Bright Nights, Dark Days

If you've listened to Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen soundtrack, then you're surely acquainted with Cavo's contribution "Let It Go." It's one of those semi-rock ballad songs in the flick. The band released their latest effort, "Bright Days, Dark Nights," last August featuring 11 songs:

1. Champagne
2. Crash
3. Let It Go
4. Cry Wolf
5. Ghost
6. Blame
7. My Little Secret
8. Beautiful
9. We All Fall Down
10. Over Again
11. Useless

"Champagne," with gritty lyrics and edgier guitars, opens the album and makes you think twice - is this the same guys that made "Let It Go?" Followed by "Crash," another hard rockin' tune (currently burning the alternative charts), you'll realize that this is not your typical mainstream pop-rock band . But when you get to songs like "My Little Secret" and "Let It Go" you get that Nickelbacky "Far Away" or Daughtry-ish vibe. They probably decided to try the typical rock album formula - play all the original noise you like, but throw in a rock ballad or two for commercial sales. It works favorably in this case, as those songs mentioned are not that bad. Lyrically engaging is "Ghost," an anti-love song of sorts for the disillusioned ... or recently broken-up. The sounds of "Beautiful" reminded me of the band, July for Kings. Actually, Casey Walker's voice is in between the Rob Thomas and Joe Hedges range. Examples are "Over Again" and "Blame." My favorites (and I consider as the best songs) are "Cry Wolf" - I love the guitars, and "Useless." The only song I didn't like is "We All Fall Down." The intro sounds like something like Linkin Park's Joseph Hahn would concoct, though unsuccessful in this case.

Overall, I love this album. It's not so edgy that you have to be in a certain mood to listen to it, and yet it's not too pop that it will turn you off. It's within the the balanced alternative rock boundaries. And though I have name-dropped several artists in describing their music, it doesn't mean their sound is not original. It is (I just don't have that imagination to search for adjectives). The whole work is a combination of rock tunes that won't bore you with same-sounding melodies. Just like the album title, it can go on to either extremes but not miss the grays in between.

I daresay it's one of the best albums I've heard this year and hopefully, it doesn't get overlooked.

Wanderlust Diaries: Rizal-Laguna-Quezon Road Trip

The goal of the trip was to reach Tayabas, Quezon Province. My friend and I were invited to Graceland Estate and Country Club ... an invitation that has been standing for ages, so we made a decision to take advantage of the long weekend.




As usual, we did not take SLEX - with the construction and traffic going on there, we decided to stay away from it. Coming from Marikina, we took the Rizal-Laguna-Quezon route - which was really a GREAT decision. The road is well-paved and the scenery will not bore you. After the Antipolo mountains, the rice fields of Tanay, Baras, and Pililia, the route gets better as you reach Laguna. There will be side roads that will lead you to the known towns such as Paete and Pagsanjan. Since we were following the road along the lake, we saw the lower part of Paete and some of its wood wares. We made a mental note to make it our next project. We passed by the town of Lumban, known for its barongs and embroidery products. The highway climbs a mountain and will give you a spectacular view of Laguna Lake. The road will go down again and will lead you to Pagsanjan, a town known for its waterfalls. There's also routes that will lead to the man-made lake, Caliraya.




As a first time traveller to Quezon Province, I don't know what to expect. I heard stories that it is NPA-infested. Never got to verify it. So I made sure if I traveled in the area, it's in the day time. But one thing I can comment is that the region is beautiful in its own way. There's a prevailing mountain-forest-farm charm as you pass by the area. Reaching Lucban, you will be greeted by the town known for its longganisa - and you will be seeing a lot of these sausages hanging on the display in the stores. There are also handmade crafts on sale. It's one of those old towns, with old streets. I heard it's lovely here during Pahiyas (happens every month of May). After town, you will pass by: Kamay ni Hesus, a pilgrimage site known for its healing powers; Marouj Farms, a Japanese-owned farm - which is very pretty; Nawawalang Paraiso, a nature resort; and several roadside stalls selling lanzones, rambutan, santol, farm-grown vegetables, and lucban fruit. The road is lined with Lucban trees, and it was quite amusing to see the big, round, fat fruit dangling from it. There's also a view of the cloud-tipped Mt. Banahaw, an active volcano in the area. Finally, we reach Tayabas, known for its Lambanog the local alcoholic drink. You will be seeing stores by the road selling either Lambanog or vinegar, so its an indication you are already there.




We arrived Graceland Estate and Country Club around noon (Which by our calculation a 3-4 hour drive, depending on the speed of the vehicle in front of you and your decision if you want to overtake the vehicle in front of you - occassional trucks, frequent tricycles, buses sometimes, and a very few beat-up vehicles. There are cyclists and motorcycle groups who like to ply the mountains, so you will be seeing a number of them). The place is in an eco-tourism district, so it was developed with that in mind. The estate is Elvis-inspired (hence the name), so expect street names related to the King. Their restaurant is called Memphis Garden, and true to form it plays Elvis music with the occassional Platters, and other 50's-60's songs. Sitting on the foot of Banahaw, it offers a wonderful view of the mountain.



TAYTAY FALLS


The next day we did an unplanned tripping in the nearby areas. We visited Dalahican fish port, went around Lucena City, and went to Majayjay. The day was spent most in Taytay falls. Afterwards, lunch was at Palaisdaan - really good place to try ginataan food. It's a restaurant with floating barges on a pond full of tilapia.



PALAISDAAN RESTAURANT


It was a fun road trip 'cuz of the sites of Laguna and the cool mountain air in the Mt. Banahaw region. Hopefully, Mt. Banahaw will reopen soon for trekking.

Wanderlust Diaries: Getting Lost in The Cordilleras

I, being a semi non-conformist and all-out weirdo declared that my summer this year would be May 'til August. For one thing these are the months that the crowds will thin. Second, you won't kill yourself for not getting a seat sale at Cebu Pacific. Thirdly and importantly, the hotels go into lean season - you mostly get 50% off on room rates.

Of course when being crazy and a scrooge, you tend to tempt fate when travelling at these times of the months. Try to restrain doing rain dances if you're like me.

The Banaue-Sagada Adventure

My visit to the 8th wonder of the world, Banaue Rice Terraces, was accidental. Our main objective was to get to Sagada, a place in Mountain Province, known for its cool weather, pine trees, limestone caves, waterfalls, culture, and yoghurt. Since we were on a road trip and veered away from the usual Baguio-Sagada Route, we took the the Cabanatuan-Nueva Vizcaya-Banaue-Bontoc-Sagada route.



Banaue is a cool serene place. Clearly it's beautiful and indeed a wonder. Standing in front of a 2,000 year old man-made beauty carved on the mountains of Ifugao is a photo opportunity not to be missed.

After Banaue, we continued our climb to the Cordilleras. The path becomes a muddy dirt road. We passed by several landslides and "waterfalls" along the way. My 4x4 took a beating, but proudly plodded on. Our almost 5-hour journey was quite scary yet rewarding. The place on a sunny day was so picturesque. Amidst all the dangers, there were pockets of small towns with beautiful rice terraces.

Arriving at Sagada was a relief. We stayed at The Rock Inn, an orange grove and one of the nicest places in Sagada. The staff was friendly, but worth noting is the food - really good. There are other places in the town proper where accomodations are more on the backpacker crowd. We spent the 1st day hanging out at the inn and enjoyed the cool weather.

Since we came on a week day and on lean season, we missed the Saturday Market and the fruit-picking season. So for our 2nd day, we decided to try the outdoor activities that the tourist center provides for the visitors.



Things to note while you're in Sagada:

1. Visitors should register at the municipal hall.
2. There is a 9PM curfew in Sagada.
3. You should go to the municpal hall and get a guide. You cannot go out trekking or caving without a guide.
4. This is a highly traditional and cultural site. Respect the locals and watch your words and actions - this is not a place for PDA couples. You will be reprimanded.
5. Maps are available everywhere in the town, price ranges from 25 pesos to 30 pesos (July 2009). Check with the tourist center to organize your activities to make the most of the day.

For the morning activities, we decided to trek to Echo Valley and check the Hanging Coffins, and then do another trek to the Small Falls. For the afternoon, we went caving at Sumaguing.



Echo Valley is a sacred place for the Igorots. This is where you will see limestone caves with hanging coffins. According to our guide, not everyone gets the honor of having his body and coffin "dangle" at this place. Only persons with good track records get this treatment. Apparently, when a person of honor is "buried" in this place there is an offering of 20 plus pigs, a number of chickens, and an elaborate ritual.



There are many waterfalls in Sagada. There's a big waterfall on the northern part, which is a 2-hour trek. Since me and my party are out-of-shape city dwellers, we opted for the small waterfalls near the town proper. Though it was a short trek down the hill, the muddy trail and the height made it difficult for us. However the reward reaching the waterfalls was worth it. The river and the water was cool, and the sight was refreshing for the soul.



The afternoon adventure turned out to be the scary, interesting, exhausting, yet the most awesome experience I've had. We went exploring Sumaguing cave. The entrance of the cave was foreboding and dangerous. The trek down involved managing carved limestone stairs which were slippery with bat poop, water and mud. They tend to be sharp too, and there's quite a fall in the dark if your feet loses its grip. The inside of the cave made me feel like Gollum groping and clambering in the dark. The 30 or 45-minute trip down felt like forever. Aside from grabbing and trying not to slip, there's rapelling involved - just a warning for those who don't get into that kind of stuff. When we hit the eroded, roughed out, limestone bottom - the sight was worth it. I felt like I was in an LOTR adventure.







After enjoying the cool water, taking pictures, and marvelling at the place, we got out of the cave - same route, only difference is CLIMBING to the light of the outside.

We trooped to The Yoghurt House and wolfed down sandwiches and the prided yoghurt. Truly, the taste is different from the yoghurt that I get from the grocery store. For heavier menu, we suggest Masferre's Restaurant - where we had our late lunch on our first day in town.

Souvenirs can be found anywhere in the town, but if you want the true Sagada souvenir go to Sagada Weaving. They have bags and other stuff made of cloth traditionally weaved from the loom.

We spent our last night enjoying the wonderful curry and beers at The Rock Inn Cafe.

Of all the experiences I've had travelling in the Philippines, this one I won't forget. Captivated by Banaue's terraces, getting lost in the mountains of the Cordilleras, caving and trekking in Sagada - it was an adventure!

Having had enough of the rough roads, we went home driving up and down the Sagada-Mountain Province-Baguio route. This is the route where the buses pass, and the road where we will recommend our friends to take if they want to go to Sagada.

If you seek adventure take the road we took and you'll get the complete Mountain Province experience - Banaue-Sagada-Baguio with the Cordillera mountains. Do it in summer. The good news is that they are actually constructing the road - so next year, it might be finished. Hopefully, there wouldn't be too many storms to cause landslides to make the road unpassable.

The Enterprise is Recruiting ....

Star Trek to me was the ultimate badge of geekdom. I have my Star Wars and LOTR moments, but Star Trek was a higher level of nerdhood that I was not prepared to go.

I do not follow the show. Though, I am aware of the story and the characters - I mean who could miss Spock while channel flipping. I did try watching it one time, but I found it too "talky" and I couldn't understand what the heck they were talking about 'cuz I never started the series.

Anyway, some of my friends told me that it was one movie that I should check out. They even advised me to watch it on IMAX. After much prodding, I finally dragged a willing victim of my tyranny to the nearest cinema.

In an interview director J.J. Abrams (also known for Mission Impossible), said that this Star Trek movie promises to be entertaining not only to Trekkies but to non-Trekkies as well. The cast includes Chris Pine as Capt. James T. Kirk, Zachary Quinto (of TV show "Heroes") as Spock, Zoe Aldana as Nyota Uhura, Karl Urban (of LOTR) as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, John Cho (of Harold and Kumar) as Hikaru Sulu, and Eric Bana as the Romulin nemesis, Nero. There is also the appearance of the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy.

The movie storyline is basically a prequel to the Star Trek that we know. It focused on the roots of important USS Enterprise members, specially Kirk and Spock.

The newly built USS Enterprise is called into action when the planet Vulcan sends a distress call to the Federation. Through Dr. Bones McCoy, troublemaker James T. Kirk gets dragged into the fray while under academic suspension. Meanwhile, Spock comes to terms of his biracial genealogy as his past and the series of events unfold before him. The inexperienced USS Enterprise crew engages into battle with Nero, who blames Spock and the Federation for the destruction of his planet, Romulus. The Romulins were defeated in the end with James T. Kirk earning his rank as captain of the USS Enterprise.

The movie is action-packed from start to finish. There is no dull moment which I find very surprising - and refreshing. It's like riding a high-tech roller coaster ride and enjoying every minute of it. Funny moments were provided, mostly by Bones McCoy and James Kirk. Chris Pine's character really took a beating in this flick from start to finish compared to the Zachary Quinto's Spock. Eric Bana was unrecognizable as the vengeful Nero. The story is interesting - an alternate reality with the entry of Spock Prime (Nimoy) providing the explanations. The CGI, effects, and yes, even the costumes were thankfully upgraded to a more tasteful change. The movie looks way better than the old one of course, and it was fun looking at the gadget upgrades. There's also the inclusion of memorable lines ... specially Scotty's, which generated snickers here and there. If you listen carefully (try not to be overwhelmed by the visuals), the film score is also very well-orchestrated. Overall, J.J. Abrams did a good job.

I thoroughly enjoyed this so much I had to watch it twice. The second I watched on IMAX - which is better.

This is one movie even a non-Trekkie should not miss.

Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra - Harmony Tour 2009-2010, The Esplanade, April 19, 2009

I'm not a music critic. I'm a music lover.

When I hear a sound I like, I will pursue it until I get my fill of it.

One of the major reasons why I went to Singapore was because the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra will be performing at The Esplanade for one night only. It was an accidental discovery of one night of long internet surfing. The knowledge that these guys were part of the Nodame Cantabile orchestral pieces gave me enough motivation to book a flight, hotel, and reserve a concert ticket online. I wanted to make sure I get a good seat.

Everyone who've heard of my plans probably think I was crazy or weird 'cuz they never imagined I actually listened to classical music (maybe the heavy metal CDs displayed in my living room gave them an idea).

I was daydreaming after watching the live action drama for the nth time that one day I will go to Japan and catch them at Suntory Hall. Sort of a to-do in my bucket list. But the laziness of applying for a tourist visa for Japan kept on repelling me to do so (I kinda hate going through the process of getting one. It's just so tedious.)

I guess it was really sheer dumb luck or just the fates telling me it's time to face real music head-on (and go for an adventure).



The Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1965 as part of a cultural promotion project to mark the Tokyo Olympic Games. The orchestra have been regaling audiences in Japan and the rest of the world ever since.

The Singapore leg is part of their Harmony Tour for 2009>2010, and it features resident conductor Koizumi Kazuhiro at the helm and Singapore national Lim Yan, as piano soloist.

The programme included:

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Polonaise from Eugene Onegin, Op. 24

Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 (Allegro molto moderato, Adagio, Allegro moderato molto e marcato)

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 (Adante - Allegro con anima, Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza, Valse , Finale )



Watching a performance at Singapore's The Esplanade was a unique experience for me. Outside it's architecturally beautiful. It's photogenic in all angles and its place near the Marina makes it more post card material. In my short stay in SG, this was my haven from the afternoon heat.

Inside, the concert hall performance of the orchestra is like listening to a beautifully equalized stereo system. The volume, the pitch, the energy emanating from the sounds produced gave me shivers.

Koizumi was wonderful. He directs his orchestra with the outmost grace, vivacity, sometimes fire. He also flashes a warm smile from time to time to his audience adding charm.

Also worth noting was the concert master (who unfortunately I'm not sure what's his name but from the programme I'm guessing he's Tatsuya Yabe), who handles the violin like an extra limb in his body. He really knows how to treat the instrument and has an expressive way of playing. The rest weren't far off themselves. The horn section particularly was hitting those notes. All in all, it was a solid performance. Harmony tour indeed.

Lim Yam's piano was the jewel of the piece. Though he performed only once, it stuck in my head. I am used to hearing that Grieg piece in a faster tempo and furious key pounding style. Lim Yam's rendition of the piece was relaxed, classy, and introspective. It's another dessert for my brain.

Used to be my plans of catching TMSO was a maybe or might be. But now it's a DEFINITELY. Though I will surely miss The Esplanade, I am eager to set foot on Suntory Hall and catch these guys AGAIN ... hopefully a Mozart or Beethoven (who I love so much) will be in the programme.

Singapore Travel Tips for First-Timers (Like Me!)

For those who will travel to Singapore for the first time - it's a lovely, squeaky clean, and kinda strict country. Here are some useful tips I can share with you that will be quite useful (coming from a first-timer who went there solo).

1. Pack more shirts. The country is just above the equator which makes it a tropical country. But coming from a warm place myself, I was greeted by humidity that made me take 2-3 baths a day. If it's not the humidity, there is a chance for rain. Otherwise, you can buy clothes in the malls. Singapore is a fantastic place to shop ... but if you're on a budget, pack the shirts.

PS: Don't bring bubble gum. They are anti-gum.

2. Get a TOURIST PASS. The Singapore Tourist pass is like their E-Z link card that you can use to ride the bus and MRT. It's about the size of a typical ATM card and looks like one. It's gonna save you money when traveling around the city. It's available in Changi Airport at the MRT interchange.

3. Get a MAP. You don't really need to buy one. There are free maps and guides inside at Changi Airport. It's beside the Visitor Center.

4. Don't exchange all your money at the foreign exchange counter at the airport. There are better rates outside. You need only SG$20-25 for a cab to the city, or SG $20-40 for a Tourist Pass. You don't need to tip the driver, actually for any service for that matter. It's strongly discouraged.

5. Don't plan a walking trip from 12PM to 5PM. It's hot and you'll be sweaty all over. Plan those trips in the morning or evening (The Esplanade is specially lovely in the evening). You can escape to the numerous malls during these unholy hours.

PS: Follow the pedestrian lane and stops so you won't get in trouble. FYI, vehicles are right-hand drive. So people used to the left-hand drive, they drive on the wrong side of the road (hehehe), turn your necks and watch where you walk.

6. Try the hawker food centers ... it's safe, cheap, and yummy. Unless your stomach is on the sensitive-side. But then you can always bring anti-diarrheals or stomach pills. :-)

7. If you are going to buy souvenirs - go to Chinatown, it's cheaper there. There's 3-for-SG$10 stores scattered all over there. You can get shirts, bags, SG souvenirs, etcetera.

8. Catch a show at The Esplanade. Lovely place ... specially the Concert Hall - fantastic acoustics. Sometimes,they have free shows at the lobby at night. You can go to the rooftop(?) and have a nice view of the Marina. I recommend that you visit it in the evening.




9. If you're on a heritage and cultural tour, start off in Bencoolen St - the riverside end. You'll be able to pass by the museums. It's also one of the lovely parts of the city. Don't miss out the Singapore Art Museum and the National Singapore Library. End it at Fort Canning Park, where you can sit and rest under the trees. It's also near Dhoby Gaut MRT station.




10. If you're going for the Night Safari, it opens 7:30 PM. If you're not taking a cab, take the MRT to Ang Mio Kho station. Go to the bus interchange - no need to get out of the MRT station ... there is an underground (?) pass that will lead you there. Just follow the signs. Take Bus 138. It's a 30-45 minute ride.


11. When buying goods, make sure you get a GST receipt/paper from your retailer. It's like a receipt form wherein you can fill out your details. You will need that when you get your tax refund at the airport.

12. Buying gadgets such as cellphones, laptops, computer parts etc.? Go to Sim Lim Square. Don't mistake it for the Sim Lim Tower - which is almost across it. The square is 5 floors of that electronics. You can go crazy there. Though Mustafa Center has those too, the choices are kinda limited. Just make sure you're really decided to buy something, they don't like it if you hop from one place to another, and haggle, and end up not buying.

13. Don't leave SG without trying the Singapore Sling, Chili Crab, Fish Head curry, Kopitiam, Gelare, and the exotic dishes in Little India. If you're food adventurous, observe which food stall has a line. If the Singaporeans fall in line for that stall, it's usually good (that's what I did, hahaha). You have to be patient though.

14. You can skip the Singapore Flyer .... unless you want to propose with 26 people around you or you're rich enough to cough up SG$1,000 for your own cab. It's nice to take pictures though in the evening.

15. Before checking in your baggage, go to the GST Tax Refund counter first. Produce your receipt, your GST receipt form (properly filled out to avoid delays), and passport (sometimes your e-ticket too). They might inspect the stuff you bought, so be ready to produce them (that's why don't check in your baggage). They should stamp it. Don't put it in your check-in baggage. You're gonna get your money back on the second GST counter AFTER immigrations, and you need to produce that stamped receipt/receipt form. After that you can go shopping again with your refunded cash inside the airport, which offers a lot of stuff. Otherwise, you can go to the foreign exchange counter.

Also of note: There's a small postal kiosk inside the airport, so don't fret if you haven't sent your postcard just yet. They sell stamps, so there's no need to go paranoid of not buying one outside. They also have postcards, forgetful you. :-)

Hopefully, my tips will make your touring a bit easier and fun in SG.

Well-Noted Romance Comedy

Recently, 7:30 PM is an important hour for me. For the past weeks I have been following a series in Animax-Asia called Nodame Cantabile. It has me running back home from wherever I am.

Nodame Cantabile is an on-going manga by Tomoko Ninomiya. The series has been adapted into 2 television shows; a live-action drama and an anime. The first season of the anime was first broadcasted in Japan in 2007. The second season in 2008. It has been announced that a third season will be coming in the fall of 2009. The first season of the anime aired just this February 2009 in Animax-Asia. It's shown every 7:30 PM Monday to Friday and has an encore telecast every Saturdays, 10:30 PM. As of writing, it's already airing Episode 13.

The anime revolves around the lives of Momogoaka College's music students particularly Megumi Noda or "Nodame," and her neighbor/love-interest Shinichi Chiaki. Nodame is a talented junior pianist who wants to be a kindergarten teacher. She plays the pieces by ear and has a tendency to ignore the music score and go on inventing notes along the way. She is messy, disorganized, has a huge appetite, and takes baths several days apart. Shinichi Chiaki is Momogaoka College's top student. He is a 4th year piano major who is also a violinist aspiring to become a conductor. He hails from a musical family and has lived in several music capitals abroad but is now trapped in Japan due to his fear of flying. He is arrogant and a perfectionist, but this does not affect his hearthrob status with the ladies in school.

Chiaki falls drunk one day on Nodame's doorstep and then they discover they have the same piano professor. Their relationship further evolves when Chiaki investigates the mess and stench that's been reeking through Nodame's apartment. He ends up cleaning Nodame's apartment, doing her laundry, cooking her dinner, and even washing her hair. Though Chiaki finds Nodame a pest, who keep coming back to abuse his "kindness," he seems unable to stay away from her altogether for he was impressed with Nodame's cantabile (song-like) style of piano playing. Nodame on the other hand falls in love with Chiaki, to the point of even claiming that they are married. Along the way, they meet several students and professors who become their friends and rivals as they gradually hone their talents and get into several musical adventures.

What is very engaging about this anime is the treatment of classical music itself which is a huge presence in the series. Pieces of Beethoven, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Grieg, and Liszt's music are performed - and there are more impressive classical heavyweights to come. Then there's the hilarious romantic-comedy dynamics between Nodame and Chiaki that's going to leave the viewer in stitches. Interesting funny characters pop in as the anime progresses. Among such characters are Mine, the rock-rebel violinist; Misumi, the gay tympanist who also harbors a crush on Chiaki; and then there's the famous but lecherous conductor Franz Von Stresseman - also known as "Milch" to Nodame. Sometimes appearances by Saiko Tagaya, Chiaki's ex-girlfriend and opera singer, add to the insanity of Chiaki's life. The series promises fun and color with the introduction of more cast members and of course, impressive music.

My only complaint is that it's not dubbed in English, so you have to bother with subtitles. But then it does not diminish the enjoyment of the show. Certainly worth checking out for music lovers out there.

Check this site to view first episode:

http://www.animepile.net/Nodame-Cantabile/Nodame-Cantabile---Episode-1.html