The Scene Around: SYNC Music + Tech 2014

5/5/2014 8:09:30 AM

On April 27, musicians and music enthusiasts alike were treated by SPINNR indie to their event called SYNC: Music + Tech held during that hot Saturday afternoon at the Black Market in Makati City.

Yes, it was scorching hot that walking along the streets of Pasong Tamo for a second might cause you terrible sickness within the next few hours or so.

But that did not stop me anyway.

So I managed to register for the event itself, and braced myself for few hours of music and technology convergence.

Jimmy Ayson gave the welcome remarks at 4 pm, while Abby Borja tackled their brand, and Vida Sioson formally introduced the SPINNR’s independent music counterpart names SPINNR INDIE.

After the three corporate personnel took the podium and present themselves, talks from several artists and key music personnel such as Barbie Almalbis, Vin Dancel, and Francis Reyes took turns in sharing their knowledge in the music modernization thingy.

With Almalbis, a former Hungry Young Poets and Barbie’s Cradle vocalist, gracing the afternoon with her sets of “stompbox,” or the gadgets which guitarists used as “pedals.”

Mr. Mony Romana, Lee Grane and similarobjects also had their share of talks to numerous attendees.

Apparently, Grane, a singer/songwriter from the TV show The Voice, launched her single “Sana” during the event.

After the talk, dinner and drinks were already served as musicians Joee and I, Sinyma and similarobjects, delivered their performance acts to cap the night away.

Overall, it was a musically-packed full of information night for us. And not to mention, a perfect chillin' booze for the weekend. Well, I just wish there are lot of similar events. I mean, things like this. 'Cause we badly need it. Much support for the local underground scene.

(Post-script: shout outs to my blogger friends Clarenz Nixon, Axl Guinto, Sailor Star Catcher, Ron Mia and special thanks to Faudible for inviting me here.)

(Photo credits (All): SPINNR PH's Facebook album "SYNC: Music + Tech")

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Just My Opinion: Wrestemania XXX: Legacy Vs False Prophecy Round 1

5/5/2014 7:58:19 AM

So John Cena prevails, but another part of this plot will roll ‘til the Extreme Rules, eh? Some wrestling enthusiasts said their match with Bray Wyatt should have been the second best of the night.

And the flaws: They still lacked the much hype in compliance to their story line.

And maybe, I would agree with that.

The problem with Cena though is that he can really have the monster in him, but he doesn’t have to be driven out by his opponent just like that. Look, the Cenation leader may have defeated the Buzzards’ patriarch in terms of physique; but if we’re talking about mind games, it’s the other way around. I mean, Bray Wyatt is winning even more against him.

I know, some would say it’s scripted by nature. But believe me: his performance during the match was not just like one, it’s even more predictable.

And to save the least for the Wyatt Family’s head, I can only take a look at this clip and call it “the best trash-talking moment of the evening.”

Now, as I am writing the post, reports said John Cena lost to Bray Wyatt in their steel cage match at the Extreme Rules held Sunday evening (US Eastern Time) at the IZOD center. Well, I have yet to check out the entire match as long as the local carrier here in the country would provide its telecast.

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

State Witness? Seryoso??!

5/5/2014 8:52:34 AM

Maraming haka-haka na magiging state witness raw si Janet Lim-Napoles.

Ha? Seryoso?

Yan ay kung papayagan ni DOJ secretary Leila DeLima.

Isipin mo kasi, nag-confess ang fugitive businesswoman sa Justice secretary nung binisita siya nito noong nakaraang buwan. Aniya, dito niya dinetalye ang mga nalalalaman raw niya ukol sa PDAF scam. Pinangalanan din daw niya ang tatlong senador na sila…(teka, kailangan pa ba nating banggitin dito, eh usong-uso naman sa kamalayan natin ang tinatawag na ‘trail by publicity.’).

Pero, Napoles? Para magiging state witness? Tangina, nagpapatawa ka ba?

Ano na lang sasabihin ng iba sa sistema ng huradikatura natin nyan? Para namang nakaka-timang yan, mga ‘tol.

Isipin mo: si Napoles, magiging state witness?! Eh ‘di po ba siya ang tinaguriang “most guilty person” sa scam na to na nagkakahalaga ng sampung bilyong piso? At dahil sa most guilty siya, obvious na ang meaning nun – siya ang may pinakapuno’t dulo ng lahat ng kagaguhan sa kasalakuyan at pinakahuling kaganapan ng korapsyon.

At hindi counted sa argumentong ito ang magsasabi na “tao lang naman siya. Nagkakamali din. Baka gusto niyang baguhin ang lahat.”

Pero, ‘tol. Hindi lang too late ito. At wala naman tayo sa isang mediation o arraignment na lahat ay iaareglo na lang. Masaklap man sabihin, ang sistema ng  hudisyal natin ay nasa sa tipikal na hatol na kung saan ay may dalawang partido, at sa huli ang desisyon ay may isang guilty, na madalas ay nakataon sa taong nasasakdal.

Si Napoles, magiging state witness? Parang mas okay kung mas hahatulan na lang iya ng less sentence kung sakaling maparusahan siya. At least pag nagpakatotoo siya, pwede pa siyangma-immune, medyo okay pa. Pero dahil maypagkakasala siya sa mata ng batas, eh definitely kailangan niyang pagbayaran yun, sa ayaw man o sa gusto niya.

Mas marami pa daw siyang nalalaman kung ikukumpara sa mga sinabi ni Benbur Luy, ang pinaka-whistleblower ng kontrobersiyang ito. So ang sa lagay ba eh sinala din ni Luy angmga sinasabi niya?

Ganun? Ay, ewan.

Pero alam mo, hindi na rin kataka-taka kung ganun. Natural na ang mga pagkakataon tulad nito na mas maalam ang mga “culprit” kesa sa witness, dahil obviously, eh sila ang mas nakakalama ng kalokohan nila. Yun nga lang, at the same time, alam din nila kung ano ang sasabihin nila para lang makalusot sa batas.

Si Napoles, magiging state witness? Kung mangyayari yan, patunay lamang ito na ang pulitika at hustisya sa ating bansa ay parang paborito mong sitcom: as in moro-moro sila. Pwede ring WWE: as in sobrang scripted na. At pwede ring teleserye: masyado na nilang pinapahaba ang kwento, masyado nang predictable. At dahil sa kanila, ang buhay natin ay nagkakandaleche-leche na. nakakatawa kung ignorante at mangmang ka sa mga kaganapan sa bayan mo. Pero kung meron man at inili mong maging ‘wapakels’ pa rin, alam ko, nakakadismaya talaga.

Pero alam n'yo: malabo na rin talaga mangyari yan.

At kung sakaling maging totoo man yan , as in si Napoles, naging isang ganap na “state witness?” Putangina, parang masasabi na lang niya sa parte n’ya ay…. “BOOM PANESS!”

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Just My Opinion: WrestleMania XXX: Breaking The Streak

5/5/2014 7:49:14 AM

(Yes, apparently, this is a very super duper late post) 

Who could have though the streak would come to an end…his way? Well, if you wonder and asked “what the hell am I taking about?” better check out this video.

Yes, of all the men who tried to stop Mark William Calaway, it was only Brock Lesnar who went successful in defeating him. After 22 years.

Calaway, known popularly as the wrestler “The Undertaker,” has been on a roll since his very first WrestleMania match in 1991. Several superstars from the past have tried to contain him, but to no avail. Even the likes of Shawn Michaels (who battled the Taker twice), and even Triple H (thrice) can’t weather the deadliest storm, with that horrific entrance regardless if there’s a bunches of smog-liked smoke, fire, horrendous acts or gestures, and even coffins.

But the Deadman, 49, already crossed paths with Lesnar, a 36-year old from Minneapolis, numerous times during their career. And specifically it happened during the WWE’s “Attitude era,” and even during one of Lesnar’s fights at the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

And frankly speaking, it was Lesnar who lord over the Undertaker way back then. So, shifting a few years in a fast-forward speed, if everyone (including yours truly) shocked on his sudden loss, there’s a reason to back it up.

Or maybe, it was the Taker who wants to put his streak into an end, just like his revelations during his matches against Tripe H a few years back.

Let’s face it: age plays a different factor here. Plus the almost five-decade old boxer from Death Valley is now just a “part-timer” with the WWE. Like it’s a sign to either retire from playing the sport. 

Maybe it’s really a “high time.”

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

The Pre-Take: Extreme Rules

5/3/2014 10:29:10 PM

As much as everything goes stale for me in the pro wrestling world (specifically I haven’t even wrote my separate takes for the battles for this past Wrestlemania), here are my predictions for WWE Extreme Rules 2014:

- John Cena still prevails over Bray Wyatt in that steel cage match; 'cause pulling off a disappointment can make fans boycott the entire event. But the overturn can still occur, if the Wyatt patriarch uses his physical strength the same as his mind power).

- El Torito will win over Hornswoggle, and that’s another battle for the fans. But, ugh. Seriously?!

- Big E still retains his Intercontinental Championship belt. And no wonder why. All it takes is a neutralizer to a bad news (but hey, Wade Barrett's entertaining though)

- Paige would most likely retain her title as the Diva’s champ over Tamina. But definitely this should be a one heck-of-a-fight considering Superfly’s daughter has always been a strongest contender for the title.

- Daniel Bryan will win it again over Kane. It’s always been like that. Daniel Bryan’s always been a both monster and warrior. He’s on his very toughest and best form. Well, I hope things would not get more over-rated though.

- Cesaro will prevail in their triple threat match against Rob Van Dam and Jack Swagger. Let’s face it. The new Heyman guy may be a heel, but he got the talents of a perennial superstar right now.

- Xavier Woods and R-Truth should have made the contest a “no hold barred” if they want to crush Alexander Rusev. ‘Cause on a very normal 2-vs-1 battle, there’s only a little chance they would lord over the super-athlete.

- Evolution may have the enriched number of experience, but the Shield would stand over the vets once again. They had done that against Kane and the New Age Outlaws on Wrestlemania. Chances are, Reigns might be the destructive force to be reckoned if we’re talking about individual talent here.

Overall, the event looks like a bust when it comes to stipulations. Somehow, the event title match gives a bit of justice, plus there is a steel cage battle, handicap clash and a triple threat match. I just hope Extreme Rules wouldn't turn to be a total bummer unlike the previous pay-per-view events with exception to WrestleMania XXX!

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Blockbuster Daw

5/3/2014 12:56:45 PM

Masyado na namang tumaas ang dugo ng marami nung may nasabi ang aleng ito sa kanyang panayam sa bidang aktor ng the Amazing Spiderman 2.

Ayon sa  panayam ni Kris Aquino kay Andrew Garfield, tinalo ng pelikulang My Little Bossings, na pinagbibidahan rin ng kanayang anak na si Bimby, ang pelkulang The Amazing Spiderman.

Wehh, teka nga!  Tama ba 'tong nabasa ko? Tinalo ng MLB ang Spiderman?

Yan ay kung sa highest first-day gross box office ang usapan. Ibig sabihin, kung pataasan lang naman ng kita ang usapan.

Ganun? Oo, ganun na ganun nga.

Ang statement na ito ay luamabs sa artikulo ng ABS-CBN News mismo, at pinuck-up na rin ng samu’t saring mga news portal at mga blog site na may kinalaman sa showbiz at ultimong national news. "Actually he (Bimby) was supposed to say 'that the first-day gross of his movie in the Philippines actually beats Spider-Man. Our movie holds the record for the highest first-day gross. It's called 'My Little Bossings.' In English, 'My Little Bosses.' It's a comedy, it was shown on Christmas Day'." 

At isang tanong ang pumasok sa isipan ko bigla: “EH ANO NGAYON?”

Pero isa ba itong balidong bagay para ipagmayabang? Sa tingin ko ang pagkumpara ng MLB para sa isang amazing na pelikulang gaya ng Spiderman ay isang malaking kagaguhan. Este, sorry, unfair pala.

At kahit sabihin ni Garfield (wala siyang kinalaman sa isang pusanggalang, este, pusa na comic character) na “Fantastic. Well, congratulations,” parang nakakaoffend naman yata yun sa part nila. As in napaka-humiliating lang. Hindi dahil sa parang natamaan ang ego ng international film scene, pero sa iba pang malalaim na dahilan.

Parang, isang comedy film na ampaw naman sa kwento at halatang ginawa for the sake na kumita lang (base sa piling mga movie reviewer), tinalo ang isang comic-based na pelikula na may mabentang visual effects at plot twist?

Siguro, kung ikaw yung ininterview na artista, baka ito lang ang masabi mo:

Photo credits: Facebook

Tama, who cares? Or should I say who the fuck cares?

Ay, “Pinoy pride” ba ang rebuttal sa ganyan? Lokohin n’yo nga ako, oy. Ano naman ang ikapi-Pinoy Pride sa ganitong usapan?  Na isang pipitsuging pelikula na pinalabas lanag naman dito sa archipelago ng republika ng Pilipinas, ay tinalo ang isang pelikula na worldwide ang distribution, pagdating sa kita?

At teka, may anggulo bang gawa ito ng mga tinatawag na “spin doctors?” Yung mga tao na pini-PR ang mga sikat sa balita para lang mapag-usapan sila? So ang sa lagay ba ay attention-seeker ang lola mo? Ganun?

At sa totoo lang, unfair talaga. Parang masasabi mo na lang ay “how dare you?!” Oo, how dare na i-compare ang isang pelikula na clearly ay may purpose para magpatawa kesa sa isang pelikula na may kwento at tema na angkop para sa lahat? As in tama bang ikumpara ang dalawang ‘to?

Ugh. Tangina naman. Give me a break!

Sinabi ko na ito ilang araw ang nakalilipas, kaya kumita ang MLB sa unang araw nito ay dahil sa kalahok ito sa Metro Manila Film Festival. At ang patimpalak na yun ay ginaganap twing araw ng Pasko, which barely means na technically ay walang pasok ang karamihan kaya madalas na posibleng mangyari ay puno talaga ang mga mall at sinehan noong araw na mga yun.

At ayon na rin sa isang batikang director na si Jose Javier Reyes, ang MMFF ay pang-komersyo na lamang. Sa madaling sabi, kung naghahanap ka ng pelikula na sa tingin mo ay ikaangat ng Philippine cinema sa pamamagitan ng sining at literaturang nakapaloob rito, aba’y wag ka nang umasa pa.

Ikumpara mo ang outcome ng MLB sa isang pelikulang gaya ng The Amazing Spiderman, na una ay international na palabas; pangalawa, halaw sa franchise ng Marvel comics; pangatlo, hindi naman sumasali sa mga film competitions; at pang-apat, hindi tinatakda ang showing sa isang napakadefinite na panahon na siguradong papatok sa marami?

Ang sinasabi ko: pag Pasko, most likely ay kikita ang mga commercially-driven films. Whereas kung ikumpara mo yan sa mga ordinaryng araw, kahit makipagtalo ka pa at sabihin na naglalabas naman sila ng petsa eh. Hindi garantiya yun. Dahil may iba dyan na same tactic nga ang ginawa pero hindi naman naggo-gross o hindi kumikita.

At kung ganun pa rin ang argumento na tinalo pa rin ng Pinoy ang banyaga sa box office, isa lang ibig sabihin nito: masyado na tayong gumagastos sa mga bagay na nagbibigay lang sa atin ng pansamantalang ligaya kesa sa mag-invest para sa mga bagay na ikauunlad ng buhay natin.

Panahon na yata para either lumevel-up ang Philippine cinema o ilagay sa katinuan ang panlasa natin.

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Lookback: Batch 2011

5/1/2014 7:44:45 PM

It’s been three years since this episode aired on Philippine television; and of course, yours truly, was one of those million (should I say) college graduates from batch 2011.

And since it’s Labor Day, and by coincidence... a Thursday (or should I say... #ThrowbackThursday), let’s take a trip back to 2011 and review this episode once again.

Say, it’s not just the same old format the show that I missed the most. It’s just I realized that… hey, time flies really fast, huh? It’s like I remembered watching this episode during the last and numbered days of my student life, was 20 years old way back then, and was totally inactive on the blogosphere yet.

It’s only today when I managed to pull this stuff at all; ‘cause I feel that even if it’s already 2014, people of younger generations, specifically the fresh graduates and even those a bit elders, are still struggling to lure a working opportunity of their own.

And even yours truly experienced them all, since it’s only late 2012 when I managed to be employed for the first time in my existence.

At the moment, I can say the search for another job was already over; since I finally managed to get over the hump by acing that final interview blues recently (so I’ll say “congratulations to myself, hehehe!).

But anyway, specifically for the “struggling ones” out there, I hope this episode from Aksyon TV’s defunct socio-cultural talk show Tayuan Mo! At Panindigan might help you to be aware of what the employment-seeking situation in the country was all about. Yes, even ‘a bit.’

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions