Berlin Stories: Part 1

“I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking. Recording the man shaving at the window opposite and the woman in the kimono washing her hair. Some day, all this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed.” – Christopher Isherwood, 1930 Waiting. That’s what happens when you get older. When [...]

New Wave Revolutionaries: The Sleepyheads

Orchestra conductor Leopold Stokowski once said, “A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.” While most people see music and visual art as separate entities, The Sleepyheads, often serving as the opening act in Manila’s premier galleries such as Silverlens and Mo’s space, construct their songs to serve as the [...]

To The Poet Bob Dylan

“To the poet Bob Dylan…” – Written on the first page of Allen Ginsberg’s Collected Poems 1947-1997 Just a few days ago, on May 24, Robert Allen Zimmerman celebrated his 70th birthday. But he’s not your run-of-the-mill grandpa—not to the rest of the world at least. He’s Bob Dylan. Most people consider this poet, musician, [...]

Musings on Music: Mixtape Mashup

I think I’m a fairly capable writer. During class or in meetings that go on far too long than they should, I’m also an excellent doodler. I can make caricatures, stars, landscapes—whole new worlds, in fact—on my lined yellow pad. And with my ability to look as though I’m seriously listening and jotting down notes, [...]

Into the Valley of the “Vigo”

Crank up the “Vigo” Volume Challenging mainstream musical conventions, Vigo combines jazz, rock, traditional pinoy balladry (kundiman), modern beats, and a dash of folk to create their own unique sound. With each artist having already forged their own reputations in the Manila soundscape, Vigo is more than just your run-of-the-mill garage band. Vigo is a [...]

Friday Finds to Get You Through This Complex Sphere of Life, 05/07/2010

Another long weekend? Yessirreeee, Ronald McBebot! The Philippine election season is coming to a head. Filipinos will decide on the future leader of the country on May 10, 2010. Well, IF their votes actually get counted, that is. (And yes, people would say I’m cynical…but I say, I’m realistic.) As each day passes, the candidates [...]

Friday Finds to Get You Through This Complex Sphere of Life (04/30/10)

Wohoo! Welcome to another long weekend. “Dancers Among Us” by Jordan Matter (“Photographer Jordan Matter took still frames of dancers from the Paul Taylor and Martha Graham Dance Companies performing interesting moves all around New York City.” via NBCNY ) Tomorrow is May 1. The date close to my heart. It’s the day I fell [...]

Friday Finds to Get You Through This Complex Sphere of Life

via someone’s Tumblr Ah…the weekend is here again. …what the heck took it so long? Happy Earth Day…whatever that means. I read a quote that made me LOL (Lay Off Liquor): “Maybe this world is another planet’s Hell.” — Aldous Huxley But then again, Mr. Huxley is the man who wrote about a global orgy, [...]

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh

Trainspotting by Scottish writer Irvine Welsh is a cult classic. The novel’s fast-paced storytelling, innovative form, and exploration into the dark underworld of drugs and debauchery has made it the subject of both outrage and acclaim. From its experimental form to its controversial theme, the book epitomizes the idea of rebellion. Divided into seven sections, [...]

Friday Finds to Get You Through this Complex Sphere of Life

Well, hellloooooooooooo there…….. (pornstache photo via www.latfh.com) Watch Homer’s life flash before your very eyes with this video — PICTURE A DAY FOR 39 YEARS. Join the battle for the MOST AWESOMEST THING EVER!!! (And no, that wasn’t a typo.) You can also kick your favorite videos into Mortal Combat…yes, it’s a waste of time. [...]