sa bulwagang hemisphere

asong buto't balat, isang makipot na kalye patungo sa dakong paroon, sinag na sinag ang bakas ng pluma na pinaglumaan at pinag pasapasahan pa sa panahong diktador.

katorseng tao sa jeep, kasabay na umalis ngunit ang katorseng iyon ay tila ba parang dahon na nalagas at tinangay na ng hangin sa direksyong di mawari ng isip, isip na pilit nag iisip.
ito ang jeep, ang jeep na umandar at bumyahe ng punuan ngunit sa bandang huli handa kang iwan at talikuran kung saka sakali mang kailangang bumaba at tahakin ang pansariling lansangan.

sa jeep magisang naiwan kasama ng driver at ng kunduktor na nakasabit pa sa reha ng bubungan mga mata'y may bahid ng katangunan at kung makatitig ay para bang wala ng bukas, bukas para mag hayag, bukas para lumantad pinipigilan ngunit ayaw mag pa pigil.

ako ay bumaba at pumara sa lumang bahay sa kanto ng kalyeng hemisphere, pumasok sa lumang bahay na walang sino mang nag mamay ari, walang ibang laman ang bahay kundi ang isang larawan tila ba napag iwanan na ng panahon, sa apat na sulok ng bahay may nagagalit, may nalulungkot, may nag aalinlangan may umiiyak at may umaalpas...

ako ang larawan na naroon sa bahay.
at ikaw.
ikaw ang buong bahay.
sila ang pasahero sa jeep...

Artsy PLant -Mayapis POWer PLANT

It all happened in the summer of ‘04 when I made my maiden voyage to the plant. At first it was canny and Catatonic. I heard rumors that the plant was capable of instigating massive merrymaking and revel. Massive in a way that it will leave you hanker for more till the crack of dawn.

I have to experience to prove… I sign posted my head and thought, “will this snooping demur leave its place and get baffled like a wild artsy plant?” to hone it I have. The plant is set up to have a “put-your-feet-up” vibe. Because of the relaxed atmosphere, being au naturelle is the best nook. To look natural, to feel natural and to be natural, all is natural in the plant. Organic I suppose a very organic plant … (Laughs).

Another revelation Is how they had this entire wall covered with photos from the times of yore and today. And the assorted collection of drink and snifter given by friends and or their beloved guest who visited the plant one partying night or one placid day, the main contention I believe is the memory of each item and their experience with the sow is what matters the most and that is why it is there.

I would like to then place myself as a neophyte, the personality that made the plant artsy are all knacks and worthy for their own good, multi-talented, outrageous and out of this world. Often times I labeled them as the “Jaucian Brotha’s”- very solid, substantial, influential and inspirational individuals. From reggae, to house, to alternative, old skool hip-hop and electronica, to jungle and Indie, take a pick of what will soothe your mood at the moment. That is how versatile the people are. But what I truly loved about it is… it’s the home of the best thump. It’s like being in a library of good find music from different local and global artist, always updated must I say.

Moreover, I wouldn’t question the existence of their band Pack of Wolvz. There’s so much about the name that their friends had became a part of. It all happened one rainy and stormy day, flooding, distorted, disrupted, everything was in havoc. And the boys decided to put a rhyme on a pit, enjoyed, did it again, enjoyed, did one more and enjoyed, until such time, conceptualizing for an album had not just been a suggestion nor an option but a dream that will soon come true.

I’ve seen them before, I’ve seen them now, and at the conclusion of the sun, the Mayapis Power Plant will forever remain inculcated in the bottom of my hypothalamus, you won’t understand why, you will never, until you get to experience being there, not just being there but also staying. This limerick is for them and I salute you for all of the hard work, for keeping yourselves PLANTed…. on the ground and for a solidarity that is ever so unique. The plant would never be artsy if it weren’t for you all. KUDOS! And you are the entire look that makes me love high!

credits:
Jum Cadorniga (for the kick ass Photos taken at Mayapis)
Glenn Jaucian (for the kick ass photos taken at Mayapis)
Milton Ching (for Jun Jaucian's Kick ass Photos

ang kabutihang naidudulot ng CHONGKEYS

"bakit ang mga madre sister ang tawag? bakit ang mga pari father ang tawag? bakit ang mga ibang titser ma'am sir ang tawag?" "bakit yung ibang mga pulis buwaya ang tawag? bakit ang mga artista plastikan ng plastikan sa amigo at amiga? bakit ang ating gobyerno kurakot ng kurakot sa pera ng ating bayan"
To quote Benjie Estanislao, together with his band The Chongkeys. My respect will go a long way for this person, he deviates from the norm and at thesame time does not jeopardize the whole essence of musicality.

I came across The Chongkeys at (the now defunct and will surely be missed) Purple Haze during OI ATTACK that was organized by Merck Alvarez (drummer, Varackos). Must I say, of all the prodigy/virtuoso bands that played that night, The Chongkeys were the ones that stemmed and left a carbon paper like Impact with in me.

Their songs speaks of status quo, and yet the art of how they brought it together was staggering. consequential it is, far-reaching it is, playful it is and very honest.
their song Tingnan mo has been a favorite because it seemingly is derived from a socialist point of observation, how society reacts and perceives freedom of expression. how the standard of one society influences the mind frame of an individual. it will make you question and challenge status-quo, it will open your mind and bring you in restrospect to reflect,ask,think.and do the right thing. I have all but respect with this people. for me, they depict good-vibes.

"bakit ikaw, kayo.. tingnan nyo muna sarili nyo, bakit ikaw, sila tingan na muna sarili nila" "anong nakikita mo? anong nakikita mo? totoo ka ba? totoo ka ba?"

They are like brothers reminding us to respect the essence of Individualism and Freedom; that one does good not because he is forced to do so, but because he freely conceives it, wants it, and loves it, that one has the right to life without having other people dictate when to and how to. lastly to do away if not avoid double standards/hypocrisy.

"wag nyo husgahan, wag nyo pintasan, sarili mo'y tignan, maging totoo sa sarili sa sinasabi, hindi lang "labas" ang, totoong kaanyuan, Respeto bigay KO, Respeto bigay MO!"

In our society, I am pleased to know The Chongkeys towered and outstripped the big fork out of the middle-of-the-road .

For me they are such a brainchild of be-dazzling music, aside from that, they don't just play to play, they also teach us a whole lot of lesson to get by in a light manner and heavy weight knock out punch approach. If The Chongkeys is indeed as good as this...then... I'm pro chongkeys. tara, simulan na nating mag Chongkeys.

Credits:

Benjie Estanislao- Chongkeys
(for the hard knock The Chongkeys image and editing)
Red Rivera
(for the kick ass photos, 4th arts music fest)
DJ Tong
(for the kick ass photos of Mark and Pepito)

Kinsangani

i have so much tears to weep for you, i left the hope to submerge in the clouds, but i know soon the river would spare me the wallow, enough not to upset the apple-cart.

our history spoke and embossed a culprit between our settlers today and will mark another to those that will be born tomorrow, and I, I have been silently revolting, penetrating my entire being like a sore thumb in this nation where I temporarily occupy, a territory that is partly mine.

I look forward to the day that i would finally see you face to face, and to finally embrace my "min broers" and "min susters" who will become more than just a contribution to life and be treated like those that breathe an overwhelming life.

not most would understand why, but to care for the "most" had never been an option nor will be a choice, for once, the "most" are acquiesced, and mostly, they have been the reason why we constantly chase Zaire.

to be divided by great waters and mountains, the quest that bridge the essence of my youth with your existence is the hope that i have carried and will always carry, the hope and the strong will to be united with nature and our people.

"droog julle oog" hush now my broers and susters, it is not you, it is not you i know, the sparrow that flies into the dining hall at night, where nothing and no one is safe. it 's not you i know.

mirror boomerang

"do you know what a hard cider taste like?"

"yes, i do know what a hard cider taste like"

"so what does a hard cider taste like?"

"here have some, and tell me what you think a hard cider taste like"

"sweet?"

"yes"

"good?"

"no"

"sour?"

"yes"

"better?"

"no"

"it is for me"

"it's not for me"

fine.