America’s Next Top Musician?

Sabi nga ni Tyra Banks, after Cycle 16, next seasons will never be the same. And it did manifest on All Stars cycle.

Episode 8 was about contestants asked to write a song about their own lives and then make music videos. Music video for a modeling competition? I have mixed feelings about this. I had doubts about the outcome and even the relevance of the challenge to the main premise of the competition. Pero for the sake of entertainment (since it’s a reality show in the first place), pinagbigyan ko na ang sarili ko.

Lisa D’Amato’s “I Like Be Whoa!”

Advantage ni Lisa ang challenge since she is already known for her music during post-ANTM career before she was included in All Stars cast. As expected, from writing the song to shooting the music video, Lisa nailed it. Napa ‘whoa’ ako. I’m picky on rap songs dahil hindi naman ako hip-hop person pero I like her song and performance. Bilib ako sa creativity niya on writing songs. Mahirap magsulat ng rap content ah.  Her voice reminds me of Pink. If ever hindi manalo si Lisa (pero malaking chance na manalo siya), I’m sure she still has music industry to fulfill her dreams.

Bagay’ tong kanta sa may mga loud personality, sa mahihilig sa rap music, at sa mga wild.

Dominique Reighard’s “Tooch Ya Booty”

Eto hindi ko ineexpect. I agree with what Game (the guest judge and director of the music videos) had said to Dominique. She has J. Lo. + Beyonce’s vibe, hence, binansagan siyang Jeyonce. I love the lyrics of her song. It might be too vain pero it works on her. Plus, she looks good on her music video. She reminds me of Shakira based on her looks. Naaalala ko pa when I was so upset to her during her cycle (cycle 10) dahil she was the resident bitch. Pero now it changed in fact she might be the dark horse of the competition.

Bagay’ tong kanta sa mga attention seekers, matatambok ang pwet, at sa mga Cover Girl consumers.

Allison Harvard’s “Underwater”

And here comes Creepy Chan. Prior to the music video shoot, she struggled during the song writing challenge because she admits it’s not her cup of tea. But after some words of encouragement and support, it turned out not as I was expecting. Akala ko magiging downfall ni Allison itong episode. Judging on the song, it sounds like a ethereal but mysterious nursery rhyme. Brother… Sister… Mother… Father… Underwater… But the story behind the lyrics was about the tragic death of her father a year ago. Creepy pero it worked on her. And when the music video shoot came, it was a piece of cake. AND HER EYES WERE HAUNTING! Parang siyang Russian doll. Game even commended her weirdness as beautiful and unique at tila nagkakacrush siya sa kanya. Allison’s song reminds me of Enya + Bjork + Lenka + with a touch of krung krung Sandara Park.

Bagay’ tong kanta sa mga weird, creepy, at may lahi ng manika at kuwago.

Shannon Stewart’s “World Go Round”

I admit gusto ko rin yung kanta niya. Pure, sweet, at romantic. Her song was about her husband. Maganda yung pagkakasulat ng lyrics. She has a Faith Hill vibe. Simple lang yung music video setup sa kanya (tela tela lang) pero it worked pretty good. What’s weird is that she looks like a Victoria’s Secret Angel pero due to her Christian belief, she doesn’t like posing while wearing underwear. Gaga rin to. Nakakapagsuot ng bikini pero underwear hindi.

Bagay’ tong kanta sa mga in love sa boyfriend/asawa at mahilig sa ‘fairy tale romance’. Romance pocket books ala Precious Heart also count.

Laura Kirkpatrick’s “Southern Sweet Girl”

Gusto ko si Laura since her cycle (cycle 13) pero I found her cheesy on her music video. Ewan ko pero I feel weird (not in a good way). May pagka Taylor Swift yung dating niya. Pero parang ngongo yung boses niya or parang lasing. Kidding aside, the lyrics of the song is good naman. The concept of the music video about being a Southern sweet girl is kinda cheesy (parang 90s lang) and very limiting. Plus, have you noticed her feet? Parang madumi. Sorry, Laura. Bawi na lang next time.

Bagay’ tong kanta sa mga pa-gurl, sa mga mahilig kay Taylor Swift/Selena Gomez/Myley Cyrus, at sa mahihilig sa stuffed toys at diary.

Angelea Preston’s “I’m Here”

After listening to this song, sasang-ayon kayo sa akin na may pagka-Mary J. Blige ang boses ni Angelea. Gusto ko yung song niya. It really speaks about her story of struggle and how she deals with it. Song of confidence and fight. Ramdam mo yung galit ni Angelea. But unlike her song, medyo di ko type yung music video niya. Though she looked great (diva kung diva), ang kulit niya gumalaw na parang kiti-kiti. And like Laura’s, very limited yung music video niya. San naging kasing astig ng song yung performance niya sa shoot.

Bagay’ tong kanta sa mga nagdidiva-divahan, sa mga nanghahamon ng away, at sa mga nakabangon sa mga problema. Game bitch on *snap snap fingers*.

Alexandria Everett’s “Go, Go, Go…”

Actually, gusto ko yung timbre ng boses ni Alexandria. Parang si Sophie Elis Bextor. And hindi ko inaasahang magaling din siyang kumanta. Ewan ko pero I like her voice. Gusto ko rin yung kanta niya. Maganda yung lyrics. Pwede siya sa mga clubs. Chill kung chill. What I don’t like is her music video. It’s too painful to watch. I agree with the remarks: ang stiff niya gumalaw. Or dahil wrong direction? Siguro kung iba ang binigay sa kanya na direction, pwede pa bumawi si Alexandria. Oo nga naman… Go, go, go pero I didn’t feel the movement. Kung sana nakasakay siya sa kotse habang umaandar (I know it’ll be too impossible since they only shot it inside a studio/warehouse) or setup ay inside a club. And di ko trip yung styling sa kanya. Nagmukha siyang matanda. Poor Alexandria.

Bagay’ tong kanta sa mga mahihilig sa club, sa car lovers, at sa mga on-the-go lagi.

Ang masasabi ko lang about this episode ay:

• I hate to say this pero epal si Tyra Banks. Give the contestants their own time and space. Moment nila yun, huwag na sumingit. Hindi ba sapat na show mo na yan? I found that unnecessary.
• Pot Ledom? I find it corny.
• Some of the music videos are limiting. Example: Angelea, Laura, and Alexandria. Kasalanan ‘to ng production team.
• As expected, paabor kay Lisa ang episode.
• Kung hindi palarin sa modeling industry, I think Alexandria and Dominique can make it to the music industry.
• Sana magrelease ng extended version ng single ni Allison! Hindi matanggal sa utak ko ang lyrics!

Excited to see them at Greece on next episode! Oppa!

Hot like Mexico, rejoice!

Maroon 5 feat Christina Aguilera “Moves Like Jagger” Music Video

Nakakaadik ‘tong kantang ‘to. At least hindi droga ang kinaaadikan ko, di ba? Pero I love sniffing pentel pens. Haha

Nadiscover ko yung song sa sister ko nung pinapatugtog niya. Catchy yung sipol. I asked the title and immediately searched the song on the internet. Then I got hooked. Lagi kong pinapatugtog ang “Moves Like Jagger” dito sa kwarto pati na rin sa work. Sa opisina, pag pupunta ako sa CR para jumingle, eto ang lagi kong sinisipol. Paulit-ulit hanggang sa napapatingin na sa akin yung mga tao.

Kung si Pepe Smith ang Mick Jagger ng Pilipinas, ano kaya ang title naman? Ayoko na ituloy, baka kasuhan ako ng CBCP at ipasara ‘tong blog ko. Haha.

Last August 8, its official music video was released on E! but I was able to watch it on their official YouTube channel. It was directed by Jonas Åkerlund (the one who also directed “Telephone” and “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga, “Hold It Against Me” by Britney Spears, and some Madonna music videos).

Isa lang masasabi ko about the music video: langhiyang Adam Levine, ikaw na ang ubod ng sexy! Umaapaw ka ng sex appeal. Makamove like Jagger nga ako para magka-abs ako, and since mahilig ako mag-topless, magsusuot ako ng low-rise jeans hanggang sa makita na ang buttcrack at ‘karog’ ko. Pardon my words. Magja…Jagger ako araw-araw .

And napansin ko lang during Christina Aguilera’s moment habang kumakanta siya: lagi siya tumitingin sa gilid. Ewan ko kung ano nakain niya . Pero ‘wow’ pa rin. Ganda niya .

Overall, maganda yung song, maganda rin yung music video. Kahit ikaw, gusto mo magparticipate sa dance showdown. It’s your choice kung anong dance steps ang gagawin mo or kung magtotopless ka rin .

Here are some screencaps. Paalala: patnubay ng magulang ang kelangan .

And here’s the video:

Music video by Maroon 5 performing Moves Like Jagger. (C) 2011 A&M/Octone Records.

Hot like Mexico, rejoice!

His Sounds’ Faithful at 40

Bukod sa pagiging animation builder sa umaga, isa akong freelance graphic/layout artist. Kelangan ko ng dagdag kita. Mahirap buhayin ang mga anak ko. Walang pambili ng diaper at gatas kung di ako kakayod ng todo .

I got the opportunity to work with one of our country’s best choir group, His Sounds. I watched their recent concert last May 7 this year and I must say na may ibubuga sila. Forget about Madrigal Singers for the mean time. Naantig ang puso ko sa mga kanta nila. And this coming August 6, they will be celebrating their 40th anniversary. Kaya my close friend who is part of the group asked my help to design their event poster.

Medyo kinakabahan ako dahil: 1) first time ko magkaroon ng client na not school related; 2) bigatin yung event dahil 40th anniversary nga; and 3) makikita rin ng madaming tao yung gawa ko. So I thought so hard hanggang sa matosta ang utak ko, joke I asked for some of their pics during their past anniversary concerts until I came across with this one.

Medyo naintriga ako sa architectural and interior design ng PhilamLife Auditorium lalo na dun sa mga panels ng ilaw sa ceiling. I actually saw it when I watched their concert. Maganda and interesting yung design kaya I tried to incorporate it. Gumawa ako ng 4-sided shapes then placed it side by side with an opposite shape, just like as they appear on the ceiling.

Then I did a design for the event title. I wanted it classy, formal, and memorable. Naghanap ako ng fonts sa net since ayoko masyado maging dependent sa available fonts ng Microsoft. Then I came with this one:

Tapos I did 2 layout sketches for the poster. Naglaro ako sa idea ng “number 40″. I placed 40 shapes (20 pairs) then made it appear na parang scattered pero still connected (it signifies the past and present members of His Sounds, wherever they are, they’re still connected through the 40th anniversary event). Then I inserted the event details on the side.

Tapos I looked for color palettes. Ano ba naiisip natin sa 40th anniversary. No, hindi yung “ay ang tanda na” . It’s ruby. So I looked for shades of ruby/red. I also tried to search for complimentary colors of red. I found cream/beige/light brown colors. Maganda rin since the brown ones are the colors of the wood panels around the theater (although hindi ko pinili ang dark brown ones dahil ayoko masyado maging madilim).

Then I translated everything to graphic design sa Adobe Photoshop. I also included some pictures from their 40 years and superimposed them sa “panels” para naman makita yung brief history. Tapos I played with gradient colors for the panels in such a way that they look “interwoven” (signifying their intact, deep, and strong relationship with one another. The “woven image” represents the His Sounds as it has became.) I also used a wooden panel texture as background image (since yung venue ng concert has wooden panels). It took me about 3 hours., layouting and tweaking the design details. I tried to print the design just to see if it was OK for printed format.

I sent my design proposal to the organizers. After seeing my design, sabi ng friend ko nagustuhan nila yung gawa ko and was amazed by the design analysis and concept behind my proposal. Tuwang-tuwa ako . Pero I had to do some adjustments para mas palung-palo Ayos lang naman sa akin basta aprub yung concept behind the design .

Few days after my revision and submission, they already posted it on their Facebook page. I also did a design for tickets. Same design elements but in different format (I just tweaked the panels and event details in different positions). My friend gave me my complimentary ticket. Doon ko talaga mas naapreciate yung gawa ko since nakita ko na siya in print form. Ang ganda .

Super nainspire ako magdesign ng poster and other event collaterals nila. Not because I’m doing this for experience or skills improvement but also I wanted to impart what I have on something that is for celebration of faith and music. Music is a wonderful means of worship, di ba? I don’t wanna be too ‘banal’ but once you hear them sing, you will feel a sense of spirituality. Ok, ako na ang pastor .

If you’re interested to watch His Sounds’ Faithful @ 40 anniversary concert, you may contact Jenny Trinidad at 0917-5033083 or 0923-2673423. It will be held on August 6, 2011 (Saturday) at PhilamLife Auditorium (UN Avenue, Malate, Manila… katapat ng MAnila Doctor’s Hospital, I think) Tickets sold at Php 100 each.

Thanks to Elvis Jan Nicolas and the entire His Sounds family God bless

Hot like Mexico, rejoice!

bond’s new music video “Diablo”

Dear my fellow bond fans, after ilang taon, here they are, with their new music video entitled Diablo from their 2011 album Play.

At di lang pala pop music ang sumusunod sa Illuminati trend and other shocks-it-does-sound-disturbing fashion, pati rin pala ang classical music. Title pa lang, kaduda-duda na. Joke .

Diablo is their carrier single for their 6th album containing 13 tracks. Ok, is that a coincidence or just playing with the idea of unlucky number? Anyway, nirelease na yung bagong album this last month sa Mexico and soon be available on other countries on September this year. I wonder bakit sa Mexico naunang nagrelease? Bakit, nandito rin naman sa Pilipinas ang Mexico ah? Nasa Pampanga nga eh. Haha!

By the way, I posted a related blog about bond’s new album preview.

Actually, nalaman ko yung announcement via Twitter. Sabi ko sa inyo, maraming updates sa Twitter. I follow Eos Chater, the 2nd violinist of the group and she tweeted this early morning about their new MV. I became super excited to watch it. Kaw ba naman, it’s been 8 years since they released a music video. Ako na ang atat na fan .

The title scene. Ngayon ko lang nakita na may intro lable ang music video nila.

Finally, the girls.

Elspeth Hanson, the newest member, taking Tania Davis’ previous post as violist.

Eos Chater, the sultry talented violinist of bond. She reminds me of Kylie Minogue.

Gay Yee Westerhoff (promise, it’s her name), bond’s uber-sexy cellist. Puma-pout pa .

And Tania Davis, former violist and now violinist of the group, replacing Haylie Ecker, ang ‘babaeng tinanggalan ng buto’/ Shakira .

Lots of graphics. Supercomputers ata gamit nila para marender ito.

My favorite effect: shattered glass. I remember Emma Frost of X-Men: First Class.

2nd attire change. I noticed that they also used 2 sets of string instruments. I still have to confirm kung anong brand yung ginamit nila dun sa 1st sequence. As if bibili ako haha!

And my most favorite part: EOS SINGING! Pero di ko ma-take ang pronunciation ng Diablo: she says it like /DEE-yub-BLOW/. So British

Parang magteteleport lang sila. Again, full of visual effects.

Gay Yee ending the video with a emotive shot. Tangos ng ilong .

After watching, I didn’t expect na ganun ang output ng music video. Comparing on their past videos, this is very different in terms of imagery and concept. Unlike Shine and Explosive which contains a story, this relied on images of girls while playing. Binawi sa visual special effects. Syempre, di mawawala ang sex appeal at fashion sa video. Bond always have it. Kung tutuusin, para akong nanunuod ng isang advertisement ng relo, kotse, or jewelry na nasa 3 minuter-format. But story-wise, I don’t get it. I was expecting of a darker and dramatic output, since the song is entitled “Diablo”. Sana they asked Lady Gaga for some help. Joke

Why am I saying this? Probably because I’m already caught up with Haylie’s presence. Sa lahat ng previous videos nila at noong nasa bond pa si Haylie, she’s always the scene stealer. Kaw ba naman, iindak-indak ka habang natugtog ng violin. It take A LOT of skills to do that.

Not that great but not that bad. It’s fine for me. Ewan ko. As I have said, I’m still learning to like the song. Pero it’s better to have a new music video to watch than nothing .

Share your thoughts about bond’s new MV.

Hot like Mexico, rejoice!

Bond’s new album preview

Courtesy of http://bondshine.es.tl

Ok, enough of Lady Gaga, Taio Cruz, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars (not Bruno Earth, I’m sorry Ai-Ai pero ang corny talaga) and other mainstream music headliners. Time for some classical crossover mayhem.

The long wait is over… well, not for those living in Mexico .

(Pasensya na kung medyo straight English tayo ngayon dito sa blog entry ko, since this is a world topic and I might get some international readers. Last time, I posted about ANTM All Stars and I got major number of visitors on that particular post. Mind as well I do it on this. Wow, sikat. Joke.)

I was constantly refreshing my Facebook page and scooping some tweets on Twitter when someone posted an update of bond’s newest album.bond, the all-time all-female string quartet, finally released their 5th album entitled Play. Their last album Classified came on 2004 (I was still in my senior year high school).

The group went for a very long break that made fans cast doubts if they’re going to come back with a brand new album. Then Haylie Ecker, the first violinist, had left the group due to her pregnancy. The group lineup was changed: Tania Davis, the violist of the group, became the first violinist then Elspeth Hanson was introduced as the newest member as to replace Tania’s former post. Although the group were inactive, they still performed on special events and were even commissioned to a car advertisement in 2009. Last year at Llangollen International Eisteddfod festival, bond performed some of their songs plus 2 covers (which I was sure it would be included on their new album).

Luckily, the FB post by a fellow fan directed me to a fansite in Español. Good thing I can decipher some words since my native tongue, Filipino, has Spanish influence. I got to listen the preview track listings of Play and it made me so excited. I was like “Wow… Wow… OMG that’s cool… yeah… I-MUST-GET-THIS-ALBUM!”. Credits to Bondshine site .

1. Diablo written by Magnus Fiennes and Michael Lowley
2. Jai Ho written by A.R Rahman, Gulzar & Tanvi Shah
3. Elysium written by Magnus Fiennes and Michael Lowley
4. Pump It written by Nicholas Roubanis, William Adams, Alan Apll Pineda,Stacy Ferguson & Thomas Van Musser
5. Beatroot written by Gay-Yee Westerhoff
6. Last time written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
7. Summer written by Antonio Vivaldi, Arranged by BOND
8. Winter written by Antonio Vivaldi, Arranged by BOND
9. Apasionada written by Magnus Fiennes and Michael Lowley
10. West With The Night written by Eos Chater
11. Road To Samarkand written by BOND, Magnus Fiennes & Ric Featherstone
12. Victory 10 written by Tonci Hulijic
13. Diablo (bonus track) written by Magnus Fiennes and Michael Lowley

Honestly, things are not the same as before since Haylie left. I’ll miss her flexibility, her charm, and her wild side. Even if you only listen to their former songs, you can feel her presence. Nevertheless, the album still rocks. We fans were hinted before that Play is influenced by Middle East, Western Side, Ethnic beats. I like their cover on Slumdog Millionaire famous “Jai Ho” song, Black Eyed Peas’ “Pump It”, and I can’t believe they did The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony”/”Last Time” (I was wishing on it few yeas ago)! I also like “Beatroot”: it feels like a Russian gypsy-like folk dance, the beat makes you clap and stomp to dance; and also “Road To Samarkand” which reminds me of Marrakech, Morroco. Also included in the album are 2 covers of the Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons namely “Winter” and “Summer” (they did “Viva”, their another “Winter” cover, during their debut album Born). To celebrate their 10th year, Play also has “Victory 10″, a refreshing rendition of the group most popular song way back in their debut year, “Victory”. I’m still trying to like their carrier single “Diablo” but there’s something in their that I don’t like. The only thing I like is Eos’ singing .

According to Eos Chater herself, the album has been released to Mexico and soon will be available worldwide these coming months. Play will be available in Asia around September this year. I promise I’m gonna grab a copy. Can’t wait .

(Okie tama na ang English. Nakakadugo ng utak. Joke .)

Hot like Mexico, rejoice!