Film Review: Rango

.:Film Review: Rango:.

Not the best movie poster shot ever!

Rango
Your typical hero’s journey. And I mean typical.

So Jazminne and I managed to watch yet another film together, and this time, it was one I wasn’t going to feel uncomfortable seeing with her. Rango is typical kid’s fare, if a little too typical. Despite that, the film decidedly had some child-unfriendly themes, and it was compounded with a clear-cut love letter to Westerns of old that I just couldn’t quite appreciate as much as it target audience clearly would’ve appreciated more.

Rango follows the story of, well, Rango, an earlier-unnamed pet chameleon who thinks himself a great thespian while living out his fantasy life in his terrarium. En route across the Mojave desert, he ends up in the middle of the desert, and now finds himself in the town of Dirt, who are facing a water crisis.

Finding this to be his chance to make a name for himself, he musters up his swagger to pretend to be a ruthless gunslinging lawman, which lands him the job of sheriff in the town, a thankless job as he now has to address the town’s water crisis, not to mention their mayor’s shady tactics, bank-robbing moles, and a host of other challenges.

What will happen to him once the people of Dirt find out that he’s a bald-faced liar?

The eternal hero’s journey is summarised in the following important points: (1)The Call To Adventure, (2) The Refusal Of Adventure, (3)The Crossing Of The Threshold, (4) The Road Of Trials, (5) Meeting With The Goddess, and (6) The Return. There are other steps in the journey in general, but these are the most important parts.

When you think about it, this movie fits all of these stages quite handily. This made the movie pretty rote and predictable to me, as I knew more or less what was going to happen at which point. The first act when he found himself out of his terrarium was his call to adventure, and at first, he refused this call. He ended up crossing the threshold when he realized that the town of Dirt wouldn’t know who he really was so he could do anything he wanted, really. Trial after trial then came: he had to deal with the moles, he had to deal with the hawk, and he had to deal with the mayor, among other things. After his fall from grace, he met with the “goddess” who was, in this case, a CGI version of Clint Eastwood, I believe. Then finally, he had his triumphant return.

It was so by the numbers, but it was so well-done, particularly since the voice acting for the entire film was top-notch. Johnny Depp acquits himself very well as Rango, and the rest of the cast really do justice to their roles.

This isn’t a bad film. Not by a long stretch. It’s just that... I can’t bring myself to care about it. Beyond watching the film with Jazminne and really enjoying my time with her, I could hardly care less what was going on with the movie.

And this is unfortunately why I can’t really analyze the movie the way I normally do. I wasn’t too particularly impressed, and it really, really could’ve been better.

That being said, your moment of Zen for today...

Yiheee!

We Want A National Bloggers Association! Well, Who's "We?"

.:“We Want A National Bloggers Association!” Well, Who’s “We?”:.

Nation, the Philippine Blogosphere has grown by leaps and bounds to a level that I still cannot fathom to this very moment. With this growth comes great power, and with this great power comes great responsibility, as a certain deceased uncle of a certain friendly neighbourhood superhero often said. We’ve seen this power rise and fall, get used and get abused, and we’ve also seen the “us versus them” stance employed against bloggers in general by most people who are involved in journalism.

A part of us wants to look at all this cacophony, this endless sea of voices and faces, and bring some semblance of order to the chaos. Surely, there must be more to this online world than just this seemingly indistinguishable morass of ideas. There has to be a way to bring out the best in the hoi poloi and make it rise to the top. Bloggers have so much power, have so much responsibility, that indeed, we need to come together. And now, believes certain people, we have that opportunity. We have an opportunity to establish a National Blogger’s Association: a group that will uphold the best and the brightest of blogging because heaven knows that annual Emerging Influential Blog ceremonies, Philippine Blog Awards, Web Awards, Asian Blog Awards, and Pinoy Exchange forum polls aren’t enough measure. Indeed, we want an NBA in the Philippines. Quinito Henson must be shaking in his boots right now.

Tournament Report And Mini-Primer: 06 March 2011

.:Tournament Report: Vintage @ Frisco Place!:.

Ever since I bought my Mana Drains, I couldn’t help but think what Drain deck I would just love to use with them. Sure, I ran Oath for a while and had success with it, and I even ran Trygon Tezz once and had success with it, too.

But none of those decks appealed to the kid in me who used to play stupid combo-prison decks because he read about their interactions in InQuest Magazine. Whether it was Stasis + Time Elemental or Daring Apprentice + Hell’s Caretaker + Breeding Pit, or even Null Brooch + Ensnaring Bridge, I loved me some combo, and I loved me some prison.

Project 52 (10/52): Stay- Lisa Loeb

.:Project 52 (10/52): Stay – Lisa Loeb:.

I never watched the movie Reality Bites, believe it or not. Despite that, this song is still one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, and Lisa Loeb made me realize that girls who were glasses are hot. Very hot.

I don’t have much to say about the song, considering I came up with it today by putting my iTunes on random, but hey, it’s awesome. If you can hear this song and not take a liking to it, I have to question your humanity. :P

Still, when I think about this song, I can't help but feel how difficult it was back in my day to actually play the song again and again until I could finally memorize the lyrics in its entirety. It was an achievement for me when I could finally spit out the lyrics as if it were some kind of rap song, particularly when she goes, "You say, I only hear what I want to, I don't listen hard, don't pay attention to the distance that you're running..."

It's so easy to say we're done with someone, that they're out of our lives. But how much of our true selves do we deny when we don't ask them to stay?

Sugarfree: Ito Ang Unang Araw Na Wala Ka Na...

.:Sugarfree: Ito Ang Unang Araw Na Wala Ka Na:.

The bright lights belie the gentle beckoning of the darkness.

In the middle of that cold, rainy night, a few Americans were walking around Eastwood, looking to have a great time, but not at all oblivious to the massive crowd gathered in the central plaza,even though they didn't have the foggiest idea what was going on. You see, everyone else in Eastwood were expecting to catch one of the greatest bands of the last decade, Sugarfree. This was the night that they will perform their final set before they ride off into the sunset, head held up high thanks to one of the most inspiring and amazing send-off’s a band cold ever ask for since the inevitable send-off the Eraserheads got immediately after their second reunion concert.

They looked around gingerly, and found me, drenched under the rain, singing along heartily as Sugarfree was playing one of the last few songs in their set, “Unang Araw.” It was poignant, really.

One of them turned to me and asked, “Hey, are these guys any good?”

I was a bit flabbergasted. They just revealed that they were among the few who were not in Eastwood to share in a bittersweet moment in Philippine music history. Not that I can blame them, of course. I doubt I would feel any affinity for singers in a language I can’t even begin to understand, no matter how good they really are, unless they were cute and Korean.

What was I supposed to tell them?

Was I going to tell them that Sugarfree was one of my top three favourite bands of all time? Was I going to tell them how much I loved Sugarfree from the moment they came out with “Sa Wakas,” and while a lot of other people were still focused on Parokya Ni Edgar and Rivermaya, I was already singing along non-stop to “Mariposa?” That in 2004, only that song and Matchbox Twenty’s “Unwell” became my two yearlong LSS’s?

Was I going to tell them that I have been to Route 196, saGuijo, Cubao X, Mag:Net, countless RX 93.1 parties, countless gig venues, big and small, just so I could catch a glimpse of the band and sing my heart out to their music that seemed to touch the very core of my being? About how I would find myself hopelessly trying to hit the high notes Ebe Dancel effortlessly hits when he sings, and how I, along with tens of millions of other people felt that we were the titular “Hari Ng Sablay?”

Was I going to tell them that I believe that what made Sugarfree work as a group for the past twelve years wasn’t just the fact that they wrote amazing (if melodramatic) songs, but simply the fact that their songs have transcended being merely songs, instead becoming anthems for a generation of hopeless romantics like myself? It’s a crazy feeling, really: whether it be about heartbreak or about loving someone no matter the odds, Sugarfree wrote songs about it just like everybody else, but they made you see yourself in the world of the music like few other musicians could do. It wasn’t just a talent, but a gift that I’m hard-pressed to find in majority of the local bands that came after them.

Was I going to tell them that another major band, Bamboo, also recently disbanded, and a part of me feels that there will be more of these to come, especially since JAM 88.3 still has a long way to go before becoming the new haven for good rock music the way the legendary NU 107 once was to these very same artists now bereft of a sanctuary? Was I going to point an accusing finger at the proliferation of masa stations as one of the main catalysts for the decline of quantity in quality OPM in the past decade?

Really, how would I even begin to explain to these people how I felt about this moment, as much as I wanted to communicate to a bunch of complete outsiders exactly why this is a big deal? They had to have been there to understand it. From the growing pains of Sugarfree from when people were ignoring them in favour of other bands we don’t even hear from anymore now, or to the way they kept themselves down to earth despite having been massively successful all over the country, still being every bit as approachable before and after their sets in those hole-in-a-wall bars who manage to get bands you can’t begin to imagine them affording considering how small their venue is and how affordable their food happens to be.

Would they understand how I felt when I was there in Music Museum for Sugarfree’s “Dekada” concert, where they were flanked by a full-blown orchestra, giving a unique and almost ethereal feel to their music that I still can’t quite fully put into words until this very moment? About how there was nary a dry eye in the audience as Ebe soulfully belted out “Hangover” that night, despite majority of the audience hearing that song only for the very first time ever? I couldn’t help but feel that something special happened that night, and I think about how sad it is that when Ebe joked about inviting us to their second “Dekada” concert, hindsight would tell us that his joke really was half-meant: there would only ever be one Dekada concert, because there won't be a second Dekada to speak of.


And even now, I don’t know how to feel. There were no hints of a disband coming when we saw them in Route 196 last January, where Sugarfree actually opened for Peryodiko, as most of the audience in attendance were actually Dancel family members from the United States who just wanted to see what the big deal about their family members fronting two of the most well-known bands in the Philippines was all about. The very next day,they announced that Ebe was leaving the band. As the weeks went by, it then looked like Sugarfree wasn't going to carry on and find a new lead vocalist and outright disband altogether, as well.

I didn’t know how to approach Ebe when I saw him along Serendra a couple of days after they confirmed that they were disbanding, and I wanted to ask him if maybe, just maybe, he was just moving to Bamboo (Making it Bambebe.) and Bamboo would just move to Sugarfree (Making it Sugarcane.). That would be silly, really. These Americans didn’t need to know about it.

Nor do they need to know how many Sugarfree songs I memorized from the heart, nor would they understand how big a deal it is for me to be there in Eastwood, right smack dab in the middle of the crowd, just feeling numb that I don’t know if I would ever see Ebe, Jal, and Kaka together on the same stage again. Neither did they have to know that this night, Sugarfree played every single one of their songs that I liked - except for "Hintay," which I'm assuming wasn't nearly as big a hit for them as most of their other songs.

What do you tell them, really, other than the fact that they missed half their life by being here in Eastwood without appreciating the historic moment in front of them?

“Are they any good?”

What kind of a question is that? Sir, you are completely surrounded by thousands of Filipinos standing in the middle of the rain, hanging onto every song, every note, every word that Sugarfree is playing for the very last time, and you're asking if they're any good?!? Would so many people go and risk catching the flu for anything less than one of the best of all time? I certainly hope not, Justin Bieber’s Manila concert being in an open air venue be damned.

I smiled at them and nodded. “Yup. They’re not just good. They’re great. And this is their last set ever.”

They smiled back at me and thanked me and went on their merry way, looking for someplace to get a drink or two in, blissfully ignorant about just how big that moment meant to every other person standing under the rain, in the middle of Eastwood that night.

That’s fine. It doesn’t take anything away from the fact that Sugarfree, in its twelve years of existence, has become a part of so many Filipinos. They have become the standard bearer for those of us who believe in love and heartbreak and the power both possess - an indelible part of the soundtrack of the lives and hearts they have touched. And now, they’re gone. It still hasn’t sunk in, but the realization is quite relentless...

Ito ang unang araw na wala ka na.

I don’t know what lies ahead for the band, but I will continue to support them in their endeavours. They are great people, and they are too good to just ever disappear from the OPM industry just like that. I have full confidence that when these gentlemen come back in whatever form, they will still blaze the trail that only an Ebe, Jal, Kaka, and even Mitch, could ever do.

When the last chords of Burnout played, all I could feel was that indeed, o kay tagal kong minahal ang bandang ito. And I will continue to love them for everything they've done. I wouldn't be ashamed to admit that I shed a tear for them. That night, even the heavens did.

Thank you for the music. And godspeed to you.

Project 52 (9/52): Let The Pain Remain - Side A

.:Project 52 (9/52): Let The Pain Remain – Side A:.

Sadly, there’s no Basil Valdez video available on YouTube, but I must say, while riding with Carlos, Judd, Erika, and Ms. Beng from our weekend excursion in Nagsasa, and we spent a good chunk of our road trip just singing classic OPM hits, including this one.

Isn’t it a bit fitting that Basil Valdez has the most powerful anthem about finding love (Ngayon at Kailanman) and losing it (Let The Pain Remain)? I think it’s rather poignant, and a testament to the legendary crooner’s immense talent.

I tend to look to this song with a kind of knowing recognition because “Let The Pain Remain” is sage, albeit masochistic advice to remind one’s self of the only thing that remains to be true about a love lost. When all the good memories have faded away as she finds comfort in the arms of another while you have nothing of the sort, the song reminds you in a heart-wrenching manner that every throb of pain is one more moment you could steal away from what you once had, the very textbook definition of a bittersweet memory.

I chose this song mainly because I ended up reminiscing about the song when we sang it last night en route to Manila. It’s quite an interesting song to listen to, and something I recall very fondly every now and then.

But then again, maybe having a sad song hit too closely to home doesn’t do too well for one’s well-being.

Do You Know What You're Going To?

.:Do You Know Where You’re Going To?:.

Photo taken by Mr. Coladilla, but is only tangentially related to my point today.

So I was in deep thought during Nuffnang’s launch of Glitterati + last Saturday. I feel that I’ve been going full bore for a while already yet again, even allowing myself moments of weakness where I went out of my way to reach out to certain people, only to discover that it wasn’t the smartest thing I should’ve done. I feel dejected, and I’m left to wonder if things would ever go back to the way they used to be, because at this point, I’ve never felt more alone than I do right now.

But really, it isn’t just for me, that I’m writing this. Now is really a time for introspection, in the middle of all these crazy days we’ve been having in our lives. Why, if you don’t mind it being slightly not safe for work, give the first minute or so of this video a gander.

While watching this video, I couldn’t help but feel the kind of desperation Gan Lulu’s mom must have been feeling for her to actually go out of her way to take a video of her own daughter while she’s coming out of the shower just to solicit a boyfriend for the model, who is by no means shabby-looking, to begin with.

With thoughts of her and her situation hovering over you, now is a good time as any to take a step back from all the hurly-burly in your life, and ask yourself: where are you headed, and do you want to be headed there?

After everything that has been going on, it’s a very difficult question to answer. In all honesty, I can’t quite process everything just yet, and I’m still too preoccupied with my loneliness to recognize that there are far more important things to consider than that at this point. Nonetheless, I understand that I’ve been in a holding pattern for the past two years, and all the self-loathing or self-help isn’t really making things any better for me, in the end. And breaking the cycle isn’t in my itinerary for a long while, either, so I guess all I have going for me is that I’m more resilient to all of this drama than I give myself credit for.

Do I really want to just let the holding pattern run its course, and try my best to ignore the multiple betrayals I’ve experienced in the past couple of years? Or would I be better off actively fighting this off, and trying to make heads and tails of what I’m doing with my life?

I wish I could take a vacation, I really do. Unfortunately, I obviously can’t afford it. So for now, all I can do is take these few moments I could steal from my life, and use it as a chance to reflect on what I’m doing, what I ought to do, and what I’ve done. It isn’t easy, by any stretch of imagination, but it’s something worth doing for the sake of my sanity.

I pray that anyone else reading this would feel the same way as I do – a vague but unmistakable air of optimism in the face of a never-ending plateau, bereft of staggering highs or devastating lows. Is it any wonder that outside of depression, being lost in the shuffle is the second leading cause for suicide? There’s just so much mediocrity in this world, that the highs and lows are actually welcome respites from them. Yet these respites sometimes never come.

If Gan Lulu’s mom is reading this (Which I sincerely doubt.), all I can say is: you have a lovely daughter, and I’m sure she will find someone who will love her and treat you well without you even having to ask. I believe it, and I know as much.

Heavy-Hitting

.:Heavy Hitters:.

Pressure!

I dunno about you, but I felt small last Saturday when I had to share the stage (or tables, if you will) with Conrad, Jeffrey Tam, and the Dean of Philippine Magic, Lou Hilario himself.

While I have certainly established myself in the industry to an extent, it has mostly been due to a strong work ethic than sheer pizzazz that has allowed me to become recognized. Last Saturday, I was surrounded by three world-class performers who treated me as an equal, and made me feel honoured to be considered among them.

Blue Leaf played witness to us that night, as we went all-out and performed for the employees of B Braun as they celebrated their 25th anniversary. I even chanced upon meeting some fairly interesting personalities along the way, but really, what made the night for me was the chance to find myself performing side by side these people whom I certainly respect very dearly.

This show was one for the ages, no question about it. With Conrad, Jeff Tam, and yours truly on the tables, and Lou Hilario himself onstage, you’d be hard-pressed to find a lineup of prestidigitators that was more heavy-hitting.

.:Wahoo!:.

Looks like the papers covered the World Wake Championships, but lo and behold! Take a look whose mug managed to get squeezed into the papers yet again!

Wahoo!

Man, that show was just great. I hope we could do it again soon.

Project 52 (8/52): Hangover - Sugarfree

.:Project 52 (8/52): Hangover – Sugarfree:.

One of my favourite OPM bands of all time, Sugarfree, is disbanding. Now, I know I’ve written about this before, but I guess devoting today to commemorate Ebe Dancel and the rest of the boys is a poignant moment for me, to say the least.

So sue me, I’m not as big a fan of Bamboo, so that particular news doesn’t hit me the way Sugarfree does.

I still remember it like it was yesterday: 2004 was the year where I was singing only two songs all day long: Unwell, by Matchbox Twenty, and Mariposa, by Sugarfree. There was something so real, so desperate about Mariposa that just resonated with me. Unwell elicited the same feelings, and everytime I’m alone, I sometimes think how strange it would feel to be the only person who would walk into Mariposa on my own. It’s a mystery I will probably end up answering at some point. And yes, I plan to do that by walking into Mariposa on my own.

There’s something so true about their forlorn lyrics: emo before the word even existed. They knew how to tug at the hearstrings, and Ebe’s vocals were marvellous, and I would go as far as to say that if I closed my eyes, Ebe’s voice could easily draw comparisons from me to Ely Buendia, which is a huge testament to how great Sugarfree’s lead vocalist was, but there’s also something to be said about the guitar riffs that are unmistakably Sugarfree’s from the moment they begin. Not all bands can have a sound so true and distinct that just hearing their guitar riffs would automatically remind you of the band and not just the song. Sugarfree is one of those few exceptions.

“Hangover” is one of my favourite songs from this group. Just listening to the song really makes you feel how it is to be so hopelessly into someone, drowning in memories, and realizing that what you need is love, and that love can only be from her. Only from her. The fact that the song neatly dovetails with “Buwan” by the Itchyworms also helps make the song doubly impactful. Try playing both songs one after the other. You’ll get what I mean.

Anyways, I’m using this week to really say “thank you” to Sugarfree for a great run of music and memories. If your music will continue your separate ways, rest assured I will continue to support you guys in your individual endeavours.

Longing For The Weekend...

.:Here It Comes!:.

Seeing as this was the week of Single Awareness Day, this wasn't really one of my favorite weeks, to say the least.

So with that, I'm looking forward to the weekend.

I must say, though, that after last night's hair-raising blind item on the Disenchanted Kingdom, a little rest would do me a world of good.

And hey, I did meet the lovely Kim Chiu, so there's a lot of good things about this week, when I really get to thinking about it.

I just wish that a certain someone would finally come around and realize that I need her friendship back in my life. Or has she really just ceased to care about me at all?

Imagine...

.:Can You Imagine If...:.

Manoling Morato gave a talk about machismo?

Manny Pacquiao debated with Floyd Mayweather in the ring?

Willie Revillame was actually a decent human being?

Pepe Smith encouraged us to live a straight-edged lifestyle?

On iBlog 7, will we believe that a man could fly?

Film Review: Black Swan

.:Film Review: Black Swan:.

I swear! The movie poster is just right behind us. LOL.

DK Fun Never Stops!

.:Disenchanted Comedy Night!:.

Last night, I swung by the DK (And I’ll be there again tonight, by the way, so tune in to 99.5 RT for it!) and we had a pretty fun night as Anna Q5 unveiled her latest game, called Anna Cinque’s Carinderoire. Essentially, the idea was to describe regular fare in the swankiest terms possible, and then asking people to guess which food it actually happens to be.

In any case, it has been awesome. Our banter has been rapid-fire, to say the least, whether off-color humor about Anna’s “bibingka,” or about Marf’s double heaping of blind items for the night, keeping all the people listening guessing and intrigued. Overall, it was a pretty enjoyable night, but it was just plain better the minute we wrapped up and headed out to Tomato Kick for Lu Skywalker’s birthday party.

It was a laugh-filled comedy night, and I met some good friends like JB dela Cruz and the great Mike Unson. It was a great show, and as I was going to be an open mic guy that night (Chose to go to the party instead of that night’s Votre show.), it was going to be a tough act to follow, especially since after Mike came Moymoy Palaboy himself.

When it was finally my turn, a lot of fun was had as I did some of my reliable material, combined with the Shanghai Shackles and Liquid Metal. Overall, we definitely had a lot of fun, and I was pleased as punch as things went just the way I planned them.

Congratulations to Lu for a successful comedy night, and here’s hoping for more of these to come!

How Chowking Completed My Life: On Meeting Kim Chiu

.:Thanks, Chowking! My Life Is Complete:.

Last night, in celebration of Chinese New Year, Chowking asked several bloggers and media people to go to Mercato and be a witness to Chowking’s as they celebrated the way only they could: with a bang.

The whole thing was hosted by Ms. Lyn Ching, who was as eye-catching as ever, and she actually remembered me from my several guestings for Unang Hirit in the past. It was really great meeting her again, and after three years, it finally occurred to me to have a photo taken with her...

She is still awesome! Photo from Russel.

Anyways, as she went through the signature dishes of Chowking with father and son chefs Gene and Gino Gonzalez, who cooked their own versions of sweet and sour pork, orange chicken, and tender beef broccoli, as the audience’s mouths watered with each dish, although we did have some dimsum and some Chicharap for appetizers. As the ineffable Lyn Ching talked up the tastes and sensations of each delightful morsel while poking fun at herself for her supposedly imperfect figure, two of the brand ambassadors of Chowking also made an appearance that night, which made the whole thing even more exciting.

Of course, as everyone can assume, Mr. Jericho Rosales himself was there, which was all good, but more importantly...

Kim Chiu was there.

This features the Marcelle Fabie seal of approval! Photo from Bambi.

From the moment I got the invite to this event, the main reason I went was because, as I told my organizer friend, “You had me at ‘hosted by Kim Chiu.’” I was hoping to run into the lovely young lady, and while I talked a big game of approaching her and leaving a lasting impression, it was pretty clear to everyone on my table, from Arpee to Bambi to Russel that I was not going to be cool and unflappable that night.

My heart was pounding every single time I was within ten feet of Kim Chiu, and I wasn’t sure that I wouldn’t faint if I managed to so much as talk to her. In fact, the only time I could remember myself having a smile this huge was three years ago, when I met Rick Astley during his party in Alchemy (And now that I mention it, that doesn’t sound like a very manly thing to say...).

Mas singkit pa ako kay Kim Chiu sa sobrang ngiti ko! Photo from Russel.

I finally mustered up the courage to have a photo taken with her, and she was kind enough to oblige me. I stood there, grinning from ear to ear like a complete idiot, and the pictures were taken, then I offered a handshake and a heartfelt thank-you to Ms. Chiu, all while I was doing everything I could to keep myself from hyperventilating in front of her.

Unfortunately, she was looking away, and one of the organizers had to tap her on the shoulder to say I was sticking my hand out to thin air. She smiled sheepishly, shook my hand, then said...

“Sorry po, kuya!”

I was mortified, and if I turned any redder, they’d probably think I was already bleeding. But for the rest of the night, I was beaming proudly because finally, after all this time, I have met the undeniably gorgeous and incomparably flexible Kim Chiu. Only Chowking has made this possible for me, so what else can I say but “thanks” to those amazing people who not only serve great and affordable Chinese food, but also made me smile genuinely for the first time in a long while?

I think I need to have my heart rate checked... picture from Bambi

A Quick Random Thought...

.:A Journey Of A Thousand Miles:.

... for flowers, not for myself.

That’s how you let someone know that they’re absolutely special. No mountain, no valley, no time, or space can keep you from telling someone what they mean to you.

Burying Hatchets: The Unsent Series, Volume 3, Part IV

.:Burying The Hatchets: The Unsent Series, Volume 3, Part IV:.

Reaching out to you...

Dear Audacity,

It took me two years to be where I am at this point and to be able to look myself in the mirror and say that I'm ready. But I'm ready.

Maybe you're not yet ready. Maybe so much has indeed transpired that it's difficult to just go back to what we once had, sans the googly eyes and the romance.

But it's just not fair to us if we just became footnotes in each other's lives.

I've dealt with the pain and the bitterness for long enough, and it's time to face the pain head-on, if only to remind myself that I am a changed man now, for the better. And though all these changes won't make you come back to me, these changes are for myself, and no longer for you. Today is an exact year from the day that you utterly shattered me, and now, I face you a different man.

But it's just not fair to us if we just became footnotes in each other's lives.

We're cool now. I'm glad to find it in me to be able to meet you on the street and not look at you with regret or disdain any longer. It was what it was, and now, it will be what it will be. Maybe it hasn't occurred to you yet, and maybe it hasn't been as real to you as it is to me at the moment, but I won't press the issue. Time will reveal the truth, anyways, and I know that you'd come to realize it.

So I shall let it be, and just leave the door open for friendship. After all this time, I discovered for myself that there is no room for pride in the face of something that is special and once-in-a-lifetime. In time, I hope you discover that for yourself as well. And when you do, I'll just be around. Like I always will.

Let time teach us the lessons we need to learn, that we may be fair to us in the future. That’s all I ask.

... Do you feel it too?

Dear Socrates,

The wounds are still fresh, but I want you to realize one thing: just because I made amends does not magically erase everything you have done that has led us to this point.

I've examined my conscience and I know where I've gone wrong. I sincerely hope you would do the same, because if you keep making the same mistakes, then I would no longer be surprised why you keep on ending up the way you always do.

I don't think I'm quite ready to be cool with you again. And I don't think we've been through enough for it to really matter that much in the end. I barely knew you, and I made the sorry mistake of giving my all yet again, only to discover that I was wrong. I should have known better, but I didn't.

And now, you close the doors and make it seem like you were 100% right, I was 100% wrong. You’re young. I guess that means I need to cut you some slack. But someday, you’ll realize that from the moment I read you, I knew something about you that you fail to realize about yourself to this very day. And when you finally learn what it is I know, you would understand why you get this much latitude with me when others would not even get a second look from me after everything that has happened.

I’ve decided that 2011 has to be a year of forgiveness (With one exception in mind.), and that it would be I doling it out at this point. What you do with that is not something I could control anymore, unfortunately.

Project 52 (7/52): Happy Valentine's Day - Trina Belamide

.:Project 52 (7/52): Happy Valentine’s Day – Trina Belamide:.

One of my favourite OPM songs of all time, Trina Belamide’s masterpiece is a haunting melody of heartaches and heartbreaks, reminding people that “Happy Valentine’s Day” is only happy when you have someone to share it with. Otherwise, how do you even begin to try greeting someone? You just end up making the pain run even deeper than it already does.

“Happy Valentine’s Day” is one of those rare songs that just hits hard and hits fast not only because it spells out a situation we’re all too familiar with, but even makes you live through the eyes of those experiences through well-crafted verses and a very heart-rending callback line: to a ______ heart, how does one say, “Happy Valentine’s Day?”

Trina is definitely one of the best songwriters of our time, and I can’t help but wish that more people heard about this particular song, because from the first time I heard it, to every single time I hear it yet again, it just really strikes a chord in me. And really now, that’s the mark of a great song, isn’t it? The minute a lot of people can relate to it, and can’t help but feel themselves immersed in your music, then you know you’ve done a great job with your song.

So on February 14, if you’re a lonely heart, a broken heart, or a grieving heart, this song is the perfect way of saying, “Happy” Valentine’s Day.

The Difference Between Valentine’s And Single Awareness Day

.:The Difference Between Valentine’s And Single Awareness Day:.

February 14 is a day I long for every year.

Valentine’s Day is wonderful! It’s a day where I love her just a little more sweetly, kiss her just a little more tenderly, and hug her just a little more tightly. Valentine’s day reminds me that love is truly all around me, and that I am part of that world. I realize that in the arithmetic of love, one plus one equals everything.

Valentine’s Day is unbelievably kind to this loving heart. It asks of me but one simple thing, and I am willingly powerless to resist, more so on this very day itself: to cherish, to adore, to reminisce, and to love like I have never loved before. Put my deepest affections inside a Hallmark card that she may keep it with her forever.

February 14 is a day I dread every year.

Single Awareness Day is wretched! It’s a day where I remember when I had her more vividly, feel the loneliness of her leaving me more intensely, and wallow in the pain when she found someone else more bitterly. Single Awareness day reminds me that love is truly all around me, but it simply isn’t meant for someone like me. I realize that in the arithmetic of love, two minus one equals nothing.

Single Awareness Day is immeasurably callous to this broken heart. It asks of me but one cruel thing, and I am hopelessly powerless to resist, more so on this very day itself: to pine, to long for, to break down, and to love like I have never loved before. Put my deepest affections inside a Hallmark card that they may earn a living on this day.

(Inspired by the poem “Awit Para Kay Anna”, by Eduardo Calasanz)

Behind The Wheel...

.:Behind The Wheel...:.

I'm a bucket of nerves, and panic's setting in. My dad looks at me, and explains to me what each pedal is for, and why I should hit the clutch before I ever shift gears.

27 years of being on this planet, and I never even bothered learning how to drive.

While almost every other guy I know dreams of having a car to drive, I long to be able to afford having a driver. I think I was like this from the moment I was a kid. Why drive when you can hire someone to do it for you? Except I realized that at some point, I would really need to learn how to drive.

I think back to the times my friends would go out drinking and I'd be the only one who wouldn't have a drop of alcohol in me by the end of the night. Yet someone else will be doing the driving. Thank heavens none of my friends have ever ended up in an accident after hanging out with me or I'd be insanely guilty about not being there as a designated driver when that's what they needed.

A week ago, I already had a car. But seeing as my mom's back from the States, that's kind of up in the air at the moment. But all of that's beside the point. What's important is for the first time in my life, I'm genuinely behind the wheel of a car I'm supposed to drive.

I can't even pretend I played enough Gran Turismo to know what I was doing. I never got into driving, even make-believe driving. Not even with bumper cars. Oh, sure, it was fun, but I never actively went to an arcade with the express intent of driving the bumper cars.

I look carefully and check that I'm set on neutral. My handbrake is up. I turn the key and the horseless carriage neighs gently. I think back to the ten minutes worth of lessons so far...

Hold the clutch, shift to first gear.

Keep holding the clutch, release the handbrake.

Hit the gas ever-so-gently.

If you hear the engine revving a wee bit too loud, you're hitting the gas too hard.

Release the clutch slowly until the car is moving.

Wait. Dad, you didn't tell me anything about steering, and I'm going diagonally now!

Homina, homina. I break into a cold sweat. Maybe I'm too old to try learning how to drive now? Watching everyone else drive, it all seems so instinctive to them. To me, this is like learning how to play Street Fighter II the first time - except with your life on the line if you don't learn it right.

My dad smiles, and then reminds me to gently hit the clutch and shift from the gas to the brakes as I approach the truck parked in front of our house in what would be a minor head-on collision at first gear. Thankfully, my reflexes don't betray me and I don't accidentally floor the gas instead of the brakes.

I grin in spite of myself, then my left foot instinctively leaves the clutch. The car shuts off, and I realize that there are still some things I need to learn before I even learn how to turn.

Maybe next week, then.

Kodomo Speed Dating!

.:Another Speed Dating Night:.

Will hearts find their matches on this night? Maybe...

As I was invited by an old friend of mine, Moon, I decided to swing by Kodomo Restobar last Friday night in Maysilo Circle to be a part of their pre-Valentine’s speed dating event. Now, truth be told, a year ago, I actually also went on a speed dating event in February, and that one was unequivocally made of fail. I’m not homophobic at all, but it should be fairly easy to assume that when you go speed dating, there shouldn’t be a gay man on the other side of your table. Except last year, that clearly wasn’t the case.

Well, to be fair, Kodomo proved to be a more successful event in terms of following a 1:1 male to female ratio or better, but just barely. With less participants that evening and with me being more concerned with hanging out with Moon than actually bothering with the actual speed dating, my interest in participating as one of the guys rapidly waned. The night started off with 8:6, but when I left, it became 7:6, and then one last female arrived, making it 7:7. It wasn’t quite the 15:15 ratio everyone was hoping for, but hey, at least there was a perfect ratio between men and women, although a truly successful speed dating event normally has a 1:2 ratio between men and women.

So yeah, I bowed out of the proceedings and didn’t participate as one of the speed daters anymore. I wasn’t really keen on doing it, I’ve done it already a year ago, I didn’t really feel the need to, and I just went mostly to support Moon and her friend. However, that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to figure somehow in the speed dating event, because I instead volunteered to co-host the event with Moon. From there, I had a ton and a half of fun simply because hosting the event was a lot more enjoyable than being one of the speed daters that night, at least for me.

With recent recollections of “My Amnesia Girl” playing in the guys’ heads, I poked fun at the fact that Moon was my co-host and for any of the John Lloyd wannabe’s out there, it would be a good idea not to try to hit on her, especially since she was taken. I think some people mistakenly thought she was my girlfriend, which we laughed off, but for the most part, our rapport with the small group of daters was pretty good. They were responsive about a few minutes into the truths and lie game (Tell three statements about yourself. One of them must be false. Someone will guess which is which.), especially when we started talking about this particular girl who actually likes firing ranges. That sure intimidated some of the guys.

I think a lot of the guys were intimidated more when they found out she was a lawyer. In fact, three of the ladies that night were all lawyers.

Having said all that, it was enjoyable just watching them interact with each other while I swapped stories with Moon, as she has been flat-out blooming ever since I reconnected with her late last year. She’s happy with her new beau, she’s enjoying life in general, and she’s even about to start a new job to finally wash away the bad taste of her previous employer. With random jokes being thrown about that night courtesy of yours truly, the people were relaxed just enough to really enjoy the speed dating event for what it is: a chance to let your hair down first, and a chance to find someone new second.

At some point, I decided to join a few tables just to sit and chat with some of the ladies, and yeah, I did end up sitting in front of two lawyers after everything has been said and done. That actually helped, because it was great talking to them as they really did have very interesting points of view, and one of them unloaded baggage by talking about guys who play games by being mean to her yet secretly liking her in turn.

She then asked me, “how do you break the pattern of girls liking men who are jerks?”

My dear, if I ever knew that, you think I’d ever resent being “too nice?” Unfortunately, it has been the case far too often that jerks excite the Unicorn Effect, as it feels like such a challenge for any woman to “tame” this man. Unfortunately, more often than not, this stuff really just leads to disaster anyways.

After the event, I left after talking to the organizers, as they thanked me for hosting the event. Personally, I’d rather thank them. They saved me 600 bucks by having me host the event instead of take part in it. I think the event started being more fun when I realized I wasn’t going to have to shell out for it. But maybe that’s just me. =P

Jampacked!

.:Today’s WTFery...:.

I’ll have you know that I actually like listening to Church songs. Having been a Bosconian for a significant chunk of my life and a member of the choir in high school, I have to say that I really like good Christian songs, and don’t mind even if they can sometimes get a bit heavy-handed with the witnessing. I mean, hey, if you truly believe in saving souls and you feel obliged to save other people’s souls through song, I guess it sorta makes sense that you’d be dropping some anvils in your lyrical stylings. It comes with the territory, and so long as the music’s catchy enough and people willingly listen to it, that can’t be bad at all, right?

This is not one of those songs.

Do I even need to say anything else about how awesome this video is? It’s so bad, it’s good!

.:February 18 And 19 Couldn’t Come Sooner!:.

Forget all those other concerts happening this month! Resorts World is where it’s at, as they take one of the most awesome acts of all time to the Philippines!

Better than Fra Lippo Lippi? Yes! Better than Justin Bieber? Definitely! Better than Taylor Effin’ Swift? Absolutely!

Get ready as Resorts World presents to you...

The Chippendales!

What more could you ask for, right?

.:Sugarfree’s Last Few Dances:.

You know, I tried taking a picture of Sugarfree in saGuijo last night (It was actually my first time there!), but the place was so jampacked that I couldn’t even get inside the door and had to satisfy my craving for Ebe and the boys by listening to them outside, where every single audience member was singing along to every song Sugarfree played that night.

It’s actually sad, because the more they talk, it actually doesn’t sound like Sugarfree will continue on after Ebe departs. They’ve been referring to Sugarfree as though the band were really disbanding at the end of the month, and I guess that might really be the case.

Having said that, I caught Duster early on in the evening, and of course, Jonas Diego and I were very appreciative of the musical stylings of the band, fronted by my batchmate, Ms. Katwo Librando-Puertollano (That’s a rich-sounding family name, if there ever was one. Heh.). While there, we ran into Karla Redor and Sha, who really were rocking that night as well.

After Duster, in came Peryodiko, and I keep learning to appreciate that group more and more. Originally, all I thought of them was “that band with Ebe’s brother in it,” but now? Man, I really love “Bakasyon.” It gets catchier each time I hear it.

Sugarfree predictably brought the house down when they performed. I don’t think there was any doubt that they would be the highlight of the night, and from “Hay Buhay” to “Telepono,” they performed like there was no tomorrow, and the absolutely jampacked saGuijo just went nuts in appreciation for the band.

DK Recap, And Weird Newsbits

.:More DK Hilarity!:.

Expect me to be doing more of this in the coming weeks, because I plan to drop by the Disenchanted Kingdom more often, but the DK has been extremely fun last night, as not only did I meet their new jock, Angry Bird, for the first time, but I was even introduced to this awesome girl who baked cookies for the DK crew, Ms. Bernie Ann!

It was a fun night, really, as we were just having fun talking about random stuff including certain things that fall under “too soon,” but then, once Bernie Ann came in, we just decided to have a lot of fun with her by playing Por-No Por-yes, and boy, did she do well, getting an amazing nine out of ten, coming behind only Rhian Ramos herself, who scored a perfect ten.

It was funny, because I actually had to explain certain things to her about the porn industry, and Logan poked fun over my level of knowledge despite the fact that I happen to have the worst score in Por-No Por-Yes of all time. I told her about stuff like the YouTube channel “Porn Minus the Porn”, as well as did Mr. Voice impressions for movie trailers about the weirdest porn films, and I had to explain copyright laws that allow porn companies to produce films under the “parody” defense without having to worry about being sued by their original sources.

Overall, it was a pretty fun show, and Marf’s ODK was as great as it always happens to be. I fumed a bit about the news over Enchong Dee courting Kim Chiu. So not happening. LOL.

.:Marry Me, Kim Chiu:.

Now, everyone knows how big a fan I’ve always been of Kim Chiu, and considering how I’ve practically reviewed every film of note where she starred in with Gerald Anderson, I guess that was no big surprise to anyone.

To me, despite her sometimes odd speech patterns, Kim Chiu exudes grace, poise, and utmost class. There’s just something about her that makes it impossible for you to want to ever look at her in any other way than as the paragon of the demure but beautiful Fil-Chinese lady that she is.

And then she shows up in this TV commercial...

What is this? I don’t even... is that even possible without CGI? Did she just scream out to everyone that she’s Elasti-girl in disguise? This is outrageous! How dare she betray her fans and shed her squeaky-clean image and look like a complete whore? How could she ever live this down, and... waitaminute, she’s really that flexible?!?

Marry me, Kim Chiu!!! :P

.:News Article Title Fail...:.

So apparently, the Megastar picked a feud with Hayden Kho because she jumped to conclusions. At no point did Hayden Kho even say that he was pertaining to Sharon Cuneta, but apparently, Ate Shawie has had her billboard scoffed at one time too many and ended up pouncing on the first hint of snark in her direction.

Unfortunately, she looked like a fool when Hayden promptly responded to her and denied the whole thing. Even more unfortunately, the news article was titled this way...

Really? Really?!?

She slammed him on the billboard! How hardcore is that? It’s like a Wrestlemania moment or something!

Still Alive, But I'm Barely Breathing...

.:Establishing Comedy:.

Great show brought on by the Comedy Cartel last night in Establishment, as Noel Gascon, Richie Fernandez, Marlon Olivan, GB Labrador, and the Tim Tayag came out full-force in The Fort to bring on the laughs to an audience that couldn’t have been more appreciative and awkward if they tried.

I went to catch them on their maiden voyage in the venue, and boy, did they deliver that night. Tim’s riffing and new material really worked splendidly, and Marlon making Angelo Reyes jokes (Too soon! Too soon!) definitely brought about an interesting night, and the remaining comedians did a solid job, as always.

With the Cartel coming back next Tuesday for more fun, the Establishment is indeed the place to be on Tuesday nights. Best thing about it? Entrance is absolutely free!

.:The POC Yet Again!:.

In light of yesterday’s unfortunate passing, I ended up covering a very volatile subject: Let Tweeting Dogs Die. I don’t really want to talk about the topic anymore today, so I would much rather just let the article stand for my sentiments and my thoughts on the matter.

It may be satire, but the true message is anything but a joke.

Project 52 (6/52), and Lyrically Speaking Scribbles, Part XVIII : The Script - Break Even

.:Project 52 (6/52): The Script – Break Even

Tagaytaumbayan (Yes, I Just Made This Up.)

.:A Return To Form:.

Nothing but sheer awesomeness!

After several months of being out of action, the Terrific Trio of Ony Carcamo, Stanley Chi, and yours truly performed in TAuMBAYAN in celebration of their second anniversary. To say that we had a great show is a massive understatement, because not only was it a good show, but absence indeed made the heart grow fonder and last night, everyone laughed just a bit louder, clapped just a bit harder, and enjoyed the whole night just a bit more.

Twiddling Thumbs: On Egypt

.:Twiddling Thumbs:.

There is no question that the situation happening in Egypt right now is of great interest, certainly more than the matter of the infamous plea bargain by General Garcia.

Nonetheless, beyond the platitudes of my supporting the cause of Egypt and hoping that they will meet success in their attempt to have their voices, heard, I can’t help but feel guilty that I couldn’t do more...

Featured On Wild About retail!

.:Mistervader On Wild About Retail!:.

With much kudos to our blogger relations girl, Trixie, I ended up finding my mug in the middle of her awesome blog, Wild About Retail. As I recently purchased my own set of Dominion last Christmas, I just had to tell the world how wild I am about it.

I really think that Dominion is a fun game people ought to pick up or at least learn.

A Film By Would-Be National Artist Carlo J. Caparas...

.:The Hubert Webb Story!:.

So I made a script for a radio/tv trailer for this new film, hot off the heels of Hubert Webb's release late last year. Hope you guys like it!

On Dominion

.:On Dominion:.

Have you ever tried this game?

The Time To Taumbayan: This Thursday!

.:TAuMBAYAN’s 2nd Anniversary: We’re Baaaaacck!!!:.

Yep! We’re performing in Taumbayan this Thursday night, around 9PM!

Okay, they may have misspelled my name, but myself, Stanley Chi, and the one, the only Ony Carcamo are slated to perform this Thursday night (Yep, Feb 3!), and we’re going to keep on doing what we do best: entertaining people like nobody else could. And all for the price of 150 bucks! Talk about a drop-dead bargain. Comedy. Magic. Mentalism. Ventriloquism. All in one awesome night!

If you didn’t know, TAuMBAYAN is located at 40 K-1st Street, corner T. Gener, in Quezon City. That’s in the Kamuning area, so there’s no way you could miss it.

Project 52 (5/52): Lonely Island Feat. Akon - Just Had Sex

.:Project 52 (5/52): Lonely Island Feat. Akon – I Just Had Sex:.

Randomicity At Three In The Morning...

.:A Storm Of Commentary:.

I’ve been having some moments of inspiration while writing for The POC lately, so I managed to cover Noynoy’s new Porsche as well as the Big Bad Blogger.

On the showbiz front, my good friend, Fabucelles, came up with an inimitable take on the disbanding of Bamboo and the departure of Ebe from Sugarfree. Pretty interesting stuff, and I’m at a point where more and more, I do want to take some of my commentary onscreen because I know I can pull it off.

Last Home Tonight!

.:We Love Lucas: A Last Home Fundraiser:.

As most of you know, I normally do shows for a cause, and this is one of those shows where I definitely am behind the cause 100%. This is for Lucas’s open-heart surgery, and as you can see in the poster, Lucas is a very young child, and as his life hangs in the balance, what’s 200 bucks to give him a fighting chance?

Well, the show is happening tonight! What else can I say? Catch it, and oh, by the way, here’s an interesting writeup about it in the newspapers...

Project 52 (4/52): Antipara - The Itchyworms

.:Project 52 (4/52): Antipara – The Itchyworms:.

Let me tell you a not-really-a secret about myself: I am a huge fan of the OPM scene, especially when it comes to bands. And in my list, the Itchyworms is easily among my favourite groups.

During a time where music was all about heavy riffs, near-growing vocals, and incredibly serious lyrics, the Itchyworms came in as everything the popular scene wasn’t: insanely radio-friendly, harmonizing voices, playful lyrics, and even a whimsical air to their musicality. Despite that, they definitely found quite a following because these four guys were simply great musicians who loved doing what they do, and it showed in their craft.

I know Itchyworms personally and have even had the honor of opening for them during one of their gigs in the past. It was quite an experience, and truth be told, I’m a big fan of a lot of their songs, especially “Love Team” mainly because the music video featured Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson. I think overall, I really love their style and the way their songs can tackle pretty much any topic but at no point does it ever get too heavy. There’s always a whimsical air to their music that keeps it light and breezy no matter what the subject matter is, and it’s the perfect mix between being dramatic and being fun-loving.

This song in particular was one of their earlier hits, and one of my personal favourites, simply because it really has that kind of riff to it that just makes you think it’s such an upbeat song – until you begin to listen to the lyrics. And that’s when it sets in just what kind of lyrical masters the ‘Worms really are, as they weave a very intriguing tale of a person who’s already so blind to the world, yet still refuses to wear glasses of any sort. Obviously very metaphorical, kind of the opposite of ignorance is bliss, saying that when the pain is there but you’re too blind to it, you may as well open your eyes, because behind those glasses, those tears aren’t going to be nearly as easy to see.

It seems the past two weeks has been about blindness and refusing to see what’s plainly there to see. I guess it can’t be helped, considering how the past few weeks have exactly been how it’s been for me. Truth be told, I have this feeling that perhaps, burning certain bridges has been the smartest thing I have ever done in years. After being an emotional punching bag, after being badmouthed behind my back, after everything that has been said and done, this was one time I don’t quite think I’ve ever been able to forgive, and I just kept looking the other way while hurt after hurt has been piled on.

But I’m getting too deep into this, and it’s not really a good idea to associate one of my favourite songs with a lousy two-bit excuse for a “friend”. The Itchyworms have always been reliable for good music and great times, so you can be sure that over the year, there will definitely be more of the same for these guys, to say the least.

Backblog: Despedida Night!

.:Despedida Night!:.

It was a nice party a couple of weeks ago with the Nuffies as we hung out in honor of Patty and Dani, who are embarking on their own endeavours in the near future. V8 served as the scene of the crime as we put our musical chops to the test in a free-for-all videoke night.

The CamSur Megapost!

.:My CamSur Adventure Megapost: A World Beyond Words:.

As a note, if the picture features the CWC logo on it somewhere, then that picture was taken from the official CamSur Watersports Complex website. My lowly phone camera simply can’t do enough justice to the awesomeness of the place.

I didn’t want to leave.

On Lip Service

.:On Lip Service:.

There’s a lesson to be learned here somewhere, and I guess it would be this...

... don’t ever believe everything people tell you, no matter how highly you think of them.

It’s really easy to talk about connections and knowing the other person in a way “like never before®” and that said connection is one-in-a-billion, and how all of this would be very hard to ever find again. It’s really easy to say those things because in the end, they’re really just words. One can say them, forget about them, and just ignore everything when things don’t really pan out as one expected.

Thing is, when you’re the kind of person who only ever says what they mean, when you say the same thing, it actually takes on a lot of meaning to you. This is all well and good, until you begin to pin the same expectations on other people, and that’s when you get shocked that hey, maybe it was really just you who felt that way about it.

I’ve always put a lot of stock in friendship, which is why it boggles my mind what happened the past couple of days to me. This, coupled with the fact that I’ve been saying for the past few weeks how this time, it’s gonna be “different,” really does do quite a number on me. The more things I wish were actually different, the more I realize that they’re even more the same. And it’s really one thing to be turned down and rebuffed – I mean, that’s totally normal, but for bridges to be burned over it? Whatever happened to all this “wavelength” and “connection” brouhaha that’s been spouted the past couple of weeks, then? Were they all lies?

I would like to think they weren’t lies. I would like to think that they were merely vestigial gestures whose meaning wasn’t really contemplated, and just said to make sense of the moment. A lie implies that there was a malicious intent or some kind of sinister motive afoot, but perhaps, it would be imprudent to assume that of another person, but it wouldn’t be too difficult to see that perhaps, those words just came just because. No rhyme or reason, just a matter of making small talk and conversation without any regard for the consequences. I mean, why bother with the consequences? You have to be an OC nut who remembers conversations relentlessly for you to... oh, wait.

As a mentalist, one of the skills we have honed is to discover the sincerity of a person. Unfortunately, as a guy whose judgment is undoubtedly clouded in the face of someone he’s attracted to, his guard drops down faster than a lead balloon, and he ends up being surprised by things that, if it didn’t happen to him directly, he would have seen and even predicted a mile away.

Empathy isn’t really a special power, after all. Anyone’s capable of getting it. Unfortunately, when one’s personal biases get in the way, one is willing to overlook a couple of things just because it’s more convenient to turn the other way than to actually face the facts.

And the fact is: people say things they don’t mean. All the time. And holding them to these words could only lead to heartache and disappointment in the end. And in the end, even if it’s unfair that you have to play detective when you’ve been nothing but up front in contrast, you only have yourself to blame if you fell for everything that was said hook, line, and sinker.

I doubt you’d ever be reading this. But though I’ve already apologized to you and you’ve decided to ignore that, I want you to know I’ve still forgiven you, regardless. Though you may never ask for it. I can’t help but regret that things had to turn out this way, though, all because only one of us decided to be honest with the other from the start.

For now, I’d rather walk away with my dignity intact and the knowledge that in this world, words really are only words.

Project 52 (3/52): 'Til I Hear It From You - Gin Blossoms

.:Project 52 (3/52): ‘Til I Hear It From You – Gin Blossoms:.

The Gin Blossoms recently performed in Manila, and it’s really hard to ignore how popular their music has gotten, whether it be “Hey Jealousy,” “Follow You Down,” or “Found Out About You.” Overall, their music has really gotten over big time in the Philippines, and I may not be a huge fan, but their songs do resonate some with me, and this week, I ended up settling on “Until I Hear It From You” as my song for the week.

Ophiuchus: The Zodiac Riddle

.:Ophiuchus: The Zodiac Riddle:.

Nation, according to certain news items, there should now be thirteen zodiac signs instead of twelve. It’s funny how most people who strongly identify with a particular Zodiac sign feel an identity crisis being assigned to a different one all of a sudden. One moment, you’re a Virgo, the next, you’re suddenly a Leo. The change was jarring, and even those who only have a passing interest in astrology certainly did a double-take upon hearing about this news.

But wait, the astrologers are not pleased that the astronomers are stepping into their territory! So out comes some of the most prominent names in astrology, essentially telling the astronomers that the star signs were based on seasons, not on constellations. That being said, they maintain that the zodiac signs will indeed remain the same. It doesn’t matter if Pluto is no longer a planet, and thus, all astrological calculations involving it have become obsolete: as far as they’re concerned, this doesn’t change anything. Heaven forbid they stop with their set patterns about the random bits and pieces of people’s lives, neatly fitting them into twelve different categories. Surely, a thirteenth category would throw everything out of balance, and isn’t good numerology at all. Thirteen is generally considered an unlucky number, whilst twelve is considered the number of organization. Surely, we can’t stand by having an unlucky number guiding the fortunes of the billions of people in this world, right?

Thus, a battle has been waged between the paragons of science, and the paragons of truthiness. It’s an epic, titanic clash of the mind and the gut, and ultimately, the astrologers hold sway by default because it’s highly unlikely that the astronomers would carry this whole mess through and actually create new horoscopes for Ophiuchus, right? If the astrological community would simply refuse to incorporate the thirteenth star sign, then it’s easy to realize that nothing’s going to really change.

This massive confusion at the moment has a few people instead running to the Chinese zodiac for guidance, although yours truly is perturbed since he falls under the year of the Boar, and it becomes especially awkward for myself when I find myself going out with someone who’s year of the Rat. The business of the stars and the planets is rather serious, and anything but the utmost precision will be tolerated for these people who freely choose to cede their free will to the powers of the stars. Because really, nothing says living your life than following what your horoscope tells you to do for the day.

Then again, personally, I’m not really a superstitious person at all. According to my horoscope, we Librans don’t subscribe to that silly horoscope tripe.

On Weddings And Votre

.:My Friends Are Getting Married Left And Right...:.

So, around December last year, a longtime friend of mine, Louanne, finally tied the knot with Erl. It was a very simple civil ceremony we weren’t even able to see because we weren’t witnesses, but the reception was nearby, and we were just so pleased to see the newlywed couple so happy and full of life. This wedding has been a long time coming, although all things considered, ever since, it hardly feels like anything changed, as Louanne and Erl have been practically married for years already, with how they absolutely adore each other.

Yay!

Met a lot of old friends who are part of the cosplay community there, including Kel and Retsu and even Alodia. It was pretty quiet for a wedding reception, but what stood out to me was this seemed to be a chain of weddings among friends that I’ve been privy to.

Just last weekend, blogger and makeup artist extraordinaire Bambi finally got married to Lee, and it was stunning how beautiful the wedding was. It happened in Fernbrook in Alabang, where although we got lost en route to it, our collective jaws just dropped at how enchanting the whole place looked. It really felt like you were right in the middle of a fairy tale, to say the least, and I couldn’t contain how happy I was for Bambi finally getting married, as I’ve shared a ton of adventures and misadventures with her and other blogger friends over the years, and seeing her this happy really does the heart good.

Careful, Lee! It’s a trap! J/K. Picture courtesy of Mike Yu.

Within the rest of 2011, I know a few other friends of mine are getting married, so all in all, it’s been pretty exciting to see them so full of love and happy. The hopeless romantic in me can’t help but wish them all the best, and hope that indeed, their respective love stories will resonate in the hallowed halls of the greatest loves of them all. You can’t really ask for anything more than that from some of your dearest friends as they embark on a lifelong journey of love and togetherness.

Yours truly with Fritz Tentativa.

Coming from less than an exemplary model of a family, I can’t help but project what I would’ve wished for myself upon my friends. Then again, nothing stops me from breaking the pattern of annulments, divorces, and general mishaps when it’s my turn, is there? This is, of course, assuming that I will get married, 12/12/12 notwithstanding.

But yeah, let’s not get in the way of a heartfelt congratulations to Louanne and Erl, as well as Bambi and Lee!

.:Another Awesome Votre Night!:.

Last Wednesday night, all the comics came out and performed for a red-hot crowd who was just raring to laugh to get over hump-day Wednesday.

From the opener of Chino Liao to the amazing comedy and magic of Andres, to the finale of one Alex Calleja, this was definitely a night to remember as everyone really brought their A-Game in anticipation of a lot of people haven’t ever seen us at work before. I even tried out some of my one-liner gags about music, and I was surprised that some of them actually worked pretty well.

Too bad I won’t be there next week, though... because I’m gonna be in Camarines Sur, bay-buh!

Interesting moment of Zen, though...

Man. Mig. Tight?

Bamboo's Disbanding, Too... And Something About NU 107

.:First, Sugarfree, And Now, Bamboo Is Disbanding, Too?!?:.

Yes, guys, it’s official. After months of speculation, the band called “Bamboo” is calling it quits, despite numerous hits, a legion of fans, and strong relevance through their music and message.

It’s a bit sad, really, because any vestiges of the original Rivermaya are now left in the hands of solo artist Rico Blanco, considering that the current incarnation of Rivermaya is nothing but a shadow of what it once was, and Bamboo isn’t going to go the way of Sugarfree and continue on without its frontman. Of course, naming your band after your frontman would result in problems if said frontman left the band, sorta like Jon Bon Jovi leaving Bon Jovi, but them’s the breaks.

We wish the members of Bamboo the best in their future endeavours. And on a personal note, I’d riot if the Itchyworms decide to call it quits soon.

.:And On That Note, On The NU107 Connection...:.

Speculation has been high that with the demise of NU107, some of the bands whose rise to prominence have been in no small way aided by the home of NU Rock are now folding up in recognition of the changing of the guard in the music industry. Gone were the days where there was enough demand for a group’s musicality to shine through despite all the slickly produced matinee-pandering solo acts that come and go in the industry while the workhorse bands provide us with longevity and consistency. Now, it’s all about being able to build something, milking it, then cashing out your chips in record time.

I don’t really know what to make of it. While there have been bands that have tried to fill in the shoes of the greats that came out during the 90’s, the 2000’s were mired with groups that were, whether or not they were truly talented, derided for being “gwapo rockers,” where the music of these performers seemed to take a backseat to their looks. It was akin to the so-called wussifying of gangsta rap in the mid-90’s where guys like Ja Rule started wanting to come off as sensitive guys rather than thugs, and to this day, hip-hop and rap still enjoys mainstream acceptance because it has certainly managed to sweep its urban poor leanings under the rug in favour of bling and schwing.

Are we entering a point where the kind of music borne out of the 90’s no longer has breeding grounds by which it could grow and become a force again? Sure, the business is cyclical, but during the key cycles where band music has been on the up and up, we’ve had vanguards of the genre where they mattered, and in particular, NU107 was there during the Eraserheads era and arguably the one that came the decade before that, and even the succeeding decade where these bands still managed to not only survive, but even thrive in the middle of gwapo rock and novelty hits and remake after remake after remake and crappy Bossa wannabe artists.

With NU107 out of the picture, and with television giants clearly intent on fast-paced moneymaking through their artists, would there arise another venue for new acts to take the place of the Bamboo’s and the Sugarfree’s of this new decade? One worries there might not be, and one worries that we might end up homogenous when it comes to our music and unable to give great indie artists a chance to make a decent living out of their art by welcoming them into the mainstream purely because nobody would be willing to let you into the mainstream if you don’t look good in front of a camera.

This isn’t even considering the piracy problem, or the fact that even among the elite musicians in the country, there seems to be a creative drought when it comes to music, with no end to the drought in sight.

C’mon, OPM! I know you can break free from this rut.

Erasebook: Good Riddance, Facebook!

.:Erasebook: Good Riddance, Facebook!:.

Nation, let’s open things by saying this: I’m glad Facebook is shutting down.

According to Weekly World News, Facebook is shutting down on March 15. Of course, if anyone with half a brain could read that article, they could also read the other blurbs on top of the website, such as “US Trades Carrot Top For Canadian Pennies.” Just like The Onion, Weekly World News is certainly a reputable resource that we need to pay close attention to, lest we be caught unawares about the latest UFO invasion or the newest Michael Jackson sighting while he’s hanging out with Bruce Lee and Elvis Presley.

Manila Bulletin's Night To Remember

.:Manila Bulletin’s Unparalleled Night For Bloggers:.

A whole new dimension. Picture courtesy of Wild About Retail.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, but nobody expected Manila Bulletin to make a memorable night for the bloggers happen as well last November.

With the Picasso Boutique serving as the venue, with Hannah and Vince, and with prizes galore to give away, the bloggers were extremely excited to hear what the Philippines’ leading newspaper had to say, and boy, was it a blockbuster of a night.

So you know that the 3D newspapers are out there for everyone to get already, right? Well, what you might not know is that Manila Bulletin has a special app you can download for your iPhone or iPad so you can access the news with the touch of your fingertips. It’s pretty awesome, actually, as Manila Bulletin has demonstrated how ahead of the curve they are when it comes to technology.

Nonetheless, the festivities of the night really got the bloggers pumped up, and in a rare occasion, some of my very good friends, such as Abby and birthday boy Marf, actually showed up to an event, whereas neither person would normally go. I guess this was, indeed, a worthy exception.

That night, an acoustic duo performed and sang some great covers and originals, and they really made the ladies swoon. They were so in demand that had it not been for the men in attendance, the females would have just forgotten all about the awesome prizes to give away and just begged the guys to keep serenading them.

And speaking of the awesome prizes, oh my! First, they raffled off some designer shades and a few gadgets, but soon enough, things started getting more interesting as they awarded the last three major prizes on a dare each. That spiced up the night quite a lot, and everyone had a great time with it.

Overall, this event definitely lived up to the hype, and all things considered, I’m glad that I was there, because it definitely was made of awesome.

Project 52 (2/52): When I Met You - APO Hiking Society

.:Project 52 (2/52): When I Met You – APO Hiking Society:.

I couldn’t find a music video of the song, so I hope that one works just as well. Either way, I’ve always been a huge fan of Buboy, Danny, and (sir) Jim, so it didn’t take too long for me to tip my hat to these guys, especially since my week pretty much started off with this song playing in my head.

“When I Met You” by the APO Hiking Society has got to be one of the best songs I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. There’s just something about its light melody and the very catchy lyrics that just makes one’s spirits soar whenever one hears it. It’s a great song, yet it’s one of the least demanding of songs in the videoke machine, so I always tend to go for it if I wanted to sing something well within my vocal range but didn’t want to sing Jose Mari Chan.

So here’s a tip to would-be serenaders: if you want to win the heart of your lady love, but you’re not sure if you can hack singing a song, you can count on “When I Met You” to bail you out, because the song is pretty easy to sing – if you skip the bridge.

In any case, close your eyes, give the song a listen, and let it take you away from the hurly-burly of the day. That’s what I did, and the whole botched trip to SSS just took a backseat to the music. So did missing out on visiting Don Bosco’s relic in Don Bosco Mandaluyong because I got there about a half hour late. So did losing to a deck I was heavily favoured against in yesterday’s Legacy tournament due to lousy draws.

The term “OPM” originated from APO, in case you didn’t know the term’s origins. That being said, indeed, Buboy, Danny, and Jim were pioneers of modern Philippine music, and through them, we’ve found our own musicality, our own voice, and our own rhythm in our own time. I’d love to wax poetic about the now-defunct group, but I don’t really have to because everyone knows that their contributions to the local music scene are legion whether or not I try to explain it.

So, yeah... this is definitely one of the most special songs in the soundtrack of my life. Have you ever given your life’s soundtrack any thought yet? I know I have.

Sugarfree Disbanding, And More Philo-Sophizing...

.:Smooth Sailing:.

Got home early and met up with a friend along Katipunan, along with her mom, her sister, and a couple of their friends from Fordham who were in town. We had a very interesting time, considering how much cultural exchange happened within our conversations, aside from the requisite metal-bending I had to do for everyone, by Sophie’s request.

It was pretty funny, too, because shortly after talking about Filipino stereotypes of Caucasian foreigners, I walked back home with Sophie in tow and finally got to introduce her to my mom, who just quietly smiled at me while they made acquaintance with each other. Sophie gushed how young my mom looked and she was shocked to find out that my mom is already middle-aged but certainly doesn’t look it at all.

Shortly afterwards, I walked her to McDonald’s where her mom picked her up for them to go home, and I was all smiles for the rest of the evening, knowing how well things turned out.

Anyways, I'll tell you more next time, but I have dinner with her and a couple other people, so... ciao!

.:Heart-Breaking News...:.

Ebe Dancel has declared he is leaving Sugarfree at the end of February.

As a big fan of the group, and having caught their Dekada concert in Music Museum, this is devastating news to me. At gigs, I only ever catch Sugarfree, Itchworms, Radioactive Sago, Giniling Festival, and soon, Tanya Markova. That’s one less band for me to probably go to if this happens, and I feel really bad about it, although I can’t really blame him if he’s launching himself into a bigger solo career or something now.

Was it unexpected? Not really. Ebe has the chops to make it on his own, and we're not really sure what happens to the band afterwards, although it's clear that they will continue without Ebe. I hope that they still meet success even with a new lead singer, and I hope that if Ebe goes solo, he would also meet success as well.

It wasn't unexpected, but certainly, it's sad news.

Post-Wednesday Quick Bites

.:Loaded Wednesday:.

A night of radio hilarity, followed by good standup comedy performed for audiences expecting to have a great time. Not bad, if I do say so myself.

Hanging out with the Disenchanted Kingdom and trading barbs with them has become quite the pastime, to say the least. It’s even more amusing to know that Alodia was listening yet again, and they actually asked me on the air why I’m not trying to hit on her, and I had to go all showbiz on them just to dodge that pretty awkward question. Heh.

‘Sides, someone else was listening, and I didn’t need to stress her out over it... heh.

On top of that, I'm extremely grateful to Anna because she gave me a nice post-Christmas present...

Overall, there were a lot of laughs to be had, and when coupled with the awesome standup comedy night we had where I tried some of my new material to some measure of success, I must say I’m pretty happy that Wednesdays have been my refuge from the insanity and hurly-burly of the work week. It’s been great, no question about it.

Y’know, it actually feels nice to be able to do these super-short but autobiographical blogposts every now and then. It only means there isn’t much stressing me, and I’m just taking bits and pieces of time to write what’s up with me.

.:Another Article On The POC!:.

This time, I cover show business, as I write: What Is Essential Is Invisible To The Ai. Hope you jabronis like it!

Wednesday Night Kickbacks!

.:More Articles On The POC!:.

Got published again on the POC, this time about our officials who have decided to make some new year resolutions to start 2011 off right. Me? I don't have any resolutions - except maybe to finally collect on some longstanding debts owed to me.

.:Hitting The Route:.

I swung by Route 196 last night with a couple of officemates, but I met a few other friends as well from other sectors. As usual, I didn't really take pictures, but Sugarfree, Cambio, and Peryodiko were all playing that night, so there was a lot of fun to be had.

.:The Wednesday Night Routine:.

Every Wednesday night, I make it a point to drop by 99.5 RT on the Disenchanted Kingdom, from 6-10 PM. Then, I head off to Votre Bar in the ABS-CBN area to perform with the Comedy Cartel on their open mic nights. All this stuff is free, so I definitely implore you guys to come on down and catch us in Votre, or just tune in to 99.5RT tonight. Forget Sam YG, Slick Rick, and Tony Tony for now, and just enjoy your time with King DJ Logan and the rest of the Kingdom.

DK Hilarity And POC Madness

.:Disenchanted Hilarity:.

Monday night, I swung by the DK for the first time in 2011, and it ended up being quite a laugh trip, as they touched on the whole 12/12/12 bit, and then things took an interesting turn when I mentioned that I’m not so keen on looking because I recently met someone, and our timeline doesn’t look too favourable to 12/12/12.

Project 52 (1/52): Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley

.:Project 52 (1/52): Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley:.

So, after a very lengthy Project 365 that definitely had its share of memorable moments, I wanted to take things easier on myself this 2011, and I also decided not to focus on magic for my regular 2011 project this year, although I will still write about magic here and there when the need for it arises.

2010-2011 Transition Roundup

.:Back On The Poc!:.

It’s missing one particular visual gag, but my latest article is up on the POC now. Pretty fun stuff, if I do say so myself.

.:The New Year Roundup:.

That’s how you spend New Year’s Eve Eve. Yep. Eve Eve. Not a typo.

12/12/12: A Wedding Proposal For No One

.:12/12/12: A Wedding Proposal For No One:.

Beautiful girl, wherever you are...

To whom it may concern,

If John Mayer could do it in a song, I figured I could take it to a whole 'nother level in prose.

I don’t know how you’d take it, but over a year before you or I even contemplated marriage, I already booked a church for you and I on this date, 12 December, 2012. It’s our last chance to have a wedding date as symbolic as this until 12 December, 2112, which I doubt either of us would live to see. Given that we’re together, I’d like to think that you and I are both sentimental fools who would certainly want nothing more than a date like that. At worst, I doubt I’d ever forget an anniversary as significant as 12/12/12 no matter how senile I may get.

But hey, don’t get me wrong: this is a wedding proposal, and that means you're free to reject me and break my heart into a million pieces. I’d be the last person to force anyone into something they don’t want to do, and quite honestly, it may strike you as a bit strange that I would do this, but I figured that being married on 12/12/12 would mean as much to you as it would to me.

As I write this right now, I have no idea who you are, or if I’d actually just be wasting at least half a hundred grand on a church I would never get to use by the end of it all. All I know is that you would probably feel overwhelmed at all the effort I’m putting out for someone whom I may not have even met yet, if only to give you a special day and arguably the luckiest three numbers of this century.

And that’s really how crazy love is. I’m a hopeless romantic at heart, and while some people may find it weird or even pathetic, those who know me would realize that it’s a sincere and grand gesture coming from a very good place. I’m building this future for someone, because by the time that future becomes my present, it would all be worth it just to see the look in her eyes to know that I anticipated her all this time, and I stopped at nothing to give her the wedding date of the century – not even her apparent non-existence in my life while I write this.

All I know is, by the time all of this becomes reality, I will be loving you more than I have ever loved anyone else, and will be more than willing to keep it that way for the rest of my life. Maybe we’ve been friends for years, or we just met a few days ago from when I publish this, or I will meet you tomorrow from when I publish this, or you came back into my life just when I thought you were going to be just a memory, but it’s not the gesture or the number or the church I’ve reserved for us way before I should’ve that I hope you take away from all of this. It would be my willingness to do this for someone who will receive all the love I’ve had to give all my life. The kind of love I’ve been longing to shower upon someone who could love me as well, imperfections, quirks, and sappiness not aside, but well-accepted as part and parcel of who I am.

So to my dearest future bride, if you do exist and exist in time for this wonderful once-in-a-century date, I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty of making this special, although really, none of this is really special unless you say “yes.” One word. Three letters. That takes on far more meaning than a very early reservation for a church for a would-be bride I have yet to be with.

Or perhaps, I could simply be fooling myself into thinking that I will find you. It matters not. This world is filled with cynics and misers, myself included, and lest I get swept into that Einerlei of cynicism and misery, I choose to keep just one beacon of hope lit in my heart for you. Whoever you are. Wherever you are. Whenever you are.

And so to you, my dearest, my most beloved, I give to you my heart, my soul, my world, my everything. All you need do is come into my life and accept it.