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.

Talking Smack, Literally!

08/31/2016 07:47:16 PM

When this video aired last week, it looked like the line has diminshed. The world of reality and kayfabe were seemingly reunited after a blurred boundary; just as similar to what happened to Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton at SummerSlam.

The Rundown Slam: WWE SummerSlam 2016 (Part 4)

08/29/2016 05:04:17 PM

It's funny that the 6-tag team match for the women's division of SmackDown took place after the WWE World Championship match. It served like another bathroom break for those observers. While on the other hand, that's actually shows that the women were given a chance. Hence, placing them at the top of the SmackDown cards for SummerSlam made it appear like another result of those #GiveDivasAChance tweets. (Well, sorry, make it #GiveSmackDownWomenAChance.)

The Rundown Slam: WWE SummerSlam 2016 (Part 3)

08/29/2016 04:06:09 PM

I think the SummerSlam main event came too early when John Cena wrestled AJ Styles. Just too bad if you're a fan of the former, the SS losing skid continues for the Cenation leader. And I think he had done a great job of raising Styles' stock much further. 

The Rundown Slam: WWE SummerSlam 2016 (Part 2)

08/29/2016 03:25:32 PM

As we move to the main program, SummerSlam set looked like the production design of NXT TakeOver Brooklyn II – but on a bit of throwback, it appeared resemblances with of SummerSlam/WrestleMania 32 at the ramp, with bits of WrestleMania NY/NJ at the main LEDs (minus the landmark effigies) and WrestleMania XXX on its LED pattern at the wings. 

PlayBack: Francis Magalona - 1-800-Ninety-Six

08/29/2016 07:28:46 PM

Araw ng mga bayani bukas, at holiday ang araw ng Lunes na habang sinusulat ko ang piyesa na ito.

At dalawampung taon na ang kantang ito ni Kiko. Mula sa album na Happy Battle noong 1996. Ni-release ito ng BMG Records Pilipinas at Greater East Asia Music.

The Rundown Slam: WWE SummerSlam 2016 (Part 1)

08/29/2016 02:06:22 PM

This might be one-week late or something, but as they say “it's better late than never.” that being said, here's my take on what just happened at the World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) 29th annual biggest party of the summer, SummerSlam!

So, things moved like the way WWE has been planning WrestleMania before, eh? There's a week of festivity that showcased them a three-night treat of live showmanship called NXT TakeOver Brooklyn II (Saturday), WWE SummerSlam (Sunday), and Monday Night RAW – all held at the Barclay's Center in New York City.

Upcoming: Sikuna 2017

08/26/2016 12:21:41 PM

(Updated as of 05/12/2017 07:40 AM: After being postponed in early September, Para Sa Sining will be staging Sikuna Festival on Saturday, 13 May 2017. The details are posted on their Facebook page)

Author's note: For the second year, and in celebration of their upcoming season, Para Sa Sining will be holding another big-time collaborative event. And things have just got bigger. I mean from what has exactly transpired in their first edition of Sikuna last year, they will rock Intramuros with a bigger venue, a lot of exhibiting artists, and more activities for everyone to take part.

Attached hereby is the press release containing the details of Para Sa Sining's Sikuna Collaborative Arts Festival 2017 (formerly 2016). Please read.

Newsletter: Truefaith "Paano Ka Magiging Akin?" Music Video Launch

08/23/2016 02:36:16 PM

Author's note: Isn't it awesome where noticed that within a month, music video launch events are like here, there, and everywhere?

And while some of them take places at some of your favorite music and hangout places around in the metro, there's one out there in the South that promises to be surefire hit among the ballad-lovers as Truefaith will launch the music video for Paano Ka Magiging Akin? their 2015 single released by Star Music.

See more of the details in this press release below.

The Pre-Take: WWE SummerSlam 2016 - Beast vs. Viper

08/22/2016 07:21:44 AM

Photo credit: heavy.com

Brock Lesnar and Rany Orton. Fifteen years in the making. And after their first ever tussle in that SmackDown episode, things have shifted to a higher new gear. Barely a decade after becoming the youngest champions in the WWE, here they are: one is a former heavyweight champ in both WWE and UFC, the one they called the most decorated athlete in combat sports history; and another one is a hardworking star veteran in the WWE, earning both the WWE and World Heavyweight titles for 12 times. 

The Pre-take: WWE SummerSlam 2016 - Rollins vs. Balor (WWE Universal Championship)

08/22/2016 01:48:36 AM

It's a new era, and therefore it means a new championship for the WWE's flagship program Monday Night RAW. Since then, RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and General Manager Mick Foley unleashed their new title that will represent the red brand – the WWE Universal Championship. 

Sounds pun, but it's really not. And while the first overall draft pick got the instant contender shot, the other one has to climb the way to success.