Are you a long time Journey fan? A new fan just discovering Journey’s music? Perhaps simply an onlooker curious what Journey music sounds like with their new Filipino front man Arnel Pineda? Now is your chance to unearth Journey’s music without “buying.” This site is giving away FREE Journey music and shirts to 10 readers! This is my way of supporting the band and Arnel Pineda and spreading their music “legally.”

READ MORE HERE…

Here it is, 2009’s Top 10 US Lists. American Idol still dominates American homes; without a doubt Google is still numero uno in the Internet but Yahoo tops Mobile service. Surprise, surprise- Twilight Saga: New Moon isn’t number one in the Box Office. Twilight did make it top in DVD sales. Really? Taylor Swift’s album is tops? Check out the most downloaded and most listened to song in 2009 and more….

Continue reading here…

Passionata: A Cultural Heritage Celebration will be back on January 16, 2010 at the SM Theater 1 due to popular demand! It was watched by over 2,150 people last November 30, and the accolades haven’t stop coming!

“Its not the usual, concert! ”
“Much better than I expected, and grander than I imagined.”
“Can’t imagine it was mounted in Cebu and performed by all Cebuanos!”

Visit www.asiantroubadours.com

Visit Passionata on FaceBook. Just sign up to confirm your attendance.

Read the rest of this entry

Is Arnel Pineda leaving Journey? I am very surprised to learn that this kind of rumor has been circulating the internet for sometime now. People who end up on the site come from search engines using the keywords: “Arnel Pineda leaving journey.” There is no news about it at all here in the United States. I can only infer that this type of fabrication could only come from malicious reporters in the Philippines who want to sell their fictional story to anyone who would buy it.

Read more here…

Greetings from AQ Services International!

We would like to invite you to apply for a mystery shopping program. It would require you to mystery visit several petrol stations.

1. For these mystery shops you need a PERSONAL CAR (motorcycles are not allowed). You are required to observe the service and facilities standards of petrol stations.

2. Reimbursement: The shop fee is 450 Pesos per shop. You are required to make petrol and store item purchase. The minimum amount to spend on fuel is 200 Pesos.

3. Deadline: These mystery shops have to be completed within the one week and the surveys must be completed and submitted within 24 hours of mystery shopping, latest by the 14th of November 2009

Please note that these mystery shops are to be executed between 9 am to 3 pm, 7 days a week (Including weekend).

We will inform you from the 19th October onwards if you are selected for one or more mystery shops. Do check your mailbox for updates!

Summary:

Project: Mystery Shopping for an oil & gas company
Task: Evaluating and Research
Time: 9 am to 3 pm, 7 days a week (Including weekend)
Deadline: 14th of November 2009
Fee: 450 Pesos
Location: Philippines

If you are interested in getting some extra money over the weekend please contact my colleague or myself at feisal@aq-services.com or me at alessandro@aq-services.com.

TELL A FRIEND

We are always looking for new mystery shoppers. If you have friends or family who might be interested, please refer them to us. You can redirect them to our website or use the following link (copy paste the link in your browser if it is not active):

http://www.aq-services.com/mystery-shoppers/tell-a-friend-about-mystery-shopping

I previously wrote about Flash Mobs (read post here) and I was very surprised a company sponsored flash mob by Jollibee happened last Aug 8, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia. [Read more here]

While browsing through some FB posts, I found a video of a foreigner singing OPM. Obviously, for someone having an American twang, it would be hard to learn pronouncing Filipino words correctly, but these people have done a cool job of singing OPM’s. The last video , though not sung in OPM lyrics, the Harana in Nihongo version is also very cool and catchy. =) [Read more...]

SweetSpot@Saguijo

presents

CITIZEN SAFE
a series of gigs under one campaign

We demand better training for law enforcers
We demand more efficient crime investigation methods
We demand a swifter justice system

CITIZEN SAFE gigs are in celebration of the life of RockEd Radio’s Alexis Tioseco, Nika Bohinc, Ariel, Peng and Adrian Eguid. This is also our expression of outrage over their untimely deaths and a plea of justice for them from the authorities.

CITIZEN SAFE will give us a chance to share our ideas on how we can support and protect each other against crimes. Discussions in between sets encouraged

DATES

September 30 – Locked Down Entertainment
October 2 – SweetSpot
October 9 – Helter Shelter
October 10 – Revolver Productions
October 13 – RockEd Radio
October 15 – Admit One

with

Dream Carousel
Action Pact
Subscapular
The Late Isabel
Sanctus
Tether
Encounters with a Yeti
Beatbox Philippines
and Jack Rufo’s newest band – Persephone!

150php gets you in!

Are you on the lookout for a new mp3 player? If you’re not into Apple products or you’re not impressed with the new iPod Touch, here’s an alternative media player for you -the Microsoft Zune HD.

The Zune HD comes in two models, 16GB and 32GB models. Its basic features include a 3.3″ OLED capacitive touchscreen display w/ 480×272 pixels, a FM/HD radio tuner and WiFi. The Zune HD 16GB model is available for only $219, while the 32GB model sells for $289.

For more information and product photos, check out this page.

PART 1
SAGUIJO BAR
September 1, 9PM

ALLY KERR (acoustic)
CIUDAD
PATIENCE DEAR JUGGERNAUT
ARIGATO HATO!
BALLOON DERBY
SOFT PILLOW KISSES

Ticket: P150

——————

PART 2
ROUTE 196
September 2, 9PM

ALLY KERR (full band)
with
THE CAMERAWALLS
TURBO GOTH
THE BERNADETTES
YOUR IMAGINARY FRIENDS
THE GENTLE ISOLATION

Ticket: P200

For the duration of the One Cebu Expo upto August 18, the Asian Troubadours CD will be on promo sale at the Cebu International Convention Center.
It is at 150 pesos , and it is on buy 1 take 1 promo, ( user can opt to choose the 2nd Troubadours CD – their earlier debut Sampler).

The Timeless Visayan And Russian Classics contains 12 songs played by a 7 piece orchestral band.

VISAYAN SONGS

1. Cebu 440 Overture by Nendel Endrina

2. Usahay by Nitoy Gonzales

3. Matud Nila by Ben Zubiri

4. Pobreng Alindahaw by Angelita Pasamba

5. Rosas Pandan by Domingo “Minggoy” Lopez

6. Si Filemon, Si Filemon (A Cebuano Folk Song)

7. Baleleng by Wassan Surban

8. Pasayawa Ko Day by Ben Zubiri

RUSSIAN SONGS

9. Two Guitars (A Russian Folk Song)

10. Waltz from the Sleeping Beauty Ballet by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky

11. Song of the Indian Guest from the Opera Sadko by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

12. Polovetsian Dance by Alexander Borodin

Log on to www.asiantroubadours.com

…named Steve Appleton. What’s with guys who play guitar? Girls are just suckers for that I think. And with that, meet dirty-blonde, guitar-wielding British boy Steve Appleton.

From A Thousand Thoughts (And Not The Time To Explain)

Read the rest here.

A Thousand Thoughts (And Not The Time To Explain)

Revolver84

presents

Of Chest Thumps & Clenched Fists

Pag-Ibig Koý Hindi Papel, Hindi Kahoy…..Metal!

Saguijo, Makati
August 8, 2009
Saturday, 9PM

Featuring…

BADBURN
COG
INTOLERANT
THE LOWTECHS
ROOTS OF effing NATURE
SIN
TOI
TURBO GOTH

9pm. P150 entrance w/1 drink….Kitakits!=).

You should get your tickets here

—

The hip sound of Jazz Nouveau hits Manila as Soul Experiment Production presents ESPERANZA SPALDING LIVE at Sofitel Philippine Plaza on Saturday, August 15, 2009 beginning at 7PM. Before that, spend the day with this jazz prodigy in a special brass clinic that begins at 3PM at the Siete Picados of Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

Esperanza Spalding has been impressing jazz lovers since an early age. Her name, “esperanza” or “hope” has inspired her to be described as the “hope for the future of jazz and instrumentals (The Canadian Gazette)”. Audiences are continually drawn to this musical prodigy’s show-stopping, magnetic charisma on stage.

An alumna of Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA., at 23 Esperanza became the youngest professor in the school’s history. Her sultry, soulful vocals and skillful command of the bass has recently earned her an invitation to the White House. She is one of the few artists who have been asked to perform for President Obama since he stepped into office. She continues to captivate audiences all over the world with her “irresistible performances (Seattle Times)” and she is bound to capture the hearts and ears of Filipino jazz lovers during her visit to the Philippines.

Opening for Esperanza is YOSHA, a group composed of four gifted young artists: lead vocalist Yosha, bassist Karel Honasan (a Berklee alumnus), drummer Mike Alba, and keyboardist Nikko Rivera. Theirs is a unique jazz sound with a dash of Pinoy soul that is rapidly gaining popularity in the local jazz scene. Their original compositions are full of insightful lyrics coupled with unforgettable arrangements that are constant crowd-drawers– a perfect match for Esperanza’s performance.

Witness this one night only performance from the most anticipated artist in jazz today, Esperanza Spalding LIVE at the Sunset Pavilion of the Hotel Sofitel Manila in Pasay City. Tickets sold at 3,000.00 and 1,500.00php. For inquiries and ticket reservations call Ticketworld at 8919999 or 09293715650 (leave a comment on this note)

posted by Paul “The Pageman” Pajo

check this out also in Paris Craigslist and on Facebook

Galerie Talmart is on 22 rue Cloître Saint-Merri, 75004 (www.talmart.eu)

—–

Parisians met her a few weeks ago during the Fête de la Musique 2009. Kate is here just for a few more days in Paris and we would love to discover her more through her music.

Front Act: Dennis Astorga

Come for this exclusive performance at the Galerie Talmart this coming Friday at 8 pm. This intimate venue has a maximum capacity of 45 seats so we advise you to reserve ASAP by
calling 01 42 78 52 38 or by
emaling contact@talmart.eu

Entrance fee is 12 €.

See you there!

————

KATE TORRALBA, fashion designer, singer-pianist-songwriter

Kate Torralba’s name rings many a bell in Philippine fashion circles, but she moonlights as one of the most interesting characters in the local music scene. Her solo act, characterized by a soulful, melancholy voice and skillful piano work, has gained her a cult following in the indie circuit.

A former child prodigy trained in classical piano, her first major performance onstage was at a concert in Los Angeles at the age of 9. However, her love for contemporary music had her pursue a different path in her teens, playing for several bands in her hometown Cebu. Most notable of these bands was pop-alternative rock act Hard Candy, sweeping majority of the citations in the first San Miguel Beer Cebu Music Awards in 2000 (including Band of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Keyboardist of the Year and Listener’s Choice).

In 2001, life took a different turn for Kate with a year-long stint working at the Philippine Senate in Manila, followed by her successful foray into the fashion and retail industry with the Kate Torralba label. But even as a well-known designer, she continued to pursue her music on the side, occasionally gigging with guitar greats Perf de Castro (formerly of RiverMaya and Triaxis), Ian Umali (of P.O.T.), and Mike Villegas (of Rizal Underground and Color It Red).

Her lifelong love for music finally comes into fruition this year. She is currently at work on her first studio album, aptly entitled “Long Overdue”, which will be on independent release in September 2009. With a hodgepodge of influences ranging from Frederic Chopin, Tori Amos, the Carpenters, Joni Mitchell, Nirvana, Sergio Mendes and Aimee Mann, the record will prove to be an eclectic and exciting offering.

——
Kate Torralba, créatrice de mode, pianiste, compositrice-interprète

Kate Torralba, créatrice réputée dans le milieu de la mode aux Îles Philippines, est tout autant connue pour être l’une des plus intrigantes personnalités de la scène musicale locale. Sa prestation sur scène se caractérise par une voix soul et mélancolique, son accompagnement au piano fait preuve d’une extrême habilité. Tous ces talents réunis lui permettent dorénavant de faire figure de chanteuse-culte dans le circuit indépendant Philippin.

Enfant prodige, elle suit une formation de piano classique, et se produit pour la première fois sur scène lors d’un concert à Los Angeles, à l’âge de 9 ans. Devenue adolescente, son amour pour la musique contemporaine la pousse toutefois à poursuivre d’autres chemins, en jouant pour plusieurs groupes dans sa ville natale de Cebu. Elle joue notamment au sein du groupe de musique de pop-rock alternatif “Hard Candy”, lequel se voit attribuer la quasi totalité des récompenses lors des « Music Awards – San Miguel Beer Cebu » en 2000 et remporte ainsi les prix du Meilleur groupe, de la Meilleure chanson, de la Meilleure chanteuse, du Meilleur joueur de clavier de l’année ainsi que le prix du Public.

En 2001, la vie de Kate Torralba prend une nouvelle tournure ; elle occupe pendant un an, un poste au Sénat Philippin à Manille puis fait une entrée couronnée de succès dans l’industrie de la mode et du commerce en créant une collection sous le label Kate Torralba. Créatrice de mode reconnue, elle continue cependant à poursuivre sa carrière musicale et participe de temps à autres à des concerts accompagnée des grands guitaristes tels que Perf de Castro (anciennement membre de RiverMaya et Triaxis), Ian Umali (P.O.T.) et Mike Villegas (Rizal Underground et Color it Red)

Ses rêves musicaux se réalisent enfin cette année. Elle travaille actuellement sur son premier album studio, intitulé pertinemment “Long Overdue” (“Une percée bien tardive”), dont la sortie (sous un label indépendant ou en auto-production) est prévue pour septembre 2009. Grâce à un mélange d’influences musicales passant par Frédéric Chopin, Tori Amos, les Carpenters, Joni Mitchell, Nirvana, Sergio Mendes et Aimee Mann, cet enregistrement promet d’être aussi éclectique qu’excitant.

I’m still quite sad over Karla Garcia’s short lived stint in So You Think You Can Dance and promised myself will stop watching the rest of the show this season. So I head over to my least liked reality talent show, America’s Got Talent (AGT) just to see what they have been showing.

Watching “America’s Got Talent” turned out to be a cheer me up for me. Oh my, watching and hearing 14 year old Thia Megia sing out “I am Changing” by Jennifer Holiday was unreal. But there she was, confident, beautiful and powerful! Seeing is believing! I have been scouring her and people have already compared her to Youtube sensation Charice.

Yes, she is of Filipino descent, born in Redwood City, California in 1995. Her long full name again gave her “filipino-ness,” Thialorei Lising Megia. (Any relations to Filipino comedian Gary Lising?)

Watch her audition video on America’s Got talent where the crowd goes wild for her, leaving all three judges wowed and awed. Her mom is also shown in the vid:

READ MORE HERE…

Fresh from the WaTunes Blog and from WaTunes CEO, Kevin Rivers himself:

“Hey guys,

We are very happy to say that 12 Fruits as chosen WaTunes to release their latest compilation: SoundWave. This compilation will featured 14 bands and 2 bonus tracks. This compilation will be available on iTunes on June 25th, 2009. Great bands including: The Sophmore Beats, Select Start, I Am Empire, Another Option, and more! Be sure to pick up your copy from these amazing bands and spread the word to your fellow community. Here at WaTunes, we’re all about opportunities!”

Check out the SOUNDWAVE promo video here:

You can also check out the SOUNDWAVE announcement on their page:

“The CD will be hitting all tour dates as mentioned before, so don’t be worried because we will get to your area!

If the tour is not hitting your area, you will be missing out not only on our CD but an awesome show! The CD will officially release online (itunes and Shockhound) on June 1st! We will also be selling real copies online through bigcartel.

More information will be posted as in which Hot Topics the CD will hit and where else the CD will be sold! We will be updating this page as much as we can for you.”

Here are the bands on the CD:
Another Option
Rookie of the Year
Select Start
I Am Empire
Vega Under Fire
The Sophomore Beat
The Last Place You Look
Render Me Speechless
My So Called Life
Mr Fyner and the Tech Ed Room
Backdrop
Almost There
A Love Not Lost

Be sure to download the SOUNDWAVE album on iTunes and ShockHound on June 25!

Posted by Paul “The Pageman” Pajo

Kenny Rankin died of lung cancer

Kenny who? The name just rang a tiny bell in my mind and the first thing that came into my mind was Chicken Roasters and the unit of temperature we get to convert from Kelvin in grade school science class…[Read More]

Which is more pleasing to hear: I Googled Bing… OR …I Binged Google?

Microsoft, in its bid to capture the search engine market, lauched its repackaged search engine, Live Search, which is now called Bing.[Read More]

Philippine Independence Day Google Logo

Google is known to add pizzazz to their already very colorful trademarked logo for every significant event within a year[Read More]

Every weekend, my bandmates and I meet up in one of those coffee shops scattered in the metro. Aside from playing Gino Padilla’s “Closer You And I” ad nauseam, we also try to write songs.

My bandmates, in my opinion, are badass songwriters. They can take one mundane situation like “I was about to cross the road when this jeepney stops in front of me and wouldn’t let me pass; the driver parked there for a good two minutes, blocking my way, until he realized that I wasn’t going to ride his stupid jeepney” into a pretty tight song:

via My Songwriting Skills Need Work.