Decade…A Salute to the 90’s

I am forever Monsterized (disciple of RX 93.1, to the unfamiliar) but that doesn’t stop me from surfing the radio channels during commercial breaks.

Usually, I go home to Bulacan late afternoon on Saturdays and in that 1-hour trip, I only have the radio as company. Lately, I have discovered that 94.7 has a special programming on Saturdays wherein the play songs from the 90's (hence, Decade).

The 90’s might not be as creatively relevant as the 70’s and the 80’s but it was memorable for us. We spent our formative years (high school and college) in the 90’s and these songs became the background to our teen angst, juvenile rebellion and shots at first love. Plus the 90’s music was more enduring than the pop overkill that defined the new millennium (yes...Britney, Backstreet Boys, Nsync).

Listening to Decade really brings me back. I remember the mid-90’s marked the big shift from cassette to CDs and hence, the dawn of music piracy (hehe). I have most of these songs through those Referendum CDs. Remember them?

Here are some songs from that era that I will not mind hearing once again. Note that these are not the number one hits (or else this will be all Mariah songs). These are the obscure songs that somehow made its stamp into my turbulent teenage consciousness.

* More Than This (Natalie Merchant)
* Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) (Baz Luhrmann)
* Being So Not For You (PM Dawn)
* Santa Monica and Break Me, Shake Me (Savage Garden)
* Secret Garden (Bruce Springsteen)
* No Rain (Blind Melon)
* Loser (Beck)
* Back to Good (Matchbox Twenty)
* Just A Little Time (Arkarna)
* Dayz of Our Lives (Bone Thugs N Harmony)
* If It Makes You Happy (Sheryl Crow)
* Five Candles (You Were There) (Jars of Clay)
* Don’t Fade Away and Deep In My Soul (Acosta & Russel)
* Who Will Save Your Soul? (Jewel)
* Freshmen (The Verve)

OPM
* Pain In My Heart (Second Wind)
* How Can I Be Sure (Agot Isidro)
* Tag-Ulan (After Image)
* Perfect (True Faith)
* The First Time I Saw You (Wiseguys)
* Fill Her (Eraserheards)
* All This Time (Side A feat. Sharon)
* May Pag-ibig Pa Kaya? (South Border)
* Running Away (Tunay Na Amo)
* To Be Near You (Viktoria)

***

My Music Library

Today I can browse through the 2,400++ songs on my iPod. But back in the day, I just have my trusty Walkman (my first high value personal purchase) and I carry about 5 casettes on my backpack. My music addiction began during my last year in high school.

The first cassette tape I ever bought was The Cranberries’ No Need To Argue.


Somehow I can’t remember the first original CD I bought.

I have the CD and cassette tape versions of about ten albums. One of them is Daydream by Mariah Carey. Three are from the local singer who is my all-time crush (initials AI). Two are from two hugely popular DJs who will deny these albums ever existed. Haha. I can still remember their autographed dedication on both CDs.

***

Sheryl Crow was one of the hottest discoveries of this decade. It started with All I Wanna Do from her debut album and her next two albums became groundbreaking modern classics.

Sheryl Crow did not register on my radar until her third, maybe fourth single. But a friend was a fan from the start. My friend was so ahead of the pack that he went to get her cassette tape when Sheryl Crow was only on the verge of superstardom.

Later we will realize that she was not THAT popular yet. Because when my friend asked for the Sheryl Crow cassette, the saleslady gave him... Sheryl Cruz.

The Heatseekers (May 30, 2009)

Here are ten tracks that are amassing huge airplay or will soon heat up the charts. I had a hard time getting hold of the first two songs because I only hear them but I don’t know the title or who sang it. But finally (thanks to Google lyrics)...I found them.

* Cheater’s Dilemma (Kay B)
* Takes Time To Love (Trey Songz)
* Permanent (David Cook)
* Breathe Slow (Alesha Dixon)
* The Show (Lenka)
* This Time (John Legend)
* Touch My Hand (David Archuleta)
* Sugar (Flo Rida feat Wynter)
* Knock You Down (Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West and Neyo)
* Her Diamonds (Rob Thomas)



***

Music Updates

Mariah Carey and Usher have announced the titles of their next albums due out late this year. No, this is not a collaboration album. MC's new release will be called Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel and she is said to be working with Timbaland. Usher's will be called Monster. Usher should consider renaming the album in light of the now famous YouTube video of Chris Brown saying "I am not a monster" in reference to his altercation case with ex Rihanna.

Eminem is back at #1 on the album charts with his new album Relapse. But seems like his music has already ran its course in this part of the world. How about some controversy, Marshall Mathers?

Post-Idol finale, Kris Allen posted five songs on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest being No Boundaries (his victory song) at #11 and Heartless at #16. Runner-up Adam Lambert has four songs, with Mad World at #19. This falls short of the record-breaking 11 songs posted by David Cook post-finale last year.

But this is because they also released a Season 8 Best Performances digital album which migh have affected downloads of their singles. On the Billboard Hot 200 Albums, Lambert (#33) outsold Allen (#50).

Sex, Lies and Media Hype

Never had I been royally pissed at watching local news. Until lately. They only report one tiresome topic: the now infamous sex video scandal featuring that doctor-turned-celebrity with starlets and models. I won’t be surprised if he will soon have a sexy dance album or a skin flick.

From a careless whisper (pun intended), the scandal has snowballed and the ensuing furor has exploded inside the halls of the senate.

What’s shocking is that this hugged the headlines more than anything else.

More than the spread of H1N1 in the Philippines (as I write this, we now have 10 confirmed cases). Considering that school starts in a week, we ought to have stepped up measures to prevent the spread of the flu. Will we wait until someone famous catches the virus before this becomes a top story?



More than the victory of Brillante Mendoza (Kinatay) who was given Best Director citations in the recent Cannes, the most prestigious film festival in the world. He bested perennial favourites including Quentin Tarantino and Ang Lee. This is something we could have been proud of.



More than the tragic sinking of a passenger vessel off the coast of Mindoro. My sister texted me this sad news last Saturday; turned out some of the victims are from their company. The stories were horrifying and heart-rending. There was a family who about to have their first vacation but have now lost their 3-year old son, grandmother and yaya. What could have been summer fun has now turned into a bitter memory. There were accounts that two boats passed by the ill-fated boat but offered no help. Instead, the passengers of that boat just took pictures. And when some boats did arrive to help, they attended to the victim’s possessions (bags) first. Holy shit!



That 12 lives will be lost in a sea tragedy under clear blue skies and normal waters is a bigger scandal. Yet the victims were not given the attention that could have given rhyme and reason to their senseless deaths. Because they are not celebrities. Similar to that presidential chopper which crashed and killed every one onboard and the lesser known helicopter crash of a nameless company. Guess who received more media attention?

Back to that famous sex scandal, a squeaky clean (sic) senator is condemning the act, as if he is an adorable preacher. As if his kids have not been experimenting with fornication before they even came of legal age. Now we now that the election is not far away. Because the circus has started.

Only in the Philippines can the "performances" inside the bedrooms of unworthy people become such a national concern (only Belo touches and captivates the nation...tsk, tsk).

And we wonder why we are we are third world.

AI Finale: The ALLENation of American

By now the whole world knows that Kris Allen has been crowned as the eight American Idol. In one of the greatest upset in reality TV history, the Dark Horse sprinted ahead of the pack and nabbed an against-all-odds victory over perennial favourite Adam Lambert, who has to settle for being probably the most celebrated runner-up on the most popular show on earth.



My highly toxic schedule from Wednesday until Saturday prevented me from seeing the performance night. But from what I heard and the from the snippets I was able to catch, Kris won the first round (contestant's favorite) with his Ain’t No Sunshine shining over Adam’s Mad World. The second song was producer Simon Fuller’s choice. Adam got back on track with A Change Is Gonna Come. Kris was given What’s Going On.

For the final round, they brought back that one song that each of the Final Two has to interpret. This time it was No Boundaries, a song co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi. The song is a sound-alike to I Believe (Fantasia’s season) but with more forgettable lyrics. The real task for the two is how to interpret a song this insipid and lacklustre. The song is better suited for Kris’ style but it was set too high that Kris has to strain himself to reach the notes. Adam was effortless but there is disconnect between his vocals and the song’s sentiment.

The performance night ended with no clear indication of who will win.

Sidebar: Kris reminds me of Joey from "Friends." Adam reminds me of a Chucky doll. Sorry, Adam fans!

Almost 100 million votes were cast, a new record. And with that kind of number, controversy is not far behind. From what I’ve read, the competition touched the nerve of America and became a battle between religious beliefs, with the conservatives voting for Kris and the liberals going for Adam (yeah, something like Democrats vs the Republicans). Kris and Danny Gokey are active members of their church whereas Adam is haunted by news on his sexuality. They were even whispers that some people vote for Kris not because they like him more but because they hate Adam and what he represents. What year is this...1532?



I think one explanation to this upset victory is that the fans of Danny Gokey flocked to Kris Allen. After all, they have the same profile and persona. Boy-next-door, squeaky clean and very endearing.

For the record, I have nothing against Adam and I am very much in awe of his talent. And this is about the music so I don’t give a damn about religious views or even personal sexual preferences. I just find Kris more talented in the way he makes liberties with his material (in contrast, Adam’s talent sometimes plays second fiddle to his overeager showmanship). Kris’ personality is also more affable; he has this down-to-earth and unassuming aura that you can’t help but like.



This season’s Grand Finale was the best in AI history. As the viewers sit on the edge waiting for the results, they are treated to one superb production number after the other. To see the Top 13 once again is already a treat in itself, as this is the most talented batch ever.

For me, these are the most memorable performances of the Finale night:

The Final Two singing the anthemic We Are The Champions with Queen. The perfect song to end this near-perfect season.



Kris Allen performing Kiss A Girl with Keith Urban.



Matt Giraud singing Black Magic Woman with Carlos Santana then the Top 13 chorused on Smooth. Here we see some wicked dance moves from Kris and Adam.



Allison Iraheta singing Time After Time with Cyndi Lauper. For me, this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Ergo, the countless revivals.



The Top 13 Girls performing Fergie's hits and then the Black Eyed Peas exploded onstage with Boom Boom Pow.

David Cook with Permanent, his fourth single and also a charity single as downloads on iTunes will serve as a donation to a cause finding a cure for cancer (his brother Adam just recently succumbed to the illness)

Bikini girl Katrina Darrel performing Vision of Love after being given the award for Best Attitude. Her nemesis Kara came out and sang with her…then moments later revealed herself in a bikini. (I swear Kara is one hot mamma...you want to almost shout Take it Off! Take it off!)



Ok, you can peel your eyes from Kara's body now.

As a final re-cap for this season, below are the best 15 performances; at least from the ones I’ve watched.

1. Falling Slowly - Kris Allen
2. Heartless – Kris Allen
3. Tracks of My Tears – Adam Lambert
4. Mad World – Adam Lambert
5. What Hurts The Most – Danny Gokey
6. She Works Hard For the Money – Kris Allen
7. My Funny Valentine – Matt Giraud
8. To Make You Feel My Live – Kris Allen
9. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Allison Iraheta
10. Black Or White – Adam Lambert
11. Human Nature – Matt Giraud
12. Remember The Time – Kris Allen
13. Ain’t No Sunshine – Kris Allen
14. Part-Time Lover – Matt Giraud
15. True Colors – Anoop Desai

To these guys...see you at the charts!

Feel This

It’s 5AM and I woke up feeling disoriented. I am aware that it was only pre-dawn because it is still dark outside. I wanted to go back to sleep but it eludes me. My mind is already reeling with activity, but not from the dregs of a terrible dream.



I turned on the TV just to occupy myself but nothing caught my interest. Even MTV was dead, which in itself is disorienting. It was just a blank screen with the MTV logo on the lower right. Then the word “EXIT” kept popping after it. I wondered if MTV is breathing its last, at least here in Asia.

I contemplated continuing my reading. Or putting my iPod on. But instead I just laid still and stared into space.

My mind is racing and I am churned and overwhelmed by a torrent of emotions. From some place that I can’t put a finger on. My only theory is that the last three days has been physically draining. I only allowed my body five hours of sleep, tops. Yet I was on my feet for more than 12 hours. And from that physical torture, my emotive persona, the part of me that feels and seizes the moment, somehow shut down. It disembodied itself, if that was possible.

So I wasn’t able to perceive anything in those three days. Other than physical exhaustion. So it is only now that I regained my “feelings” and all the emotions I should have felt then came rushing like a wall of water. And here I lay drenched with it.

I felt the weird feeling of seeing someone again and the good-natured connection, considering that our only interaction before was highly professional. I felt the awkward feeling of talking to someone who knew me so well yet I can’t remember who she is. Somehow I pulled it off; she couldn’t have realized that I was at a lost at who she is. I felt the excitement at meeting different people and brainwashing them. I felt the suspended disbelief at a text message I received revealing who the new “idol” is.

I took all the emotions in until I’ve had enough. As the remnants of the night began dissipating into the light of dawn, I felt the past rush to reunite with the present. Until I was whole again.

***

Hey hey, night fights day.
There’s food for the thinkers,
And the innocents can all live slowly,
My, my, the sky will cry
Jewels for the thirsty,
And the guilty ones can all die slowly.

Lost And Gone

Of late, I had some déjà vu brushes with history. I don’t know what to make of it. The vile taste is gone but it was not pleasant either. Wounds were not scraped raw but I am still protective of my scars. After all, they are my spiteful medallions; a constant grim reminder of how imprudent I can be.

I may be fascinated with the mundane details but that doesn’t mean I give a hoot. I will not walk and lessen the distance. I will not sing along to this ostentatious melody. Indifference is my most potent instinct. I now choose the truths that I will hold dear.

I realize that happiness has a certain fleeting nature and often it comes with a painful trade-off. Such cruel ambiguity is too colossal for me. In the end, I just refuse to feel.

Sometimes it is really better to be lost than to be found.

Fragments #6

She said: May KF pa din!

I said: What’s KF?

She said: Kilig factor...dumarami na ang acronyms natin!

I said: O...i c

This reminds me of a very funny conversation between Ryan and Seth (The O.C.):



Seth: So, what's the GP, RA?
Ryan: I have no idea what you just said.
Seth: Game plan, Ryan Atwood
Ryan: You're just using initials now?
Seth: Yeah, it saves time.
Ryan: Well not if you have to translate.
Seth: GP.
Ryan: Game plan?
Seth: Good point

***

An officemate asked: Barns, may plastic ka ba? (Got plastic [bag]?)

I replied: Madami ako kakila, sino gusto mo? (I know a lot, who do you prefer?)

Everyone near me laughed.

***

Yesterday I was laughing myself silly with C&D’s Top 10 Signs That Nobody Loves You over at RX93.1.

One entry: Pag hindi mo masabing nilangaw ang party mo dahil pati mga langaw binoycott ang party mo. (You can’t say that only the fruit flies attended your party [this is a local idiom meaning near-zero attendance] because even the fruit flies boycotted it).

Another entry: Pag ang nakalagay sa lapida mo “Keep Off The Grass.” (When your tombstone inscription says “Keep Off The Grass”)

Still another entry: When people go to your wake not to mourn for you but to make sure you ARE dead.

AI Update: Rock God Or Dark Horse?

This week, one more worthy contestant lost his chance to be the next American Idol. My jinx didn’t work this time (a big whew!).

The Final Three performed two songs, one selected by the judges and one hand-picked by them. Two sides of the coin in terms of artistic relevance.



Ding ding...round one!

Danny was given an obscure song (Dance Little Sister) by Paula. His vocals were fine but not great. The problem is that the song was beautiful but it was unknown (at least to us) and it was up tempo, hence Danny has to dance which is not his cup of tea. It ended nice but awkward.

Kris was given OneRepublic's Apologize by Kara and Randy. He sang it on piano and stayed true to the original, which is disappointing considering Kris’ uncanny ability to rehash a song and make it his own. Kara pointed this out and received a lashing from Simon. He said she cannot blame Kris for interpreting a song SHE chose.

Adam was given U2’s One by Simon (even bragging about calling Bono to ask permission). His performance was expectedly amazing, given a song that strong.

Round one belongs to...Adam Lambert.

Ding ding...round two!

Danny sang the classic You Are So Beautiful To Me. His rendition was soulful and heartfelt. He has a staggering connection with the audience that you can’t help but be moved. But it was something we’ve seen before.

Kris sang Kanye’s Heartless and words will not be enough to express my amazement. He sang this rap-sung masterpiece on the acoustic guitar, giving the songs an entirely different feel. It was jaw-dropping! I already liked Heartless even before this but I swear his version is more likable the original version (Kanye might not be happy hearing this).



Kris’ greatest talent is that he does not oversing, he focuses on delivering the song. Adam has better vocals but they are overwhelmed by his flashiness.

If I will have to remember this season with a single performance...hands down, it will be this. It was not the best performance of the season (or even for Kris...his best for me was his take on Falling Slowly) but it was indelibly memorable (that’s redundant, I know...but that’s how it really is). And as friend said, this is bound to follow the crossover success of David Cook’s Always Be My Baby(eventually stealing this song from Mariah Carey’s repertoire).

Adam sang Aerosmith’s Cryin’ complete with all the requisite wailing and screams. After all, this is his turf. Screeching rock. Yeah, it was great but it was something expected of him. For me, he is at his best when he surprises with a slow song, like what he did with Tracks Of My Tears.

Round two belongs to Kris. Woot-wooo!

The results episode was nerve-racking to say the least. It was really anybody’s microphone...ok, I mean ballgame.

I wished for a Danny-Kris finale showdown but I know that’s next to impossible considering Adam’s strength.

By now, the world knows that Danny Gokey was voted off. Which is ironic coz he has never been in the bottom three but he was cut from the Final Three. He was a shoo-in for the finale from the very start but Kris really outshone him in the later weeks. Danny is very talented and I like his personality, but he is not as “revolutionary” as the other two.




Like Matt Giraud, we are bound to see him in the charts sooner than later. I just hope that he finds his musical niche because his voice is middling, and I mean that positively (unlike Matt’s which is surefire soul/R&B). He can pick any genre but he may fall into the trap that destroyed Taylor Hicks. I hope they learn from Carrie who chose country and led that genre.



In a competition ruled by choices, I just find it indulgent (to borrow from Simon) how they allowed bias so blatantly. I am talking about Adam Lambert’s name emblazoned on Katy Perry’s cape. Like they were already bestowing victory on him. I mean if they will do that, then they should be fair and tattoo Kris Allen’s name on Jordin Spark’s big hips. Sorry Jordin, for being the unwarranted victim of my famous sarcasm.

Any-hoo, for next week, here’s my fearless forecast:



Who Will Win: Adam Lambert
Who I Want To Win: Kris Allen

But it will be so close that the Dark House will have a 50% chance to upset the Rock God.

***

In this photo (taken during the Top 3 results) Kris shows the black polish on this right thumb. Adam has black polish on all of his fingers, except the thumb. Yin and yang? An act of camaraderie or a bad omen?

Book Of Hatred And Compassion

I finished reading House Of Sand And Fog last week. I’ll have to say that this is one of the heaviest, darkest and most emotionally draining book I have read. Like being visited by a Dementor, I closed the book with the feeling that all the happy emotions has been sucked out of me.

As I said in my previous blog, this is basically a catastrophic intersection of three different lives. In its core is a searing portrayal of the American dream turned into a nightmare. We witness tragedy relentlessly escalate into another tragedy, like an ugly picture given an even uglier lighting.

Colonel Behrani is a greedy Iranian immigrant who just wants to rebuild his family’s lost glory. Kathy is a troubled woman who is trying to withstand her increasingly hopeless life. Sheriff Burdon is a man lost in his own domestic dilemma and looks for the answers in Kathy’s parallel struggle. Basically, three wrongs that will never make a right.

Very unlike Anita Shreve novels where the characters are lifted in the end; here we were not given that absolution. We watch the three leads crawl into the hole they dug for themselves and all we can do is gasp in horror and mourn their fates. In their forsaken tangle of conflicts, the characters did nothing but destroy themselves. What’s even more disheartening is the fact that everything started with a simple mistake that was allowed to snowball. Why, oh why.

Like an exquisite soap opera, we are ping-ponged between the characters so much so that we cannot decipher the heroes from the villains. We care for and hate them at the same time. We want to understand them in such perplexing circumstances. But we really can’t.

Andre Dubus III is a brilliant writer with a wicked sympathy and in-depth understanding of society and the clash of culture. His narrative is simplistic and vivid yet at the same time powerful and tender. His greatest talent is telling two sides of the story with consummate sincerity and conviction. He successfully marries compassion and hatred and the result is confounding, to say the least. I just don’t understand his unfair references to Filipinos (but I am half-biased here).

House of Sand And Fog is memorable in a dark, lingering way; a Greek tragedy retold in contemporary setting. It shows us how we can be trapped in our own circumstances. It examines the choices that make up a life's direction. This book is also relevant in the way it depicts culture and society and the terrible truths that shapes our very existence.

This book has been turned to a movie but I’m not interested in watching it. The book is already hauntingly depressing; so seeing it all over again on the big screen is already masochistic torture.

The Heatseekers (May 10, 2009)

Note: This is the debut of The Heatseekers series on this blog. This series feature music news and updates, chart predictions and basically anything that defines the current music landscape.

***
Here are ten new tracks I have unearthed lately and will soon steam up the charts.

The Heatseekers (May 10, 2009)
* Black Heart Inertia (Incubus)
* Please Don’t Stop The Rain (James Morrison)
* Know Your Enemy (Green Day)
* No Surprise (Daughtry)
* I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) (Pitbull)
* 1,2,3,4 (Plain White T’s)
* My Love (The Dream feat. Mariah Carey)
* Sandali Na Lang (Hale)
* Revelry (Kings of Leon)

***

Mandy Moore’s video for the new single I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week has premiered on Yahoo Videos.

Moore was never one of those pop stars who use high-production and glossy videos as a marketing gimmick. Her only memorable video is Crush (her only TRL #1). She lets the music, not the video, speak for itself.

In the new video we see a more adult and more sophisticated (yes...prettier) Moore. I just find it a little too inconsistent with the song’s melody and sentiment. The playfulness and empowerment is there but I think the video uses more shock value than the song’s imprint. The end part where Moore gives the sensei a taste of girl power is humorous in a confusing sort of way. The guy who plays the sensei looks familiar. I first thought it was Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Research says it is Chuck Liddell from Ultimate Fighting Championship (Mandy is a fan of this mixed martial arts).


Mandy Moore - I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week (Official Music Video) -


The music bible Billboard has spoken. This is their review of ICBYHADOTW (whew...such a long title might ruin its chances atop the charts), dated May 9:

I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week
Mandy Moore

Michael Menachem

Mandy Moore has been a recording artist for 10 years and continues churning out mature, yet age-appropriate songs. The tongue-in-cheek single "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week" is a feel-good pop song with restrained production, refreshingly showcasing the melody and Moore's alluring vocals. She recorded her sixth studio album, "Amanda Leigh" (the title is the singer's birth name), with Boston producer Mike Viola, who tapped into a hand-clapped rhythm and funky clavinet sounds, resulting in a light and bubbly sound for the season. Moore's new album floats into stores May 26.

I am counting the days to May 26. Sixteen days to go...

Incidentally, Moore is featured in the latest Details magazine. This is one of her most seductive pictorials ever.





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Some Music Tidbits:

* Rob Thomas will be soon release his sophomore solo effort called Cradlesong (after the successful debut Something To Be).

* Black Eyed Peas is riding high as they enjoy their first Billboard #1 with Boom Boom Pow. Go, Pinoy... go, Apl.

* Another idol alumni is getting raves. First there was Jennifer Hudson who proved that you don't need to win AI to make it big (Hudson is the only Idol contestant to have nabbed an Oscar and a Grammy). Just this week, Constantine Maroulis received a Tony Award nomination for his work on the Broadway production of Rock of Ages.

First Week MAY-hem

The first week of the month always tops the hectic-o-meter. Two friends even asked if I am still alive and complained that I haven’t been answering their texts (kasi naman magtetext when I’m presiding over a meeting). I’m just glad this toxic week is over and I can chill the weekend out.

This week, after the stressful monthly meeting, I worked double time because I have to go to Cebu in the later part of the week. But I am in high spirits because of a very exciting product we are launching (clue: now you can eat cookies to take care of your heart, wink wink). More work...I know, but I really believe in this product so I am investing my 101% effort into this project. Nothing is more inspiring that a product that will speak for itself.

Anyhoo, more about that in a separate blog.

So we flew to Cebu last Thursday. I was with KG and BA and despite our jam-packed and very tiring schedule, we somehow attracted some misadventures:

* We were so paranoid with the H1N1 scare at Cebu that within seconds from emerging from the airport we were anointing our bodies with alcohol like it was the elixir of life.

* It was raining very hard the night before our flight due to incoming typhoon. I hate flying in stormy weather! Good thing it was only light rain when we left on the first flight out Thursday.

* The CR at the Waterfront won’t flush. I had to call maintenance early in the morning.

*I wasn’t able to watch TV (I missed American Idol and Us Two) because the presidential son was my roommate. Upside: We had a very cerebral conversation. I was surprised at the level of maturity he has achieved at such an early age.

* On our return flight we were again apprehensive about the weather so checked with those who boarded the earlier flights. They said weather was OK but there was a lot of turbulence. So we requested that we be seated somewhere near the front (which would rock less). But the check-in guy took us TOO literally...we were seated at the very front!

I could see the pilot’s cabin from where I was seated. But the funny thing is that we were facing the flight stewardesses who sit in the pull-down chairs near the door and vocalizes robotically all the announcements. Pretty weird! But we really wanted to sleep so we didn’t mind them.

* I parked at the overnight parking at NAIA-3 and when we returned, the left rear wheel was flat. Good thing there was a Total gas station a stone’s throw awa). But that’s not all...we found out that the trunk won’t close. We improvised with a ribbon from BA’s bag and surprisingly it held until we reached BA’s house. From there I replaced it with a much stronger straw rope.

That’s a lot of misadventures for just two days! But we did have some enjoyable moments, especially with MB around.

The new Ayala Terraces was awesome! At last... another taste of opulence in this third world desolation. I was able to try the Laguna resto and of course, Lemon Grass. I was introduced to Lemon Grass years ago and I really really love their food (must try: the pineapple rice and pad thai).

Too bad we were not able to go to Club Ultima, with its sky walk and rides similar to the ones in Singapore and Malaysia. Maybe because BA prayed against it (she is afraid of heights...shhh). I was looking forward to the aerial walk. Anyhoo, there’s always a next time.

Finally I will get to enjoy the weekend! Tops on my to-do list is celebrate Mother’s Day with my family, watch Wolverine (I’ve heard some rave reviews) and finish the last few pages of the book I’m reading.

AI Update: Presenting…The Boy’s Club

Before that, just an erratum for my previous American Idol update blog. The theme two weeks back was bratpack standards (you know, the big bands) and not jazz. I really get confused with these music genres. And the best performance for me that night was Matt Giraud and his My Funny Valentine. As Simon said, it was splendid. But apparently that was not enough to save him for the second time.

Hands down, the Top Five has talent and brimming potential. So from that point forward the contest turns into a popularity and showmanship competition.

This week, the theme was rock and roll. My hectic schedule only allowed me to catch snippets of the performance night.



Of the remaining four, I will say that Kris and Danny will have a difficult time exploring rock music. And from the judges’ comments, I think it was indeed Kris who hit rock bottom performance-wise. I loved his song choice, though (Come Together, one of my most well-liked Beatles classic). Danny would have been fine but he tried a vocal calisthenics (a “rock scream”) that only Adam can pull off. As expected Allison and Adam gave astounding performances, henceforth being called rock god and goddess.

I just watched the results episode a few minutes ago. Kris was so shocked to be the first to be saved. I laughed at his Miss Universe expression (hands on mouth in the height of surprise).

Despite her astounding duet with Adam, it was Allison’s turn to go home. Which leaves us with three men and a title.



The performance night surely rocked with the return of No Doubt and Daughtry. I have been a fan of No Doubt since my college days (even before Don’t Speak became jolog-ized by pop radio). I remember Jaybee and I taking turns in playing their debut cassette (you read it right...cassette tape) in our dorm room. Their greatest hits CD (ayan...CD na) resides on my Fave CD stack.



Chris Daughtry was my personal pick during Season 5. Unfortunately he didn’t make the cut for the Final Two, giving way to Katherine McPhee and eventual winner Taylor Hicks. As we know, the careers of these two never really took of. Whereas, Chris formed a band and spawned the biggest selling rock debut in SoundScan history. If I were to choose five best albums from the past three years, their CD will be a sureshot pick.



Speaking of Daughtry, I have this curse that my bet usually ends up the as second runner up (also happened with Elliot Yamin). The current Top Five have all been my favourites at some point in time. And I have proclaimed that they are all deserving of the crown.

Lately, I have singled out Kris (ever since he sang Make You Feel My Love then Falling Slowly and She Works Hard for the Money). But the past two weeks has been way out of his league (he is more Jason Mraz than Rob Thomas). With this, I think he will be in danger next week.

The new American Idol will be crowned on May 20. My forecast: it will be a guy. Haha!

Happy Birthday, Ma!

Last Sunday, while everyone was holding their breaths for the Pacquaio-Hatton fight, we pulled off something that we just planned about a month ago. We celebrated my Mom’s birthday in a non-traditional way...renting a private resort and having an off-Christmas reunion of sorts.

Good thing the rains stopped and the day was deliciously warm. Or else I won’t be able to swim, coming from my bout with flu just last week.

The food was a glutton-inducing feast. I ate until I cannot eat anymore. Especially the freshly baked oysters and the succulent watermelons (the advantage of living in the province).

I also dared myself to belt out a couple songs from the videoke machine even if my throat is still healing. My uncle was egging me on, even requesting some rocks songs that is bound to hurt my throat.

I didn’t mind…just for the fun of it.

Love Thy Neighor (Yeah, Right!)

It’s Friday, Labor Day Holiday. April just passed us like a breeze.

I’m back but I’m not yet in the pinkest of health. I’m still under (expensive...huhu) medication. Some people are joking that I might have caught the swine flu. Maybe...because I have been with some pigs lately, haha.

It’s my first time alone since my house arrest due to this flu/throat problem. I haven’t been in my pad (naks!) in QC for days and when I got back, I realize I already have a new neighbour.

Today, I woke up to loud music blaring from New Neighbour. The Bee Gees were shrilling at me when I still want to sleep. And Noisy Neighbor will even sing along at the top of his voice. How can some people be that inconsiderate!? Haven’t they heard of some god-sent tools like headphones and MP3 players? I have no choice but use my own headphone to block off the Bee Gees ruckus next door.

We’ve had quite a lot of experience with these neighbours. Back in Bulacan, our neighbour will practice his piano at all times of the day! Often at 6AM you will wake up to the tinkling piano notes of A Thousand Miles. So much so that I am starting to hate that song. And he can only play that and another obscure song. My poor sister, who has shifting work sked, has to deal with this...everyday!

Last New Year’s Eve we had a running joke that we will reward anyone who will throw a firecracker at Piano Guy so he will lose his fingers (bad joke, I know!).

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PIGS CAN'T FLY, BUT THE SWINE FLU

This swine flu is quite alarming especially when CNN uses such terms as “pandemic” or “inevitable.” Another karma for humankind for not taking care of this planet. And how timely this is considering that we are already in the depths of a global recession.



I just hope we will be spared from the domino effect of this swine flu. Like we were spared from SARS some years back. I don’t know if the government was really that effective in their anti-SARs campaign or we are just damn lucky. It sometimes pays to be in a strategic location on the map. I mean we are surrounded by seas and not other countries so we can somehow control things that are coming into our area of responsibility. Yes, except typhoons.

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SUMMER'S GONE, SETH

Speaking of typhoons, it seems like summer just packed up and left. One moment I was blogging about this summer being a scorcher, and then some rains. But now it has been raining for days! The weather is also not as hot even if it's not raining.

Too bad because some people have yet to enjoy their summer soiree and getaways. Imagine waiting a year to enjoy the beach only for the weather to come raining on your parade...literally!

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SUGAR-FREE...CAFFEINE-FREE...LIFELESS

It’s been more than a week since I last had any coffee or chocolates. The craving is killing me! Now I know how smokers feel.

I’m still looking at alternatives to quench the craving. Tea is not that enjoyable but at least it comes close.

Any ideas?

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IN MY HUMBLE OPINION

When I decided to blog and let my thoughts float unto cyberspace, I already braced myself for people's opinions, be it good or bad. Variety (even of opinions) is the spice of life.

I think it’s a little too arrogant to call someone names because his opinion differs from yours. This is my life, my thoughts, my blog. Love it or hate it, this is the way I see the world. Notice the title: Through Bernard’s Looking Glass.

But if that’s what you think, I respect that. That’s how “smart” I am.

AI Update: And Then There Were Four

I have two-weeks worth of American Idol updates. So here are quick ones.

Last week, the theme was Disco Night and the fate of the double elimination is hanging over the Top 7’s heads.

For me the best performance came from Kris Allen with his inimitable take on an unlikely song. He sang She Works Hard For The Money and gave it a wicked twist. On the downside, the judges poked fun at him by saying he liked "shopping in the girl’s department."



The worst is still Lil Rounds. It was like watching an amateur contest on a local noontime show.

Remember the bold statement I made during my last AI blog? I said take out Lil, take out Anoop and the remaining five are all well-deserving of the title.

Well, that’s what happened...to my utter contentment.

This is really the best Top 5 of any season. It will be heart-wrenching to watch any of them go. The only consolation is that with THAT kind of talent and potential, these Five are assured of life after AI. They can all be the next Daughtry. More promising careers than even those of past winners. Yes, I am talking about you, Taylor Hicks.

This week was jazz night and truth to tell I haven’t watched this week’s performance episode. So I cannot gauge which one is my personal best.

But I caught the elimination episode. The result was quite appalling! I was expecting Matt and Allison to be in the bottom two. But Allison joined Danny in the top 2 and Adam (the frontrunner) was in the bottom 2!

As expected, even if I hate to see him go, it was the end of the road for Matt G. Even if he sang a very haunting version of My Funny Valentine and the judges gave a collective WOW. I have great belief that I will see Matt in the charts real soon. He can give JT a run for his money (although I think he is getting tired of the JT comparison...ok, howabout Robin Thicke?).



Only four left and the winner will be crowned three weeks from now. The suspense is unbearable. Next week will be Rock and Roll Nights and we know all four can rock!