Dalawamput limang taon na ang nakalipas mula nang magtapos ako sa high school. Dahil may ibang gawain, di ako nakapunta sa pagdiriwang. Tiningnan kong muli ang aming yearbook at nakita ang aking isinulat upang ibahagi noong araw ng pagtatapos. Kayrami kong tanong noon. Mga tanong ko pa rin sila hanggang ngayon.
Sechskies shines anew with Another Light
First, a disclaimer, because some who might stumble upon this post might find the title misleading: This is not an album review. Well, maybe sort of, but not exactly an objective one because I totally love Sechskies. There, I have finally announced it haha.
Second, a digression. It has been more than a year since I have followed this first-generation Korean boy group. Sechskies had made me cry with their emotional reunion through the MBC variety show Infinity Challenge, but they have been making me smile–heck, make that laugh until I cry–with their variety skills. They have been working hard since regrouping, holding concerts (Yellow Note), releasing new songs (“Three Words,” “Sad Song,” and “Be Well”) and remastered versions of their hit songs, and appearing in music and variety shows.
Despite being active for a relatively short period (Sechskies debuted in April 1997 and disbanded in May 2000), they had managed to release four albums that spawned a number of hit songs. I actually find it quite difficult to choose a favorite Sechskies song (from the first four albums). The songs they have after their reunion are well-produced (as expected of Tablo and Future Bounce 🙂 ) and well-received, earning them year-end awards (for “Three Words”) and top spot in music shows (for “Be Well”). But a fifth full album with all new songs after 18 years, how would it sound? How would it be received?
Another Light is indeed something special and something to smile about
With Another Light, its double title tracks “Something Special” and “Smile”, and seven equally title track-worthy songs, I dare say that Sechskies has further solidified its place in the current Kpop scene. They are already legendary, but with this album, their music evokes not only nostalgia but fresh vitality. From one track to another, we get to listen to each member’s distinct vocal tone as the group challenges different genre.
I have always been impressed with Eun Jiwon’s versatility as an entertainer, but this album is a showcase for his singing skills. Kang Sunghoon is Kang Sunghoon: ever reliable as a main vocalist, nailing all his parts effortlessly. Of course his voice has matured, but its characteristic sweetness remains. Jang Suwon has improved tremendously; his and Kim Jaeduck’s hard work to keep performing as a duo after their disbandment is now serving the group well. A revelation (to me) in many ways is Lee Jaijin. I am no music major so I don’t know any technical words to describe his voice. Evidently Jaijin has great range (Watch: his aegyo song in Weekly Idol). But I just love how he can deliver power/softness with his voice in this album. All the members convey emotions well when they sing–it’s one of the reasons I have been drawn to them as a group.
Now, the songs. As I’ve posted in Twitter, there is no such thing as album filler in Another Light. Each track could stand as a title track. I like how the album starts with “Something Special” and ends with “It’s Been a While,” which is among my personal favorites along with “Backhug” and “Drinking Problem.” The upbeat tracks may sound a lot more “quiet” than the dance tracks the group has been known for, but they are as energy-filled. But really, one can jump around to one’s heart’s content to “Vertigo” or dance to “Something Special” or “Feeling.” Feeling lovesick or sorrowful? There are tracks for those times too. Better yet, just listen from Track 1 to 9 and be moved physically and emotionally.
I cannot possibly say this enough: Another Light is awesome, like really really :). Now if only YG promotes it more like by having Sechskies in variety shows, wouldn’t it be more awesome? 😛
Tropang Gutom: A year of fellowship, food, and everything fun
Last January 31, Tropang Gutom turns a year old. Somehow I feel like we have been together much longer than that. I have known Mia and Cel since 2002 when the three of us first joined the SMCM high school faculty of which Ma’am Noems has been a member since forever hehe. Badong and I were among the first batch of ISO internal auditor trainees. Benjie was my fellow first year adviser when I was a substitute teacher for Miss Javier. I would see Vhong, Rheena, Ele, and Marianne around whenever I came to SMCM to visit during the period I was not teaching there and when I rejoined the school from 2011 to 2014. Actually, TG has been formed before I became part of it, but our love for food and adventure has forged our bond. Though there are times that some members (read: me) would miss meetings (aka food trips haha), TG keeps everyone updated through Facebook.
In 2015, TG embarked on two major adventure: a camping trip to Nagsasa in Zambales in April and a nature trip in Baler, Aurora (which I have yet to write about, sigh) in November. With TG, planning a trip is as much fun as the trip itself. No stones would be left unturned; hence, the numerous meetings held. Just imagine the amount of calories consumed in all those meetings lol.
To Tropang Gutom, because our kind of hunger leads to happiness, may we always be hungry for the next adventure.
Take a feels trip with The CompanY’s Nostalgia
This 2016, I am turning 40, to which I attribute my frequent bouts of nostalgia. Seeing a boxful of old cards and letters, watching old films or a new film based on an old one (Star Wars The Force Awakens, yeah!), hearing old songs on the radio, they just bring, you know… So. Much. Feels.
Among the songs that never fail to make me nostalgic are those of The CompanY, their “Everlasting Love” particularly so. I was a high school freshman when it came out and I remember my classmate Claire giving me a copy of its lyrics. I remember listening to The CompanY’s album on my cassette player.
Listening to The CompanY’s 25th album, aptly titled Nostalgia, is a feels trip. The opening track “Times of Your Life” takes me back to second year high school and makes me remember my Values Ed teacher and class adviser Ma’am Tina Romano. Most of the songs are actually older than I am, but I am familiar with them because of Sunday radio shows, the kind my parents listen to haha! My favorites are the mouthful “Waters of March” and the very emotional Jose Mari Chan classic “Here and Now.” Confession: I really thought that the song whose first line goes “A stick, a stone, it’s the end of the load” was originally a commercial jingle for a local shopping center. Thanks to The CompanY, now I know it’s based on the Brazilian song “Aguas de Marco” composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
The CompanY is turning 31, and they are still bringing on the vocals and touching people with their music. I’m just happy that I finally got to see them perform live and even meet and greet them after their show at the Shang last January 24.
Because I have yet to find the person I would want to sing “Everlasting Love” to, I will sing it along with The CompanY whenever I hear it on the radio. (Also, I can sing along to the songs in Nostalgia as it includes minus one of the whole album. Awesome, right?)
SMCM at 100: Random thoughts of a Marian teacher
Since becoming a teacher, I have worn many school colors. Understandably, I would always identify myself primarily as a Fighting Maroon (although the university hymn says luntian at pula) but wherever I teach, I proudly wear the school colors. This 2016, aside from gold and green, I wear blue for St. Mary’s College of Meycauayan (SMCM) for the third time.
The first time was in 2002. I was a late addition to the highschool faculty as classes had already started when I joined to replace a member who decided to teach in a public school instead. I must admit that it felt a bit strange to be teaching in the school I had considered to be my high school’s rival. Obviously, I had some preconceived ideas about Marian students. Those would of course change over the course of my stay at SMCM. Marians would be among my closest friends, fangirling buddies, and travel and foodtrip companions. My first year of teaching at SMCM was not exactly a walk in the park but it was a memorable one. For one thing, as a young teacher at that time, I felt supported, valued, and loved. I would stay another year, and even when I decided to take a break from teaching to pursue another path, I came back for a few weeks as a substitute teacher in 2005.
The second time was in 2011. SMCM was the first to give me an opportunity to teach in the college level. Now I have former students who are members of the Integrated Basic Education (IBEd) faculty. Seeing them in the school never fails to make me smile.
I am just happy to be back for the third time since November 2015 on time for the centennial celebration this year. Now I declare myself a centennial junkie haha! Kidding aside, I think I will always think of SMCM as more than a school. To me, SMCM is like home. It is like my old neighborhood, always warm and familiar. This is why I am looking forward to see other Marians and Marians at heart to come home and celebrate 100 years of faith, service, and excellence with us. See you February 8 to 13 Marians!
SMCM at 100: A Centennial of Faith, Service, and Excellence
SM x Chan Lim: Ushering in A New Light of Prosperity
Over 100 Chinese paintings on lanterns by the Chan Lim Family of Artists and Students are on exhibit at The Block Atrium until February 11. The exhibit launch held last January 24 kicked off SM City North EDSA’s Chinese New Year celebration.
Meeting and learning from the master: Alex Chan Lim
Before the exhibit was formally opened to the public, there was a Q&A with and an on-the-spot demonstration by Alex Chan Lim. Like his siblings Felix, Rolex, and Jolex, Alex is an engineer by profession, but he has kept painting since he was 11 years old. The name Chan Lim is formed by combining the last names of the siblings’ parents. The family patriarch, whose real name is Jose but signs as Chan Lim, has dabbled in Western art, specializing in oil and watercolor.
The Chan Lim family of artists have conducted numerous art classes, workshops, and on-the-spot demonstrations, and have joined several art exhibits locally and internationally. To date, they have held 14 family exhibits.
Experiencing Chinese painting
I have always been interested in Chinese painting but never gotten around to attending a workshop until yesterday. The Chan Lim Family of artists and students helped us participants set up the materials (paper, Chinese brush, ink, water) and patiently guided us in making our first brush strokes.
More activities to celebrate the Year of the Monkey at SM City North EDSA
Aside from wishing all its visitors a bright future with the grand collection of beautiful hand-painted lanterns at The Block Atrium, SM City North EDSA has lined up other exciting activities in celebration of the Chinese New Year:
- Oriental Culture Market, February 2 to 15, mall hours, City Center East and West Mall 2nd Floor
- Astrological Forecast with Marites Allen, February 7, 5 PM, The Block Atrium
- Golds of Fortune, January 24 to February 11, The Block Ground Floor and the Annex Ground Floor
- Oriental Classics, January 31, 5 PM, The Block Atrium
- Chinese Wushu Arts, January 31, 5 PM, The Block Atrium
- Chinese Arts in Letters Calligraphy Workshop, February 6, 2 PM, The Block Atrium
- Chinese Court & Folk Dances, February 8, 2 PM, The Block Atrium
Thoughts on KCON2015 I’m Coming Home
Back from blogging hiatus! 🙂
I’m writing this on a Thursday, November 25, a week after the KCON 2015 was supposed to have started. Originally, my plan was to participate on Thursday, then have my friend Ku attend on Friday and Saturday because I couldn’t take a leave from work, and then come to the Grand Feast. Due to APEC road blockage, however, the four-day event was shortened to two days—21 and 22—with the Thursday activities moved to Saturday and Friday activities to Sunday morning. Though I could only attend the Grand Feast on Sunday afternoon, it felt like I have really come home.
I have been a Kerygma reader since 1993 when my second year HS adviser gifted me with a subscription for my graduation. I renewed that subscription, but stopped after some time. In 2000, I met a Kerygma shepherd during one of my daily commute to the office. That shepherd eventually became my soul sister. Ate Mhean introduced me to the Light of Jesus Family, and invited me to my first Feast in Camp Aguinaldo.
Though I haven’t been attending as consistently as I did back then, LOJ is indeed like family—warm and welcoming. There were thousands of attendees, all friendly faces. Like home, there is something very comforting with the old and familiar (although there were also many new things). Because I came late, I was expecting a general admission ticket but a member gave me his upper box ticket (Salamat, Kuya!)
The messages were all moving—from the homily to Bro. Justin Fatica’s “You’re amazing!” reminder, from Bro. Alvin Barcelona’s thoughts on coming home based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son to the reps (Bro. Eng Si, Bro. Jon Escoto, and Bro. Velden Lim) of the three generations of Feast Builders’, and Bro. Bo’s “You already have it!” I got all the affirmation I ever needed to overcome the challenges I am facing, and for that I am immensely grateful.
Championing creators and users: The Korea-Philippines Copyright Forum 2015 on Fair Use
More than a hundred participants of the 2015 Korea-Philippines Copyright Forum have learned about Copyright and Fair Use in Korea and the Philippines from distinguished resource speakers. Organized by the Korea Copyright Commission (KCC) and hosted by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) of South Korea, the forum was well attended by academic personnel, students, researchers, IT service providers, and bloggers last June 25 at the F1 Hotel Infinity Hall, BGC, Taguig City.
Senior Deputy Director Sung-Woon Hong of the Copyright Division Policy, MCST, gave the opening address while the welcome address was given by IPOPHL DG/OIC DDG Allan B. Gepty. Ambassador Jae-Shin Kim of the Embassy of Republic of Korea in the Philippines and Chairman Seung-Jong Oh of the Korea Copyright Commission congratulated the organizers, hosts, and participants of the forum.
The talks were divided into three topics: (1) current enforcement status regarding fair use in copyright and the policies of the two countries; (2) fair use of copyright works in the digital environment; and (3) current activation plan for use of copyright of the two parties in the digital era.
Under the first topic, Mr. Hyun-Wook Jung of of the Copyright Industry Division, MCST, gave an Introduction to Legal System for Copyright Use in Korea. He shared about KOGL, which is a set of licensing marks that helps the public to easily understand the condition of use when they attempt to exploit the works created by public institutions. The goal of KOGL is to realize a creative economy in Korea by establishing the basis for free use of the public works.
Atty. Mark Herin of the Office of the Director General, IPOPHL, gave the counterpart talk on the Introduction to Legal System for Copyright Fair Use in the Philippines. He emphasized the four factors to be considered in determining fair use as stipulated in Section 185 of the IP Code (Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work).
For the second topic, Ms. Soohyun Pae, Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator of Creative Commons, talked about the Development of Internet Service and Fair Use of Copyright Works. She shared how civic communities, public offices, and institutes have collaborated on various projects to promote the reuse of data, knowledge, and content in Korea, and how Creative Commons Korea plays a role in promoting open knowledge and creativity in Korea.
Associate Professor of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law Atty. JJ Disini talked about Fair Use Issues in the Commercial Sector.
For the third topic, Mr. Chul Nam Lee drew analogies from culture and the cultural industry (Kpop and traditional Korean music) when he talked about Copyright Protection and Fair Use In View of Technology, Market, and Institution.
Atty. Aileen V. Sicat drew from her experiences as a professor in the College of Law of the Lyceum of the Philippines for her talk on Issues and Challenges Regarding Copyright and Fair Use in the Academic Sector.
After the talks, the resource speakers responded to the participants’ questions on copyright and fair use.
My Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo trip in retrospect: Lakad-kain-lakad in Osaka Day 2
Day 2 Osaka by day (and night again)
We had an early start by eating breakfast in the same restaurant we had dinner in the previous night (Hai, it was that good!).
First stop: Tsutenkaku
After breakfast, we walked to see the Tsutenkaku, which takes approximately 10 minutes walking time from the Shin-Imamiya Station. It was still early so there were not many people around. We did not go to the observation deck so I have no idea how much the admission fee is.
A popular Tsutenkaku souvenir is anything Billiken-san, such as figures, lotto ticket wallets, and cakes. Billiken-san is their God of Luck and is just one of the Eight Deities of Good Fortune. I did not buy any but I had a picture taken beside a huge Billiken-san figure in the area. We returned to Hotel Taiyo to look for our next place of stay, which would turn out to be a challenge for us. But in the course of looking for La Maison, we were able to explore our accidental second stop.
Second stop: Naniwa Palace
The Naniwa-no-miya Palace Site marker reads:
The Naniwa-no-miya Palace was situated around this site between 645 and 743 A.D. Not much was known about the palace until the archaeological discovery of fragments of SHIBI (ornamental fish-shaped ridge-end tiles) in 1953. The excavations confirmed the structure of the Main Palace, the Imperial Office and other governmental buildings. This site, covering a total area of 90,667 square meters, is designated as an important national historical site.
Third stop: Osaka Castle
A trip to Osaka would not be complete without checking out the Osaka Castle, one of the most famous landmarks of Japan. The Osaka Castle Museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last admission at 4:30 pm). Admission is JPY600 for adults and free for 15 years old and under.
Fourth stop: Shitennoji
After a palace and a castle, we went to a temple. Shitennoji is one of Japan’s oldest temples. In fact it is the oldest state temple. Because we missed the last admission (we got there late in the afternoon), we were not able to see the Gokuraku-jodo Garden and the Treasure House. We explored the grounds instead.
Fifth stop: Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a lively place where there are numerous restaurants, shops, and amusement facilities. This is where one can sample the very popular Osaka takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Walking through Dotonbori is such a sensory experience. Busog na busog ang mga mata, and if one has the budget to try all the food being sold there, mabubusog talaga. But we were still going to Kyoto and Tokyo, so we had to spend wisely.
We did our initial omiyage shopping at Don Quijote, one of the biggest discount shops in Japan. We were going to Kyoto the next day so as much as we enjoyed being at Dotonbori, we had to go back to the hostel to pack.
My Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo trip in retrospect: Lakad-kain-lakad in Osaka Day 1
Not even a month had passed since I got home from the JENESYS 2.0 program I took part in, I booked a ticket to go back to Japan. My IDC officemates Jub and Emma had already booked their roundtrip tickets to Osaka, and I thought it would be fun to join them, but I had people who I wanted to see, so I made mine Manila-Osaka (Kansai) then Tokyo (Narita)-Manila. I would learn later that my fellow Jenesyst Neri and her brother Greg also planned to go. Unfortunately, Emma could not go with us. Hence, I was with Jub for the first part of the trip (Osaka-Kyoto) and with Neri and Greg for the second part (Tokyo).
Day 1 Departure and Osaka by night
Our flight to Osaka was delayed a bit, but nothing could dampen my excitement for this trip. Although I was going to Japan for the second time, it was my first time in Osaka and Kyoto. Jub and I intended to take not less than a thousand photographs each. I was only able to take about 900 (Gomen, Jub-san!) even if I wanted to take a shot of every nook and cranny. I was in so much awe that I was afraid that I would not be able to capture the moment.
To save on train fare, we got JR-West Rail passes. Such a pass can be issued to a foreign tourist under “temporary visitor” status and is valid for unlimited travel in the Limited Express “Haruka” and Local Trains operated by JR-West within the area indicated on the sheet. Since I would be going to Tokyo for Day 4, I got a Kansai Area Pass for 3 days.
We were booked at Hotel Taiyo, which is actually near the train station, but we took a wrong turn somewhere and ended at a police station! Nope, we did not do anything wrong. The kind elder we asked for directions does not speak English so he thought it was best to ask the police for help. They have a map of every neighborhood at the station, and the kind elder accompanied us all the way to the hotel. This was only the first among many of the kindness of strangers we experienced in Japan.
After checking in, it was time to look for food. It was already late, and most of the shops were closed, but we found this really good place to eat at:
This place uses a meal ticket machine. Just insert your money, press the button corresponding to your choice, get the ticket, and give it to the waiter.
After our simple but satisfying first meal in Osaka, we took a walk in the quiet neighborhood before going back to the hotel. The next day was going to be full-packed!
The Coffee Press 