Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Scream and blow your mind

I find post hardcore music more pleasant to listen to than hardcore because the vocals tends to range from whispers to low and slow melodic singing to screaming. One can also hear well all the instruments used in a particular track or song by a post hardcore band. Not all instruments are played hard and loud but varies and compliments each other, adding to a more musical listening experience rather than listening to an all angst and noisy track. Some bands have two vocalists, one who does the smoother singing while the other does all the screaming. Some post hardcore bands screams so well that you can actually understand what they are screaming about, I call that clean screaming or clean noise; like the band Fighstar (which one album, The Grand Unification; was heavily inspired by the anime Evangelion). Lyrics are also well written and actually makes sense, not just about blood, sex and violence, or how they hate the world. Underoath, who makes good songs about God, is one example of how such "noisy" music (to most) can actually be filled with spiritual words. They're a Christian post hardcore band, or metalcore, whichever. Flyleaf is another Christian band that I like, and they don't sound like one.

Most people find loud, noisy music annoying. Those types are still music to my ears. All the heavy guitar and bass sounds somehow relieves the tension and stress brewing inside me, most specially the screaming. The varying vocal range of the singers of post hardcore bands are so nice (to my ears) that it seems they have more range and skill than the bands of other hardcore sub genres, plus they are more pleasant to listen to and I can actually understand what they are saying without knowing or reading the lyrics, its clean noise (as I've said earlier). All that energy coming out from the songs are the perfect workout music for me, so whenever I am working out at home or gone jogging, these types of music are the ones playing in loop. Also, I listen them when I want to relax with ice cold beer and cigarettes.

Here are some tracks of my favorite songs from the genre many people find irritating and senseless to listen to. I highly suggest you give each song a try and listen to the lyrics, do at high volume if you dare. Lyrics of the selected songs are worth listening to.

I included a non-post hardcore song in the playlist. My most favorite Paramore song, My Heart.


MusicPlaylistRingtones
Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

50 Facts About Me

Three bloggers already made theirs, so I'm joining the bandwagon.

Here they are... 50 facts about me.

1.) I have a very bad hand writing. It's so bad I can't even read them sometimes.

2.) I day dream all the time, I get lost in my own thoughts at any time of the day.

3.) I have a very, very, short attention span, that's why I find it difficult to focus.

4.) I talk to myself most of the time.

5.) I like being alone.

6.) I love long walks.

7.) Singing is my frustration.

8.) I have extreme mood swings. Angry in a minute, sad the next, then I will laugh on my own at some random stuff, then I will stay quiet for a moment, or even longer.

9.) I hate going to malls.

10.) I love spicy foods.

11.) I love dark chocolates.

12.) I eat anything edible.

13.) There was this one Christmas when I was a little boy... We didn't have any spare money for Noche Buena, so I gave my earnings from doing Christmas Carols to my mom. She bought a piece of chicken leg and what we call corn-rice, that was our Noche Buena; it was my saddest Christmas.

14.) When I was a little boy, I used to peddle puto during the day and dried fish during the afternoon until early evening, in Cebu.

15.) MY zodiac sign is Scorpio.

16.) Vanilla is my favorite flavor, and smell.

17.) I am a chain smoker... Still fighting to quit.

18.) Incase you don't know until now, I have a terminal condition.

19.) I am at constant battle with my "yo-yo-ing" weight.

20.) I prefer boxers than briefs, but I do have both and those in between; boxer shorts.

21.) I don't take showers or brush my teeth during my rest days if I don't feel like it.

22.) Sometimes I just want to stop myself from thinking too much.

23.) Japan is my dream country to go to.

24.) I was born in Bicol, raised in Cebu.

25.) Yellow lights relaxes me a lot.

26.) Night is a refuge to my soul, I am a day sleeper.

27.) I am not careless nor carefree but I don't care to a lot of things around me.

28.) I can live without TV, radio or a cellphone, but not without a computer and an internet connection.

29.) I punched one kid when we were still living in Cebu. He lost a front tooth.

30.) I love bodies of water, specially the sea.

31.) I love the magic of the golden hour.

32.) I am a very social person, but a hermit inside my head.

33.) Sleeping on buses on my way home has been a daily habit.

34.) I don't know how to ride a bike.

35.) When I was still living with my mom and my younger, the post man would often get confused; because the three of us have different last names.

36.) Having two sets of parents are not really extraordinary and complicated, at all.

37.) I won a huge amount of money sometime in the 90s that was used for my college education, but it eventually ran out before I could even finish my first year.

38.) I was the Vice-President of our College student council. Population: 4000

39.) I collect MP3s, CDs, DVDs, books, magazines.

40.) I don't know how to draw that's why I got into photography.

41.) One more reason I got into photography... I want to let others see what I see.

42.) My left knee had a greenstick fracture due to an unknown cause. My left leg was in braces for half a year during highschool. I had retainers back then and I wore glasses for astigmatism.

43.) I bought my very own condo at age 24.

44.) If there are no more cigarettes at home, I lit the used ones with little remaining tobacco leaves.

45.) I skipped Nursery school, Kindergarten, Prep School, and Grade school. My first ever formal education was High School.

46.) At first during high school, I did not know the differences of... A 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1 whole sheet of paper, and between a quiz and an exam.

47.) Because my first formal education was High School, I did know what was a First Communion at that time, nor I had one.

48.) I left home when I was 18.

49.) My shaved head look had been around since 2004.

50.) I have a very unique real name, which I think I am the only Filipino with such a name.

Monday, March 28, 2011

City of the Setting Sun

The city of the setting sun

You have seen a thousand setting suns
Since conquerers put feet with their rusting guns
And a war broke out that killed a million sons
Who were prayed for by a million nuns.

As the sun is swallowed by your seemingly lifeless sea
Your dark alleys began their twisted flows of secrecy
Where the lustful intentions of lovers merge
With their gyrating bodies filled with urge
Where blood spatters every once in a while
And never made it to the precinct files.

On your streets lies at night
Magic, fills the air where hearts take flight
Some with virgin wings, they wander, looking for delight
Others who are broken, looking for refuge...
Guided by the dreamy glitz of your city lights.

You witnessed lovers break
As they make their last take
On what seems to be, the inevitable...
Pulling of the break.

You heard promises whispered
To a soul's delight, they ponder and hold on...

You've became a refuge to the homeless
That abounds your dirty, busy streets
As dirty as one's secret, and as crumpled as one's used sheets
From a night of senseless turbulence, of drunken affairs.

Some lose, others get some
Many mourn by the shattered pieces
Of their broken hearts or broken lives
In your arms they find home.

As another night draws to a close
Another sleepless night, many will dream tight.

Another day, breaks the magic of the dark
Where many others will embark
On the sizzling heat of your tropical sun
Lives go on, people carry on.

Another setting sun, comes to your bay
Another cycle, another day
The city where many pray
Is the city where many lay
Who went to stay or go away.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Underground (part 2 - edit)

Since I got home from work this morning, I have been busy. Busy looking for complete albums of the following:

1.) Fightstar - I only have 2 complete albums, they have 4 - Done.
2.) Evangelion 1.0 OST - Done
3.) Evangelion 2.0 OST - Done
4.) Bleach OST - Done
5.) Utada Hikaru Bohemian Summer 2000 - Done
6.) Casshern OST - Done

One thing I discovered about the Evangelion anime movies and Bleach, is the composer of their soundtracks, it is mainly from one man, Shiro Sagisu. His compositions are beautiful! Think of classical meets techno meets pop meets acoustic meets electronic meets rock meets chillout. It's not really a mix of all the genres I mentioned, but a genre or two or three mixed into one. Some are purely classical, some are purely acoustic, some are purely electronic, but nonetheless all are beautifully made. I only have watched a few Bleach episodes, and I did not expect the soundtrack collection to be very mature, in a musically-instrumental way. The OST collection is in 4 CDs, each CD has a certain genre into it. The 3rd CD has the most acoustical sounds of all, kinda like Depapepe's music and a lot of upbeat string based tunes, very lively. Although all 4 has some sweet and slow melodies to surely sweep a tired soul into tranquility. The Evangelion soundtracks are very orchestral in composition, you'll feel like you're watching a theatrical drama unfolding as you listen. The same goes for the soundtrack of one of my most favorite movies of all time... Casshern!

Album Covers

I judge a CD/DVD by its cover, that is whenever I am buying it at the store itself. I am always amazed at some CDs and DVDs on how they "present" themselves to their market by their covers. So far, my judgement never lets me down, so far. Here are the covers of the albums I got this morning.

Fightstar - The Grand Unification
Fightstar - The Grand Unification
Note: The album was inspired by the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion

Fightstar - Be Human
Fightstar - Be Human

Fightstar - They Liked You Better When You're Dead
Fightstar - They Liked You Better When You're Dead

Fightstar - One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours
Fightstar - One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours

Bleach OST 1
Bleach OST 1

Bleach OST 2
Bleach OST 2

Bleach OST 3
Bleach OST 3

Bleach OST 4
Bleach OST 4

Evangelion 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
Evangelion 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

Casshern OST
Casshern OST
Click here for my blog entry regarding the movie.

Now for much needed sleep, weekend hibernation.

NOTE: The part 1 was almost the same as this entry, I just wanted to add the album covers as well and to mention my favorite movie, Casshern, of which I just downloaded the soundtrack earlier together with the others mentioned.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

My tips on doing photo-walks

Here are some tips on doing photo-walks and how to be safe based on my own experiences.

1.) Look poor - No matter how expensive your photography gear is or no matter where you will be doing your photo-walk, do look poor. This get up or "look" will keep away muggers, robbers, "holdapers" at bay. No matter if you will be shooting in Makati's Central Business District, or in the dangerous alleys of Binondo and Quiapo, or in the diverse streets of Cubao, if you look like you don't have any money to spare, you will most likely blend well to your environment and keep criminals away because they will not waste an effort on you. It will also make you look like a journalist too!

2.) Be alert - With a photography gear in hand, it is instant cash to petty criminals. So do be alert and if you notice some unfriendly stares and suspicious looking people looking and going your way. Hide your gear immediately and walk away as fast and as far away as you can.

3.) Look like a criminal - Here's my usual everyday look... A shaved head, lousy shirt, lousy jeans, worn out shoes, thick goatee, a thick mustache, a frowned face, an evil stare. I noticed that every time I am alone in the 3 seater part of the bus, wherever I'm going, I am the last person people will ever sit beside with.... Keeps everyone away.

4.) Have a camera bag that looks like an ordinary bag - With so many people having DSLRs these days, camera bags are a common sight. It is very easy to distinguish a camera bag from an ordinary bag. However, there models of camera bag-backpacks that looks like a grade-schooler's bag. Like the one I have... Click here. The best thing about this bag is that it has an easy access panel for your camera as well as space for you clothes and other stuff, it is really a multipurpose bag. Plus, the panels inside the camera compartment are so thick, you can squeeze yourself in the MRT during rush hours and your camera is still well protected. When I was in Boracay, I got soaked in the rain while I was photo-walking, but the camera inside was still dry, thanks to the thick plastic fabric and the thick camera compartment.

5.) Have a non-attention grabbing fast lens - Non-attention grabbing and fast, means it is not a zoom lens nor a telephoto lens. Meaning, it is a prime lens. Most prime lenses are small and light. If you have an entry level DSLR, it will make your camera look like a point and shoot camera, which is a good thing. You will blend in easily with the crowd. If you want to take photographs like a stalker, who takes pictures from afar, get a very fast telephoto lens, it is bulky but you'll surely shoot so fast your subject will barely notice it. My primary lens is a Canon 50mm F1.8 II. The 50mm F1.8 II, delivers exceptional sharpness and it is very fast. It is also small and light, so light it feels like a toy lens. Best of all, it is cheap so cheap, the cheapest amongst Canon's lens lineup! My kit lens (18-55mm F3.5-4.6 IS) is my back up lens.

6.) Wear very comfortable footwear - Photo-walks requires you to walk long distances. So better wear your most comfortable shoes you own. I once did a solo photo-walk in Manila and I was walking non-stop from 2PM until around 7PM. My feet hurt like hell.

7.) Be in crowded places - It is way safer.

8.) Move quickly - Meaning...
a.) Grab your bag - turn on your camera - look at the view finder - focus - shoot - hide your camera - walk away.
or
b.) Have your camera in hand - focus - shoot - walk away.

9.) Repay your subjects - Smile, that's all it takes. Oh by the way, in an awkward situation or if you feel that the subject is a bit aloof or you have the feeling that somewhat your subject is not comfortable or is having legal issues having his/her/it (establishments) pictures being taken, just ask permission.

10.) Have fun and be safe - What's the point of doing a photo-walk if you are not going to have fun, but above all, be safe.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Cubao

Sabi ng marami at marahil ito'y totoo... Na kapag ikaw ay nawala sa isang lugar, maghanap at sumakay ka lang ng sasakyang papuntang Cubao, tiyak na hindi ka na maliligaw.

Kuwatro Kanto
Kuwatro kanto

Nasaan
Nasaan

Paghihintay
Paghihintay

Daan
Daan

Anino
Anino

Basurero
Basurero

Vendor
Vendor

Sakayan
Sakayan

Tren
Tren

Harurot
Harurot


Some photographs above are reposts, some are uploaded in this blog for the first time; but all were taken back in the holiday season of 2009.

Monday, March 21, 2011

The Trouble with Me

The trouble with me II

Can't see you through your blinding words
Eyes burning through the lies you stutter
Can't breathe in case I take them in
Then I'd lose my mind

I believe that you believe in you
Still reeling from the words you uttered
Feel sick enough to let you win
Recognising

The trouble with me
Is my troubles with you
Sometimes you make me feel
Like I'm everybody's fool

The trouble with me
Is my troubles with you
You'd like me to believe
I need no one but you

I stumble from your juiced up promises
Can't believe what I forgave in you
Too scared by what you think I'm living for
So distorted

Stupid me I should have listened to you anyway
Between the lines I would have heard the truth
So slick you coulda lied to anyone...
Now I see that

You can run
You can run away
But I can run too
Far enough to see

You can run
You can run today
But I can run too
Far enough to see the wrong in you

Lyrics/words by Skin

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Fotografías de la isla de Boracay

All shots were taken using a Canon 50mm F1.8 II lens.

We used to sit side by side
We used to sit side by side

Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Walking hand in hand with the one I love

The couples
The couples

Skim boarding
Skim boarding

Sea from a dream
Sea from a dream

Pink bikini
Pink bikini

Pagluwas
Pagluwas

On her way to work
On her way to work

Morning swim
Morning swim

Miss boarder
Miss boarder

Light and ink
Light and ink

His name starts with the letter J
His name starts with the letter J

Growing old together
Growing old together

Father and child
Father and child

Family outing
Family outing

Family outing II
Family outing II

Board and waves
Board and waves

Bata sa tabing dagat
Bata sa tabing dagat

Band stand
Band stand

Alley to paradise
Alley to paradise