Project 365 And Blogging Hiatus Until Sunday...

Yeah, you read that right. In line with my thesis defense, the last thing I'd tell you is I'm opening for the Itchyworms on Tuesday night in 70's Bistro.

See you after my thesis is signed, sealed and delivered!

Reiterating My Shameless Self-Promotion...

I'm opening for Tim Tayag and the rest of the Comedy Cartel around 8:00PM tonight at Spicy Fingers in Greenbelt 2, and then I'll be opening for the Itchyworms tomorrow night around 10:30 PM in 70's Bistro in Anonas.

Hope to catch you guys there!

Project 365 (67/365): Casey At The Bat

.:67/365: Casey At The Bat:.

A skinny Penn! This is so rare!

The “Casey At The Bat” routine is, admittedly, also an escape act involving a straightjacket. Despite that, it’s the presentation Penn and Teller use that makes it worthy of discussion.

A few days ago, you saw a fairly simple escape from a straightjacket. It wasn’t particularly amazing, but there was nice by-play in the scene that was shown. What Penn and Teller have managed to do here was to take the upside-down escape, already quite a spectacle on its own, and then go and turn it into something even more frenetic and exciting than it already is, to begin with.

The poem “Casey at the Bat” was perfect because it was just long enough for Penn and Teller to play around with the poem to deliver the poem at an increasingly speedy pace at key points in the act. This humorous take and apparent sadism on Penn’s part certainly catches the audience’s attention as Teller helplessly struggles to get out of his restraints, knowing that he could break his neck if he failed to finish the escape before Penn could finish reading the poem.

Penn and Teller are very well-known for this kind of shock value that they employ in order to really leave an indelible mark on their audiences. The impact they have, and the genius of being able to employ even the simplest of magic routines and turning them into a grand and comedic spectacle is something I idolize about Penn and Teller so much. This pretty much explains why I’ve always been a huge fan of the duo, and it makes all the sense in the world why I would be so.

Project 365 (66/365): The Gypsy Mystery

.:66/365: The Gypsy Mystery:.

This is rather awkward...

The Gypsy Mystery is a very popular routine with its roots in mysticists and paranormalists who have demonstrated what has come to be known as the Spirit Cabinet.

Having said that, this routine to me is more of an escapology act than a paranormal one, given the way my partner, Jay, and I have packaged it.

Traditionally, the routine is done this way: ask a volunteer to come up on stage, and make sure he is wearing a jacket. Have him step up beside your assistant as you bind your assistant with ropes very tightly. Then, you have both of them stand in a hoop, you raise the hoop and let the curtain cover them, and once you bring the hoop down, lo and behold, your assistant is still tied up, but she’s wearing the volunteer’s jacket, and it’s very clear that the ropes go over the jacket.

It’s visually stunning and really causes not a small amount of shock from the people in the audience when this routine is done. It’s a very powerful routine that goes well in opening or closing any given show, although it logically assumes a few things, most important of them, the fact that there have to be two performers onstage.

Most magicians such as the great Lou Hilario frown at having two men perform this routine, precisely because of the unfortunate implications of having another man tie up another man live onstage, but it’s precisely this kind of awkwardness and raw impact Jay and I actually thrive on. It helps the dynamic, because as a tandem, Jay and I couldn’t be any more different with how we approach our performance style, and that contrast makes for an entertaining show.

With Jay and I working on a third show hopefully this year (If not, early next year.), you can really expect some new tricks up our sleeves, as well as a few old favourites people have been asking for.

Gypsy Mystery is a routine I first saw from the great Glen Faulkenstein, and locally, sir Lou Hilario has also used this routine to great effect. Personally, I’m a big fan of it because it’s very visual, but it doesn’t require much in the way of props.

Monday, I Open For The Comedy Cartel. Tuesday, I Open For The Itchyworms!!

.:Shameless Plugs:.

On Monday, I open for Tim Tayag and the rest of the Comedy Cartel at Spicy Fingers, 8:00 PM onwards in Greenbelt 2. I’ll be doing standup comedy to get the party started, then you’ll be treated to laugh after laugh after laugh from the best standup comedians in the country today.

On Tuesday, I will be opening for the Itchyworms in 70’s Bistro! Yes. You got that right. I’ll be doing my unique brand of comedy magic, and you can catch me there around 10:00 PM. 70’s Bistro is in Anonas, and the Worms are among my personal idols in Philippine music.

Plus, after all this, I have a TV guesting to do for The Sweet Life soon. This is hot on the heels of Jay Mata’s guesting this Monday on the said show. :D

.:Dumbstruck:.

Ran into Michelle, Grysh, and J again the other day. I was a bit taken aback to be invited at first, but when she told me she had something to offer me, I knew what this was all about right off the bat.

Nonetheless, I went and listened to what they have to say, then promptly ended things by bending metal right before their eyes. Nice way to end a discussion, so it seems.

.:Why GMA?:.

With pride, I share with you my latest article, and it details why I support GMA. Wholeheartedly.

Project 365 (65/365): Dixie Dooley

.:65/365: Dixie Dooley:.

One of the biggest fans of Harry Houdini and himself an accomplished escapologist, Dixie Dooley is one of my personal favourite performers when it comes to the art of escapology.

As an escapologist, Dixie’s repertoire is either a great homage to Houdini, or a blatant ripoff, depending on your mileage. His appeal though is that he has successfully managed to mix good humor and comedic timing with his routines to make the inevitable moment where everyone is gasping in fear over his death-defying escape acts become all the more impactful after keeping the audience laughing and at ease for the better part of the show.

One thing you might notice if you catch Dixie’s video is that he has an extensive collection of Houdini memorabilia. The man is a big fan, and it shows. It’s also good to note that he has his own personal touches on a few classic routines, especially his take on the milk can escape that only he seems to be utilizing at the moment.

Sometimes, I wonder, though. How many in and out moves can one guy do throughout a show before people get the joke? He seems to have a lot of similar routines that all happen to utilize that very principle, and it’s just odd.

Project 365 (64/365): The Straightjacket Escape

.:64/365: The Straightjacket Escape:.

Insanity!

This is always a crowd-pleaser, and it’s amazing how enduring this particular escape has been for decades.

The straightjacket escape is one of the most revered forms of escapology, simply because the association that comes with the straightjacket has always been notorious. As a method of restraining the clinically insane, this device, despite being simple and merely made of cloth tougher than usual, has forever been associated with insanity and the fruits of it. For you to have to be restrained by a straightjacket and for you to have to go through the constricting, even claustrophobia-inducing psychological pu
nishment of one, is a nerve-wracking experience, given proper circumstances.

An escape performance that has been popularized by Houdini himself, the straightjacket escape is insanely popular precisely because it is used to contain those who are insane. That a person can, right before your eyes, wriggle his way out, often through dislocating his own shoulder, a regulation straightjacket, is often a cause for amazement. This really is what escapology is all about: skill at its finest, with no frills being shown to the audience. Just the sheer ruggedness and grittiness of having to get out of one of the most feared forms of restraint of all time.

There are many variations to escaping from this nefarious device, including some that attempt to make it even more dangerous, such as doing it suspended in mid-air, or while balancing atop an unstable platform, or even while sinking underwater in a packing crate nailed shut and set on fire. Ultimately, despite all of these, the appeal and allure of the escape from the jacket itself really is what piques people’s curiosity, and you’d be surprised how many people would want to experience being contained in a straightjacket, even just once. Let them find out for themselves how it feels, and let them understand just how insane you really are to willingly put yourself in one of those things. Not to mention the whole crotch strap part, for that matter.

There are plenty of magicians who have a variation of this very revered routine, and it only goes to show that if these people ever do go insane, the last thing you’d want to do is to put them in a straightjacket. You’d simply be asking for a world of trouble.

Random Thoughts On A Busy Day...

.:The Mike Defensor Meet And Greet, Straight Up:.

Decided to write a bit of a note about the whole thing out of character, and just say that for the most part, I can see where Mr. Defensor is coming from. It’s really difficult to overlook his ties to the president at the moment, but he does make a compelling case to not just accept Herbert Bautista’s candidacy without so much as giving him a closer look.

Also, the roast beef was awesome. I should’ve mentioned that in the article and devoted an entire paragraph to it, because it really was wonderful. Now I’m craving for it again. Mmmm...

.:DK’s Dynamic:.

There seems to be a big change happening with one of the hosts of the Disenchanted Kingdom. Not that there’ll be a changing of the guard, but the host himself/herself will be undergoing quite a change, to say the least.

This situation bears watching.

In the meantime, today’s DK, even without Logan, was incredibly showbiz. We were throwing a whole bunch of blind items at the listeners, and I loved how we kept on making guess after guess in between every single commercial. Marf handling the board today just resulted in a very fast-paced show once the showbiz segments started happening. It was just good, insane fun.

Project 365 (63/365): Roller Coaster

.:63/365: Roller Coaster:.

That was close! Whew!

This iconic escape by one of the (obviously) most iconic magicians of our time, Lance Burton, has got to be one of the most gripping performances I’ve ever witnessed in my life.

Think about the mechanics involved in this escape: first of all, Lance is tied down to the tracks of a roller coaster, and meets grave harm and probably even death if he were hit by the roller coaster rushing headlong to greet him. Secondly, he has to struggle and get out in time before he does get hit by the train or anything of the sort. Lastly, he has to time all of this just right so that he won’t kill any suspense in the act by getting out of the ropes too easily and jumping out of the way too soon.

There are so many things that could go wrong in a performance like this. It doesn’t matter how well-trained Mr. Burton was, he had to choreograph this thing to the last second, or else it wouldn’t be nearly as gripping as the performance you saw. If he was too quick at escaping the ropes, then the whole act made no sense. If he was too slow, on the other hand, he would’ve gotten rammed by the roller coaster.

This escape act is one of my favourites because it not only requires a lot of skill, but a very brass pair from the performer. It’s easy to perform dangerous escapes when underwater or behind a curtain because nobody can see you escape and you don’t have to pace yourself to make things anymore exciting. Here, you have no choice but to pace yourself because everyone watching can see your progress as you attempt to make your way out of those restraints.

Personally, if I could do escapes like these on a regular basis and be compensated well for it, I’d love to. I know I could potentially risk life and limb by doing it, but hey, you only live once, and if they make it worth your while, why not? This is one of those routines that you save for a very special occasion and you don’t just bust it out on a regular basis as it loses its value as a special attraction.

You know what amuses me about the comments on the video though? People who insist that the video is fake. Why? Since when did lockpicking, escapology, and plain balls ever become “fake”? One of these days, I’ll be having a few very harsh words with people who like killing faeries in magic, and I can assure you, I’m not going to be very charitable with it.

Lost Gems Of Philippine History: Ang Talaarawan Ni Diosdado Macapagal, Part I

.:Lost Gems Of Philippine History: Ang Tala-Arawan Ni Diosdado Macapagal, Part 1:.

After much digging, I actually found the authentic copies of the lost diaries of former president Diosdado Macapagal. I know this sounds too good to be true, but it’s very much true. I wanted to scan them for you to see the actual words in his writing, but I was afraid of damaging the pages from the diaries.

The former president wrote extensively in his diary, but I wanted to pore over the segments where he wrote details about his daughter, Gloria. He appears to like writing in a mix of English and Filipino, which is weird, since I was expecting him to write predominantly in Capampangan, but who am I to judge him, right?

Anyways, a few select excerpts from his diaries...

05 April, 1947,

I still recall Purita sometimes, but I’m grateful Evangelina is still by my side. Today, I welcome to this world a bundle of joy, Gloria. I named her for the glory that I feel befits our country, and the poise, grace, stature, and integrity I know I and Eva will instill in her. I hope she turns out tall, just like me.

08 May, 1947,

Today is Gloria’s baptism. It was so difficult to take her to the church. She was crying so hard. Poor child. She must be afraid of such big places.

22 January, 1948,

What a milestone! Gloria said her first word! She said “no!” Come to think of it, I don’t know if she said “no”, or “noh”. Hard to tell.

30 March, 1948,

This is odd, but it appears Gloria learned to run before she could walk. I guess that makes her very special. Such a special child.

12 April, 1952,

Last week was Gloria’s fifth birthday. In a bizarre turn of events, her nanny cheerfully hung herself in the middle of Gloria’s party. It was such a disaster. I’m glad we managed to get a new nanny on such short notice, though. Although she’s an expat, Mrs. Baylock seems to get along just marvellously with Gloria. I just wish they didn’t keep that fierce-looking dog they found, though. He’s downright menacing.

05 April, 1955,

Having turned 8, it’s unbelievable that Gloria is already 4’11! Such a tall child for her age.

04 September, 1956,

Nahuli ko si Gloriang nangungupit sa pantalon ko. Ulit. I’m glad she apologized, though. She told me she was sorry for her lapse in judgment. How can I stay angry with a sweet girl like that?

30 June, 1961,

It’s odd making the transition now, having won the presidency. Gloria has been exceptionally happy about moving into Malacanang. She says she wishes she could stay here forever.

19 July, 1962,

After her classmate mysteriously got expelled from school, Gloria, who was originally their vice president, ended up becoming class president today. I’m so proud of her. I’m sure she’s on her way to greater things.

Unfortunately, she's *still* at 4'11.

Project 365 (62/365): The 100-Foot Rope Escape

.:62/365: The 100-Foot Rope Escape:.

The amazing thing about this escape is that the bigger and more menacing-looking the rope you use for the escape is, the better your odds of actually getting away in record time from the whole mess.

The 100-Foot Rope Escape is one of the most entertaining forms of escapology out there simply because it challenges the audience to attempt to restrain you by using their own creative thinking and ability to form knots and the like. The implicit challenge is that you must be able to escape from the rope in a shorter amount of time than it took for the challengers to tie you up.

The rules should be obvious: they can tie you up, but they’re not supposed to rough you up. Essentially, they can’t tie your neck to a chair, or make sure that you chafe on the rope, or anything of the sort. Outside of that, they are free to execute any way they feel like it, and it’s up to you to liberate yourself in a timely fashion.

This is one of the most impressive demonstrations of escapology available just about anywhere, even on the street. Some of the most daring escapes require a different setting altogether, but the 100-foot rope escape gets by on just a length of rope, a chair, and two very enthusiastic volunteers. You can’t go wrong with a routine that is a definite crowd-pleaser for minimal investment on your part.

The most amazing part of the escapology series is that more often than not, there are no secrets to speak of when it comes to escapology. All one really has to do is to figure out how to do it. It’s a skill, not a trick.