Happy Halloween!!!

Wishing you all a Safe N Fun Celebration!!!

================

JEALOUSY - is not a part of my vocabulary...   for me,  it is a wasted emotion...  

Instead of looking at others and being jealous, try looking within you...  Inside you... Past and present...   See all that you have been blessed with..  And are being Blessed with. 🙏🙏🙏

Be at Peace. See how light, simple, easy and happy life could be.

✌️✌️✌️

=================

"OPM"

Woking Friday while listening to a few OPM Faves...  

Now, am not well versed on Pinoy music , really..  I actually own more Spanish CDs than OPM but I do have my faves!!!

Gary V - i have admired and idolized growing up in the Bay  Area to present...  Others I discovered during trips in Manila - some i hear on the TAXI ( Ogie Alcasid, Wency, Nina, Yeng) or bought for the first time just because the CD cover caught my eyes (Mark Bautista, Ariel Rivera, Jericho Rosales)...

Then there's Piolo Pascual - totally different level of admiration😜😜😜.   Besides Gary V and Mark Bautista, his CDs are the only ones I buy without fail!

ROCK ON!!!

It is suffice to say that all my friends pretty much know that am sooooo into  MUSICALS....   I must have even stated it here, in a few blogs about Theatre and Movie Musicals....   so when the movie, from the 2006 Broadway Musical, ROCK OF AGES came out - pretty much everyone assumes that I will be there opening night...  but I was not... even  with the idea of seeing Tom Cruise doing his take on AXEL ROSE (writhing around stage half naked!)  being  soooo enticing  - not forgetting to mention Academy Award Winner Catherina Zeta Jones back in a Musical movie)...  somehow, I was afraid it would be too ROCK for me...as in Heavy Metal Rock... a GENRE of Music I never really got into....  Boy was I wrong!!!

I actually knew almost all the songs used for the film - and the storyline was nicely held together by the song choices....  it all worked for me - even found myself singing along to a few of the numbers....   sorry moviegoers...  :) - proving a point that a MUSICAL PERSON can actually appreciate all GENRE as long as they are GOOD MUSIC!!!  Stand out songs of course are "More Than Words" by Extreme and "Waiting For a Girl Like You" by Foreigner - but there are other Great contributions too from Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Journey, REO Speedwagon, etc...

 

 

The movie itself was by the numbers - simple, straightforward - and even the surprise regarding Catherine Zeta Jones' character close to the end was predictable....  still, all is forgiven as all the actors in the movie were just great...  to a point that you can actually feel them enjoying playing their characters - a bit exxagerated but just so that it is not too out of the place....  The young leads, Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta are both capable, and had such a nice chemistry that you root for their love to overcome all the excess of the Rock and Roll world/scene in the 80's Los Angeles....

 

The small town girl and the big city boy's worlds collide.

 

 Catherine, if were given a bit more to do, could easily walk away with another Oscar.....  Paul Giamatti is one wickedly delisciou A**hole of a manager....   the tandem of Alec Baldwin and Russel Brandt were soooo unexpectedly hilarious (the whole movie house was in such roaring laughter with their revelation for each other!)....   and  Tom Cruise...  well, what can one say?  Take away all his private personas - this guy is one hell of an actor....  he can actually do it all - believably!  Special Mention goes out to Miss Mary J Blighe - truly one DIVA of a performer....  all eyes on her when she is onscreen belting out her musical numbers...  what a voice!!!

 

I would actually reccomend this film.... one surprisingly fun and entertaining musical of a movie....  just the right kind of film you want to see on a rainy Friday night...  well, any night for that matter, really... .   :) 

Of course this W Magazine cover was enough to interest anyone into seeing the film - but TRUST me - this is quite TRUE...   plus so much more!!!

 

Lunch with DR Q!!!

well....  let me set things straight right off the bat - we did not actually have lunch together....  we were in the same restaurant, Wood Stone, @ 98 Bistro Building....  separate tables and different companions....  I was with Juliana having our regular get-together.... so Close Enough to having lunch with him, right?  hahahahahahahahaha

DR Q, for those of you not familiar with him, burst into the scene via One Million Star - Taiwan;'s Premiere Singing Contest...   his Season was a few years back...  as far back as 2007 (am not too sure on this...)....   anyway, I have liked him ever since....  he sings pretty well, dances well, and has such a lively personality....  sometimes, you forget the talent as you are just amused by the personality....

Since then, he has been a permanent fixture on Taiwan Television...  variety shows, Idol Soap Operas and of course, he returns to One Million Star frequently....  I know that he has been making the rounds at local Pubs Island-wide....  sadly, I have not been able to catch him in person yet...  due to Timing mostly....   for the most part, I learn about the gig too late, or am out of the country - which you know is once a month....  Now he is making the rounds even more, as his CD will be coming out this month....  and the lead song is already making regular rotations on both MTV and VH1...  Catchy song... and FUN video - just right up his personality...

MV LINK: http://youtu.be/kA0b-c70DZg

So needless to say, I did not miss the chance when I saw him walk past us a couple of times....  the third time - he was actually leaving already - just had to get up, walk over and talk to him...  and of course, snap a shot....  to all these, he graciously accommodated me....   and I must say, I was not disappointed.... he was as charming, lively, outgoing, and friendly as he seems to be on TV....  now am even more of a FAN!!!!

BIG SMILES ALL AROUND!

Pinoy Sunday Treat

I look forward to most of my Sundays in Taipei as it is the time when I can satisfy the Pinoy in me... First by attending the Filipino Service at St. Christopher's Church - though I did not understand part of the Homily, as the Tagalog sometimes is just way too deep for me, I always enjoy the music... so lovely and soothing to the ears... truly uplifting...

Then, on some Sundays, like today for instance, I get to have some Pinoy Food... mostly the desserts but today I actually got to have a couple of my Fave dishes for lunch: Pinakbet and Menudo... then of course the Ginatan dessert.... all YUMMY and makes me feel like am back in Manila once more...Now and then, when I have more time - I check out the Pinoy magazines and DVDs for sale... am not much for the movies as mostly, I do not know the actors and I have seen a few that really left a bad taste in my mouth... so if not recommended, I do not tend to buy.... mostly I look for concert videos, as I prefer to listen to the music more... I can play them without actually having to watch... just to hear some good old OPM, while I work or clean the house...

Today I was in luck, a new GARY VALENCIANO Music Special DVD just came out - and i snapped a copy right away... I was, I still am, elated over it... and now I have seen it a couple of times already... His music, his songs, though some are 20 plus years old - he manages to always bring on a fresh take in each and every concert of his... not that they need it, his music are timeless : both message and melody... I highly recommend you to get a copy... Sir Gary V. - Mr Pure Energy, as he is called in the local BIZ - and his music will forever be a Favorite of mine...

INSPIRATIONAL.EMOTIONAL.IDOL

Meet the New BOSS Man!

Too Beautiful for words actor/model/singer, Jared Leto, is the new BOSS MAN... HUGO BOSS's been running their adverts both on TV and Magazines lately... and in ASIA a whole lot more - especially on CNN Asia and Travel & Living Stations... this must be on the heel of his band's (30 Seconds to Mars) latest Asian Concert Tour.Jared Leto, of course, first burst into the acting scene as the Boyfriend of Claire Danes on MTV's My So Called Life... and he went on to play second leads in such big movies as FIGHT CLUB with Brad Pitt & Edward Norton; Lord of War with Nicholas Cage; and Alexander with Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie and former HUGO BOSS man, John Rhys Myers ... Of late though, he has been concentrating on his music and with his band, 30 Seconds to Mars.

WEI DAO*味道*Taste

at last nite's concert - i was reminded of this FAVE Chinese song:
Wei Dao*味道*Taste -such LYRICS!!!

Originally, beautifully sung by a woman, Winnie Hsin, but it works for Men as well - as sung here by HK Pop Star Jacky Cheung.... :)

3 Part Love Affair: John Legend Style

just one of those nights.... feeling like a walking wounded.... now just loving the smooth voice of John Legend...
===================================
GREENLIGHTSAVE ROOM FOR MY LOVEP.D.A.

GRENADE: Cover by BOYCE AVE...

Loving this very HEARTFELT COVER by Boyce Avenue of a Bruno Mars song, GRENADE. Totally made me LISTEN to the words for the very first time....

BOYCE Avenue is quite a POPULAR Band on YOU TUBE - they have some of the HOTTEST & BEST Covers of Today's Hits of late.... with this one being one of the latest....

More Boyce Avenue Here:
-Official Site
-You Tube Pages

DEFEATED

Some days, no matter how you look at it, you just feel DEFEATED.... you can go over everything any which way you want, think of other ways to go around it, improve it, change it -- but it stays the same... there is no changing the feeling.... so you just give in, let it take it's course and hopefully, move on...

and what better music to accompany you with these feelings of defeat - God Give Me Strength - Sung by Elvis Costello/Written by Burt Bacharach:

LYRICS:
(Words sung by the character in the movie given in brackets)
Now I have nothing, so God give me strength
'Cause I'm weak in her [his] wake
And if I'm strong I might still break
And I don't have anything to share
That I won't throw away into the air

That song is sung out
This bell is rung out [This belle is wrung out]
[He] She was the light that I'd bless
[He] She took my last chance at happiness
So God give me strength, God give me strength

I can't hold onto [him] her, God give me strength
When the phone doesn't ring
And I'm lost in imagining
Everything that kind of love is worth
As I tumble back down to the earth

That song is sung out
This bell is rung out
[He] She was the light that I'd bless
[He] She took my last chance at happiness
So God give me strength,

God if [he'd] she'd grant me [his] her indulgence and decline
I might as well wipe [him] her from my memory
Fracture the spell as [he] she becomes my enemy
Maybe I was washed out like a lip-print on his shirt
See, I'm only human, I want him to hurt
I want him
I want him to hurt

[instrumental]
Since I lost the power to pretend
That there could ever be a happy ending

That song is sung out
This bell is rung out
[He] She was the light that I'd bless
[He] She took my last chance at happiness
So God give me strength, God give me strength

Cambia En Vida / Change Your Life

Been waiting to see what Mr. Ricky Martin will do next, after finally revealing the truth about his sexuality. A bold move that for some, like me, is a courageous act; while for others is just a publicity stunt. I have even heard an acquaintance said that it is just a stunt as he basically does not have a career anymore - needless to say, he is no longer an acquaintance of mine... hmmmmpf!

Anyway, I came across this Teaser Video for his upcoming world tour - and it KICKS ASS!!! It seems that Mr.Martin is quite ready to start a fresh chapter in his life. Too live an openly gay life and in this video, the singer , with one of the best GYRATING MOVES EVER, doesn’t hold anything back.

In this video promoting his comeback concert tour, he is completely NEKKID - save for a few well-placed digital tattoos. Tattoo-like effects emerging on his skin with inspirational messages in Spanish such as ‘find yourself’, ‘forgive’ and ‘change your life’.This video, Mr Martin, himself, announced to his fans and followers VIA his TWITTER account. In his tweet he told fans the 2-minute video, called My Skin Talks, was directed by his friend Dago Gonzales.

Rediscovering George Michael

After a marathon viewing of Heroes Season 4 - what a waste of my time! - I needed something else to get the bad taste of my mouth and my mind.... needed to hear/listen to something soothing and calming.... so I was going through the stacks of CDs in the house (swear to GOD I need to get through all of them and recycle or burn some already!)... came across the many, and I mean many, George Michael CDs i have accumulated over the years....

So I stated playing them one at a time - and playing my FAVE songs from each album at least twice.... Brought back many memories.... Not only did I "woke everybody up before I go go" each and every morning... I did the whole WHAM white and neon & feathered hair look in the 80's.... and by the time FAITH came out - I was already wearing the ripped jeans and leather jacket with the fringes... and rocked them all.... hahahahahaha maybe I will be able to find photos still - SCARY!!!

But most of all, made me remember how much I TRULY LOVE his voice -- one of the most Talented singers/songwriters ever!!!

Forget that he stopped making all those cheesy music videos that made him popular to the masses... forget all the hoopla with that Public Toilet incident.... forget the drug use news.... forget all the facial hair he loves to grow - some fashionably trendy/some downright scary.... forget the fact that he is as big as a house nowadays... the MAN still has THE VOICE & THE TALENT...

Sad that all the negative aspects of his life has overshadowed his achievements of late.... hence, hindering some of his late recordings.... sad for most of the people really - as a lot of his greater stuff did not get enough airplay or exposure.... his duets with Mary J Blige & Mutya Buena are perfect examples... I feel that minus the negative news - they could have reached the TOP of the CHARTS all over the world...

I can only wish that he would go back to writing songs, ballads especially and start recording again.... I still will buy them... A FAN FOR LIFE!!! For now I leave you with my Most FAVE Ballad by Mr Michael: A Different Corner

"dance... it's all I want to do..."

Loving the new KYLIE song and music video.... Welcome Back Kylie...
Guess I know what this year's Gay Pride song will be for 2010!!!

Lyrics Kylie Minogue lyrics - All The Lovers lyrics

"Nothing" much - just Janet!!!

So am playing catch up with work and my everyday routine after a week long visit to Manila (dealing with this and that plus family dramas).... upon my return, I did have a nice time showing my cousin Jhay around Taipei for a few days... since his departure yesterday morning, it is back lots of work (emails, shipping, etc) to catch up with... am already all worn out....

So much to BLOG about - but they are all STUCK in my mind... no energy yet to put them down... will get around it soon enough....

I did catch Janet Jackson on American Idol - via You Tube - still HOT as EVER! and I loved the new song she has out for the soundtrack of a Tyler Perry film that she is in - from the looks of the video.... slow grooves - which is just fine for my moods now.... here it is - ENJOY!

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!!

teeny bopper - why not?

As I have mentioned in my preceding blog, SIEMENDING is the place to be for stars/celebrities to showcase/promote what they have coming out... and yesterday was not any different.... not just one but two Taiwan Acts were out and about, giving all their best, in promoting their newly released CDs...

First one is a popular Idol Drama (soap operas made with and geared for the Young Ones!)/Movie actor already, not sure but I think his first name is Mike (NOTE: have since found out his name is EDDIE.).... and also not sure but this might be his frist CD out.... I happen upon him when he was already done with his show and was already in the autographed signing and picture taking portion already... He seemed really nice and gracious... smiling and really talking with his fans.... and very touchy, too... not shy....

(He was GRACIOUS enough and posed the way his fans wanted him to..)

the other act I happen upon to was WOW, a two member boy band.... these two I have seen guesting in different things before.... one i believe is named Kenji.... and another one rose to fame because his mother posted his photos on the Internet and gained him popularity online - which caught the attentions of some showbiz people..... so, someone put the two of them together to form this boy band.... i got to see them do a couple of songs.... nice enough, cute bois singing catchy POP songs... am sure the young girls (and bois) of Taiwan will like them enough.... everyone at Siemending seems to like them already.... their CDs SOLD OUT fast... not sure if it was because of their talents, looks or both... or maybe because the boy who was in charge of selling their CDs a=is even hotter than they are!!! He should also be in SHOWBIZ.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

New POP Duo: AK (Andy & Kris)

So that's my latest Star Gazing moment... alas, no photos with them were taken, as you would need to buy their CDs in order to do so... and i did not have CASH to do so... hahahahahaha
More Photos Here

"Come 1st of May"

woke up with this song running through my mind... hmmmmmm..... whatever could it mean??? I do not even really know this song.... maybe heard it a couple of times in my life only.... LOL...

HAPPY MAY 1St All!!!

never "disappear"

LSS much lately.... Michael Hutchence is STILL one of the SEXIEST EVER!!!

Say I'm crying ... looking at what's on tv

Pain and suffering

And the struggle To be free

It can't ever be denied and i Never will ignore

But when I see you coming I can take it all

Chorus

You're so fine Lose my mind

And the world seems to Disappear

All the problems All the fears

And the world seems to disappear

Say you're mine

And give yourself to the Feelings that you know

I'm needing All that you can give me

All the things That you do so well

Words are healing Sweet anticipation

Making spells As the shadows close in

Fall across all our yesterdays

Chorus Disappear Disappear Disappear Disappear Disappear Disappear Disappear

Say if I could

Look into myself and reason

But I could never never see

or Make sense of the dealings

Turn around Am I looking at salvation

Make me realise all that I am

You put the light inside this man

JT arrives in Manila!!!

Justin Timberlake arrived in Manila a couple of days ago... he is in town as a featured guest on Timbaland's Shock Value Tour - March 27th - tomorrow nite.... wish I was going but am not there.... am in Taipei....Waaah! why does it seem like all the GREAT concert in town never happens when am around... so far I have missed Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry (though I saw her at the local mall), Neyo - heck, even Air Supply!!!

Oh well... there's ALWAYS You Tube, I suppose....

star gazing again - "oh yeah!"

another star sighting happened yesterday afternoon, also while at SOGO admiring the Cherry Blossoms(See Previous Post.... this time it is with POP STAR, Crowd Lu, who bursts into the music scene a year or so ago.... his hip brand of music appeals to the teens who embraced not just his music but his style... with his big rimmed glasses, bowl cut do, & socks pulled up high - he single-handedly brought back the nerdy/dorky look in style....

Yesterday afternoon, he was making an appearance at the SOGO Department store to promote a product he endorses, "ettousais"...

i did have the pleasure of seeing him in a concert about a year ago, when he first burst into the scene.... he was the opening act for one of Taiwan's Premiere college bands, Mayday... and I must say, he does entertain.... his music are catchy even for a non-teen as I...

MTV VIDEO for his more popular song: "OH YEAH!"

Here in one of his Live Performances singing a song I like.

IMMA BE ROCKING THAT BODY

...and since we are on the topic of Black Eyed Peas, here's their very latest KICK ASS video - complete with TRANSFORMERS like robots rockin their bodies.... and speaking of bodies, check out Fergie looking very SEXI once again.... gone are all the POUNDS gained for her role in the movie, NINE!

.

This MUSIC VIDEO is a TOTAL WINNER... now if only they got me in my TRANSFORMER outfit to be in it... that would have been a DREAM COME TRUE!!!

BLack Eyes Peas X tokidoki

I remember seeing this photo of FERGIE a couple of years back, sporting a tokidoki tee, as she enters her recording studio.... I remember feeling HAPPY & PROUD, as one one of my MOST FAVE artist is wearing one of my FAVE designer's tee... oh what little PLEASURE we get knowing we are not the only ones GA GA over something... and to see a favorite celebrity as well, added extra pleasure....

Now I see that the newest Black Eyed Peas Concert Tees are designed none other than mr tokidoki himself, Simone Legno... and what cool tees they are... I hear they can only be purchased by attending one of the concerts - to that I say, come to TAIWAN (or MANILA) and do a CONCERT PLZ!!! and don't forget to bring the tees.....

ACTUAL TEE LOGO - available in different tee colors. Now am wishing a FERGIE vinyl toy will be produced, much like the Karl Langerfeld one!!!