Bleeding Darkness: THE BEST OF 2008

This is my token year-ender blog. I know some friends have been waiting for this.

But before that, here’s a recap of the Best of 2007.
Best Song: The Way I Are (Timbaland)
Best Album: Daughtry (self-titled)
Best Movie: Transformers
Best TV Show: Pinoy Big Brother Season 2 (Local), The Amazing Race Asia 2 (Foreign)

THE YEAR 2008 IN MUSIC, MOVIES AND SMALL TUBE

If I were to summarize the entertainment landscape for 2008 in one word, I’ll have to say GLOBALIZATION.

For music, the spotlight is back to mainstream (pop even). Very unlike the previous years (which were dominated by rap or alternative music), this year was a mish-mash of genres.

Producers even looked at the other side of the Atlantic shore and I’d say that British music achieved its overdue worldwide success this year. UK spawned the best new act for 2008 (Leona Lewis) and then capped the year with the legends...Coldplay and Radiohead.

On the US-front, the Top 40 became the permanent resident of the established rhythmic blues and rap acts; the likes of Li’l Wayne, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Ne-yo and T.I.

T.I. had back to back #1 hits. Rihanna continues her chart success with the string of crossover #1s. Mariah nabbed her 18th #1, overtaking Elvis in the record for most #1s. Britney made a huge comeback as her song Womanizer made the almost- impossible record leap to #1 (from #96). Teen pop power is generated by the over-rated marketing gimmickry otherwise known as The Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus. And some Taylor Swift and the Davids of American Idol.

On the local front, after two years of lording it over the charts, OPM music took the backseat. Maybe the fans grew tired of the endless remakes and lacklustre songs from the formerly formidable bands. But there were OPM artist who made news abroad. Arnel Pineda joined American band Journey but he has big shoes to fill. Charice Pempengco wowed the viewers of almost all the US talk shows and made it to the David Foster special alongside the likes of Josh Groban.

For movies, we still did not see the parade of blockbusters; unlike the time when we have Harry Potter and LOTR in the same year. In the wake of Heath Ledger’s death, The Dark Knight descended upon us and ran away as the year’s biggest hit and runner-up on the all-time box office chart (second only to the unsinkable Titanic). Before year-end, darkness again descended as vampire cult phenomenon Twilight sunk its teeth on millions of girls screaming for Edward, Jacob and Carlisle. Suddenly, vampire became the new magical wizard. Let’s not forget Mamma Mia! which sung its way from the curtains of Broadway to the silverscreen and generated the biggest soundtrack this year. I’ll never look at Meryll Streep and Colin Firth in the same way again.

Television gave another banner year for medical dramedies like House, Grey’s Anatomy and Dexter. Josh Swartz gave birth to Gossip Girl (the new O.C, bitch!). There was laughter through the depressing recession via 30 Rock, Californication, Entourage and Ugly Betty. On the local front, we saw local adaptations of foreign shows, including Koreanovelas and more reality shows (please spare us from a local Twilight).

So roll out the red carpet for the Best of 2008.

Of course, these are highly biased and subjective. Mock me if you want, but these are the songs and movies that defined my life in 2008.

BEST SONGS


There are a lot of great songs this year so I cannot narrow down the best to only 10. Hence, here are 20...and believe me I still had difficulty choosing them from my playlist.

1. Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis)
2. Forever (Chris Brown)
3. Bye Bye (Mariah Carey)
4. The Man Who Can’t Be Moved (The Script)
5. Apologize (Timbaland feat. OneRepublic)
6. That’s What You Get (Paramore)
7. Whatever It Takes (Lifehouse)
8. Take A Bow (Rihanna)
9. No Air (Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown)
10. Four Minutes (Madonna and Justin Timberlake)
11. Mad (Neyo)
12. Just Stand Up! (Artists Stand Up To Cancer)
13. Love Song (Sara Bareilles)
14. Viva La Vida (Coldplay)
15. With You (Chris Brown)
16. Decode (Paramore)
17. I Stay In Love (Mariah Carey)
18. Better In Time (Leona Lewis)
19. Energy (Keri Hilson)
20. Forget About Me (A Little Bit)

Most Played On iPod: Apologize (Timbaland/OneRepublic and OneRepublic/David Archuleta versions)
Personal Theme Song: That’s What You Get (Paramore)
Best Video: Four Minutes (Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake)
Best Dance Track: In The Ayer (Flo Rida) and Disturbia (Rihanna)
Best Wake-Up Song: Booty Music (Git Fresh)
Best Lyrics: The Man Who Can’t Be Moved (The Script)
Best Sampling: Bust It, Baby (Plies feat. Neyo) sampling Janet Jackson’s Come Back To Me
Most Irritating Song: Single Ladies (Beyonce)
Last Song Syndrome (LSS) Award: Womanizer (Britney Spears)
Best OPM Song (Original): Leap of Faith (Hale)
Best Remake: Another Goodbye Song (Van of PDA2)
Best OST: Twilight OST
Best New Acts: Leona Lewis, OneRepublic, The Script
Guilty Pleasure (Music): songs from The Ting Tings and Katy Perry

BEST ALBUMS


1. E=MC2 (Mariah Carey)
2. Who We Are (Lifehouse)
3. Spirit (Leona Lewis)
4. The Script (The Script)
5. OST - Twilight


BEST MOVIES

1. Twilight
2. The Dark Knight
3. Wall-E
4. Iron Man
5. A Very Special Love

Best Performance, Actress: Meryll Streep in Mamma Mia!
Best Performance, Actor: Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Performance, Supporting Role: Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight
Guilty Pleasure (Movie): High School Musical 3
Worst Movie: For The First Time


BEST TV SHOWS
1. ASAP ’08 (ABS-CBN)
2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (AXN)
3. Anderson Cooper 360 and Christiane Amanpour Reports(CNN)
4. Executive Class (ANC)
5. Kalye (ABS-CBN)
6. Entourage (HBO)

Guilty Pleasure (TV): Banana Split and Eva Fonda (in short...Christine Reyes)

***

Here’s hoping that we will be more entertained in 2009.

Things To Look Out For in 2009

1. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (movie)
2. New Moon (movie)
3. New CD releases from Justin Timberlake, Mandy Moore, U2 and Mariah Carey
4. American Idol (beginning Jan 14)
5. Transformers 2
6. Cars 2
7. Tayong Dalawa (local soap)
8. more independent local films

Much Ado About Christmas

This supposedly long vacation, I was witness to the great circle of life. I attended a birth/baptism, a blessed union and a funeral.




THE BEGINNING


During my birthday, new mom Ving told me that I will be ninong to her firstborn David. She gave me the tentative date.

I almost forgot about it until on the early morning of December 21, Ving reminded me of the baptism. Good thing I didn’t plan anything for that day.

Ving requested that I bring my Mom, who she fondly referred to as Lola and David as her first apo. Which was A-ok for me so that she won’t pester me into giving her a grandchild soon.

After the church ceremony, we went to Ving’s house for the reception. I realize that I miss her house, which can easily double up as a resort (sans a pool). It was tucked in a sleepy town and the sprawling lot just bursts with foliage, like a hidden Eden. The air is always cool and crisps, even in summer and I remember that we used to have our lengthy talks under the canopy of those trees (see samples of my very amateur tree photography below).



I haven’t seen Ving since her wedding a year ago so we had a lot of catching up to do. Good thing we were able to sneak away from our Moms for the hush-hush talks. After I have updated her on my life status, Ving asked me to stay away from someone, and I don’t know if I have the strength to do that.

I also miss talking to Tita Tamar who is like my second Mom. She looks way better than the last time I saw her so I presumed she enjoyed being a doting Lola. Even Tito Al seems to have loosened up. Good work, David!

Ving's Lola barely recognized me; she said that I was all grown up. When I said my college name, she thought I was someone else. It was only when I used my name variation (that Ving calls me) did recognition dawn on her. What surprised me is that she remembered where I worked and asked if I brought a bag of Lay’s. I said, of course!

As always, we said a thousand goodbyes before we finally made it out of her house. And as before, my Mom has taken some plants and I am giving it about 4 months before it wilts from negligence (shhh...my Mom has far-from-green thumbs). I hope I will be wrong.





THE UNION

One of my best college buddies got married last December 27.

MM was my schoolmate since elementary but it was also during college when we got real close, especially when we were part of UP Lakan. We worked on a lot of projects for Lakan and her passion is very contagious. Plus we are both Yakalites, although I have a different circle when we were at Yakal.

In terms of social life (read: love life) we were part of that outside-looking-in group. We got linked to a lot of people but we never felt any pressure from it or perused to have a so-called S.O. As we always say, if may dumating, edi thank you; if wala, edi wala.

So I am really happy that MM has found somebody to spend the rest of her life with. Though I never got to meet Jonjon (I missed the sort of send-off get-together that our group gave for MM), I have gut feel that he is a great choice. Trust MM to make a smart choice after waiting all these years.

We never got to see each other often after college but MM is the friend-in-need type. I remember she fully supported my decision to look for another work in the middle of this year. She even sent me some prospects. It helps that she also wanted out from her work at that time. But to cut a long story short, we both ended up sticking to our jobs.

Though I am not there during the many get-togethers, I always make it a point to be there for my long-time friends to share their big life-changing moments.

Her wedding was simple and elegant. Very MM. Days before the wedding, Oda contacted me and said that I will be her co-emcee for the reception. And I have to keep mum about this coz this will be one of the many surprises for MM. For this, I got a huge, long hug from MM.

The reception held at C3 was informal in an enjoyable way. MM did not want any of the wedding clichés like bouquet toss or cake cutting. Guests really enjoyed the photo booth a la Hollywood red carpet. The father of the groom gave a superb toast that got the audience laughing and cheering. And a few tears were shed (MM will kill me for this). The groom was teary-eyed when her sisters and dad gave some words. MM shed buckets (ok, I’m kidding... just glassfuls) when her brother gave a very touching thank-you speech. Tissue, please!

MM’s little brothers (oh, they are not little anymore) provided some musical intermission. Chino played a Tagalog wedding classic on flute (I obviously forgot which song). Not to be outdone, Kim worked the piano. The song he played was eerily familiar…and then it hit me...it was Bella’s Lullaby from Twilight.

MM, just so you know... Oda and I never got to finish our food coz of our emcee task. So you owe us lunch! Haha!

MM and JonJon, I wish you a happy married life. I want you to be one of those people who will disprove that marriage is an institution that fails more than it succeeds. And that’s sincere; coming from a cynic like me.


THE GOODBYE

Sorry but this one will have a separate blog. I don’t have the heart to write this for now. The pain is still raw and I am just covering it with what little holiday cheer I can muster.

But our Christmas turned tragic (again) with the loss of Ama. He is my lola’s brother. Life in that old house of my childhood will never be the same again with him gone.

Part of me still wish this was a bad dream.

Hark, It's Christmas!

I know, I know.

It’s been weeks since my last blog. I have two words for you….Christmas madness! And I mean the good kind of madness.

I have tons of words and thoughts that have been gathering cobwebs in my mind. Expect the deluge of blogs this loooong Christmas break.

Anyway, wishing everyone a remarkable Christmas!

The Tale Of Two Tragedies

I just finished the latest Anita Shreve novel I bought. Consistent with other Shreve novels, this one leads you into a sobering yet intense emotional journey, this time in what may be the darkest travail of love and negligence. What is compelling here is that she weaves a contemporary family tragedy with a true story of a celebrated 1873 murder, creating an almost intolerable parallel crisis.

This is the most hauntingly disturbing Shreve novel I have read to date. You will be at a lost at what to feel after reading the finale. And since I have been quite exposed to her craft, I was able to guess the whodunit end-shocker that defines each of Shreve’s work. Still, it did hit me blind sighted by its scrumptious horror and confusing intensity.

The booked is called The Weight Of Water, the title of which serves as the inspiration to a introspective blog I wrote weeks ago.

Recession / Resistance

“The world is grappling with an economic crunch of epic proportions,” screams the daily news. Say that again?! Like the elusive SARS virus, the financial turmoil that is wrecking havoc on the G8-ish economies seems to be avoiding the Philippines. Ah...the upside of being third world (ok...”emerging economies”, to be politically correct, lest I get a verbal beating from AA).

There are a lot of proofs to this claim:

1. We went to Trinoma last November 29 (a payday/bonus day weekend). We arrived around 8PM and the mall is teeming with people, like it was a freaking Edsa rally! It took us ages before we found a parking space. Also we had to transfer to another dining place coz the first one was SRO. Seems like everyone has money to burn (and it does burn fast).

2. Starbucks (that sprouted all over the Metro like it is vying to be the next 7-Eleven) is still full of people. And everyone is still clamouring for that Starbucks planner.

(I was disappointed with Starbucks planner 2007 so I didn’t get their 2008. The new one is still so-so so I am not going the extra mile for that. But at least they replaced that awful Peppermint Mocha with a better one...Cherry Mocha. Truth to tell, I like the Coffee Bean notebook more than the over-rated Starbucks planner)

3. My brother asked me to drop by a fastfood on my way home. It took me frigging 20 minutes to get his food. The queue was of holocaust proportions! I almost snapped at the server: do you really call yourself a fastfood?

4. The must-have items are still iPhones, iPods, Macs, Havaianas and Crocs. Survey says the #1 item bought are still cellphone loads. And the most profitable items are premium vanity creams (Olay, Loreal, etc).

5. We still change phones like we change partners. Enough said.

November Reigns

FACT: The most brilliant people on earth were born on November…hehe, talk about self-promotion! But really, I know a lot of great people who were born on this uber-special month. I’ve studied the statistics and came to this rationale: nine months prior to November is February! So we are basically “love month” babies.

Please allow me to express my birthday greeting to these femme fatales:

THE VOICE

She is the “other” loudest voice that ever graced our department (PY being the original “The Voice”). And like Colbie Coillat, she added bubbly to our marketing fusion. She is a bundle of joy and dynamite laughter but she does have her saccharine moments.

Thanks for all the laugh trips, the jologs and asar moments and of course, for all the work-related help. Sorry if sometimes you are at the receiving end of my “MMK, Lucifer” moments (sing it now...I’m just a little bossy!). It’s all in a day’s work. I really appreciate everything, it’s just that I am bruised and jaded (told you...mapapagod ka lang).

Happy 21st, AD…aka Bettyful.




THE FUNSHINE

Looking back, I don’t remember how we became connected. It feels like one time, we just hit it off. I am drawn to her easy smile and the child-like demeanour that conceals the strength within.

She has been with me through the best and worst of my Benby times (for worst, I mean the Dark SAP Ages). With her, I can be myself, sans the pretences that breath “life” to our inert workplace. She has seen me at my lowest (the passed-out-on-the-kitchen-floor moments) and my bleeding moments (something only we know) and she never saw me as a lesser being, unlike our so-called “real” friends.

She is one of the few people who kept their candles burning for me when I faced those mighty winds. During those times when I want to succumb to the Dementors, my patronus is that I just remember how she laughed and shook it off. And I can never thank her enough for that.

I can give you a list on how great a person you are, but it will be endless. Stay true and stay strong, my Funshine Bear (aka Hermione).


THE SNOB

I’ve known her since she was crowned the smartest girl in our elementary school. So from the snobby dictionary-thumping girl, I’ve watched her grow into one fine lass (albeit still a little snobby).

What more can I say...our friendship has weathered what odds were thrown at us. Despite leading separate lives, we are somehow anchored by a constructive past. Even if we don’t see each other in months, it seems only yesterday when we do meet. How’s that for friends forever.

Whenever I feel down, I just reminisce about our adventures during summer vacation. Those were the best childhood memories I have (before I was hesitantly ushered into adulthood). And I will not be this eloquent a writer if you guys have not shown me the magic of ink and paper.

I wish that one thing you wish...a Sun Cellular SIM...hahaha. Continue seeing life through Rose-colored lenses.

The Big Three-Zero (Part 2)

I am blogging my birthday celebration weeks late. The week following my birthday was unfortunately the (hopefully) last stressful day of the year...the final business review/annual planning. As I told CF and AT, this was Astoria multiplied a hundredfold! And as AD would say, ang stress ko lampas tao na!

But I digress; back to my birthday. Sorry if I let go of my trademark pensive mood for a second and revel in the blissful sentimentality of the moment.

A day prior to the big day, I was out on an all-day meeting so my presence was not felt at the office. By nightfall I found myself in Trinoma and I met up with CD to get something. We went around for a little shopping and had a pre-birthday dinner. We even bumped into PY who was on leave that day.

I went home and though I was anticipating some 12:01 messages, my body succumbed to the bliss of sleep.

I woke up with a start at 6AM. True enough both of my cellphones were overloaded with messages. I hastily replied to them and dressed for work. The phones were beeping every other minute so it took me longer than usual to be on the road.

I finally arrived at the office.

The sign at the door was expected. The chorus of greetings when I entered was expected. What I didn’t expect was the wall plastered with HAPPY BIRTHDAY in huge letters. It looks like a nursery school wall and it felt like my 7th birthday, minus the hat, confetti and boisterous classmates.

By the end of the day, BA and I went out to buy some food. MM was supposed to go with me but he conveniently disappeared. Later, MM will reveal that he went out with PY (cue in some teasing sounds) to get the pre-ordered cake, which was part of their surprise. The cake was so good that it was the first item to disappear on the table.

The cake has the numbers 30, 25 and 23 (the other two for CD and J). After the customary song, I quickly blew candle #25, much to the exasperation of CD who ended up blowing #30.

Then came another surprise courtesy of AD (obviously hers). It was an audiovisual presentation, a montage of sorts which started with the snippets of a celebrity (haha) and then a spectacle of pictures capturing the best of the recent moments. Thanks, AD! I know you went to great pains to pull that off. I just hope you enjoyed our birthday surprise to you as much.

My marketing family gave me a really cool shirt from Z. I loved it so much that I wore it the next day, sans washing. Good thing they got the size right.

Sorry for the self-promotion (it’s my birthday naman) but here are the messages that are worth immortalizing:

"Happy happy birthday. All the best and find joy in everyday and everything" - Name Withheld (the meaning is not in the message but in the sender, per se)

"Luv yah, Beej! We both know it doesn’t show but we both know it’s true. You are a dear, dear friend; part of my core being. I’m teary-eyed right now. It’s my deep desire for you to be part of my family which will happen when you become ninong to my firstborn. Bonus for me na pareho kayong November ang birthday." – from VDL (who just became a mom)

"Happy Birthday! I've noticed (not only me pala pati ibang tao) that you're back in the saddle again!" – Name Withheld

"You are one of most selfless and clever person I know. Hope this day will turn out to be one of your best!" – from R

"Sana ngayong birthday mo, mabawasan na ang mga Maribeth moments" – from P

"Super happy ako that I’m part of your celebration. You’re such a great mentor and a friend...plus a brother, hehe. All the best." – from C

"I’m glad to see you happier these past few months. Dapat lang noh!" – from B. The “happier” part was encircled by M with a comment: “True, so true” and then seconded by J with “Tama!”

"Thanks for guiding me in whatever question I may ask about work and life. Hope you will be happy always, as if it was your birthday." – from J

"Pinag-pray kita kay Papa Jezaz for good health and happiness. Thanks for everything, lolo!" – from L

"Hope you find your special someone na kasi you’re not getting any younger (re-iterate pa daw!) and para mas happier ka na" – from R

"Before the day ends, I want to wish you true happiness. Remember that happiness should not be dependent on anyone else. Happy birthday" – Name Withheld

"Happy bday! Oops, sori na-text brigade ko ito sa lahat. CC: GMA" – from T

"30 ka na! Settle down!" – follow-up from T


***

Last November 10, I had an advance birthday celebration with my elementary barkada (advance because R had to leave for Macau for her birthday... lucky you!). Despite my incessant plea not to inform the staff that it was my birthday, the cake they bought was a dead giveaway. So I ended up with a silly hat on my head and the staff singing happy birthday, much to my chagrin. Good thing it was late Monday night so there were only a few people around. Thanks for the fun and laughter, guys!

The weekend of my birthday was reserved for my family. We (minus my workaholic sister) spent time somewhere south. It was pretty tiring coz I was at the wheel most of the time but it was all worth the while.

Some shoutouts also to F who went to great lengths to give me and C some birthday surprises. Also to RL who returned from her hiatus to celebrate my birthday. Sana birthday ko everyday if that will be the reason for you to come back, hehe.

Finally, my shoutouts to MB who has become a tad jealous of the personalities that thrive on my blogs (kidding!). Hey buddy, you have been with me through Scylla and through Charybdis. We have proven that trust and true friendship transcends distance. I know I don’t say it much but you are one of the few reasons I am still here. Though you are miles away, your warmth feels like you are just at arm’s length and your presence is never too far...especially when I needed it most. You are one of the most understanding people that I ever allowed to penetrate my crumbling walls.

So there. This is probably my best birthday ever. If this is a sign of things to come, then life does begin at 30.


***

I could not have chosen a better birthday song. We have this tradition of appointing the #1 song on Billboard Hot 100 on your birthdat week as your theme song for the year to come. Mine this time is Live Your Life (T.I. feat Rihanna).

And yes, I certainly will.