What do you do when you get to stand less than one meter away from three of the most legendary, influential, and iconic musicians of your time? Some people may scream, some people may faint, some people may throw themselves at the said musicians and wipe their handkerchiefs on their faces.

I did none of those things. I just smiled. And smiled. And smiled. And I still could NOT stop smiling even though my facial muscles were starting to get numb.

I actually wasn't planning on watching the theatrical release of the Eraserheads Reunion Concert because I was there at the actual event. I mean, what for, right? A movie version couldn't possibly beat rocking out in a pumped up crowd while the reunited Eraserheads play it out LIVE on stage. So despite the excitement in the Eraserheads community I only smiled encouragingly and said, "Enjoy, you guys!"

The movie premiered on Monday, November 24, 2008 at Megamall. That night found me at home early, eating dinner and tidying up the house. Until Darwin, one of the Circus listers, sent me a text message that said, "Sarah, go to Megamall. Now. I've got tickets."

Oooh, free tickets. Nice. Good thing Megamall was close by, so I got there in 30 minutes. I'm going to have to admit that despite my initial reluctance, I got more excited the closer I got to the cinema. After all, I'll get to relive the reunion concert, no matter how toned down the ambiance may be. When I got to the cinemas, I got my ticket and got to meet other Circus listers. Just waiting for the movie was fun, actually. I finally got to meet more online friends! Yey!

So we were just hanging around outside the theater when Marcus Adoro walks by with his bandmates. Twice. I didn't have a camera. Fail. Hi, Makoy. Oh well.

Hanging around, hanging around, and then whoa Buddy Zabala walks by. Uh... Hi, Buddy. Darn, I really wish I brought a camera.

And then we were hanging around, hanging around... And then Ely Buendia walks by. I finally remember that I had a CAMERAphone, so I whipped it out and took a video. Score! But then when I checked my recording, I realized that it was set to low resolution. So I can't post it online because you can't see anything that makes sense. Hay. FAIL.

(If anyone's wondering: Raimund was shooting the FX video with Pedicab.)

So we got in line to get into Cinema 10, while the other people line up for Cinema 9. (yes, there were two theaters for the premier.) And then while we were waiting to get in, Day Cabuhat, Ely's manager passes by and goes, "Hey, why are you guys lined up for Cinema 10? The boys are in Cinema 9."

Oh, drat.

"Here, I've got Ely's tickets. Use these."

Oh. My. Goodness!!!

Needless to say, I was grinning like a giddy schoolgirl at this point, nearly jumping up and down where I stood, because the tickets Ms. Day gave us wasn't just tickets to the same cinema, but VIP tickets!!! (Ms. Day, if you're reading this, you are awesome!)

So we filed into the theater, passing in front of Ely and Marcus (and Diane and Day and Eon and their other friends). Too bad they were being interviewed so we couldn't say hello.

Before the main feature, we also got to watch short films by Marcus and Ely. Marcus' short film was "The Artist is In", which portrays an artist's journey --read: struggle-- to creation. Ely's, on the other hand, was entitled "Waiting Shed", and follows a night in (what else?) a waiting shed. Both films didn't use direct story-telling, and the shot composition was insteresting. But since any review I make probably won't do the films justice, I suggest you go and try to catch them when you can.

And then it was time for the main feature. The countdown started, everyone was excited, everyone was counting down as we did at the concert... 3... 2... 1...

and the video stops.

Hilarity ensues.

There was a collective exclamation of "What?!", Diane yells for a refund, and Ely stands up to declare pack-up. Of course, since we were all fans in there, everyone just laughed it off until the video started again.

Watching the movie was better than I had expected. We were all teleported back to that day, and we found ourselves singing to the songs as if we were at a concert, never mind that we were sitting down in an airconditioned theater. The audio was great, and the shots used were awesome. I especially loved the crowd shots because you could see that great sea of people who had come to watch, and remember the days.... And it was awesome to know that I was part of that. Watching the movie felt almost as awesome as being there, minus the LIVEness of being in the actual concert, but plus the good knowledge that no one was collapsing backstage and had to be rushed to the hospital.

So despite my initial disinterest, it turned out that November 24, 2008 was one of the most rocking, awesome, and surreal nights of my life, coming in second to 08.30.08. Because, really, there's no substitute for the real thing.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Eraserheads Reunion

Tonight was one of the most fun, awesome, rocking and...surreal nights of my life.

Tonight was the long-awaited Eraserheads Reunion Concert, which had become more and more epic as each day passed. There's a lot of history leading to that statement, but to cut a long story short: the concert was a rumor, and then it was confirmed, and then the whole ticketing business was shrouded in mystery, and then word came out that it wasn't going to push through, and then it was going to push through, and that was announced three days before the concert and then Ely Buendia's mother passed away, but the concert still pushed through. (Er...that wasn't too short, was it?) Read full post...

Honestly, I kind of hoped that they would postpone the concert, even if I'm a super Eraserheads fan. I mean, SERIOUSLY. The frontman's mother just passed away. I personally would like him to spend time with his family and all, instead of going on stage just because the show must go on. There was a lot of stress on the whole band because of the reunion concert alone, and Ely's mom's passing would add to the stress! But they decided to go with the concert, so...yeah.

Being total Eraserheads fans, Ivy and I met at Serendra for lunch so we could go inside the concert grounds early and get a decent position. We had lunch at Conti's (and had this super yummy Mocha Frappe!!!) before heading on over to the concert grounds. We met June and Izay and their many other friends. Too bad I didn't see my brother and the rest of the Bagetsafonik boys... and I didn't see the many other bloggers who were there, too. Ah well.

The concert was AWESOME. There was a 10-minute countdown (I think that was kind of too long. They should've just counted down from 5 minutes max) before the band launched the concert with Alapaap, which, for me, was the perfect song to start the concert with. There was fireworks and pyrotechnics and all that jazz, but even without the flashy stuff, the first song ROCKED. And so did all the other songs.

MAN, I gotta tell you: the Eraserheads really were something else. As much as I love Ely in Pupil, Buddy in The Dawn, Raimund in Sandwich, and Marcus in Marcus Highway, there really was something different when they put their Heads together. Their chemistry was different, and MAN they were awesome tonight!!! I don't know about everybody else, but to me, it was as if the band hadn't stopped playing together. (And it was as if there wasn't any friction before, either. They all complemented each other, and no one outstaged anybody else.)

They played their songs flawlessly. From Ligaya to With a Smile to Hey Jay, Sembreak, Kaliwete, Fruitcake, Shake Yer Head, and all the other songs in the awesome first set. I loved it when Raimund stood up behind the drums in Harana. I don't know why, really. Haha! Buddy's basslines was LUV and Ely was...well... Ely. 'Nuff said. Too bad Marcus' hand had more video exposure than Marcus himself. Hehe.

The crowd was going crazy (myself included) because... well, this was just the band that pretty much left a HUGE dent in Philippine music and helped shape it as we know it today. Those guys are legends. And they pretty much shaped my musical preferences, too, since I grew up listening to them since I was in 3rd grade.

They played my three most favorite songs: Minsan, Huwag Kang Matakot and, finally, LIGHTYEARS!!! My ultimate favorite song EVER!!! That was their last song for the first set, and they went backstage for a 20-minute intermission.

So, again, the countdown clock was flashed on the screen, and we were all taking it easy...

Until the 20-minute countdown disappeared. It was weird, and we decided that it must be because the people involved (band and crew?) thought that maybe they couldn't go on in 20 minutes. This was perfectly fine, of course... but I felt really weird then. Somehow I felt that something was wrong...especially since Ely sat down onstage after Lightyears. Well, the guy must be tired after everything that's happened, so...yeah.

Twenty minutes passed, and the band wasn't back on stage.

Another minute. And another. And another.

I was starting to wonder what was going on backstage.

And then some people went on stage. Crew people attending to the instruments. And then some more people came on stage. Buddy, Marcus, and Raimund. And they were not making their way to their instruments. And Ely was not on stage with them.

No way.

Instead of Ely, there was a girl with Buddy, whom he introduced as Lally Buendia, Ely's sister.

No. Way.

And then Lally announced that Ely had to be rushed to the hospital because of emotional stress.

NO. WAY!!!

photo by Jorem Catillo

So, yeah, the concert had to be cut short. But honestly? I didn't have the mind to be frustrated over that. I was worred about Ely! Waaaaa! A dude from MTV called a one-minute silent prayer for Ely. After that we were requested to exit the concert grounds in an orderly fashion.

The audience didn't move.

We were all hanging around, sort of waiting for more news or...something. I was feeling incredibly strage. I mean, one minute I was feeling ecstatic because I was watching one of my favorite bands of all time in a reunion concert, and then suddenly the vocalist and writer was in the hospital. GAAAAH! It was surreal!

Realizing that being in a daze wasn't helping, Ivy and I left to go home, and while we were walking we decided to pray a bit more for Ely and his family, and the rest of the Heads, as well. I think those prayers calmed us some, too...

And so here I am, 2 hours later, safe at home. I was informed a few minutes ago that Ely was conscious, and that his condition was stable. PHEW! Thank God. Even so, I'll keep praying for them. The guy needs rest. I'm praying even more for Lally. I mean, she just lost her mother, and now her brother was collapsing in a concert. MAN. I can't even begin to imagine how she's feeling.

So, yes, the night took a weird turn that no one expected. But I, for one, was satisfied with how the concert turned out (excluding the Ely collapsing bit). I would have wanted more songs, of course, but the first set has already made me happy. Watching the Heads perform those first 15 songs together, after so long, was already worth my 1300-peso ticket. A part two of this reunion would be nice, but I'm not expecting it... And if it should happen, I don't think it'll be any time soon. But I'll be keeping my ears open. Meanwhile, let's pray for Ely and his family during this time of mourning.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Passion in Manila

So I have a new favorite song.

But before we get to that, let's get into context.

Tonight, I went to the Passion Conference here in Manila.

My night didn't start well, actually. Chique and I were supposed to leave work at exactly 6 o'clock, but work came flowing in (as usual) at five, so I had to work extra fast to make our 6 o'clock deadline. I finished about 15 minutes behind schedule. And then it was raining mercilessly outside. ARGH!

Not to be discouraged, we charged forth and made it to the PhilSports arena by seven (I think). We ended up in the bleachers, which wasn't my section of choice... Well, with young people lining up outside the stadium since lunchtime, I guess it wouldn't really matter much if we got there at five.

There was a bit more time for me to take a deep breath and refocus my thoughts to the upcoming worship time (as opposed to the stress and traffic outside) so by the time the music started, I was up and ready. The praise and worship was crazy cool and terrific, but I think what made the night super special for me is what I learned. I got so much out of that short period of time (and I'm still trying to process all of it) but for now I'm only going to focus on one thing of the things that really struck me:

Most of us have an idea that our lives—compared to the expanse of the universe, the length of eternity and the greatness of God—is but a matchstick. When you light a matchstick, it's super cool to look at as a hot fire blazes... But after several seconds, the fire runs out of stick, and all what's left is a teeny tiny burnt piece of wood.

If that matchstick was my life, then I can say, "Wow, checkit! Look at my fire! I'm so cool and stuff!" (which may be true) but what happens when the fire runs out? What has my life been lived for? Did I get born just to study, graduate, get a job, live on my own, get a hubby, have kids, retire and then die?

If that were true then that'd be an awfully boring life.Read full post...

But what if my life was like a little matchstick that, after being lit, joins another fire... One that's bigger and brighter and does not run out? My fire and the bigger fire become one, and, even if my matchstick runs out, my fire will always burn with the bigger fire. In short, even when I die, the fire that was what I did in my life would continue burning, because it's part of a greater, mightier thing that God—the eternal, ever-living God—is doing in my generation, and the generations to come. That's super awesome!

I've heard before that the things we do for God have eternal value, but hearing it like that, with the matchstick and all, really struck me tonight. I don't want my life to be just 15 minutes of smokin' fame; I want to be with that big, magnificent fire! I want my fire to be with his fire... and I want everyone—everyone—to be with me with his fire...

Thus my new favorite song.



God of this City

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here

You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all Kings
You Are

You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You Are

For greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for you and love for you in this city

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here



Needless to say, this song, coupled with the Word that was shared earlier and the fact that the 8,000-something-something young people filling the PhilSports Arena were singing this in one voice, gave me the goosebumps and brought me to tears.

Passion in Manila was an awesome experience.

But, I'm sure, what's to come will be even more awesome.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Eraserheads Reunion Concert. FINALLY.

I am SO gonna be there! *insert fangirl screech right here* It's going to be, like, a sort of birthday gift to myself! (Since the concert's on August 30, and my birthday's September 4th... Close enough.)

Many rumors have been flying around recently, and I didn't want to believe them at first... And now YES! They've have finally been confirmed in the Philippine Star yesterday. And, of course, e-heads fans like me are having a field day with this. I've been giddy over it since yesterday, but I'm a bit worried about getting tickets. They're going to sell really, really, really fast, I'm sure.

I know it's probably close to impossible, but I'm wishing that I can get front-ish tickets like I the ones I won from Jam 88.3 for the Ultralectromagneticjam concert. But since the venue will be the CCP Open Field, I'm thinking it'll probably be free-seating — wrong term, I know, because it's not like anybody's going to stay seated in an Eraserheads concert. Ahehe.

So, anyway. We'll see what happens.

...

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

ultraelectromagneticjam craziness

For yet another night, I was a screaming fangirl.

But this time it was different, because I had a VIP pass around my neck, and I was up front and center.

Tonight was...just...AMAZING. I mean, sure, it had a pretty...weird...ending, but it was amazing nonetheless. The whole night, I was thankful that I had taken up writing as a hobby. Immensely thankful.

ARGH! The euphoria still hasn't worn off. Not that I'm complaining.

OK. I shall start from the very beginning.

My day was packed. I mean, I was in demand. From work (that was unexpectedly draining) from 9-12, I ran over to the Jam station to get my prizes: tickets, a CD and a VIP pass. From there I went straight to Pisay for them kiddies I'm mentoring. I got to leave at 6pm... way, WAY behind schedule.

I met with Beth at the theater, and we got on line. And since we had 9 tickets, which was two tickets too many, I decided to sell the extra tickets I got earlier today to Beth's brother, who was smart enough to look at the back of the tickets. Y'know what was stamped there?

FRONT ROW SEATS.

GAH!!!!

And since it turns out that he wasn't going to watch, after all (long story), he goes and SELLS them FRONT ROW SEAT TICKETS. He got a good value for that, yeah, but still.

ARGH!!!

I can NOT believe I did not check that. I was like "ARGH!"-ing for thirty solid minutes. So, instead of us using the five front row seat tickets, we only got to use three.

ARGH!

Anyway. There was a LOT of comedy that happened once we were inside, and, us being the clever little girls we are, we found a way to tweak things. And what happened was the FOUR of us (Sara, Beth Lori and I) watched up front and center. HAH! Loraine's so clever, really.

For a more detailed, possibly organized account, just ask one of us in person or on the phone.

On to the bands. Every single artist was SO nice! I mean, like... they didn't even give me a chance to be starstruck because everyone acted like they were just...well... normal. Which, of course, they were. Everyone not only signed my CD and posed for my camera, they also gave a minute or two of their time to chat with me. They didn't mind at all that I was bugging them in the dressing room. By the way they talked with me, I would've fogotten that there was a concert at all, if I wasn't so excited about it. Weeeee~ Meloves the local music industry.

As or their performances, every one of them was awesome... Well...almost. I mean, there were a couple of performances that were, in my humble opinion, sort of mediocre (or maybe I just never really like the artist very much), but the other bands were so worship-worthy that it just compensated for the whole thing. The ones that really stood out (for me) were Imago, 6 Cycle Mind, Sugarfree, Paolo Santos & Marcus Adoro, Sago, and Orange and Lemons. Awesome, AWESOME artists.

But of course, Eheads dabest pa rin.

....

I now realize that this post is not a typical Snowflake, nor is it a coherent post. Hah. My mind is still in a jumble due to the exitement. Maybe I'll write another comprehensive review about the night. For now, I'll let the a few of the photos speak for themselves. The other 60+ photos shall be uploaded in my yahoophotos over the weekend. And, yes, I had photos with the female artists, too. Just in case you're wondering.

Me + Raimund and Marcus XD


Me + Paolo. The earliest artist of 'em all.
Dilaw ang 'yong buhok at...suot mo'y green... Teka! Baliktad, pare!


Me + Chuck (6 Cycle Mind)


Me + Ebe, ang Hari ng Panday-- este, Sablay pala.


Me + Leon. Yey for Jam 88.3! I love that station.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

boogie wit meh!

ultraelectromagneticjam
VIP
PASSES

uwaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

this is... like... INSANE!!!

UWAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!



*ahem*

a bit of history:

i've loved the Eraserheads (the band) for...like... forever. since their first album, literally. and now, 12 years later, the radio station i listen to (the same one where i got my HP6) orchestrates a concert of today's best filipino artists to sing the Eraserheads' songs. aaaa~nd they had an essay-writing contest, where we can win them VIP passes.

and, whaddya know... i. freaking. won.

I WON!



argh. i am STILL not over it!!! and : boogie : SO does not cover how hyper i am right now.



here's teh proof --> [link]

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Copied off of my deviantart journal. I'm too hyper yet lazy to try to think of something with more sense to write.