The fastest way to attract something is to simply talk about it!
Life is definitely better with Mika around…
I love the beat, the colors and fashion of this video!
ako kaya? napag-uusapan?
Mika Wants To Talk About You
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Category Archives: music
Book of Mormons Can Never Be Imported In Pinas
There have been lots of popular musicals that have been imported and graced my beloved homeland. There were even lots of these musicals in which the West End or Broadway casts were featured. And there were some musicals in which the company of actors were equally talented local Filipino artists trying their very best to sound and enunciate the American and/or English accent.
agree!
a nightly long queue at the theater…
But after seeing The Book of Mormons, I can conclude that this show, though dubbed in America as the “best musical of the century” will never be imported and shown in conservative Philippines. It is because this musical can be stunningly foul-mouthed, incredibly vulgar and breathtakingly offensive.
It pushes the boundaries of a comedic story by talking/singing about child rape, the clitoris, people with AIDS, female circumcision and even the male scrotum (with maggots). There was even a vulgar song entitled “Hasa Diga Eebowai” which features a litany of despair and anguish that culminates in the rousing chorus stating that Hasa Diga Eebowai means “F@ck you god”.
A lot of scenes and dialogues were mockeries of true human stories that transpired and continuously happen in society. There was a song in which the continent of Africa was described as definitely not a “Lion King” of a site that one can behold. And that an Ugandan town (which can represent a lot of places in the planet) is being oppressed and harassed by its leader whose name in the story is General Butt-Fucking Naked.
There was the mockery of innocent people in society which were made to seriously believe on stories that involved putting together snippets of events from the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. And that these people were so innocent, they believe that the true paradise is located in Salt Lake City (the song’s sweet rendition actually made me teary-eyed). There was even a line in one song saying that the Garden of Eden is located in Jackson County, Missouri!
where the hilarious yet smart crudeness happens…
aylavet!!!
winner!!!
But what is so amazing about this musical is that these jokes were so smart, refreshing and extremely funny without really sacrificing the kernels of life’s reality that the viewers can ponder about. And maybe the reason why these jokes and mockeries were so effective is because these were uttered and put across by the sweetest characters that a musical could ever have.
Underneath all these jokes and mockeries, The Book of Mormon is a very moral musical. If truly assessed it has a surprisingly tender core. It tackles about loyalty to friendship. It tackles the hope of discovering utopia. It tackles the beauty of innocence as well as the dangers that comes along with it. It tackles about finding love and happiness. It tackles about experiencing victory in the strangest of situations. And ironic as it may seem, it is about the pureness of the heart.
It is therefore not surprising that this musical won 9 Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2011 and continuous to draw big crowds daily. Too bad, Philippines won’t be able to see, hear and experience the pureness of the heart contained in The Book of Mormon.
Ito ang myusikal kung saan ang huling linyang sinabi kung Tatagalugin ay … “Ang Betlog Ko Pa Rin Ay May Uod!??
The Uncultured Me and the Sophisticated Phantom of the Opera
The first Broadway show ever that I have seen in New York (as I have written in the past few days) was Les Miserables. After being so moved by this spectacular musical, I knew for a fact that it would be very difficult and challenging for the succeeding Broadway musical that I would watch for me to get so impressed. Les Miserables would be a tough act to follow.
This is exactly what I felt about Phantom of the Opera. Though it has been considered one of the longest running musicals in Broadway, I find it a little dreary. Or maybe it’s the operatic musical genre that Phantom of the Opera has that made me feel bleak. Except for the song “Think of Me”, which I prefer to be sang in a pop and non-operatic way, I am not that impressed with the line-up of songs.
think of me…
best thing about this gig was watching it and catching up with former colleague hannah, the world traveler
Blame it to Martin Nievera, an old and aging pop-star in the Philippines who keeps on singing the songs from Phantom of the Opera in the TV variety shows that he would appear at. Nievera’s obsolete rendition made me feel so fatigued about the songs of this musical.
Or maybe, the swanky and high-class music of Phantom of the Opera is so high-end and so classy and it’s just that I am the uncultured swine who fails to appreciate the elegance and chicness of its tunes. No thanks to my underdeveloped right brain because I have yet to find the right tools so as to appreciate such musical genre.
the orchestra! the people with sophisticated musical taste…
phantom of the opera will not be complete without the iconic chandelier
But what struck me most about Phantom is the great production design. My goodness! The spectacular drop of the majestic chandelier right over the heads of the audience at the end of the first act was breathtaking. Also, the colors of the masquerade ball number was truly outstanding. Those costumes were undeniably crazy! I was indeed transported into a different world!
Kelan ba kasi magre-retire si Martin Nievera?
Kinky Boots: A High-Heeled Surprise of My New York Adventure
surprise! surprise!
According to Dalai Lama, “the purpose of our lives is to be happy”. And this is exactly what I thought o after I watched the amazing Kinky Boots, the third Broadway musical show I saw in New York.
Prior to watching this Broadway musical, the only thing I know about the show is that it is a Tony award-winning musical. I don’t know what the story is about, I haven’t heard about the music and neither do I know anything about the cast. Blame this to my being an inhabitant living a simple life at the other end of the world.
saw kinky boots with super friend Ron, a new yorker and broadway musical enthusiast!
my ticket and my playbill
the view from my seat…
Kinky Boots is not a popular Broadway musical in Manila, unlike the classic Les Miz, Phantom, Miss Saigon or even Wicked. But after seeing the show it actually became one of my favorites. The story is simple and uncomplicated yet it opened a whole new perspective about prejudice, intolerance and acceptance.
There are lots of heartfelt wisdom that can be extracted from the show. It tackles about the struggles of trying to fit in. It is about the blossoming of life as soon as acceptance has kicked in. It even tackled the life’s various phases: childhood, adulthood, friendship, career, life’s ambition, secret admiration and even death. The story seem to have something for everyone. This is without eliminating the basics of a fun, fab and highly entertaining musical: excellent music, spectacular production, gifted singing talent and hip dance moves.
Kinky Boots got a big heart! That is why it has become one of my favorites. And I would not mind watching it again in case I visit New York again. If not, Kinky Boots I hope would reach the shores of Manila. This musical would definitely be something to watch. Charlie, Lola (the main characters) and the rest of the cast are of course welcome to perform in my city.
I’m pretty sure in case the Dalai Lama would have the opportunity to watch this musical, he himself would say “watching Kinky Boots is a must so as to live a happy life”.
Ispektakyular!
Swept Away by the Statue of Liberty
It took me some sweet days in New York before I was able to go to the Liberty Island, no thanks to the cold, punitive and prolonged winter. I literally pushed myself on seeing the statue because I agree with every organism’s principle living on this breathing planet that you have actually never been to New York (or the United States for that matter) if you haven’t seen the Statue of Liberty.
a selfie with lib!
“welcome to new york”
On the day of my visit, I was actually already feeling jittery when I reached the Battery Park and got hold of my ferry ticket that will bring me to Liberty Island. Such jitters were of reasons I don’t know. It took less than ten minutes for the ferry boat to reach the island. And even before the ferry has docked, all of us passengers were already taking photos of the stupendous statue of the unsmiling expressionless green lady holding a torch.
After taking a photo, I was experiencing some strange visual mirage. I was seeing the green lady to be smiling and seem to be uttering some words while waving its arms towards us. And then, all of a sudden I was suffering from acoustic illusion and could actually hear the most iconic American representation of freedom and democracy singing the song of Taylor Swift entitled “Welcome to New York”.
After a short walk of the island and while taking the next ferry to bring me to Ellis Island did I realize that the experience was so breathtaking it made me hallucinate. But further contemplation made me conclude that such irrational visions and hearing was actually due to extreme envy.
american icon! that’s my shot! i love it!
swept away by the grandeur of this lady
I was green-eyed and jealous of the fact that the United States is so free, democratic and unregimented. I was so envious of the massive opportunities and social services provided to its citizens for them to live descent lives. I was so envious of the fact that their country is such a superpower it can actually control and influence world affairs. And lastly, which is actually the most essential, is that citizens has the right to wear leather jackets, trench coats and fashionable layers of clothing without bursting a single sweat gland.
Taray ni Libertad! Dyaygantik!
Les Miserables, The Musical: A Goosebumps Overload Experience
The main purpose of my visiting New York is to see at least one musical Broadway show. I told myself that as soon as I have seen one, the rest of my New York adventure would utterly be but awesome add-ons. Ever since the time I have been aware about the existence of Broadway musicals, I have always set into the deepest travails of my mind that someday I would be blessed and be able to watch one.
This mindset actually came true last March 29, 2015. That day, I did not settled for less popular musicals but instead went on to watch the world’s most epic, Les Miserables. I actually got chills when I was handed my ticket at the box office.
broadway here i come…
outside the theater…
I am so glad to have chosen Les Miserables as my first Broadway musical experience. What I know is that this epic tale has started to be considered a “classic” of modern musical theater. It is a beautiful story about compassion and forgiveness all set against the backdrop of the French Revolution.
got my playbill and the ticket…
And when the show started my goosebumps were exploding. It was so profuse and persistent, I thought my goosebumps already grew goosebumps of its own. I was a bit nervous because I thought my fingernails were even growing it. And every time a highlight song has been sang, my goosebumps would cheer with bellowing sounds and clap along with me.
My happiness was further intensified when I noticed it is the magnificent Ramin Karimloo is the one who was acting/singing the role of Jean Valjean.
got a good seat…
When the show’s finale song was sung and Jean Valjean, Fantine and Eponine sang the lyrics “to love another person is to see the face of God!”, I was sobbing. I was crying because of such a sad sad story (imagine almost all of the main characters died). And during curtain call while the audience were on a standing ovation, I was still crying for joy because I was given the exceptional opportunity to see such a spectacular show.
And when I stepped out of the theater, I can hear my goosebumps were shouting at me saying “Thank you! Thank you!”
Mabaliw baliw kaya ako sa loob ng teyatro!
Living For Love by Madonna Featuring Ellen
I am a huge fan of both Madonna and Ellen. These two ladies would definitely be on top of my list for my most favorite Americans.
Here’s one awesome performance by the Queen of Pop featuring Ellen! The funny intro and the cute ending made me chuckle… I love it!
Kwins!
The Sheer Epic-ness of Jeremy Jordan
This has been one entertaining YouTube video that I have been watching every night for multiple times for the past five days. I instantly became a big fan after watching this. It’s funny, it’s impressive, it’s adorable and it’s obsessing!
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a big round of applause to the sheer epic-ness of Mr. Jeremy Jordan!
photo grabbed from jeremy jordan fb account
Bravo!
Treadmill, Mayonnaise, The Speed of Sexor Reprise and Olly Murs
57 cal
Though the commencement of my having to go on a diet will still be on Monday (January 5), my return on going to the gym has already started last January 2. And according to the treadmill digital meter my thirty minutes of alternate brisk-walking, jogging and speed-burst running lose me an amazing 214 calories.
Though 214 calories is only equivalent to four tablespoons of mayonnaise, I nevertheless was glad to have started the year in a somewhat correct corporeal fitness disposition.
Good thing I have with me the songs of Olly Murs and Tiga in my mobile music hub. Their upbeat tracks made me so immersed with my exercising…
.
From among the four I identified in the title of this post, mayonnaise seem the only negative. Unfortunately, it’s the cheapest and easily available among the four.
Lecheng meyoneys yan.
They’ll Never Love You Like I Can
Having so much love to give that is already spilling out of the brim yet no one wants to take is the most pathetic feeling. This is according to last Friday’s episode of Forevermore, a Filipino TV series shown nightly.
I guess I would have to agree on it for I have been experiencing the same for the last 22 million years. But still I’m hopeful that my patience will pay off and my waiting to give away love will pass like what a bad season does.
While patiently waiting, I am singing Sam Smith’s latest single entitled Like I Can
Antay antay lang…
Nengkoy 