Heritage and Advocates

Written by one who influenced everyone in my sphere....  Ok, fine!  My mother wrote this, and yes, I was there too when this all happened!  So please, syndicate as you please! :)  Thanks!

PRESS RELEASE:

Art Fun and Sunflowers

             Thirteen (13) summers ago, an artists’ group set about the apparently unenviable attempt at bringing the fine arts to the grassroots level. The move had no fore-shadowing. It was a simple plan on the drawing board – expose the arts to as many people as possible.

            With this objective in mind and in partnership with Pamplona Dos Barangay Council, the art collective Alyansang Tuklas Sining, Inc., initiated the first ever government-sponsored art workshop and exhibit in Las Pinas City. The project was dubbed Tuklas Sining Laban sa Droga, sponsored by the Sangguniang Kabataan of the locale.

           

            For the artists, it was a newly opened channel for sharing their expertise in the visual arts with uninitiated young people from a specific marginalized community. It was a time to simplify the jargon of their craft into words that are easy-to-understand.

            It was a time to inter-act with their little brothers and sisters in painting fundamentals.

            Now on its 13^th established season and by way of a DILG project, its life span verifies the worthiness of a cause: that the marginalized amongst us need not be strangers to the elements of art and beauty.

            13^thSummer of Art Fun and Sunflowers was conducted on May 24, 25 and 26, 2013 at the livelihood training center of Pamplona 2 Barangay hall. It marks this year’s edition of a program that has grown into the annual summer event at Barangay Pamplona 2, the 2^nd smallest barangay in the city of Las Pinas.

Bonehead and yonder some rock stereotypes

Before continuing on to my main blah,  allow me to state that this post is not of a single musical experience, nor a study on rhythm and musicality. Rather, it  is an exploration of memories - beyond a time when everything seemed to be associated with a certain groove.  

In the 1990's, yours truly was a huge follower of  Pinoy Rock music, a preference, perhaps, that indulged my instinct of taking the side of the underdog.  Those of us who were true to our angst, then, only had to tune into LA 105.9 to get a load of hard and heavy metal sounds that mainstream listeners scoffed at.  Thanks to the station, emerging local bands were given a platform to share their music. The ones that were good got signed, while those not up to par were given the opportunity to grab their "15minutes of fame". All the bands had airtime.

Kargado by Bonehead

Being the second child of a pair of baby boomers, I was blown away by the local artists' astronomical manifestations of talent, creativity and passion.  Suffice to say, such principles which elevate the concsiousness of the human race drew me in uncompromisingly, that my inclinations still lean towards raw undertones of social commentaries. At that time, the music was pure, unadulterated, loud and reverberating woeful cries. Parodies and ironies were contradictions to the cadence of the hopeful youth.  All or nothing. No compromise. That was the rocker's unwritten testament. It was a culture spawned with - and by - a  principle that was buried along with the underground scene in 1998, when LA 105.9 shifted to the electronic dance genre.

Despair, we did.  We held on to our cassette tapes and cd's, treated them with care and planned on purchasing copies of recordings that were difficult to find.  Some threw away unsent demos as if throwing away a dream, and tried to find alternatives to that rich Pinoy sound.  And over shots of the local brew, we strummed our guitars and toasted about songs of our eternal youth. The rest is history.

Tonight, July 28, 2012, from 8 p.m onwards, such music would again come alive for one nostalgic, hard-rockin' party. At the Craft Pub and Grill, Fort Bonifacio Taguig, Tour de Force features Renegades of Rock.  Hosted by Bianca  Saldua and the legendary Pinoy Rock Music Icon, Ramon "The Doctor" Zialcita,  it shall be a trackback to the early '90s  head-bangin'  line-up - a recall for pure Pinoy Rock Music, to make way for the Megadeth Live in Manila Concert. 

Performing bands include Gnash, Dahong Palay, Erectus, Death by Stereo, Charlie Ysmael of the Breed, Thy Holy Water, Loungee and the Cherry Bums, Revelation with Darwin Aguilar, and, after more than a decade and a half of hibernation, the "kings of variety", Bonehead is out to play!

Zalora: Fashion Online Plus Plus!

photo courtesy of
 http://www.facebook.com/ZaloraPH 

Not long ago, I was commissioned to write an article that was quite conceptual, as the focus was 'blogging as a fashion'. It was a quick read, with a bit more than a thousand words. I ended it with what I believed was a graceful sigh. Anyways, I do think that with the advent of the internet came trend after trend of expressions more personal than a diary. Thus, EVERYTHING these days seem to provoke a thought, as well as a question of “correctness”. Whether it's a statement on Twitter, or a status update on Facebook, being “social” is a term that has developed into a more fashionable meaning, instead of simply being a fad.

With so much ado about being “social fashionistas” comes Zalora. An online shopping site that caters to each person screaming a fashion statement. From shoes, clothes, bags, accessories, and – soon - home decors, it spells E-D-E-N to practically every style hunter there is. Browsing through the selection available, it is apparent that Zalora does best in understanding individuality, that “correctness” is given value by having choices for different tastes.

Just like any shopping center, the prize tags on the items available range depending on the quality of goods, which made looking through the collection more private. Points should also be awarded to having (Manila-wide ) same-day free shipping, cash-on-delivery, a 30-day return policy. and phone-in customer assistance. So, for someone like me, who absolutely loves finding classy lines without having to dive into a busy mall, it is downright brilliant and fantastically “correct!”

Oh! And did I mention that newsletter sign-ups are also rewarded with Php 250 vouchers each? The thought of hunting for bargains may perhaps seem shabby. But truly, Zalora knows that shabby-chic is never shabby, and being trendy shall never go out of style!

Check it out! Visit www.zalora.com.ph!

Of Children and Adaptations

The other day, I received my son's report card, with his teacher's comments in black ink stating “follow-through with more efforts in school-work to fulfill utmost potential.” We never go through school stuff together – we had to call a truce to our incessant arguing, a few years back. As I looked at his grades, I asked myself how much of his accomplishments are mine and how much of his? A parent, proud of a child but not of oneself, quite reasonably would ask such a question; while, a parent who takes credit for a child's achievements would not. Obviously, I am no stage mother and, indeed, maybe even a strange one.

In this modern era of technology and “new age” thinking, I find it more difficult to digest that the old has no more place where fast and functional seem to be the norm. Culture is a funny thing. More often, it tells us how to behave, against which we rebel without realizing that the choice is not for the choosing. Evolution, however, tells us that the way is not usually paved with great intentions. Thus, we choose to believe that culture “evolves”. But each time I hear a parent talk about a child's unreasonable objections, I flash back to my younger years. Did I ever listen to what my mother was saying when she said so and so? Did I ever hear my father complain about this and that? Was there actually a time when I listened to my parents?

My Choice

 The rest of the house is quiet this evening, just like at bed-time when I was 12. Somehow, I couldn't help but smile at the little voice in my head, “He is so much like you at that age. Reading fairy tales from Childcraft Volume 2 in bed, while your mother punched on the keys of her typewriter.”

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: A matter of 'interesting' dialogues

About a month ago, my partner required me to see the latest Woody Allen offering, Midnight in Paris.  He said, “It is theeeeeeee best movie of its genre in the last 10 years!” A few days later, when he asked whether I'd seen the film – !to which the answer was negative, of course - he exclaimed, “It is an absolute deeeelight, Darling! I'm telling you! It's a MUST-seeeeeee!” Enthusiasm still freshly brewed, I thought. It must be pretty special.

Now my brush-off did not mean that I was not at all intrigued. Words are, to this couple, as holding-hands is to most, and the last three years has been about learning to take his comments in stride. During countless occasions through-out our relationship, I have been, perpetually, a victim of rich sarcasms and saucy superlatives. So, call it a tact to build up the suspense towards the thrilling and lengthy discourse after the fact, or the inevitable moral debate – for whilst both conscious of our similarity in tastes and views on most relevant subject matters, my partner is a prodigal follower of his own faith.

Midnight in Paris turned out to be not a matter of discussion or quotes, however, but a matter of dialogues. As true as our inclinations lean towards the artistic, I gather my limited technical knowledge of the arts will not give justice to the surprising juxtapositions in the plot, that writing a review would simply be pretentious and unconvincing. Furthermore, I have no wish to be branded as one who blasphemes against Ernest, Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dali, and all of the 1920's iconic players. And to say that it is an intelligently thought-of screenplay would further defeat the writers graceful and insightful tone.

Coffee friends at CBTL

My best friends and I met at a coffee shop in college.  And every time I remember the incident, I can't help but smile at the strong-coffee-for-strong-girl conversation that ensued shortly after.

Kai's always had her OVERSIZED cup straight up:  Long Black with NO room for milk,while, Betina's choice was always with cream and sugar.

Fifteen years later, we still meet at coffee shops, take our coffees the same way, as we keep track of each other's changes.

Exceptionally Homely at the Grand Prix Hotel and Suites Manila

One most singular trait of Filipinos, based locally or abroad, is their having close ties with their families.  Sprung from the matriarchal (patriarchal?) concept of society, handed from one generation to another since the time of Lapu-lapu; of Rizal, Bonifacio and Aguinaldo; of Ninoy, Cory and Noynoy;  culturally,  is as convenient in its economy as the tabo (dipper) in the bathroom, or the kwek-kwek  lined up beside the Baclaran Church every Wednesday.  The Gran Prix Hotels and ResortsGrnad Prix Hotels and Suites currently sprouting branches in the busiest cities in the country - particularly in Pasay, Manila, Cubao, Tarlac, Cebu and Boracay - noticeably treasures the Filipino's valuation of hospitality. 

They invited 12 bloggers, for an overnight party, at the Gran Prix Hotel and Suites, Manila on May 7, 2011, through Orange Magazine TV. Located along Mabini Street in Ermita, the low-rise Tesoro building bespoke with the rest of the city about its faintly echoing ancestry – with a quaintness depicting the period after WWII had broken loose whilst women had not.

Upon my late entrance, the receptionist, donned in a simply cut tailored suit, her hair tied up in a neat bun at the nape of her neck, flashed a coquettish smile, unmistakably an epitome of my ate (elder sister), as she extended her hand in a manner graceful as a ballerina to direct me to the elevator. Sixth floor she said. I could choose who to room with at the sixth floor, I recall her gentle instructions. I was the 9^th guest to arrive and was given a Superior Room with the fabulous Alex Dizon.

Although I found the amenities of Gran Prix Hotel and Suites Manila to have the grace of comfort well thought of, it was not until after dinner that I recognized its priceless well-meaning.

The FAST5 Experience of the IMAX Virgin

Rio, an exotic paradise rich in culture and drug lords, one that rapes its splendor from inside itself- that is how it was shown in the story – is the setting of FAST5. The fifth installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, the movie is about a team of American car thieves' cleverly pulling a $100M​+ job, while on the run from US authorities, against one of the most exceptionally corrupt businessmen in Brazil.

Incidentally, a friend was invited by Solar Entertainment to a special screening of FAST5 Rio Heist, set on May 2, 2011 at the IMAX theatre in SM Mall of Asia. Fortunately, we happened to talk a week prior in which it was mentioned that the invite included a “+1”. Proudly admitting of being an IMAX virgin, it definitely was not accidental that the “+1” privilege was awarded to me.

Now, Fast and Furious had always satisfied the audience with sexy cars, exciting road stunts and exhilarating chases; testosterone induced, muscles clenched bashing sequences; and, of course, unpredictable twists in the plot injected with more than a small dose of humor, romance and irony . FAST5 Rio Heist is greatly telling in this way, leaving the audience wanting more and looking forward to the next Fast and Furious episode.

Dole is rounding up all healthies for My Superfruit Day!

Press Release


Jon Avila, Tuesday Vargas, and Sitti on Dole’s My Superfruit Day

What do hunky Jon Avila, the funny Tuesday Vargas, and the gorgeous Sitti all have in common? They’re all happy, healthy people full of energy, vigor, and life. Happy and energetic people know how to eat well and complement their diet with a good helping of fruits.

There’s no question that fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. As the importance of having a balanced and healthy diet and exercise is becoming more and more evident, Dole celebrates My Superfruit Day, a celebration of wellness, freshness, and fun! It’s time to eat healthy and live healthy!

Shedding the Shred at the Colt 45's Shred to Slam 2011

Sometime during the '80's, a movie was made about the soul's quest for truth; about good conquering evil, and the triumph of the human spirit.  In Crossroads, Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid 1, 2 & 3) played a young guitar prodigy struggling between the pursuit of excellence and "serving two masters at the same time": the blues and classical music.  A "duel" was set in a climactic scene with Steve Vai (Frank Zappa Band, Whitesnake) as the devil's advocate.  It featured highly technical guitar shredding accompanied by soulful orchestrations any true-blue musician would love - once  realized that pretense is in the show and not on the skill.

(L-R) Arvian Bialoglovski of Colt 45, Neil Gregorio of Warner Music, Francis Reyes of NU107, Colt 45 Shred to Slam Champion Patrick Cruz, Wally Gonzales of Juan de la Cruz, Colt 45 Shred First Runner-up Jan Clyde Polintan, Manuel Legarda of Wolfgang, Colt 45 Shred 2nd Runner-up Emman Saumillan, and Joseph Consul, Brand Manager of Colt 45.

Mirroring this concept of drama and anticipation was a challenge to guitar virtuosos all over the Philippines. Colt 45, with its thrust towards promoting "real music for real men",  held a series of competitions across the archipelago by gathering the best electric guitar players in the country, to compete in the finals of  the first ever guitar shredding contest.