Ely Buendia Sings for PETA

"Ely Buendia sings for PETA", a one night only fundraising concert for PETA's Endowment Fund.

Watch this music icon upclose & personal as he performs his greatest hits inside The PETA Theater Center's intimate 400-seater blackbox theater this Sept 20, 8:00P.M.

RESERVE NOW! Tickets are P1000 (balcony side), P2000 (orchestra side, balcony center), P2500 (orch center), P5000 (VIP). Contact 725-6244 or 0917-518 3654 to reserve.

John Lennon's 70th Birthday Today

Everybody knows John Lennon and everyone has heard one of the many songs he has written and sung. Google has a tribute to one of the modern world's cultural icon:



Happy birthday to you John!

Eraserheads Magazines: Stories from Younger Days

I bought a copy of this when it first came out and if my memory serves me right it was in the early 90's. Life was simple, carefree and had a the license to waste away those precious time. Eraserheads were Ely Buendia, Raymond Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Zabala. They conquered the music scene in the Philippines and MTV International producing hits after hits and leaving all of us humming and singing to their songs.

The Eraserheads:

Eraserheads' Ezine Pillbox 1

Miss Universe 2010: Final Question for Venus Raj

Question from Mr.William Baldwin for: What is one big mistake you've made in your life and what did you do to make it  right?

And the answer of Ms. Venus Raj for Miss Universe 2010 Crown:



Here is the Complete list of Miss Universe 2010 Winners.

Cultural Activism: Society for Filipino Archivists for Film

After a very successful staging of Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival (2010 Winners) last month, Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Society for Filipino Archivists for Film will give us "Overlooked Films, Underrated Filmmakers" from August 14, 2010 to January 15, 2011. 

I can clearly remember my afternoon siestas when I was 4 years old until about maybe 6. I would spend my time watching black and white Filipino (Tagalog) films with the folks on our nearby house. Actors who graced the screen most of the time were Nida Blanca, Gloria Romero among others. I can still hear clearly in my ears how fluent Tagalog speakers they were and that 95% of the movies then included "singing" segments.  

The films to be shown are:

• August 14, 2010 "Krimen: Kayo Ang Humatol" (1974) By Jun Raquiza
• September 11, 2010 "Masquerade" (1967) By Danny Zialcita
• October 9, 2010 "Kasal o Sakal" (1964) By Efren Reyes and Johnny Reyes
• November 13, 2010 "Ito Ang Pilipino" (1966) By Cesar Gallardo
• December 11, 2010 "Gaano Kita Kamahal" (1993) By Butch Perez
• January 15, 2011 "Waray-Waray" (1954) By F.H. Constantino

Mr. Teddy Co heads the people behind this festival. All screenings will be held at Tanghalang Manuel Conde from 2 to 5 in the afternoon.For a taste of the past go out and watch these films. You would definitely love to see the old glory of Manila and the Philippines of yesteryears.

This is a festival I wouldn't wanna miss! 

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Cinemalaya 2010

I'm going to the Cultural Center of the Philippines later this afternoon with my wife to catch some films from the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2010. It is more popularly known and called as Cinemalaya which connotes freedom and independence of Filipino filmmakers from the business-oriented film producers.

 


From the viewpoint of the film industry, the role of Tony Boy Cojuangco in this project is priceless and will forever be remembered. He is considered as the "Godfather of Cinemalaya" since it's inception in 2004.  In an hour or two I will find out what's all the greatness about this project and for sure I won't be disappointed.

Here is the Cinemalaya 2010 Schedule and the list of Winners of Cinemalaya Film Fest from 2005 to 2009.

Too Truthful to be True

I finished my "work day" around 430 in the afternoon and then headed to the movie house near our subdivision. While I was at the window, I had to give it a thought whether I'd watch a local film, Alice in Wonderland or The Fourth Kind.

After I asked the teller if she's done watching all the "Now Showing" films I decided to see the Fourth Kind. I got in middle of the show so I thought I'd sleep then wake up and start from the beginning but it was not meant to be. I watched and intently looked for flaws and fakes but I guess I've been away too long from the "subject" that I thought the film was for real.

Reaching the end of the story I thought it was real or at least based on actual cases studied which is what the marketing come on tried to tell us.

But reading the reviews here by Above Top Secret and Wikipedia, I was wrong. This film is, was a mock-documentary like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. 

In one scene, Dr. Tyler's colleague said "We can no longer differentiate what's real from fiction..."

Anyways, here is part of a review from Examiner.com:

"In the movie "The Fourth Kind," Milla Jovovich plays Dr. Abigail Tyler, the Nome, Alaska, psychiatrist who stumbles upon the 'alien abduction' link between her patients, during clinical hypnotherapy sessions. If you search for Dr. Abigail Tyler, Nome Alaska, a website called "Alaska Psychiatry Journal" provides a "biography" of Dr. Tyler with "related articles" on the topics of sleep disorders, emotional issues, hypnotherapy and regression therapy. However, the website does not have a homepage or contact information. The website was registered on GoDaddy in August 2009. A real online-medical publication would have such information, so this leads to the conclusion that the website is a viral marketing ploy, much like the promotion for the upcoming "2012" movie and the  for "Institute for Human Continuity." Sorry to burst your bubble, but this doesn't rule out that Dr. Tyler 'could' have been based on a 'real' doctor; but if there were, the true account would have made for a much more interesting find. "

Fake it is but how the director and the producers did it is impressive, too truthful to be true indeed!

Sunday Film Festival

Compared to most Sunday mornings I have had in the last six years, I can say I had at least one today that will definitely be within the Top 5 Worst Sunday Mornings of my Life! For what it's sake and what it's for, it was a big shit!

I slept noon time after I finished watching Push. The past week while in bed I tried watching and finishing this film but dozed off before the middle of the show. Today I finally did it and I can say it was better watching it than savoring my not-so-savory-emotional-state. Everyone was out of the house except for me in the bedroom and our hired "plantsadora" in the garage. After an hour of sleep I got up and saw the film Transporter 1 and 2.   I thought I'd finish the last part of the trilogy but middle of the sequel I felt like I have had too much of the fight scenes and car chase where the hero, Frank Martin always win with little or no scratch at all.

I say the film festival I had was enough for me to get through my Sunday, bloody Sunday! Nothing much to cheer for , not even my newly found confidence in my writing and shooting photos.  Life can be so shitty and yet hopeful. If there's anything I look forward to right now is the fact that life is constantly changing and that we humans are always open for it.

Since nobody would even care to look into this, let me say this for the one inside my being "Hang on there Francis!"

Disappointing Talentado's Winner

A big disappointment for the 1st Talentadong Pinoy grand winner!

The Yoyo Tricker won over the likes of Makata Tawanan, Far East Acrobats (members are from one family), Wanlu the Ventriloquist, Omar the ladder balancer, Bea Patricia and some other great, great performers.

Let's say the Yoyo boy tricked us all and went home with the 1 M cash prize and the 1st ever Talentadong Pinoy title. Yes he did his yoyo repertoire with an all-Michael Jackson song background. Nothing great really if compared to what the other contestants have done tonight.

Makata Tawanan, our cerebral poet-slash-stand-up-comedian made brought the house down. Alessandra de Rossi simply said:

"Lahat nakatawa pag ikaw ang nasa stage"

I felt the earth move during Makata's performance!

The Far East Acrobats opened the show and rightly so, they set the mood in fiesta swing. Beautiful and death defying performance that could have won just like Makata's!

Far East's acrobatics:



Here's one of Makata's performance during the weekly rounds:



He was my bet!

There were two female singers but the first one was so good. Director Joey suggested to the board of TV 5 to give her a recording deal.  Great one!

These are some of the contestants performance stuck in my head and nowhere was the yoyo tricker in my mind. Now for whatever factor in the judging procedures has, Talentadong Pinoy's first is a fluke! It is a fake and it doesn't live up to it's name which is the main reason why Ryan Agoncillo's show became such a big thing every Saturday nights!

Don't get me wrong I have no personal relationship with any of the contestants of the show and I would not gain anything for siding with the other contestants!


Watch this video and if you find anything spectacular for him to earn the title, chime in:



Ryan Agoncillo, it is a big, big disappointment to see the Yoyo Tricker win the 1st Grand Winner of Talentadong Pinoy!

Pinoy Fever Around the World

Here's a break from natural disasters post for our blog.

I thought Talentadong Pinoy was Got Talent's franchise version here in the Philippines but I was wrong, it is Pilipinas Got Talent of ABS-CBN. The buzz right now is shown in the video below:



His name is Jovit Baldovino and we all know he has all the making of a singing superstar.With the right kind of people to handle him in the business, he will make it big here and overseas. Check out Jovit's Facebook Fan Page now. Good luck to all wannabe's out there!

Back in high school, I have always liked the songs of Journey and I think I would be returning to my collection once again. Thanks to Arnel Pineda and to Jovit Baldovino, but no I don't think Jovit and Arnel is on the same level. Arnel has worked hard and persevered in an industry where hype and publicity matters rather than hardwork and perseverance. No I am not a Jovit hater but I'd like to see him work harder with the chance given to shine.  

In London, another Pinoy made waves in the fashion world as Mich Dulce was chosen as one of the recipient  of International Young Fashion Entrepreneur Award. When I saw her face on my monitor, I asked my wife if she is the same girl who joined Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity edition  some years ago and her answer was positive.

Congratulations!

The Great Train Robbery

I have finally finished reading Michael Crichton's bestseller The Great Train Robbery last night. Stuck in my mind: The novel is based on  the robbery that took place during a train and sea journey from London to Paris on May 15, 1855. The film adaptation is starred by no other than Sean Connery. There are lots of videos on YouTube that has the title The Great Train Robbery. Although the novel was based from real events, Crichton embellished it with his great narration with his cocktail of historical facts and creative creation of storytelling. 

Michael Crichton is famous for his literary works like Jurassic Park and Disclosure.

Going back to the novel, it is a richly flavored Victorian era with stuffed with essays and digresions on trains, slang, technology, burial customs, criminals and the Scotland Yard circa mid-19th century. Oh you'll love the slang Crichton used in the story and somehow you'll feel like you are reading the writings of Anthony Burgess in his banned novel Clockwork Orange and J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye.

Here's one conversation between Edgar Pierce (our main man) and his accomplice  Agar who is a skilled screwsman :

"The day of what?" Agar persisted.  "The day of reckoning," Pierce said. "You're a tight one," Agar said. And then he added, "Wasn't that Teddy Burke trying a pull?" "Who's Teddy Burke?" Pierce said. "A swell, works the Strand?" "I wouldn't know," Pierce said, and the two men left the building rooftop. "Cor, you're a tight one,"  Agar said again. "That was Teddy Burke." Pierce just smiled.

. 

So what's the pull?, A tight one? Is there a dough for me here? Of course it intrigued me more when I got to the part where they were doing the minor pulls  just so the force won't detect what they're up to. You have to read the novel yourself to know exactly what I'm saying here. It's kind'a John Doe-ish and Jane Doe-ish if you won't.

Finally, let me show a video clip from the movie starring Sean Connery Donald Sutherland. Turner Classic Movies has a database of films from the time your mom and dad were still being conceived. Click here. 

Yari Si Pokwang

Yari si Pokwang sa sinasabi nyang trabaho lang:

TV Musings

Ang weekend na lumipas ay ang ika-lima para sa taong 2010 at ito ay payday weekend kung saan makikita natin na ang Pilipino ay natural na gastador. Alam na alam mo na sa tuwing magtatagpo ang payday at weekend, ito ay nagbibigay ng traffic at walang katapusang traffic.

Ngunit ang weekend na lumipas ay nakapagbigay din ng magandang dalawang araw na pahinga para sa The Brown Man. Dalawang sunod na umaga (sabado't linggo) ako'y nakapag basketball at nakaptulog din ako ng mahaba-mahaba sa dalawang hapon na iyon.

Nakapanood din ako ng basketabll games sa television mula sa playoffs ng Philippine Basketball Association at sa ASEAN Basketball League. Kitang-kita ang pagkaka-iba ng laro sa pagitan ng dalawang liga. alam na alam mo na ang PBA ay lubhang mas pulido ang kanilang mga manlalaro kumpara sa mga manlalaro ng ABL. Syempre naman sapagkat ang PBA ay halos apat na dekada nang nabubuhay samantalang nag ABL ay nasa unang taon pa lamang nito.

Syanga pala, ang Baranggay Ginebra Kings ay tinalo ng Tropang Texters ng isang punto. Salamat sa alley-hoop play ni Jared Dillinger. Two seconds to go, in bound ng Tropang Texters, habang ang buong Baranggay Ginebra ay nag-aabang at nakabantay sa FilAm ace guard na si Jimmy Alapag, binigyan ng bola ang isa pa ding FilAm na si Jared Dillinger sa ere na malapit sa ring at very cool nya itong ibibuslo upang nakawin ang ikalawang panalo sa best of five series.

Kina lingguhan naman ng gabi, nakapanood ako pati na din ang buong pamilya ko ng MEl and Joey at ako'y namangha sa dalawang segments nila na pinamagatang "Earthquake 101" at "HanepBahay". Sa Earthquake 101, ipinakita at ipinaalam ng mga writers at hosts ng show ang mga tamang gawin kung may nangyayaring earthquake. Ipinakita din ang mga video clippings na kung saan ang mga Pinoy Psychics ay gumawa ng mga prophecies some months or years ago about natural calamities such as earthquakes. Isang psychic din ang nagsabi na may padating na lindol sa Pilipinas na kung saan ang fault line na maaapektuhan ay ang fault line din na nagalaw noong nagiba ang Baguio sometime in the 1990's.

Ipinaalam din sa mga manood na ang Marikina Fault Line ay may bago nang pangalan at ito'y Valley Fault Line. Ang malupit pa doon, ang Valley Fault Line daw ay kinatatayuan ng mga istruktura gaya ng mga ospital na ayaw namang pangalanan ngunit sinabi naman kung saan. Ito daw ay nasa ortigas at nasa Fort Bonifacio. Magisip na isp na lang kayo at alamin ninyo ang address ng mga ospital at ioy's inyong malalaman.

Ang Quezon City pala ay safe sa earthquake dahil ang ilalim daw nito ay adobe. Big time ang QC kung ganun kumpara mo naman sa Makati at iba pang lalawigan sa kalakhang Maynila.

Yung HanepBahay segment naman nila, ang ganda ng bahay! Halos lumalabas na eight floors ang bahay at animo'y may kagubatan sa loobng bahay. Alam nyo bang ito'y located sa Tondo?

Sana makapasok ako sa bahay na yon!