Sunday, October 23, 2011

Rakenrol: A Love Letter to Original Pinoy Music --



I've been trying to write about the movie since I saw it last September --

I really enjoyed the movie.  I loved Quark's romantic view of Pinoy rock and roll.  I loved that he chose to focus on the music of the 90s and early noughties --

Rakenrol reminds us that we are a gifted and passionately creative people -- Odie and Irene is everyman and everywoman -- all it took was a spark, a playful suggestion: "Gawa tayo ng banda." -- and the greatest adventure of their lives began.

And we take that adventure with them -- from their early, tentative start up to the point when they actualize their dream in the form of a demo.

I think the movie is also very timely -- if you take a look at the Pinoy music industry, there is very little original material being released and a lot of the popular tunes that are being played on radio right now are remakes of early Filipino hits or of current Western titles.

Rakenrol, by showcasing songs from Pinoy bands like Eraserheads, etc -- reminds us of the rich pool of talent and creativity that already exists in the country.

For Johann and I, it was a walk down memory lane (yes, yes -- cliche but true) -- pointing out people we know who made cameos in the movie -- people who used to visit CCHQ, and people from Johann's and my university --

It was a wonderful journey into the past -- but also a wonderful glimpse of the future of Pinoy artistry -- that it's out there, waiting to be discovered.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

I love sandwiches --

I love, love, love making my own sandwiches --

I love the days when we have bacon for breakfast because it means I can make a BLT --

I love having lots and lots of lettuce in my sandwich --

And I love biting down on it -- tasting the tang of the mustard and the creaminess of the mayo and the crunch of the bacon.



We are lucky that Iloilo Supermarket has a really wonderful selection of lettuce -- and I love going there to check out what they have. (And I think it's locally grown and organic.)

Friday, October 14, 2011

What would you have done?

Last week, I was in line at the supermarket check-out counter.  I was the next customer and was getting my card ready when I get a tap on my shoulder.

An older man asked if he could go ahead of me because he only had 2 items.  (I had a basket of 12 items.)

I pointed him to the counter beside us, which was empty.  (It was for senior citizens.)

He went there and the lady at the register refused to allow him to pay through there.  (Which means, he wasn't that old.)

He had to go back to our line -- by then, my items were already being punched in.

I could feel his impatience and hear his grumbling but I knew I didn't have anything to be worried about because I lined up and patiently waited for my turn.

On the drive home, I asked my sister what she would have done -- she narrated a similar incident during SM City's 3-day sale.  (SM Advantage Card holders get an extra 10% off during the first 2 hours of the first day and it gets really crazy.) -- A lady tapped the person ahead of my sister and asked her if she could pay first because she only had a handful of items.  (My sister had a cart and the lady in front of my sister had a lot of items as well.)

The person (ahead of my sister) pointed to the very long line behind her and told the lady to ask everyone first.  The lady got the hint and just lined up properly.

I know that I would be perceived as inconsiderate and unkind -- but, if we allowed people* to cut in line, what would be the point of lining up in the first place?

I have experienced having a squirmy Seth and a tantrum-y Anya while lining up for something but I have never, ever used them as an excuse to get ahead of a line (I have used them to get a free sample of lechon skin, though).  I line up and wait for my turn and try to manage them as best I can.

*The only exception, perhaps -- would be if the person asking is very elderly -- but, then again, most places already have an exclusive counter for senior citizens.

Thursday, October 06, 2011

RIP Steve Jobs --

Yesterday, I woke up excited to check the news for the latest iPhone.  (I am planning to get one when it is released in the Philippines.  It will be my first iPhone ... and the 3rd one in our family.)

Today, I woke up to a shock -- Steve Jobs has died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Growing up in Iloilo, I would read about Apple computers in the magazines my uncle would send us from the US.  One of my earliest dreams was to own a Mac.  Even then, I saw the playfulness of the Apple design and gravitated towards it.

I didn't realize this dream until over 6 years ago -- when G and A came to Iloilo for a visit and I experienced the beauty of the Mac for the first time.  (My first iDevice was a first-gen iPod shuffle and Johann's was a Nano.)

We have not looked back since -- I am proud to say we are an iFamily -- and one of the earliest words my son and daughter said was "Apple" -- and, no, this is not because we eat the fruit in bountiful amounts.  (We do, btw -- maybe one a day.)

Steve Jobs was an exciting person -- and a visionary.  I think he and his company have challenged our perception of technology -- that it can be uncomplicated and accessible.  That it can be safe and a true companion for daily life.

There is an effortlessness to handling an Apple product that I have not experienced with any other tech device.

Thank you, Steve Jobs.  Thank you, Apple.