Lately, I've been tagging along with my parents when they go out and have some drinks and listen to live bands. That's how my social life has been the past few days. Hehehe! It can be fun. I just enjoy the free food and drinks!
Our latest night out was at the opening of Boy Katindig's Jazz Café. We went there in support of my parents' friend Skarlet who was a guest singer that night. She's the front woman of the popular 90's band Put3ska which was known for their song "Manila Girl."
Fortunately I had camera with me. I didn't miss the opportunity to take some pictures of the well-applauded Skarlet.
This is really interesting! And my answer says so much about me being an old soul. As far as I know, the first musician I saw live was Barry Manilow! Hehehehe!
My mom is a fanilow so when she learned that Barry Manilow was going to perform live in Manila, she didn't think twice about getting tickets. She got really good seats for her and dad.
At the day of the concert, she learned that my uncle and aunt were supposed to go too, but had to cancel. So they decided to give us the tickets. My parents had better seats, though. It was my first time to watch a concert and I really didn't get the idea. I was a grade schooler back then. I was annoyed with the people standing on their seats and screaming. I was covering my ears for the whole duration of the concert! Had I known that I would also be a fanilow later on in life, I would've swapped seats with my dad! During the intermission, my mom checked up on us and she found me silly for covering my ears. I'm sure they still remember the story until now.
Just want to share videos of my sister Ate Shy (guitar) and her friend Bess (vocals) performing some songs during their visit to Manila. They just left going back to the States yesterday morning.
Here they are singing "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts.
Playing a beautiful Tagalog praise song "Pinupuri."
I tell you, the two Davids are amazingly talented! If you think they're good on record, they're even better live! I'm originally, and still am, an Archie fan, but I've been Cookified and blown away by the elder David's performances. They entertained the crowd of about 40,000 by powerfully singing cuts from their album.
David Archuleta's genre leans toward pop and he proved to be a promising artist. As fans expected, he sang A Little Too Not Over You and Crush, which are the hits from his album. But my personal favorite is his version of the Stand By Me / Beautiful Girls medley. I was surprised it was even part of his repertoire, but he did an excellent job! It was really fun watching David Archuleta on stage. His voice quality was superb and it was matched with his vibrant personality. Anyone watching him will have a great time. I obviously did!
David Cook, on the other hand, took everyone's breath away with his solid performances. I just had to see him sing Always Be My Baby live, and he didn't fail his fans. His every performance was powerful. It seemed effortless.
The guy knows how to work the audience. He went down the stage, grabbed two digital cameras from the audience and took pictures of himself! Lucky those people were!
I know I should stop describing everything and just show you the videos I took. Here they are:
David Archuleta sings one of his hits, A Little Too Not Over You.
My favorite, David Archuleta sings Stand By Me and Beautiful Girls.
David Cook sings Always Be My Baby.
To those who weren't able to watch the concert, the next time they come here to the Philippines to perform, don't miss it!
P.S.
Here's Mr. Archuleta thanking his fans for coming to the concert:
Aside from the victory of Manny Pacquiao during his bout against Ricky Hatton, one of the most talked about issues, in the Philippines at least, is Martin Nievera's rendition of the Philippine National Anthem - Lupang Hinirang. Admittedly, I am one of those who do not approve of his version. Like what many experts have said, I believe the national anthem should be sung in its simplest form so that other Filipinos can sing along.
On the other hand, in the context of his performance, Martin Nievera had no intention to disrespect the anthem. His performance clearly showed his virtuosity as a singer, and that is probably his way of expressing his pride. I don't think he deserved to be booed for that.
Singing the national anthem differently for one's in the pursuit of manifesting pride is forgivable, but a Filipino singing the national anthem of another country is not. More so if it was sung in public. And I'm talking about Charice Pempengco who recently sang Star-Spangled Banner at the Dodgers vs. Giants game.
I'll understand that she might be too young to be sensitive about nationalism and the like, but at least her handlers should have known better. I have no doubts that Charice in an exceptional singer. She wouldn't have performed alongside world renowned artists like David Foster and Celine Dion if she wasn't. It is just very inappropriate to sing the national anthem of the United States, if you are not an american. It is tantamount to saying "I'm an American," when you are not. This goes for all countries too. At this time, I doubt if Charice has a U.S. passport.
What we can learn from these instances is to sing your national anthem appropriately with honor and gusto whenever you have the chance to. Sing Lupang Hinirang during flag ceremonies, before the last full show of a movie starts or at the beginning of a cultural performance. The national anthem is more than just a song. It is our declaration of being Filipino. It is a commitment to uplift our country and our people.
This afternoon, I bought our tickets to the David Cook and David Archuleta Concert! Yay! I'm not a die-hard fan of the two, but what makes this concert more special is that this is the first time I'll be going to a concert with friends - my closest friends to be exact. Too bad the others in the group won't be able to come along. Just the same, I'm sure this will be so much fun!
We agreed to get reserved seats because we can't go to the venue way too early just to get decent seats. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if seats I got are good enough. Hehehehe! I didn't really have a choice, anyway.
Kristy and Pao, this is it! Hahaha! See you at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds!
P.S. In case it rains, I'm hoping expecting the organizers have a plan B. Or better yet, they should have the area covered.
I cannot contain my excitement for two of my favorites that are set to be released this June. Paul Potts's second album, Passione, is scheduled for release in UK on the first of June (might be later for the Philippines), and The Sims 3, one of the most successful video games of all time, will be made available a day after the release of Passione.
Both items can already be pre-ordered, but unfortunately, not in the Philippines. I'm just hoping that I'd get my hands on them the moment they're released here.
Click here for information on Passione, and here for The Sims 3.
The Philippine King of Rap, Francis Magalona passed away today. It was announced in Eat Bulaga, the variety show in which he was one of the hosts, that he lost his "happy battle" with leukemia.
I am not a fan of rap. I don't have any personal affiliations with him either. The closest I could get to Francis M.'s life was being a classmate of his son way back in grade school during my early Ateneo days. But from the little knowledge that I knew about him, I can say that he truly loved the Philippines and being Filipino.
He composed songs that speak of Pinoy pride, and together with his colleagues, he was able to establish a clothing company (FMCC) that merchandises Filipino-themed apparel aiming to "Filipinize the world." He always spoke of the faith that he had so much of the Philippines. His urban patriotism (as he would coin it) is something every Filipino should emulate.
As I continued reading his blog, I realized that we could learn from him the optimism and joy that fought his illness with. Despite the unfortunate condition that he suffered from, he continued to radiate a happy disposition.
We need more Francis M.'s in this world. Individuals with burning passion armed with positivity.
May he rest in peace.
Readers, I leave you with my favorite song of Francis Magalona - Kaleidoscope World.
The countdown to 2009 starts now. In just twenty four hours a new year will begin. I am very excited to welcome the new year as it will open another chapter in my life. Aside from the January being my birth month, It will be a chance for me to continue experiencing life. I am very optimistic about this coming year despite all things that seem to be unfavorable. I know It will be another year full of surprises, joy and laughter, with challenges to endure, and risks to take.
Speaking of risks, I made a recording dedicated to everyone, especially to my readers (if I do have), in celebration of year 2009. This is not much, and may very well destroy my reputation and be the cause of abandonment of this blog by netizens, but I have put all my efforts to make it sound as pleasing as possible. If you can't take it, you can click on the pause button anytime. Hahahaha!
To make my last post for year 2008 memorable (and most probably a disaster), here is my very own version of "It's Just Another New Year's Eve."
I am currently listening to Martin Nievera's new Christmas album, "My Christmas List." I just need to add more Christmas elements to my environment and this could be the perfect soundtrack this year's Christmas.
The album has a good mix of foreign and locally composed songs including Christmas favorites "Give Love On Christmas Day," "White Christmas," "My Grown Up Christmas List," "It's Just Another New Year's Eve," and the Pinoy Christmas song of all time "Pasko Na Sinta Ko."
For your listening pleasure, here's Martin Nievera's version of "My Grown Up Christmas List":
Lately, I've been tagging along with my parents when they go out and have some drinks and listen to live bands. That's how my social life has been the past few days. Hehehe! It can be fun. I just enjoy the free food and drinks! 
