SVS: Postura Project

Fashion. It’s more fun in the Philippines!

To all my fellow Filipino bloggers out there who are fond of glamming up all the time, this is our chance to flaunt what are country’s fashion industry has to offer when it comes to being chic and fabulous. Let’s join Sarah Meier, Arriane Serrafico, Knox Balbastro and David Guison as they venture on Postura Project’s swanky 30 Day Challenge by wearing something Filipino everyday. Just check the images posted above for the important instructions on how to take on the challenge. You can also pop in their Facebook and Tumblr pages for further details. I’ll be sharing my entries soon through my Child’s Play blog series. So, are you ready to be a part of this stylish project? Get stoked lovely dolls!

Images used in this post are not intended for copyright infringement.

Proudly Pinoy

PILIPINAS GOT TALENT

The third season of Pilipinas Got Talent recently ended with a bang last night. The show has been a trending topic not only on Twitter, but also in every household in the country with the word-class Pinoy talent it showcases. However despite the success of PGT 3, not everyone was satisfied with the results. As we all know, the grand winner in this prestigious search will be determined via the people's texts and online votes and not on the judges. That is a practice worldwide. Anyhow, let me not dwell on that negative issue because the Maansinhon Trio are still worthy to bag the 2 Million pesos somehow. Congratulations to them! They're great singers, it's just that I have a different bet by the name of El Gamma Penumbra. Here's a video of their spectacular performance:

Performance by El Gamma Penumbra (PGT 3)

Song: Piliin mo ang Pilipinas (Choose Philippines) by Angeline Quinto

What can you say? This group is truly an outstanding group! They make me feel proud to be a Pinoy (Filipino). As you can see, they were promoting the cultures and tourist destinations of our country. What I love most in their act was when they showed the unity of Muslims and Christians. The sense of positivism and nationalism that they're advocating are what the whole world really need in times like this. Well, need I say more? I hope the Department of Tourism sees how excellent they are and let them be a part of our government's tourism projects! They may not have won the competition, they still have the support of the majority of the Filipinos nation and worldwide.

I have always wanted El Gamma Penumbra to win right from the very start. They actually got the idea of shadow play from the Silhouttes of America's Got Talent. You can watch them in this YouTube video. EGP's act may not be original, but their concept is. I don't condemn them for copying others, because for me it's a positive thing that the Filipino talents can also do what they can. I definitely think EGP did a great job in PGT 3's Grand Finals. They even got a standing ovation from the judges and the crowd. They gave me goosebumps all throughout! I just couldn't believe that they didn't even reach the Top 3. Their performance was awesome, and I believe that they deserve to win!

Abstract Maranao Okir Art

I have been so stressed for the past weeks’ academic binge. I lacked some shut eye, which resulted to constant headaches. And now that school’s over, I’m slowly getting back what I had deprived myself of – slumber… and of course, blogging. Teehee. I’m still not supposed to do this, but I really feel the need to take some time off. After the scholastic breakdown I had last week, I imposed myself an unwritten rule that I shouldn’t blog until such time that my thesis is far from over. I honestly feel that I’m nearly done, so let me take a breather just this once.

Enough said.

I got to let out my artistic side again because of our Filipino 21 (Philippine Folklore) subject. We were asked to create something that can popularize our country’s ethnic art as our final project. I chose the Maranao Okir Art, because it’s very popular. This art is known for its exuberance and vitality. It also crosses different forms. The Maranao is one of the thirteen tribes of Muslim in the Philippines. It is the subject of researchers’ interest most of the time, thus making them the most studied tribe in the country. As far as I know, it is the most extravagant Muslim tribe.

Since I have been suffering from cognitive overload lately, I couldn’t think of an original okir art. I apologize, because I just copied what I found in the web. I only used pastel crayons and illustration board. No pun intended. I just didn’t have enough resources and time to exert my utmost effort in crafting my own design. If given another chance, I will definitely do my best to show you my own interpretation of the said art. Spoken like a real beauty queen, eh? Anyhow, below is an abstract okir art made by a student from Mindanao State University (MSU).

The Original from (Al-Nezzar Ali’s blog). Not intended for copyright infringement.

The nasty version. Not intended for plagiarism.

Yours truly. The fake artist holding her ugly work of art. I hope you like it somehow.

LOL for the hoping soul here! Piece based on Pinta Okir Group‘s (MSU Gensan) piece for the

Okil in Abstraction Workshop.

The Philippine National Hero at 150

This image is not intended for copyright infringement.

Why Should We Study Jose Rizal’s Life and Works?

Why not? That’s my counter question to the query. The life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal is a big part of our history here in the Philippines. He has a great contribution to our country’s literature, and most especially to our freedom. He opened our fellowmen’s heart and mind against the evil deeds of the wicked colonizers. He was one of the patriots who didn’t show fear in denouncing Spanish rule. His love for our homeland is just one-of-a-kind. I guess no other man would ever be like him.

For me, Jose Rizal truly deserves to be our national hero because he’s very different from all other heroes we have. He was strong-willed but, at the same time, passive. He’s not like Andres Bonifacio who was too aggressive in revolting. Rizal, on the other hand, acts in a more organized and rational manner. He fought for our country’s equal rights without thinking of gaining sole power in return. With that, I salute him with all my heart. No one else comes close to his excellent efforts in dignifying our entire nation!

Happy 150^th birthday, Dr. Jose Rizal!

Mystique Shutterbug: Sight-Seeing

I'm still having blogger's block. Even the 30 Day Challenge didn't help me conquer it. But don't worry I will finish it, since I've already began doing it. I will not quit writing those tasks. It's just that, I'm not yet in the mood to think. My mind's still out there somewhere. I'm running out of words and thoughts to share. It's actually because I'm beginning to compose myself for another academic season (hopefully my last). I really hope and pray that I'll get back into doing what I love the most after this school jitters I'm feeling as of the moment. Good thing I have this blog series to help me deal with this darn writer's dilemma. It's again high time to bring out the photo freak in me by showing you these shots of good sights I've been to. Enjoy everyone!

Guiob Church Ruins in Camiguin.

White Island in Camiguin.

Monastery of Transfiguration in Bukidnon.

Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin.

Fishing Village in Eden Nature Park and Resort.

Mt. Hibok-Hibok seen from afar in Camiguin.

Fishing Village in Eden Nature Park and Resort.

Maja's Cafe in Loleng's Mountain Spring and Resort.

Sto. Niño Cold Spring in Camiguin.

At Loleng's Mountain Spring and Resort.

View of Pearl Farm Malipano Waters, Island Garden City of Samal.

Angel's Cove in Island Garden City of Samal.

I'm proud to say that the Philippines is definitely a good place for travel! No doubt about that. WOW Philippines indeed!

After graduation, I’m thinking of not settling down yet. It can wait. I certainly hope so. I’ll have at least four or five years of not being bogged down by children. That span of time is dedicated for my luxury and to be noble, preparation for a higher level maturity. I'll be in for everything I’m not doing and can’t be doing now. I think it’ll be the perfect time where everything I've always wanted can happen. Needless to say, I have to get a good job to get to that. Part of my plans is  to get my own car so I can go far and wide. Too ambitious of me to even think about it, eh? The best part is tripping all over the world. I have a lot of plans as you can see. I want to travel here, there and everywhere. I pray that the Almighty One will hear what my heart beats for.

A Book I Love

This is my first time to blog using Blogger's updated editor. I thought I'm gonna find myself having a catch by shifting to it, but I didn't. Why did it take too long for me to switch from my old editor? Blame it on my cognitive dissonance. Ayway, I've done a post like this before through Bookworm Adventures if you can still recall. I shared some quotes I got from my top five favorite books namely, Mitch Albom's Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day, Robert Fulghum's All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist and Jostein Gaardner's Sophie's World. 

I don't want to talk about the same book again, so let me give you my thoughts on another book that I love. It's Chris Martinez's Last Order sa Penguin. This book is a part of the UP Jubilee Student Edition. It's written in colloquial TagLish to bring the best of Philippine Literature. It's a book based on a theatrical play of the same title also by Chris Martinez himself. It won the grand prize for Three-Act Play in Filipino from the prestigious Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 2001. The play was first performed by the UP Theatre Council in the Tanghalang Hermogenes Ylagan, UP Diliman back in 2000.

The story revolves around five friends nearing their thirties -- "the cheerfully gay Tuxqs, the problematic Harlene, the sex addict Tess, the social climbing Dyna, and the druggie Mario." They met up for some drinks at the Penguin Cafe/Bar/Gallery in Malate to talk about love, life, sex, relationships, society, and turning thirty. Their conversation is casual and satirical. I really love their funny dialogs. I've watched my schoolmates perform this a few years ago, and I can say the lines are even funnier heard live! How I wish I can watch another Last Order sa Penguin play soon. Cross fingers to that!

This book is just a very light read that you can finish it in just a few hours. May I just tell you that the book is the script of the play itself. It only has 131 pages. You won't find it hard reading this because as I said it's in conversational TagLish, which is actually a dialect widely used within Metro Manila. I love this book because of its humor and entertainment value referring to the current events and local pop culture. I also love the lessons brought about by every character. It makes us think on what's going to happen to us when we reach 30. The story tell us that we can always turn to our friends when life don't turn out the way we plan it.

To my friends who want to read this book, just tell me and I will lend it to you. To those who just happened to pass by my blog, here are some links of the sites where you can get a copy of the book: Good Reads and Open Library.

#30 Day Challenge

day 30 – your favorite song at this time last year

I didn't have that much of significant happenings in my life this time last year, as usual. It was also summer time a year ago, and I just stayed at home. I didn't have some memorable activities or whatsoever, well, except for my first time to vote for a national automated election. I felt really proud that I exercised my right. I felt like I made a big difference, although I’m not sure if I actually did. So far, I still don’t regret voting for those people I think are worthy to rule and lead the people.

Maybe you’re thinking that my favorite song last year was ABS-CBN’s Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo theme song called Ako ang Simula in relation to what I just shared. No, it’s not. But I have to admit that also liked it at some point. The song promotes social awareness, and it was played on TV almost all the time for recall. The result – I had LSS, but as I said, it wasn’t the song that got me hooked last summer. Instead, it was Franco’s Song for the Suspect. It’s one of the best Pinoy rock songs I’ve ever heard.

I bet you already know that Franco is a band composed of different musicians from other Philippine rock bands such as Urbandub, Parokya ni Edgar, Queso and Inyo. They’ve joint their forces to give one love jah love to every rock music lover in town. They just performed live at Jickong’s here in Davao last year. Too bad, I wasn’t able to watch them. So now, let’s lend our ears for Franco Reyes (Inyo) on vocals and guitars, Gabby Alipe (Urbandub) and Paolo 8 Toleran (Queso) on guitars, Buwi Meneses (Parokya ni Edgar) on bass and JanJan Mendoza (Urbandub) on drums.

Song for the Suspect – Franco

"One love, jah love

Come and feel the vibe

He's given us the herb

Rising from under the earth

With soul we can unite

So give me and pass me the light

Throw away all your hate come, come with me

Well I see jah coming

So come gather round my children

Well I and I me try

To never let the fire die

So don't break the cipher

Be part of the unbreaking circle my friend

Throw away all your hate come jah with me..."

At long last! I’m finally done with my first blog challenge. I wasn’t able to write them consecutively because of some inevitable circumstances, but still, I managed to finish it somehow. That’s what matters most, right? I give you my heartfelt gratitude for sharing your thoughts on those tracks that I posted. Songs evoke certain memory. Thank you for coming along with me in my musical ride as I relive my memorable moments, and as I learn more about my real choice of tunes. So long, 30 Days of Music! I’ll be off to my next challenge soon.

The video in this post is not intended for copyright in fringement.

Nationalism is Key

I'm feeling so nationalistic today, not because I want to let Ms. "Fashion Forward" know right smack in her face, that the least we could do to elevate our country's status is to be proud to where we came from. Well, at some point it's honestly one of my reasons though. Dissing your own country just to put yourself up the pedestal is completely not cool. It's a perfect example of being rude and uncouth. Yes, it's true that not all Filipinos are updated with the latest fashion (like me) but you don't have to rub it in especially when you're given the chance to represent the Philippines for a prestigious event. Like..Like..Um..Um.. with an upward inflecTION. :-)

I just would like to quote what Bianca Gonzales said in her Twitter Feed. It goes like this, "If you're a Filipino with a chance of making it big or having your voice heard abroad, don't put down your countrymen, be proud to be Pinoy." Then she added, "There are too many to mention insanely brilliant and talented people in the Philippine Fashion Industry." We shouldn't be so full of ourselves when we're fortunate enough to have one shot at being in the limelight. Being conceited doesn't make us less of a Filipino, right? I hope Bianca's words enlighten everyone's heart and mind, especially Ms. Fashion-Forward-Herself.

I'll just have to stop brushing her off now, cause I know she's had enough of overflowing hate comments. I heard she already said her part through Twitter, but I haven't read it yet. She's two years older than me, so I have to respect her opinion. Yes, you read it right. Kidding aside, let's divert our topic to something positive. Let's blot out the negative vibe now. Her insulting thoughts all the more beckon me to highlight our country's best. Let me grab this opportunity to list my top five picks in whatever fields here in the Philippines. Wanna join me? Come on let's pull our country up this time.

Top 5 Pinoy Fashion Fiends

1. Rajo Laurel of House of Laurel

2. Kate Torralba of Kate Torralba Holdings Inc

3. Bang Pineda of Vanguard Clubwear

4. Edwin Tan of Pepsi Herrera & Edwin Tan

5. Inno Sotto of Muse for Rustan's

Top 5 OPM Legends

1. Ryan Cayabyab (Composer)

2. Vehnee Saturno (Composer)

3. Apo Hiking Society

4. Gary Valenciano

5. Martin Nievera

Top 5 Pinoy Rock Bands

1. Urbandub of MCA Universal

2. Queso (Independent/Unsigned)

3. Franco of MCA Music, Inc

4. Imbue No Kudos of Tower of Doom Records

5. Typecast of Backbeat Artist Management

Top 5 Pinoy Movies

1. Tanging Yaman (2000)

2. Magnifico (2003)

3. Dekada '70 (2003)

4. Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005)

5. 100 (2008)

What are your top 5 picks in whatever fields in the Philippines?

I'm still on a hunt for the best things Filipinos can be truly proud of. If you'll just pay attention real hard, you will see how abundant our country is. Instead of trifling your time away by pointing out what our country lacks, why not spend it wisely by dignifying your fellowmen? I'm sure that's not a difficult thing to do. Let me just say, I'm Proud to be Pinoy no matter what others do or say against our country.

Are you?

All images used in this post are not intended for copyright infringement.