Hard City

As promised in my recent post (click here), the final shots from our Hard City photoshoot!

Enjoy!

Photographer: Patrick Segovia

Stylists: Reg Recio, Beverly Kho, Vina Lim + team

Models: Sam Rodriguez, Miyuki Nishida, Rei Robles, David Espina, Mico Espina

Make-up artists: Arlene Bensal, Reg Recio

Assistants: Anne Barnuevo, Nicole Soltes

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ALBUM REVIEW: Incubus "If Not Now, When?"

Temporary album art
(Photo from metalwarez.com)

Last night, I raped my ears to the whole "If Not Now, When?" album (I know it's not out 'till July but I couldn't stand the itch). Incubus' 7th upcoming record. In the midst of my exploration, a tiny hint of sadness struck me when I came to a realization that Incubus is a reborn band. RIP to the old grunge/hyphy/experimental Incubus.


Well actually it died during Light Grenades but Light Grenades had a little of A Crow Left of the Murder in it. A Crow Left of the Murder had a little Morning View, Morning View had a little Make Yourself, Make Yourself had a little S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and S.C.I.E.N.C.E. had a little Fungus Amongus but If Not Now, When? isolated itself from the rest of the previous six albums. Some of the songs even had a little country feel to it. I guess change is good as long as you know they're the same people behind the magic and the inspiration from the previous records. The love and support is still there. Scratch that, will always and forever be there. Do not get me wrong, I do not completely hate the album, it's just a bit hard to digest.

My current top picks are: "Friends And Lovers", "Thieves", "Switch Blade", "The Original", "In The Company Of Wolves", and "Adolescents" of course. That's 6/11. Not bad. (Oh, and is it just me or "Promises, Promises" sounded like a Tim McGraw hit? Haha. Please excuse me from that death defying question I just asked.)

The songs were not the usual Incubus songs where the moment you first heard it, next thing you know you're constantly craving. But I'm sure these opinions will change through time. No doubt about that.

Steve and the band have actually been giving disclaimers that it's far from their previous records so I knew what to expect especially upon hearing "Adolescents" (which is a lovely song by the way. It had been on loop  for a hundred times now). 


Anything Incubus is appreciated and loved. That's a given fact. Who knows Incubus might jump on another different bandwagon on the next coming albums. I just have this automatic 'adjust' button to any Incubus song. It's just the way it is...no questions asked.

I think some of us are hoping for another 'funkubus' (oops, I think I just coined a new term) record like S.C.I.E.N.C.E. but sorry folks, not gonna happen. Otherwise, it will just be a repetition...and change is better than repeating itself.

Update:
As predicted, my views have changed since I first heard it. I've added "Isadore", "If Not Now, When?", and "Promises, Promises" to my line up of preferred singles. So that's 9/11! Better? Yes! A little more digesting on "Defiance" and "Tomorrow's Food"...kinda hard to chew.
I've also appreciated "Thieves" more. I am madly in love with Mike's guitar arrangement! Now I think I know what the theme of this album is. It's spiritual and native! A perfect soundtrack to an earthly lifestyle. Also, props to Kilmore on the new equip he's been using on this album! I'm not sure if it's still the marxophone, the theremin or neither? Someone correct me.

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A college affair

My life as a "born again" freshman just took its end recently. I say born again since I transferred school last year and started my first term in my new school January of this year. I must say, it's been fun so far and to make things more at ease, I've met these lovely people on the way...

Meet Brix and Guia. I met Brix during my first day at Literature class when she approached me regarding our class readings. At first I didn't really felt her vibe and I even thought she outspoke me with her perkiness but a minute later upon talking, I instantly felt comfortable.

Guia was Brix's friend in this other class we have together. She's the fabulous girl in her signature blazer, heels, red lipstick, and an all black ensemble. She introduced me to her and next thing we know we were unconsciously creating this trio.

How attractive is that third photo?

Meet Shin and Kat. I usually hang out with them during Mondays and Wednesdays after a class we share together. During our first few meetings, our professor asked us to group ourselves for a video project. I did not know anyone in that class and for some reason I felt contented being invisible and alone. It was an 8am class and you wouldn't wanna talk to me in the morning and vice versa. I am not a morning person. But fuck it, I need groupmates. So I went up to this girl and asked her if I could join her group she said okay and left mysteriously. I was like, "Oh joy, a bitchy groupmate." But that statement gave me a slap in the face.

The three of us had lunch together to talk about our project. Funny how we just talked about ourselves rather than our project. We all share a common love which is food! Monday-Wednesday is food splurge day with these two. And on our last day, we even went out of our way just to eat at Yakimix which is an all-you-can-eat Japanese resto for a cheap price! We were sushi grabbing like a bunch of crazies.
And today,  me and Kat are looking forward to meet Shin's baby! Yes, she's entering motherhood soon.

Meet Kc and Jes. Kc was that girl I remember during our "freshman/transferee" orientation. All I remember was, she looked grumpy and I loved her outfit. Haha.

I went up to her during my first day. We talked and got to know each other. We were together until the term ended. She's a model but defeats the infamous "model stereotype". She's smart and really down to Earth and you'll be surprise how goofy she can be. Plus, we share a lot of things in common!

Jes is the sweetest. You know those kind of people where they're too kind it's scary? Haha. Jes is one of them but in a good way. I thought at first we wouldn't click since we lack common interests but I proved myself wrong. I instantly felt comfortable to her the second day I saw her.

...oh, and this is not a sorority and...I'm not lesbian.


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Something BEAutiful

(Photo by Beverly Kho)

What is a Beautiful person?

A beautiful person sees beauty not only in herself but values the beauty of others as well.

A beautiful person is a happy person.

A beautiful person sees color in everything black and white.

A beautiful person is an inspiration.

Meet Bea. A BEAutiful person.

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Behind the scenes: Hard City

All photos from Patrick Segovia

BTS from our recent photoshoot!

Final shots to be posted soon.

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Manberlin

March 9, 2011

Last month, I got to see The Testosterone Show! I mean the Anberlin concert. They sounded good live! But is it just me or Stephen Christian's moves are way too queer? It ruins the whole rock concert vibe. Haha! 
But don't get me wrong, minus those little observations, they were good performers and I love a concert with audience interaction. Just wish they ditched the whole Click Five peg especially with the confetti during the last song. But other than that, the music was what I spent for.
I'm still waiting for my cameo on Joseph Miligan's flip cam to be uploaded. The band passed by us when we were waiting in line. And funny how no one screamed or went hysterical.

Stone Temple Pilots were also playing the same night in another venue which I'm not going to reiterate how I regret...okay, nevermind.

I went with my friend Rei and his cousin + fiance which was last minute since I just found out he was going hours before the show. Original plan of watching with my college bud Luis and another friend Nicole turned out to be an utter fail since they were both late and arrived during the middle of the show. Also, my spot pretty much sucked. My view was a peephole between two 7-ft men with giant heads. And to make things more perfect, they were secretly smoking which 90% I inhaled. Lovely.

Thus, topping number three for best concerts I've been to! I've only seen 3.

Front acts:

Typecast

Jejaview

Salamin

Anberlin live in Manila 2011: Impossible

Anberlin live in Manila 2011: Feel Good Drag

Anberlin live in Manila 2011: Dismantle. Repair

SETLIST:
We Owe This To Ourselves
Paperthin Hymn
Never Take Friendship Personal
Disappear
Closer
The Resistance
Dismantle. Repair
Art Of War
A Day Late (Acoustic)
The Unwinding Cable Car
Inevitable
Godspeed
Pray Tell
Impossible
Ready Fuels
The Feel Good Drag

Encore:
Adelaide
Take Me (As You Found Me)


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