Eraserheads Reunion Concert

I've been a fan of the Eraserheads since college, but I never did get the privilege of seeing them live in concert during the height of their popularity. Imagine me hyperventilating in the board room when Ely Buendia showed up during a pow-wow to do a sample of the jingle of a brand I used to handle. I was literally jumping in my seat even before he started to sing the jingle. I had to contain myself though since it was a meeting. That surprise of the ad agency was the turn-key of the campaign. Check out how that fared here.

Fast-forward to 2008, rumors of an Eraserheads reunion have been floating around for years and I'm probably one of the millions of fans of the E-heads who wished for it. I was ecstatic when it was finally announced and my first worry back then was it coincided with the PBA! Nooooo! Good thing the organizers moved it to September 21 (be there!).

I must say that the reunion felt surreal. I was teary eyed when Ely started to sing since I never thought it possible that I would be able to watch them together. The first set went well and I was very happy that two of my favorite E-heads songs was played ("Fruitcake" and "Huwag Mong Itanong"), it was really a shock though when Ely's sister announced that they were cutting the concert short since Ely was rushed to the hospital. A short prayer was said and everyone then left the venue quietly. I hope and pray that Ely gets well soon.

Here a video blog about the concert, it has snippets from all the songs (save for one) and the announcement:



Thank you Sweetie for working hard to get us to watch the concert.

For more news about the concert please visit:
Inquirer.net
Philippine Entertainment Portal

Be a Hero!

I was ten years old when the 1986 EDSA Revolution happened. Prior to that I remember cutting up the yellow pages and joining in the daily Ayala confetti-run from my Dad's office. I'd come to school with yellow-ribbon pigtails, had all sorts of Ninoy buttons and what-nots and I remember being one of the salubong entourage when (Former President) Mrs. Cory Aquino visited St. Scholastica's College during her campaign. I also remember going to the musuem that showcased Ninoy's things, (President) Cory and Kris were there and I even got their autograph.

That was about 25 years ago and back then I just knew that something important was happening to my country. My Dad explained then that the Marcos regime had to end and we had to fight for our freedom. At that young age I did what I could and I recall being worried sick when my Kuya went to EDSA and did not come home for a few days.


Last Sunday night I got to watch a documentary about Ninoy. It detailed his life until his death. It certainly straightened out the stuff that I did not understand back then and explained clearly what really happened (which looks like it's happening again). I regret now not forcing Miguel to watch it since the docu certainly serves as a reminder to us that Ninoy died for his country, hopefully not in vain. And I ask myself, what am I doing to help? What about you?

There is still much to be done.

(I suggest checking out the IamNinoy campaign.)

On a lighter note:

It's my birthday today and I thought I'd just do my usual daily work routine and stay home with my family. Mom said she's going to get me some cake and Dad's getting me some balloons. Celebration with the Sweetie and loved ones will come after.

Happy birthday as well to Kleng, Jerome, the ex-GF and fiance of the Jakarta airport customs officer, and to all those born as well on this very special day.

*Photos taken from the plane at the break of dawn.

What Do You Do When There's No Electricity?

So it was raining so hard, the lights began to flicker and the electricity went off then on then off again. This happened several times before I was enveloped in darkness.


I sat in my swivel chair for a few minutes. I was quite dumbfounded on what to do since there was no electricity. Ate Razel brought me a candle, so I sat still for a few more minutes until I realized I had to get myself moving.

So candle in hand I shuffled off to my room, put the candle on the floor, sat on the bed and then realized... I had nothing to do! I was staring at the candle when I remembered having to finish a lot of school work back in high school and college. I finished reading the third installment of Noli and Fili (forgot the title) by candle light and remember typing away by candle light my term papers.

Now I was definitely at a loss on what to do, so I did the next best thing to being online... I used PHPlurk to ask people what would they do if there was no electricity. Here are some stuff I got as responses:

1. "Kaya dalawa anak ko" - methinks that does not need any further explanation.
2. Read a book.
3. Go out.
4. Sleep.
5. Play with the shadows.
6. Stare at the candle.
7. Stay online until the battery runs out.
8. Play with the DS or PSP or with one's camera (or any other gadget).
9. Have a home musical.

And of course,
10. Plurk!

And just as I was about to enjoy being in the dark - I was set to take a nap - the lights went back on.

Bitin noh? What do you do?

Nothing Happens by Accident

I have come to the conclusion that birthdays makes a person contemplative. I'm about to tick another year in this happy, blessed life of mine (oh yeah one must always think positively!) and yes I've been contemplating a lot in the past two weeks, not only because of my upcoming birthday but because of some challenges I've had to face.

Looking back I realized that the past year has been quite uneventful compared to last year. Everything seems to have settled down and quieted. Compared to the buckets of tears I cried more than a year ago, whatever tears I cried this year were only brought about PMS! NOT that I'm wanting. I think this is largely because I've made really sound choices and I guess I have finally matured a bit.

I finally got to watch "Kung Fu Panda" and that's where the title of this post comes from. I told Sweetie before I left to see my Kuya that I thought that the trip was going to reveal something important to me. A lot of questions have been plaguing me the past few weeks, making me frustrated and anxious for some weird reason.

And usually it's my dear Kuya who unravels the answer. He just normally quips something and it's already a eureka moment for me. This is what he said,

"Pressure is the fuel for personal development. We are pressured when we have not yet achieved our goal so we search for knowledge and development skills, find solutions to get our goal. If you are not pressured, you have no challenging goal. What is your goal?"

I was feeling antsy the past few weeks because I realized that I have reached a comfort zone and I don't feel good about it. It's about time for me to reassess my goals and plans and evaluate if the things I'm doing is still at par with my mission.

Have ya been feeling antsy lately too?

The Divine Email

Got this in my mail today -

Hello,

How are you? I saw your email today and feel like contacting you.I feel we may become matches. (divine.ekpere@yahoo.co.in) is my contact. Kindly make a contact if you are interested.so that I can give you my picture for you to know who i am.

My name is Divine. I will appreciate it if you give a good responds.
Thanks and remain blessed.

(Remember the distance,colour or age does not matter but love matters alot in life) (divine.ekpere@yahoo.co.in)

Your connection is definitely off and even though distane, colour or age does not matter... all the responds you will get from me is this blog post and giggles from my dear readers and... well... too bad, I'm TAKEN!

Sweetie O!

Daybreak

Sometimes when you feel that it's too dark.
All you need to do is wake up early.
And watch the
Day

Break.

Cebu! Cebu!

It's been quite some time since I visited Cebu. Here's my video blog about my last visit -



Full blog post at Lakwatsera Ako.

I also had the chance to meet a number of Cebu bloggers and would like to say thanks and hello to those who showed up: Arnold, Markee, Rodel, Empress, Miong, Webslave, Sinjin, Wilhelmina, McBilly, X and Linnor (with Jerry!).



Will be updating this post once I have my vlog about Cebu food. Yumyumyum!

Burger! Burger!

I've got a major blog backlog again... it's been a hectic week, but here's a video spoof of one of our favorite TVCs. Hope you enjoy it!

The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2008

It was just a year ago when An Apple a Day was recognized as one of the Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs of 2007 (remember I won a car?). It was truly an overwhelming experience and I still get embarrassed when somebody tells me they've seen my blog. I've since developed other niche blogs based on my interests and it also eventually inspired me to go beyond my own sphere and create a blog that would benefit other people.

And that blog I created with friends was recognized as one of the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2008.

YOU GOT TECH

YouGotTech was born out of the need to reach out to the non-techies who just end up awed and scared of technology. We hope to make a difference by helping educate the non-techies and make them internet addicts err... experts in their own right.

Watch some snippets of the ceremonies in this video -



The 2008 Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs

1. Manila Foodistas
2. Filipino Voices
3. Visit Sagada
4. Missing Carlo
5. Mar Roxas for President in 2010 blog
   
6. You Got Tech
7. The Not so Talented DJ Montano
8. Davao Delicious
   Music Picks
9. Bariles Republic
   Fritzified
10. Bloggers Da Who

Events! Events! And More Events!

I'm giving up hosting parties for the next few months. It's fun, exciting, but nerve wracking too! There's also so much stuff going on in the next few weeks so I just want to really sit back, relax and enjoy... uh I hope!

Be there or be square!

August 11, 2008 - Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2008
I feel like it was just yesterday that "I Won a Car...!", I had a hard time putting together my list for this year's writing project, but still managed to. You Got Tech is part of the top ten this year! Woohoo!

August 15, 2008 - Cebu Bloggers meet-up
It's just going to be a small meet-up. If you're based in Cebu well I hope to see you there! I have no idea yet where it's going to be held, but it's going to be on Friday early evening. Go bug the Batangyagit, he's coordinating it. Teehee.

August 23, 2008 - Ubuntu Love Day Manila
I know the slots have been filled-up. I have yet to make my 30-day challenge successful. So, good luck to me!

September 4, 2008 - mini-Wordcamp Davao

September 6, 2008 - Wordcamp Manila
This is the topic they gave me, "Demystifying Google Analytics". Should be uber fun!

September 21, 2008 - Philippine Blog Awards
Thank God I've been relinquished my hosting duties. I looked totally different last year, thanks to Sasha who did the styling. I think they're giving me something else to do this year.

Well, if you're a Filipino blogger and reading this entry... help spread the word about these activities! There are so many new bloggers and we need to welcome them in the fold. Best way to make a lot of new friends!

Buhay Coke Party = Happiness Again

The past few days has just been really crazy for me that's why I haven't been blogging. I have a major blog backlog and I hope I'll manage to do something about it in the coming days.

Anyway, so last Friday we had another party sponsored by Coca-Cola and it was where the winners of the Buhay Coke Video Blog Contest was announced. Congratulations to the following for winning!

1st Place - Azrael Coladilla
Won a LCD TV



2nd Place - Gerry Aguilan (the Komikero)
Won an iPhone



3rd Place - Coy Caballes
Won a Digital Camera




4th Place - Angelo Abrazaldo
Won an iPod Nano



You can watch the other entries to the contest by going to the Buhay Coke Vlog Contest announcement, most of the them did a video response to the vid.

Thank you so much to Coca-Cola and SM Hypermarket for being supportive of bloggers! And thank you as well for all the bloggers who attended again.

More posts about the party (let me know if you have one by leaving a comment!):

An Apple a Day
The Komikero's Vlog about the Party
Azrael's Merry Post
Jeric's Post
The Diary of Joni & Anya
Halo-halo.ph

Disney's Mulan, Jr.

I have an appetite for so many things. I love to travel, do wedding stuff, eat, watch movies and concerts (mostly Pinoy though), listen to music and when time (and the wallet) permits, I love going to the theater too!

I was a tiny kid when my Ate would bring me to the Rizal Theater (it's gone now, I think it used to be where Makati Shangri-la is located now). I remember watching a couple of musical plays including Cinderella (where prince charming kissed me!) and Annie (with Lea Salonga as the lead). Then my sister left for the States and my Kuya took over and exposed me to watching concerts (Menudo yeah!), but I still managed to watch plays once in a while. It's quite hard though to find friends who want to watch with me.


I was ecstatic when I got invited to watch the technical rehearsal of Mulan. I definitely loved the Disney version of Mulan and was quite curious about it's theater version. I looked forward to seeing "Reflections" performed and seeing the theater version of the ancestors and the wanna-be dragon. I was not disappointed! The theater does bring different sensory experience.


Disney's Mulan, Jr. is a production of Repertory Philippines' Children's Theater, directed by Joy Virata, with choreography by Denisa Reyes, sets and costumes by Niki Torres. It features some of REP’S most seasoned and accomplished actors including Cris Villonco, Cara Barredo, and Caisa Borromeo alternating in the role of MULAN; PJ Valerio, Reuben Uy, and Felix Rivera alternating in the role of CHANG; and Red Concepcion, Robbie Guevara , Rem Zamora and Chevy Mercado alternating in the role of MUSHU – the “DRAGON WANNA-BE.” Supporting them will be a strong cast of veterans and talented newcomers.


Disney's Mulan, Jr. will run from August 9 to December 18, 2008 at Onstage, Greenbelt. Kindly inquire at 8870710 for time and ticket prices. More details at REP's website.

Kaya WATCH NA!

Thank you to Lorna and Juned for the invitation. It was indeed a privilege! =)

Movie Review: A Very Special Love

I had very high expectations with the John Lloyd Cruz-Sarah Geronimo tandem for "A Very Special Love". The movie trailer started showing about a month before it opened in theaters and seeing it made me excited to watch the movie.

Okay, okay I admit now... I've watched most (if not all!) of John Lloyd's movies! He's just simply CUTE!

`nuff said!

Kidding...

So today I had Sweetie and Miguel accompany me to watch the movie and I was not disappointed. I loved the movie because:

1. It was fast-paced
2. There were no boring moments
3. Perfect mix of the funnies and drama
4. There was resolution (that's where Monster Mom failed big time!)
5. NAKAKAKILIG!

A friend of mine found it corny and cheesy, well it does have the usual Pinoy-kilig-movie formula, but I must say that the story-line was refreshing, creative and light. It's a feel-good movie that will definitely lift your spirits and make you gush over the leading man (fan po ito ni John Lloyd!).

The Llody-Sarah tandem works not only because they have natural chemistry, but also because it's not pilit. They each have their own following and are established artists. The characters they portrayed simply fit and they obviously had fun doing the movie.

I had so much fun this afternoon and I'm happy to report too that my kid laughed along with everyone else (I had to bribe him to come watch with us). I laughed a lot too and cried along with the characters during the sad fez moments (and shhhhh I was very kilig too!).

So, just sit back, relax and watch "A Very Special Love".

I Love Rick Astley!

I used to collect tapes when I was a kid and Rick Astley is part of my collection. I remember begging my Dad to buy me the tape (see photo!). I just tried playing it now and it still works!!! It's been just in my music cabinet all these years.

Rick Astley tape = prized possession!

Meron ka ba niyan Marcelle?

Too bad I missed the concert last night. If we didn't have to attend a wedding we would've probably watched. I missed the performance of the Philippines' Rick Astley = Roderick Paulate. Anyway, here he is together forever with Rick Astley:

Superpowers

Photo by Fritzified.com

Fritz said in his plurk, "Aileen manifesting her supranatural powers."

LOL.

I wish!

Speaking of superpowers, did you guys see Ria's superpowers?



But I think the greatest superpower one can acquire and get a hold of is being able to live one's life to the fullest. Being simply happy and contest. I could not help but admire world-renowned professor, Randy Pausch, when he gave a snippet of this very powerful lecture he gave about life. You see when Professor Pausch gave this lecture he already knew he was dying, but he did not rant or complaint about that, instead he managed to give a really great message about life. If you're feeling down, need cheering up, or just generally depressed, and discontent, WATCH THIS VIDEO and I'm sure it'll wake you up!



My condolences to Professor Pausch's family. He indeed left a legacy to remember.