluch Dalena and Rox and Romeo Lee share their family experiences in Episode 1's Siblings in Art. The Dalena sisters and the Lee brothers are in the fields of visual arts and film. Replays on March 1 and March 3.

March 6, 2012: Poets Michael Coroza, Nerisa Guevara, Kooky Tuason, and Fliptop rapper Batas speak of respect in the worlds of Balagtasan, poetry slam, and Fliptop battles in Episode 2's Spoken Word. Replays on March 8 and March 10.

March 13, 2012: Actors Irma Adlawan, Soliman Cruz, Gabe Mercado and dance artist Myra Beltran present how performers give of themselves on stage and off in Episode 3's Performing Bayanihan.
Replays on March 15 and March 17.

March 20, 2012: Architects and musicians jam on adaptability with Francisco Mañosa, Lolita Carbon, Ana Mangalino-Ling and Cooky Chua on Episode 4's Space and Sound. Replays on March 22 and March 24.

March 27, 2012: lawyer/playwright Nicolas Pichay, medical doctor/musician Moel Diaz, teacher/actor Anna Deroca, and advertising executive/musician Isa Garcia share how they balance their multiple roles in Episode 5's Artists by Night. Replays on March 29 and March 31.

April 3, 2012: Responsibility is exemplified by directors who lead creative and art projects such as Sid Maderazo for TV commercials, Marie Jamora for MTV, Claro Ramirez and Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez for art exhibitions in Episode 6's Directors' Cut. Replays on April 5 and April 7.

April 10, 2012: Theater artist Joel Saracho of Taumbayan, filmmaker Avic Ilagan of Blacksoup Cafe + Artspace, musicians Marben Moreno of Hades Bar and Andre Umali of Headstock Bar build a stronger and closer community with their spaces in Episode 7's Tambayan. Replays on April 12 and April 14.

April 17, 2012: Episode 8's On Women shows the high level of commitment of visual artists Brenda Fajardo and Karen Ocampo Flores, and literary writers Malou Jacob and Aida Santos to their craft and advocacies. Replays on April 19 and April 21.

April 24, 2012: Female tattoo artists Gel Cabrera and Minnehaha Calleja, street artist Whooop, and comic book creator Budjette Tan discuss courage in the urban art episode, Episode 9's Skin, Street and Comics. Replays on April 26 and April 28.

May 1, 2012: Episode 10's The Old and New focuses on quality work as filmmaker John Torres, visual artist At Maculangan, media artist Tad Ermitaño, and dance artist Rhosam Prudenciado, Jr. compare the traditional form with the new. Replays on May 3 and May 5.

May 8, 2012: Visual artists Mark Justiniani and Alfredo Esquillo, Jr., art collector Robert Bjorn Santos, and gallery owner Albert Avellana show the upside and the downside of sentimentality in Episode 11's The Collector. Replays on May 10 and May 12.

May 15, 2012: Filmmakers from different genres and generations, National Artist for Cinema Eddie Romero, Ditsi Carolino-Garcia, Antoinette Jadaone, and Pepe Diokno define their brand of excellence in Episode 12's And the Winner is... Replays on May 17 and May 19.

May 22, 2012: Ildefonso P. Santos, National Artist for Landscape Architecture; Virgilio S. Almario, National Artist for Literature; Abdulmari Asia Imao, National Artist for the Visual Arts and; the late Salvador Bernal, National Artist for Theater Design narrate how they persevered in the beginning of their art journey until they were conferred the highest recognition for the arts in Episode 13's The National Artists Special. Replays on May 24 and May 26.

(from Art Republik Facebook Page)

Run Drop Slide

2012-02-07T12:43:00.005+08:00

Skim Life

My second beach trip for this year led me to where I first learned how to ride my skimboard. My first attempts at Baler beach last May were embarrassing. I needed to learn the basics (stance, footwork and balance) from my close friend and sensei Dhen who introduced us to this boardsport.

Nasugbu beach in Batangas is not as breathtaking and crystalline as compared to other surf/skim spots in other provinces but could provide as a good practice ground with minimal waves for wave rides, long rides and tricks.

Waxing my board

One can ride the Golden Dragon bus liner located at the back of McDonald's in Pasay Rotonda. The bus can take you directly to Nasugbu via Lian route. Once you get to the town, ride a tricycle to take you to the beach park. The beach park has a long line of different resorts where visitors can choose for their accommodation. I recommend Mananquil Resort since we've stayed there twice. They offer a good price for their huts and cottages and Mang Rodolfo, the owner, is a good host and takes care of his visitors. He even offers to call for a tricycle to take you back to the terminal station after your stay.

Run. DROP. Slide.

For a quick beach fix on days that you want to get stoked, Nasugbu is the place to be. Just two and a half hours away from Manila and a budget of P1000 for one or it could even be lowered down to P700 for a group of at least five persons. Last trip schedule from Nasugbu to Manila is at 7 pm.

For forecasts on waves/swells and surfing updates, visit magicseaweed.com.

Photos credit: Maureen

Signs, Patterns & Architecture

2012-02-06T22:07:00.001+08:00

If not for a nice phone with a good 5 megapixel camera and a lomography application, would have I passed as a good photographer?

More photos on my Tumblr.

Bon Anniversaire Blog!

2012-02-06T18:21:00.004+08:00

I'm really bad at design. I just want to stick with black and white and red. I guess this is the second longest serious blog I've maintained next to my Multiply site I'd used from my college days. It makes my heart happy.

Missed posts I should've written (and will still be writing):

1. Pulag climb
2. Makiling Traverse climb
3. My supposed last mixtape for last year (I'm posting it on Valentine's Day instead)
4. My supposed interview with my music friends
5. Art Republik

Cheers!

****

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds

-- Bob Marley, Redemption Song

I Respect I Eternally. Happy Birthday!

A van and a trip to the beach

2012-02-03T00:18:00.009+08:00

A van parked outside Tam-Awan Village, Baguio City

I wish my life is simpler and worry-free. I wish I own a van and I live in a little town in a province hidden within valleys and mountains but just a few kilometers away from the beach. I wish my home is a Spanish-style Vigan house in a cobbled stone street.

I can always go on a spontaneous day trip or an overnight beach camping. I don't need to worry about my backpack and skimboard because I have my own van. I don't need to stress myself carrying my pack and my board battling my way to the bus terminal from some wit-lacking authority in the train station who would ask me countless questions and teach me how to properly behave inside the train when in the end, after countless exchange of scowls and wasted minutes with some wit-lacking authority, they would eventually allow me to hop on since they themselves couldn't come to a better decision if my board and I can ride the train . I don't need to look down while I avoid curious stares from passers-by and passengers who would get hit by my board because it's too crowded inside the bus. I don't need to answer a stupid question if I'm carrying an ironing board.

Sta. Catalina Beach
Vigan, Ilocos Sur

I wish I own a van so I don't need to worry and stress myself about going through the same commuting situation with my pack and my board after an adventurous yet relaxing day at the beach. Then I can go home peacefully in my Spanish-style Vigan house in a cobbled stone street in a little town in a province hidden within valleys and mountains.

A day at the beach
Photography by Grasi

Things I've learned from traveling no. 4

2012-01-27T15:08:00.004+08:00

4. Travel Itinerary

Itinerary (noun) - the route of a journey or tour or the proposed outline of one; a travel diary; a traveler's guide (http://www.merriam-webster.com)

Preparing for a travel adventure doesn't lessen the excitement of the idea of an adventure. Unprepared trips work for some like the Filipino saying 'pag biglaang lakad natutuloy pagplanado hindi natutuloy' (sudden trips happen while planned trips fail). But preparation is always best to avoid wasting time and excessive spending. Work on an itinerary a few days before the trip. Here are a few tips when making an IT:

* Always set an estimated time of departure (ETD) and arrival (ETA) from the terminal station to your destination. Make sure to check schedules of bus/ airport terminals so you won't end lining up as a chance passenger for the next trip.

* Plan your activities for the day. Check the distances of the places that you will visit. Buy a map or consult your mobile device if it has GPS. You can also ask locals how to get to a certain spot. It's up to you if you're going to visit the farthest tourist spot within the city/ province or you plan to visit the nearby ones on your last day. Knowing the distances of the places that you'll be visiting will help you save time and allot additional budget for the fare.

* If your destination offer places where you can dine in their popular restaurants or try out their local delicacies, include them in your list . Plan where you want to eat your lunch and dinner (and in-between snacks) so you will have the chance to taste their popular dishes.

O' Mai Khan is one of the popular restaurants in Baguio City
located in Upper Session Road (just near SM Baguio)

* If you're curious how the nightlife is spent on a particular city, do look out for popular watering holes or hang-out places where you can meet locals or just drink and chill.

* Shopping usually comes last in the list of activities (unless you've already bought souvenir items in every place that you've visited) before going back to the transport terminal on your last day. It's always practical to know where you can buy souvenirs at a low price and where you can haggle. Plus if you do your shopping on your last day, you won't have a hard time bringing any plastic/paper bags while roaming around.

After the schedules and activities are set, you can include other reminders such as things that you need to bring and most important is the budget. In this way, your expectations have already been set. Your time, money and energy will be maximized.

Previous: Things I've learned from traveling no. 3 and Things I've learned from traveling pt. 1

100th Post: My Best Moments of 2011

2012-01-18T15:30:00.002+08:00

Looking at all the photos I was able to gather and collect last year, I can say that 2011 was very fulfilling. Last year was the most number of times that I'd travelled -- going to the beach and climbing mountains.

And of the many things that shall be missed -- hanging out at Mogwai, Cubao X

More photos about my favorite moments of 2011 on my Tumblr.

This 2012, I will focus more on enhancing my creativity (if I have any...haha!).

Previous: Traveling and Climbing Mountains

Three albums I vow to get my hands on this year!

2012-01-16T00:29:00.006+08:00

Three days ago, My friend and I went to Fully Booked in Serendra and visited the record bar area. I didn't know that there was a pre-owned section so I came looking for albums I might cop. I picked up a copy of a compilation album of The Jam and was surprised to see that it's pricier than the usual cost of foreign albums here thinking that it was already pre-owned.

Like books, I also want to invest in classic albums. I promised myself that I'm going to have these three albums I've been wanting to get my hands on when I first heard them.

In The City, The Jam (1977)

This one or any compilation from them.

Realism, The Magnetic Fields (2010)

I've been listening to them for quite some time now and familiarizing myself with their music. Realism is not a classic but I chose this since most of the songs that I have from them are from this album.

The Pale Fountains, ...From Across The Kitchen Table (1985)
One of the bands that I enjoy listening to on moments when I'm spaced out.

Please Keep Our Favorites Bands Coming!

2012-01-11T12:13:00.006+08:00

Amen.
someecards.com

The gods of rock are beginning to hear our prayers. Just before 2011 ended, concert promoter Kindassault announced that electronic/ synthpop artist Toro Y Moi will be playing here in Manila. There has been an insistent outcry among us indie music fans to bring our favorite artists in the Philippines and for the last two years we've had our taste of some of the finest indie music artists we've been clamoring about. I regret not seeing The Whitest Boy Alive and The Radio Dept last year.

As a music fan who doesn't have the means and the privilege to go to other countries just to see my favorite bands, watching YouTube videos, playing their songs on my music player and dreaming to see them play live would suffice. If ever those dreams come true (on certain select occasions that they really do come play here), the next best thing to do is to work hard to earn the money for the ticket or to join a contest just to see them live.

Toro Y Moi Live in Manila

Manila Concert Scene has a list of international bands who will be coming to perform here this 2012. Bands that I look forward to aside from Toro Y Moi on February is The Pains of Being Pure At Heart. Both artists will be playing at the Hard Rock Cafe in Makati on two different dates. It's not practical for me to attend both gigs since I will have to save for Deathcab for Cutie who will be playing at the NBC Tent on March 5th. I'd given up Dashboard Confessionals since they'll be playing on the same event with The Used and Cobra Starship (which I'm not a fan of) on March as well.

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart Live in Manila

So, I have to make up my mind between Toro Y Moi or Pains At Being Pure At Heart. But I definitely won't let Deathcab For Cutie concert pass.

First Booze of the Year

2012-01-08T21:57:00.001+08:00

I'd given up mountain climbing for a sacrifice but I can't give up drinking...not yet. Don't get me wrong I'm no drunkard.

We were supposed to hang out at this new bar in Cubao X where Mogwai bar & cinematheque used to be but we ended up ordering at Fred's and our table situated in between the two bars. There was an event happening with bands playing and Sandwich as the main act. We didn't wait for them to play anymore and went home earlier than the usual 'pamorningan tambay' (til morning hang-out). We were able to stay for Flying Ipis, Imago and some rap music from former member/s of Sun Valley Crew (from what I've heard from a friend's friend) and 7 Shots of Wisdom (I'm not really sure about this, am not a fan).

I told Mau that I guess we've already outgrown watching gigs and stalking rockstars. We prefer endless chatting over bottles of beer or cocktail drinks. Or maybe it just depends on the mood.

I used to snob SM Pale Pilsen. Now I'm loving it!

(This is not an endorsement and they're not paying me for it)

This one's stuck on his face already.

Peanuts!

Our sherpa can't wait to climb mountains again

Oh yeah this guy's the peanut vendor

Rajani (the table hopper). Ria. Mau.

***

A very happy 65th birthday to The Man Who Sold The World

New Year's Resolution

2012-01-07T18:42:00.006+08:00

First Saturday of 2011.

I've been hermitting since Wednesday. I've been so consumed from reading GRRM's A Game of Thrones on my phone (ebook) and now I'm starting with book two. It's a challenge to read the text (not unless if I own a tab) and I badly wanted to have a real book in my hands.

I wish I could find work sooner but I'm still far from getting depressed. I started my blog entry this year about failing on my first step. And right now I don't really know what to say anymore. I can't think straight.

1. All the films have piled up and I should start watching them while I still have all the time in the world.
2. I should get back to my journal and start writing real stuff
3. I must go back to school this year....MUST!
4. Listen more to local music and listen to more music
5. Finish all my pending blog entries before the anniversary of this blog
6. Lomography with friends again

And now something to look forward to this March 2012 ^___^

Death Cab For Cutie for real on March 5 at The NBC Tent!

Btw,

Thanks to Eunice and Sir AJ for this one:

My Top 25 Songs of 2011

2012-01-06T20:43:00.005+08:00

The year 2011 definitely gave us music fans the very best of what our favorite artists have worked hard for with their hard-hitting releases. A lot of new great bands have emerged, thanks to the wonderful world of indie and major music blogs, most have managed to breakout into the mainstream. Last year also surprised us with comeback and breakup albums from bands we admire way before the dawn of music blogs, when fans were still excited to hear songs on the radio. Another great moment in music was the free pre-release of full albums online from major artists such as The Beastie Boys, The Strokes, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers to name a few before physical albums hit the stores. Artist lineup in music festivals have become more interesting and diverse like in the case of Glastonbury. What more could we ask for?

It seems for me that 2011 consumed all the rehashed sounds of the 80s and post-punk revivals picking up from what have started some five years ago before it went full blast last year. With the help of synthesizers, vocoder, Auto-Tune and computers aside from the instruments while playing on stage, I'm hoping this style and trend in music will turn a bend and we'll hear fresher and newer sounds this 2012. No more hipsters please.

Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench, Lollapalooza 2011

Dave Grohl: You know what I like, I like when rock & roll bands come up on stage and play their instruments and they don't use fucking computers when their playing, you know what I mean. Next time you see a rock & roll band make sure they don't have that shit they have while their playing 'coz it's supposed to sound like this.

I have picked out my top 25 songs of 2011 in order of the months they were released. These are songs that gave me the last song syndrome, some I have managed to tolerate since most of them are overplayed looping in my music player. I don't mean to say that I've only listened to 25 songs for the whole year but my top picks were the ones that I think gives that 'punch' once you put your headsets on. I have not been able to monitor new releases the latter part of 2011. My choices would seem odd but to admit I'm a bit bias and I champion those that are my favorites.

1. Louder Than Ever - Cold War Kids (Mine Is Yours, January 2011)
2. Rolling In The Deep - Adele (21, January 2011)
3. Aberdeen - Cage the Elephant (Thank You, Happy Birthday, January 2011)
4. Take Me Over - Cut Copy (Zonoscope, February 2011)
5. Lotus Flower - Radiohead (The King Of Limbs, February 2011)
6. Undercover Darkness - The Strokes (Angles, March 2011)
7. Too Many Rappers (New Reactionaries) - The Beastie Boys (Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, April 2011)
8. Changing - The Airborne Toxic Event (All At Once, April 2011)
9. Arlandria - Foo Fighters (Wasting Light, April 2011)
10. The Shrine/ An Argument - Fleet Foxes (Helplessness Blues, May 2011)
11. Helena Beat - Foster The People (Torches, May 2011)
13. You Are A Tourist - Death Cab For Cutie (Codes and Keys, May 2011)
14. Two Against One - Danger Mouse & Danielle Luppi starring Jack White (Rome, May 2011)
15. Perth - Bon Iver (Bon Iver, June 2011)
16. Go Outside - Cults (Cults, June 2011)
17. Money - The Drums (Portamento, September 2011)
18. An Argument With Myself - Jens Lekman (An Argument With Myself, September 2011)
19. Called Out In The Dark - Snow Patrol (Fallen Empires, September 2011)
20. Days Are Forgotten - Kasabian (Velociraptor, September 2011)
21. Midnight City - M83 (Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, October 2011).
22. Crystalline - Bjork (Biophilia, October 2011)
23. Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall - Coldplay (Mylo Xyloto, October 2011)
24. No Light, No Light - Florence + The Machine (Ceremonials, October 2011)
25. Life Is A Long Time - Los Campesinos (Hello Sadness, November 2011)

Cut Copy's Zonoscope and Fleet Foxes' Helplessness Blues

Present/ Future

2012-01-03T19:31:00.003+08:00

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment

-- Buddha

It's very easy to say and promise things when your wild imagination brings you to your future but it's so effin' hard to actually do it at present. I like weaving dreams and getting lost in them but I have to remember to pinch myself, wake up and start doing.

I went to the place where I see myself working until I get old. I dreamt of it when I was younger. But when I went there this morning and presented myself it was as if I wasn't sure anymore or they're not sure about me.

I'll get by. Happy new year!

Cultural Center of the Philippines

Dreamcatcher

2011-12-25T23:54:00.001+08:00

I did two significant things this year -- moving out on my own and quitting my job. I'm honestly happy about it but it's not really practical doing the latter. My heart feels like jelly since I have to worry about paying the bills and rent and all. But I'm more eager and braver now to chase my dreams in the following days to come.

Dear World

2011-12-23T20:31:00.000+08:00

in a few hours.

You are my Rushmore

2011-12-20T08:57:00.000+08:00

"The secret? I don't know... I guess you just gotta find something you love to do and then... do it for the rest of your life. For me, it's going to Rushmore."

-- Max Fischer, Rushmore