My first photo taken in Singapore. SG’s SMRT is a very convenient way of transport. It makes everything in Singapore twice as near! Was on my way to Tanah Merah exchange this time then on another train going to Lavender where our hostel, Drop Inn, is.

Finally, the highlight of my trip, Laneway! Here’s my left hand holding a Laneway programme under the scorching sun. Singapore’s weather is basically the same as the Philippines except that their sun sets at around 8pm. Makes you crazy to think that kinder students gets dismissed at 7pm! Haha. Here are more photos of our feet killing and energy inducing Laneway experience!

Shine and Erin, my co-Lomography girls!

Luis and Shine checking out the line-up, thinking of an artist(s) we could skip for food/rest/drinks/shade.

Shinji hamming it up for "Ate Austra" on the LCD.

Part of the crowd. There were probably hundreds of Filipinos in the fest!

Below are some photos of the Laneway artists that I saw. I don’t have photos of every artist because a.) I was too far b.) I was tired and lazy  c.) the camera was acting crappy or d.) I just wanted to watch and dance. Anyway, bands I enjoyed the most were Yuck, Girls, The Drums, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Toro Y Moi, Feist and M83!

The Drums!!! Watching them felt so surreal. Johnny's energy was infectious and they sounded really good live!

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Peggy Wang was so adorable! The crowd loves her!

Toro Y Moi. Fell in love with Chaz during that night! <3

Leslie Feist! It was a dream five years ago to see her live. Never thought it would happen!

And the show ender, M83. My only photo of them (forgiveness, it's an LCD screen cap) but that tells I really enjoyed! Their set was epic and made every single person there to stand up and dance!

Laneway ended at around 1am and man, were we tired! It was an awesome experience all in all and I would love to be a part of it again come 2013.

Got a cab (trivia: cabs charge you an additional 50% from your meter reading after midnight) with Shine and met Shinji and Erwin who were drinking outside Drop Inn. Had a few sips, some stories, several tweets, a shower and ta-da, bed! (P.S. The aircon was really cold.)

Here’s Day 2!

The morning after. Hello Sunshine, open lockers, and towels!

My Laneway strap. Too tough to remove I had to knock next door and borrow a scissor to be able to cut it.

On my to Bugis for lunch with Shine and Erwin. Look at my tired feet. Gross, I know.

Had some tofu and chicken at Bugis Junction and met a Filipina. It was pretty funny because we were looking around food in this stall and she suddenly said “Ano po?” with a very charming smile. We all just laughed and had some chit-chat. Didn’t get her name but she said that she’s from Fairview.

Headed to Ion Orchard in Orchard Road to meet Luis (Shine left her cardigan in his bag that’s why we had to meet him) and for Uniqlo and some shopping. Didn’t get anything in Uniqlo but had some good deals in Daiso. Haha.

Your landmark for getting out of Ion Orchard. Oh hello, that's Sunshine who's relatively scared of escalators.

Before finally heading out of Ion Orchard, you'd see these faux fish shadows. Beautiful!

And this is Ion Orchard Mall's exterior. My architectural dreams were shattered. Lol.

1S$ ice cream sandwich! Got the mint choco chip and it was delish! Had a second round the next day but had choco chip in wafer.

It was still early and there were still lots of places to see so we decided to go to Tiong Bahru for I-can’t-actually-remember-what. Haha! Was on the train station when we bumped into Nante, Chui, Z, Belle, Ysa and Ipe which proved that Singapore was basically small. Nan told us that there’s a Cotton On outlet in Queenstown so we decided to head there first.

Looked for the Cotton On outlet in Queenstown, found it, and saw Ikea right across the street! YAY!

Shine said that Ikea's mashed potatoes and meatballs are one of a kind so we should try them. We did and it was heaven! Here's the plate I shared with her.

Erwin's meal. Growing boy was hungry. And oh, his milk carton came with a pack of Koko Krunch! Hihi, sweet!

"Picture-an muna natin bago kumain!" Yes, we are tourists.

Singapore's definition of "traffic." And can't you just notice how clean EVERYWHERE is? Two thumbs up for discipline!

A little fact: Shine, Erwin and I walked 4.1 kms (we checked the map!) looking for Cotton On. We could have gave up but we decided to continue for that mad Cotton On sale. It wasn’t a bad idea after all because there were sights to see on the way. (e.g.: “Sinampay spotting”) Except maybe that we got so tired we decided to take a bus home and meet Kat and Mirex for our 6:30pm dinner date.

Rested a bit in Drop Inn and off we were again!

With Mirex and Kat this time. It was a first to ride a double decker bus! It felt the same as riding an ordinary one but it was definitely more fun!

Headed to Bugis Street for dinner and some sight seeing. This is Lavender St. at night.

A quick shot of Bugis Street. This is where you'd see souvenirs and cute bargain stuff. Think of Greenhills!

Our last stop for the night, Kampong Glam in Arab St. for dinner. These were the huge glasses of lychee drinks we ordered. They were yummy and just right for the spicy food we ordered.

We ended the night in Drop Inn just talking and laughing about “personal stuff”. And writing that sentence made me miss my “Laneway BFF’s”, a term Shinji created in BBM, more.

That was the end of Day 2.

No photos of Day 3 because the digital camera died and I had no time to charge it. Day 3 was pretty simple: Got up early, took a bath, had some Mee Goreng left over from Kampong Glam, went to Bugis Street for some shopping, got my second round of ice cream sandwich then off to the airport to meet Shinji. Our flight was 4:20pm and we were surprised to know that Charles was on the same flight as us!

I actually forgot that my Day 3 in Singapore was Valentine’s Day. Just remembered it when I saw a man in Bugis Street holding a bouquet of flowers. I say that my Valentine’s Day 2012 was tiring but fulfilling. I loved myself that day and that was quite enough for a happy heart.

In the sky, 6:30pm, Valentine's Day 2012.

And to end this post, here’s a photo I secretly took while on the plane. I was lucky to get a window seat on my second flight and my, was it fine.

Next year again, Singapore? I hope so!

Home from Singapore and back to work.

Well, back to my normal life, I suppose. Quite busy today until the weekend but I will compose a decent Singapore post in the coming days. For now, here’s a photo of my left hand holding a Laneway Singapore programme in the middle of the scorching sun.

P.S. Can’t get that awesome M83 set out of my mind. <3

January has been good to me and I guess that this month pretty much worked my way. There were a handful of stress, of course, but I suppose they’re all fine now. My heart has been still too so I’m happily in a calm track. Here are some January highlights I would like to share.

One number in my bucket list consists of having my photograph published in a ‘real publication.’ And yes, it happened big thanks to UNO Magazine! How? Denise Mallabo, UNO’s Managing Editor asked for my photos from the A Week in Metro Manila: Up Dharma Down screening and I gladly sent her some. I wasn’t really expecting to see them in the magazine but voila, here’s a photo of my work in the said publication. And my, they did publish it well!

My photographs of The Charmes and Up Dharma Down published in UNO Magazine. YAY!

If you’re crazy about concerts like me, then you probably have heard of the sudden gush of international acts coming in Asia during the first quarter of the year! Just so you know, there’s Laneway Singapore on Feb. 12,

Look at that beautiful line-up!

Toro Y Moi live in Manila on Feb. 15 and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart also coming on the 29th,

Foo Fighters in Singapore this March 2,

Death Cab for Cutie in Manila on March 5,

and TOE in Manila this coming March 20!

All these foreign artists coming at our shores and in neighboring country Singapore makes me crazy! I know I can’t really afford going to all of these but I won’t let myself miss! I’ll be going to Laneway Singapore and TOE in Manila for my fair share of international acts. I really don’t mind missing Toro Y Moi and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart here since they’ll be in Laneway SG, too. I don’t mind missing DCFC either because I’m not a big fan (hehe), but missing Foo Fighters? That breaks my heart! I was actually planning to cancel my Laneway Singapore trip for the Foo Fighters but geez, re-booking your flight is double the price of your actual plane ticket. So I’m hoping that these guys will visit Asia again soon. Dave Grohl – *sigh*

Speaking of Laneway, all is set now! I’m just waiting for my passport to arrive and I’m done! I’ve paid my hostel charges and Laneway ticket already so see you Singapore in the next two weeks!

Another highlight: went to Terno Inferno last Saturday not only to watch awesome Terno bands but also to fulfill a mission! Well, fine, I sound stupid because it was more of a connivance. Haha. As you know, 3/4 of Up Dharma Down celebrated their birthday this month and because Carlos (UDD’s guitarist) and I are such sweet specks of the universe, we’ve decided to surprise Armi, Ean, and Pol with cupcakes during their 3:30am set in Inferno.

Here are some photos from the night (thanks, Jason and Jon!) plus I linked the surprise’s video and the whole story as told in my Tumblr account.

With ze girls! Kris, Armi and Bel.

So I guess those are the highlights of my January. Work has still been great and my family’s doing well so I’m currently at ease. I’ve also started working on my illustrations and music so I hope I’ll be able to put some in public once I’ve fully worked out on them.

Here’s to more awesome months! Cheers!

1. Reading: I think you should know that I have poor eyesight because when I was in grade school, I would read wherever I am. Name it: a moving automobile, at the dark, and even inside the bathroom.  But now, reading has been a luxury for me. I haven’t started reading a book this 2012 and that is definitely strange. I still read newspapers, magazines, and online articles but a book, resting on your hand, is the real thing.

2. Illustrating: I haven’t done a decent illustration in years and I mean YEARS. Yes, I doodle on random sheets of paper and various pages of books but that doesn’t really count. It’s not even practice! Last night, I worked at my desk and drew what for me is illustration. I stayed there for three hours and man, did it feel good! I plan to work on my sketches as much as I can starting today. And oh, I made the effort to buy art materials (pencils, erasers, brushes, watercolor and a new sketchpad) earlier so yay for progress!

3. Writing songs & composing music: I haven’t wrote music for quite a while maybe because feelings are bland right now. I’m the kind of person who would write songs and make melodies when I’m feeling something extreme like sadness, anger or happiness. I haven’t had much of that in the past few months and I realized that I really don’t need those to be able to write songs and compose music. Also, my piano has been silent and my guitars have been sitting beside my office desk for almost a month now that I think I should let them do their job. I would really love to contribute songs for Mount Analogue, too. (Hi guys, I miss you!)

That’s all I can list down right now. There are other things I would really like to do on a regular basis like writing poems, watching films, taking photographs but time is pretty much of a bitch. I have work, family and friends to be with, and chores to accomplish so personal leisure is kind of hard to achieve. But I will find time and when I’m able to do so, I’ll make the most out of it!

P.S.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! I love tikoy!

I’ve been best friends with the same guy for 11 years. 11 years – heck of a long time. I remember when I met this awkward boy in 5th grade… I was the cutest tomboy then and he was sorta the “crush ng bayan”. Didn’t really think we’d click until he started crushing on this classmate of ours and needed some advice. From there to daily lunch breaks and afternoon dragonfly sessions (we’d catch them from our school’s backyard and eventually let them go), to trike rides together on our way home (we live at the same village), and to sharing of secrets (we keep until today), we became the best of friends.

Our friendship grew as we grew together. It’s the best guy friendship a girl could ever have, the right amount of sweetness and bitterness all rolled to one. This guy would look after me and make me feel secured and sometimes he’d let me do the craziest things in life yet remind me of my limits. People ask me if I’ve ever developed a liking for this man and I answer a straight no because that is the truth. He’s a brother to me and he will be the god father of my children. That’s how we roll.

And to this man, I’m grateful for another year you’re celebrating in your life today. Without you, I just won’t be able to survive the toughest times of my life and won’t be having the best laughs ever.

Years back.

To King, a happy happy birthday! I know we’d celebrate more parties and more sentimental moments together! Thank you and cheers to more years of friendship!

World Citizen She

I could be so horrible at birthday posts sometimes but I wouldn’t let the 2nd of January pass without this!

To the sister I never had, the one who gives me advice - either by words or by songs that she creates – as if she has gone through them,  to the one I would love to keep as a friend for lifetime, happy birthday Armi! Lots of love and hugs!

Cat people! <3

Looking back 2011, I’ve realized that the year that was were full of blessings and this is my way of recognizing them. I know it’s already January 2nd (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARMI!) but it’s better to be two days late than never!

So here are the 10 things (not in order) I am most grateful about 2011.

1. Finishing college not with flying colors but with personal honors. I did not graduate Cum Laude (my original plan when I entered San Beda) but I survived and conquered my four years in college. If you are a college friend, you probably know that I juggled three organizations during my college years. All of those three organizations, I held leadership posts for four consecutive years. It was all a juggle, a pain in the ass, but I was able to do my extra-curricular activities in perfect stride while being a good student. (I received awards and was a Dean’s Lister for two sems, YAY!) And most importantly, I graduated on time.

2. Being able to juggle several skills. If there’s one thing you should know, I’m the best slasher in town. “Hi, I’m Mayee! I’m a writer/photographer/video editor/Lomographer/frustrated illustrator/singer/bass player/event organizer/line producer/production designer/cinematographer/gig-goer/blogger/best friend/sister/daughter…” and the slashes go on and on and on! Yes, I do a lot and 2011 was one heck of a year to accomplish tons! All listed (or slashed) above were achieved and I am truly grateful for being able to do so.

3. Mount Analogue. My band. Being able to perform and share your music to a larger audience is undeniably something to be grateful about. And these guys, my bandmates, are truly the best bandmates around. We haven’t been friends for the longest time but we quarrel and we hug as if we’ve known each other for years. These boys are awesome and I’m really excited to share more years of music and friendship with them.

Special mention to our brother band, The Strangeness. Gigs won’t be twice as fun without them. I love you my bb’s!

4. Being able to do what you want and love to do. My family never stopped me in doing what I want. It doesn’t really mean that they let me do whatever I want without limits but they let me discover new things in life and let me pursue certain goals I have. That’s the best kind of freedom one could have in life. I am also grateful for being able to discover hell lots of amazing books, movies, art, and music in 2011! More to come, please!

5. The blessing of work. Finding a job is the toughest stress one can experience after graduation. I was penniless for a couple of weeks after receiving my diploma but work, freelance and eventually regular, came. And I’m just thankful for the opportunities. If you should know, I did freelance work for six months after March. Name it, I think I did every freelance job a Mass Communication graduate could do: wrote articles for small publications, video editing, music video shoots, photo shoots, event organizing (debuts and events for Sonic Boom and Terno Recordings).

Freelance work is fun but it only serves for one self so I had to pursue a regular one. Luckily, I did find one under Lomography and I am thankful for the job I currently have with this company. The perks and my officemates are just awesome, I could not ask for more!

6. The happiness friendship could bring: I have thousands of moments I have made with my friends in 2011. I have several groups of friends in my current life and I couldn’t be more thankful for them.

My grade school and high school barkada (King, Janlor, Karen, Diana, Sean, Jake, Miguel, Alvin, Diane, Kara etc. because you guys know who you are!), my college friends (Crystal, Von, Lorenz, Tey, Butch, Tim, Vance, Pao, RJ and all my orgmates), my Dumet Skate crew (Labayen Kids, Corpuz Brothers, Vince, Ica, Jade, Beth, Teehay, Alexa, Monique, Ayis, Jon-Jon), my Lomography officemates (Shine, Erin, Bijan, Joy, Jean, Jason, Minde, Chamie, Kat, Ella, Geli, Yani, Mich, Tara and Pauee), my Sonic Boom family (Bochang, Monica, Afianne, Julo, Greg, Chino, Hannah, Mon, Jep, Bock, Angela, Jewel, Kaloy, Alex, Lalay, and Koi), my friends I’ve met through Mount Analogue, The Strangeness and Number Line Records (You are too plenty but you know who you are!), my Terno Recordings family (ALL THE BANDS oh gosh I’m friends with you ALL! Hahaha! Plus Aie, Cha, Chigo, Bel, Ed, Kris, Red, Jon, Jason. Special mention though to the brewing crazy friendship I have with Japo of Not Another Boy Band and Jiggers, Brian and JB of The Charmes! And of course, my first love Up Dharma Down.)

Thank you for the crazy 2011 I had with you guys!

7. Keeping your friends and forgetting your enemies. I remember a college friend calling me once “popular.” It’s hilarious because I can never call myself “popular”. Yeah, I have thousand of friends on Facebook, hundreds of followers on Twitter, and I know people wherever I go but that doesn’t make me popular. I’d rather call it keeping friendship and building them through time. It’s simple, you make friends and you respect them. You put limits to your friendship only to make it stronger and you make time for these people no matter how busy you are. I think these are the best ways to keep friendship alive. I’ve been best friends for the same guy for 11 years and I have friends whom I met online for six years already. I have friends I’ve met in 2011 and I’m planning to keep them as long as I can. As for your enemies, you don’t let them bring you down. Instead, you burn them in the hole of never remember.

8. Putting love at pace. I’ve been single for a couple of years now but that doesn’t mean I’m unhappy. My heart has been hurt in 2011 but it was healed. And I’m thankful for that because it helped me grow and it made me learn the bigger lessons in life. I am not asking for a partner this 2012, but it’s something to look forward to and I’m keeping that pace. Who doesn’t want love and happiness, right?

9. Family. I do not have the perfect Father, Mother and Brothers, I can assure you that. My Mom and I always argue about the littlest things, my Kuyas just irritate me at some random times but I’m grateful about it because I’m just happy of having them in my life. Our love is not visible through actions and words but it’s love – you can’t see it nor express it the best way you could but you know it’s there. I’m thankful for 2011, simply because of them.

10. The chance to do more. I have been thinking about 2012 and I’m starting to thank the above for the things to come. They have not happened yet but I know that this year will be something worth remembering. There’s this chance to travel abroad (Hello Singapore in February!), the chance to do better at work, the chance to improve my talents (I’ve heard we’re doing more music videos this year and a possible demo for Mount Analogue!) and the chance to learn through time. It’s being thankful in advance.

So this is my list and I think I’ve written enough! How about you? Hey, it’s time to be grateful about life not only after every year but every time you experience happiness and love. With that, I wish you all a great 2012! Cheers to more years!

…

Of course I had to start this post with a James Blake music video I’ve been watching every day for the past week. Beautiful, yes, add the title which was a reference to the song. Thank you, Joni Mitchell and James Blake, you made my holidays lovelier than ever.

So it was Christmas and it was an awesome one! Fortunately, I was able to spend the Christmas weekend with my workmates, my high school friends, and my wonderful family, of course!

Spent the 23rd of December with my Lomography Manila family through a small (yet fun!) party along with Lomography’s BIG BOSS, Wolfgang Stranzinger, who tagged his family along. Wolfgang’s wife, Otchie, is a Filipina which made Wolfgang’s heart closer to us Filipinos. Such a nice guy you would not think he’s the owner of Lomography. A gentleman, too! He kept telling his two boys (shown in the photos below courtesy of Shine and Minde) that they should be kind to us girls.

Lomography MNL with Wolfgang and son Yohan Stranzinger in the middle.

With the most adorable baby in town, Liam Stranzinger! <3

Some lovely Lomo girls! From L-R: Jean, Joy, Shine, Chamie and I

The party was real cozy but we analogue people definitely knew how to make it fun! It was one of the best nights I’ve ever had with my workmates. And oh, we also made some LomoKino movies! Can’t wait for them to be processed!

The 24th was expected to be a busy one. As usual, when parties are held in our house, I turn into a cook who considers our tiny kitchen her abode. That happened and man, was it tiring! But no regrets here because cooking for one’s family and seeing their reactions upon tasting your labor of love just makes it all worth it. I wasn’t able to take photos of our Noche Buena but the menu consisted of pasta, ham, potato salad, caldereta, chicken wings and tons of pastry we almost died of diabetes. KIDDING.

Though here are some photos my brother, PeeWee, took after hearing mass and before celebrating Noche Buena and my Tita Susie’s birthday. Yep, her birthday was on the 25th that’s why she was named Jesusa, akin to Jesus.

*I got it from my Momma*

Happy birthday, Tita Susie! So cute!

Our relatives from Nueva Ecija didn’t make it in Manila this year but my Mom’s brother, Tito Lito and his two children, celebrated with us. It was fun nonetheless! Celebrations here at home ended quite early (around 2am) so I still had time to drop by my bestfriend King’s place after. Some of our high school friends were there too so it was  a nice way to end the evening’s festivities.

But then not all good things come to a happy end. I woke up on the afternoon of the 25th feeling all sickly – I had a fever and my flu was worst. I felt so bad I decided to stay in bed the whole day…. until Monday. Come Tuesday around 1am, I just couldn’t bear the heavy sick feeling I was having that Mom and Kuya Pao decided to bring me to Las Pinas Medical Center for a check-up. I was hesitant at first but I was also afraid that it was dengue (my fever skyrocketed to 39 then played at 37.7) so I agreed.

Emergency entrance

After a blood test (which brought me to tears when the med tech took my blood. SUCH A COWARD, YES) thank God, it wasn’t dengue. Turns out I have this viral infection caused by dust and pollution which also explains the painful lump I have in my neck. It’s like hay fever but worst. But all is well now and I just have to religiously drink my strong-ass medicine.

I’m really better now that I was even able to attend post-Christmas dinner with my Dumet Skate Crew last night. I did not consume alcohol though because that will fight off my antibiotics. I was soooo tempted to but I’m proud to say that all I had were Sprite and Doritos. Ha ha! Kudos for self-discipline. Also, I was able to work at home today (I filed a sick leave for Monday and Tuesday) and will be able to go to the office tomorrow. I’m really happy about it because my life is running on a normal path again.

Tons of happenings in a couple of days, eh? Crazy but that’s reality! Anyway, I’ve got to get some rest now! Enjoy the rest of the holidays, fellas! Take care of yourselves.

I know I have the choice to let it go or let it swim into my thoughts until it eats my happiness and dignity all at once. But feelings are strong, it gets you and it gets you hard from your feet to your brain. It crawls and it sucks.

I feel like shit.

And I feel sorry for unspecific things I have done in life. Why can’t I just make solid decisions I won’t regret in the future AKA the now? Who am I even kidding? Is love everything we need?

Ah, love. I haven’t felt that in a long time. I almost but I flunked at it. I was scared as hell. I did not want to risk friendship(s) and I think I won’t ever be strong enough to. Yes, all is well now but I’ve made stupid decisions as the cycle went by. Discover-Learn-Hurt-Let Go-Repeat. On and on and on and on.

I feel like saying sorry. I was about to but dropping that in an SMS will make things complicated.

- “Why are you saying sorry?” – “I don’t know. I can never know. I feel like I have to.” Ah, cowardice and the gulping guilt.

There is nothing to develop in the future and that is for sure.

I don’t know. I am always unsure. But maybe now, I should sleep.

Eat me feelings, let me feel whatever this is I am feeling right now. Most probably, I deserve it.

…

Shut down

And now, I present you my schedule for the rest of this month. Ho ho ho! Things are quite hectic, yes!

Dec. 9: Whilst We Wait Exhibit at the Lomography Manila HQ

Whilst We Wait: A Project On Waiting

I think you should know that I’m still at the office (yes at 2:30am) preparing for this exhibit tomorrow (and yeah, writing this blog, heh). We’re all excited! And you are ALL invited to go! Mount Analogue will be playing an acoustic set so as The Strangeness, Slow Hello, Hannah+Gabi and Outerhope. See event here.

Dec. 11: Rock the Riles Year 7 

Rock for Human Rights!

As usual, I’ll be volunteering at the Ayala Station where Terno bands will play. See full line-up here.

Dec. 15: N/WSK: Number Line Records x Fete dela WSK

Number Line Records x Fete dela WSK

Fete dela WSK is bigger than ever! This event is just one of a dozen they have. Good job! And oh, Similar Objects will be releasing an EP! See event here.

Dec. 16: Meiday HO HO HOE LET’S GO!

Meiday Xmas Party before we end the year!

Awesome awesome Meiday line-up as usual! See event here.

Dec. 17: Terno Recordings Christmas Party and rummage sale!

Terno Partyyyyy!

Terno Infernos NEVER FAIL to be fun! And this one? For sure it’s gonna be epic! Music and shopping (and beer! He he he!) will make this night a bang! See event here.

Dec. 23: Lomography Manila Christmas Party aka offset then buffet and drinks!

Dec. 25: Jesus’ birth, of course <3

Gaaah. Thinking of these events makes me tired already. But nah, it’s all good fun and parties like these only happen once a year. So why complain?

Anyway, I’ve got to go back to my cutting and installing of photos. It’s almost 2:45am and I need some sleep when I get home for the loooooong day ahead!

Enjoy the rest of the month, friends! Stay merry!