Here are a few photos from the event.

[mio with mommy jas]

[gab valenciano]

[the cardio boys]

[jake cuenca]

[maja salvador]

For more information, you can check out Mio Fights Cancer.

Full albums can be found in my other accounts:

Flickr
Multiply
Facebook
Ovi

Life Haven, Inc., an organization promoting the Independent Living philosophy for persons with disabilities (PWD) held a benefit concert at Crossroads 77 to raise funds to continue their services of assistance to PWDs in need.

On hand to showcase their talents were a few special performers: the Beautiful Gate Performance Art Troupe from Malaysia, the talents of Tahanang Walang Hagdan Ballroom Dancers on Wheelchairs, Bahay Mapagmahal Rondalla on Wheels and the Sparkle Band, as well as an up and coming band, the Good Morning High Fives and one of my fave local bands, Juan Pablo Dream.

The multi-cultural performances were inspiring and at the same time, very entertaining. It is always great to see people with such a zest for life — disabled or not.

Here are a few photos from the event:

[joon and doc, our handsome hosts]

[the sparkle band]

[good morning high fives guitarist]

[beautiful gate performers in their lively outfits]

[rondalla on wheels from bahay mapagmahal]

[ballroom dancers from tahanan walang hagdan]

[belting out a tune, from beautiful gate]

[the horn section of juan pablo dream]

[juan pablo dream frontman Bing Austria]

more photos: my flickr account

For more information, you can check out:
www.lifehaveninc.org and
www.lifehavenilc.blogpsot.com

or contact

Benjamin Bernandino, Project Director – Life Haven
benjamin_bernandino@yahoo.com,
Telephone No. 4433459
Mobile No. 09215793996

Or go direct to Life Haven Inc.

2189 M. de Leon St.,
Fortune Village 2, Gen. T. de Leon,
Valenzuela City 1442
Telefax: +63 2 3520868
lifehaven@gmail.com

However, there are days when I choose to tune in to the radio. Normally, I catch Mo, Mojo and Grace Lee on the morning show, over at Magic 89.9. But my preferred station is (always has been, and will most probably always be) NU107.

And today, I remembered why I used to love listening to the radio — discovering new artists or songs I had never heard before. As I was tuned in to NU this morning, I heard a new tune from Corporate Lo-Fi, a local band comprised of numerous music veterans from varying genres (hip-hop, rakenroll, ska, and more) and several bands (Itchyworms, Chillitees, SVC, Wajijuara, Sugarfree, Indio I and a few more).

Upon hearing the song, I couldn’t quite place the origins of the band. There was a unique flavor to the tune — Hip-Hop, Rakenroll, Jazz and Big Band sounds all rolled into one. It was like listening to The Roots / Digable Planets meets Mother Earth meets The Brian Setzer Orchestra… with a distinct Pinoy flair.

Patiently, I waited for the DJ to reveal the artist. I was eager to get my hands on their album. But upon doing my research (and after visiting a couple of record bars), I sadly discovered that their album won’t be out til sometime next month. But in the meantime, you can check out some of their tracks on their MySpace Page and trip out with this unique blend of sounds.

Here are some photos from the event.

Here are a few photos from the event.

more photos and info

Last night, at Eastern Communications‘ party to celebrate 130 years of existence, attendees got to witness a plethora of entertainers. From the 50s musical stylings of Vince Camua, to Zsa Zsa Padilla’s comedy and musical renditions, to gorgeous dancers, to steamy numbers by the sultry female quartet Mocha, the crowd experienced a myriad of performances designed to tantalize the ears and eyes.

And rather than explain what happened, let me just show you…

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more photos here

With their eclectic sound ranging from classic rock to a bit of funk to some dabbling in island rhythms to good old rock and roll, the aural pleasures reminiscent of bands like Primus, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jimi Hendrix come to mind. Of course, it would be a bit unfair to liken the trio to some rock and roll royalty… Besides the band does add their own brand of bitchin’ styles to the mix.

Their first two tracks, I Hate Everybody and I Am My Own Bestfriend, are funky bass slapping tunes that make you bob your head, uncontrollably. And for some reason, despite the seeming negativity of the tunes, you tend to agree with what the band is driving at. Listen closely to the lyrics, and you’ll get what I’m saying.

My two favorite tracks from the album, though, are 3 for 100 — a very catchy tune, reminiscent of the old school, classic rock simplistic approach: uncomplicated, no hidden meanings behind the lyrics with rockin guitar riffs and a superfluous guitar solo and Lahat Bawal — a funked out, motorists lament on the sorry state of the traffic scheme here in the Philippines.

If I had to complain (no pun intended) on one thing on the album, it would probably have to be the fact that I had to run to five different music stores to find the CD. But after listening (and relistening) to the music, I find pleasure in the fact that there are still [local] bands out there willing to record independently just to get THEIR music out there. Sure, it may come at a cost, but the music is untainted by bigger music labels, and the artists get to do their own thing.

Reklamo may not be able to change the way things work in the Philippines, but with their debut album, Bitch for Change, they may just see a some movement in the music industry.

Reklamo are:

LC de Leon – vocals, guitar, and banjo
Mig Dayanghirang – bass, back up vocals
Ciro de Leon – drums, whistle, back up vocals

more Reklamo Photos

As I had waited in eager anticipation for a few weeks, I could hardly wait to get into the car to pop the cd into my changer. And as soon as I stepped into the auto, I tore through the packaging and slipped the cd in the disc slot.

For those of you familiar with Drip’s music, you can expect the great trip-hop / electronic rock vibes synonymous with the quartet. However, there is a sense of more maturity in the album – more clarity, direction and unity. Also, there is more emphasis on the electronic aspect of the music.

As I haven’t really been listening to the radio for the past few months, I don’t know if the band has released any singles or if there has been much airplay (on NU107), but I do have my initial faves: Fallen (the album’s opening track) – a drum and bass number that opens up with a haunting wail; Kindergarten Romance – a funky, beat driven, scratched out track with heavy organs; Faultless – a slower tempo tune with great vocals, and Morning After – an up-tempo feel good king of song.

Overall verdict: If you want to listen to some original trip-hop / electronica rock, this is definitely a great place to start. Beng Calma’s distinctive drone, Caliph8′s electronic wizardry, Ian Morse’s contagious beats and Malek Lopez’s overall direction give the quartet a finely crafted patent sound.

You can read another article from PulsePh.

Chris Daughtry and the rest of the band seemed like they genuinely wanted to be where they were. No airs, no qualms no prima donna attitudes. Plus, they seemed like five quirky and funny individuals, as a couple of the members even gave us a sample of a new dance they came up with — the “Double Dragon”. [Note: Since you can only see a photo in my Multiply album, it's basically a rendition of the moves from that classic Taito video game from the 80s in dance form]

And as an added bonus, I got to meet Mo Twister. No, he’s not my man crush (in fact, I don’t even think I have one), but he’s truly one of the wittiest and most original people in the world of showbiz.

Daughtry will be playing in a few hours in what everyone in the media seems to be calling an “intimate” setting. BS man. For the life of me, I can’t conceive how the term intimate even sprung up. Sure it’s much smaller than a normal concert, but having three thousand fans is far from it (intimate). But nevertheless, props to Eastwood City for coming up with a makeshift stadium.

Anyway, here are additional photos from the presscon.

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more photos here
more on Az’s Multiply site.

When my first iPod broke, I didn’t hesitate to get a new one… even if I was strapped for cash. When my second iPod conked out, I readily swiped my plastic friend, once again, burning a hole in my wallet. And yes, I still do buy CDs, even in this age of Limewire and torrents.

Now, because of my semi-obsessive compulsive behavior, I have found a new way to show my love for music…

With iTunes, you can display your music with the album art. And not just any small window, but a large, glossy and reflective display that you can scroll through, making your aural experience more pleasant with some visual eye candy. (see below)

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Of course, I didn’t stop there. Because my music in my iTunes looks good, I also decided to fix up my folders. Now music is arranged by artists and organized by their albums… I’m not yet done, as I have about 40G of files to go through, but I’m getting there.

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