Driven by The Force

Every once in while, a great fictional saga is born and made. Classics such as James Bond, Indiana Jones, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Batman are just some of the well-loved series by different generations of fans, geeks, and movie buffs.

Among the above-mentioned series, there is one that always stands out for me among others - Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan. Call me a geek but seriously, I am a die-hard fan of the universe created by George Lucas. I am also a Harry Potter fan but my obsession with Star Wars started when I was young long before I discovered the magical world of Harry Potter.

But I am not into the story of a dramatic young lady who is obsessed with a sparkling vampire. I will just leave it there for kids to devour.

I blame my obsession with Star Wars to my father. Back when I was still a little kid, he introduced me to the epicness of Master Yoda, Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi, and Darth Vader. I can still remember how he brought home cutouts and scanned pages from the magazine about Star Wars. He even gave me printout of all the characters - from the whole Jedi council to the Ewoks - pasted in an illustration board and covered with a plastic cover. The internet was a new technology then and the graphics were not as good as it is today so I consider those cut-outs as a priced gem.

That’s how my obsession for Star Wars started. I am thankful to have a geek and cool father (Sometimes I think he is a Jedi in disguise, seriously).

And today, May 4, as what most of the Star Wars fan knew, is Star Wars Day. 

Star Wars Day (also sometimes known as Luke Skywalker Day) because of the popularity of a common pun spoken on this day. Since the phrase “May the Force be with you” is a famous quote often spoken in the Star Wars films, fans commonly say “May the fourth be with you” (May 4th) on this day.

A few months back, I wrote about my obsession with covers and front pages of magazines and broadsheets. I decided to check the TIME Magazine cover archive and found this interesting covers on Star Wars and Science Fiction. What caught my attention was this favorite cover of mine which was released on 2002, when I was still in High School:

This was released prior to the showing of the second part (chronologically fifth) of the Star Wars saga. This issue contains a complete guide to the Attack of the Clones - from characters to space ships and other vehicles.

Due to my obsession for the series, I made something, uhm, dark back in the day. I nenok-ed this issue in our library and cut the pages dedicated to Star Wars. I think the dark side of The Force forced me to do so (insert evil grin here).

So much for my mission to destroy the Death Star.

This particular installment came as a surprise for the fans of Master Yoda - myself included - when he, for the first time, used his light saber to fight Count Dooku. and I tell you, that was one of the most memorable sword fights in movie history.

Browsing the archives of Time Magazine’s website and the web for Star Wars-related stuff brings back good memories of my childhood as a little Star Wars fan, sharing the story with my father. And I think this will last until I grow old, and probably, when I have children of my own.

I am still waiting and hopeful for George Lucas to create a 7th installment of this epic saga.

And just so you know, young ladies who know Order 66 have an edge to me. Shall we talk about Star Wars over a cup of coffee?

Happy Star Wars Day everyone! May The Force be with you!

Elsewhere:

• John Williams is the Man - In celebration of Star Wars day, here’s an a capella tribute of cinematic themes dedicated to composer John Williams - composer of the themes of Star Wars, Jurrsic Park, E.T. among others. The lyrics of the song contains some of the parts from the Star Wars series.
• I Sense a Disturbance in The Force - Something that I made and wrote back in 2010 - my favorite Philippine Senator meets the Sith Lord of the Galactic Empire.

Source: juanrepublic

4 May 27 Permalink

Ang Pagpaparaos ni Eros

” ‘Miss, mayroon na ba kayong kopya ng Wag Lang Di Makaraos?’, tanong ko sa isang assistant ng book store. ‘Saglit lang po Sir’, magalang niyang tugon. Sa tabi ko ay may isang matandang babae na malamang ay nasa sisenta anyos, salubong ang kilay at nakatingin sa akin. ‘Ang bastos naman ng librong hinahanap ng batang ‘to’, ang na-imagine kong malamang ay naglalaro sa kanyang isipan noon.” 

________

Ika-18 ng Nobyembre ng nakaraang taon, sa tulong ng Facebook, nang una kong malaman na may bagong librong ilalabas ang isa sa pinakamahusay na manunulat ng ating panahon - si Ginoong Eros Atalia.

Halos isang buwan akong nagpabalik-balik sa bookstore sa isang mall sa bayang sinilangan ni Gat Jose Rizal (Clue: Paboritong puno ng may-ari ng mall ang pine tree.) upang maka-iskor ng pinakabagong obra ni Ginoong Atalia. Dumating pa nga sa punto na iniwanan ko na ang aking mobile number sa logbook nila at ite-text na lang daw ako kung may dumating ng libro.

Pero mailap ang libro. Kung hindi sold-out, palagi namang out-of-stock. Pero kailangan kong magkaroon ng libro. Kailangang mairaos ang pagnanasang gahasain muli ang mga letra, pangungusap, at pamatay na mga kuwento ni Ginoong Atalia.

At nakaraos nga. Ika-29 ng Disyembre ng nakaraang taon nang sa wakas ay makabili ako ng libro. Kaisa-isa na lamang kopya sa book store. Suwerte.

Ang Wag Lang Di Makaraos ay naglalaman ng isandaang (100) dagli at nahahati sa sampung (10) kabanata o tema. May tungkol sa kamatayan, mga kababalaghan at mga nakakatakot na nilalang, trahedya, mga kuwentong bata na hindi talaga pambata, at iba pang mga kuwentong ng pang-araw-araw na buhay.

Hindi ito ang unang libro kung saan nagsulat ng mga dagli si Ginoong Atalia. Matatandaang may ilang mga dagli sa kaniyang ikalawang librong Peksman [mamatay ka man] Nagsisinungaling Ako [at iba pang kuwentong kasinungalingang di pa dapat paniwalaan].

Ngunit ano nga ba ang dagli? Ito ay isang anyong pampanitikan na maihahalintulad sa maikling kuwento. Walang nakatitiyak sa angkop na haba ng isang dagli ngunit sinasabing hindi ito aabot sa haba ng maikling kuwento. Tinatawag ito sa wikang Ingles na flash fiction o sudden fiction. Naihahambing din ito sa proto-fiction o micro-fiction.

Sa katunayan, ang mga dagli na nakapaloob sa Wag Lang Di Makaraos ay umaabot lamang ng isang pahina - mahaba na ang dalawa’t kalahati - ngunit nandoon ang kabuuan ng istorya at ang dating at emosyon na iiwanan nito sa mga mambabasa. Dahil magaang basahin ang libro, natapos ko ito sa isang upuan lamang. Ngunit patuloy akong binabagabag ng ilang kuwento matapos ko itong basahin at kahit makailang ulit ko pa ulit itong basahin.

Ika nga ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining para sa Panitikan na si Ginoong Bienvenido Lumbera sa kanyang blurb, “Magaang basahin, kung matinik ay malalim”. May kaniya-kaniyang sundot, kurot, at kiliti ang bawat dagli.

Simple ang pagkakalahad ng mga kuwento ngunit nandoon ang lakas ng dating na iiwanan nito sa mga mababasa. Ilan sa mga istoryang nakapagbaon sa akin ng ‘tinik’ ay ang mga kuwentong Si Ma’am Kasi, Sabi Ko na nga Ba (at ang wasak na ‘Pokpok Material’ na t-shirt), Superhero, Petition, at Manghuhula. 

Isa pa sa mga aspektong hinangaan ko sa libro maliban sa husay ng pagkakalikha ng mga istorya ay ang lawak ng pag-iisip ng may-akda upang makalikha ng isandaang dagli na may iba’t-ibang tema at istorya. Hindi madali ang gumawa ng isandaang istorya na may kaniyang sariling ‘buhay’.

May isa lamang akong puna sa naturang libro. May isang istorya doon - ang A, Ganon Pala ‘Yon - ang matagal ko nang naririnig bilang isa sa mga ’kuwentong barbero’ bago pa man ito mailathala sa libro. (Hindi ko lang alam kung si Eros din ang may akda nito. Isa din kasing manunulat sa tabloid si Ginoong Atalia.)

Sa kabuuan, bagamat bitin ang isandaang dagli, nakiliti, nasundot, at nakalikot ni Eros ang aking imahinasyon bilang isang mambabasa. Sa kaniyang mahusay na paglalahad ng mga istoryang may gulat sa huling mga bahagi, masasabi kong ayos na. Nakaraos na. Napagbigyan na ako bilang isang masugid na mambabasa ng mga kuwentong nakatago sa kasuluk-sulukan ng kanyang malikot na utak. Isang pagpaparaos bilang paghahanda sa mga bitin niyang kuwento sa mga una niyang librong nabasa ko.

At napag-uusapan na din lamang, narito ang susunod niyang librong harinawa’y makapagbigay-linaw sa mga bitin na istorya ng mga karakter na nauna nating nakilala sa mga naunang aklat ni Ginoong Atalia - It’s Not that Complicated: Bakit Hindi Pa Sasakupin ng mga Alien ang Daigdig sa 2012.

Pamagat pa lang, pamatay na. Pamatay na sa haba. Ano kayang nilalaman nito? Ayon sa ilang excerpts na nababasa ko (mula sa Facebook account ni Ginoong Atalia at ilang mga posts mula sa mga kapuwa ko tagahanga), malamang ay sequel ito ng drama ni Intoy at ang pangungulila niya kay Jenn. At kritisismo sa mga babaeng nagpapadala ng bag nila sa mga lalake.

Walang katiyakan kung kailan ito lalabas (balita ko ay ngayong Abril daw) pero habang wala pa, halika, samahan mo muna akong magparaos…kasama ang mga naunang obra ni Ginoong Eros Atalia.

Maraming salamat sa mga kuwento. Maraming salamat sa pagpaparaos ni Eros.

Iba pang mga Bagay:

• TEASER - It’s Not that Complicated: Bakit Hindi Pa Sasakupin ng mga Alien ang Daigdig sa 2012.
• IT’S CONFIRMED: “INTOY SYOKOY NG KALYE MARINO” is now an official Cinemalaya 2012 full length film entry (New Breed category), written by Jerry Gracio, based from the Eros Atalia’s Palanca award-winning novel about Kalye Marino… Directed by Lem Lorca, and yes, co-produced by Mr. BOY ABUNDA (2nd time after he co-produced “Astig” in Cinemalaya 2009)… Final Cast: JM DE GUZMAN as Intoy Syokoy, Joross Gamboa, and Ryza Cenon. -Facebook post sa wall/timeline ni Eros Atalia at ng direktor na si Jerry Gracio.
• Ang Paghanga ko kay Eros Atalia (na Mas Pinainit pa ni Mercedes Cabral) - ang kuwento kung paano ko nadiskubre si Ginoong Eros Atalia

Source: juanrepublic

11 April 47 Permalink

Paalam Pilipinas: A Sugarfree Documentary

“Sila lang ang bandang hindi Hari ng Sablay”
- Robert Javier, Musician, Producer, and Sound Engineer

It was January 7 of last year when I first heard the sad news. It came from a tweet from Sugarfree’s frontman, Ebe Dancel. He will leave his band. During that time, it was still unclear if the band is breaking up or its two remaining members, Kaka Quisumbing and Jal Tuguibao, will continue being a Sugarfree minus Ebe.

It was later confirmed in the succeeding days that Ebe Dancel would pursue a solo career and Kaka and Jal would do their own stuff. Sugarfree’s last weeks as a band were spent by doing farewell gigs on different bars and schools.

I was fortunate to watch one of their farewell gigs (which, unfortunately, my first time to watch them live) when they performed at the UPLB Feb Fair last February 17. 2011 (Technically, it was already February 18 when they performed). It was a ‘going back home’ performance for Ebe who was an alumnus of UP Rural High School. Together with hundreds of fans, I jumped to their opening song Kung Ayaw Mo na Sa Akin, I joined the crowd in singing Mariposa, and I screamed when they played the crowd-favorite Hari ng Sablay. It was a beautiful night of celebrating the music of Sugarfree. I went home that night with a smile, thankful for having watched Sugarfree live before they part ways; but with a heavy heart because the gentlemen who made the anthems of my College years, would play together for the last time in a few weeks’ time.

And so the inevitable happened. On March 1, 2011, at the Eastwood Central Plaza, Sugarfree bade goodbye to their fans with the farewell concert, Paalam Pilipinas. I was not able to attend the concert but thanks to Jam 88.3 (who played an important role to stage this one) who aired the concert live, I felt that I was also there, drenched in the ran, singing, and shedding a tear for my heroes. 

During the entire concert, I stayed in my room, headset plugged to my ears, shutting the world. I also have a small piece of paper and a pen, scribbling the title of the songs from their set list. I did not let the other members of the household see me on the verge of tears. I sang. I cried. I smiled. After singing their last song Burnout, I told myself that’s it, we have lost another legend. Maybe because the members are too burned out and they need to rest. We never knew the exact reason of their breakup. It just happened. But at least, unlike others, they formally said goodbye. But as in all ending, there is a new beginning. Life must go on.

On August 1, 2011, five months after the farewell concert, Ebe Dancel released his debut album as a solo artist entitled Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-ibig. And as for the two (2) remaining members, Jal Tuguibao continued his studies while Kaka Quisumbing did his own stuff. I am hoping that the remaining two would resurface on the music scene but that thing is yet to happen.

From time to time, whenever I feel reminiscing the good old days, I still listen to Sugarfree. I have almost forgotten the farewell concert but not their music. I have almost forgotten the pain of my heroes’ breakup. It has been almost a year and Ebe is achieving great heights as a solo artist.

Earlier yesterday, while browsing the news feed of Facebook, I saw a post from AtTheWomb.com. the music hub of pelicola.tv, about the premiere of a documentary about Sugarfree’s farewell concert. And to add to my excitement, the premiere was yesterday (though they didn’t put the exact time). During the past months, I have resorted to the videos on YouTube to watch Paalam Pilipinas. But I told myself, there must be someone who documented the whole event. It must be shown for the benefit of thousands (or millions) of Sugarfree fans out there. I patiently waited (to the point of repeatedly refreshing the website) until they finally put up the videos at around 10:20 in the evening. And it was worth the wait.

Paalam Pilipinas: A Sugarfree Documentary, tells about the final moments of Sugarfree as a band - from the band members’ respective houses, to the soundcheck, to the events backstage before the concert, and up to the emotional final song Burnout. This is a documentary featuring how the band broke up and not why the band broke up.

The documentary is divided into four parts. The first part shows Ebe Dancel and Kaka Quisumbing at the start of the day. Kaka shares his experience on the band’s farewell tour while Ebe shows his preparations for the final show. The second part shows the soundcheck and Jal Tuguibao giving his thoughts on the band’s breakup. The third part shows Jal at his home and what his parents have to say about Sugarfree. It also shows the what was really happening backstage while the crowd was waiting for the concert. The fourth, and probably the most emotional part, shows Quark Henares giving introduction before the start of the concert (and the emotional happenings backstage) and the band’s final performance, Burnout.

I watched the documentary twice last night and the emotions I felt during the first time that I watched it was the same, if not more intense, than the first. It’s as if watching over a beloved on his deathbed. It’s as if seeing the love of your life for the last time. It’s as if losing a member of your family.

What moved me most, as what I have written above, was the last part. Though not the whole concert was shown in the film, it captured the emotional performance of the group. It also showed an emotional Ebe Dancel when he left the stage after the concert. But what broke my heart most (Spoiler alert!) were the lines ‘The band was immediately escorted out of the venue right after the show. They parted ways as soon as they were brought to their separate exit points. There was no after party’. With that, I broke into tears.

I am no film nor movie expert but I can say that the cinematography was good. It captured (almost candidly, which was good, in my opinion) the emotion of the members and the music fans very well. I also have a problem with the audio on some parts but to sum it up, the documentary captured the essential - how Sugarfree said their goodbye to the fans and how the fans were affected - and influenced - by their legacy.

This documentary is a must-watch not only for the die-hard Sugarfree fans but also to those who are affected, in a way, by their songs. Even Ebe Dancel jokingly offered this concert to those who illegally downloaded their songs. It shows us how to properly say thank you and goodbye to the people who supported us and help us be put at the top.

I was lucky to grow up with the songs of Sugarfree. I was lucky to be influenced by their music. Their songs were my anthem of my college years - the period of my life when I was discovering my passion for music. Their songs were simple and honest. They touch the lives of their fans. and in my opinion, that is what a music or a song is all about.

Sugarfree may have gone but their music is what keeps them immortal. Listening to their music will help us bring to the happy memories of being a Hari ng Sablay, having a good time at Mariposa, reminiscing our Prom, singing the lullaby Tulog Na, and telling to someone, Huwag Ka nang Umiyak.

Maraming salamat Direk King Palisoc at sa bumubuo ng AtTheWomb.com sa dokumentaryong ito.

Maraming salamat Ebe Dancel, Jal Tuguibao, Kaka Quisumbing, at Mitch Singson sa musika at alaala.

Maraming salamat Sugarfree.

_________

Paalam Pilipinas: A Sugarfree Documentary - I know that you did not read this lengthy post so here’s the link of the documentary. Enjoy. Reminisce. And spread the word.

Elsewhere:

• Paalam Pilipinas: A Sugarfree Documentary - Blogger and music photographer Niña Sandejas writes about Paalam Pilipinas and her regret of not following the band as much as others did.
• Must Watch: Paalam Pilipinas: A Sugarfree Documentary (FHM.com.ph) - Director King Palisoc, in an interview with Gelo Gonzales, talks in detail about the documentary and the last days of Sugarfree.  
• Paalam Pilipinas: A Sugarfree Docmentary (Teaser) - A sneak peek of the documentary from AtTheWomb.com. Of course. 

Source: atthewomb.com

10 March 83 Permalink

Remembering The Final Set

It has been three years since The Eraserheads gave us their final set. Three years after their record breaking concert. Three years since they formally bid us goodbye. Three years after their last bow. Three years after their last concert, and probably indeed their last.

Perhaps, this is one of my biggest regrets as an Eraserheads fan. I was not able to watch their two (2) post-breakup concerts.

During their first concert at The Fort in August 2008, there were doubts if the concert would push through or not. One of the major sponsors backed out a few days before the concert due to a threat of a criminal case from the Health Department. There were no formal announcement of the selling of tickets. There were no formal promotion on the tri-media - just a press release from one of the major broadsheets. I could have made it to the concert. If only I were not drunk somewhere in Calamba that night.

My first attempt to watch them turned out to be a failure.

But as we all know, the first concert was cut short due to Ely Buendia’s health condition. After that, there were speculations if the concert would still push through for a second installment. And the fans got what they wanted. The band will work on their ‘unfinished business’.

The second concert, The Final Set, happened on March 7, 2009, a day after the Master Rapper died, at the SM Mall of Asia concert Grounds. Compared to the first one, this has a bigger venue, a formal promotion, and more or less a hundred thousand tickets available to accommodate more fans. It is said that this is one of the biggest concerts in our history.

Did I make it to the concert? Obviously no. I was then stuck at the Seminary’s confines, punishing myself by studying for our comprehensive examinations. My College Diploma depends on the result of that exam. Bitter as I was, I just resorted to listening to the songs of the Eraserheads on the radio. (I think it was the now-defunct station NU 107 who played Eraserheads songs the whole day in anticipation of The Final Set.)

It was just a consuelo for those who were not able to attend the concert to watch  The Final Set on GMA-7. The network aired it a few weeks after the concert. And I did not waste that opportunity. I watched it with the whole family. But there is still something lacking, something missing within me. Regrets. I could have watched them live. 

And so it happened. March 7, 2009, Saturday, was an unforgettable event in Philippine music history. The Eraserheads, the music hero and inspiration of a generation, performed and bowed for the last time in front of their fans.

It was also during this date that Ely Buendia set flame to the famous “Sticker Happy piano.” You know, the one with the naked Joey Mead from the cover of their album “Sticker Happy”.

And for those who are asking the whereabouts of the sticker piano, the last time that I checked, it was at 70’s Bistro (46 Anonas Street Project 2 , Quezon City).

Photo courtesy of Sir Chris Linag. For additional information, please read the article by Aldus Santos here.

Thank you Eraserheads for being a part of our childhood. Thank you for being the soundtrack of our growing up. Thank you for the good music. Thank you for being our heroes. Thank you for the memories.

Maraming salamat Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro, at Buddy Zabala! The Eraserheads will never be erased from our heads. That is influence at its finest.

Source: juanrepublic

7 March 93 Permalink

Memoirs of Inday and the Bodyguard

It was the nineties. Some would say that it is the best decade for music, movie, recreation, fun, and entertainment. For those who were born and who grew up in that era, it wil be remembered for its good old memories of nostalgia and fun (but of course, those who were born on a different era will beg to differ).

Nineties. It was the year when kasamabahay(s) are stereotyped by popular TV shows and movies with the name Inday and having an affair with a sikyu (security guard). And it was also the year when a song for every Inday - and every romantics - came out.

It was I Will Always Love You. Or for every pun-loving Filipino in that decade, it was Inday will always love you.

The song was so popular in the country that it became an anthem of almost every music-loving Filipino (long before Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On, but that’s another story). Though not a Whitney Houston original (it was Dolly Parton who sang the original), the song gained popularity after the former recorded it for the soundtrack of her debut movie, The Bodyguard.

Ah, that movie. It is considered one of the classic romantic-thriller movie of that age. I remember watching it in my grandparents’ house on their trusty VHS player. I did not care about the movie being a romantic flick then. What I care about is it being an action-thriller movie. And its theme song I will Always Love You.

This may sound not-so-manly but Whitney Houston’s  I Will Always Love you is one of the first songs that I learned to sing (aside from the jingle of cough syrup Tuseran Forte which I used to sing as ‘Sa Tusenan Boteee..’). In fact, I even held a mini-concert during my fourth birthday party, singing and screaming the song at the top of my lungs in front of our house. (I still have a picture of it but I think it’s still in our old house. I’m gonna post it soon when I find the opportunity to get it.)

And just like any other kid, or a typical Pinoy, who sing that song, I used to sing it as “Indaaa-hiyaay! Will always love you! Huuwaaa..”.

What made me sing a Whitney Houston song for cryin’ out loud? Perhaps it’s because of the song’s popularity during that time that it became the anthem of almost everyone. It became the song that everyone knew to sing and to love (unlike Frank Sinatra’s My Way that became infamous for it’s, uhm, fatal effects). Just like a young child singing whatever is overplayed on television and the radio, perhaps I just joined the Whitney Houston bandwagon then?

I woke up last Sunday morning, February 12 here in the Philippines, learning about Whitney Houston’s death via Tumblr and Twitter. And I told myself that’s it, another musical legend passed away, leaving her fans, listeners, and people whom she inspired in grief. The news about her drug addiction during the last years of her life may always be included in her story but that would not suffice to overshadow her fame, success, and legacy.

You may call yourself a die-hard fan who would weep because of her sudden demise. You maybe just an ordinary music fan who appreciate her music. and you may be just someone who recently listen to her music and joined the We-love-you-Whitney-Houston bandwagon.

But I will always remember her as someone who introduced me to Inday and The Bodyguard. Someone who helped me discover my love for singing and music.

Goodbye Whitney. Thanks you for the music. Millie grazie!

Source: juanrepublic

14 February 30 Permalink