abashet/

rockedradio: Any questions?

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:18:44 +0800

rockedradio:

Any questions?

Sssshh. Lady Gaga’s in Manila. Photo from J....

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:39:00 +0800

Sssshh. Lady Gaga’s in Manila.

Photo from J. Carroll’s FB page.

FILIPINO QUINTET QUALIFIES TO COMPETE IN MACAU JAZZ AND BLUES...

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:13:00 +0800

FILIPINO QUINTET QUALIFIES TO COMPETE IN MACAU JAZZ AND BLUES FEST!

The CompanY, a quintet composed of Sweet Plantado (soprano), Annie Quintos (soprano/alto), Cecile Bautista (alto), Jay Marquez (tenor) and Moy Ortiz (tenor2/bass) is all set to compete at the Venetian Macao’s International Jazz and Blues Fest Battle of the Bands this weekend!

I caught the band unwinding after a gig at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel a week ago and had a nice long chat with them. I was curious to know how a group prepares for such a big competition. Jay Marquez said that he caught wind of the Battle of the Bands from a Facebook ad. He emailed everyone that night asking if they were interested. My understanding is, The CompanY wasn’t a big fan of ‘joining musical contests’ because according to Moy Ortiz, “it’s really worse than apples and oranges - I cannot imagine how judges can judge when styles and performers and performances are so different.” For some reason, this Venetian Macao Carnival caught their fancy and interestingly so!

First, I found out that prior to this competition even surfacing, the band was saving up and planning to take a vacation to see Macau! They were setting aside possible resources they needed for them to see and visit, especially since they’ve been wanting to see that water-acrobatic show (goodness, I forgot the title) for quite some time now. Second reason - they realize this is a good venue to showcase their indescribable vocal talents on an international stage. (‘indescribable is my adjective, not theirs by the way) Everyone — Moy, Jay, Annie, Cecile, and Sweet - agreed that it would be their honor to represent the Philippines in the arena of jazz vocals. Filipinos, without a doubt, are highly musical. Perhaps it comes with the islands, perhaps it comes with the mixed race, anthropologists have their own theories on this but even the casual observer will note this truth. What with every corner having a karaoke place, and a great majority of homes have those singing mics installed by their TVs.

When I asked The CompanY how they were preparing for this coming weekend, I got a bevy of responses - mostly that they have very little time to rehearse. Most of them are teachers in a music and theatre school and the summer is ending, they said they applied for the contest w/o really considering that they’d make it to the short list! Imagine, they had gigs scheduled on the weekend of the carnival, they had summer-end recitals for their students, technical rehearsals for their classes, around the same time. But they claim things just fell into place. Moy recounted his happy shock when he got the phone call from the festival coordinator that they were short listed to compete! Sweet, says she believes this endeavor is ‘annointed’ (her term) — she says she believes that with all the odds stacked against it - it’s amazing how they are really on their way to Macau this weekend. ”You won’t believe how many elements had to click into place just for us to make it.”

I asked if they were worried that they had little time to rehearse, they expressed a little bravado by saying with whatever little rehearsal time they’ll set aside, they will surely optimize it. The CompanY has been in existence since 1985. There have been changes and re-arrangements, naturally, but the spark and focus on improving vocal arrangements, harmony, and styles remained steady.

I have a feeling rehearsals for this weekend’s Venetian Macao Carnival’s Battle of the Bands began WAY BEFORE they joined the competition. I’m so excited to watch them perform, I must admit I am also excited to watch the other finalists from all over the world perform. I am certain all the other finalists have their own stories to tell about how they got to Macau that weekend. I heard that there are finalists from Brazil, China, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Macao, and the U.S. All about to give their all, all focused on representing their countries in a common language — MUSIC! (Jazz and Blues, no less.)

If you’ve been wanting to experience the New Orleans spirit but haven’t had the chance yet - perhaps you should check out Macau this weekend. And cheer on your music ambassador while you’re there. I know I will.

:)

I do.

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:27:00 +0800

I do.

rockedradio: Any questions, class?

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:07:09 +0800

rockedradio:

Any questions, class?

(Macao/Hong Kong, May 8, 2012) – The Venetian Carnival is...

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:06:00 +0800

Get the New Orleans experience in Macau.

A gathering of Jazz & Blues musicians.

(Macao/Hong Kong, May 8, 2012) – The Venetian Carnival is ON!

Representing the Philippines is ” The CompanY” a quintet composed of Sweet Plantado (soprano), Annie Quintos (soprano/alto), Cecile Bautista (alto), Jay Marquez (tenor) and Moy Ortiz (tenor2/bass). This premiere vocal harmony act was formed in 1985 by alumni of the Ateneo College Glee Club. (Ateneo is a Jesuit University in Manila, Philippines)

THE JUDGES: Hong Kong icon Michael Wong will sit alongside Mr. Matt Coyte, Editor-in-Chief of Rolling Stone Australia magazine, and Ms. Vonzell Solomon, American Idol top-three finalist, for the three-day carnival to watch 12 hopeful bands perform in a 30-minute set for visitors.

Bands will be judged on their skill, style and overall performance, with a further 6 shortlisted bands playing in the final showdown on Sunday, May 27.

The top three winners will be announced at a ceremony on Sunday, May 27 at 10 pm.

The 12 finalists are:

• FANtastica (Hong Kong)

• Ginda and the White Flowers (Indonesia)

• Greice Ive (Brazil)

• Macau Jazz Experience (Macao)

• Mok Kyung Kim (Korea)

• Red Groove (China)

• Roland Tchakounte (France)

• Spoke (USA)

• The CompanY (Philippines)

• The Main Squeeze (USA)

• Theo Croker Collective (China)

• Tinho Pereira (China)

This latest announcement finalises the entertainment line-up for The Venetian Carnival, which also includes ten-time Grammy Award nominee and guitar legend, George Benson, who will kick-off this three-day party. :)

Cheers!

“When I saw the gay and lesbian couples who stood in the...

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:03:00 +0800

“When I saw the gay and lesbian couples who stood in the rain outside City Hall (in SF) for 10 hours just to say ‘I do,’ salivating for that tangible rush of freedom, I could not help but feel like a brat who does not appreciate the hand that she’s been dealt. I wished in my heart that my right to marriage was something I could give to the gay community, like free concert tickets —something I didn’t need but wanted to pass off to a friend.” -Karen Solomon, writer, Other (#5) (from Utne, Dec 2004)

photo: Marimekko memory game.

Interest is the key to life,Interest is the clue,Interest is the...

Sun, 06 May 2012 08:22:00 +0800

Interest is the key to life,
Interest is the clue,
Interest is the drum and fife
And any God will do.

(Condon, 1915-1996)

photo by J. Fermo.

This month on Rock Ed Radio. :)

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:42:19 +0800

This month on Rock Ed Radio.

Must hear! :)

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:54:50 +0800

Must hear!

:)

Don’t you LOVE it when a deadline is EXTENDED?Jazz and...

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:18:00 +0800

Don’t you LOVE it when a deadline is EXTENDED?

Jazz and Blues bands - check this out. Everything to gain. :)

He approached me one time at a university forum, he pulled me...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:06:00 +0800

He approached me one time at a university forum, he pulled me aside and said, “Nabasa ko yung sinulat mo sa diyaryo, Gang. Yung tungkol sa mga kaibigan mong namatay nung 2009. Ang babata nila! Naiyak ako. Namatayan ako ng anak nung 2003, alam mo ba? 18 lang siya.” Then he’d pull me to whoever he was talking to and would say, “Alam mo, marami siyang kaibigang namatay, mga bata pa rin, parang si ano…” I thought I’d be uncomfortable, but he said it with such ease that it didn’t make me feel awkward at all. Mario would say this proudly, as if he were boasting about us and our ability to (seemingly) survive grief.

Death was our steady topic every time we’d bump into each other in foras but because Mario was all about laughter this grief exchange transformed into a running joke between us. When we’d see each other he’d ask me, “O, sino pa buhay sa barangay ninyo?” Then I’d say, “Konti na lang, sir! Pero ako nandito pa, and I can see…. kayo rin buhay pa.” Then he’d laugh his trademark laugh. Then he’d go serious again and say, “Pero alam mo, nabasa ko yung sinulat mo sa dyaryo….” I wasn’t sure why we looped around like that. I wasn’t sure if I should’ve reminded him that he already told me that, but I ended up just letting him be. I would stand there not the least bit uneasy as Mario again would narrate to anyone within earshot that we were both, “namatayan ng mga minamahal…. na bata.” In 2011 I was heartbroken to hear that he lost another son.

I’m still in slight denial about Mario passing. Such an important man! An intelligent man. A funny man. A man who contributed. (and how!) A man I admired. A mentor from afar. It took me a few days before I could write about it. I heard it was quiet. I heard there was no fancy wake, save for family and those who were very close to him. I heard there will be memorials coming next week and the week after. I wish I had a chance to bump into him again. One more time! I want to thank him for giving me ‘a keen sense of how very very short life is’ – and how we should never die before our time.

Rest in Peace, Sir.

Mario Taguiwalo
1951-2012

rockedradio: A friendly reminder from Rock Ed Radio.

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:38:38 +0800

rockedradio:

A friendly reminder from Rock Ed Radio.

rockedradio: CHECK THIS OUT!If you think you can, don’t pass up...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:38:17 +0800

rockedradio:

CHECK THIS OUT!

If you think you can, don’t pass up this chance. It sounds like quite an experience. The grand prize doesn’t hurt either.

Seriously, I think the Filipino musician CAN.

I took a photo of the BAGUIO CHRONICLE’s headline the week...

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:40:12 +0800

I took a photo of the BAGUIO CHRONICLE’s headline the week of Jan 29-Feb 4, 2012. Staff Writer is J. Polonio (in case you need verification) Any updates/reversals since then? I hope so.

10 April 2012

One gets a shot at a resolution on the 1st of January, then the...

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 03:56:00 +0800

One gets a shot at a resolution on the 1st of January, then the Lunar New Year offers a 2nd shot. If need be, the 3rd chance is Easter. Yay! :)

Mine is still: Drink more water.

What’s yours?

Happy Easter everyone. :)

photo: ilovedoodle.com

urhajos: How to Hi-5 the star (by ILoveDoodle)

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 03:51:49 +0800

urhajos:

How to Hi-5 the star (by ILoveDoodle)

Quo vadis?

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 02:25:19 +0800

Quo vadis?

Holy Week makes me remember the 70s. I used to wonder about basketball rings hammered onto coconut...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:32:09 +0800

Holy Week makes me remember the 70s. I used to wonder about basketball rings hammered onto coconut trees & how they rose too as the trees grew.

Reflections on Banaue jeep decor. March, 2012

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:36:00 +0800

Reflections on Banaue jeep decor.

March, 2012