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Saturday, September 30, 2017

The Scene Around: Mandiriwa: Joey Ayala at Ang Bagong Lumad (The Concert)

09/17/2017 02:20:33 PM


It was in 1992 when this renowned folk singer-songwriter staged a one-time big-time concert at Music Museum, one of the sophisticated music halls in the Metropolitan. That also paved the way for him to release all of his three albums at once during the special evening.

Fast forward to two decades: It was on mid-July 2017 when music event producer Ian Urrutia (known as the man behind Vandals On The Wall) invited me to their latest concert project to date – yes, after the famous Dama (Johnoy Danao, Ebe Dancel, Bullet Dumas) and Secrets (Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal). 

Two months later, I stood inside the halls of Music Museum, witnessing Joey Ayala and his famous crew Ang Bagong Lumad graced the stage of this premier performance venue after merely 25 years. And just when I thought of seeing this at the low end of a VOTW and Gabi Na Naman Productions' risky move, I was wrong. 

Thursday, September 28, 2017

The Scene Around: saGuijo Presents

09/03/17 11:21:47 AM



It's strange to notice we have two consecutive 'long weekends' staged at the month of August. Well, yes, but it's undeniable that it rolls in our favor because rest... ya know.

While I am supposed to hit down South last August 26, I was offered to partake on a role that I can never (ever!) refuse. Because... why should I?! Is this even a damn valid question?. 

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

PlayBack: Mayonnaise – For The Rest of My Life

07/23/2017 10:12:12PM

It's a long whole since the last time I hooked up with Monty Macalino and his band that is so famous that you could only recall them more than just a sandwich dressing. Like seriously, when was the last time I heard of them? Barely seven years ago, with that old four-piece lineup. And the first time I had a chance to spot them live was during Docdef Productions' summer-in-November grandeur called In 'D Flow.

That lead me to curiosity of what's up with Mayonnaise – and their 2016 album.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Flick Review: Patay Na Si Hesus

09/03/2017 05:26:20 PM

Patay Na Si Hesus was supposed to poise a tragic movie by the paper. However, the comedy didn't appear like joke here. 

Monday, September 25, 2017

The Scene Around: Jeremy Passion One Night Strum

07/16/2017 09:12:29 PM

Everyone probably here knows that: 1.) I am such a sucker for Philippine music; and 2) I am affiliated with Axl Guinto's Blog startup called Star Powerhouse, right?

But I admit: taking this offer from my good friend made me curious about one name called Jeremy Passion. And his One Night Strum gig held at Teatrino at Promenade Greenhills was apparently my baptism of fire; something that probably my friends from the Espasouls may laugh and event castrate me. Sorry, folks! 

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Flick Review: Despicable Me 3

09/03/2017 04:53:23 PM

Despicable Me 3 appears to be a forced – or coerced – extension of what should've been an animated show featuring Steve Carell's portrayal of an animated round frontal character and a bunch of show-stealers known as the minions.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

The Toycon 2017 Experience

07/16/2017 08:45:33 PM

It probably took me a very long while (and a change of setting and setups) before I hit one of the country's pop culture events after doing so four years ago.

And that said, everyone from the below-average Juan dela Cruzes to those elite fans are probably expecting that high, considering they teamed up with Pop Life. And while the term remains vivid (thanks to the strong brand recall they have built for over the years), the fact remains – that it was formally called “Toycon X Pop Life Fan Experience (FanX for short).”

Friday, September 22, 2017

The Scene Around: March Of The Penguins 40/Stereodeal "New Jersey" Music Video Launch

07/16/2017 11:17:54 PM

March of The Penguins 40 featured the launching of Stereodeal's new music video called “New Jersey,” the band's latest single. And it was an emotional night as their original drummer departed for a concentrating her life in the province.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

The Rundown Slam: NXT TakeOver Brooklyn 3

09/01/2017 10:46:13 PM

Just like any big weekend for the World Wrestling Entertainment, their development brand has been a standout show for the weekend. Heck, they even toppled the E's big shows, and that includes the recent edition of WrestleMania.

It doesn't matter if they only have a regular (or even a bit smaller) number of audience inside the arenas. And even if you argue they are almost equal on delivering matches, but given the time frame of their coverage, TakeOver episodes weren't a dragging one to deal with. And they don't need to be stacked on doing so.

The five matches proved how Triple H's babies are the future current best crop of sports entertainment today regardless having less exposure time compared to the ones in the main roster.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

The Rundown Slam: WWE SummerSlam 2017

08/28/2017 10:43:45 PM

As part of the World Wrestling Entertainmet's big four, SummerSlam, dubbed as the “biggest party of the Summer” didn't turn out spectacular as they should've been. Just like the past three years, the set-up was nothing but an inch-higher than their usual PPV stages.

And worst: no pyros; probably one of the signs that this promotion has been on a 'cutting cost' phase and that includes axing some of their original WWE network programs. 

Luckily for us in Manila, though, this show falls on a holiday (Monday morning) so a lot actually had a great time on having this wrestling fix on either their respective homes or on that viewing party held at Skinny Mike's in BGC, Taguig City.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

The Rundown Slam: WWE Battleground 2017

08/28/2017 09:43:55 PM

SmackDown Live has the last hurrah to keep up with RAW in terms of delivering PPV matches before SummerSlam with WWE Battleground, and the outcome looks like ruined by the ruins instead of seeing the soldiers survive the war with either fists raised up or a flag soaring up high.

Monday, September 18, 2017

The Rundown Slam: WWE Great Balls Of Fire

08/28/2017 08:44:38 PM 

At first, the World Wrestling Entertainment might have made a biggest mistake in recent memory when they go for a pay-per-view title that looke dlike a soundtrack of that 50s hit by Jerry Lee Lewis and made themselves – specifically, the flagship division of Monday Night RAW – a joke.

But frankly, WWE's Great Ball of Fire, the red brand's exclusive PPV held in July, proved how RAW has been regaining back in terms of keeping up with SmackDown Live. 

Sunday, September 17, 2017

The Scene Around: #iBlog13 - The 13th Philippine Blogging Summit

09/03/2017 06:14:58 PM

After 13 years, it is not safe to say the Philippine Blogging Summit had just got lucky to made it to the halls of Malcolm Theater once again. But maybe, blessed (or in very colloquial terms, #blesst) is the fitting word.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Almost Breaking the Fourth Wall

09/03/2017 04:35:46 PM

The past two weeks ago saw these two fought fire with fire, garnering a lot of buzz during the airing of Monday Night RAW.



And frankly they are still doing it on a lesser time exposure and a quality that dwindled a bit.

Tuesday, September 05, 2017

Upcoming: Joey Ayala - Mandiriwa

08/24/2017 10:26:48 PM

The last two decades of the 20th century saw the name Joey Ayala and his band called Ang Bagong Lumad popped out of the list of then then-emerging and popular names in the local music scene. But also, it can't be denied that while he excelled best doing the folk poetry in musical motion, other personalities from the rock, pop, and even hiphop genres emerged and have the most shades under the limelight of OPM. 

It was in 1992 when Ayala stepped on the floors of Music Museum, home to one of the famous stages in the Metro Manila concert scene. The now-61 year old musician performed tracks and launched his three debut records "Panganay Ng Umaga," "Magkabilaan," and "Mga Awit ng Tanod-lupa."

But after a long 25-year wait, Ayala is set to perform once again in his major concert at the site that is part of the heart of Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan. Joining him on stage will be Bayang Barrios, Dong Abay, Bullet Dumas, Gloc-9, Juan Miguel Severo, and Ang Bagong Lumad. 

Saturday, September 02, 2017

The Scene Around: The 1st National Swap Meet: For Collectors, By Collectors

09/02/2017 09:41:55 PM



It was the near-tailend of a long weekend, and while we have another extra-period break to savor during that month of August, a lot of toy collectors and swappers flocked the halls of SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier Mall in Taguig City for the first ever National Meet Meet event For Collectors, By Collectors.

Friday, September 01, 2017

Upcoming: The 13th Philippine Blogging Summit

09/01/2017 06:04:58 PM

Photo fcrom iBlog's website
It's that time of the year again where bloggers from the different corners of the archipelago reunite for a day of learning and networking for the 13th staging of the Philippine Blogging Summit – more known as #iBlog13.