The iBlog12 Experience

09/19/2016 01:41:07 AM

It's that time of the year again. And perhaps a lot of us are questioning the set-up of the event. I guess that;s what gonna happens if there are lot of events coinciding with one of the biggest gatherings of the blogging community not just here in Metro Manila, but also for the entire Philippines.

Heck, even guys from Cebu, Cagayan and Camarines Norte could attest to this. (Well, based in my four times of attending the Philippine Blogging Summit).

Flick Review: Sana Dati

09/15/2016 06:38:50 PM

Sana Dati, as filmmaker Jerrold Tarog describes, is the last of his Camera Trilogy project. That being said, Tarog could be earn a distinction of making a 3-set films over his directing career.

What's Next For Blogapalooza?

07/28/16 10:08:49 PM

Looks like the biggest business-to-bloggers event will unleash something big.

Newsletter: Bandwagon Music Market

09/23/16 04:59:16 PM

Author's note: The Saturday the 1^st of October will be one of the biggest nights for the music scene at Makati City, because aside from the anniversary gig and an album launch, music brand Bandwagon will stage their music market at Circuit Makati, and it is promising to be another heavyweight event with some of the notable names in the independent music scene performing during the event.

More details in this press release.

The Scene Around: Nag[ma]mahal Pa Rin, BennyBunnyBand

09/19/2016 11:45:59 AM

It's been a year since this kuneho rock band released their extended play (EP) called Nag[ma]mahal, BennyBunnyBand.

And it may be a heck-of-a-busy night around the metropolitan area with WWE Manila waging at the Mall of Asia Arena and Kia Beats Festival rocking the Araneta Center; but there's one venue just outside downtown Makati that has at least, faring up very well to the hype of the evening.

Upcoming: Autotelic "Papunta Pabalik" Album Launch

09/22/2016 03:35:39 PM

This should better be interesting. For all a lot of us knew, this pop rock band has been rocking the music scene more than usual this year. 

The Pre-take: WWE Clash Of Champions

09/23/2016 05:42:02 PM

This is the time where the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has put every belt on the line. And with the outcome of the brand extension, the Night of Champions was now renamed and became an exclusive pay-per-view property of the WWE's flagship program Monday Night RAW.

Photo credits: Inner Wrestling Nerd

Dubbed as Clash of Champions, every RAW Championship will put at stake. Plus, more of the action from various storylines will also add spice for the evening come Sunday at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

PlayBack: Sud - How We Play

09/23/2016 01:05:09 PM

Looks like this band has their sounds of the past and present. Some of us know they used to be a heck of alternative rock when they released their Sleep Sex EP in 2013, right? And it might took them three years before they made their first full-length album called Skin, a collaboration with the spoken word poetry artists from Words Anonymous, but certainly the mix of evolution has taken place already.

And it's first result is their latest release called How We Play.

The Rundown Slam: WWE Cruiserweight Classic Finals

09/19/2016 12:20:43 AM

You guys are lucky if you managed to check this program from the start alone. I only just managed to catch up with the latter part of this tournament that was built by Triple H and William Regal.

Known as the Cruiserweight Classic (CWC), the WWE has taken professional wrestling to a different level once again as they seek 32 competitors from around the world; with putting up qualifying matches around different independent promotions as one of its approaches.

GAGO!

09/22/2016 05:16:50 AM

Halos dalawang linggo na pala ang nakalilipas mula noong nag-tour ang World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) sa Pilipinas. No? Oo, ika-unang beses nilang tumuntong muli noon sa Pilipinas mula pa noong 2009. Sa Mall of Asia Arena nga lang ito ginanap at dinumog ito ng maraming tao.

At siguro, sa dinami-rami rin ng mga pangyayari nun, ito ang mas tumatak sa isipan ng marami: ang mala-antigong pagiging kontrabida ni Chris Jericho. Literal nga na rockstar 'to.

The Scene Around: Farewell Fair Weather @ MONOCHAPOSIS (2015)

09/22/2016 04:00:06 AM

It's quite funny, I just managed to post this entry but it happened already a year ago. Not really coinciding with the birthday of this band's vocalist (or might run a bit late, since it's a throwback post).

Why did I say so? Because once upon a time, I was part of a band entourage. Well, at least for an evening. And it felt like those episodes of programs which tackles fan-meets-idol or star-interacts-with-fan for a day.

Finger-licking Headline

09/22/2016 02:08:19 AM 

Nakakaloka rin ang headline na ito kahapon no? 

Photo credits: Diego Bandido

Flick Review: Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita

09/15/2016 06:05:18 PM 

screengrab from YouTube

When the young actress Teri Malvar nabbed the Best Actress trophy for Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita at the 2013 Cinefilipino awards, the jurors made a very tough yet right decision. May be really right but tough, considering Malvar actually scored a huge upset over the always-notable/best actress-calibrated Nora Aunor of Ang Kwento Ng Mabuti. 

Rewind: Earth, Wind & Fire - September

09/21/2016 03:44:18 AM 

Perhaps I'm not too late to give a bit of a look-back to the pioneer of the Earth, Wind and Fire pioneers, eh? 

I quite heard this from my cousin's disco fiasco albums way back then; the era where guys like Shalamar, Chic, and even Michael Jackson has been making everyone groove to the mixture of soul-funk-rnb-and Motown pop, a mixture that defined the late 70s music.

Upcoming: BlogEx Manila 2016

09/21/2016 01:59:50 AM

BlogEx Manila 2016 logo (obtained through their website)

TAG Media and Brand Philosophy teamed up to establish one of this year's biggest gathering of the media practitioners, brands, bloggers and social media users, and a whole lot more. And after months of hyping them up, it's all happening this Saturday.

The Rundown Slam: WWE Backlash 2016

09/18/2016 06:40:14 PM

I must say SmackDown Live has been topping the competition wars against Monday Night RAW here in this new era of the WWE so far. At least, for now; unless Clash of Champions will pull off a monumental run this coming Sunday.

Look: their first pay-per-view called Backlash may have run a bit longer than the usual set-up (which is 3 hours long), but the show is packed like SummerSlam to say the least. The arrangement of cards were solid from start to finish. The story lines behind them were crafted well (not that very well but at least way better than their RAW rival). 

And before we put the verdict into the entirety, let's take the rundown.

The Scene Around: Docdef Re:Fresh

09/15/2016 05:04:58 PM 

Well, it's been a very long while since the last time I stormed by the prod group that have taken me in this place at the music scene. Like seriously, it was almost two months since the last time I worked for a Docdef Productions gig, and that was during the EP launch of Banna Harbera titled Persistence. 

Bayan o Sarili?

09/15/2016 03:09:44 PM

Isang linggo na matapos ang Araw ng mga Bayani, at isang taon mula noong ipalabas ang isang pelikula na nagbago sa kamalayan ng marami, isa ang tanong na ito na pumatok sa popular na kultura: Bayan o Sarili? 

Mano-a-Mano With Paranoid City: Part 3 - Seoul-Searching

09/15/2016 12:46:04 AM

From the previous experiences, we go to the a bit of the future, their upcoming Seoul-searching. They are scheduled to play at the all-indie Zandari Festa this coming October 1 as part of their 3-gig sojourn.

Mano-a-Mano With Paranoid City: Part 2 - Taking Flight

09/15/2016 12:46:04 AM

What does it take to score a gig overseas? This may not be a 101 article, but from here, we continued having our longest conversation with Paranoid City about some tales during their travel as musicians to the uncharted territories. On how they earned the respect of the community, establishing rapport with An Honest Mistake, on the rough times of preparation, and how to make your mama-land (and fellow kababayans) proud.

The Rise of Pinoy Boy

09/15/2016 02:43:05 PM 

Isa lamang ang palakasan sa mga bagay na siguro ay makakapagpahinto na lamang ng mundo nating mga Pilipino. At totoo naman, 'di ba? Mula boksing hanggang basketball. At minsan pa nga sa ibang mga sport gaya ng mixed martial arts, billiards, bowling at football. 

Mano-a-Mano With Paranoid City: Part 1 - Over The Years

09/15/2016 12:46:04 AM

Presently, one of the bands containing what has been a unique experimentation of music is this quartet known as Paranoid City. And for over seven years, despite having minimal reception in terms of numbers, it is safe to say this band is an achiever; from earning commercial endorsements to having overseas gigs.

The Scene Around: Noel Cabangon in Traffic Jam Press Conference

09/15/2016 04:02:43 AM

There was one fateful afternoon in September when yours truly, then-representing a music portal titled Gigs Manila, stormed by the office of Universal Records in Quezon City to catch Noel Cabangon formally launching his concert tour called Noel Cabangon in Traffic Jam, as well as the album Sa'yo Lamang.

Upcoming: The 12th Philippine Blogging Summit

09/14/2016 08:44:03 PM

It may come a bit earlier or turned out to be a single day affair, but make no mistake about it: the Philippine Blogging Summit is back for the 12th time, and it was stuffier.

PlayBack: Paranoid City - Just Like The Movies

09/08/2016 03:36:42 PM

Is it just me or Paranoid City went on a bit different path? It looked quite when they unveiled their music video Just Like The Movies.

But I still appreciate how things went on for this synth pop quartet. Imagine them running shows all over Asia for the past year or so. 

And seems to me their latest single from their upcoming album seems not just a nostalgic resemblances of quests and conquests. It might be a sort of imagery of how this band has made this far. 

Or maybe that's just hot far my wild imagination goes on analyzing. Let's go a step back.

Flick Review: Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa

09/07/2016 11:48:50 AM

Photo credit: My Movie World

When Nestor Abrogena considered Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa not part of the current rom-com crop, he was mostly right. The thing is, the current wave of romantic comedy films do comprised of one factor – angst, or in Filipino, that's what they called hugot. It just so happened that some went to the funnier side of life.

PlayBack: Cheats - Drunk

09/06/2016 01:36:20 PM

Indie pop rock Cheats released their new music video, and it delivered very well.

Flick Review: Blue Bustamante

09/04/2016 12:25:07 AM

It's funny that during my downtime as a person, I found a new haven in Cinema '76. So for at least three weeks, I ended up watching some of the best independently-produced pictures in the last few years.

Here is the first of the awesome ride I have: Blue Bustamante. 

Bars Fight: FlipTop Pakusganay 2: Loonie vs. G-Clown

09/05/2016 03:57:52 PM

Hindi ko pa narinig na lumaban si G-Clown (siguro kailangan ko munang magbalik-tanaw ulit dahil matagl-tagal rin mula noong nanood ako ng mga rap battle sa YouTube), pero sobrang ayos ng ginawa niya sa laban na 'to ni Loonie. 

Bagamat nanalo talaga para sa akin yung hari ng tugma.

Upcoming: Nagma[ma]hal Pa Rin, BennyBunnyBand

09/07/16 02:03:41 PM

Maraming mga magagandang kaganapan sa kalakhang Maynila sa darating na Biyernes. Kung fan ka ng wrestking, may Manila tour ang paborito mong World Wrestling Federation, sakto sa tatlong buwan na hype ang mga naganap sa kabila ng mga maramihang pagbabago sa WWE mismo, mula sa pag-split ng mga brand program hanggang sa pagpili ng roster, hanggang sa mga samu't saring suspensyon na may kinalaman sa kanilang polisiya ukol sa kalusugan.

Pero kung hindi ka naman fan ng scripted na sport para sa isang antigong pang-aliw na palabas, may mga gig naman sa mga paborito mong bar sa Metro Manila.

Pero kung ako sa'yo? May isang magandang gig na magaganap sa saGuijo. At mangyayari ito sa gabi na rin na iyon ng Biyernes a-9 ng Setyembre, taong 2016. 

The Traffic State of Mind

09/07/2016 09:31:02 PM 

Wow. Mukhang yun lang masasabi ko sa balitang ito ah. At nata-traffic pa yata ako sa utak ko, maliban pa sa literal na traffic pa sa mga gaya ng EDSA at C-5, mga pila sa terminal sa entrance, ng mall at sa cashier; at ultimo ang internet connection ko, nata-traffic din habang sinusulat ko 'to. 

Wow. Mukhang yun lang masasabi ko sa balitang ito ah. 

PlayBack: Truefaith - Paano Ka Magiging Akin?

09/03/2016 11:10:06 PM

Seems after more than two decades, Truefaith proves they are still one of the best alternative rock bands in the music scene. Yes, even if there are lot of youthful groups that are dominating the crop.

The last Saturday of August proved to be a heck of a night for the music scene, and one of the reasons is the music video launch of their 2015 single called Paano ka Magiging Akin?

What's Next?

09/05/2016 07:23:10 PM

Photo credits: dailyddt.com

I have a bad feeling that Brock Lesnar is so over-rated already. Okay, not be over-rated, but over-sold by the WWE, especially when his "suplex city" gimmick has gone stale.

Playback: Botchamania 320

09/05/2016 05:58:20 PM

Funny how I end up seeing this video brand once again. It looks like the last time I hit them over the internet, it was barely a year ago, at the Royal Rumble episode.

In case you don't know, Botchamania features anything funny crappiest part of a wrestling show. And their 320th episode featured some of the notable botches on WWE's second biggest annual pay-per-view event called SummerSlam. Some of the spoofs we may have never notice whenever we watch them on TV.

Botchamania 320 from maffew gregg on Vimeo.

A RAW Set of Twists and Turns

09/05/2016 08:09:43 PM

It was a rough stretch for RAW to get back into the competition. Two days after SummerSlam, despite having a dominating cards and results in their favor, it was SmackDown live who drew first-blood in the competition. All that despite having Bayley debut in their roster.

The Scene Around: Sponge Cola Sinag/Tala Double EP Launch

09/05/2016 09:26:06 PM 

It was Friday when I got a message from one of my friends from GigsManila. He was asking me to cover the event in Greenhills. Little thing I know the event was made for a band we called Sponge Cola. 

PlayBack: Outasight – The Wild Life

09/05/2016 11:14:56 AM

I've said this before and I'll say this once again: wrestling may be scripted and violent in nature, but one aspect that suits my interest in such entertainment program more is music. It's obvious that some from notable names in America (7Lions, for example) to the worldwide hit-makers (Flo-Rida, Imagine Dragons, Kid Rock, Motorhead, and Audioslave) had been part of the creamy crop barely exposed bifg time by the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Malalimang Banta

09/03/2016 08:58:11 PM

Photo credits: SunstarAce June Rell S. Perez/Sunstar Davao

Nakalulungkot na balita. Mukhang hudyat na naman ito ng isang malalang siklo sa kasalukyang takbo ng kamalayan nating mga Pilipino.

At sinong hindi mabahahala? Sinong hindi mababadtrip, lalo na sa balita na bumawi sa 10 buhay at namerwisyo ng higit pa – buhay man ng tao at kabuhayan rin ng ilan – sa Roxas market sa lungsod ng Davao kagabi?

PlayBack: Coeli feat. Miguel Guico - Magkaibigan o Magka-ibigan

09/01/2016 12:43:22 PM

Some recent music videos released by the independent music artists have this kind of indie movie-vibe, fitting enough for the artistic side of culture to take notice.

And when such singer-songwriter and cellist like Coeli make such heart-warming music, with some visual accompaniment through the direction of Noah del Rosario, that speaks a lot. 

Newsletter: #14 Leandro Road

09/01/16 10:58:06 PM

Author's note: This coming October, as Theater House of Black formally grace their upcoming season, there will be featuring a Filipino adaptation of a celebrated short story written by the legendary Edgar Allan Poe. And it's up for six performances that makes you answer the question: Nakikita mo rin ba ang nakikita nila Rudy at Pilar?

See the press release below for details.

The Scene Around: Truefaith “Paano Ka Magiging Akin?” Music Video Launch

09/02/2016 03:04:16 AM

The stage was set to the most premier music hall at the southern part of the metropolis, and yours truly was lucky to be given a privilege to cover the monumental event from one of the top alternative rock bands of the country that has been rocking the stage for over the past two and a half decades.

Newsletter: Brillante Mendoza: A Contemporary Filipino Filmmaker

09/01/2016 08:29:12 PM

Jaclyn Jose in Brillante Mendoza’s Marosa (2016), a film that tackles small-scale drug selling. Here, Jose plays Rosa, a struggling mother of four, who is arrested for selling drugs. Jose won the Best Actress in the Cannes Film Festival for this film.

Author's note: As the Metropolitan Museum of Manila celebrates its 40th anniversary milestone, expect the big-time celebration from one of the best filmmakers in the world (our very own, too). Exhibits and special screenings will take place during the month-long event.

More details in this press release.

Heel Mode!

08/18/2016 02:26:23 AM

Photo credit: mmafighting.com

Seeing Conor McGregor waging a fight against the World Wrestling Entertainment might give you a first impression: This guy may have been talking too real here, but failed to realized the latter's superstars were doing it to entertain everyone, and not to do a total fight business like the firm where he belongs to, the Ultimate Fighting Championship. 

PlayBack: We Are Imaginary – Death To Romanticism

08/17/2016 01:32:49 PM

Death to Romanticism album cover (Photo credits: Facebook)

Talk about the goodness of fusing sounds of indie rock and pop, while retaining the same good vibrations infused inside (yes, amidst the varying emotions when you read it the most); and this isn't just an evolution of the band from their identity to the craft.

And out of eleven tracks, here are some notable tracks which caught my listening attention the most.