jun.anteola

:D   :D  

This June 2008 cover of Rogue Magazine has been met with flak, mostly by historians and the nationalistic lot. Ironic, as this particular issue is an Independence Day edit, celebrating Philippine Independence on June 12th. I can’t blame them really. Supposedly, there is a prohibition to use the flag as clothing, as stipulated in Section 34.e and 34.g of R.A. 8491, the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

But the magazine, to my knowledge, maintains that it’s not THE FLAG as clothing per se, it’s body paint. An ill-advised statement, in my opinion. Because the code includes “print, paint or attach representation of the flag on… articles of merchandise.” In this instance, Joey Mead the model, being the merchandise. And the magazine, of course.

But if this is the case, how much have we missed reprimanding athletes, politicians, artists, businesses…what have you?… all of whom have used the flag in either clothing, infomercials/campaign ads, stage props, logos, etc., such as on this advertisement noticed by fellow blogger Gerry. I believe this only got the attention and the ire of many because of the shock value of the presentation: A naked Joey Mead, not so effectively covered by the tri-color and sun and stars. She appears similarly clad in a few pages of the magazine, too. Quite unfortunate really, because the rest of us don’t give a damn.

Other questions come to mind: with art, where do we draw the line between the acceptable and the disrespectful? Do artists even have to care?

This video gave me goose bumps.

Yes, they aren’t just back on track. With Arnel Pineda, they are a new act altogether. From viewing and listening to this interview, it is pretty obvious that the group is very optimistic and excited, have gotten their energy anew, and is making magic once more. If I may point one difference Pineda brings to it, it’s youth. Or his youthful vibe and candid demeanor. Die hard Steve Perry fans who refuse to accept may keep insinuating that it’s not the same. Of course, it ISN’T the same. Journey has been REBORN.

Sorry about the tongue twister, I didn’t know what else to name this post.

But should being called a nerd have to be taken as an offense?

What can/can’t computer junkies do these days, that I’m finding these stuff cool enough to share?

1. Click on the image above to open a new window/site. Wait for the flash video to download completely.

2. Write your first name on the first box, your family name on the second. No need to write your e-mail address.

3. Press the VISUALIZAR bar, and be impressed. Be very impressed.

And then there’s the Newton Virus Art for Mac users, which is actually a safe prank, but you might want to torment that control freak of a boss with? *fingers crossed*

After Charice Pempengco, she has expressed interest in having the new Journey vocalist, Arnel Pineda on it. I am thrilled, Ellen is recognizing that there is a huge amount of talent waiting to be tapped here in the Philippines. She isn’t the first to say so, of course. But I don’t mean to be overbearing, as I am also aware that it isn’t just Filipino artists being discovered through means never before imagined. Charice was spotted on Korean tv, Pineda on YouTube. And a multitude of non-Filipinos becoming instant sensations, too. The world is indeed getting smaller.

It happens that Pinoys are very enthusiastic denizens of the internet. We love to keep in touch, and it’s a cheap medium most can readily afford. It is creative. And it spreads fast. Hence, Happy Slip, the legendary CPDRC inmates dancing Thriller, the viral Renaldo Lapuz on American Idol 7th Season, the infamous Binibining Pilipinas Q and A, and the Papaya Song dance craze which got to Good Morning America.

Who else did I miss?

Here’s the Ellen deGeneres Show’s feature on Arnel.

I wonder if it qualifies as one other Cinderella story, but Arnel Pineda’s discovery by Journey’s lead guitarist Neal Schon is one seemingly impossible dream turned into evident reality, Pineda might still be pinching himself to check if it’s all true.

When the rock band announced its inclusion of Pineda, a Filipino, as its new lead singer, much speculation arose, mostly nitpicking from die-hard fans of Steve Perry, Journey’s original lead. Quite inevitable as the former’s voice has much similarity to that of Perry. While yet to be introduced to the core of their fans in the US via a live concert and an upcoming album, the group’s new lineup has received remarkable reception, meriting two encores at the Festival Viña del Mar 2008 in Chile, one of (if not the) biggest music festivals in Latin America. Hopefully, it’s a good sign.

… and if to see is to believe, go check this video of the renewed group doing Steve Perry’s signature song, Don’t stop Believing.

The complete set of performance videos are on this blog and at the Canal13 site, while very good photos are posted on this forum.

The worst consequence yet I know from not attending to this blog for awhile, is to get a ridiculous amount of unwanted comments and spam, and email notifications about some awaiting moderation. A few safe comments from blogger friends have been mistaken as potential threat by Akismet too, and I hope none of these have been summarily dismissed as spam. It takes time to sieve them through, eating up my time for writing decent entries instead. I hope it can’t get any worse.

So much trash online. As much trash as on the news, and on the Philippine political scene. And just as foul and gross as trash can get. I just hope it doesn’t spoil Kenkay’s vacation.

As much as many Filipino expats may want to come back, yearning to bask in the familiar comforts of home, and with eager anticipation of change and hope, there always seem to be reasons to offset, say upset, these and make coming back unpalatable, if not unwise.

But then they may always opt to see the other side of the coin.

Kenkay, here’s your song. Continue reading this entry »

No, this isn’t about somebody hearing wedding bells. Though I had very recently been part of two wedding entourages, in the former as ninong(!) (sponsor) and the latter as abay(groomsman). But far from it.

Until my next proper post, I’d like to leave a HAPPY NEW YEAR greeting for all. Much like everybody else, I am grateful for all the goodness that came with the previous year, and I wish for better things to come in the new. And most of all, I pray that LOVE, unconditional and pure, will reign in our hearts. The way our children love.

Here is something old, from 1980 in fact. From the 3rd Metro Pop Festival (whatever happened to it?) . As kids, we used to sing this song by heart. Listen and enjoy. Continue reading this entry »

” … faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love. ”

- 1 Corinthians 13: 13

May we remember and live the true meaning and spirit of Christmas… love: for our fellow men, for our country, and for God.

Let us greet the New Year filled with hope and faith in what we can do, as we face the challenges of our time.

Have a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!!!

I had the chance to view ABC5’s feature of Batad: Sa Paang Palay (Benjie Garcia and Vic Acedillo Jr. , 2006)tonight and it’s a very welcome respite from the usual tv melodrama fare the family is forced to watch on weeknights. I wasn’t able to catch the very beginning of the film, and had to look for its title in the internet. Such is my admiration for it, I had to know the production details. A simple online search not only gave me that, but led me to commendable, reliable reviews as well, by Rianne Hill Soriano and Eboy Donato , to name a few.

The credible acting, beautiful scenery, apt music, its revelation of a culture largely unfamiliar, the light and simplified presentation of an otherwise complex subject matter, the uncontrived humor — all made for viewing that draws the viewer into the story of an adolescent Ag-ap, wanting to leave his village to pursue a perceived better life outside of it. If only he has a good pair of shoes. Personally, its allegory struck a cord in me, the promdi professional stuck in small city Oz.

I find it ironic that on commercial breaks, the station showed PBA adverts extolling its new and upcoming stars, who are mostly Fil-Am, judging by the accented Tagalog. I’m not a big fan of basketball, more so with PBA. I’d rather watch NBA where, for me, the real hoop action is. I have nothing against the PBA drafting “foreign” players. If they can deliver, well and good. And at least, they’re acknowledging their Philippine roots. But I’d be happier if it looks into the potentials of young Filipino men in the provinces, who dream just as high and can achieve bigger things if given the chance, the proper programs to develop them and ensure continuity. There should be, there could be, but they must be ineffective. Otherwise we won’t have to look for athletes from beyond our shores.

In saying this, I am showing partiality towards homegrown players. This, because I am thinking that imports are already better off, and have the edge of doing better in life and not just in basketball, compared to their provincial/local counterparts. I am not familiar with the backgrounds of these Fil-Ams, but having at least one foot on good old US of A is an advantage in case things don’t work out fine here in RP. The local boys only have pitiable classrooms, extended families and bogus leaders to fall back on. Correct me if I’m so wrong.

…wala lang… naisip ko lang.