LEE HI - 1.2.3.4

This is too good not to be shared. Might be one of my favorite YG tracks this year.

I've got a feeling

I'm still sucky about doing these art journals. I'm now thinking that it's just scrapbooking without the pictures?

I just finished watching the anime Beck and reading its continuation in the manga. Despite my current love of K-Pop, I initially was a rock fan due to my older brother's influence. Watching Beck made me revisit that and I've got this song from the Beck OST stuck on my head. Originally by The Beatles, I've Got A Feeling is just really upbeat and mellow at the same time. The contrasting lines of the song just fits what I'm feeling at the moment. Yeah, your life has its ups and downs... but everybody does. Just chill.

I wish I could sing it live just like what Beck did at Greatful Sound. How cool was that?

Everyone's a hero in their own way...

It's August 29 and here in the Philippines, it's National Heroes Day.

Well, no disrespect to Bonifacio, Rizal, and company... but whenever this time of year comes around, I always end up watching this video.

It's a snippet from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog which was created by one of the people I use the "I'm not worthy" bow move to - Joss Whedon. If you haven't watched the whole series, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? DO IT RIGHT NOW! I swear, you won't regret it. It's classic.

Back to the video... it's performed by Nathan Fillion who you usually see in the awesome TV show Castle nowadays. His character's a pretty smarmy guy, but once you get past the insulting words, you'll find there's an honest to goodness message in the song. It's freaking fun. I think I'm going to watch it again now.

Check out the lyrics below and feel free to sing-along.

Everyone's A Hero

It may not feel too classy

Begging just to eat

But you know who does that? Lassie

And she always gets a treat

So you wonder what your part is

Because you’re homeless and depressed

But home is where the heart is

So your real home’s in your chest

Everyone’s a hero in their own way

Everyone’s got villains they must face

They’re not as cool as mine

But folks you know it’s fine to know your place

Everyone’s a hero in their own way

In their own not-that-heroic way

So I thank my girlfriend Penny

Yeah, we totally had sex

She showed me there’s so many

Different muscles I can flex

There’s the deltoids of compassion

There’s the abs of being kind

It’s not enough to bash in heads

You’ve got to bash in minds

Everyone’s a hero in their own way

Everyone’s got something they can do

Get up go out and fly

Especially that guy he smells like poo

Everyone’s a hero in their own way

you and you and mostly me and you

I’m poverty’s new sherrif

And I’m bashing in the slums

A hero doesn’t care if you’re a bunch of scary

alcoholic bums

(everybody!)

Everyone’s a hero in their own way

Everyone can blaze a hero’s trail

Don’t worry if it’s hard,

if you’re not a friggin ‘tard you will prevail

Everyone’s a hero in their own way

Everyone a hero in their –

Hanging On

I'm not sure if this song - "Hanging On" by Cheyenne Kimball - ever became popular here in the Philippines or other countries. Whenever I tell anyone about this song, they just give me quizzical looks and only show a mild interest when I mentioned Idol alum Jason Castro is in the music video.

It's a pity. Everyone should take note of the lyrics of this song.

The words may be simple, but it is definitely relate-able. When I was going through a rough patch in my life, I would often turn the radio in my car out loud and rock out to the song. (Of course, I did this when I was driving alone!) It helped me put things in perspective and made me feel optimistic of my situation.

I listened to it on the car again today, a few years later... 

And it still made me sing out loud. 

"I've had a bad day... I'm going to laugh about it." :D

***

HANGING ON

Cheyenne Kimball

I've had a bad day
And nothing ever seems to go my way
I've got a heartache
Don't wanna think about it

And everytime I try to smile, I cry, so
I'll just hide my face
Get out of my way
Don't wanna talk about it

And I'll be fine
I just need some time

[Chorus]
I'm hanging on today
And nothing's gonna stop me, anyway
I'm holding on, I'm strong
I'm the only one who can make it change
I don't wanna cry
Gotta live my life
I'm gonna make it alright
I'm hanging on and nothing's gonna stop me, anyway

I went the wrong way
But I'm not lost, it's a good mistake
I saw the day break
I'm gonna shout about it

Oh, and everytime I turn around
I find that, I'm alone again
I've had a bad day
I'm gonna laugh about it

And I'll be fine
I'm gonna be alright

[Chorus]
I'm hanging on today (today, yeah)
And nothing's gonna stop me, anyway
I'm holding on, I'm strong (I'm strong)
I'm the only one who can make it change
I don't wanna cry
Gotta live my life
I'm gonna make it alright
I'm hanging on and nothing's gonna stop me,
Nothing's gonna stop me

When I feel lonely
I feel like I'm floating
Nothing is real
I'm above it all
I'm above it
I'm above it all

[Chorus]
I'm hanging on today
And nothing's gonna stop me, anyway
I'm holding on, I'm strong
I'm the only one who can make it change
I don't wanna cry
Gotta live my life
I'm gonna make it alright
I'm hanging on and nothing's gonna stop me, anyway

I've had a bad day

Waiting on Mr. Mayer

Ask me who my favorite poet is and I won't say Robert Frost or Walt Whitman. Mine goes by the name of John Clayton Mayer and he's a Grammy-winning musician.

Sure, he's produced lyrics like "Your body is a wonderland..." but this guy is also capable of giving us lines that make me think, "Man, I know exactly what he means... but he just said it better than I ever could." I never get tired of listening to his words and music and somehow, each of his songs resonate at some point in my life.

Mr. Mayer removed himself from Twitter stating that he wanted to focus on making new music, and things have been generally quiet from him (save from a tabloid article or two). Now, there are rumors that he's going to release an album this year entitled Born And Raised. I've also been checking up on YouTube where videos of him performing new songs on small stages have been popping up. Waiting has been hard, but from the sounds of these songs, it's going to be one heck of an album.

Here are only some of his new unrecorded songs that might appear on the album:

1. Born and Raised (Obviously the title track, if the rumors are true)

"And all at once
It gets hard to take
It gets hard to fake what I won't be..."

2. Something Like Olivia

"I keep thinking something like Olivia
Is what I need to find

Now I'm not trying to steal
No lover away from no man..."

3. Whiskey Whiskey Whiskey

"Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Water, water, water
Sleep
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey
Wake up, shake it off
And repeat..."

 

4. The Age of Worry

"No your fight is not within,
Yours is with your timing
Dream your dreams but don't pretend
Make friends with what you are..."

5. Love Is A Verb

"When you show me love, I don't need your words
Yeah, love ain't a thing, love is a verb..."

6. A Face To Call Home

"I am an architect
Of days that haven't happened yet..."

7. Shadow Days

"I'm a good man with a good heart

Had a tough time, got a rough start

And I finally learned to let it go

Now I'm right here, and I'm right now

And I'm hoping, knowing somehow

That my shadow days are over

My shadow days are over now..."

8. Everything You'll Ever Be



*I'm just going to put the whole song's lyrics here because I just love this whole song so much.

Beautiful, I watch you try,
To see yourself through other's eyes.
But mirrors are a losing game,
They only show you backwards anyway.

The magic and the misery,
Come and go so easily.
But everything you'll ever be,
You already are to me.

And you were only five years old,
Playing princess in your mother's clothes.
Could you feel me standing next to you,
With my plastic sword and playground shoes.

Saying "If my dear I'm wrong somehow,
May dragons come and fell me now.
'Cause everything you'll ever be,
You already are to me."

Why, I don't know why.
I don't know why you think you need to do it.
How, I don't know how.
I don't know how but I just sit back and I see my way right through it.

When the memories are ten feet tall,
Throwing shadows on your bedroom wall.
When you pull the shades and kill the lights,
Will you hear me singing out tonight?
Will you hear me singing out tonight?

Days are long and words are cruel,
But they won't get the best of you.
'Cause everything you'll ever be,
You have always been to me.
Always been to me.

***

Video credits:
1-4 from violetskyye
5-8 from chaferbud

1:43 - time to give OPM a chance

Regardless of your nationality, I think we all have a love-hate relationship with our country. Don't get me wrong - I love my country, but there are just some things that you hate about it, too.

Well, one thing that I don't particularly wholeheartedly approve of is the debuting Pinoy groups who seem like they're trying to ride in the current KPOP craze but, unfortunately, seem to keep missing the bus and going to corny land.

I'm a fan of KPOP - not all of it - but most parts of that entire industry. They audition and they train and train HARD. They go through years of practice and have so much discipline. It's no wonder that compared to the groups here in the Philippines that look like they were just picked out of mall and haphazardly put together, our locals just seem so lacking that there's even no competition.

I don't consider myself as a snob. In my defense, I have tried to watch previous groups' attempts at replicating KPOP magic but so far, had been bitterly disappointed by their efforts. I had even posted a long, and in my opinion, constructive comment at one of the group's company homepage. Okay, yes - maybe I was a little detailed in what they should and should not do, but I did it for their best interests. It didn't matter anyway, since my post didn't even see the light of day and the group, as far as I know, has also faded into obscurity. 

Group after group had tried to overcome the immediate bias we KPOP fans have over them. Corny song. Bad dance moves. Ugly styling. One thing, though - our people can sing. No one can't take that away from Filipinos. But other than that? All we needed was Cherry Gil to haughtily tell them that they were nothing but second-rate, trying hard, copycats.

And so, last Wednesday, as I attended a free concert in Ayala Triangle Gardens, I mentally braced myself to watch this group called 1:43 (One Forty-Three) who, before that night, I have never heard of before.

 1:43 (One Forty-Three)

I had no plans of listening or even staying that long to watch their performance, but thanks to their enthusiastic fans who cheered loudly (with pompoms!) whenever their name was mentioned, my curiosity was piqued. Who were these guys to inspire that kind of response from these people?

All these and warning bells were sounding in my head as I prepared to watch their performance. And then they came in.

What a surprise.

Okay, not really that much, but still... hmm... not bad. Or, at least, not horribly bad.

At first glance, 1:43 could pass off as a wannabe Korean male idol group, being styled like such with the hair, the clothes, and their looks which screamed oriental.

But they came in and sang in FILIPINO. Straight Filipino so props for that. The song, Para Kang (I guess translated to: You're like...) was upbeat and refreshing. It almost sounds like it could be sung by a band. Sort of retro, but still... with the proper promotion and marketing, I can see it being a hit. Sure it was sugary sweet, but hello? Don't tell me we don't hear songs like that from KPOP groups too. Translate the lyrics and you'll probably end up with the same thing. And it's not just me who thought so. I looked over to my cousin and she also concurred that the song wasn't bad.

1:43 Para Kang (Audio Teaser)

The singing, no question, was really good, if it indeed was live. I really don't know about these things but I'm pretty sure they did. And well, Filipinos and singing talent, there is no questioning that.

After Para Kang, they sang PiNK which was really Pag-ibig Na Kaya? (trans: Is it love?) abbreviated. Oookay. LOL. Actually, really ingenious I admit. Come on, give the guys a break. Who are we to criticize when KPOP has produced such wonderful titles as LaChata, NuABO, Bonamana, etc.? Regardless of the title, the song was also good. Huh - was what I thought. Surprise, surprise again.

1:43: PiNK (Pag-ibig Na Kaya?) OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO in HD feat. MYRUS

They only sang those two songs, but I was impressed by the group. Yes, they do have a lot (and I do mean A LOT) of room for improvement, but this was the first group I've seen that didn't make me want to immediately go in a tirade of anti comments. They just have to work on choreography (calling fellow Pinoy Shaun Evaristo!), styling, and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD MAKE A DECENT MUSIC VIDEO. I've always wondered how we can win advertising awards and totally suck at making music videos. Is it a budget thing? I didn't even graduate from film school and I had about 10 ideas on how to make the MV better as I was watching it.

While I am not about to become a 1:43 fangirl, I will have to keep an eye and ear for this group. If I was a fairy godmother, I would totally wave a magic wand and make good things happen to them, but all I can do now is sincerely wish them good luck and ask everyone to give them a chance, or at least (haha) their time of day.

***

Facebook Page:1:43 Boyband
FanClubSite: Time4Love
Twitter: @onefortythree

If I could talk... but I can't - my voice is hoarse from all the screaming

WARNING: Extremely long post ahead... Documenting this for posterity. :)

Roughly about 72 hours before I am writing this, I was at NAIA Terminal 1 with hundreds of my fellow Filipino Blackjacks and Applers holding a tattered, crumpled piece of paper saying "HELLO DARA." But my fangirl experience of 2NE1's first concert in Manila didn't start there. It started exactly a month ago at SM Makati where a group of us basically camped out in front of the ticket counter waiting to buy our 2NE1: The Party tickets.

I was at SM Makati even before the store opened and shouldered my way in when the guards finally opened the door. Despite all that, I was the third person in line. I thought, "Well, it's okay. It's not as if the seats are going to be sold that quickly and I doubt this will take the whole day." I still had a lot of work scheduled after buying the tickets  but when the lady at the counter informed us that the tickets aren't available yet, I could see my well-laid plans going "poof" like smoke.

At first we were strangers, but slowly everyone began talking with each other - who their biases were, what seats they were going to buy, how they skipped work just to be there and buy the tickets... We were a striking crowd - though not really that many, just about 12 or so - and the SM Management sent out a person to talk to us and convince us to leave. We adamantly refused to do so. No way were we leaving without a 2NE1 ticket on our hands. An elderly woman from SM was even laughing at us, thinking us foolish probably and we were also mistaken for Justin Bieber fans. We endured it all - standing for hours when they wouldn't let us sit on the floor and the repeated calls to the Ticketnet office bugging just when the tickets were going to be available. Each of us did our part to get some news. I was searching for news on Twitter and reporting about the rumored release times until finally the tickets were available for sale.

I was there at 10 AM and I think I got my tickets around 4 PM. As soon as I got home, I put them in a ziplock bag and locked it on a strongbox.

June 10, 2011. Early day at SM Mall of Asia (MOA) where we all assembled to go to the airport and meet 2NE1 as soon as they land in Manila. As it was only a spur of the moment decision to join the welcome crew, I didn't have a banner with me. Thankfully, a DGH admin gave out construction papers so we could make last-minute ones. (Side note: My cousin lent her highlighter to someone and never got it back. She's asking me for it, but I told her it's a lost cause now.)

Courtesy of DGH again, we boarded a FX taxi to go to the airport. Our group were separated from the first two vans and we were brought to the Departure area instead of the arrivals. It was all so confusing - the guard was being stubborn and blocking us from crossing what was basically just a 2 meter distance. Thankfully we were able to meet up with the rest of the Blackjacks but there was still some confusion about where exactly was the best position to see and meet the girls.

While there, we met a guy who I refer to as the expert in stalking in airports. He even had a map of the airport in his phone! After a few discussions, it was decided that we would go to the left side of the VIP arrivals area.

When we arrived there, the MYX camera crew was already there and, of course, I quickly tried to hide my face. I now understand all the fans who I saw on the videos during the Jaebum scandal and why they were wearing masks to hide their faces. It's not that I was ashamed of being a 2NE1 fan, it was just that I was supposed to be somewhere else... most probably at work. Haha...

When 2NE1's caravan passed by, I admit that I was disappointed. All that trouble and all I saw was a black van. I wasn't even able to see the moment when they opened the door briefly for the fans.

Wanting to be ahead of the crowd who will surely be competing for a taxi, my cousin and I started to flag down a taxi. A trio of teens from Cavite asked us about Intercon and we informed them that it was in Makati. At that time, we really didn't have clear plans to go to Intercon. I had a half-baked idea of hanging around Greenbelt since I was hoping that they would eat there was Dara did during her last two stays in the Philippines. But serendipity was at work. A bus that was going to pass by the Ayala MRT station came and we waved the trio to come with us. 

I finally got to rest my feet but it wasn't too long before we arrived in Makati. My original intention was just to take or guide the trio to the Intercon. But, as we got at hotel entrance, lo and behold - Jjangmae manager was there! I was a little starstruck! Haha... I think that was really the moment when I realized that 2NE1 was really here. I made a little wave but I doubt he noticed it. We went to the small crowd hanging at the entrance and we asked them if they were able to see 2NE1. They said yes and showed us pictures as proof. Frustrated the hell out of me because the hotel was so freaking close to my house and I should've waited there instead of the airport and saved myself all the trouble and have nothing to show for it. Sigh. Anyway. I wasn't going to make the same mistake. We were stalking the hotel and that's that.

Our patience was rewarded when around 2 PM, 2NE1 left the hotel to go to Araneta for rehearsals. Armed with my pathetic digital camera and the aforementioned HELLO DARA banner, I jockeyed my way to get into position to get a clear view of Dara.

Honestly, when they came out - it was only Dara who I clearly saw. I saw her smile and I was so happy. I think I was a little starstruck because I really don't know what was in my head that moment. Anyway, I saw CL's teddy bear and Minzy's side profile and her cute haircut. Bom came out afterwards and I was able to focus on her since there wasn't Dara or the other girls to take away my attention. LOL She looked so lost, probably overwhelmed by all the fans waiting for her outside.

As Bom made her way to the van, the group ran after her and a fan slipped on the wet pavement (it briefly rained earlier). I stopped to ask her if she was okay and I don't know what happened after that because all I knew was I was also at the side of the van and doing the Sandara wave at the tinted black van.

Their van left and everyone started their OMG-ing amongst themselves. I saw one of them crying, overwhelmed by the experience. And that was it. My cousin and I decided to go home. I wasn't going to be greedy. I got what I came for. I saw Dara and it was worth it. Of course, it would have been better for a face to face, one on one encounter, but as a fan - you can never be satisfied so just take what you can get.

The reality of the day finally made itself know when we were halfway home. Hot damn, but my feet and legs hurt! We had to stop at and sit for awhile because I didn't know how I could still walk.

That night, I slept the deep sleep of the tired.

June 4, 2011. We arrived at Araneta around 1 PM. Unfortunately, We Love Dara t-shirts were all out. That's what I get for getting there late! But the DGH peeps were still kind enough to give us a ziplock bag of M&Ms. I tell you, I was really grateful because I have been jonesing for sweets the whole day. I was also late to buy 2NE1 lightsticks. Just how late was I? Only about a minute late. The last two pieces were just being paid when we arrived at the booth. We went around the booths but since it was mostly Super Junior goods, we decided to just stroll in Gateway Mall since it was my first time there.

Around 2 PM, we had some Yang Chow fried rice and chicken at North Park, very near the gate entrance where we could see that there was already a long line. After eating, my two companions who had Upper B tickets got in line while I, who had a reserved seat in the Lower Box area strolled around, trying to kill time.

After wasting time trying on clothes in several shops in Gateway, I made my way to the booths. Nothing had changed - the lightsticks were still sold out or reserved. I met fellow Applers and Dara fans who were at the airport welcoming group and we chatted a bit about our experiences. Then, all of a sudden, there was a disturbance in the crowd. We quickly made our way to the 2NE1PH booth and unlike what I thought originally that somehow 2NE1 went into the crowd, everyone was apparently gushing over some guy celebrity. Later, I found out that it was Kean who fronts the band Callalily. I'm not a snob, really, but I am really clueless about local showbiz. I often stand next to them and wouldn't even notice! (And, honestly, just walking around Greenbelt you can see so many good looking people who look like a celeb so you don't care anymore) Anyway, my new friends were fans and I tried to get their pictures with him. I think he was being enjoined to sign up in 2NE1PH as an official Blackjack and he asked for something that was Dara's. When the Oh Dara/We Love Dara/DGH peeps heard this, someone went and gave him a t-shirt. Yay for Dara fanboys!

I felt so bad about not having a souvenir for the concert that I ended up buying a buy one, take one poster of Dara from her Etude campaign. I still don't know where to put them, but we'll see. But only an hour or so before the booths closed and the entrance to the coliseum opened, I took a chance and went by the 2NE1PH booth again to inquire about the lightsticks. There were still two left and since they thought that nobody was going to claim them, they graciously sold it to me for er... let's just not mention the amount lest my wallet hears and wails in agony.

So, armed with two rolled posters of my bias and an official 2NE1 lightstick, I was so ready to PARTY! But, first... line up. Well, it was quick so soon I was seated with my fellow SM ticketnet holders on our front row lower box seats. I quickly got out my camera to prepare but after a few minutes of checking, put it right back on my bag. There was no way I could get a quality fancam so I decided to just let those who had better equipment and a better view to take them. And I would probably be too busy waving my spanking new lightstick around.

The Party started with Techy Romantics who, honestly, bored me. I'm sorry but I couldn't understand a word they were singing. And their songs were pretty mellow and they really didn't engage the audience with their repartee so... Next up was Christian Bautista who entered with Bruno Mars' "Just The Way You Are" which I think was perfect since I think of Dara when I hear that song, thanks to a vid a fan made. For his final song, he sang "The Way You Look At Me" which he dedicated to Dara. He said that he learned through a text that she said she liked the song and mentioned it during the presscon earlier that day. I can't remember well, but he might have said "I love you Sandy" or something. Is this the start of ChriSandara? Haha...

Scene-stealer Giselle Sanchez faked the crowd when she entered the stage sporting the Sandara palm-tree hair. She introduced herself as Luneta Park and proceeded to make the audience laugh. I love it that she was well-informed about the songs, showing that she really was a fan. In local terms, "bentang-benta talaga siya sa crowd."

Local band The Bloomfields were up next. Sorry, I can't give an account for this since I don't follow the local band scene. But they were good, if not good sports for playing to a crowd who specifically came to see a Korean pop group.

After the set there was a contest for free Sum41 and Lenka tickets. (I would like the latter, please) The one for CL rapped the intro for Fire to get the tickets. If that were me, I would have rapped the intro of Can't Nobody english version. For the Bom fan, he tearfully (?) confessed his love for Bommie and answered that her favorite food was corn. Sandara's fan was obviously made to sing her Pinoy hit song "In Or Out". But the highlight for the contest was this girl who was a Minzy fan and wowed the audience with her dancing skills. Like, damn girl! Somebody needs to scout you real fast! I happened to see this Viva pop group when I watched Sarah Geronimo in Glorietta and, let me tell you, I would rather watch this girl than that group. Seriously. And that was before I knew (through @twistedtine) that she can sing really well and that she was, in fact, a member of 2NE1 cover group called BigBangs. If I own a record company, I would sign her up and give her training like what they do in Korea. Unfortunately, I wasn't the one who won the lotto. Next time...

It was a night of Dara love confessions because up next was Kean (who I mentioned earlier) and his band Callalily. He went out wearing the We Love Dara shirt that was given to him and he proceeded to rock it out and basically making love to the fans. We gave him a moment when he asked for the lights to be shut off and all those with lightsticks to wave it in the air. Fine, anything for a Dara fanboy. LOL. Well, he did proclaim "I love my shirt", "Dara saranghae" and  thanked Daragon for the shirt - which I thought was funny since his shirt is basically proclaiming that Dara belonged to someone else. Anyway, it was still a proud moment for Applers.

The last front act was the Philippine All Stars who performed what I think would be the piece they are going to do for a tournament in Switzerland. They were great, but still had room for improvement. Because of my exposure to KPOP and Shaun's Movement Lifestyle, I am not impressed that easily. They better bring it and bring home the trophy.

And finally, FINALLY, it was time for 2NE1. The dance break from Pretty Boy heralded the start and then the sirens, and then FIRE. We all stood up and I started waving my lightstick and I was in KPOP heaven. They came up and I saw Dara waving widely, looking extremely happy to see a packed Araneta. You can hardly hear them sing the first song since we welcomed them with screams the first time they came to sing individually.

They sang a total of eight songs - Fire, Go Away, Please Don't Go, Lonely, In Our Out, Can't Nobody, Clap Your Hands, and I Don't Care - and the whole crowd sang with them. That's just how Filipinos are in concerts. We even joke that sometimes the invited artists don't even need to sing because we will sing it for them. It's not disrespect. In fact, it's the highest form of respect we can give since we memorized the lyrics of their songs.

The crowd was electric, the lightsticks like rainbow colored stars in a dark night. We jumped, we danced, and we yelled "You ain't shit without your crew!" I may be biased, but I think the girls fed off the energy of the crowd and I saw them making mistakes, probably caught up with all the excitement. Nevertheless, it was really a crazy party that the 2NE1 girls won't soon forget. It's really a different experience, having a concert in the Philippines. I've been to several now and all the foreign artists are awed by us. Haha...

Side note... Dara's SCQ friends were on the left side of the stage (if you were facing the stage) and among them was her rumored ex Joseph Bitangcol. I entertained myself thinking that the songs "Go Away" and "I Don't Care" were "pa-tama" to him and that it wasn't a coincidence that the girls kept on singing some parts in that direction. Haha...

The girls soon said their goodbyes, much to the disappointment of everyone. I knew that they were only going to sing eight songs but I still felt sad that it was over. They could have at least made Bom sing her latest single "Don't Cry", right? Sigh. I would've wanted to hear Try To Follow Me or Don't Stop The Music too. Oh well.

I said my goodbyes to my seatmates and said that we'll meet again, probably when 2NE1 holds their next official concert here in Manila, I hope. I met up with my companions on our specified meeting place and after taking a few pics, we thankfully got a taxi quickly and went home, gushing about the concert all the way.

And thus ended my 2NE1 fangirling. Reviewing the videos and what I did the past few days, I can't believe that I did all that. It may sound crazy, especially to my peers who are immersed in their corporate jobs and fancy stuff... but if I didn't do all those things I would probably regret it. Regardless of everything, it made me happy. KPOP, 2NE1, Sandara Park makes me happy and that's all that matters.

But for now, it's back to the real world. (Gotta earn the money for those tickets and lightstick!) I've stored away my 2NE1 lightstick back in its box, hoping that I would soon have the opportunity to wave it proudly again, singing my heart out with my fellow Blackjacks, when 2NE1 comes back to Manila.

It sounds better in French

I was in Glorietta about two weeks ago, browsing on one of the stores, when I heard a song playing in the background. I was instantly charmed by it but had no idea what the song was or who was the artist behind it. It was French, that much I knew. Being curious, I didn't hesitate to go to one of the salesladies and asking about their in-house music. After checking, she told me that it was an artist by the name of Joyce Jonathan. Kind of unusual and, most of all, unfamiliar name to me. I immediately typed it in on my mobile phone's notepad so I could check on it later.

It was only yesterday that I remembered about it and even forgot if I was able to store the name. Dreading the thought of going back to the store just to ask for the name again, I checked my phone and was relieved to see that I was able to take note of it.

After fully listening to Joyce Jonathan's "Je Ne Sais Pas", I knew that I found another artist that I was really going to like. Besides her sweet voice, she also plays the guitar AND writes her own lyrics. I've always been a sucker for singer songwriters and with lovely lyrics like "How could I tell you, I don't wanna lie to you, you attract me, and this is where lies the true heart of the problem.." - how could I possibly not turn into a fan?

So check her out and if, like me, you don't speak the very romantic French language, here's a translation of the song "Je Ne Sais Pas" courtesy of purplelunacy in Lyrics Translate:

I don't know

There are some words which embarrass me, hundreds of words, thousands of same old things that are never the same

How could I tell you, I don't wanna lie to you, you attract me, and this is where lies the true heart of the problem

Your pride, your whims, your kisses, your pleasures, your desires, torments, I really don't see where this is getting us

So we pull ourselves together, it's not the end of our world
And we wrongly question ourselves again one last time

I don't know how to tell you, I'm afraid to screw up everything, to ruin everything
A lot of ideas to clarify from way back
But I've always been leaving my feelings behind

I sometimes think that I'm wrong staying so passive, but you look at me, I devour you
And it's sometimes too hard to distinguish love
My friend, my lover, my love and even more

So we pull ourselves together, it's not the end of our world
And we wrongly question ourselves again one last time

I don't know how to tell you, I'm afraid to screw up everything, to ruin everything
A lot of ideas to clarify from way back
But I've always been leaving my feelings behind
(x 2)

I want just you with flaws and your manufacturing problems
I want just you, I don't want a fake, no forgery
I don't want to return you to get another
I don't want to sell you up for one or two mistakes
I want your words, I want your skin, it's never too much
I don't want you anymore, I changed my mind. I've seen another one a bit better-looking*
I don't want, don't want anymore, never wanted
And who are you, I don't know you, you must've been dreaming, it wasn't me
My confusions, you know them, let's give up

How to tell you, I'm afraid to screw up everything, to ruin everything
A lot of ideas to clarify from way back
But I've always been leaving my feelings behind

I don't know how to tell you, I'm afraid to screw up everything, to ruin everything
A lot of ideas to clarify from way back
But I've always been leaving my feelings behind
(x 2)

http://lyricstranslate.com

http://lyricstranslate.co

http://lyricstranslate.com

Gyabo! My first orchestra experience

FILharmoniKA

Ever since I've watched the anime Nodame Cantabile, I have been captivated by the idea of an orchestra. Playing a musical instrument is one thing, but the feeling of a group of people working together to produce a rousing number like Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" or Beethoven's "Eroica"... it just produces so much impact that tends to overwhelm the listener.

So it became one of my goals to watch an orchestra live. Easier said than done.

One of my problems is where in the Philippines can I find an orchestra. Admittedly, our country is not a place where classical music is lauded or popular. I can't blame them, because prior to Nodame Cantabile, I could probably care less. The only orchestra and composer I knew was John Williams and that was because I was a fan of Star Wars and his work in other films. And when I found an orchestra and a concert, there was a problem of who I could rope in to go with me. Even if I paid for their ticket, I doubted my friends will join me in what I suppose to them is a really boring concert.

But yesterday, it was like a blessing from heaven when I saw an tarpaulin banner in Art in the Park. It was for a free concert of FILharmoniKA led by Maestro Gerard Salonga the next day in Bel Air, Makati. Imagine my happiness at finally being able to fulfill one of the items in my Bucket List. And for FREE!

Thankfully, my friend was also game and this evening, after a light meal at Razon's, off we went to the Multi-Purpose Hall of Bel Air Village.

Despite the flyers saying that the show will start promptly at 7PM, they were still a few minutes late (well, according to my clock which IMO is the most accurate). It was only a few minutes, though, and then I finally heard my first orchestra number. It was the Philippine National Anthem. LOL

The Set List

Anyway, the orchestra soon officially started with Mikhail Glinka's "Ruslan and Ludmilla". Maybe it was my excitement, but this must have been my favorite of the night followed by John William's theme from "Star Wars". They also played themes from several movies including Schindler's List, Pink Panther, and James Bond. It was a great experience, being a movie lover myself, seeing how those music that shaped those films were created. They also played an orchestra version of "Muntik ng Maabot ang Langit" which was originally by True Faith along with another number from Filipino composer Josefino Cenizal (Hindi Kita Malimot).

It was a really a fun night and I bet those people who just happened to drop by or was dragged there by someone somehow enjoyed it too. The selection showed the variety of what an orchestra can do - that it was not just limited to sleepy classical numbers (though I would have preferred more of this). Having experienced watching an orchestra performance, maybe they are like me who wanted to watch more in the future, given the opportunity.

After all, I haven't heard Beethoven yet.

***

Suggested shows about orchestra/classical music:
Nodame Cantabile (anime/live action)
Beethoven Virus (Korean drama)
Kiniro no Corda (anime)

For more information about FILharmoniKA:
FILharmoniKA Facebook page