I've been listening to The Carpenters since God knows when! It's one of those bands that I remember when I was still too young to drive my Corolla, my mother would load that into the CD changer along with Chicago and The Beatles. I listen to a lot of heavy sh*t and with heavy sh*t come good musicians. This however, caught me by complete surprise!
Up top is an excerpt from The Carpenters' TV special from 1976. It features the late Karen Carpenter on the drums. Hell, all I knew was that Karen Carpenter was a hell of a singer. I didn't even KNOW she played the drums let alone she kicked people's asses with it! If anybody has to complain that it's dubbed by a backing track, just watch her f*cking hands. It seems pretty convincing.
Karen Carpenter died in 1983 due to Anorexia Nervosa resulting in heart failure, she was only 32. She was a damn fine singer and without a doubt a hardworking musician. Her music continues to inspire a generation --I know I was. Rest in peace Karen.
Have you read the front page today? Clearly former president Corazon Aquino's apology to ousted president Joseph Estrada regarding her participation in the people power revolution of 2001 sent shock waves across the nation. Many of the participants of the revolution that was held at the famed Ortigas junction of Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (better known as EDSA) from January 17 to January 20 were dismayed at Mrs. Aquino's rescission.
Mrs. Aquino attended former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.'s "Global Filipino" book launching last Monday where she spoke about asking forgiveness from Mr. Estrada. Among those in the crowd were former president Fidel V. Ramos, senate presidents Ernesto Maceda and Franklin Drilon and Mr. Estrada himself. Mrs. Aquino proceeded in telling those in attendance how she felt guilty about participating in the historic event. "All of us make mistakes. Please forgive me" she said with a smile on her face. Mrs. Aquino also lauded Mr. de Venecia for "coming out at last" and telling him that it was better late than never. Mr. de Venecia's son Joey was involved in the infamous multimillion dollar NBN-ZTE broadband deal that booted de Venecia Jr. out of office as the speaker of the house of representatives. Meanwhile, Former President Estrada accepted Mrs. Aquino's apology by saying that her apology has vindicated him and calling it the best Christmas present he has received this year. Others however were not very pleased.
Billy Esposo, a columnist for The Philippine Star sent an SMS message to Sen. Noynoy Aquino that read "Other Coryistas and I who took part in EDSA 1 were stunned at Cory’s apology to Erap. What brought this about? GMA’s sins do not absolve Erap’s. We feel betrayed." Senator Richard Gordon mocked her by calling her "Sorry Aquino" and said that he felt sorry for the former president because she is sick right now. And an anonymous commenter had this to say:
"She is not the Cory that I know and idolized. The chemo did something terribly wrong to her brain. Really, really sorry to hear that from Cory, a former president of my dear country, The Philippines."
Following the intense scrutiny, her son Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III released a statement today as means to quell the uproar clarifying that his mother's apology to Mr. Estrada was meant as a joke saying "I think the context was misinterpreted. The light and humorous atmosphere was not taken into consideration." Mrs. Aquino herself however, has not released a statement following the incident.
At this point, saying that it was a joke just digs a deeper grave. This whole incident for her is like spilling red wine over a carpet. And what she's trying to do right now by saying it was just a joke is smearing the wine stain with a napkin spreading it even more. From a PR perspective, this must be a f*cking nightmare! Words are not like anything else in this world, once you've said it you can't take it back. Either redeem yourself or attempt to take it back but face the distrust that comes along with it. After she's taken it back, who's gonna believe her now?
From a personal stand point, I believe this incident to be the poster child for Philippine politics. I've always believed that Philippine politics is faker than professional wrestling. This is the only place in the world that I've heard of so far that have government leaders that change sides within a moment's notice. And it goes without saying that their motives for changing sides, try as they may to conceal it, are ridiculously transparent. (Aquino with the break up of her Hacienda Luisita by the supreme court, and de Venecia Jr. with the NBN-ZTE blunder) Since time immemorial, I think I can sum up what this country's politicians lack: Principles.
Following the deluge of comments left and right from people, I found it absolutely disappointing how many of the citizens incredulously attempt to justify Mrs. Aquino's political faux pas! From "Cory's entitled to her own opinion" by Teddy Casino of Bayan Muna, to "If I knew that Mrs. Arroyo would be like this, there would not have been an EDSA 2" by Archbishop Oscar Cruz. All of which completely miss the point on WHY what Mrs. Aquino did was considered to be a political boo-boo!
To set the record straight, we went to EDSA on January 2001 because we were seeing the dawning of a new era of distrust, not because we wanted to put Mrs. Arroyo in the president's seat. We WERE fighting the right cause --we were fighting for truth. Who is to say they knew what would've happened had Mr. Estrada stayed in office?
To say that she'll be burying hatchets because of the consequences of her actions means that she should have also forgiven the people who shot her husband in 1983. Because we all know we wouldn't be here today voicing our opinions if they hadn't shot him and cause the masses to unite. But we don't see her doing THAT anytime soon, right?
Two words: Senile Hypocrite. Merry Christmas Cory!
I don't know if all you musicians out there get this, but I always wonder how I sound like. It's like trying to hear yourself speak. Weird as this may be, I always found that I don't sound the way I hear myself in my head. Apart from that, I have a thing for my tone --I always play around with it. There would be days where I want a lighter, edgier, more treble sound. Other days I want it round and heavy with a lot of low end (or as my friend Marc would say... a "chug" sound). Nevertheless, that is what led me to make the video up above. Every now and then I whip out the video camera and place it right next to the speakers of the backing track and my amplifier (I was using a generic Ibanez amp temporarily for this video due to my original amp blowing up before shooting) just to hear my tone and the nuances and accents in my playing.
I was never really intending to post this (you can tell from the way I was dressed) so it's not entirely perfect. Nonetheless, I hope you folks enjoy the video. It's a rendition of Vinnie Moore's song entitled "Rain" from his 1999 album The Maze. Ciao!
After over two decades of service, Alabang's most beloved Mt. Mcdo has finally been given her much deserved face lift. If you were an Alabang kid or maybe even just a kid living south of the metro growing up, it would be close to impossible not to have birthday party memories in that burger joint! People from students, teachers, football teams or plainly just a group of friends catching up on one another all convene there to talk for awhile and eat their otherwise unhealthy but temptingly appetizing meals.
The renovation of the building started over a month and a half ago first with the closing of sections of the center island seats and the area adjacent to the main counter for the McCafe to be built next to the main counter. The store remained operational until November 17 where the rest of the store was finally closed to be revamped. It took the workers only ten days from the closing date to put the finishing touches on the building and operations resumed once again on November 27.
The result of the renovation is a warm, contemporary looking restaurant. Which is a far departure from the more antiquated and rustic appearances of the old building. The red adobe-looking tiles were replaced by rectangular cream and maroon granite tiles and the green wallpapered walls with wood trimmings were scrapped, painted white and filled with murals and commercial artwork. Also, the high-ceiling portion of the restaurant where the center island used to be has now been lowered and is now lined by ceiling board. The most distinguishing change in the building's appearance however is its new facade. The hipped roof of the old building has been trimmed and been covered by a higher outside wall giving it a more boxy look. In place of the old full length window and skylights in the middle area are four steel beams that supports a new high layered shade bearing the word McDonald's.
All I could say once I got into the newly reopened building was they worked on this damned this so f*ckin' fast! I mean really, Now that's what I f*ckin' call construction! Kudos to the build team responsible for the whole project. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever imagine Mt. Mcdo to look anything like what it is now. Also, my first visit to the new Mt. Mcdo was also the first time I tried their new menu item...
Double F*cking Quarter Pounder!
Yes, after nearly a decade of bitching about it they finally brought it to the Philippines. Before I had to wait to go to Chicago to get one of these bad boys and now I can just drive over to McDonald's and get one for myself. All that's missing is to bring back Cherry Coke and offer the Supersize option and I'd never have to go back to the U.S.A. again! On a completely unrelated note however...
Will somebody please tell them that the Athens Olympics is over?
