August 07, 2013

Rico Blanco and the blank audience

After another boring day at the office I headed at Glorietta for the Starbucks card launch. I read about it first at up dharma down's gig schedule. Then after few days, it's not in their gig sched anymore.

But while listening to RX, because Bamboo was there, I learned that the performers are Zia Quizon and Rico Blanco. So Zia replaces up dharma down, how interesting? To think that Armi and Zia sounds a like.




Anyways, I went to the event but of course without buying anything. I am just at the side like other gigs I've been to.

When I arrived at the venue, the morning rush or kikay barkada were there. I must say they are entertaining. Then Zia was the first one to perform. Her first song was "Ako na lang sana". I think it's brave for her to perform alone. Attention was only to her. Every move she makes we can see since she was the only one at the stage. She was singing with minus one. No drummer, guitarist or whatever.. In between songs she did some talking. But I sense some awkwardness there. The audience is so bland, quiet and NR. I mean this is a coffee event, not just ordinary coffee but it is STARBUCKS. Audience should be hyper. I expect cheers but nothing. There was a guy like in the noontime show that looks like floor director that telling when to clap. She sang "Time After Time", an original song, then a Sheena Easton song. 4 songs only? Why Zia? Ok. I blame my fellow audience. she was great. But at some point I wished the morning rush crew were there to make us more "alive".

Then Rico Blanco. I saw Monty first, so I thought Mayonnaise will play. But as they introduce the performer they were saying "pillar of OPM". Oh ok. It can't be Mayonnaise. Then Rico appeared. Yung cheers di pa rin ganun kalakas. He played keyboard throughout the show.

His first song was "Antukin". I love how he sang the lines "Gumawa na lang tayo ng... Baby" he smiled or laugh a little bit, but it seems natural not "pilit" since I know he always performs that song.

Then he said he will sing an old song. He played few notes... Uh oh. Please no. Rico Blanco I love you, you are genius but you can't sing 214. You can't sing songs that Bamboo is too much associated with. I heard Bamboo's name mentioned by some guys at my back but I can't hear it completely but I know we share the same sentiments. Yung cheers hindi ganun kalakas unlike the time when Ely Buendia sang eraserheads songs at the same venue.

The next song was "Your Universe". That Rico is what I was talking about. When he sang that song, I really enjoyed it and I felt he is making me harana. At the first note it was Rico only playing keyboards and Monty was like telling us to clap. See? That's how blank the audience are. I like to tell him you can sing songs of Rivermaya but it should be post Bamboo era. Actually I can write a separate blog on what Rivermaya songs he can and can't sing... He should stick on singing his own songs from "Your Universe" and "Galactic Fiestamatic" album. If he needs to sing Rivermaya songs, he should sing songs that originally he recorded.


Next was Elesi. Yes, Rico you can sing this song. I enjoyed that. It's upbeat and a nice sing along song.




I was hoping for songs from Galaktic Fiestamatic. But no he didn't sang any song from that album. I think he is resting from his alter ego Fiesto Bandido. But I like to see Fiesto live!

Then Panahon na naman. Lovely song. Relaxing indeed. I like to imagine myself at the beach while he was singing.

For his final song, at first I can hear hinahanap hanap kita riffs. Uh oh. No Rico, not that one either. But no, he sang Liwanag sa Dilim. But at the end part he sang some part of HInahanap hanap kita. That's cool. I can take it.

RICO oh RICO! At last I was able to watch you perform! Thank you for that relaxing set. But Boo! the blankong audience! Kulang kayo sa kape! Hahaha.. Excuse ako kasi may sakit ako. Hahaha


posted from Bloggeroid

July 28, 2013

What's with the obsession?

We had lunch with my department last Friday. It's rare for us to seat and eat together.

I don't really hang around with lots of people or even with my officemates. I was amazed to know what others has been talking about during lunch. They are obsessing over "My Husband's Lover". Of course I can't relate with their discussion. That's my weakness, relating with other people.

The head of our department arrived late. We are done with our food that she contributed. I thought that "My Husband's Lover" discussion is over but I was wrong. Our head is quite obsessed with that topic. When we have lunch with her there is no way we won't talk about who is gay in our office. At first, ok it is a fun topic but if it is the discussion over and over I think it's beginning to be shallow. I mean you are the head of our department please talk something else. Don't make me look at you with shallowness imprinted at your head.

So that noon, she asked as one by one what we think of the same sex marriage. My reaction was, what the hell? Let us talk about something else it is so 90's. But I can't do anything. She paid for our lunch. We need to entertain her. It's funny that one of my officemates is really "kina career" yung question. She states some psychology terms. I am like, you like to impress us do you? Then when it's my turn to talk, our head said "tumahimik tayong lahat at magsasalita na siya". I don't talk a lot kasi. I mentioned it before. And plus they won't like what I might say. So after her intro about me all I said was "ok lang". And they were laughing at that. Mas mahaba pa daw ang intro.

You can't make talk. Period.
posted from Bloggeroid

July 27, 2013

10 Years of doing some... Kjwan

After a failed solo adventure at Cubao Expo last Friday, I told myself that I will just buy some working clothes at St. Francis Square on Saturday and maybe drop by again at Cubao Ex.

This morning I decided to play "Daliri" on my IPad. Actually, these past days I am putting Kjwan music on my phone. I am digging their music again.

So this afternoon I headed at St. Francis Square with my mom. After buying some slacks and jacket, I need to search for some blouse. My mom was a little bit tired so she went to Jolibee and wait for me there.

Around 6:30 I heard RJ Jacinto's voice over (not sure if it's his voice) advertising a gig around 1-6 pm. I thought it is already finished since it's past 6. But due to luck or whatever, I headed at 3rd floor and saw the amazing Kjwan. There were few sits available at the front row and other rows but I decided to stand at the side. I learned my lessons when watching a gig. It is much better listening to bands while standing and do some headbanging than sitting.

I am quite amused that Kjwan is performing in this kind of venue. I can count in my fingers the people at the gig. I don't know if I can call it as an intimate gig. Only a few knows their songs and I guess some were there because they know Marc as a character in some teleseryes.

I am singing along with the songs I know like "Meron Ba?", "One Look", and "Daliri". I can see that Kelly Mangahas was looking at me, or feeling ko lang yun haha... while singing along with them.

I felt really great when I heard them do "daliri". I am quite disappointed because Marc didn't say "Bastusan na!". My favorite line from the song. Hahaha.

I felt sad also because as I said earleir there were few people at the gig. I mean, hey people listen to Kjwan instead of Daniel Padilla s*#t!. Marc was pouring all his emotions kahit na it is a small venue. The energy and the power of the band are still there.

10 years na pala ang Kjwan. What the hell am I doing with my life? Why it is my first time to watch them live? I bought their albums, some songhits where kjwan or marc was the cover. I watched Marc's teleseryes when I was still a bum around 2010.

Hope they will be around for another 10 years. Kjwan is such a great band and we should lend our ears and money to them.

posted from Bloggeroid-->

July 23, 2013

The way you make me feel...

So if you are followng The Voice of the Philippines, you know that Aia de Leon formerly of the awsome band Imago, did not make it through the Blind Auditions.

She sang Michael Jackson's "The Way you make me feel", apparantly her soundtrack of her life according to her from a video I saw on youtube.

Her performance was great in my opinion. If I will compare it to the other auditionees who passed the blind auditions, it was way better in some contestants. Some say that it is wrong song choice. Maybe yes, maybe no.

I am really looking forward to this audition and I am really disappointed on the outcome. I am just saying to myself that Aia became famous already, so let's give others a chance. I remember one time she and her band have this life size image at Tokyo, Tokyo. So that means a lot I guess. I am just heartbroken too like Bamboo and Lea. She is great. period.

What I admire about her is her being courage and strong. That smile on her face while leaving the stage just tells me that she will be fine. And she will be back for more.

GOOD luck Aia!
posted from Bloggeroid

July 20, 2013

Flowers

So here I am obsessing over an old song by Rivermaya called "Flowes". Don't be fooled by the title. It is a simple title but with a very meaningful song. To be honest, I don't like the title. Too mundane. But songs are not about thr titles, it's about the music.

While I'm at work I'm listening to this song and get teary eyed. This is a heavy song. I can't be not emotional about this. I am imaging things while this song is playing, so here I used photoshop to interpret the song and use the line that strucks me the most.



posted from Bloggeroid

Posting the live version "Flowers" by Bamboo with Rivermaya. Goosebumps!

July 18, 2013

Unconventional conversations

While eating our lunch, my 52 year old officemate was telling us that she watched World War Z over the weekend and said it was a boring movie. Another officemate, a year younger than me said she watched Despicable Me and find it hilarious. I think I can contribute something to the conversation since I also watched a movie last Saturday. Well I watched Kinatay and I find it really disturbing. Imagine the chop chop victim was forced to blow job the guy before she was chop chopped.

Oh oh. Not a good topic during lunch and with the age range that we have, I'm sure they won't like it.

A lot of people been wondering why I don't talk too much. Well guys, that's the reason why. It's either you won't like what will I say or...you won't understand or get things I say.

Like in one occasion, my friends are talking about Daniel Padilla, they like to go to his concert. At that point I'm asking why I'm friends with them. I mean I can say a lot of things if they are talking about the other Padillas like Chris and Bobby. And if you are bringing me at the concert, friendship is over. Hehehe.

So I think it's better for me to stay this way. Just keep quiet and listen to things they say and judge them in my thoughts endlessly. If they are asking for me to talk, and if I did talk, then they will ask me to be quiet again.

Well as the popular saying goes, less talk, less mistakes.
posted from Bloggeroid
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July 03, 2013

ELY BUENDIA and BAMBOO MANALAC-Music Geniuses


Iconic musicians in one photo.

How epic would it be if they will collaborate in a concert or song?

Ely with his rockstar appeal and Bamboo's soulful voice are surely a good match. I admire these enigmatic vocalists. Ely was known for his tounge-in cheek songs during eraserheads days. Bamboo was the unique frontman of Rivermaya. Both moved on with their popular bands and decided to create new identity. Bamboo is now a solo artist and Ely is with two rock bands, Pupil and Oktaves.

I think they are both underrated in some ways. Bamboo is underrated as a lyricist or songwriter. Get No Water No Moon album. Listen to "Ikot ng Mundo", "Spin" and "Questions". Actually in some aspects, lyrics wise it is the same league with old Rivermaya songs, or even better. Or maybe not. I'm just into Bamboo right know. So my thoughts can change without prior notice.

Ely Buendia is underrated frontman of The Oktaves and overrated as a member of Eraserheads. I mean, yes, eraserheads was so great, best OPM band ever, but they are gone now (well not so gone, since they have concerts) but he has still two great bands that we should listen to.

As they aged, both are trying new and different things. Ely is directing a movie "Bang Bang Alley". Appeared in some indie movies like "San Lazaro", "Rakenrol" and "Spoonfeed". In instagram he post pictures of his kids and even his girlfriend. It is quite unusual for me since we all know him as a reserve kind of guy. Bamboo on the other hand is seen regularly on TV. He is now more "reachable". Just tweet him like, "sir bamboo notice me naman pows" or "it's my birthday kindly greet me" and he will reply a smile face or "hi". He now learns to connect with his fans which is very hard thing for him to do before.

It's nice that we have someone like them in our generation. Two musicians who through test of time reinvent themselves and continue to grow as an artist.

posted from Bloggeroid

June 30, 2013

June 24, 2013

The Voice of The Philippines TV Review

This is the first time that I got hooked in a singing contest. Blame it to Bamboo



What sets this new singing contest apart from other contest on TV, are their Class A judges.

LEA SALONGA




I'm quite shocked that a lot of people on social media are annoyed in her antics. I'm a person who gets irritated so easily. Ask my friends. Anyways, i don't find her irritating. I'm quite aware of other contests like the recently concluded "Pilipinas Got Talent". Yun yung Oa mga judges. Mag pabula ka lang ng sipon malamang may "Yes" ka na. Lea maybe overacting sometimes, but I find it cute and entertaining. She is a theater actress after all. She can be also brutally honest on her comments. When she had a battle against her fellow judge Sarah Geronimo, in winning Radha's heart, she said she doesn't need to prove herself that much unlike Sarah. On previous 4 episodes, she is quite "mabenta" on contestants. When there is a battle against co-judges, most of the time contestants pick her. And who wouldn't? She is a Tony award winner after all.

SARAH GERONIMO



The youngest coach in the show or even at any The Voice franchise. People find her annoying too. I find her annoying when she makes fun of her English. Maybe she is intimidated at the other judges' accents. Do it once, it is funny. Do it twice, thrice it is irritating.

In blind auditions, she is quite picky. For the past episodes she and Bamboo chooses the same contestants. I commend that she has ears for good voice. Yun nga lang they don't pick her that much. She is also smart because she knows, although the other 3 coaches are more experienced, to know her secret weapon is her "popsters". She always mentions them when she wanted an artist to pick her. If an artist is smart enough, they should know that at the end, it is the vote of the Philippines. Her artist has a very big chance of winning the show. She is Sarah Geronimo for sake! She has a legion of heavy texter/voter fans.

APL.DE.AP



A member of black eyed peas. What I like about him is his feet is deeply planted on the ground and knows how to look back on his roots. I'm interested to know his coaching skills since he is a hip hop guy. The other coaches can do "birit", yes even Bamboo, although different kind of it. What he has that other judges may not know is how to have a international mainstream success. He knows how international scene works. And he might have connections that he can introduce to his artist.

BAMBOO





He is the reason why I watch this show religiously. There were debates earlier if who is a better fit as a coach in the show, Bamboo or Ely Buendia. I'm a more Ely Buendia fan (dati) than a Bamboo fan. As i watched the show, I can't imagine if Ely can be a good coach. In blind auditions, i guess he will have 1 liner comments such as "ok ka" or 'magaling" backed up with his poker face. Bamboo is a good judge. He chooses "game changer" and unique kind of voices plus very beautiful and charming ladies. I like his facial expressions during blind auditions. Lalo na pag hindi na hihit ng tama yung notes.Oh his face is just amazing.

He cried, of all the coaches, he is the first one who cried. BAMBOO, the Ultimate ROCKSTAR cried because of a contestant. I never thought that he can let loose of himself. I felt that he is so real and have this pure heart. Bamboo seems unreachable and very private during Rivermaya and Bamboo (band) days but now, he let us in in, he let us see his real self which is very rare for a rockstar.

First season is not yet done but I hope that they will have another season. SAME COACHES PLEASE. I can't choose other coaches for this show. They set the standards really high with this "dream team". I hope also that the winner of this contest is deserving to be called THE VOICE OF THE PHILIPPINES. posted from Bloggeroid->

June 21, 2013

The guy in a fat, salt and flame shirt

Dear Guy wearing a fat, salt and flame shirt,



You have everything that I could ask for in a guy.

  • Thick eye brows- check
  • Rugged/Adik look- check
  • Fat salt and flame shirt - check
  • Can open the door of a car- check


Wooh. I hope you like someone like me. The weird girl from down under.

I wished i have worn my eraserheads shirt. You might noticed me. Maybe you noticed me since you were in front of me while we were on the van. Or maybe not since you decided to sleep.

Haay. Hanggang sa muling pag byahe.

Love,
The girl with the messy hair wearing green blouse and shoes who can't open the damn door!

PS. Thanks for opening the van's door. I can't open those damn car doors.

posted from Bloggeroid

June 20, 2013

I could have been your lover



I could have been your lover
And you're my shining rocker
Please don't make me suffer
And be overwhelmed by your power

Coz we can't be
Like brad and angelina jolie
Coz we are free
And never meant to be

I could've been your lady
And you are my baby
The night is young
So are we.

I could've been your girl
A little twist and twirl
The day is long
So are you.
posted from Bloggeroid

June 16, 2013

Source of new music

What is your source of new music?

When NU 107 was still around, that is my source of new music. Today, I don't listen to radio since the demise of NU 107. So my source is Bamboo.

Bamboo is as mainstream as ever. He is seen regularly in 2 ABS CBN shows, ASAP and THE VOICE OF THE PHILIPPINES.



In ASAP, he sings pop songs that if you are a fan of Bamboo since his Rivermaya days, you will be shock and mapapa "kamot ulo" ng konti.
If not for him I won't download "just give me a reason", "let it rain", "when I was your man" and other very pop songs that I don't usually listen to.

Bamboo has this capability turning a popular song like his own song and sometimes, maybe most of the times better than the original.

I remember when he did a duet with Sarah Geronimo on ASAP. It's my first time to hear "Just give me a reason". I instantly liked it. Their version is powerful and very "I-think-I-will-download-that-song". I am not a fan of Sarah but they really have that chemistry on stage. FYI the video as of today has 3 million views.

After all that's been said and done, I'm a little bit sad that Bamboo is going to this mainstream route. But what the hell, it's just my inner hipster way of thinking.
If not now when? He has the right to be what he is now.
He's got the looks and of course, the voice.

June 11, 2013

June 09, 2013

Pugad Baboy Blues

Pugad Baboy is suspended indefinitely because of the comic strip below appeared last week:



I am an alumna of the school that was mentioned in that comic strip. I was not a little bit offended by the joke. Maybe I am biased since I am a reader of PB for more than a decade. When kids are reading fairy tales or children's book, me, I was reading Pugad Baboy comics. I remember I asked my father what is the meaning of ander da saya while reading PB.

Hey nuns, please be more open minded about this. It's a satire for a reason. He just mentioned Ssc. He could mention any other all girl school. Or mentioning the school isn't the problem that we suposed to get from that article. It's about homosexuality.

We need Pugad Baboy in our local broadsheets. Pol Medina brings issues or opening our minds to think. We may agree or disagree to his opinions. He may say really nasty things in a funny manner. But we should be happy that we have something like this. Something that will make us laugh but think at the same time.



posted from Bloggeroid

Landian lang pala


Hawak ang iyong kamay
Buhok mo ay sinusuklay
Meron pang paakbay akbay
Akala ko ito na ay tunay

Landian lang pala
Mayroon bang mapapala
Kahit magmakaawa
Sa bawat tala

Landian lang pala
Ang kayang ibigay
Bakit ba laging sablay?
Landian lang ba ang iyong maiaalay?

Sikreto mo alam ko
Paborito mo ay memoryado
Kahit naka pikit ako
Mukha mo ang nakikita ko

Pag lumalabas
Tawananan natin ay wagas
Pag uwian na ay mag wawakas
Landiang walang kupas

posted from Bloggeroid

Malabo.

Malabo ang tadhana
Hindi ko makita
Walang direksyon
Dahil walang pagkakataon

Sa aking mata
Ikaw ay kakaiba
Minamasdan bawat galaw
Ninanais kang makasayaw

Hindi magugulat
Kung bukas ikaw ay may kayakap
Naglalakad sa alapaap
At masayang nag uusap

Ako ay nandito
Sa isang mundo
Kung saan lahat ay magulo
At hindi natututo

posted from Bloggeroid

Up Dharma Down Experience 2.0

The first time I saw UDD perform was at a school event. At the time, Armi (their vocalist) had that shampoo-commercial long hair.

I got to see them for the second time at a Galleria event. This time, Armi had short hair, which really suited her. Enough hair talk, though! They released their third album, Capacities. It is very different from their first two albums, Fragmented and Bipolar. Their sound is much more upbeat and even danceable.



What's awesome about that event was that even though it was only a mall gig, it felt like they turned that small space into a high-end bar. I’m not really a dancer, but when they played, I couldn't help myself—I danced like no one was watching!

They even played my all-time favorite song, "Oo." I didn't expect it since they were promoting Capacities, but they definitely knew what the crowd wanted. I know Armi might be sick of singing it (I think I read that somewhere), but when she sang it, she didn't show it at all.

The gig was so good that even though I’d already illegally downloaded the album, I bought an official copy for 500 pesos. It was pricey for a local CD, but UDD is just too good not to support. They deserve every bit of it so they keep making good music.


photos grabbed from tumblr.

June 02, 2013

Photo Challenge- Music Edition


So I decided to have this photo challenge. But I wanted something different, so I will use music titles as my photo inspiration. I don't know how will i pull this off, but one thing is for sure- this will be one heck of a fun challenge for me. 

I don't plan to post pictures everyday, because I'm quite busy these days. I will just take pictures when I like or if I have to. so no pressure... :)

The first 10 songs are OPM while the second batch are foreign songs. Hope you will do this photo challenge too. Get your camera and let's do this!