while driving home

"You know that it still hurts when a non-melancholy, rhythmic song such as Kanye West's Love Lockdown starts playing on the radio and your heart starts to weep."

Every now and then I get an idea for lines I want to write for a story. Or sometimes things happen and you know you just have to write it down somewhere.

all about "U"

Despite cramming for my previously mentioned magazine article plus the unit meeting presentation I should be preparing for, I would like to give a quick shoutout about a recent cause invite I got in my Facebook requests section.

One of the great professors I have met, Mr. U Eliserio, just announced that the amount of P30,000 will grant him the opportunity to publish his third novel entitled "Makatana." I had just joined this cause in an effort to raise awareness to other people who knows the impeccable talent of Mr. U, or even fellow writers who wish to see this great labor in effect.

So, though I may not have the money to support the birth of this third novel, I am doing my part in my own way by posting about it here in my blog, as well as in Facebook, to make all the Bloggers, Multipliers, and Facebookers (or even Friendsters) be informed about this. I must admit that my share of audience in the blogosphere is but a minute percentage, even less than 1% actually, but hey I am taking my chances here and still believe that word-of-mouth through the web is as powerful as ever.

So, visit the Sino Ang Pumatay Kay Mr. Writer blog now to learn more about U Eliserio's upcoming third novel, "Makatana."

Makatana Trailer:



Groooooveh. ;)

obamamizing philippine independence

I am still in the middle of writing my article for the magazine about the Philippine Independence Day Celebration (which from hereon out I would mention as PIDC, such long words to type every single time) I attended last week at ASU West. Indeed, the Filipino community on the west side is strong: a fact I truly admire and where I continue to hope that that same magnitude will eventually spread here in southeastern AZ.

Anyway, trying not to stray away from my main point, I was doing some research about certain parts of the event by net surfing and I eventually stumbled upon this particular statement made by President Barack Obama. At first I thought he released this just recently since yesterday was the official PIDC, June 12. But then it was dated the year 2008. Even though, I decided to post it here for everyone's appreciation. I just found it amusing how the then-president-to-be thought of reaching out to the Asian American population, the Filipino community in particular, on a certain day that is very dear to you, me, and to my grandfather who was a veteran. Sad to say, before I got to know him and be capable of hearing his stories during the war, he passed away. My memories of him merely belong to that brown cane he used to wander around their house's terrace and look at the beautiful orchids my grandma keenly tended.

Just a side note: I tried to look if the President released a statement for 2009. I cannot find any on the web. If you find it, kindly share it here. If there's none, well, I just had a thought. Let us read each other's minds.

Obama's Statement on Philippine Independence Day

Chicago, IL -- Senator Obama released the following statement today on Philippine Independence Day. "After hundreds of years of struggle for independence, the Filipino people declared their independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, and the first Philippine republic was born.

“The Philippines has been a staunch partner of the United States through the Cold War and the war against terrorism. In part because of our shared history, we cannot ignore the fact that the Philippines continues to confront many difficult challenges, including persistent poverty, natural disasters, and political division. But as a nation rich in natural and human resources, with a proud legacy as the first democracy in Asia, the Philippines also holds great opportunities and hope for the future. An ongoing challenge of the 21st century will be to ensure that these opportunities to make a better life are open to all. I look forward to working with the Filipino people and their government, as part of the global community, to combat poverty and generate wealth, build healthy and educated communities, and change the odds for generations to come.”

"Particularly important to note on this day is the continuing struggle of Filipino World War II veterans to receive the veterans benefits they rightfully deserve. During World War II, Filipino and American troops fought bravely together under some of the most trying conditions suffered by any forces during that conflict, forging a historic bond between our two nations and their people. Filipinos displayed great courage alongside American soldiers at Bataan and Corregidor, only to be denied their just benefits by our government. The Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 would honor the service of all U.S. veterans, including these Filipino World War II heroes. The Senate passed this bill last April. I urge my colleagues in Congress to take note of this day to honor the heroic service of Filipino World War II veterans by finally turning this important legislation into law.

"On this anniversary, we also must recognize the enormous contributions of generations of Filipino immigrants to building a more vibrant United States of America. Indeed, more than 60 years after World War II, Filipino-Americans continue to serve brilliantly and bravely as members of our fighting forces. I grew up in Hawaii, where Filipinos have had an enormous positive impact on the culture and economy. As dedicated military and civil servants, lawyers and bankers, artists, engineers and entrepreneurs, agricultural and industrial laborers, healthcare providers and customer service workers, caretakers for our elderly and youth, Filipino Americans—4 million strong—have enriched our country, embodied our nation's highest ideals, and reflected the very best that the Philippines has to offer.

"Today, I extend my warm wishes to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the people of the Philippines. Let us join with Filipinos worldwide and Filipino Americans to celebrate Philippine Independence Day. Mabuhay!"

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 12, 2008

Obama Press Office

Source: My Barack Obama

So, Happy Independence Day Philippines! As they say, "Home is where the heart is," and wherever I may be now or in the future years of my life, my heart always belonged to one home which I spent practically 19 memorable years of my existence.

voegeled

I shall invent a new word:

voegele -v. voegeled, voegeleing

(1) means getting your money's worth for a concert you paid to see

(2) when a musician completely rocks the house down through his/her songs, such as in concert tour

Ex. She totally voegeled that one!

Wednesday was THE NIGHT. Yes. It's not a shock to anyone who knows me really well that I am an avid follower of the show "One Tree Hill," the TV drama that was overshadowed by "The O.C." and yet it lasted even longer on air, and wrapped up its sixth season last May. It was this same show where I first heard about Kate Voegele, a brilliant 23-year-old artist and songwriter whose pop rock tunes definitely got my ears listening from the very first time she appeared in an episode playing the piano wearing a hoodie to cover her face. There is no doubt she could belt out a tune, but nevertheless it was her songs and lyrics that got me.

So, Wednesday was THE NIGHT. Yes. Jasmine, Angel, Joanne and I went to the Martini Ranch in Scottsdale to watch Kate Voegele. Great to know that Phoenix became a part of her Lift Me Up Tour. I wouldn't have known about it if it weren't for a random Facebook ad.

The show was supposed to start by 7, but it started at like past 8 o'clock. The line was pretty long and though I expected the place to be jam-packed, it was still a Wednesday night and thought lesser people would be attending.

The front acts particularly dominated the first two hours of the show. Jasmine and I had already finished our Long Island iced tea and a bottle of Corona, and going on our second one actually, when Kate Voegele finally came out of her trailer to perform on stage. All four of us decided to stay by the bar which was near the side of the stage because: (1) We have succumbed to the fact that people there are way taller than us so we saved ourselves from being toppled and blocked by others and confined ourselves to the side stage; and (2) Well, who doesn't want to watch and drink at the same time? Where's the fun in that? So better stay close to the bar. Also, we were right by the window where her trailer was parked and saw some fans like hawks waiting outside the trailer trying to catch a glimpse of her.

What was funny though there were two bars inside Martini Ranch and the first we hanged out at was actually the underage bar. Come to think of it, the guy at the entrance asked for all of our IDs since I guess we didn't look above 21 enough (plus, when he first asked about it, we kind of hesitated to answer not because we were underaged but because of frankly, for me, I cannot even remember what my age is right now. How many people actually asks you that question every single year? Like rarely.) Guess I'll have to look forward to that in the next couple of years.

Kate V. sang a WHOLE lot of her songs, both from the first and second albums. Can't even count how many she did and it was like one song after the other. The whole concert was really worth the 15 bucks! Somewhere in the middle though, almost everyone thought the show was over but I guess she just took a couple minutes to have a bathroom break or something. I thought that was funny.

So yeah, if you are into pop rock, listen to Kate Voegele's songs. She's got great songwriting skills, a great voice, and great songs. Definitely brilliant artist. Of course, I am plugging here.

Some pictures from the concert:



more pics? click here on my Facebook page.