Birthdays, et al.

Been meaning to blog about my birthday but couldn't find the proper "inspiration." Birthdays are supposed to be happy occassions. Don't get me wrong, it was a happy one spent with my family and friends. When I got home for the traditional birthday dinner, we had 3 birthday cakes (from TZ, TL and from my aunts), palabok (there should be something long served for long life), fried chicken (my nephews' and niece's request), ice cream, grilled fish (my request). Earlier that day, I received texts, phone calls and FB greetings from friends. Plus being greeted by my office mates with a song and dance which is always special. I thank God for this special day. I pray for more birthdays for me.

But what made me extra emotional that day was the sad news about Nikki's classmate at the Ateneo. When I got home for the birthday dinner, he told us about what happened at the school parking lot that day. A classmate of his had an accident and was rushed to the hospital and that there was even blood at the spot where it happened. He had no other info. We just hoped that the kid was okay. He or rather we had no idea of how serious it was.

It was only after dinner that my sister-in-law received a text from a co-parent requesting for prayers for the repose of the soul of Amiel Alcantara. I guess you have read everything about it in the papers. No need to write it here. When Nikki was told about what happened, he cried. All I could do was hug him tightly. It could have been anybody.

I went to the wake with my sister-in-law, Nikki and Regeena on the last night to offer our condolences (my sister-in-law already went to the wake for the Holy Mass sponsored by Nikki's class). The chapel was full. Around 8pm or 9pm another Mass was held. During the Holy Mass at the Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angel, the priest took note of the chapel's name and reminded us of the Prayer to our Guardian Angel. It's a prayer I have known since my grade school days at SPCP. I have not said this prayer for a long time, but it was so appropriate. To remind all of us:

Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
To whom God's love
commits me here,
Ever this day,
be at my side,
To light and guard,
Rule and guide.
Amen.

Borrowing from a blog I read, what happened to Amiel was an eye opener for all of us...of how short life can be.

For Amiel:
Give him eternal rest, O Lord, and may Your light shine upon him forever. Receive his soul and present him to God the Most High. May his soul rest in peace.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

Ready-Set-RORO (Win P1 million)

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Log on to http://www.dbprororace2009.multiply.com/ for more details.

I Heart John Legend!

I remember mentioning in my earlier blog that if John comes to Manila, I am going to watch his concert. And I did. Last Thursday. I oh so heart him!!!!

With my two sisters in tow (actually, with Rose and Patty, one of my high school best friends), we watched John Legend at the Araneta. Concert ticket said the show starwill start at 8:00pm. As usual, it started after 8:30pm but it doesn't matter. When the lights were turned down, signalling that the show was about to start, the band started to play. Everyone got so excited waiting for John to appear on stage but all of a sudden, loud shrieks came from the VIP section below us. John Legend came from the back walking through the crowd to the stage. He was so cool, tapping hands that came his way.

He sang songs mostly from his new CD, Evolver, like "Everybody Knows," "No Other Love," "This Time," "Green Light" and my personal favorite "Take Me Away." But he didn't disappoint, he sang his hits from his previous CDs inlcuding "Save Room," "PDA," "Let's Get Lifted," Number One," "Save Room" and his encore song "Ordinary People."

When he sang "Slow Dance," he got a lady from the audience to come up on stage and did some dirty dancing with her. Whoa!!! Hahahahahaha!

We went home happy and satisfied. It was FUN!!! I heart John Legend!!!!

Got more pictures here.

VOTE EARTH!!!

For just an hour, from 8:30pm to 9:30pm tonight, let's switch off our lights.

VOTE EARTH!!!

My Top Ten MTVs

Just wanted to share my favorite MTVs. Making MTVs I guess is the same as making a movie. It takes a good story, a good cast, wild imagination, something that will make your target audience get interested to what you're creating and eventually would mean big bucks. Just like in making MTVs, it should be unique, it should get your viewers interested in actually buying the CD. These MTVs I've chosen are some of the MTVs that made an impact visually. Fortunately, they came with great songs too. Hope you like them too.

1. REM - Imitation of Life (2001) - Unfortunately, the MTV is not anymore available on Youtube becuase of copyright problems. Here an exerpt from good ole Wikipedia of how the MTV was made to give you an idea. The single's video, depicting a scene of an elaborate pool party, was shot in Los Angeles by Garth Jennings. Michael Stipe, in an interview with MTV UK in 2001, explained how the video was made. "The entire video took twenty seconds to shoot. What you're watching is a loop that goes forwards for twenty seconds, backwards for twenty seconds, forwards for twenty seconds, backwards for twenty seconds, with one camera, static, and then using a technique called pan and scan, which is a technical thing that is used when they go from a widescreen format and reformat to fit your television or DVD, moving in on certain parts of the entire picture. And you'll see that we do that picking up various people within the frame." A post of the MTV in Youtube has already made the 2 million hits mark (2,175,815 to be exact). I assure you, the MTV is interesting.

2. Kylie Minogue - Come Into My World (2002) - This is another video that will keep you asking yourself "how was this made?" Maybe if given the chance, I'd try to learn MTV making. hahaha. Want to know how it was made? Click here (wikipedia, of course).

3. OK Go - Here it Goes Again (2006) - I've already featured this MTV in my blog a few months ago.

4. U2 - Numb (1993) - Hahaha. I really like this one. Would you do it? The Edge did it! Uncool but its U2. Hail! Bono!

5. Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar (2002) - Made by the same director who gave us Kylie Minogue's Come Into My World, Michel Gondry. MTV looks plain but you'll notice that the objects in the video appears in tune with the beats of the song. See for yourself.

6. Coldplay - The Scientist (2002) - Took Chris Martin a month to learn the song backwards. According to, who else, Wikipedia.com.

7. Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity (1996) - Apologies for the grainy video. This is the best one I could find in Youtube. I remember watching them on TV performing the song live on one of the award shows. They had moving floors, like flat escalators. Watch the video and guess which one is moving, the walls or the floor?

8. George Michael & Mary J. Blige - As (1999) - "Did you know that true love asks for nothing?" My favorite song actually. The MTV is good, its full of GM and MJB. hehe

9. Madonna - Ray of Light (1998) - This MTV used time-lapse images (movements in fast forward 4x). It also features Madonna's dancing, although not her best singing voice.

Madonna - New Music - More Music Videos

10. A-ha - Take On Me (1985) - A Classic!

Special mention to Pink's Get the Party Started (I love PINK!!!!), Avril Lavigne's Girlfriend, Lily Allen's LDN, Eminem's Stan (just because my friend Hazel can rap along Eminem!!!!), Groove Armada's Superstylin. I hope there'll be more interesting songs and MTVs soon. I'll post again soon!