2012: Oh What a Year You Turned Out to Be

"The biggest challenge in life is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else."

What can I say about this year? Hhhmm...Saying that it's “exciting” is well, a bit too much. Liberating? Yes. Weird? Yes. Scary? Definitely because this year I went from having a job, not having a job, then having a totally different career path until that path disintegrated before my eyes so I was for a few weeks did not have a job again, then finally, back at publishing. 

This year I also met a boy. I realized some things about myself through that boy. You know when you meet people and you find out that there are things that you can and you cannot do through them because they engage you in a way that no one can and you take it upon yourself to be challenged? Well, I found out that I can be a very understanding person bordering to “WTF?! IS WRONG WITH YOU WOMAN?!” And that I could also care for someone unconditionally no matter what the case may be and for the first time I was caught off guard on how to feel about certain things exactly. I equally love and hate him. Ask me why I love him? I can give you all the reasons in the world. Ask me why I hate him? Give me a day and I’d tell you why. He's not the easiest person to have in your life....period....but he’s part of mine. I know that it won’t be forever, even without saying a word he made that crystal clear, so I’m just waiting...any moment now.

This year, I also attended a reallygorgeous wedding at the beach courtesy of the Astetes. It was lovely and very memorable since most of my friends that I adore so much were there. It was one of the best days ever.

I can no longer pinpoint the highs and the lows that happened in my life this year. Career wise, I'm good where I am. Hard work with a combination of fate and prayers led me to where I am now. Kids, always remember that you don't just pray without putting any effort to what you want to achieve. It doesn't work that way! Maawa ka naman sa dyos mo! For the past years, my prayers have always been more of me telling the Almighty how grateful I am of the things that he has given me and thankful that he keeps on giving me the strength and reason to just wake up in the morning and do the things that I have to do. It was more of that and not because I needed something that only Him and his blessings can provide. I have what I have because I earned it, and he knows it that's why he made way for me to be able to reach it. He's like my coach or trainer but never my genie.

I've also met some “crazies” who tested my self-control. Do not head on to war if you are not drafted meaning wag patulan ang mga walang magawa, pumirmis ka na lang and let them realize how moronic they can be courtesy of their own doings. If there's one thing that's surprising is that I believe in karma. It's not obvious, but I really do. I believe that what you do to people, you'll get 10 folds. So if say you use people and treat them like crap after you’ve exhausted everything you wanted from them, karma is going to slap you with a “here's what your life will be from now one because this is what you deserve” subpoena. Oh and if you mess with any of my family members again....RUN!

This year, I have to say that I have not spent enough time with my friends unlike the previous years. It's probably because of the fact that everybody is busy being the person that they want themselves to be....hindi....malayo lang talaga ang bahay ko! I do miss them so hopefully next year; we'll all have time for each other. I miss the road trips; I miss hanging out in the beach and playing the “Will You Tap That!” game, I miss the dinners, and occasional AA is the Way nights.

I lost weight this year too. It was long overdue but I finally was able to go about doing it. I still have a few more pounds to loose and I also want to build muscles in some areas of my body (I'm talking about you biceps and triceps!) so 2013, let's do this!

For my 33^rd birthday, I tooka road trip all by myself and I loved it! It's nothing compared to having all your friends around to celebrate another year of being old but there's something about traveling alone that's really different, it gives you that certain freedom and self responsibility. I can definitely see myself doing this again but I'm thinking of a farther destination this time....it might involve an airplane.

I guess that's about it. I know I'm forgetting a lot but I'm sure that it's all up in my noggin somewhere and once triggered, I'll just let out a crazy grin. Never regretted anything that happened to me this year, just the same as I never did regret anything that happened to me in the previous 30 something years. I know for a fact that having to experience something is the best teacher. May it be a good one or a bad one, you learn something from it. If it's a good memory, it's a formula to do it over and over especially if it's something that works for you and the people around you. If it's a bad experience, well, make damn sure that it will never recur in the coming days of your life. Life's too short to always mess it up! I'm looking forward to what 2013 has in store for me. I don't want to over expect nor feel half-baked on what I'd be accomplishing in the coming year, I'll see to it that I'd be proud of me, that He will be proud  of me.   

Thank you for those who have been in my ride through the years. You know how crazy and fucked up I can be but you guys still love me. For those who were just passing by, good luck with everything. I know you'll find someone more mental than me and hopefully you'll get stuck with her for the rest of your life! Muah!  

An Early Christmas Brought to you by Hong Kong Disneyland

Three sections of SM Megamall were highlighted by Hong Kong Disneyland decorations and features. The Event Center held 3 shows last Nov 9 and 4 shows on Nov 10 and 11, featuring a dance number from Hong Kong Disneyland performers, presentation of the different theme lands and new attractions inside Hong Kong Disneyland. Mickey and Minnie Mouse plush toys were rewarded to those who won the trivia games. Guests who had completed coloring sheets had the chance for the meet and greet photo opportunities with Mickey and Minnie Mouse.  

Presentation of Hong Kong Disneyland attractions at the Event Center

At the Mega Atrium Hall, kids got to have a chance to do their coloring sheets or have their pictures taken with figurines of Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Donald and Daisy Duck. A 30-foot tall Christmas tree towers the Mega Atrium Hall, adorned with Mickey and Minnie plush toys that will be donated to an orphanage at the end of the display period. Toy Story Land Photo corner greets SM Megamall guests in Building B, wherein they can have their pictures with Woody and Jessie plus the green army men.

Mega Atrium Hall with the 30-foot Christmas tree decorated with Mickey and Minnie Mouse plush toys and kids coloring activity center

 Mickey and Minnie Mouse’s dance number

 Special guests having their photo taken at the Toy Story Land corner

Aside from pictures and fun and enjoyment, the guests also had the chance to plan their next Hong Kong trip through the packages offered by the 8 participating travel agents, namely Las Palmas Travel, Ark Travel, Fiesta Tours, Horizon Travel, Pan Pacific Travel, Reli Tours, Skynet Travel and Sparkle Holidays.

Hong Kong Disneyland packages were the main feature of the agents’ packages, with special offers like upgrade to 2-Day Hong Kong Disneyland Tickets at no extra cost, special merchandise, value-add coupons and Christmas cards for guests who availed of the park tickets being sold onsite.  

I Can Sing.

At least I think I can. And my mom thinks too. What do you think? :)

Soundcloud 1

Soundcloud 2

Soundcloud 3

 

 

Presenting Boxfresh's Autumn 2012 Collection

 

Autumn Winter 2012 has arrived, with a story inspired by after-work attire.

Happy Thought Generators: Recent Hurray Moments!

A Visit To Multiply PH HQ

Since I found out that Multiply will be killing its social networking functions, I downloaded all the photos that I have in both my multiply accounts which includes files from The Dahlin' Shirts' multiply account. I decided to just open a Facebook account for my shirts until I figure out where to house it online again. Good thing my friend Billie Moreno, who co-owns the online shopping site Shopshopshop, suggested that I talk to her contact in Multiply on how I can set-up the online store for my shirts. Here's the thing, MULTIPLY IS NOT DEAD, a global media company and experts in e-commerce Naspers bought the brand and decided to make its transition from a social networking site to an e-commerce / online shopping site.

To Be 33

Good Morning!

Try as I might to not sing this every morning I am clearly losing the battle.

A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) by Denise

A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) by Denise

guitar and vocals by me

5 James Morrison Music Videos That Can Tear You To F*cking Pieces!

From the first time I heard James Morrison's (no relations to the late, great The Doors front man Jim) raspy voice, I think I've fallen in-love. Too much? OK. You be the judge. Here are 5 of James Morrison's makabagbag damdaming songs.

Foster the People: Live in Manila!

One of the best breakthrough bands of 2011, FOSTER THE PEOPLE performs in Manila on October 6, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Los Angeles-based indie-pop trio was founded in 2009 by Mark Foster (lead vocal) and joined by Mark Pontius (drums) and Cubbie Fink (bass). Foster wrote and recorded “Pumped Up Kicks,” in March 2010 and posted it as free download on his website. The catchy song went viral and the band garnered enough attention to debut at the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival. Just a few months later, the band signed a multi-album deal with Columbia Records.

While hard at work on their debut album, the band was booked for a month-long residency at The Echo, a Los Angeles nightclub. The series of shows at the club helped grow the trio’s fanbase. The band also performed at the immensely popular Coachella music festival.

The launch of their first album Torches last May 2011 was a mainstream success. It debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart. “Pumped Up Kicks” eventually peaked at number three on the  Hot 100 chart and was the sixth best-selling digital song of the year.

The band received nominations at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards for Best New Artist and Best Rock Video for “Pumped Up Kicks.” This year alone, they scored two Grammy nominations for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Pumped Up Kicks” and Best Alternative Album for Torches. They also had five nominations in the 2012 Billboard Music Awards and received a Top Rock Song award for “Pumped Up Kicks.”

Filipino fans of the band can look forward to hearing songs from Torches including the other singles “Helena Beat,” “Call It What You Want,” “Don’t Stop,” and “Houdini.”

Catch Foster the People live on October 6, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Tickets may be purchased from Ticketnet outlets or the Ticketnet Website www.ticketnet.com.ph. For inquiries please call 911-5555.

FOSTER THE PEOPLE LIVE IN MANILA is brought to you by: Midas Promotions and Dayly Entertainment; CO-PRESENTED BY: Jack TV and ETC; OFFICIAL RESIDENCE:  EDSA Shangrila Hotel; MEDIA PARTNERS: ABS-CBN, MYX, RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, Business World, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philstar.com, Inquirer.net, Pep.ph, ClicktheCity, Manila Concert Scene, Philippine Concerts, My Music Store, WheninManila.com and Juice.ph; Special Thanks to: Sony Music and Ivory Records, Odyssey and Astroplus.

Keane: Live in Manila!

 This October 2^nd, be ready as British alternative rock band KEANE welcomes you into their Strangeland through their Manila concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

KEANE achieved mainstream success with the release of their debut album, “Hopes and Fears” in 2004. Lead singles “Somewhere Only We Know” is one of the greatest hits of 2004. The album sold more than nine million copies worldwide, and won a Brit Award for Best Album in 2005. In addition, the band also won the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act, voted by listeners of BBC Radio 1.Success continued with their second studio album, “Under the Iron Sea,” which topped the album charts in the UK and debuted at an impressive No.4 on the US Billboard 200 chart. This album marked the transition from piano-driven songs in their first album to more progressive, sophisticated music, again without using guitars. Their third album, “Perfect Symmetry,” explored and moved from their established piano-pop sound to the use of guitars for the first time.

How I Got To Sing with Another Music Icon

I don't remember the second time I met Eraserheads' drummer Raimund Marasigan. The reason why I said second time was because I remember exactly my first encounter with the entire band but that's a totally different blog post. Anyway, I guess it would probably be during those times that I was still working for Pulp Magazine that I've met him again and eventually worked with him in some gigs and photo shoots. Raimund is like Ely and the rest of the Eraserheads, to me, they're like demigods of music. I'm good at keeping my cool when I'm around them but truth is I always make sure that my inner fan girl is asleep just to avoid any shameful scenes and/or circumstances that could possibly arise.

So, how did I ask Raimund to do this cover collaboration with me? I didn't send him a tweet just like what I did with Ely (for my post regarding my jam with Ely, click THIS!), I asked him personally when I watched his band Sandwich in Saguijo and surprisingly enough he said YES! Like Ely, I was ready to be turned down due to the fact that Raimund and his bandmates are probably the busiest local musicians around but he said YES, so jjjoooyyy! It did took a while though before this jam materialized but I had no complains whatsoever. One day while I was doing mundane work at the office, I got a text from Raimund, he said "Pano and kailan mo gusto gawin itong project mo?" So I gave him a call and explained everything and good thing there was that long weekend last August so the date was set.

It was a long travel from Laguna to where Raims lives but I was ready. I wore comfy shoes. Look.

Nice no? Hehe. Anyhu, I was there early, around 10:30am I think. Raims showed me his basement studio first which was being renovated because it got flooded recently. Since the basement studio wasn't ready at that time, we opted to set up in his garage.

Me: Ay sa garahe tayo? Hindi ba nakakahiya? Hehehe
Raimund: OK lang yan. Sanay na sila sa akin na nagiingay dito tsaka ginusto mo yan e haha!

He was right, I really wanted this cover collaboration to happen with him. So what if people can see us thru the gate, the jam was going to be on video anyway and will be uploaded on Youtube. So game! 

That's Lipstick the dog, she'll have a very special participation in one of the videos that you will see later.

 

Raimund made me use this really good looking black Fender acoustic guitar. Ang gwapo gwapo ng gitara na'to. 

 

So we did a quick jam of what we planned to play.

Another dream collaboration that came true! Thank you, Raimund for the jam and lunch hehe. Here are the videos of my project. We decided to play "Hysteric" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and "Gold Guns Girls" by Metric. I hope you'll like them. Thank you for watching!

 

an ode to the broken

There is a prince who lives in a kingdom not far away
He is known by many, and both loved and hated by some
"I couldn't care less what others might think!" and so he says
But sits on his throne, sad and lonely, when the day is all done

He walks head up like a stallion on call
But when no one is looking, he would stagger and fall
His heart shatters easy for which he would constantly put it back together
But cracks and missing pieces will be there forever

No one understood him, and whenever someone tried
It's always them who walks away, leaving his side
Promises broken one too many they all have been given
This prince and his deeds had never been forgiven

All he needs is love and a little compassion
Patience, understanding, all of these he mentioned
But one should first love himself and this is true
Before somebody else could love him too.



 

Mr. Pearly Whites

I once had a friend who had the most good looking set of teeth that I've ever seen. For a time I even called him "pearly whites." He was a good guitar player, he draws really well, a bit shy, and when he laughed, it was precious. There was a time in my life that I would leave my computer on with my Yahoo Messenger logged in until I would wake up in the morning, around 3 or 4am because he would buzz me. We would always talk in an ungodly hour. It seemed like he would always had a hard time sleeping. We would chat about almost everything: music, bananas, his teeth, why am I awake, him craving for corned beef, him talking to his friend Mr. Snuffleupagus which worried me a bit and told him to end that joke. This went on for about a month, sacrificing my sleep just so I could talk to him because at the back of my head I knew that something was amiss. 

Kamusta?

How are you?

Wow, has it been that long that even the page to update my blog looks really different? So what to say? What to saaayyy?

Been busy, obviously. The new job as a Brand Associate (in training..have to include that in) has been taking most of my time. Not that I'm complaining since it's good that I'm busy rather than doing nothing. Ano pa ba? Love life? Still a huge fat zero on that department. Bahala na, enjoy na lang siguro, di ba?

Got rid of a person in my life, but he got rid of me first, ayos lang though. And I have to say that it's about fucking time, Mallabo! Who would have thought that he'd be a ridiculous excuse for a human being? Such talent he have only to be wasted by not putting it into good use. Tsk. Oh well, that's one thing not to worry about.

I'm enjoying this new show Girls, an HBO original series. It's about well, these Girls who have their own issues in life. There's this character named Hannah played by the creator and uber talented Lena Dunham. She's sleeping with this alcoholic / theater actor who only gets in touch with her once in awhile. She cares for him a lot but he's a douche bag who's bordering to being a total dickhead loser. I found this video of my favorite part. It's when Hannah told Adam (that's the name of the guy) how she felt and man, I don't know why, but I sure can relate to this.

Anyhu, later, kids! Hopefully I'd be able to update this blog as often as I can, although realistically I won't be able to pero tingnan natin.

The thing about going out with somebody popular is that....

you can never get too attached to them.

Once they give you that enough attention that could make you feel a bit special than usual, please, stop feeling too happy about that. Try not to succumb to it. It would be very difficult to detach yourself from that feeling once it envelopes almost every portion of your senses because if you allow yourself to give in to this sensation, you can never avoid feeling a pang in your chest (where the heart could be situated...not too sure) every time you won't hear from him for weeks. This is a very difficult task to achieve but it's for your own good.

You can never feel and subject to jealousy because honestly, you don't have the right to especially if there is still no labels that have been settled between the two of you. Once you start feeling this, it's all downhill from here on end.

You have all the right to like him, I'm not saying you can't because it's not impossible for him to feel equally the same. But here's the thing, just be ready to walk away with yourself still intact when that time comes that you should.

And never ever forget those times spent with him, it makes one heck of a good icebreaker during dull moments with friends ;)

Just a piece of advise, what ever happens DO NOT BREAK!


NOTE to SELF: Read in case of emergency. 

just a quick update with a few rants and raves

I just started on a new job. Yep! Finally, after 11 years I have successfully "retired" from publishing. It's been fun down from the last moment but I needed a change. My brain and body is begging for one.

More after the jump...

My Top 5 Favorite Songs by The Cranberries

 

I did not grow up listening to Irish band The Cranberries because by the moment that I’ve heard about them I was old enough to put their album No Need to Argue on loop for a long period of time. I played that album until my cassette player ate the damn thing. I am such a fan of the 4 piece band that when I had the chance to do a phone interview with front woman Dolores O’ Riordan for her solo endeavor Are You Listening? in 2007, I was so excited to hear her voice that it took me a while to say Hello. Imagine how excited I am now that they’re coming back to Manila for their “Greatest Hits Concert” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 10. 

This gives me ample time to reminisce on my top 5 favorite songs by The Cranberries which I have to say is not an easy thing to do since 5 isn’t enough but here they are and in no particular order. 

1)      Linger

This is from their debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? This song is their first major hit. I remember playing this on my guitar and I’m not saying that I was any good but back then, I knew it by heart that I can play it even if my eyes are closed.

2)      Dreams

Again, this song is from their debut album. I would deem you a hypocrite if you listened to this song and denied ever perfecting that O’ Riordan keening and yodeling singing style. 

 

3)      Empty

This is one of those lesser known songs by the band but it’s a really good acoustic track from their album No Need to Argue. I love the bongos on this one.

4)      Ode to My Family

One of the most touching songs by the band and the first track from No Need to Argue album. It has one of the most familiar and simplest intros. Listen, you’ll know what I mean.

5)      Zombie

I think it would be such a travesty if I didn’t put this song here. If there is one Cranberries song that is surely abused over and over, it would be this one. When I was younger, this was my morning song, you know, that first song you want to hear when you wake up. No judgments, please, I was a kid and allowed to have all that angst. This is one of those tunes where O’ Riordan demonstrates her powerful voice.