Admit One @ saGuijo Cafe+Bar, 03/19/05

Last week was . . . toxic . . .

Sooo glad I was able to end it with another rockin' ADMIT ONE at saGuijo Cafe+Bar! Some pics from last Saturday...


Lyle of Moyg. One of my favorite shots for the night.


Doc of The Brew. These guys definitely rock! Proudly Pisay ;)


Mitch of Sugarfree. Ang bago kong crush sa banda hehehe :D


Juana Salcedo. Astig na bata 'to! She's just 15 but she definitely rawcks! I gotta hear more of her stuff ;) (Abangan si Juana sa mga susunod na Revolver Prods! Hehehe...)

The singing Dancels. Mga iniidolo ko sa local scene ngayon. These guys and gal simply rule!


Vin of Twisted Halo. Vicious when guitar-free.


Kris of Cambio. Roam if you want to, roam around the world...


Ebe of Cambio/Sugarfree. Awww, ain't he just cute? ;) (What can I say? Papable yung tatlong Sugarboys eh :D )

More pics here.

The Midnight Countdown, 03/19/05

Thanks to Halinaw for posting this on Peyups.com!

Midnight Countdown, 03/19/05

1. Jopay – Mayonnaise
2. Sleeping with Butterflies – Tori Amos
3. Ako si M-16 – Jr. Kilat
4. Akap – Imago
5. Sigaro – System of a Down
6. Ang Pagkalas – Juan dela Cruz Band
7. Broken Sonnet – Hale
8. Evil – Interpol
9. Drt - DRT
10. We Will Become Silhouettes – Postal Lyrics
11. Prom - Sugarfree
12. Apoy - Greyhoundz

Wow! 8 out 12 songs are our very own! Astig! I'm so happy the Midnight Countdown looks like this these days. Rockin na talaga ang local scene! Sana mangyari ulit yung glory days ng OPM, like when the Eraserheads were the hottest thing in town ;)


Here's one song I'd love to see in the Midnight Countdown:

MIRON, Twisted Halo

di ka ba titigil…
sa kahahabol
ng pangarap ng ibang tao para sa iyo?…
whoah…
san ka ba titigil?
Kelan ka ba titigil?
Sabi-sabi….sabi-sabi…

Di ka ba titigil…
Sa pagmamasid na lamang?…
kelan ka ba sasalang?…
Di ka aantayin ng mundo…
Iikot ng iikot ito…
Di ba nakakagigil?…
Labis-labis…labis-labis…

Hanggang kailan mo ba kayang dalhin?…
Hanggang kailan mo ba daramdamin?…
Hanggang kailan magtitiis?…
Hanggang kailang magtitiis?…
Magtitiis..?

Effect of the Doppler Effect

This Doppler Effect has got me obsessing over the bands again, darn it. O eto, 8 folks in the local music scene today I am honored to have met (can anyone say hero-worship?).

In no particular order:

Buddy Zabala - Isa siyang henyo ng musika, and yet he maintains a very unassuming aura. It's like being around him is such a humbling experience.

Raimund Marasigan - The busiest of bees never seems to run out of adventures to take and new roads to follow. A professional musician to the core. His motto is probably "Carpe Diem!"

Myrene Academia - One of the NU DJs of old that I miss. Laid back rocker chick with a cool, smooth voice. Lady bassist of two great bands, too!

Aia de Leon - She's cute, sexy, nice, and has a devastatingly beautiful voice quite unmatched by any other vocalist out there today (except possibly Ebe Dancel, but we'll get to him later...)

Marie Jamora - She's a film director, a drummer, and a singer too! What else can't she do?

Kris Gorra-Dancel - Cool lass with a distinct sense of style. She's unafraid to be who she is, and she firmly holds her ground as the lone she-wolf in a pack of five. Basta, astig siya.

Ebe Dancel - With such heart-wrenching lyrics delivered by equally heartbreaking vocals, what's not to love about this guy? Dagdag pogi points pa ang glasses effect, hehehe.

Vin Dancel - Genius of a songwriter, and an explosively intense performer. If there's one person I would credit for my love of local indie music, it's gotta be Manong Vin. His passion and conviction is just so inspiring, I can't help but join the cause he persistently upholds - Independensya!

The Doppler Reverb

Got these great pics from my friend and batchmate Jaemark.


Pisay98's very own Christi (formerly NU107's Sydney) does hosting duties with NU107's Trish.


Giniling Festival's Jeje. I particularly love this shot, astig ang kuha ni Jae :P


Vin of Twisted Halo. Ganda ng shirt niya noh? :D

- - - - -

Just viewed the Doppler tapes. Saka ko lang napanood set ng Sugarfree hehehe. Grabe, ang saya nung tugtog nila :)

And then I watched Cambio's set tas sabi ko, "Teka, Kris wasn't wearin those funky earrings when I saw her later that night..." Eh yun naman pala, ipinamigay sa audience ang kanyang mga abubot (bracelet, hikaw) while singing Patlang. Hehehe, astig.

And of course pinanood ko rin ang set ng minamahal kong Twisted Halo. Sobrang ka-intense, what with a guitar-free Vin thrashing about onstage. A whole new animal unleashed. Panalo. Sayang lang wala sa footage yung Public Service Announcement.

What is The Doppler Effect?

Ayon sa Encyclopedia Britannica Online:

Doppler Effect - Apparent difference between the frequency at which waves—including light, sound, and radio waves—leave a source and that at which they reach an observer.

The effect, first described by the Austrian physicist Christian Doppler (1803–1853), is caused by the relative motion of the observer and the wave source. It can be observed by listening to the blowing horn or siren of an approaching vehicle, whose pitch rises as the vehicle approaches the observer and falls as it recedes. It is used in radar and to calculate the speed of stars by observing the change in frequency of their light.


Ayon sa Samahan ng mga Manunugtog ng Pisay (SaMaPi):

Doppler Effect - This is what takes place when 15 kick-@ss bands throw one helluva party at the Open Field of Philippine Science High School along Agham Road in Diliman, QC.

An event that should not have been missed, this occurrence is apparently the first of its kind in the history of SaMaPi and maybe even of Pisay itself.

The following photograph attests to the occurrence of such a groundbreaking event. This, however, is a mere echo of what actually occurred last 12 March 2005. If you didn't experience the Doppler Effect in the flesh, well, then this would have to do.



For a more graphic representation of the said phenomenon, please refer to the photo archives*


* Hahaha, didn't get to take much pics actually, as I was pretty toxic during the first half of the show, going around to check if everything and everyone was doing fine :P

You dare not miss this...

This'll be the coolest gig ever.
Sarap panimula ng Summer Vacation!!!

- - - - -

Three words and 14 reasons
you need to be in Pisay
on March 12, 2005 (Saturday).



Sugarfree :: Cambio :: Imago :: Twisted Halo :: Boldstar :: Radioactive Sago Project :: Brownbeat Allstars :: Mayonnaise :: Orange and Lemons :: Brownman Revival :: Delta Joy :: Gender Bender :: Giniling Festival :: Firelane


March 12, 2005
PSHS Open Field.

Gates open at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets at the gate for P150.

Part of the proceeds of this event will be donated to Kythe, Inc.,
a volunteer organization that cares for pediatric cancer patients
and their families.


[A SaMaPi + Revolver Production]

in cooperation with
the PSHS Batch 2005 Council

- - - - -

San ka pa?! ;)
Spread the word!!!

My Kjwan Week - Bastusan Na!

Last week was Kjwan Week :D Haven't seen this guys in action in a very looong time, and it was really great seeing them again three times in the span of four days :P

First caught these guys at the UP Fair last Saturday, where their set was just really rockin'. It literally sent dust clouds into the air as the moshers slammed through all three songs of their short but sweet set.

The next day, I went to Tower Records at the Alabang Town Center where the band was supposed to perform at 6pm. Reached Tower at about 5, not much people around yet, so I decided to check out Calvin and Hobbes at Powerbooks. Big mistake, because when I got to Tower at around 5:45, the place was friggin' PACKED! Was excited pa naman to get really good pics because the place was small and I thought I'd be able to get good close-up shots, but NOOO, the place was so crowded, I couldn't even squeeze my way to the front anymore :( Had to make do with my place at the back, buti nalang de-swivel ang LCD monitor ng cam ko :D Looove My Precious talaga, hehehe. At least, I was able to take a couple of ok shots, nangawit nga lang kilikili ko kakastretch ng arm to take pics :P


Kjwan at Tower Records ATC

That ATC gig was really one for the books. In the Kjwan mailing list, Jorel said they really loved that gig - para daw naging Freedom Bar on Admit One anniversary night yung Tower Records, may moshpit pa talaga and crowd surfing(!).


Nagka-moshpit sa *loob* ng Tower ATC(!)

And finally, on Tuesday, caught Kjwan one more time at Tower Records Glorietta. Yet again, maraming tao. Pero mas marami na ngayong chicks kaysa moshers (halos wala nga nung mga yun eh, hehe). It was great meeting a couple of listers (Hey Sansan and Julius!), my good friend Anne (na panalo ang photo-op with Mr. Abaya!), and a Pisay student (Hey Klarisse! Naka-uniform ka pa talaga nun ha :P ) hehehe.

And Jorel was so nice, he let me take pics from inside the ropes! Yipeee! Andami ko tuloy kuha hehehe. Too bad I wasn't really into moving around to take pics from different views, but at least I got good pics of all the members, I think :D Oh and yeah, he gave me a poster too! Woohoo :)



Sayang lang di ko pa napa-sign, kahit CD ko wala pang pirma nila. All the more reason to catch more Kjwan gigs, hehehe...


The view from just outside Tower Records Glorietta

More pics of their Tower Records gigs here (ATC) and here (Glorietta). But this one here is probably my favorite of the lot:


Bastusan na!

UP Fair 2005

UP Fair na!!!

Here are the band skeds. Pick a night, any night! Got these skeds from friends, mailing lists, Bandstand.ph, and Peyups.com. Check out Peyups.com if you wanna know more about each night's gig.

Feb. 14, Monday - Luv-A-Fair :: presented by Alpha Sigma
Parokya ni Edgar :: Sponge Cola :: Urbandub :: Sandwich :: Sugarfree :: Cambio :: Twisted Halo :: Itchyworms :: 6cyclemind :: Imago :: Milk N' Money :: Blue Ketchup :: Hale :: and many more...

Feb. 15, Tuesday - Fairster 2 :: presented by Portia
P.O.T. :: Rivermaya :: Urbandub :: sandwich :: Coffee Break Island :: Brownman Revival :: Hale :: Stonefree :: 6cyclemind :: Cambio :: Imago :: Sugarfree :: Spong Cola :: and many more...

Feb 16, Wednesday - LovestROCK :: presented by Scintilla Juris
MYMP :: Urbandub :: Kjwan :: Cista :: The Mongols :: Brownbeat Allstars :: Chicosci :: Bent :: Blue Ketchup :: Bog :: Chaos Theory :: Cryochamber :: Giniling Festival :: Juana :: Kantula :: Kiko Machine :: Milk N Money :: Nontoxic :: Pennies for Jane :: Protein Shake :: Sacramento :: Simon :: Spelling Contest :: Taffy Trip :: The Brew :: Typecast :: FHM Lingerie Show

Feb. 17, Thursday - SISfire 3: All Is Fair In Love And War :: presented by Sigma Beta
Kamikazee :: Itchyworms :: Imago :: 17:28 :: Cambio :: Cheese :: Sugarfree :: Moonstar88 :: Session Road :: Brownman Revival :: Kitchie Nadal :: Sponge Cola :: and many more...

Feb. 18, Friday - SchizoFAIRnia: Night of Opposites :: presented by UP EMC and UP Circle of Entrepreneurs
sandwich :: imago :: cambio :: sugarfree :: razorback :: slapshock :: mayonnaise :: greyhoundz :: stonefree :: sponge cola :: pop filter :: 6 cycle mind :: orange and lemons :: the wuds :: the jerks :: juan pablo dream :: brownbeat all stars :: radioactive sago project :: itchyworms :: urbandub :: monsterbot :: ciudad :: milk & money :: blue catsup :: the late isabel :: tsongkeys :: ekit :: snowflakes :: dale iba :: anino :: sweet valium high :: burning angels :: matilda :: harsh flavor :: pigs with pearls :: revenge of the oemon :: la passionaria :: tambisan

Feb. 19, Saturday - USC Night: FAIRspectives
Sugarfree :: Imago :: Cambio :: Kjwan :: Mayonnaise :: Itchyworms :: Mongols :: Kiko Machine :: Datu's Tribe :: Sandwich :: 6 Cycle Mind :: Milk and Honey :: Popfilter :: Blue Ketchup :: Akafellas

- - - - -

By the way, Peyups.com will be selling shirts at their booth on the fairgrounds. Hanapin nalang natin saan dun hehehe. Got this pic from their website:

Think happy thoughts!

HOOK (Robin Williams, 1991) was on Cinemax a while ago. And no matter how many times I've seen it already, I still can't help but finish it everytime I catch it on the tube :P

This has got to be one of my all-time favorite movies. I was in the 5th grade when it came out in the cinema, and to be 11 and believe you can fly like Peter Pan was awesome. As in after watching the movie feeling ko makakalipad ako by simply holding on to my happy thought, hehehe.

Watching it all over again is just as fun! I get senti all over, and the memories associated with this movie come back in waves of nostalgia. As I said, I was Grade 5 back in '91, and in one subject, we were asked to make our wedding invitation. I was totally clueless about who I wanted to marry (d-uh), but then I had just seen Hook, and I was smitten by Rufio, played by Pinoy boy Dante Basco. And so I ended up marrying Dante - as written in my wedding invitation at least :D



Dante's actually all over Hollywood. Besides his big role as the new leader of the Lost Boys in Hook, he has also appeared in lots of shows such as Moesha, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and The Wonder Years. Ever seen the Fil-Am movie "The Debut"? That's Dante in the lead role there, all grown up and still in the business. His latest high profile appearance would prolly be The Black Eyed Peas' video of "The Apl Song", as the younger version of the veteran soldier.

But besides Dante, there are a lot of other things I love about Hook. Heck, it stars Robin Williams, who's probably my most favorite actor ever. Gimme a Robin Williams film and I'd probably love it to pieces (read: Dead Poets Society, What Dreams May Come, etc). Also, the Lost Boys and Jack and Maggie were all so adorable. I can't help but wonder if they're still in showbiz now.

And of course, it's always the quotable-quotes that get me :D I always have a laugh when Maggie tells Hook that he's just "a mean old man without a mommy." And it's one of those awww moments when Tinkerbell tells Peter that that place "between sleep and awake, where you still remember you were dreaming" is where she'd always love him. But I guess this one takes the cake:

TO LIVE...to live will be an awfully big adventure ;)
(Carpe diem, anyone? Dead Poets Society style?)

Puso kong hindi mapalagay...

Oh wow, nabubulabog ang puso ko sa mga nasasagap na balita...
Ok, least bad trip news muna.

- - - - -

Norah Jones is coming to Manila on March 12!!!
So first I thought, shit, have to choose: Jars of Clay (March 2) or Norah Jones?! Ubos ang paalam points (not to mention ubos ang funds!!!)... Argh...
And then I realized...March 12?! Hello, Pisay fair gig yun! No way in hell I won't be there. Hellur!
Ok, so scrap the Norah Jones gig. At least I can watch Jars of Clay (hopefully), hehehe.

Now, that wasn't so bad was it?
But here comes more bad trip news...

- - - - -

Here's Myrene's latest post on the sandwich mailing list...
Yep folks, Marc Abaya has left the building.
Read on:

you know, marc will always be our friend, and that friendship we holdabove everything else, even above being a bandmate. he's been with ussince he was in second year college, and now it's time for him to tryout new things. we've always known what a great talent marc is -we've known since 1998 in fact. so it's no surprise that the time hascome for him to strike out into new territory. it's as simple as thatand we fully support him.

another concern was all of marc's fans who kept expecting him to showup only to be disappointed because he'd be tied up with a previousengagement that went overtime. now that he's left, nobody has to comeall the way to a sandwich show only to be let down.

obviously, sandwich is a different animal now. some people won't likeit, some people will stay for the ride. some people might treat itlike a new band. some people who've been watching us for the pastthree months will probably be used to it by now. i'll be the firstperson to tell you to go listen or watch whom you like. music is apersonal thing, right? we have no control over how people perceiveus. and we've never had a desire to second guess the public. in the end, we just want to play.

i do want to stress one thing though - that there's no drama, noantagonism, no resentment. nothing to see here, it's boring. i don'treally have to mention this but this is our list, and you guys arecloser to us than most. there might be those who'll want to blowthings out of proportion and make up a lot of stories. if you havethe time you can clarify things for them. or you can just tell them,it's just a band for crying out loud, get a life.

so, even if we're sad to see marc go, we know we'll be proud to seehim flourish in the careers he decides to take.

;) myrene

Haaay...although I've gotten used to not seeing Marc at sandwich gigs, it's still sad to find out that indeed he has left the band for good. It's not like it's gonna cripple sandwich or anything. In fact, they're mighty fine even without Marc. But still...speechless ako sa lungkot, even if I know I'm gonna enjoy my next sandwich gig as much as i enjoyed all their previous gigs that I've seen. Buti nalang kumpleto sila nung RAID! anti-piracy gig sa UP, which was when I last saw them. Oh well...

More from Philmusic.com: "Marc Abaya Leaves Sandwich"

- - - - -

And for the most bad trip news I've come across today...
Well, I can't write it down here. You just go check it out for yourself.
PULP's January-February 2005 issue.
I wasn't gonna buy this issue because it was mainly a hip-hop issue. But then I saw this on the cover:
Why the Eraserheads Broke Up - Ely Buendia & Dianne Break the Silence...And a Lot of Balls
So there, I DEFINITELY had to buy the darn mag. And once again, I'm speechless. As I said, just go check it out for yourself.

February Gig Skeds

Ang mga nasagap kong gig sked for February...

Twisted Halo
04 - NU107’s Gweilo’s Hour (9pm)
08 - UST med auditorium: Full Volume Campus Tour
11 - Adamson University C.S. Bldg
13 - 99.5RT Sunday Sessions (9pm-12mn)
16 - DLSU Taft CLA day
18 - ADMU “love ko 2”
19 - UP Fair
19 - ADMIT ONE @ saGuijo
25 - Benefit Concert @ the FAT for flood victims in Quezon
25 - Ateneo College Covered Courts: A Million Miracles benefit concert for tsunami & Quezon flood victims
26 - Arts and Music Fest, Megatrade Hall 3, SM Megamall

Sugarfree
07 - mayrics with 6cycle mind and sponge cola
08 - ust with sandwich twisted halo and bamboo
12 - sm bacoor 3pm (please come early)
12 - st scholastica 7pm
12 - autohaus bar, libis 9pm
12 - manila pen 12 pm
15 - club v, mile long 10pm
15 - up fair 12mn
16 - la salle 6pm
17 - up fair
17 - ncba (tentative)
18 - up fair 12:45am
19 - miriam covered courts 7pm
19 - uerm 9pm
19 - up fair 11pm
19 - admitone saguijo 22 - baker hall, uplb
24 - gweilo's libis (tentative) rt event
25 - national sports grill 26 - sm iloilo
27 - sm cebu

Cambio
05 - U.P. Sunken Garden Saturday
05 - Marikina Riverbanks Rakista Livewire Event 5-6 songs
11 - 6:00 PM C.S. Bldg. Adamson Promo Gig
12 - 7:00 PM St.Scholastica
14 - U.P. Fair
15 - U.P. Fair
16 - 6:00 PM DLSU, Taft
17 - 11:00 PM U.P. Fair c/o SigmaBeta
18 - 12:00 MN U.P. Fair c/o EMC² & Circle of Entrepreneurs 3 songs
19 - 10:30 PM U.P. Fair c/o U.S.C.& LSFM 3-4 songs
19 - SaGuijo ADMIT ONE
21 - Mayrics Puesto Gig w/ Carlo AquinoTheory
25 - Nat'l Sports Grill Libertas Newsletter Fundrasing Concert Fashion Show
26 - 70's Bistro Fundraising for Dumagats, 3-4 songs, c/o Loyola Mountaineers

Kjwan
11 - malolos (malolos sports complex)
12 - la salle ghills
16 - UP sunken garden
18 - St. Paul QC
19 - UP Sunken Garden 97.1 LSFM event
20 - TOWER ALABANG and MENDIOLA
26 - MAPUA
27 - MEGAMALL MEGATRADE HALL

Imago
04 - Baker Hall UPLB 8pm (Rockin Rastas)
05 - Marikina riverbanks (Rakista)
05 - UP Sunken Garden (YFC GATHERING /CAMPUS TOUR)
08 - CLUB V Milelong Makati 10pm (1 hr set)
11 - 5pm Adamson University
11 - UP Bahay ng alumni
15 - UP FAIR
16 - DLSU TAFT 6PM
17 - UP FAIR
18 - BALUARTE DILAO (YFC GATHERING/CAMPUS TOUR)
18 -UP FAIR
19 - UP FAIR
25 - Gasoline alley (fundraising for Dumagats)
25 - NATIONAL SPORTS GRILL GREENBELT (1 hr set)
28 - St. Benilde (YFC GATHERING/CAMPUS TOUR)

Orange and Lemons
06 - Jam 88.3 Jam Sessions 7pm
09 - Gweilos Makati 10pm
10 - "Brave New Wave" at Saguijo Bar 9pm
11 - Bintog, Plaridel, Bulacan 5pm
11 - University of Sto. Tomas 8pm
11 - UP Diliman "MTV VJ Hunt" 10pm
12 - Block Section Bar, Malolos, Bulacan 9pm
14 - Gweilos Libis Valentines Party 9pm
15 - Mayrics, Espana *probably with The Youth
16 - Gweilos Makati 10pm
18 - San Ildefonso, Bulacan 5pm
18 - UP Fair '05
23 - Gweilos Makati
24 - Eastwood City,Libis 99.5 RT event
26 - 70's Bistro

Sandwich
03 - Arkadia Makati
04 - DLSU Taft
05 - Rockista Marikina Riverbanks
08 - UST Full Volume Tour
15 - UP Fair Diliman
16 - DLSU Fair Taft
16 - UP Fair Diliman
18 - UP Fair Diliman
18 - NCBA Fairview Foundation Day
19 - UP Fair Diliman
25 - Friday Nat'l Sports Grill

Wolfmann
02 - 6 Underground with daydreamcycle, C Palanca Street, Makati
12 - Revolver 5 with SVC and Pedicab at Saguijo Cafe
25 - Cafe Saguijo's Guns N' Roses Night!!! Line-up TBA

Sugarfree's Mall Tour at SM North Edsa

Yey, I finally get to gig! Actually, my first actual gig for 2005 was Samapi's Talagang Concert 2, which was awesome =)

So anyway, I checked out the first leg of Sugarfree's DRAMACHINE Mall Tour at SM North Edsa last Friday. Opening act HALE gave a great start.


Hale opens for Sugarfree at SM North Edsa

I'm not really good at describing how bands sound, but I'd say they play easy-on-the-ears rock, beautiful yet not sissy. I'm definitely checking out their album, which'll be out soon also under EMI. In the meantime, I might check out the FULL VOLUME compilation, which features 18 of "the best of Pinoy alternative" artists, including Hale.


What is now popularly known in the Sugarfree mailing list as
the Little Boy Ebe look

And to the delight of the humongous crowd (which had LOTS of QueSci kids out there), Sugarfree started their set with the adorably sweet Sinta (saw the vid ulit kanina at kinikilig parin ako to watch it). I keep forgetting to jot down playlists, but thanks to Klara, here's what Sugarfree played that afternoon: Sinta, Burnout, Prom (their next single!), Tulog Na, Mariposa and Hari ng Sablay.


Singing along to Mariposaaa...

The part that the fans particularly liked was most probably the autograph signing session. I didn't bring anything for the band to sign, so I just contented myself with taking their pics while they were busy with the fans.


Singson seriously signing

It was a great way to wrap up a toxic week. What made it extra special was that I made it to the backstage c/o Sir Sammy (thank you!), Sugarfree's manager, and got to meet the Sugarboys before their set. I was pleasantly amused that Ebe remembered who I was; he even asked me why he didn't see me at Admit One gigs anymore. And Jal asked me if I brought my camera - but of course I did. Thing is, I forgot to USE IT while I was backstage =P Sayang, la pa naman akong pic with Sugarfree. Or at least man lang I could've taken a shot of Ebe who was busy with his Gameboy Advance SP (did I get that right? basta Gameboy yun...) Next time probably =)

Here are the shots I did take. Couple of shots of Hale included.

My preciousss...

Believe it or not, Jal (of Sugarfree) and I have something in common. It's this little baby over here:


The Canon Powershot A95
Photo taken from Dpreview.com

We got our units a couple of days apart - Jal getting his from the US, whereas I got mine from Singapore. That's the secret actually: get it from abroad, 'cause it's a couple of thousands more expensive here. My sis-in-law got me a cool deal too, 'cause the cam came with a reliable warranty (she's based in Singapore anyway), a tabletop tripod, cleaning kit, 128 Compact Flash card, rechargeable batteries, and a neat camera bag! Basta, ang saya =D

Haven't baptized My Precious yet at any bar gig, but the Sugarfree Mall Tour at SM North was a fun way to start. And this is one of the first celebrity pics taken by My Precious:


Jal waiting to sign fans' stuff at their autograph signing session

We were both so excited about our new toys. Jal even diligently surfed the net for sites that could teach him a bit more about Digital Photography. Check out the shots from Jal's A95: http://www.photonski.com/jalski. As for me, I'll be posting gig pics at My Yahoo Photos soon...soon as I actually get to watch a gig, hehehe. So far, it's just the Sugarfree Mall Tour pa lang (the older pics are c/o of My Sinaunang Precious, the Canon A60). I also post non-gig stuff at my other Yahoo Photos account.

In Loving Memory of the Fearless Exploits of the Bolo Brigade

A year after its independent release by Guilty Pleasure Records, Twisted Halo's first full-length album, "In Loving Memory of the Fearless Exploits of the Bolo Brigade" is, according to their website, "really out now".

This stunning album, which I consider to be one of my best buys for the year 2004, is now available at all major record outlets in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon, and, by next week, in Visayas and Mindanao as well.

Go get it. These may be the 16 tracks that would change your life. Or maybe not, hehehe. But still, Twisted Halo's Bolo Brigade is one intense ride that you gotta take.



Images taken from Indiefilipino.com
Please visit the band's website: TwistedHalo.com

Here's where the CDs will be available in Luzon:
Odyssey - Shoemart Record Bars - Tower/Music One - Astroplus - Astrovision
Others: Landmark, Music Plus R. Galleria, Music Wave Imus, Micky’s Uniwide Sucat, Micky’s Coastal

For a complete listing of outlets in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, check out the band's mailing list.

Can't get enough of...

Twisted Halo!
...my favorite band in the scene today! Yeah, I think I've mentioned that before... but anyway, it's worth repeating again and again and again...

Feeling ko nga sawa na si Andrew sa kakasama sa akin sa Halo gigs - Twisted Halo na naman? - hehehe :P

So there, caught these guys onstage just last January 11 at the RAID! anti-piracy gig at the UP Bahay ng Alumni. And then, two days later, at SM Megamall for the opening of a photoexhibit. Aaadiiik! Oh well...

Favorite Halo songs
- toss-up between Brad & Hiram, from their self-titled EP
- with My Happy Thoughts & Public Service Announcement, from the ...Bolo Brigade... album coming in 2nd place

Favorite Halo gigs that I've heard/seen
(I'm pretty sure I've missed a LOT of their gigs, being a hardcore Halo-convert since 2003 only, but anyway I'll mention some kick-ass gigs I've experienced so far)
- 2004 guestings on NU107's The First Show: haaangkuleeet!!! especially Joey & Monmon LOL!
- 9/18/04 Admit One @ Saguijo Makati: with Aia doing live backups on #36, what's not to love?!
- 9/06/04 Kwentuhan with Samapi @ Pisay Diliman: hehehe, siyempre gig namin 'to! ;)

I guess you can expect more Twisted Halo ravings roundhere soon :P


Hiram
from the Twisted Halo EP (c) 2001
the exquisite poetry's just half of it, you *gotta* listen to the song!

minsan pa, hagkan natin ang umaga...
at iwan ang gabing hiram nating dalwa...
kahit saglit, nilipad mo ako't inabot nating dalwa...
sabay ng pagluha, bumitaw na naman at umasa...
kung sakali... kung sakali...

minsan pa, hagkan natin ang umaga...
paraisong nakabinbin sa 'sang sulok ng dilim...
naghihintay ng muling pagdating... nag-aabang ng takipsilim...
umaasang mayat-maya'y nariyan at kasayaw ka...
kung sakali... kung sakali...
[insert lovely & powerful riffs & solos here]

Sige na people, yugyugan na!

Sa mga naghahanap nung POT album...

[click]

Shame on Sham! Astig to 2b Orig! (ANTI-PIRACY Event)

Helping out a friend with promotions. This is worth checking out!

Visit the link please! (Click on the title of this entry!)

SAMAPI's Kwentuhan Sessions featuring IMAGO

Just like I mentioned the last time, Imago was slated for SAMAPI's 3rd Kwentuhan Session, much to the delight of the Pisay students. Aptly titled "Kwentuhan Take Three", the 3rd installment of SAMAPI's year-round Kwentuhan Sessions featured Imago, who had just released their much-awaited and LONG-OVERDUE sophomore album called "Take Two".

Room 103 - home of our Kwentuhan Sessions - was bustling with so much activity! Shirts and CDs were selling like crazy at the merch booth, and around 40-50 students were eagerly listening to the band as they played mostly new songs from their latest release. But of course, the most fun part was the actual Kwentuhan, where we got the usual panalo questions such as...

"May boyfriend ka na?"
"Anong cell number mo?"

Of course, such inquiries were directed to the frontwoman herself, the cute-as-a-button Aia, who was amusingly game to answer them silly questions.

"Ang sagot ko diyan - kung anong gusto niyo! Sige, pagkalat niyo lang na girlfriend niyo ako. Ayan, dami kong boyfriend!" :)

And the question about her mobile number? The deal was that the inquirer would find out if he bought their album - 1 digit per CD! :D And lo and behold, the guy came back later cradling a number of CDs in his arms, cellphone out and ready to type the coveted phone number. LOL!

Another funny moment was when this cute kid ran in front of the band, enthusiastically shouting "Tita Aiaaa!", eliciting giggles from the audience. The kid was none other than Kaio Dancel, who came to Kwentuhan Take Three with his Daddy Vin (Twisted Halo) and Mommy Kris (Cambio). Those rockstar kids never fail to amuse me.

And just like Zach is crazy on the radio, baliw rin siya sumagot sa mga tanong! It was fun listening to his wacky answers (kahit seryoso yung tanong, ha). Jane from the audience also requested him to do his Puss-In-Boots impression, to which he obliged. Pero pagkaalala ko the request for Bokbok the Chicken was politely turned down hehe.

As for the new Imago album, I have five words for it: It was worth the wait! "Taning" and "Akap", and the song where Gabby of Urbandub does backups (the title escapes me now) are instant faves. They've lost the world music feel and traded it for something edgier but still as soulful as ever, owing that intense quality to Aia's unbelievable vocal prowess. And although the rap parts were hard for me to digest initially, I still gave em a couple more listens and eventually got to appreciate them (same as when I first heard Kris rap on Derby Light :P )

Kwentuhan Take Three was one fun gig. To top it off, I bought myself an Imago shirt and the Take Two CD with messages from the band to boot! :) If there's one local release for 2004 you shouldn't miss, that should be Take Two ;)

Pictures from Kwentuhan Take Three can be viewed here.

Urbandub and Rivermaya at Petron, San Pedro Laguna

It was a lazy afternoon on the 30th of October. I was just hangin in my room, listening to NU107, when they announced that Sydney was over at the Petron Gas Station along South Super Highway in San Pedro Laguna. Turns out there was an NU event there featuring Rivermaya and Urbandub. And so on a seemingly non-eventful Saturday afternoon I found myself an instant gig :)

Drove over to Petron, met up with Sydney before she and Dylan went onstage to host some games before the bands started playing. After a while, Urbandub started their set, and to my delight I was allowed to take pics from the stage (thanks Sydney and NU's photographer guy whose name I forgot, so sorry!). Was glad to see John Dinopol back again to do his guitar thing with Urbandub. His left hand was still bandaged though so he only played certain songs in Urbandub's setlist, the rest of the guitar duties were handled by a friend.



Next up was Rivermaya. And I never thought I would say this, but Rico Blanco actually looks good in person. Hehehe. I never understood why girls would swoon over Rico, but when I saw him in person during their set at Petron, I thought to myself, "Well, he has some charm about him naman pala." I also changed my mind about Danica Sotto, who I found out was Mark Escueta's girl that's why she was there watching Rivermaya's Petron gig. Seeing her on TV, I really didn't find her pretty at all, but when I saw her there offstage I realized she didn't look that bad at all. Dami pang nagpapapicture with her during Maya's set, hehe. Little by little, fans watching Rivermaya realized there was an artista in their midst, so they took a break from watching the band rock it out onstage and grabbed their camera-phones to have a little snapshot with Ms. Sotto, and the lady gladly obliged. At least she wasn't a b*tch, like many artistas are rumored to be.

So there I was, listening to Rivermaya, feeling extra senti when they started to play old songs by the original lineup. Then Sydney goes, "Di mo sila trip noh? You're not taking pictures eh." I simply explained that I preferred the original Maya. Maybe because they were around when I was highschool, a time that never fails to send waves of sweet nostalgia through me. Somehow, this time around, I can't seem to fully appreciate the new and revived Rivermaya. They don't seem to connect with me. La lang, di ko sila feel. I do admit they churn out good songs though. I just don't find any special connection with the songs, that's it.

Anyway, I did end up taking a few shots of the band - offstage na nga lang - and luckily I was able to get a few good photos. Was especially amused by the guitarist's light-up-sungays; the guy was really into the spirit of Halloween I guess.



After the gig, I got to meet the members of Urbandub (and Phat Boy Lim, too) and have my Birth and Influence CDs signed - what better way to end my instant gimik :)

Shots from that Petron gig here.

Pisay Interbatch 2004

INTERBATCH.

That word probably doesn't mean anything to most people, but for the men and boys of Philippine Science High School (for those over ~17 at least), The Interbatch is one of the most awaited events of the year.

Recently baptized as The PSHS Alumni Basketball League (PABL), what has always been referred to as "Interbatch" is the yearly basketball tournament of the alumni batches of Pisay.

By tradition, the host for the year would be the batch celebrating their 5th year as PSHS alumni. Last year, it was Batch 98's turn. And they almost made it to the Finals, too. However, fate would not have it that way so Batch 92 and defending champs Batch 91 were the ones who fought it out during the intense final match (92 won that game, by the way).

This year, the tournament was spearheaded by Batch 91, since Batch 99 could not commit to organizing Interbatch 2004. Although it was almost another 92-vs-91-Finals (would've been the 3rd time in a row), Batch 98 ended up facing the unstoppable men of Batch 91. And indeed, they were unstoppable, because Batch 91 snagged that coveted championship trophy and concluded this year's PABL with a bang.

Thing is, the Batch 98 guys really put up a fight during that Finals match. The game was so close, we COULD'VE won. But we didn't. And yet it wasn't so disappointing (for me and Andrew at least), because it made me proud to see that our boys COULD actually play such a beautifully intense game. They proved that they did deserve that slot in the finals - vs 91, no less.

So for 2002, Batch 98 found their way to the Quarter Finals. In 2003, they made it to the Semis. And in 2004, they actually battled it out vs a very powerful team during the Finals. Sa 2005 kaya...? ;)



More Interbatch 2004 pics here.