It's been over a day, and I still have UP Rep hangover. Which is good, ha.
In a way, last Saturday was a groundbreaking event. Not only because we got alumni from the 90s and the 00s (and yes, one from the 80s) to attend, but because we got together to lay the groundwork to build up again the organization that has done so much for all of us.
As somebody who has effectively straddled between the 90s and the 00s, I can safely say that the Repists who gathered at Balay Kalinaw last Saturday were among of the most loyal, dedicated, and hardcore Repists ever. And to have all of them in one room, talking about the future of UP Rep and how can they get fully involved... it's overpowering. And yes, it bodes well for the future.
This event didn't just spring out of nowhere. This was a culmination of years or pocket meetings, mini-reunions, drunken rants, all in the spirit of getting UP Rep back on its feet. If there's one thing I can be proud of, it's that I helped make this happen. There is no way in Heaven or Hell I could have done this alone, and I will be forever thankful for all those Repists who helped make all of this happen.
There's a long road ahead of us at this point. There's so much we have to do, and we have barely begun to move. But honestly, I'm feeling very, very optimistic. We have each other now.
I want this to succeed so badly. I know in my heart that UP Rep is worth saving. It is worth saving because it produced me, it produced everyone who was at the Alumni Homecoming, and it produced hundreds of talented, fiery, opinionated bastards and bitches who are making names for themselves in the fields they have chosen.
We all came from different walks of life. We all have moved on to different things. But all of us believe in Buhay and Kamatayan. And that spells a world of difference.
As much as I want to act cool and shit and not overreact about this, I CAN'T. I still can't believe that the first ever MTV I directed got nominated at this year's Rock Awards. Never mind if that video was shot on a budget. And never mind if there are like a bazillion videos nominated this year as well (Okay, 23). For me (and I mean this from the bottom of my heart), getting nominated is reward enough for me.
Like, I don't harbor any illusions that I actually have a shot at winning the award. I saw the line-up, and my goodness, the usual suspects are there in full force. Like, Quark Henares has four videos nominated, Pancho Esguerra has three, RA Rivera has two, Treb Monteras has two (Yo Treb!), and MTV vets Mark Villena, Marla Ancheta, Milos Curameng, Topel Lee, among others has an entry each. It's a tight field.
I can take comfort in the fact that I've seen all these videos, and my own video measures up. And I can also take comfort in the fact that this is my first MTV. Well yeah, I've been directing for the past six years, but I've never had an MTV before. Not only has the video gotten good reviews, it gets nominated as well.
And it bodes well for my little production house. I spent the better part of this year trying to get psychoCOW productions off and running. This can only bode well for me and my little outfit. Baby steps, ika nga.
So fuck yeah, I'm proud. And humbled.
I could have never done this without The Camerawalls, first and foremost. The first shout out goes to Clementine, Ian Sarabia, and Law Santiago (Tang Ina U2, para sa yo 'to!). This was truly a joint effort; both parties (My very own psychoCOW productions and Clem's Lilystars Records) dug VERY deep to get this done, and we're proud of this. I also could have not done this alone; THANK YOU to Niño, Yong, Anna, Pandoy and co, and especially to Dana for seeing this thru.
Does this sound like an acceptance speech? Well, this is my only chance to give it, so there.
I haven't really thrown in the towel just yet. Here's the video:
Sure, there are about a bazillion videos nominated, but hey, not bad for my first real MTV. Please support Clinically Dead for Sixteen Hours at the2008 NU107 Rock Awards by following the link below:
She guests in Oprah. Again. The entire damn episode is dedicated to her. She performs with David Foster in Las Vegas. She duets with Andrea Bocelli in Italy. Celine Dion invited here to perform in her concert tour in New York.
And I'm wondering why Star records gave her such a crappy album.
I may very well be the only Pinoy fan of "For Better or For Worse", a Canadian comic strip that has never been syndicated here in the Philippines (although it has quite a following in North America).
I was first introduced to the strip way back in 1996. Thanks to the internet, I was able to get my daily dose of "For Better...". I have, quite literally, followed the Pattersons for the past twelve years. I've watched the kids grow, get married, and have their own kids. I've followed them from one story to the next. I've watched their network of friends go on with their lives. Indeed, I really felt I was part of the family as well.
"For Better..." was easily the most heartwarming and insightful comic strip I have ever read. It has never failed to touch me or at least make me smile. It has tackled real world issues in a way that makes you think, yet puts a positive spin to things. It is intelligent but it also has a heart, which is sorely lacking in most strips nowadays.
Last August 31, Lynn Johnston (The author) closed the book on the current run of "For Better...". She has decided to hit the reset button, somewhat. She's going to start from the beginning, revisiting old strips while introducing new ones. Shes' gone to the extent of going back to her more simplistic style of drawing. While I understand that she does need a break, and while I realize that this is so much better than Lynn calling it quits for good, I can't help but be saddened that I won't get to see how the Pattersons turn out. I could be wrong, but that's how it feels.
Well, to Lynn, thank you so much for this wonderful comic strip. It's been a great ride, and it's not over yet.
To everybody else, check out www.fborfw.com. Trust me, you'll love it.
I was hanging out with some friends at the Fort a couple of hours before the Eheads concert yesterday. We were obviously talking about the Heads, and one of the points we all agreed on was that there shouldn't be another Eheads reunion after Aug 30. At least, not anytime soon. Doing so would have cheapened the event and the Heads in the process. Maybe five years after, a decade after, but not anytime soon.
And then it happened. Ely couldn't continue, and the concert got cut in half.
Don't get me wrong. 15 songs is plenty for the thousands in attendance. Hell, all we really needed was for the four of them to be on the same stage at the same time. But yes, nabitin ako. I'm sure the thousands of fans who watched also felt bitin. And apparently, nabitin rin si Raimund, Marcus, at Buddy.
This is a clip from the Eheads' impromptu Saguijo gig later that night (Taken no less than by Quark Henares, oooooooh). Gotta love the energy. It sucks I missed this.
I also saw a post-event interview with Raimund, Marcus, and Buddy (in MYX), where Raimund emphatically states that they would do this all over again. Among their reasons are that, yes, nabitin sila, they didn't get to complete their set, and so on, and so forth. Considering that Raimund was trying to "diffuse the drama" over this reunion weeks ago, his comments now are gold.
I think that this chapter in the EHeads book is far from over. I think we're going to see a Part 2. And considering what happened to Ely yesterday, I think we'll let them.
(Thanks to Az, our sexy internet vixen, for that photo)
Ely, get well soon. Thank you so much for yesterday.
I am still half-zonked from last night, so I will write in my trusty bullet-point style. Hasn't failed me so far...
+++
I arrived at The Fort (or Bonifacio Global City, if you really want to get technical about it) around 3pm. Yuck, am such a fan. Early on, the crowd at High Street was way thicker and diverse than usual.
Market Market was scary around that time too.
Killed time in Fully Booked
I entered the venue around 6pm. I was bummed to find out that most my friends were at the Patron area, while I was stuck at General Admission.
GOOD: There was an abnormal number of people inside the venue at that point.
GOOD: Considering the organizers only sold tickets for three days, the turn-out was CRAZY
BAD: They confiscated my lighter and cigarettes at the entrance. Later on, I saw loads of people smoking inside. Grrrrr...
BAD: Nothing to eat inside but McDo and Swift hotdogs. No coke, barely any water, AND NO BEER.
UGLY: The only time I try to sit, I happen to sit on an anthill. I'd like to see you try to kill a hundred ants biting your ass as nonchalantly as possible.
GOOD: The concert started only 20 minutes late. Wow.
GOOD: They gave us a 10 minute countdown, then a visual blitz, then the Heads take to the stage with "Alapaap". SUPER. MAJOR. MARK-OUT. I almost cried, I swear to God.
UGLY: Marking out alone.
GOOD & UGLY: The Heads performed as they always have. Which means, as usual, they were lifeless onstage. And nobody cared.
BAD: The Lighting sucked. The live coverage sucked. The sound system sucked. Again, at least we got this concert.
GOOD: 15 Songs, including Alapaap, Fruitcake, Ligaya, Shake Yer Head, and With a Smile!
GOOD: The turnout last night matched the turnout at the Beyonce concert, at the very least. I can't be sure, though.
VERY BAD & SAD: They had to cut the concert short because Ely collapsed backstage. Again, get well soon.
GOOD: Again, I already got fifteen songs at that point, so I'm good. Besides, if they were going to do 30 songs, what else were they going to play? (My wish list: Waiting for the Bus, Alcohol, Spolarium, FIll Her, Insommia, Pare Ko, Ang Huling El Bimbo)
GOOD: I found out around 2am that Raimund, Markus, and Buddy went to Saguijo afterwards to jam more EHeads songs. Ebe Dancel did vocals.
BAD: I didn't get to watch the Saguijo gig! Ebe singing "Alapaap"? GOOSE BUMPS!
5. last song played: Laki sa Layaw, (FILarmoniKA version)
6: last BUBBLE bath: April 1992
7: last time you cried: 9 days ago
8. last meal: 3 hours ago
SEVEN have you’s: 1. have you ever dated someone twice? yes.
(Number 2 was missing)
3. have you ever kissed someone & regretted it? yes
4. have you ever fallen in love? yes.
5. have you ever lost someone? yes.
6.have you ever slept until 2am? Longer
7. have you ever been drunk and thrown up? Duh.
SIX things you did in the past three days: - Praying to God that I get more gigs - Pretend to work (for the man) - Actually work (for myself) - Watched "Hot Fuzz" Thrice - Stayed online waaaaaay too long - Watched Camerawalls tear it up at Gweilo's
list FIVE people you can tell pretty much anything to? - Gabby - Ten - Dana - Lyndon - Dax
list THREE favorite colors: - black - red - white
list FOUR things you want to do before you die - to head my own thriving prod house - to shoot a film. Fuck that. to shoot THE film. - sing in front of a LARGE crowd - raise a family
This month have you… Laughed until you cried: yes.
Went behind your parents back? yes
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT: 1. Your last kiss? led to other things
2. Gay Marriage? Hell YES
3. Lowering the drinking age? Hell NO. But this is the Philippines. They'll be drinking anyway.
4. Straight, Gay, or Bi? Straight noh
5. Who are the best huggers that you know? UP Repists
6. Do you believe in love at first sight? Nah.
7. Is there something you want to tell someone? YES
8. What brand of shirt are you wearing? They have brands?
9. Would you kiss anyone on your top friends? Used to.
10. What is your current annoyance? The state of my professional life.
11. How many kids do you want to have? three
12. Do you want to change your name? no.
13. Last time you saw your father? 1996
14. What did you do for your last birthday? Got drunk
15.What time did you wake up today? 8am
16. What were you doing at midnight? Surfing and working
17. Name something you CANNOT wait to do? Shoot something!
18. What is your favorite things in your room? My laptop
Look, anybody who knows me knows I'd love to see Philippine Cinema get a break. This goes double for Pinoy Animation. We have some of the best animators in the world, but they're all doing work for Hollywood coz there aren't any opportunities here.
And now, we have Urduja.
I am honestly excited. Really, I am. From the little I've seen, it's looking good. Still, I will raise three flags...
Animal Sidekicks: Really now.
The fact that Urduja is not as Kayumanggi as I'd like her to be
Why Is The Philippines Poor? by Dr. Arsenio Martin of Fort Arthur, Texas.
THE DIFFERENCE
The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country.
This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt, that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor.
On the other hand, Canada, Australia & New Zealand, that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich.
The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.
Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.
Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order & labor, which made it the world's strongest, safest place.
Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.
Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.
What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition.
On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:
1. Ethics, as a basic principle. 2. Integrity. 3. Responsibility. 4. Respect to the laws & rules. 5. Respect to the rights of other citizens. 6. Work loving. 7. Strive for savings & investment. 8. Will of super action. 9. Punctuality. 10. and of course... Discipline
In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.
The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources.
We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies.
If you do not forward this message nothing will happen to you. Your pet will not die, you will not be fired, you will not have bad luck for seven years, and also, you will not get sick or go hungry.
But those may happen because of your lack of discipline & laziness, your love for intrigue and politics, your indifference to saving for the future, your stubborn attitude.
If you love your country, let this message circulate so that many Filipinos could reflect about this, & CHANGE, ACT!
Finally, I was able to get this done. It's been a long time coming, though.
These are some of my directorial works for television. It was definitely a blast editing this because of all the memories these clips evoked.
All these were created during my stint at Ideal Minds Corporation. I have since moved on to another company, and I can't wait for my next project. I believe the best is yet to come.
It's been over a day, and I still have UP Rep hangover. Which is good, ha.
I may very well be the only Pinoy fan of "For Better or For Worse", a Canadian comic strip that has never been syndicated here in the Philippines (although it has quite a following in North America).
I was hanging out with some friends at the Fort a couple of 
