In Love and War Album Cover

Two real life friends, Ely Buendia and Francis M., were once struggling each of their personal battles and showed to the whole world that their diseases/illnesses will not hinder their passion to make music. Clearly, the collaboration of musical talents of these two individuals created good music together. Even though Francis M. is not here anymore to hear the full album, his legacy lives on as one of the most talented artists in the Filipino music industry.

As far as I know, the album wasn’t finished yet when Francis passed away (correct me if I’m wrong here). There were songs where Francis’ vocals were not present anymore. I guess those were the songs that Francis wasn’t able to record.

There are 10 songs in the album, almost all of the songs there were written by Ely such as “Buzzkill”, “Hands On”, “Bum Ticker”, “Wasak Waltz” and the old song he composed for Francis’ Happy Battle album, “Unstrung Heroes”. “Bleeder” was written by Francis M. and Pia Magalona while Dream Date was written by Ely Buendia and Diane Ventura. There are two covers in the album namely “Bus Stop” by the Hollies performed by Ely and Hilera and It’s All Right Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) by Bob Dylan performed by Ely, Purplechickens and Radha. The carrier single since last year, “Higante”, was composed by both Francis and Ely.

Listening to the whole album is like hearing their thoughts and experiences on what they’re going through, most especially Francis as his was a grave disease. Hearing Francis’ voice feels like he’s still alive. I like all the songs in the album but my favorite is “Bleeder”, “Bumticker”, “Dreamdate” and “Wasak Waltz” and “Buzzkill”. Below are of some my favorite lyrics in the album:

“Bleeder”
(Francis M. and Pia Magalona)

One drop is all I need
One time for me to breathe
One night for me to feed this fever
And sleep, sleep, sleep

Coz I’m a bleeder (bleeder)
C’mon and stick me with your needle (needle)
Coz I’m a bleeder (bleeder)
So give my vessels a breather (breather)

Clearly, this song talks about Francis undergoing the “needle” because of his medications and procedures that needed to be done to prolong his life. Hearing this song breaks my heart as if I am feeling what he underwent. I liked the beats and the minimalistic lyrics which was not usual for Francis as he does rap songs with long lyrics.

“Wasak Waltz”
(Ely Buendia)

Eto na naman
Panahon ng tag-ulan
Di maiiwasan sa buhay nino man
Tulad mo rin ako
Isang pulo sa dagat
Na walang hanggan
Naghahanap ng masisilungan

Itaas ang kamay
At iwagayway
Masarap mabuhay
Itaob na ang tagay
Saan ka man pumunta
Meron man o wala
Diyan nagsisimula
Ang wasak na pagsasamahan

The song seems to be a song of friendship. Ely vocals on this song depicted his vocals during the Eraserheads era. It somewhat reminded me of “Minsan” by the Eraserheads.

“Bum Ticker”
(Ely Buendia)

Casio was a calculator
With a wax pistol in his hand
They put him in an incubator
With a blues singing thyroid gland

People are always talking about you
People are always talking talking

Bum ticker in the moonlight
crawling on its hands and knees
If you got the Panacea
Then baby I got the disease

Bum ticker

FYI, Bum ticker is an American slang for “bad heart. Ely had a “bad heart” more than once and had angioplasties before. I loved the intensified drum beats and the chants of the line “bum ticker” throughout the song which I think is very appropriate to the meaning of the song. Thanks to Brigada and Hilera for intensifying the heavy beats in this song. It reminded me of “Insomya” of the Eraserheads .

Overall, the whole album is easy listening. In fact, it’s not the Ely Buendia type of songwriting in Pupil which is dark and obscure. This time, Ely’s songs had the “funk” most likely because of Francis’ influence. The collaborations with other artists such as Turbogoth, Radha, Hilera, Brigada, Pupil and Gloc 9 are what makes this album more interesting.

In the last part of “Unstrung Heroes” remix, you can hear Francis asking for blood donations. The first time I heard this really made me freak out and then made me sad after.

The album was just released a few days ago but this was already being anticipated by Francis M. and Ely Buendia fans months ago. Glad that the album turned out well although it’s only 10 songs.

I hope that there will be a listening party gig so that fans can hear the songs live. Elmo Magalona already takes over the mic for his pop so I guess this is ok .

Here’s the performance of Ely Buendia and Elmo Magalona in Party Pilipinas wherein they first sang “Bus Stop”, the second single from the album.

Tanya Markova’s album is my current LSS (last song syndrome) for the past few days. I’ve been hearing their song “Picture Picture” in NU 107 for the past weeks and just recently got a hold of their entire album. My friends hate me for singing the “Picture Picture” over and over again. Haha, sorry friends, but I can’t really get it out of my head!

Their album contains 16 tracks but some of them are short fillers. When I first played the album, I can’t help but laugh because of the funny mismatched lyrics and situations combined with girly-man voices, melodious tunes and pop goth. It’s like hearing Ang Bandang Shirley (without a real female vocalist like Selena), slightly tamed Parokya ni Edgar in the Khangkungkernitz era, pop attitude of the Eraserheads in the Ultraelectromagneticpop era, Dodong Cruz and Queen in one. Interesting huh? They definitely reminded me of the Pinoy 90′s rock era. Their band formed in 2004 and when I learned about this, where the f*ck was I and didn’t discover this way, way back? I guess I was in Pinoy Rock hiatus then.

Tanya Markova’s music is not your mainstream kind of pop. Their lyrics don’t talk about the common themes in pop songs such as love and other sugar coated themes. That’s why I called them pop goth, if there is such a genre. Behind the cute melodies and girly man voices are songs about Alma Concepcion’s old manananggal flick, emo culture and a student ala exorcist a.k.a Linda Blair. Very witty and creative indeed. I give this band two thumbs up in incorporating gothic associations with popular culture. I haven’t seen them perform live yet but I am hoping to see them soon in their bar gigs.

They are composed of 8 people in the band and they preferred to have aliases instead of revealing their real names. They are Norma Love, Iwa Motors, Mowmow, Heart Abunda, Sugar K., Skrovak Iskopanjo, Rufa Mae Milby, Jennylyn Sucaldito and Rez Curtis. Tanya Markova was previously independent but now they have already signed with MCA Universal.

Here are the must-hear songs in the album:

1) M.I.M (Manananggal in Maynila) (by Karryle Karel and Iwa Motors)

This is the second track in the album but is the first full length song. This will make you feel eerie because of the Adams Family like synthesizers all throughout the song. My favorite lines are in the bridge:

Alma Concepcion
slow motion
pahid lotion
na may potion
Alma Concepcion
evolution
transformation
with emotion

Obviously, they are pertaining to a manananggal here and I just loved the mixture of words here!

2) Disney (Harmony: Iwa Motors, Sugar K., Rez Curtis; Libretto: Iwa Motors, Sugar K., Norma Love, Mowmow, Iskrobak Iskopanjo, Biboy)

Here’s a mellow song about dreaming to go to Disneyland. It made me thought of Parokya ni Edgar’s chill out song “Tayo ng Mag-Beach”.

Gusto kong mag-punta sa Disney
Magwi-wish ako kay Genie
Para maka-jam si mickey
sa Disney…Disney…Disney…Disney

3) Picture Picture (by Karel, Iwa, Heart)

This is the single that is being played in airwaves and the melody won’t come out of my head (and probably yours too!). It’s a semi-love song of a photographer (I assume!). Here’s the entire lyrics:

Picture Picture
Picture picture oh (2x)
Picture picture oooo…

Nang gabing masilayan ka
Dala dala ko pa ang aking lumang kamera

Kampus gig noon at nag-aya ang tropa
Maraming bebot ang nagsasayaw nang biglang mapansin kita
What a beautiful face..
At kinunan kita
What a beautifil face..
Angat ka sa iba
Picture Picture (12x)

I saw her face… mukha syang taga outer space….

Si mang roger ako’y kinalabit ang sabi’y…
Halika na balot muna bago ka mag-konica
Na seramika gawa sa pabrika
Lagot ka na ang kamera may mahika
Ano ang lohika kung bat nahilo ka…
Mekaniko si moniko ng makina ni monica
What a beautiful face..
Bigla kang nawala
What a beautiful face..
Ako’y natulala

Meron shang look alike na
Meron shang look alike na
Meron shang look alike na
Mekaniko si moniko ng makina ni monica
What a beautiful face..
O nasaan ka na?
What a beautiful face..
hinahanap hanap ka…

4) Linda Blair (by Karryle Karel and Iwa Motors)

The high pitched back up vocals of “Tang Ina” is a must hear in this song. Haha.

Teacher, teacher ako si Linda Blair
and the ghosts are everyehere
I can feel it in the air
Teacher, teacher
I’m just trying to be fair
huwag ka nang mag-worry
huwag ka nang mag-worry

*lyrics were copied from http://tanyamarkova.roxer.com.

Silent Sanctuary launched their second studio album entitled “Mistaken for Granted” last March 30 at Cubao X. It took them two years to have a follow up on their fiirst studio album which was “Fucshiang Pag-ibig”. Just a bit of a trivia, they had an independent release way back with a different vocalist so technically, they have 3 albums. I was just wondering why the host kept on saying that it’s the second album when it’s really the third. It somewhat neglects the history of the band which was important because that was when the band started. Probably it’s better to say “it’s the band’s second studio album” which I deem more appropriate.

Anyway, there were a lot of bands who performed before them such as Kinosis, Soapdish, Concrete Sam, South Superhighway, Mayonnaise and Cambio. Most of them are actually close friends of the band and also part of the Universal family. The last act was of course Silent Sanctuary and performed tracks from their newest album. You may view the videos that I took from some of the bands who performed:

South Superhighway

Cambio “You Wear Me Out” (Ebe wasn’t around)

A Short Album Review of “Mistaken for Granted”

The album has 14 tracks including 3 fillers (meaning, instrumentals). So the songs which has lyrics are 11. Of course, it never fails to amaze me the uniqueness of this band because they combined the usual popular music instruments (guitar, drums, bass guitar) with known classical instruments such as the cello and violin. Watching them perform live is really exciting believe me.

I think that one song that would be comparable to the LSS (last song syndrome) I feel whenever I hear “Ikaw Lamang” would be “Pauwi Na Ako” (but I still like “Ikaw Lamang” . Of course the melodramatic feel is still there, actually it has become the trademark of the band. “Hiling”, “Hinga ng Malalim”, “The Saddest v.2″, “Dekada 90″ and “Papatunayan” exemplify the melodramatic feel of the album. On the other hand, the carrier single which is “Hay Naku” is a heavy and fast song which talks about the The song “Sa Buhay Na Ito”  reminds me of Apo Hiking Society’s “Magkayakap sa Dilim”. The final song in the album, which is “Dekada 90″ is reminscing the past; on how it felt good to live in the 90′s then. (they really had to mention Ely Buendia on the lyrics ). Well, my generation (ahem 25-30 years of age) can definitely relate to this.

The album is already available at major record stores nationwide at Php 280 and released through Universal Records.

Silent Sanctuary “Hay Naku”

Silent Sanctuary are:

Sarkie Sarangay – guitars, vocals
Anjo Inacay – cello
Chino David – violin
Jason Rondero – bass
Allen calixto – Drums

But for this article, I will be talking about a new Pinoy band called Peryodiko. The band is composed of Vin Dancel (lead vocals, guitars), Simon Tan  (bass, vocals), Kakoy Legaspi (lead guitar, vocals) and Abe Billano (drums, vocals). These guys are already superstars in their own way. Just to give you a background on each member: Vin Dancel was the lead vocalist of the now defunct Twisted Halo, brother of Ebe Dancel (of Sugarfree) and husband of Kris Gorra-Dancel (of Cambio, Fatal Posporos and Duster); Kakoy Legaspi used to play the lead guitars for Barbie’s Cradle and Rivermaya and I believe currently plays for a band called Salindiwa; Simon Tan is a great bass player associated with bands such as Lampano Alley, Johnny Allegre, Wdouji, UP Jazz Ensemble and many others; lastly, Abe Billano used to play drums for Dong Abay and Twisted Halo. Wow, that’s what I call a superstar line up.

I have seen Peryodiko perform once during the first leg of the Anabel Bosch tribute gig at Big Sky Mind last January 3rd. The picture here was taken through my camera phone during that gig; I was seated comfortably at the sofa . I have been hearing raves about this band since last year and am glad to get the chance to see them perform live.

I was actually wondering why they’re called Peryodiko. I haven’t talked to them in person so I’ll probably make some hypothesis here and hope to verify it when them when I get the chance to chat with them . I am thinking that they named their band as Peryodiko because their songs show everyday realities that people undergo. Their songs can be categorized as “comfort songs” ( like food, we have comfort food to make us feel happy).

Agawan Base – Peryodiko
The album is composed of 11 tracks and their carrier single is “Agawan Base” (in English, Stealing Base). Based from the lyrics, I could say that it is about accepting the consequences of whatever we do. People around us can just be spectators of our lives but basically we are the masters of our own world. Life is like this game wherein the goal is to catch the opponents or try to steal the opponents’ base to succeed. This song will really give you the LSS (last song syndrome) and one of my favorites in the album as well.

sakaling magbalik sa iyo..
pagkatapos magpalit-anyo ang paligid..
sa ‘sang gilid may mga matang nagmamasid at nag-aabang ng bagong laro
alam ko..
pagbabayaran ko..
ang nakalimutang tagpo…
pagbabayaran ko…

sa tuwing umaalis at tuwing bumibitaw..
ang puso ko’y nagsusumigaw..
nagpapanggap mang nakangiti pa rin..
dala ang iyong habilin..
ang puso ko’y nagsusumigaw..nagsusumigaw..

sakaling magpalit anyo ang ngayon..
magagamot ba ang pait ng kahapon..
pagsisisi’y nakaukit sa nag-uumpugang bato..
eto na kaya ang bagong laro?…
alam ko..
pagbabayaran ko..
hanggang sa dulo ng tagpong ito…
pagbabayaran ko…

sa tuwing umaalis at tuwing bumibitaw..
ang puso ko’y nagsusumigaw..
nagpapanggap mang nakangiti pa rin..
dala ang iyong habilin..
ang puso ko’y nagsusumigaw..nagsusumigaw..

(copied from Vin Dancel‘s multiply)

Another favorite song of mine is “Huminga” which again is having a reality check among ourselves as humans. Sometimes we pressure ourselves on becoming perfect but in reality we are not. We may experience some achievements during the day but before we sleep but we must still remember to put our two feet on the ground.

Sino ba nagsabi na hindi ka pwedeng madapa?
Lumingon ka lang sa paligid mo oi hindi ka nag-iisa
Hindi lahat ng gusto mo, hindi lahat ng plano mo
Nasusunod at natutupad..hindi parating lumilipad

Ngayong gabi, ipagtagpi-tagping muli
Mga pira-pirasong pangarap
Mga tira-tirang bahagi ng iyong mundo
Huwag kang manlumo
Ipasahangin ang mga damdamin
At akuin ang sariling buhay

“Kumapit Ka Tuwing Lunes” is one of the slow songs that I like in the album. I’m not really sure why the writer suggests to ‘hold on every Monday’ (the literal meaning of the title ) probably it’s because Monday is the first day of the week? Haha, I’m not really sure. This song actually sort of reminds me of Apo Hiking Society and Eraserheads. Hmm maybe the 70′s feel and the melodious tune of it?

Kailangang magpatuloy
Gumulong ka lang kaya
Wag magpatalo
Wag mag-alala
May pag-asa pa
Hangga’t ka’y humihinga
Ang lahat ng ito’s lilipas din

bakasyon 11-14 – Peryodiko
“Bakasyon” is an upbeat song that talks about having a break in emotional stresses that we feel in life whether it’s love, pressure at work, etc…

kailangan ko ng bakasyon
maaari bang magpahinga ang puso kong
patalon-talon tuwing nabibitin
sa kung ano ba ang alin

Here is the complete track list:

• Pikit
• Agawan Base
• Tayo
• Lihim
• Huminga
• Milenyo
• Piraso
• Paglaya
• Kumapit Ka Tuwing Lunes
• Bakasyon
• Walang Kapalit

You may buy their album during their gigs and will not be available on record bars yet. While watching their gigs, you can also buy their merchandise such as stickers (I have it already!), t-shirts and button pins (I have it too!). The album is independently released (Thanks to Anton Dans for correcting, previously I wrote that it was released through Sony BMG. My apologies) and if you wanna book them for gigs you may contact Thirdline Inc. at 4260103 or 4265301.

Upcoming album bar tour gigs will be on March 27 at Mag:Net High Street (with splintr.com) and on March 28 at RJ Bar (Makati). You can also catch them on Jam Session @ 88.3 on April 12 (radio concert).

with Gasulina playing in the background

Growing up as a young girl in our society is not that easy. Culturally, there are expected behaviors a little girl should know but sometimes (or most of the time), these expected behaviors become controlling factors in our decisions in life. As we all know, different socialization agents influence us and mold us to who we are now. Socialization agents are significant people in our lives (or most likely the first individuals who we encounter as a child) such as parents, teachers and peers. Not all the time they are saying the ‘right thing’, but because of normative conditions, sometimes adolescent girls are misinformed and would think that it is the ‘absolute truth’ with no room for change.

Veda Mangalubnan-Zabala, daughter of Buddy Zabala (of the Eraserheads) and Earnest Mangalubnan-Zabala, playing the violin (photo by Karla Redor). She was given a talent fee by Rock Ed so that she would know the importance of hard work. According to parents, this will go to her college fund .

This was me answering Gang’s question “What advice would you give to a little girl that wasn’t told by your parents when you were a little child?” and for that, I won a Body Shop goodie bag. Super thanks Gang! (photo by Karla Redor)

This is the reason Rock Ed (or Rock ED Philippines launched the Girl Code Project, an alternative education class to educate girls who are growing up in a society like ours. This is one way also to help parents on socializing their young girls to become responsible adults in the future. The event was held last February 20th at the Eastwood Central Plaza. There were bands who performed for the said event such as Gasulina, Mozzie and Playphonics. In line of empowering little girls is the launch of Duster’s debut album “Sweetheart Snackbar”.

Duster being Interviewed by MTV (photo by Karla Redor)

Duster showcased some of their songs in their album and of course they played their current single “Dek-A-Doodle-Dandy” (popularly known as the Adik Song hehe). This event also showed the video of their current single.

The album contains 14 tracks, most of the lyrics were written by Raymund Marasigan and Lourd de Veyra. Actually, the band is like the female version of the band Pedicab. Just a little background about them, the name Duster has been in Myrene Academia’s head for a long time and has been reserving that for an all-girl band. There were some unused lyrics by Raymund and Lourd so these were used in Duster’s entourage. These are the tracks included in the album (very unique song titles ) :

Automatrimonia
Dek-A-Doodle-Dandy
Gucci Gang
QC Girls
D.U.S.T.E.R
Houseborken
Dekonstruccion
Miss Me
Balls
Sexxing The Cherry
Janice, Janice
Retail Therapy
Saksakan
GPS

My most favorite is Automatrimonia because it highlights the woman’s decision to give importance to one’s self.

Dressed in lace, soft and white
All made up splendid and bright
Yellow flowers, golden ring
Center of joy is just one thing
Imaginary limo the ride of her life
In her mind the bells ring bright
Scent of love in for bloom
Empty room, absent groom
Girl in mirror floating in dust
Slowly dissolving in the mist of lust
Shattered pictures on the broken shelf
Says “I do!” to no one but herself
Outside the skies are gray and bleak
Crimson tears went down her cheek

I’m getting married to myself
(by Raymund Marasigan and Lourd de Veyra)

The irony of this song is that it was written by men. Now the question is, can men also be feminists themselves? I studied in an exclusive girl school almost all my life, with feminism almost being imposed upon us and when I went to college, I was trying to contemplate on the different kinds of feminism. I remember when I took a course on Sociology of Religion (under Prof. Gerry Lanuza), my professor then tasked me to report on a book by Mary Daly entitled “Beyond God the Father”. He tasked me to report about that because he knew that I came from a feminist institution before. Upon reading that book and also researching the background of Mary Daly, that question of men being feminists came into my mind. Mary Daly was a radical feminist thus in this perspective, men cannot be feminists. I understand that it is really difficult to know the inner-feelings of a woman if you’re not one but it seems that these men (Raymund and Lourd) were able to give justice to woman’s deep-inner thoughts.  I hope that the Duster girls will be able to write lyrics on their next album because I know that they are good lyricists and musicians themselves. It is also one way of influencing young women who admire them to write their own songs.

Anyway, my post is going way, way deeper. You may now avail  Duster’s album from different record bars and please do catch them on their gigs

Katrina ”hopia” Legaspi as the voice of “Anna” the vegetarian manananggal  

We were one of the first people who was able to watch Dayo at the big screen. The premier night was held at SM Megamall’s Cinema 10 and was attended also by some members of the cast who rendered their voices to the film such as Peque Gallaga, Nash Aguas and Hopia.

I have been curious about this film ever since we were invited to the studios of Cutting Edge Productions to witness how the animation was being done a few months ago. I appreciated the film more while I was watching the finish product though the studio tour already burst my bubble .

This animation film indeed is a Filipino digital animation breakthrough because this is the first time digital technology was used in all aspects of the film. In addition, all animation was done here in the Philippines and by Filipinos. According to some animators that I was able to talk to during the studio tour, the Filipino animation films before were actually outsourced internationally because of budget constraints. The whole film itself actually costed Php 1.7 Million.

The story of Dayo actually is based on a Disney formula. Probably the story writers thought that this would need to be commercially successful. I would understand that since due to market forces, they would have to since the movie is expensive and would need to at least break even from the expenses incurred. The movie of couse has sponsors and there were product placements all over. Bubuy even brought one of the sponsors’ product in Elementalia. Haha. This is how the massive film industry works with capitalism, they have to work with capitalism to achieve something. In their case, they wanted to break free from the ‘old school’ animation. Rationalization my dear and I won’t dig in deeper into that.

The movie is not a “thinking” movie, it’s actually a “moral lesson” type of movie. It’s actually a movie that would amaze your aesthetic pleasures. What would you expect? Kids are the target audience here. For me, it’s not really bad to have a ‘non-thinking’ movie. Well, we need it sometimes to get away from all the pressures in the adult world. Movies are really meant to transport your mind into a ‘make believe’ place and Dayo, I believe was successful in that aspect. You would be able to see the difference when the lead character Buboy, goes to Elementalia. I was not able to appreciate the fact that the landscapes or backgrounds are just static when the characters are the only ones in 3d. It was ok, probably it was due to budget and time constraints.

As a whole, the movie was great. Adults will also appreciate it and that’s also important since kids will be dragging their parents or guardians to the movie. Another good thing about the movie is that it’s distinctly Filipino because it shows common Filipino culture. From the icons, objects, the jokes, the locations, mythology, etc. everything was common to us. This is probably the reason MTRCB gave them a rated A. So watch this movie starting December 25 (Metro Manila Film Festival entry) and I assure you kids will surely like this movie

Congratulations to all the people involved in this movie!

* Special thanks to poyt for the invite

Karla and I watched this film a few days ago at the Gateway Mall and I could say that it was ok. I really couldn’t say that it’s really good and cannot even compare it to the other “The Mummy” flicks since I haven’t seen the last 2. It was average so to say.

We have already watched 2 Brendan Frasier flicks this past month the other was “The Journey to the Center of the Earth” and comparing the 2 Frasier flicks, I could judge that I like the “Journey” better than the “Mummy 3″. It was much funnier. The only scene that I actually laughed in “The Mummy 3″ was when the dead skeletons were attaching each other’s body parts that fell while battling the terracotta warriors. I also enjoyed the fact that I am seeing Beijing, China one more time. It made me reminisce the time when I was at the Great Wall and seeing the actual terracotta warriors in Xian, China.

Last night Karla and I decided to watch a movie since it was drizzling outside. We first ate dinner in Tong Yang ( a good time for Shabu-Shabu!) and then headed off to the cinemas in SM Megamall. By the way it’s my first time to watch a movie there. I was amazed because the theater was so big. Hehe. We decided to watch this movie since we planned on watching it while we saw the movie trailer.

Brendan Frasier is always associated with adventure-historical movies. Probably it started back in the 90′s when he did Encino Man wherein he portrayed the role of a cave man who was taught to become ‘cultured’ ( as what lay people would say). His next movie will be the Mummy, I think this time it will be with the Terracota Warriors in China.

Overall, I think that the movie is kinda geeky. Well I am not saying it was boring, it was actually interesting. The story is based on the actual book “Journey to the Center of the Earth” written by Jules Verne. Brendan Frasier is a scientist who is mainly interested in pursuing the theories of his brother formulated about having ‘another world within the world’. He then begins to have an exploration together with his nephew ( son of his brother) in Iceland. They accidentally got trapped inside a cave together with their beautiful guide and the adventure and exploration actually began. The adventure they had actually proved that everything that was written by his brother is true. While watching the movie, I felt that I was in a Universal Studios ride such as Jurassic Park or Indiana Jones. I just can’t get over how Brendan Frasier screams. Hehe.

( Daddy Maps aka. Diego Mapa on vocals)

Pedicab has just launched their sophomore album entitled “Shinji Ilabas mo na Ang Helicopter” outside the Pablo Gallery in Cubao Expo ( formerly Marikina Shoe Expo) last night. I woke up early for this event even though I have a shift at 1 am just to be able to attend this super anticipated gig! I was with my rocker *ehem* Karla last night and we had one hell of a night. We actually arrived past 8 pm ( since it was being advertised in NU 107.5 that the gig will start at 8 pm). It’s better to be early than be late. Well it paid off because we were right infront of the band. This is advantageous for Karla so that she could take pictures of the band performing.

( Sugaraims a.k.a Raymund Marasigan on synths)

The set up was right infront of Pablo Gallery, actually the sidewalk sort of became the stage. We’re actually infront of the band ( as in eye level). There were tents there so in case it rains, we’re fully covered. There were also lcd projectors for the video backdrops. Of course, a gig will not be complete without some booze. There’s a booth selling beer, cigarettes and Tanduay ( since it’s one of its sponsors). Also, there were Pedicab shirts being sold and of course the album is being sold there as well.

(Taken by Cars)

The gig started at 9 pm, Taken by Cars performed first. They performed 5 songs from their debut album. Sara Marco sang the first verse of Pedicab’s single ” Ang Pusa Mo” as an intro to their first song. That actually sounded so lesbo, lolz . The next band that performed was Chilitees. I’m not really familiar with them, I only knew one song from them which was “Sama Na” ( they didn’t even perform it last night). All I can say is that the vocalist has a nice voice.

Then Pedicab came out from the gallery, they were all wearing white long sleeved polos which has words painted on it. When you form the words into a sentence, it actually becomes the album title “Shinji, Ilabas Mo Na Ang Helicopter”. Those polos were the ones they wore on the album sleeve. While the band was performing Tado suddenly blended with the crowd and everyone was surprised that he’s there. The band sang 13 songs, here’s the set list.

After the set Karla and I left Cubao Expo, I still need to go to work. Left there about 11:30 pm. From what I heard from Dylan ( the NU 107.5 dj), there will be a dj who will be playing together with Diego Castillo.

I was actually listening to the album while I was doing this, and the songs were really good. My favorite tracks are: “Ang Pusa Mo”, “FX”, “Simulan Mo Na”, “Deafening Silence”, “Good to Go” and “Deep Eyes”. Buy their album, it’s really worth it. They still have the dance-punk sound. It’s really better when you watch them live.

I have just finished reading Sarah Waters’ “Tipping the Velvet”. Actually this has been long overdue since I started reading that i think late December. Let me give you a little background about the author and the story.

Sarah Waters is a known lesbian author born in Neyland, Pembrokeshire in 1966. “Tipping the Velvet” is actually her first novel that she published in 1999. The story was inspired by her PhD thesis about lesbian historical fiction.**
The story itself is based on the Victorian Era, specific location of the story are the music halls during that era. The main character in the story, Nan King ( an oyster cook from Whitstable) became infatuated with a male impersonator actress named Kitty. With her infatuation, she didn’t know that she will become physically attracted to this woman. She thought that she was just being fanatic about the art that Kitty is doing. She eventually becomes Kitty’s personal assistant and left Whitstable to be with Kitty during her performances. Nan King also has a hidden talent and became Kitty’s partner in their performances ( male impersonation). Their on-stage partnership suddenly became realistic, thus making Kitty as her first girlfriend. Kitty didn’t want to expose their relationship, Nan King realizes the “closet relationship”. After a while, Kitty left Nan to marry their manager and live a life as a “straight” person.

Nan King being devastated of her first lesbian experience, she lived a life as a ‘tom’. She left the music halls and lived in another place far from the music halls. She got attracted with a girl name Florence, working in the boarding house she’s living in. Nan became a prostitute ( for gay males) because they think she’s a boy. Nan King was picked up by Diane, a rich woman in her late 40′s and adventurous in sexual experimentations. Nan King then became her ‘boytoy’ and made her live in her mansion. Nan King enjoyed the experimentation however she didn’t love this woman, she’s still in love with Kitty. She also became involved with Diane’s maid Zena.

She left Diane’s mansion and tried to look for Florence, the girl that she got attracted with before leaving for the mansion. She felt that there was something ‘hanging’ between them. Now with no money, she found Florence. They started where they left off. Nan admitting her past to Florence.
In a socialist event, all of Nan’s ex’s were in that particular place. Kitty talked to Nan, asking her to come back even though Kitty still married to Walter. Nan refused since she didn’t want to become the ‘third party’. Though Florence and Nan both have unfinished businesses with their ex’s, Nan still chose Florence over Kitty.

My commentary:
This has a historical approach, makes you really imagine the music halls during the Victorian era. It seems that the author wants to explore lesbian visibility in history that has been left behind. The author showed the ‘exclusive’ parties for women who love women that may be present at that time.

At the beginning of the story, readers will already realize it is a lesbian novel due to the yonic symbols used such as oysters etc… ( I guess I know what you mean lolz ;p ).It made me giggle a bit at first, since Nan is somewhat a ‘virgin’ in this kind of feeling. It made me think of the first time I felt that feeling, going beyond friendship or fanaticism. I felt disappointed at Kitty being a closet lesbian, leaving Nan hanging. I actually became angry at the character of Kitty, especially the part when she was saying to Nan that she doesn’t want to be called a ‘tom’. Well what are you then? I totally understand closet relationships but between the two of them, Kitty still prefers not to be called a ‘tom’. That is called hypocrisy.

Actually, as I was reading through the course of the story it was suddenly becoming too graphic for me. The part when Nan was already involved with Diane. For me, it seems that the character was floating, on the rebound that’s why she agreed to be Diane’s ‘boytoy’. For the faint-hearted, I believe you might not like what you will be reading when you come to this part.
In summary, the novel is liberating lesbians especially in its setting in the Victorian era. During that time, women are treated weak and does not have the right to enjoy sex. Well as for this novel, it showed that women can enjoy sex and be whoever they want to be. As you can see, the characters of Nan and Kitty as male impersonators, they have to be one so that they can be considered as ‘someone’ in society; albeit shows patriarchy in that period.
Aside from patriarchy theme, it also shows discrimination among lesbians. It could be shown in Kitty’s statements that she doesn’t want to be called as ‘tom’ ( referring to a butch lesbian). We must admit that there is also discrimination even inside the circle that we revolve in.

** based on Sarah Waters’s official website.