bakit hinde? ( why not ?)

Manila, PH --
THINK NEW THOUGHTS. SHARE BIG DREAMS. DO BRAVE THINGS.

Another night of possibilities being created, new ideas and actions for nation building. Oh, and maybe have fun doing it, too. Bakit hinde? This event was held last night in Warehouse 135 where the usual scene is a little bit different, it's a place to dance or rock or both. Sure Radioactive Sago was there to provide some music, but it was a sober evening with inspiring talks by 7 ingenious pinoys (hmmm.. I noticed most of them were Ateneans). Pretty inspiring speeches by alternative educator Gang Badoy of Rock Ed Philippines, technologist Dr. Greg Tangonan, designer Brian Tenorio, dreamer- priest Fr. Ted Gonzales, S.J., enterpreneur Jay Bernardo, marketing maverick Dondi Gomez and Filmmaker Quark Henares.

I can hear my mind sparkling with new ideas and at the same time affirming some that I have started. Let's dig inside our hearts and minds what we can do for the Philippines. We all have those great ideas sometimes but we often stop ourselves with the question "Why?", now let's turn it around and ask ourselves "Why Not ?" Whether you are here at home or abroad, be part of making this country a better place to live in. Why Not, 'di ba ? Now say that with some flair, pseudobackpacker style! So, bakit hinde? :)

More info from their multiply account :
"Inspired by the TED talks (www.ted.com), wherein leading thinkers and doers share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences, we envision the Why Not? Forum to be the Filipino version, inspiring everyone to think new thoughts, share big dreams and do brave things. The WhyNot? Forum … Inspiring Filipino Ingenuity."

Just wait for the videos to be uploaded on their website !

BRASILIPINAS 2007

Manila, PH -- BRASILIPINAS 2007 MUSIC FESTIVAL
Mag:net Cafe, Bonifacio High Street
Sept 21 (Fri), 7:00pm onwards
Featuring Nyko Maca + Playground, Eileen Sison e Guarana, Aia & Zach of Imago, Aquarela, Brigada and The Company. Plus appearances by Escola Brasileira de Capoeira Philippines, Escola de Samba Manila, Futkal, & Planet Zips.

As much as I want to tell you about this night, I'll let Reese and Jan do the talking, otherwise Reese might not talk to me anymore ... LOL. ;) soooo .. please edit this entry as you please Reese.

more from The Luneta Rendezvous

Manila, PH -- Vintagey photo huh ? I just can't let this one go. She was like a hungry kid on a grade school excursion. I couldn't keep track of the street food she kept getting her hands on. First it was dirty ice cream, then she was munching on cheese curls, then we ate in a karinderya where she had a cup of noodles. Oh, saw her eating taho as well. She even borrowed money from me to give a couple of kids a free cup! At least she got a little fancy later in the day with ensaymada from Barbara's and dinner at SOMS. I swear, she was channeling a kid on the loose with money to spend on junk food. I guess you girls know her more than I do. Hehe.

When was the last time you went to Luneta ?

Manila, PH -- Yesterday! If you ask me and Reese. Now a certified lomographer with her wonderful Fisheye shots and after infecting the whole island of Bohol with lomo, she tagged along with the rest of lomomanila for a day in the park. Dubbed TLR, (The Luneta Rendezvous) this lomowalk was supposed to be a gathering of TLR users, TLR short for Twin Lens Reflex cameras, those box- like cameras you've probably seen in old movies. There's also one in a 500 peso bill! Go take a look!

You can also ask her the question "When was the last time you were in The Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao ?" but that's another blog entry altogether. The weekend was like a trip back to memory lane and I was even playing 70's music in the car ( I know, i know! you weren't born yet!) We had a great time. However, the most memorable words I heard was "Parang gusto kong mag drugs!" which Reese delivered while we were listening to Black Sabbath.

Here's a nice photo of how to do lomography in style.
Reese still owes us those Fisheye photos from Bohol and should post it here. And before I forget, Jan needs to tells us about Sydney!

Audio Candy # 3: Going Missing (for you, ats)

1. raphael - carla bruni *justine
2. le toi du moi -carla bruni *justine
3. tous le jours - saint privat riviera *justine
4. samba da bencao - bebel gilberto *justine
5. ghost - deepsky *reese
6. finally woken - jem *reese
7. going missing -maximo park *reese

taken

The Fort, Taguig, PH -- Sept 10, Crap Shoot exhibit closing party, Reese and Jan had excuses not to go. Seems a lot of friends are under the weather these days. Even our friend Mutch who was supposed to play in one of the bands called in sick.

Last night was just another Lomomanila organized event, predictably well attended and interesting with the usual fanfare (drunken madness, worship of idols and sexual debauchery). With a record breaking attendance on opening night, this time I was worried with the number of people who will be attending. Not everyone is willing to party till 3 am on a Monday night. The number of band members I had to feed with alcohol was in the area of 50-60 alcoholics in denial. Oh and I even got a professional host, DJ Dylan of Nu 107/Jack TV (and my new Beagle is also named Dylan). At the end of the night, I was break even and had 500 pesos left (after giving the Mag:net crew a generous tip) for a Quick Stomach breakfast. Success!

Here's a list of those who played in order ..

1. Taken by Cars - my current favorite local band obviously, more of them here: http://www.myspace.com/takenbycars

2. Sanity Kit - they played last the last time, I asked them to play for us again

3. Nancy Drool - Mutch was absent, bummer

4. Marty Macfly - back to the future! loads of fun

5. Mercury O.D. - Our friends Anne and Inna showed us they have more talent than just putting on makeup

6. Analog - Annabel Bosch still rocks! remember Elektrikoolaid ?

7. Corporate Lo-fi - everybody went hiphop on the floor! a supergroup of some sort

8. Cambio - Cambio, need I say more ?

9. Head - another girl- fronted rock band, Head will turn heads with a pretty Anne Hyde as vocalist

10. Pasok mga Bwitre - world type music using DIY instruments like bottles of beer, a biscuit can and a water jug! they did a mean cover of Radioactive Sago's Alkohol. We hope to bring them back with the way they played..and, umm, with their pretty manager. Woohoooo!

going missing

Tagbilaran, Bohol, PH-- 'going missing' by maximo park:

i'm going missing for awhile
i've got nothing left to lose
i don't listen to anything

The Kulasas raid Chicago

Chicago, IL -- Last July 14, I went to Chicago for the weekend to attend my very close friend's wedding. I took an hour long train ride from Neptune to New York to catch the flight to Midway Airport in Chicago. I was post-call so I was dead-tired. Because of my zombie-like state, I unfortunately got off the wrong stop. I was supposed to get off at Penn Station in NY, but I got off at NEWARK Penn Station, which is still in New Jersey. I was so pissed because I was so tired and sleepy, and I was afraid I was going to miss my flight. I finally figured out what to do after looking at maps and train schedules. I took the PATH train to 34th St in NY and from there took the subway to La Guardia Airport. My flight was at 4:00 pm, I got there at 3:45 pm. I literally sprinted like a mad woman from the airport entrance to my seat in the plane. (Now I know how it feels to be in Amazing Race). When I got to Chicago, I immediately called my friend Jennet and told her what happened and reminded her how much I love her that I was willing to go through all that mess just to be at her wedding. Awww. That night, we had a very tame bachelorette party (no naked men mind you) in downtown Chicago. I was soooo happy to see my close high school friends again. Suddenly we were back to our high school mode -- giggling crazily, insulting people as they pass by (LAIT CLUB!), doing crazy poses (pouting, open mouth..) for the camera(s) (Note: Pinoys are crazy about picture-taking so every one has to have her own camera, and poses should be repeated for each camera.), dancing like there's no tomorrow, and fighting over very expensive vodka ($400 for a bottle!). Just imagine the ruckus when my friend Nicole accidentally dropped the bottle on the table, causing some of the liquid gold to spill! Betsy and I were ready to smack Nicole on the head. (Typical Kulasa behavior..hahaha)



The wedding itself was very emotional and memorable. I always cry at weddings, but this time I cried way too early -- as Jennet was marching down the aisle all by herself. I was just so happy for her. My other friends, Icay and Betsy, hated me because they started cyring as well. It was a very elegant and poignant affair. Peninsula's Terrace looked so beautiful against Chicago's skyline (just look at the picture c/o Jennet). And the weather was perfect for an outside party. We (again) wreaked havoc at the dance floor, dancing with the boys (Jennet's nephews) and the old men (Jennet's in-laws). The highlight of the night: Nicole (my crazy but very sweet friend) getting so drunk and flirting shamelessly with the bartender! Yey, Nicole!