Philpop 2013: OPM not Dead.

Philpop Music Festival 2013 happened last July 20 and they have already unveiled the winners for the said competition. I was not able to watch it but thanks to Youtube, I have listened and watched the music video of the songs that were a part of the competition.

It was an event for songwriters who have not stopped composing and making good music to feed the soul of OPM.

The compositions that made to this year's list are:

1. Christian Bautista
"Araw, Ulap, Langit" by Marlon Barnuevo

2. Jose and Wally
"Askal" by Ganny Brown

3. Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos
"Dati" by Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana

4. Ney Dimaculangan
"Kung di man" by Johnoy Danao

5. Sitti and Julianne Tarroja
"Pansamantagal" by Jungee Marcelo

6. Joey Ayala and Gloc 9 feat Denise Barbacena
"Papel" by Joey Ayala

7. Kimpoy Feliciano
"Sana pinatay mo na lang ako" by Myrus Apacible

8. Karylle
"Sa'yo na lang ako" by Lara Maigue

9. Yael Yuzon of Spongecola
"Segundo" by Paul Armesin

10. Ace Libre from Never the Strangers
"Sometimes that happens" by Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura and Antonio Regalado

11. Kean Cipriano and Banda ni Kleggy
"Space" by Raffy Calicdan

12. Six Part Invention
"Time Machine" by Kennard Faraon

And the grand winner that night was "Dati" performed by Sam and Tippy. The genre was pop, RNB and the voices of Sam and Tippy was really apt to the kind of music it offers. I actually like it.  I know that most may not like or appreciate it the first time they may hear it because for some, it may not be their everyday music or something that they will listen on the radio on and sing along with it. But I wonder what is really the 'tunog pinoy' that we are looking for? Is it the one we can sing and dance along with? Is it something that will make our head banging? Is it the one that we can relate to? Does it have to be narrational? Does it have to be deep? Do we like double meaning?

My hope and love for OPM has never gone. As a musiclover like me, I can say that the choices of music or genre has got wider, that's why we became vulnerable with the songs that we listen to or putting into our MP3's and iPod's. I wish that we open more avenue for OPM songwriters and artists to showcase their beautiful talents to the world.

Here are the three songs that caught me listening on loop mode.

Ako na lang sa'yo - Karylle

Song full of hope from someone who loves from a far wishing that she will belong to him. Karylle conveys the song very well and I could not stop myself imagining as she does in the video.

Dati - Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos

Groovy music. But listening to the lines will put you back to your childhood when you use enjoy those moments with the person special to you.

Pansamantagal - Sitti and Julianne

Great singers in one song!!! They are my idols!! Mixed of bosa, jazz and pop. I like the message and how they play the good music here.

But I have to commend Sir Joey Ayala with his composition. The song has a lot of messages. The title 'Papel' symbolized not only as paper but how are we going to take part as an individual. He never fails to amuse me with his rich words thru his songs. 

Papel - Joey Ayala and Gloc 9

Mabuhay ang OPM!

Why Travel?

Most people would say or even associate that travelling is bragging that you have the budget to do it, pretentious, ambitious, a pricey hobby, for well off people, etc. Even I, have also thought of that many years ago. I thought that it was not easy to plan and execute. I thought that it was not my thing. But since I'm a netsurfer (word!), I have visited blog sites and found myself being slowly influenced by my idol Patty Laurel. She is a jet setter and a happy wife of Patrick Filart. She has gone too many places already. She said that travelling is discovering and collecting memories. I agree with her. Now, thank God that airlines have improved their marketing strategy and they have made fares to be fair.

I have already posted months ago my 12-day trip ala Amazing Race with my travel buddies and I kinda like refreshing those moments that we have bit our time for bus rides, train rides and everything else. The adventure started at Singapore and ended in Vietnam. No plane rides between these 5 countries, just explored everything via land. Yes, it maybe tiring, time consuming and draining activity to do but it's cheaper, better and lovelier to board buses and trains because you get to seize the moment when you are passing the highways and along the road, you will see greenfields, trees, you're close to nature. 

So, why travel? 

It's like an exercise. Travelling means your toes must be prepared for a lot of walking, striding and running. Everytime you will move into another place, you have to have a tough arms and shoulders to carry your own loads. Because travelling is not as fancy as you think it is. Not all the time, you have your trolley bag. In our case, since we are backpackers, we did not overload ourselves since it will be additional to our airfare (Manila to Singapore, Vietnam to Manila). Every passenger is allowed for 7Kg of load, if you exceed, you have to shed money, as it will be considered as a check in baggage. So, travel lite!

It's a discovery. I know Philippines is very rich in culture and history but, stepping outside your territory will give you good stories to know as well. You get to experience their food, their lifestyle, and how preserve their country's treasures. You get to know locals and folks from these countries that may somehow generous enough to share their traits and attitude. Then, you will be able to adjust and manage your behavior when you meet them again or when you get back to these places. 

It teaches discipline. Money is involved in travelling. When you plan, you save. When you execute, you learn to wake up early in the morning to explore the place. You will learn to be time conscious, since you have be ahead of time for your flight, or for your ride. You will be sensitive enough for your travelmates who exercise discipline. 

It will benefit your memory bank. Seldom that we think of crossing borders and flying abroad because we have a lot of excuses or reason. But defying what we can do more, means we can always look back and tell the whole adventure all over again. That there's a time that we were able to break the so-called expensive adventure. Moreover, you will think of saving up and furthering more your wings.

So travelling is not just adding glory to your passport, pictures for your facebook or instagram, shopping, souveneirs and all that stuff. It is a leisure that will give you priceless, sore feet. 

:)

Petronas towers in Kulala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wat Po in Bangkok, Thailand

The Opera House, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Changi Airport, Singapore

Surprises. Bliss. 3 decades of me!!!

How my day went? Amazing!

After speaking with my mom via facetime, we have greeted each other Happy Birthday since we share the same birthday. I felt a bit sad since this is the first time that I don't have her by my side. But I had to shake it off and I have to move on and spend it the way it will be. 

I have visited Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, located in Bras Basah, near the MRT station. I lifted everything to God and I have given thanks for all His shower of love. He has been doing wonders for the past few days and I can't deny how 'kilig' I am. Then I decided to stopover Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf which is just across the street and load myself with some caffeine before going home. Good thing the shop has a free wifi so I totally enjoyed myself for atleast 1 hour! 

Back in the flat, I cooked creamy carbonara and bought an ice cream so that we could feed our rawring tummy! 

But, the suspense was not over. 

I did not expect that all the event happened. I was in awe.

My cousin Joane and Zee and the rest of their flatmates sung Happy Birthday and they have the pasabog birthday cake. They have given me a cute present in an H and M bag, and cute mug from flatmates!!! I have never imagined this would be one of the happiest celebration of my birthday! No expectations, full of surprises and blessings! 

My appreciation is endless with these people. God used them to guide me through. i'm lifting it up to Him.

flatmates <3

from my IG

cake, icecream=happy birthday!!! calorie overload.

sweetest anne and zee... <3