just got this from Jim Libiran:

“Mga Kapatid… Ikinagagalak ko pong ibalita sa inyo na ang Tribu ay nagwagi ng Youth Jury Prize (distribution in France) dito sa Paris Cinema Festival. Mamya po ang awarding” Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!”

translation:

“Brothers and sisters … I am joyful conveying the news that Tribu won the Youth Jury Prize here in Paris Cinema Festival. The awarding will happen in a  little while. Mabuhay Philippines!”

Jim texted more:

“a lot of people prayed hard for this. The Lord heard all of our prayers. the Tondo kid yearn for respect: the indie musicians, rappers, rock singers, theater actors and talented Tondo residents who joined d cast of Tribu, they all yearn for respect and recognition of their talents. The young and very talented indie film crew who shared their talent and time, they yearn to show the world how talented we are. To all of them, I say, the young culture-loving people of Paris, France, all respect, recognize, reaffirm that, yes, the music making, the film making, acting talents of Filipinos are kick-ass worldclass!”

I bumped into Jim Libiran and Mitch Moreno just before they left for Paris in Robinson’s Galleria 2 Sundays ago and I got to pray with them and I got to pray for this Film - the world needs to see what God is doing in the Philippines right now - He’s raising up a new generation of film-makers, the Libirans, the Joaquin Valdeses, the Dante Nico Garcias of this generation; that will re-interpret reality in a way that will challenge Filipinos and the world.

Tribu was the ONLY Filipino entry that competed in the full-length film category. The award is very special because the Jurors are composed of young people and also representatives from the film magazine, Positif. This year’s Paris Cinema Festival honored 40 Filipino films and it was just fitting that a Filipino film on the youth rap culture in Tondo would win the Youth Jury Prize.

Here’s the review of a juror, Raphaël Clairefond, of Tribu (it’s in French btw hehehe):

“Une guerre des gangs dans un bidonville, vous pensiez avoir déjà vu ça souvent au cinéma. C’était récemment La Cité de Dieu de Fernando Meirelles, et si vous n’en aviez pas eu assez les producteurs en ont pondu une suite (La Cité des Hommes). Oubliez tout ce que vous connaissez, le vrai film « coup de poing » (expression ô combien galvaudée) sur le sujet s’appelle Tribu et il nous vient des Philippines.

On le doit à Jim Libiran, personnage multifacettes (documentariste, essayiste, journaliste…) qui, pour son premier film de fiction, immerge le spectateur dans la vie quotidienne de jeunes membres de gangs à Tondo, bidonville de Manille. Le mode de narration se rapproche de la chronique, en donnant à voir la vie de la population du quartier dans ce qu’elle a de plus banal : parents travailleurs et préoccupés par le sort de leurs enfants, scènes de ménage, amourettes de jeunesse etc. Mais qu’on ne s’y trompe pas, en filmant les câbles électriques enchevêtrés entre les bâtiments, surplombant les ruelles, le cinéaste nous rappelle clairement que Tondo est, une immense toile d’araignée dans laquelle chacun se débat comme il peut. Plus qu’ailleurs, la vie y est bien souvent une question de survie.

Toutefois, laissons-là les métaphores car la puissance viscérale de sa fiction repose avant tout sur l’effet de réel, le style documentaire « embedded »*, qui confère au film une tension et une violence aussi sèches qu’angoissantes. Son dispositif de mise en scène produit une image sale et tremblante, plongée dans une lumière sombre et jaunâtre. Elle restitue efficacement le sentiment de peur et de danger permanent qui semble imprégner le quartier. Le choix d’un tournage économique en vidéo et en lumière naturelle produit cette impression que les scènes sont saisies sur le vif. Par ailleurs les acteurs non-professionnels ont tous fait partie de gangs à Tondo. Le réalisateur part donc, comme d’autres avant lui, d’une matière documentaire pour construire une fiction qui met en forme un réel inaccessible par d’autres moyens que la reconstitution.

Le témoin du récit, un jeune garçon de 10 ans, fait écho à la divinité du quartier, tout en permettant l’identification du spectateur à son regard innocent. Innocence toute relative cependant au regard de la dernière séquence et des autres scènes qui voient les gamins se chamailler avec des armes en plastique. De l’enfance bagarreuse à l’adolescence terrible, il n’y a qu’un pas aisément franchi : celui de la simulation au passage à l’acte. L’enfant constitue également une astuce narrative habile, en ce qu’il offre un contrepoint à la violence et à la haine des jeunes lors de leurs réunions.

Musique et haine de l’autre
Loin d’adoucir les moeurs, la musique (hip hop et slams enragés) n’est que le vecteurs de déclaration de guerre à un ennemi vague mais incontestablement en sursis, à en croire les paroles. Les séquences musicales et spontanées entre potes préparent rites initiatiques et vengeances meurtrières. La musique est toujours un prélude à la violence, de même que certains gangs n’étaient à l’origine que des groupes de rap. Tribu met à mal la croyance dans les vertus pacificatrices et apaisantes de la musique. La prose scandée qui vient se poser sur les « beats » (rythmiques vocales) est loin d’apaiser la haine. Pire, elle l’attise.

La démarche du réalisateur prend tout son sens quand on comprend que l’expérience du film propose avant tout un constat pessimiste, plus qu’une critique virulente. En effet, le film et son budget ont permis de lancer plusieurs projets sociaux parmi lesquels la création d’un studio professionnel d’enregistrement à Tondo. Ce hors-champ qui fait aussi partie de l’expérience cinématographique témoigne de l’intelligence et de l’ambition d’un cinéaste qui préfère mêler fiction et documentaire en mettant l’un au service de l’autre, plutôt que de chercher à tirer profit d’un réel sordide.

Pour ceux que l’expérience aura convaincu, rendez-vous peut-être dans un an ou deux puisque Jim Libiran a un documentaire en projet sur ce que sont devenus les acteurs du film.

Il compare le mode de tournage à un reportage de guerre. Les caméramen ne savaient pas comment allaient se comporter les acteurs à chaque scène.”

I love the last sentence. You could translate it thus:

“He (Libiran) compared the method of directing to a story of war. The cameramen didn’t know how to frame the actors in each scene.”

For ABBA fans and fans of the film alike, MAMMA MIA! is a Soundtrack must-have!

Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in the feature-film adaptation of the beloved musical that has been seen by more than 30 million people in 170 cities and eight languages around the world. Bringing the timeless lyrics and melodies of iconic super group ABBA to movie audiences, summer 2008 is the season for Mamma Mia! The star-studded soundtrack is the ultimate souvenir to the movie, set for a release on MCA Music.

More about Mamma Mia! The Movie and its Soundtrack at Music Picks blog!

We’re not exactly the Philippine Madrigals, but hey, this is not my real job after all and my singers are not Conservatory graduates nor professional singers. Instead, they’re teachers, accountants, sales and marketing managers, and IT experts who took time out from their jobs and their families here in Cambodia so I can bully them to practice… all for a bit of rellenong talong and afritada for dinner. So ladies and gentlemen, let me present, the Koro Filipino in their final performance (at least with me) singing Freddie Aguilar’s Anak in Filipino, Khmer, and Bahasa during the diplomatic reception in celebration of the 110th Anniversary of Philippine Independence held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cambodia:

watch?v=ouN6RoDkeSs

Read more here.

“Ang Pusa Mo” by Pedicab is one of the hottest OPM songs of today. In fact, it has been dominating our local music charts for the past weeks already. So, if there’s any album you shouldn’t miss, it should be their album “Shinji Ilabas Mo Na Ang Helicopter“. And now, everybody’s invited to the launch of Pedicab’s 12-track album.

More about the album launch at this LINK!

Here’s this week’s Philippine music chart update for the week ending June 29, 2008 — Myx International Top 20, Myx Hit Chart, Pinoy Myx Countdown, 103.5 Max FM Final countdown, RX 93.1 Top 7 countdown, and Magic 89.9’s Magic 30, and 99.5 Campus FM.

Check out the charts at Music Picks blog!

In celebration of 20 years of Lite Rock, 96.3 WRocK draws inspiration from one of its warmly-received segments in Lite Rock history, which takes up love stories and love songs of real people, The Lite Rock Favorites Of The Week.  Together with MCA Music, WRocK brings you 20 Lite Rock songs that interpret the unanswered, unresolved grey areas of falling in love:  Why find someone only to lose him?  Why does it feel so right yet so wrong?  How can someone make you happy yet sad?  Thus, Love That Could Have Been.  But Could Never Be. The album comes in a specially designed scrapbook-type digipack.

Learn more about the album at this LINK !

Avril Lavigne comes back to Manila for another concert, titled “Avril Lavigne…The Best Damn Tour” happening at the Araneta Coliseum this coming September.

More details about “Avril Lavigne” Concert in Manila this 2008 at Music Picks Blog!

The search for the newest singing sensation by the biggest and most watched reality talent search begins this coming July. “American Idol Season 8″ starts in January next year but auditions are already set.

Check more about “American Idol Season 8″ and the audition dates at Music Picks blog!

Of the many bands who got screened for the Not Cool to be Co2l, Baga’t Hangin Musikahan Battle of the Bands 2008, only eight made the cut — Zigen, Kwadro, Yabmatzi, Kadangyan, Verses, Vertuso, Syalam, and Black Dynamic. These bands will be performing live at the SM North EDSA Activity Center this Sunday, June 29, 2008 (2pm), in celebration of the Philippine Environment Month.

Get to know more about the finalists here.

Asian music fans can now officially vote for their favorite artists and bands for the upcoming 2008 MTV Asia Awards happening in Malaysia this coming August 2.

For voters in the Philippines, you can vote for Chicosci, Urbandub, Sponge Cola and Sandwich.

Fans can also vote for the the following artists for the “Favorite International Artist in Asia” category: Avril Lavigne, Fergie, Justin Timberlake, Linkin Park.

Know more about the event at this LINK...

The much anticipated Journey 3-disc CD/DVD full album debuted at number 5 in the Billboard 100 and as of June 21, 2008- “Revelation” is currently number 6 and steady. It’s Single “After All These Years” is at number 21 at the Top Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks.

This independent record sold 104,000 copies on its first week of sales “marking the band’s biggest first week sales since 1996’s TRIAL BY FIRE,” according to Wal-mart stores- its exclusive distributor in the United States. How’s that for track record for Arnel Pineda’s international debut and Journey’s comeback?

What with the Revelation album itself? I wouldn’t say I was blown away on first hearing. Like wine, it has to age. As a ‘new’ fan, it’s a matter of taste and distinction. You either love it or dislike it!

READ MORE ABOUT THE MAN OF THE HOUR, ARNEL PINEDA…!

Here’s this week’s Philippine music chart update for the week ending June 22, 2008 — Myx International Top 20, Myx Hit Chart, Pinoy Myx Countdown, 103.5 Max FM Final countdown, RX 93.1 Top 7 countdown, and Magic 89.9’s Magic 30, and 99.5 Campus FM.

See the COMPLETE charts at this LINK!

Dice & K9 Mobbstarr has surprised their followers with fresh music by mixing up pop, techno and any other genre with hip-hop. And now, everyone’s invited to the hip-hop trio’s “Time Space Rhythm Starrs” album launch. Get a copy of their CD for FREE!

Details at this LINK!

When some people at 40 years old and up begin to experience that life is not the way they wanted it to be and they have little time to change it, when they are on the verge of perhaps a midlife crisis, how does one gets his biggest break at age 40?

And when he does get it, how does one process fame, (fortune!) and glory coming from very humble beginnings, from surviving as a struggling musician singing covers of other people’s hits and now to becoming a bona fide international rock star performing beside legendary and iconic band as a front man?! How? Try being Arnel Pineda!

His is a story that could have been taken out of a Charles Dickens novel and as Arnel Pineda himself admits in a GQ interview: “My life is a fairy tale. But I’m awake, and I’m dreaming it.” His is a story of perseverance, hope and never stop believing in yourself! His is a true inspirational story of the 21st century not only for aspiring musicians but for everyone who dreams of making it.

Indeed this youthful 41 year-old is living his dream. He did his first concert with Journey before a huge crowd in Chile in February, performed in Las Vegas for the first time, finished a full recording album for worldwide release, guested in prime time US TV shows, featured in GQ magazine’s June 2008 issue, currently on tour in the United Kingdom and will be touring North America in the Summer! In a matter of six months, his whole world “changed for the better!” as one of his songs featured in the new album says.

READ MORE HERE…

JenSomeone’s first ever remix in ccmixter.org

special thanks to Scott Altham!

special thanks to Kevin Rivers of WaTunes!

THA CARTER III is the Biggest Release of 2008

Cash Money/Universal Motown Records multi-platinum recording artist Lil Wayne expands his dynasty with Tha Carter III.  The new CD is the biggest release by far for 2008, selling over 1 Million copies in the US in its first week, reigning #1 on Nielsen SoundScan, besting Mariah Carey’s record-breaking release earlier this year.

Continue reading here…

Masyado na akong na-a-addict sa iPod koh! Hindi na makatarungan. Maya’t-maya na lang naghahanap ako ng pwedeng idownload sa itunes, sa amazon at sa walmart. Wala lang… feel ko lang marami akong mga songs. As in hindi ko pa nga nalalagay yung mga Crossover ko na albums, wala pa dun yun mga revivals na mga CDs ko rin. Tsk, pasaway ang iPod, nauubos ang oras ko. Time is gold pa naman, hehehehe.

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Ano ang prize, tanong nyo?

$10.00 na gift card para magdownload ng mga peborit nyong mga kanta! Kayo ang mamili kung saan - sa iTunes, sa Amazon.com o sa Walmart.com. Kahit ano sa tatlo. Ang mananalo, bibigyan ko ng instructions kung paano mag-claim ng kanilang prize thru email.

Alamin kung paano manalo ng $10.00 na gift card para sa inyong paboritong kanta. Tara na kay http://atesienna.pansitan.net

AWIT AWARDS is an expression of the Filipino’s undying passion for music – music etched in every Filipino’s heart. Awit Awards is a prestigious award-giving body, spearheaded by PARI (The Philippine Association of the Record Industry, Inc.), that gives recognition to Filipino performing artists and people behind the making of Filipino recorded music.

Check out the nominees at this LINK…