This is a video of the Galleon Andalucia, a full replica of the Manila galleons that used to sail from Acapulco to Manila as early as 1565. Now, it's on its way back to Manila Bay as the Philippines hosts the International Dia del Galeon Festival 2010: History, Heritage, Habitat, and Language starting October 5. I'm actually very curious to get aboard this ancient vessel. I want to ask the Captain how it's like to control of a large multi-decked ship that's powered only by the wind. It would be pretty cool if they're also limited to using the technologies available in the 1500s but that's probably not possible. How would they blog on board?
Kudos to UNESCO for spearheading the Day of the Galleon as way to pay tribute to this crucial trade route that fostered exchanges among 32 communities, which include the Asian countries of Japan, China, Borneo, Malaysia, Vietnam (to name a few). For over 250 years, the Philippine port was an integral part of global commerce encouraging the mingling of cultures between the East to the West.
Find out more by checking out these events:
MANILA SCHEDULE FOR THE DIA DEL GALEON FESTIVAL 2010
*ARTES TALLERES: THE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
September 20 to October 8
Venues: National Museum, National Historical Commission , DOT WOW Clamshell Intramuros
A three-week interdisciplinary festival of workshops, demonstrations, exhibits, and performances with participants from the Philippines and all the continents with the Galleon Trade experience Participants (artists and cultural workers) include 40 from abroad and 100 from the Philippines.
· Workshops on arts and heritage
· Collaborative workshops on cultural exchange
· Theatrical production of Miguel Sabido's Juana la Loca
· Literary and visual art exhibits
*PACLAS LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES CONFERENCE
October 5: De la Salle University, Taft
October 6: University of Sto. Tomas, Manila
A forum organized by the Philippine Academic Consortium of Latin American Studies, which will bring together scholars to share current research. This year's theme is "The Bicentennial of the Independence of Latin American Nations."
· The emergence of Latin American identities including the role of culture and language in nationhood
· Independence movements, personalities, and leaders
· Post-Colonial Development, including national and regional histories
· Parallelism in the Philippines
Results of the ARTES TALLERES will be showcased in this conference as modular artistic models showcasing themes on the Galleon Phenomenon (Then and Now) and on the Independence Movements of nations impacted by the Galleon Trade.
*ESPECTACULOS
October 6 to 8
A harvest of performances and media arts modules reflecting on the themes of the Galleon Trade through its history and impact. It will include multi-cultural performances, with a climatic production of Juana la Loca by Mexican playwright Miguel Sabido. The play will fuse Spanish and Filipino languages in a unique intercultural dialogue involving a multinational cast.
*GALEON ANDALUCIA
A replica of the 17th Century Galleon from Spain will dock in the Manila Pier for public viewing. Guests can climb aboard and view the traveling museum.
*REUNION
October 8
An intercultural dialogue and culminating activity for workshop participants and guests. This will include presentations, creative industry exhibits, and declarations for unified action on the themes and impact of the Galleon Trade.
Major resolutions and artistic results will be highlighted by special messages from the Heads of State of the three main countries of Spain, the Philippines, and Mexico. This special program will be beamed in a simultaneous international broadcast.
*VIAJE DEL GALEON
October 8 to 11
A four-day educational trip from Manila to Cebu with on-board activities and tours around Cebu. The conference and workshop participants will lead the activities, to be shared to youth passengers.
Even at the age of 12, Charice had the pipes of a diva. This video of her in what seems like a karaoke bar proves it. Recently, she sang this very same song, "Listen" during the first episode of Glee Season 2. The tune hit no. 1 on iTunes sales. People on the internet are also saying that her version topples Beyonce's original recording any day. But all that boast-worthy info aside, it was pure fun watching Glee. The episode was tight, well-written, and exciting. Killer zingers by Sue Sylvester and a very memorable abs appearance by Mike Chang. Charice, the singing Pacquio of the Philippines, making a guest appearance was merely icing on the cake. Her acting needs some polishing but is not unforgivable. Her singing of the song, "Listen" during the auditions was poignant after you learn about her story. It gives you goosebumps not only because she's got a 10-octave voice but because you hear the truth in her singing.
Well, for all your hardships Charice. Congratulations. The world is listening now.
I did a feature for the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the student winners of Manila Design Week's Digital Voice Wall- a competition for aspiring designers in college. The students' 100 artworks showed the Filipino issues that moved the youth the most. I found out today that the organizers, Team Manila, decided to post the entries and give out prizes to those who got the most clicks. Just LIKE Team Manila Lifestyle on Facebook so you can vote for your choice.
Here's a sampling of the impressive student works:
As a child, I grew up with the belief that Ferdinand Marcos was evil and Cory Aquino was good. Stories of the courage of the EDSA Revolution and People Power affected me greatly often times moving me to tears. Videos like these about the atrocities of the martial law enraged me.
But having grown up some, I realized that nothing can ever be that black or white. It made me wonder why my lola harbor fond memories of martial law and why do older people go as far as wanting that kind of rule back. It made me question if Marcos was really as corrupt and hateful as the media now portrays him to be? And for all the ridicule and griping directed towards Imelda Marcos, I wonder if people have forgotten that she is responsible for putting up the CCP, the Lung Center, and the Heart Center. In my blogging about Philippine culture, I often research using an old encyclopedia entitled, "Filipino Heritage", a series commissioned by Imelda. I don't want to change anyone's opinions about the Marcoses but we owe it to ourselves as Filipinos to learn about what really happened then.
I just finished James Hamilton-Paterson's biography of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos entitled, "America's Boy". The book posits that Marcos's rise to power was largely due to the endorsement and encouragement of the United States. From the very beginning, the U.S. aided in covering up his fake war heroism even awarding him medals that he did not earn. America gave him financial backing in the elections, supported his declaration of martial law, and even offered him and his family safe passage to Hawaii when things went sour. The author believes that it was only after America told him to, "to cut and cut cleanly" (meaning to get the hell out of the Phillipines) did he actually let go of power. Overall, the book is expectedly biased since the author is American. But it is also useful to hear about an outsider's opinion. It allowed me to see Ferdinand and Imelda as real people, with ambitions and flaws. It provoked thoughts about their intentions for doing what they did. And what exactly it is that they did in their 21 years of power. One of the things that struck me was this quote from the inaugural speech of Ferdinand Marcos in 1965.
"The Filipino has lost his soul and his courage.
Our people have come to the point of despair. Justice and security are myths. Our government is gripped in the iron hand of venality, its treasury is barren, its resources are wasted, its civil service slothful and indifferent. Not one hero alone do I ask, but many."
I guess I find it disturbing because it seems that we're still facing the same problems we had in 1965.
38 years after martial law and we have not gotten back up. Now is the time to lick our wounds and get back into the fight. Perhaps Bobit Savila has the right idea.
I've been mulling over whether or not I should go to Greenwich and buy pizzas just so I can get the Eraserheads Box Set. I'm still undecided. But I definitely think this is a nifty Christmas gift idea for any Pinoy rocker. This tin can contains the hits of the now defunct Eraserheads- considered the Beatles of the Philippines.
The Eraserheads: The Heads Set.
(I appreciate the play on words. Really, I do.)
Personally, I came of age with their album Circus. It was just mind-blowing. I remember listening to that cassette over and over again. The first gig I went to as a teenager was an E-heads concert. I bought all their albums, even their experimental Christmas album along with the book accompaniment. When they had their first (supposedly last) reunion concert, I was at the VIP section. The only reason why I'm thinking twice about this is because I have to eat a ton of pizza do get it, and I'm quite loyal to Pizza Hut. Sorry. It had to be said.
The story of the Eraserheads is sad but not uncommon with bands who hit the big time. They started out as a naive young college act, blossoming into a Pinoy phenomenon, that broke up at the height of their career because of creative differences and personal issues. But they lasted a good 13 years, from 1989-2002. And now, two of them are still very active in the scene. Former frontman Ely Buendia is the vocalist for Pupil and former drummer Raymond Marasigan is the vocalist for Sandwich. It's great that they've found their place but it's left a lot of E-heads pining for more.
Now, you can have all their works for the price of 3 pizzas, 3 large drinks, 3 bigatin meals, and 30,000 calories. But for that you will be rewarded with digitally remastered classics. 10 albums total plus
a DVD on the E-heads adventures throughout the years entitled, "Pop-u-mentary". It also has a commemorative tee, a photo memento book, and lyrics.
(Ultraelectromagneticpop!, Circus, Cutterpillow, Fruitcake, Bananatype EP
Stickerhappy, Aloha Milkyway, Natin 99, Carbon Stereoxide, Dirty Little Treasures)
Find out the details on how to get your own here. Thanks to Noisy Noisy Man for the photos and for the timely review. I totally agree with him. This is a steal for its price. And if you grew up on the E-heads like I did, you'll want to have this. I just wished that Greenwich would also organize an Eraserheads Box Set signing. That would just seal the deal.
Charice Pempengco, the little singing wonder of the Philippines, has made major waves internationally. First she wowed the public on Ellen and Oprah and then she had that little cameo on that rodent movie and then she had a hit single, "Pyramid". She's all over the place. Now she's part of the cast of the super popular American series, Glee. (Premiering its 2nd season on Tuesday, September 21.)
But did you know that there's a musical sensation even tinier than Charice that's quietly taking the world by storm. Meet Mistula. Standing less than 2 feet tall, they're the world's first doll band and they have internet hits in U.S. and in the U.K. They have human and doll fans from all over the globe. Personally, I'm a fan of their undying patriotism (and killer fashion sense). True to their nature as the Philippine's first virtual band, they only sing in Filipino with a crew powered by Philippine creative heavyweights Joey and Rey Tiempo. Here's an interview they did for QTV:
I got to chat with the bandleader and drummer, Lugosi, and he answered some of my pressing questions.
1. Are you guys Filipino? Aren't you all Japanese?
Foreign in mold, Filipinos at heart. Us boys were made in Japan and Manx, in Korea, but it is in the Philippines where we were given life, where we were essentially "born".
Band Members: Lobo, Bella Lugosi, Manx Minuet, and Uno
2. Mistula's songs reflect a deep love for the country? Where is that passion coming from?
We believe you can only be truly passionate about something if you know it dearly. And as Filipinos, being Filipino is what we know best. We aren't going to pretend we understand other cultures because we don't. You won't catch us singing about "oppa" that's for sure.
3. What does Mistula think of our new president? What he said during the SONA? Are you all inspired this 2010?
We think our new president represents one of the most important steps we, as a nation, have taken in recent years. His State of the Nation Address has got to be the first honest assessment of the country's situation that we've heard in a very long time. It's not all roses, that's quite evident. But for once, the sense of "hope" - that general feeling of optimism which was very successfully extinguished by past administrations, can once again be felt. And that leaves us very inspired.
4. Can you talk a bit about Mistula's new single to help the victims of Ondoy?
After the series of devastating typhoons we experienced last year, we found it odd that all relief efforts were focusing on the financial and physical side of things, when we are very much known to be a highly spiritual people. So we did something about it. Our new song is a prayer, "Panalangin sa Panahon ng Bagyo", and it's also a church song. We plan to donate it to the church so the choirs can incorporate it during the mass, hopefully, to inspire strength in times of crisis. The whole project has been one huge labor of love for everyone involved. And the outpouring of support from the wonderful, talented individuals who have breathed life into this project has been very inspiring. For updates on the song, please check our official website, www.mistula.com.
Be a fan and check out their blog. Smoldering pictures combined with well-written stories. Awesome!
This Saturday at 3PM, Ambeth Ocampo will be giving his final talk on the History Comes Alive Series at the Ayala Museum. I've learned a great deal in three short sessions so I'm pretty excited to attend the fourth one. I can now relate with his pupils from the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo who adore his offbeat teaching style. So just to give a taste of tasty historical tidbits I picked up, I listed them down as some of the top things I picked up from Ambeth Ocampo:
1. In the images we have of our heroes, Jose Rizal is always portrayed as the writer, hunched over his desk with his quill. Andres Bonifacio on the other is brawny and muscular complete with six-pack abs. But he said that it was actually the other way around, Rizal had a body builder's proportion with a perfectly v-shaped back. While Bonifacio was skinny to the point of being sickly.
2. Guillermo Tolentino, a Filipino National Artist for Sculpture, was also a founding member of the Union Espiritista Cristiana de Filipinas. He'd communicate with dead heroes through seances, ask them about themselves in order to get their busts to come out correctly. He even wrote a book, "Si Rizal" where Tolentino has a transcript of him talking to Rizal through a medium.
3. Thomas Edison, the man hailed for inventions like the lightbulb and the phonograph, was also quite the avid filmmaker. He was commissioned by the U.S. government to create propaganda films about the Philippine American War. He showed us some of the clips which were supposedly shot in the Philippines, but actually took place in generic looking jungles in the U.S. using an all-American cast with African Americans playing the Filipinos.
This blog is like the Filipino dessert that mixes together unrelated ingredients such as ice, beans, gelatin, purple yam, and cream into something fun. Here’s a yummy serving of my own halo-halo musings on art, advertising, history, fashion, photography and inspiration.
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