June Bite Magazine Vol.3 No.6 by apiong bagares

JUNE 2009 VOL.3 NO.06 COLLEGE VIRGINS / FIRE DANCE / FRANCO REYES INTERVIEW / NEW IDEAS VS COMFORT ZONES GREYHOUNDZ EXECUTION STYLE / QUILTS AND MORE...

P re s e nte d to you by

Fête de la Musique started out in France on June 21, 1982. A French Memorandum was issued lamenting the sad and sorry state of the millions of musical instruments stored in the closet and cupboards of French artists. It started the idea of setting aside one day of each year to give all musicians, professionals and amateurs alike, an opportunity to play and

showcase their talent in every venue conceivable. The first Fête de la Musique in the Philippines was held in Metro Manila in 1994 has been celebrated yearly since its birth. Last year (2008) Fête de la Musique came to Cebu for the very first time, heard by more than six thousand spectators who were present to witness the live performances of Cebu’s finest artists. Today Fête is considered as one of the most popular music festival in the world with over 120 countries joining in this simultaneous celebration. The event not only gives an opportunity for artists to showcase their music, for people to hear music and bridging people from all walks of life, all culture, and all levels of society. For this one day, there are no barriers, no walls. All are one in celebrating the universal language that is music. S p ons ore d by

P e r for manc e s by

Joel Opurto / Prudence Salutillo / Natasha / Sinha Bahia de Capoeira / Sugbuanon / Juress Zarah Smith / Urbal / Island Joe / CDMC Smooth Friction / Cuarenta / UNO / SATI The Line Divides

presents



Rent your very own Exclusive Desert Island This beautiful quiet sandy beach island surrounded by mangroves is situated off the NW coast of Bohol and is easily accessible by boat from Cebu and Mactan. You just provide the boat there and back and your own food & refreshments. Free use of all facilities e.g. kayaks, canoes, volleyball, fishing gear, tree house, hammocks, 'A' frames, BBQ facilities etc.

firstbite

BITE is a monthly publication brought to you by

Hero

is a throwback to those days when anything important had to be male. We know now that that is a whole bag of bollocks. If anything, the opposite is truer. Yet, the females never insisted on shero. Hero as we use it here most definitely includes shero. Our friends in Gabriela would raise a fist to this. Right on! or whatever the appropriate feminist slogan to this is. So, June is when we celebrate the birth of our republic (although at some point some kowtowing-to-the-Americans Philippine president moved it to July, closer to the U.S. birthday).

Roy Lumagbas Text Minder David Harris Inspiration Mona Polo Word Factory / Guidance

It is also the month when such celebration, more importantly, should make us remember our heroes.

Apiong Bagares Graphic / Photography Diane Leigh Dumadag Sales Executives Marites Abatayo

Sadly, most of what we remember now, if at all, are the jokes about where heroism will lead: straight to the face of a matchbox, like our beloved national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Or on to the front of a t-shirt, like Che; reduced mostly to a worldwide favorite clichĂŠ.

Iris Su Viral Marketing Pumpkin Property Custodian Paul Dean Editorial Contributors Mona Polo Dexter Sy bakunawa_on_the_loose Ian Zafra Michael Lesesne Monica Alcudia

Yet, matchboxes and t-shirts are not the problem. It is us, who think that heroes have to be or can only be anybody other than us. And, it has little to do with heroic, at least for most of us, and at least with the kind of heroic that rhymes with epic.

Archie Uy Photo Contributions Aldo Banaynal Apiong Bagares Ching Vllalon Don Saturnino Mark Yap Michael Lesesne Mama Samir Jen Brown

It is really the simple living of our everyday lives to the best we know how with careful consideration for others, humans and nonhumans alike. That is heroic enough. Go hero, be one!

www.bitemagazine.ph

Cover Stars Karen Yasi /Insoy NiĂąal / Janice Yuvallos Photography by Apiong Bagares Graphics by AgtangSipat Tees by P.i., a new brand of patriotic Filipino Apparel Location The Foundry

Heroes

The Foundry Publishing Inc. Tel/Fax: (032) 232-3116 foundrypublishing@gmail.com

Submissions: BITE is privileged to recieve news on out-of-the-ordinary products and events. We also welcome artworks and articles for publication. BITE Magazine retains the rights and the copyright of the concepts and ideas proposed.

zoomin

COLLEGE VIR Words by Monica Alcudia

My first time involved a much older woman with a known sadistic streak, several cheap ballpoint pens and long queues with anxious teenagers aching for their turn.

Virginity?

I’m better off without it.

If you’re still following my flow of thinking, I’m clearly not here to discuss non-alcoholic beverages, a sacrificial ritual to appease the gods, Jesus Christ’s mother, or the “untouchable underpants” variety. I’m here to talk about wondering how you manage to register on the internal radars of every upperclassman, finding yourself at the rear end of every enrollment prank, and belonging to the most apprehensive yet diligent lot you’ll find huddled within a 30 foot radius come the month of June: being the ubiquitous college virgin.

Well,

you start out as one innocently Before a scandalized gasp escapes your lips, enough. If the good lord blessed let me check if we’re all on the same page. you with enough aptitude, opportunities and Was it long, arduous, tiring yet wholly satisfymugs of caffeine to survive high school and ing in the end? Yes. Kinky? Hardly. decide on a level upgrade, no doubt you’ll be finding yourself giddily wandering into The World Book Dictionary defines a virgin as a new campus. Brown envelopes in one a woman, especially a young one, who has not hand and mother in the other, the look of had sexual intercourse. Knowing the general sheer naivety is spread across your face public to be a bit of a perverted lot, this will while the parental services do most of probably be your natural line of thought. But the talking. In retrospect, you probskim through the rest of the definitions and ably want to kick yourself in the you’ll find everything else you know of the shin for bringing a parent topic but regard with less green minded along, considering this is fervor: Think unused, like a virgin forest; the time to get acused for the first time, like a virgin wii quaintcontroller; being the first or initial attempt, like a bungee jumping or Cosplay virgin.

RGINS

schedule. Well, odds are you all share a disturbing amount of school supplies, an aversion to pop quizzes and a recurring itch to figure out the much lauded “real college experience”. All you need is to flash your not-sopearly whites at someone’s general direction in order to figure that out.

First week sails by, and you’ll be glad to know that you have.. a) found a motley crew of like-minded people ed with and size up fellow initiates, “well b) a vague idea of which professors sprinkle meaning” upperclassmen and the twists and 1’s liberally on blue books and which terrifyturns of your future home. Never mind that ing ones suffer from a terminal case of “course the most you’ll probably milk out of those discrimination” days would be several cheap ball pens from c) figured out that, contrary to what that fine strangers (aha!), dirty looks from the worn out arts senior informed you, TBA does not actumaturing lady at window no. 7 and random, ally stand for Teodoro Benigno Aquino room slightly flirtatious conversations with prospecin the Arts and Sciences building tive batch mates. Either way, thank mommy d) a suppressed desire to apply the 15 minute and daddy for even bothering to shell out the pass money for the course you wanted. e) decided which of the various tambayans are considered as neutral ground—look at you, So come official enrollment status, do you blending in with college kids. immediately shed the “college virgin” label slapped across your forehead altogether? PopA run through of your current class schedule ping this proverbial cherry isn’t exactly a one should show a set time for your major and minight stand. Its several semester’s worth of one nor classes, alloted time for night stands, plus surprise late night booty study periods and if calls. you’re lucky, It starts with your first day. New sights, smells and sounds to tease your virginal senses. Gliding to your seat at the front row, you mentally stream R.E.M.’s “Shiny Happy People” over GnR’s “Welcome To The Jungle” to cue you into you new major class, just to avoid the a mental breakdown. You scan the sea of faces and wonder what on earth you could possibly have in common with them, aside from y o u r class

zoomin f e w hours to spare in between. Yes, what should you be doing with your free time, you muse to yourself. Well, look around. Your dota n00bs vs. dota 733+ vs. dota bashers. campus is basically an adolescent’s Point out a campus and I’ll point out recurplayground, albeit with less garish colors ring characters reminiscent of something and far more breakable objects. They say a straight out of a kikomachine comic. well-rounded college experience involves a few extra curricular activities to invigorate circle wholly expanded, now those frazzled freshmen neurons anyway. the fun begins. More friends From varsities, dance troupes, choirs and the= more party invites = greater probability of ater orgs, to the more academically inclined getting well acquainted with bottles and botdebate team or school publication, you’re liketles of beer on the wall. Study hard and party ly to find something to suit your interests. If harder, a friend of mine used to say. One soirée you’ve got brass balls (or boobs) to spare, then after another, you’ll start to find yourself disrun for a promising position in the student playing seizure-like dance moves in one club, council. So what if you weren’t known to be then riding your friend’s pick up on the way the most lithe, nimble, or talkative person in to get hammered in Busay. The world looks your graduating batch? No one’s going to stop brighter, sounds louder, all senses heightened you from joining, and members of your backby several degrees. Inhibitions stripped, you biting high school cliques of yore are probably go on and on about the significance of Captain busy trying to lose their respective virginities Planet and Sesame Street in your life, the pain (in various contexts) as well, in the speediest of first love and why the hell is the effing world of fashions at that. Just don’t forget that you’re spinning too fast on its axis. Staggering to the here to get a degree in your chosen field, not nearest plane that resembles a cement bed, to concentrate on your newfound love for you curl up contentedly. If you’re lucky, your show tunes (unless of course, you happen to new friends will sit nearby until major in music). you wake up, maybe take a few pictures yourself to new for blackmail people outside purposes. of your block and major just furthers your If you’re awareness of the melting pot that is univerluckier, sity living—a microcosm of sorts, bringing in the individuals and issues of society into a smaller scope, with far more outbursts of estrogen and testosterone than you’re likely to find anywhere else. You’ve got the kids with tagalog, waray, and other native languages in their systems and the girls who speak oddly accented English that disturb your comfort levels. The guys who pumps their fists and run around with constant bowing motions all for the love of “gamma gamma gamma” or “alpha beta alpha”, and the ones who brandish speaker phones to fight for your rights. The teens praying for your alcohol drenched souls and the misfits who really don’t give a damn for much, save for a few joints and witty conversations about Chuck Norris. The

Social

Exposing

they’ll take you home and let you cling to your toilet seat for dear life. Waking up, the phantom tastes of tequila, Chippy and possibly someone else’s saliva swims between your gums. No time to regret the actions of Liberal Lucy now, your head is throbbing maniacally. Goodbye, party and alcohol virgin. Hello, head-crushing hangover. You decide that nights like those should be kept at a minimum, especially with finals coming up. You swap the carefree inane conversations with serious study group material and trade the beer and pulutan for textbooks and coffee (and in dire situations, some energy drink that taste like piss). Instead of spending the wee hours of the night on precious shut eye, you’re burning the midnight oil on term papers, projects and last minute cramming attempts. You glance wearily at the sofa and mutter “15 minutes will do the trick” and hover over to your well-upholstered nirvana. An hour goes by. Luckily, you manage to wake up with a start, then begin to mentally chastise yourself for it all. And there goes your spastic sleeping schedule virginity.

Whether

you got a commendable 1, a heavdown en-sent 3 or depressing 5, it all reflects the deto what your cisions you’ve made over the past few months. mommy, daddy, proIf you haven’t figured it out by now, fessors and guidance counyou haven’t nixed your selors have been telling you all virginity status just along: forming kick-ass decisionyet. The real making skills (with slightly different college exphrasing, of course). If you decide to perience? study instead of play, drink instead of It all cram, join class instead of skipping, it’s beboils cause you wanted it. So maybe you weren’t exactly a model student for your first semester, but that’s what being a virgin is for. Trying new things with new people. Sure, situations seems shinier and better the first time they present themselves to you, but giving it a double take gives you a bolder, more informed perspective on it. That seemingly natural, confident swagger surrounding most upperclassman? That comes with enough time and experience, trust me. And before long, you’ll soon be in the enrollment queue once again, but now with potential initiates staring at you in awe. So have a heart and tell them where the cashier really is.

you could just perpetuate the freshie madness and direct her to a remote area of the campus. College virgins. There should be a first time for all of them.

creative juice

Words by bakunawa_on_the_loose Photos by Archie Uy and Apiong Bagares

For those who don’t like hirsute men, going for a fire dancer is one way to go – you don’t have to nag him to get his chest waxed nor do you have to cough up a giant hair ball after some rough and tumble.

Fire dancing

is not such a foreign thing for us modern Filipinos, despite the fact that the only type of dance we are systematically exposed to that has anything to do with fire is Fandango sa Ilaw. But a good fire dancer can always awe us as he lets his tamed fire lick him all over. Enter Niño Michael Baring, a sought after fire dancer whose view of the art is rooted in its Maori tradition. Despite the slew of fire dancers from Boracay and various parts of the country, Niño has a definite edge. As opposed to just complacently copying routines, he expands his repertoire by directly consulting with international fire dancing gurus (like Nick Wolsy) and creating his own routines. It doesn’t hurt one bit that he’s been dancing since he was a little kid.

creative juice

A graphic artist by day, he bikes over to Plantation Bay every Friday to perform and entrance his audience. Fire dancing has its inherent advantages – it’s great exercise and will develop your coordination and flexibility. But before you go and buy yourself a can of kerosene, of course there are safety precautions you should follow. This is not one of the cases when you should take the D.I.Y. motto too literally. Consult an expert. And one more thing, the right music will always get those limbs loose. For Niño, Latin or Indian percussions get him going. You can contact Niño through mcvonz@yahoo.com and www. mcvonz.multiply.com

soundbite

New Ideas vs. Comfort Zones

Words by Ian Zafra

One time I had an interesting discussion with The Line Divides vocalist George Tabaña, guitarist Paul Aguilar, and their And manager Kaloy Uypuanco. In that casual talk I asked, then there “Ngano gusto man mo mag-banda banda?” (Why are these quesdo you want to be in a band)? tions again – “Why is it always a constant I cannot remember exactly what the anstruggle to make our music swer was… and frankly, I wouldn’t sell”? have been persuaded had I been a parent asking my kids that question. My theory is that new ideas, no But I understand their passion and matter how promising they may I respect it. From a musician’s be, will always upset two groups of point of view, it needs no expeople: (1) those who have already plaining. built their comfort zones, and (2) the skeptics. Sometimes there is even an The question was brought up overlap between these clusters. Parents partly because I needed to only want the best for their kids. So they know if my speculation is send them to school and they enroll them correct – that most parents in courses that are within their knowledge generally do not concede and understanding. their teenagers becoming musicians/artists fulltime. Music or at least creative courses that Another reason for asking may espouse similar ventures in Cebu’s was I wanted to know what academe had never been heard of (yet). our local musicians wanted to Therefore parents find it difficult to see achieve exactly. beyond what their kids see. Not many of us are visionaries. Fame? So the debate between that “road less traveled” and conformities begin from a domestic setting Is it because the idealistic slogan and continues. “for the love of music” seems to makes sense despite the steep challenge I think the reason for this it brings to almost every musician? perennial problem is not simply beI was actually expecting to get these answers cause from them but didn’t. Fortune?

parents do not think music is a promising career. I think the disapproval is because there is the absence of a solid infrastructure in music as a business in Cebu.

Album Review

Music stamps culture. Music is a way to creatively describe our way of living, our beliefs, superstitions, our history, our language, places and faces. And when I mean infrastructure, I mean a back end framework that inspires musicians to lyrically and melodically speak about the above mentioned. Music is an important community building tool. Budoy sings about the mythical beast ‘Sigbin’. While he did this, did it ever occur to you that this song in itself documents our belief? And did it ever occur to you that 20 years from now, your kids may never get to know about the ‘Sigbin’. Whether this is good or bad, it is a symbol of our culture. Missing Filemon’s Insoy Niñal writes songs about Barangay Kamagayan, about improvised movie making as childhood pastime, lambanog, a probinsiyana named Inday and everything that represents our culture. We have learned to embrace it and even called it bisrock for everybody’s consumption. Parents can easily approve architecture, accounting, BA’s, and so on as long as they are offered in colleges & universities – this is their comfort zone. And you can’t blame their skepticism. These courses have an infrastructure to allow them to evaluate their doubts. Skepticism however can be minimized if not erased by giving good results. And this mind you requires a lot of hard work. I’d say there must be something here that many may have missed out on or may have consciously chosen to ignore. Music can be a promising business. It can put food on the table. It may be a relatively new idea in Cebu to swallow so many may have to realign their comfort zones to understand this. But first thing’s first – we need to build an infrastructure.

Greyhoundz Execution Style [MCA Universal]

Not counting the times we tried to cover their songs back when I was in my “Nu Metal” phase, I never appreciated Greyhoundz much until I heard the latest release “Dragonflies”. The single was catchy, to say the least; a masterpiece at best. So when I was asked to listen to their new album “Execution Style”, I thought “hell yeah, I’ll do it.” This album sees the band moving forward from the rap metal styling that got them where they are now to a slightly more fundamentalist form of metal, with the same funky-insane bass lines but with a more aggressive use of pinch harmonics. And yes, it is good! Forget about “Gunner”. Yes, it was written entirely in Bisaya except for the creepy old man’s one-liner at the start, but that song is the bane of the album, just a gimmicky attempt at breaking into the south side. If you’re a real Greyhoundz fan, listen to the album in its entirety and get carried away by the intensity. Always the epitome of aggression, the band offers us 12 tracks of uniquely Pinoy metal. The only bad thing about the album is that they reused some soundtracks (i.e. “Alak Pa”, “Battlecry”) when they could have written much better songs in their place.

Text by: Dexter Sy

www.myspace.com/greyhoundz

soundbite

Frank Zappa was not always delighted by his coverage in the music press and said “’Rock journalism is people who can’t write interviewing people who can’t talk in order to provide articles for people who can’t read.’” Eminem spent three hard years (1986-1989) at Lincoln High. “My English teacher wanted to flunk me in junior high,” he later rapped (on ‘My Name is’). “Thanks a lot - next semester, I’ll be thirty-five. I smacked him in his face with an eraser, chased him with a stapler and told him to change the grade on the paper...” While performing with The Who on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” one night in 1967, Keith Moon decided to surprise the audience by augmenting the band’s standard pyrotechnic display with an enormous charge of gunpowder. At the end of “My Generation,” Moon detonated his drums. The upshot? Moon was blown into the air and cut by flying shrapnel from his cymbals. The explosion fried a camera, the studio’s monitors, and much of guitarist Pete Townshend’s hair, and left Townshend with permanent hearing damage. In 1989, George Harrison rejected Paul McCartney’s latest proposal for a Beatles reunion. “As far as I’m concerned,” he told an interviewer, “there won’t be a Beatles reunion as long as John Lennon remains dead.”

Compiled by Paul Dean Shortly after signing a recording contract for £40,000, the Sex Pistols appeared on British TV. After Johnny Rotten said “shit” on the air, and Steve Jones called the host a “dirty f---er” and a “f---ing rotter,” the Pistols were promptly shown the door and banned from playing sixteen scheduled shows in England. In March 2003, a Norwegian death metal fan named Per Kristian Hagen filed suit against Blasphemer and his Mayhem bandmates for involuntary assault and battery. The cause of the complaint? A dead sheep which Mayhem frontman “Maniac” was carving up as part of a stage act flew off the stage, struck Hagen, and fractured his skull. Blink 182 frontman Tom Delonge once called the band’s classic pop anthem “All the Small Things” a great song to have sex to. Christina Aguilera once found herself watching her “Lady Marmalade” video with her grandmother. Granny’s verdict? “Christina, you look like a whore!” For the video for Queen’s “Bicycle Race” (from News of the World) in 1977, Freddie Mercury and his bandmates enlisted two hundred naked women to race around Wembley Stadium on bicycles... completely naked. The publicity stunt was not an unmitigated success. First, the label insisted on airbrushing a bikini on the album cover. And secondly? The company

Album Review from which the bicycles had been rented refused to take them back unless all the seats were replaced! In March 1969, Doors frontman Jim Morrison was arrested for exposing himself onstage at a concert in Miami. The self-profesed Lizard King was eventually charged with an array of offenses, including profanity, lewd behavior, indecent exposure, and public drunkenness. During the cross-examination, Morrison was asked whether he had indeed exposed himself. “I don’t remember,” he replied. “I was too drunk.” Ironically, Morrison was convicted of indecent exposure, but found not guilty of public drunkenness. While performing at a concert in the summer of 1997, Iggy Pop jumped off the stage into the arms of his adoring fans. Unfortunately, his adoring fans parted like the red sea - and Pop landed on the ground, dislocated his shoulder, and had to cancel the rest of his tour. Though notoriously absentminded U2 frontman Bono usually lost nothing more important than keys, money, socks, and underwear, he occasionally lost more significant articles. Shortly before entering the studio to record October in 1981, for example, Bono lost the lyrics to all of the album’s songs. On May 5, 2002, Ozzy Osbourne joined a host of luminaries at the White House Correspondents Dinner. President George W. Bush spoke with the self-proclaimed “Prince of F---ing Darkness” for some time. Among his opening remarks? “Mom loves your stuff.” In the fall of 2000, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan was asked what had caused the band to agree to break up at the end of the year. “It’s hard to keep trying to fight the good fight,” Corgan replied, “against the Britneys.” George Harrison appreciated the remarkable talent represented by the Spice Girls. “The nice thing about them,” he once explained, “is that you can look at them with the sound turned down.”

Bob Dylan

Together Through Life [Columbia]

A cult figure? Well he’s sold over 100 million records. His greatest achievement on this, his 33rd studio album, is to assemble his warmest, most unforced, set of songs in recent memory. The wellspring of Together Through Life is the song Life Is Hard, which he wrote with the sometime Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. With Dylan singing a close pastiche of pre-war crooners such as Arthur Tracey and Bing Crosby, it radiates a magnetic otherworldliness. When all is said and done, it might just be that the most inspired decision undertaken in the execution of Together Through Life might be one of mere personnel. There’s no underestimating just how much the addition of the Los Lobos accordionist David Hidalgo brings to the table. Without him This Dream of You would have sounded like an inspired cross-pollination of Save The Last Dance For Me and Under the Boardwalk, but his Tex-Mex embellishments adorn what may be Dylan’s most beautiful song for years. At the centre of it all, there’s no escaping the peculiar sense of contentment emanating from the coarse-grained timbre of the man in whose name this is all happening. The greater our fascination with him becomes, the more he seems to relish the sanctuary afforded to him by a room of musicians. On this form, who can blame him? Text by: M. Uppet

www.bobdylan.com

The face behind ‘Frank!’

soundbite

Interview by Paul Dean Photo by Archie Uy

How did your involvement in music begin, what was the trigger and who was your earliest musical influence? It all started in high school when my music teacher would make me sing during school programs, so it was this that really got me interested in music. Then around the last year of high school I taught myself to play the guitar. My early musical influences were Filipino ballad songs, pop music, oldies and standard music. Can you give us a brief history of how ‘Frank!’ started, how it evolved and why it came to an end? Frank! started in May of 1994 with myself, Paul Canada , Bruce Belotindos and Jasper Canencia as the original line up. During the early days of the band, all four of us got interested in different odd time signatures that some metal and rock bands were applying to their songs. This had a big influence on us, especially with songwriting. The Frank! lineup of Paul Canada (guitarist), Ritze Arrriba (bassist) and I are the only remaining members and have never really stopped, we still play together whenever we have the chance. To most of the public in the Philippines you are known for ‘Frank’, but does your personal taste in music reach into other genres and areas? As a growing musician, I tend to listen to a lot of genres, ‘coz u never stop learning new things and discovering exciting music’. Why do you think ‘Frank’ became such a popular force throughout the Philippines to the point where it has now become a legend

to many? I guess we just stuck to what we believed in musically, in terms of our songwriting, and I don’t think our band has become a legend or has even been close to being one. We’re just a bunch of musicians who happen to have the same mindset. Which side of music gives you most pleasure—writing, recording or live work? I think all of them give me pleasure coz they all lead to one goal, and that is creating music. You appear very relaxed and in control on stage, does it come naturally to you or is it something you have to work at? I wasn’t born a musician, so I basically have to work twice as hard to get to where I’m at right now. I taught myself how to play guitar, bought some practice tapes for my vocals and tried to learn a few tricks for doing live stuff.

Many artists tend to be a bit Jekyll and Hyde on and off stage, why do you think that is, and are you? What I do on stage is totally different from what I do offstage. As to other artists, that’s really personal preference as to what they like doing. For me, personal life and music life should be different. It’s not because musicians or artists tend to live their lives having a Jekyll and Hyde persona, most of us just wanna live normal lives outside music.

What does Franco do to relax and wind down? Spend time with family and friends. chill sa bukid, soundtrip, Cebu citylights, refreshing drinkssss, great company, awesome Cebu locations! Cebu beaches and mountain resorts!

Do you see yourself as a ‘sex symbol?’ You seem to have a large and enthusiastic female following. I often hear the expression ‘hot’ mentioned by the ladies when your name crops up. ...never really liked compliments. What you see is what you get.

What’s been the biggest moment in your life so far? In music, being able to record in the U.S. and being able to experience what a lot of us aspiring musicians don’t get to experience.

What are your feelings on the Philippines Music Industry and what changes would you like to see? There are a lot of great unsigned artists here, but not a lot of labels, or people in the Music Industry who truly see and believe in the Filipino talent. They only stick to what they know or listen to, in terms of “whatsin-at-the-moment-thing.” It’s not because it’s imported, that it’s all great. It’s not because it’s local, that it can’t be world class talent. This is the kind of mentality that a lot of people here should change. “Open your mind and be adventurous!” What advise would you give to up and coming artists? Keep writing music. Believe in your work and always be grounded!!! There are new bands here in Cebu that think they are the shit! The kind of egotistic personality that most of us hate! Always think that there is always someone greater and better than you! So there’s no need for this kind of “I’m all this!” bullshit. Be grounded always! “Mata sa langit, paa sa lupa!” How much of your life over the years was consciously planned, or does it maybe still surprise you to see what you have experienced and achieved already? I have no idea. I’m just thankful and grateful that I was given this chance to do my music. Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why? My family and friends, coz they’re the ones who moulded me to become the way I am today.

Any idea of where you would like to be and doing in 10 years time. Hopefully still be doing my music and living in Cebu

You are probably best known for Frank here in the Philippines, is it a plus or a minus with regard to the future? It really doesn’t matter what band or what name you’re labelled with. The music speaks for itself. If you write good enough songs and truly believe in them, then people will listen to your work. Believe and you will achieve. Frank still has a large following, do you have any regrets that it didn’t last longer? No regrets. Everything happens for a reason. When you all (Frank) reunite as you did on this visit, does it take much rehearsal or does it all fall easily back into place? Since Paul Canada, Ritze Arriba and I have been bandmates for a long time, everything happens to just fall into place every time we jam, no matter how long we’ve not played together. I guess it’s the chemistry that we share together. There are times that it would take us longer than expected, but the familiarity of us playing together just seems to gel right away most of the time. I believe you are working on some other music projects, any chance of some details? I’m gonna be releasing an album in the Philippines hopefully by the end of the year or the first quarter of next year. It will probably consist of ten songs, at least. You have covered a lot of ground already on your own musical journey, what other ambitions, goals do you have? To be able to promote Cebu music and Cebu city!

bookmark

What to do this month 13

WEDNESDAY

MIDWEEK SESSIONS: INDIE FOR INDIE

Featuring Luisa Castillo, Rescue A Hero, Zarah Smith, Picturefilled, and the return of Happy Days. Admission is Free! Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417 2929 5 FRIDAY

NEW WAVE BLAST FROM THE PAST With Idle and Worry – Free TV. Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417 2929 6

With performances by Oath of the Black Soul, Black Miasma, Hubkas, Embrionic Massacre, Strappado, Silhouette, Devoured Hindrance, Kasakit, Natal Cleft, Stallions of the Burning Church, Streets of May. Entrance - 80php Venue: The Boss Grill / 6pm Phone: 0927 6464011

BITE NIGHT: GO GLAM @ FORMO

SATURDAY

IN THE REALM OF TURGID

False Graveyard album launching with our Cebuhour local bands featuring August Skyline, Campbell, Docudrama, Scapegoat, Lowela, Zero Delay, Capetown Claims, Beef Jerky Suplex and more.. Venue: Kukuk’s Nest / 8pm onwards Phone: 0906 2782344

DISCO SATURDAY RECESS

Come in your school uniform and party like you've never partied before with the Exsquared Djs, Lyo and Nish! One last time before school starts! You’ll know it's party time when the bell rings! Venue: Alejandro’s Filipino Resto / 10pm Phone: 253 7921

DETACHED “BY NUMBERS” ALBUM LAUNCH With guest performances by Powerspoonz, Pointblank, Picturefilled, Smooth Friction, Twinkle Dudu, Melophobic and Light Year. 50php damage. Venue: Handuraw Pizza / 8pm onwards Phone: 232 6401 10

SATURDAY

BLACK LABEL PRODUCTIONS: METAL

WEDNESDAY

Featuring Romero Vergara, Malayka, and Jessie Glova. Dress code, Disco Glam. Venue: Formo / 10pm onwards Phone: 232 3116

ROCK YOUR PRIDE

THE OFFICIAL Pi LAUNCH A production of Kalye Musika with performances by Powerspoonz, The Line Divides, Pandora, Mungkanghan Rock out at the launch of Pi, a new brand of patriotic Filipino apparel, the loudest Independence day celebration in the city. Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417 2929

KAPATID VISAYAS – MINDANAO

EP LAUNCH TOUR Kapatid CDs and merchandise also available during the event. Venue: Club Nuvo Phone: 0927 9144900

KAGE, PURPLE HELMETS, LEUKEMIA & SPARC 7 Venue: Handuraw Pizza Phone: 232 6401 17

WEDNESDAY

RCTV – TAMBAYAN SA OUTPOST: POWERED DOWN WEDNESDAY

POWERED DOWN WEDNESDAY W/ CUARENTA

NU 107 CEBU LAUNCH

With the Christian – rock band, Still. Catch them on RCTV Channel 36 from June 1 – 15. Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417 2929

THURSDAY

PROLETIKA @ HANDURAW

A night of laid – back Blues and Classic Rock Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417 2929 18

THURSDAY

SANTING SKALAWAGS, D.O.C & SEFYLA

It’s NU 107’s comeback launch. A Three – day event from june 18 - 20, it starts at The Outpost on the first day, next at Handuraw Lahug, and back to The Outpost for the final night. Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417 2929

INDEPENDENT’S DAY

FETE DE LA MUSIQUE 2009

Venue: Handuraw Pizza Phone: 232 6401 12

FRIDAY

Venue: Handuraw Pizza Phone: 232 6401

With Rescue A Hero, Balde Ni Alan, and Cattski reunion gig. Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417 2929

ROCK YOUR FREEDOM

With Urbandub. Powerspoonz, The Line Divides, D.O.C. and more. Venue: Parkmall Phone: 0917 6178217

SUNDAY

The World Music Festival Day, featuring some of Cebu’s finest musicians. Venue: Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu / 5pm onwards Phone: 232 1311 24 WEDNESDAY

RCTV – TAMBAYAN SA OUTPOST: POWERED DOWN WEDNESDAY With Cebu’s premiere Bisrock band, Missing Filemon. Catch them on RCTV Channel 36 from June 15 - 29.` Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417 2929

We take every care to ensure thet the information we publish is accurate. Yet, we are not responsible for any changes to event and consequently for any information that have been forwarded to us of those changes. Do make use of the phone numbers provided.

FRIDAY

CEBUHOUR INFLUENCE NIGHT

All cover songs experience with Sefyla, Sadaea, Docudrama, August Skyline, Capetown Claims, Foc Fashion, Shepherd's Plaid and more... Venue: Kukuk's Nest / 8pm onwards Phone: 0906 2782344

BLUES NIGHT

With Cuarenta and Lui Castillo Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417 2929

ACOUSTIC NIGHTS & POWERED – DOWN WEDNESDAY @ THE OUTPOST Chill out on the midweek, have a couple of bottles of your favorite beer and listen to relaxing music by Cebu’s very own local bands as they power down for an acoustic night at The Outpost. Free Admission! Venue: The Outpost / 8pm Phone: 417 2929

FASHION SERIES @ THE LOFT

FRENCH SPRING IN CEBU: PIANO CONCERT Haydn Capriccio in G Major, Mendelssohn Ten Songs Without Words, Chaminade Flute Concertino, Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio Venue: Cebu Ballroom, City Sports Plaza Phone: 232 1311 28

SUNDAY

THE OUTPOST 3RD YEAR ANNIVERSARY With Hardwood, Juress and more Venue: The Outpost Phone: 417-2929

A Mixture of Music, Fun and Fashion. Venue: The Loft Phone: 231 3284

RYAN MAX @ NUMERO DOCE DJ Ryan Max dishes out the best of sexy rhythm and blues at an early time and caps it up with sexy house music 'til we close shop. Venue: Numero Doce, Mango Square Mall Phone: 516 1795

WEDNESDAY FEMME With DJ Marlon Orellano. Venue: VUDU / 6pm Phone: 234 0836 / 236 7700

ALL WEEK

LIVE BANDS ALL WEEK LONG @ JAZZ ‘N BLUZ Venue: Jazz ‘n Bluz Phone: 232 2698

VUDU HAPPY HOUR

Local beer starts at 45php. No door fee. Venue: VUDU / 5:30 – 8pm Phone: 234 0836 / 236 7700

WEDNESDAY RHYTHMS W/ ISTORE, Y101 & BAILEYS

Baileys for the ladies and your fave Y101 Djs. The rhythm crew plays your requests live every week with Baileys and iStore. Venue Formo Phone: 416 1990 / 236 7700

GLITZ AT THE PENTHOUSE Venue: The Gustavian Phone: 344 6179

FORMO HAPPY HOUR

Happy hour from 6pm to 10pm choose fromP45 net on your fave mojito, San Mig Light and other cocktails Smirnoff Twist flavored vodka tonic, 7 or screwdriver at P65 net. Venue: Formo Phone: 416 1990 / 236 7700 SUNDAYS

LAID-BACK SUNDAYS W/ WORLD MUSIC

Relax, loosen up, and settle down or play the Game of the Generals while listening to The Outpost’s World Music Playlist, just what you need for a Sunday night out. Venue: The Outpost / 8pm Phone: 417 2929

SUNDAY CHILL & REFILL

Take a break, prep for the week ahead with chill out music, good vibes and great cocktails. with happy hour all the way, only on Sundays. Venue: Formo Phone: 416 1990 / 236 7700

OPEN MIC ROCKY-EOKE @ IAMIK’S Venue: Iamik’s, Chicken & Beer Phone: 238 2366 / 0922 8426457

WEDNESDAYS

WILD WAHINE WEDNESDAYS With DJ Errol, Island Rude Bwoy & guest bands Venue: Handuraw Pizza, Lahug Phone: 232 6401

OPEN MIC ROCKY-EOKE @ IAMIK’S Venue: Iamik’s, Chicken & Beer Phone: 238 2366 / 0922 8426457

THURSDAYS

OPEN MIC & SONGWRITER’S NIGHT It’s your chance to jam! Take the stage or sing along with Lui Castillo this month. Venue: The Outpost / 9pm Phone: 417 2929

OPEN MIC ROCKY-EOKE @ IAMIK’S Venue: Iamik’s, Chicken & Beer Phone: 238 2366 / 0922 8426457

ANDY CALOPE & FRIENDS @ HANDURAW A weekly acoustic singer-songwriters gig happening every Thursday at 9pm. Venue: Handuraw Pizza, Lahug Phone: 0918 6040775 / 232 6401

80’s & 90’s @ AK&7

Venue: AK&7, The Gallery Phone: 233 3328 / 232 4285

ALL ACOUSTIC @ ALEJANDRO’S Open Mic with Anton Mansueto Venue: Alejandro’s Filipino Resto Phone: 253 7921

DE JA VUDU

Your new Thirstday Habit. Quench your thirst for sophisticated 80s and 90s music with Uk Lily. Venue: VUDU / 5:30pm Phone: 234 0836 / 236 7700

bookmark

What to do this month

THURSDAY SOUL

With Bob Sellner playing 60’s and 70’s music. No cover charge. Venue Formo / 9pm Phone: 416 1990 / 236 7700 FRIDAYS

ACOUSTIC FRIDAYS

Venue: Iamik’s, Chicken & Beer Phone: 238 2366 / 0922 8426457

#2 FRIDAYS

Come in your funkiest attire and party with the hottest mixes of hip hop and r n' b with Groove DJs at Numero Doce. Venue: Numero Doce, Mango Square Mall Phone: 516 1795

RNB NITE W/ DJ LYO & NISH Venue: AK&7, The Gallery Phone: 233 3328 / 232 4285

HOUSE – TECH W/ DJ MARVIN EVANGELISTA Venue: AK&7, The Gallery Phone: 233 3328 / 232 4285

VUDU EVOLUTION SATURDAYS Main Room: Vudu Resident DJs Maxie Perez and Marlon Orellano the return of the house. Prive Lounge: Vudu Resident RnB and Hiphop DJs Chrismyk & Kutlyfe sexy RnB. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. No door fee until 10 p.m. Venue: VUDU Phone: 234 0836 / 236 7700

DISCO DE LUXE With Gap Mobile's Gilbert Go and Smirnoff Twist. at the only party venue that offers the best, sophisticated, stylish, glam 80s party in town Venue Formo Phone: 416 1990 / 236 7700

VUDULICIOUS FRIDAYS

With Resident RnB Dj Kutlyfe and power house Djs Maxie Perez and Marlon Orellano. Doors open at 6 pm. No door fee till 10 p.m. Venue: VUDU Phone: 234 0836 / 236 7700

FRIDAY NIGHT RAPTURE

A clubber’s haven with Djs Hans and Jude and their essential mixes, drink and play with Formo’s Johnnie Walker Friday Man - days. Venue Formo Phone: 416 1990 / 236 7700

WEEKENDS @ F&B BAR

With stand up comedian MYRA and a sing-along session. Venue: F&B bar Phone: 262 7631 FRIDAYS - SATURDAYS

THE LOFT WEEKENDS

Enjoy your weekends with family and friends while listening and dancing to the beat of The Loft’s resident DJs. Venue: The Loft Phone: 231 3284 SATURDAYS

JAMMING SATURDAYS @ IAMIK’S

Enjoy your weekends with family and friends while listening and dancing to the beat of The Loft’s resident DJs. Venue: The Loft Phone: 231 3284

1-12

VISUAL EXPOSE – WORKS BY JOBRIL VILLAVER

Usually a landscape artist, this exhibit features his cubist art. Venue: Gallery Q Phone: 345 6919 15-30

VISIONARIES 09

Featuring works by: Rudy Manero, Jose Olmedo Martinez III and Wilman Bastasa, Rudy Mañero is known for his fantasy-like aquamarine figures. Mr. Martinez and Mr. Bastasa are famous modern artists from Dipolog City. They will feature their works in sculptures, paintings and collages. Venue: Gallery Q Phone: 345 6919 20

MUGNA TIMAWA

The union of Art and Music, event for a cause. check www.mugna-timawa.deviantart.com for more information and updates.music by: Docudrama, Sadea, Capetown Claims, This Dying Sonnet, Persona and more… Venue: San Isidro, Talisay City Basketball Court Phone: 0917 4422795 / 0923 5036883 1-12

FRENCH SPRING IN CEBU: FRENCH MOVIE FESTIVAL

JACK STONE @ NUMERO DOCE

“A Tout de Suite” by Benoit Jacquot, and “La Pianiste” by Michael Haneke. Free entrance. Venue: Ayala On Stage, Ayala Center Cebu Phone: 232 1311

CENTERFOLD & THE PURPLE NOTES BAND

CAPOEIRA

DJ Jack Stone fills up the floor with the hottest dance anthems every weekend. The set starts with dance floor filler hits and progresses into electro vocal house. Venue: Numero Doce, Mango Square Mall Phone: 516 1795 Venue: Jazz ‘n Bluz Phone: 232 2698

1-12 Capoeira Cebu Academy offers classes with award winning Capoeira instructor Jensen Go Chow. Venue: Luan Bldg./ Regency Crest / Ballet Centre – Ayala Phone: 412 4076 / www.capoeira.ph

CEBU PISTOL & RIFLE ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENCE DAY LEVEL III

Three Gun Match from June 12 – 14, 2009, featuring pistol, rifle, and shotgun match.. Feel the excitement. Venue: CPRA Firing Range, Mactan, Cebu City Phone: 340 6878

MONDAY

CEBU BUSINESS MONTH

Opening Salvo Venue: Ayala Center Cebu Phone: 232 1421 to 24 (loc 105, 106, 109) 6

SATURDAY

CEBU BUSINESS MONTH

Cultural Heritage Walk Venue: Cebu City Phone: 232 1421 to 24 (loc 105, 106, 109) 12

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

CEBU BUSINESS MONTH

Arts and Culture Mall Show Venue: Elizabeth Mall Phone: 232 1421 to 24 (loc 105, 106, 109) WED - SAT

ASILO DELA MILAGROSA: DIAMOND JUBILEE Come and join in the celebration of Asilo dela Milagrosa on its Diamond Jubilee with these activities: Triduum Mass, Medical Mission, Opening Exhibits, Feeding of Community – based Families, Film showing of Vincentian Saints, Motorcade, Pontifical Mass, Unveiling of the Diamond Jubilee Landmark, and Cultural Presentations. For event details, email asilo_cebu@yahoo.com.ph Venue: Cebu City Phone: 232 2443 (look for Sr. Melly Espinili DC) 18

Venue: Abellana National High School / 8am – 5pm Phone: 232 1421 to 24 (loc 105, 106, 109) 20-21

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

HOBCON 2009

On June 20 & 21, 2009 will be the first ever HobCon event held in Cebu. Highlights will be LevelUp! Live 2009-Cebu Regional, Cosplay Event Competition, Toy Exhibit and Fashion Gala. Visit www.caneevents.multiply.com for more information and updates. Venue: Parkmall Phone: 0922 8443946 21

On June 12, 1898, prior to the formal conclusion of the Spanish-American war, Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain. Venue: Philippines

17-20

Local Job Fair

SUNDAY

REDEMPTORIST CHURCH FIESTA

PHILIPPINE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

THURSDAY

CEBU BUSINESS MONTH

Feast of Our Mother of the Perpetual Help. Venue: Cebu City

ANI – ANIHAN SA TABUELAN Feast of Saint John the Baptist Venue: Tabuelan, Cebu 1

MONDAY

SCUBASURERO 2009 Mang limpyo ta bai! Coastal and Underwater clean-up. Registration is 500php, inclusive of oxygen tank, lunch buffet, and souvenir t-shirt.. Registration starts at 8am Venue: Costa De Leticia Beach Resort & Spa (Poblacion San Roque Alegria, Cebu) Phone: 476 7040 (Emma / Kapitan George) / 0917 5514049 (Maria Donayre)

THURSDAY

CEBU BUSINESS MONTH

Meet the Business Icons Venue: Manila Room, Marco Polo Plaza Phone: 232 1421 to 24 (loc 105, 106, 109) 19

FRIDAY

A.K & AI – FACE 2 FACE

The comedy concert king & queen A.K and Ai Ai, face to face! Tickets available at Waterfront Lahug Lobby, SM and Ayala Customer Service Venue: Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City / 8pm Phone: 232 6888 (loc. 8725)

bookmark

What to do this month

Islands Souvenirs: P.i. Apparel

Smencils

bie

Free

hotstuff

Love your country? Look no further than the Islands Souvenirs shops for their new P.i. apparel. Our cover ambassadors Karen Yasi (archer, Philippine National Team) Insoy Ninal (founder, Tsinelas Foundation) Janice Yuvallos (founder, ww.istorya.net) are wearing three samples from the series. Wear your pride. On your sleeve if you have to. Or as a bag or button too. Available from any Island Souvenirs outlet nationwide. **Freebies! Here’s your chance to score a shirt from the P.i. series! In 50 words or less, answer the question “How do you show your love for country?” Send email to foundrypublishing@gmail.com with P.i. tshirts in the subject line. Include your name, age, daytime phone number & t-shirt size in the message. Winners will be picked on June 25.

An environment-friendly novelty that will give pencil addicts a kick. Instead of wood, they wrap layers of old newspaper around a graphite core. After the newspaper is hardened, they’re infused with yummy scents “guaranteed to last for 2 years.” Forget Funny Friends ball pens. Smencil scents are even customizable. Order at their official website http://www.smencils. com/ (note: shipping to US addresses only) or through independent retailers found in amazon. com

Flip Floats by Havaianas

Dry Bags by Blood Red

bie

Free

If you think Havaianas are great, wait til you get a hold of their Flip Floats! These exclusive inflatable slipper rafts are perfect for your Havaianas lifestyle—catch some rays, float around, laze the days away. And guess what? We’re giving Just in time for wet weather! Get soaked, get you a rare opportunity to grab one! splashed and get going! Blood Red’s dry bags will keep your stuff safe and dry, whether you’re **Freebies! Have a Havaianas Flip Float! In 50 words or island hopping, bushwhacking, or simply navi- less, answer the question “Why do you love Havaianas?” gating the city streets. Available in backpack Send your answers to foundrypublishing@gmail.com and small cylinder styles. Any more you could with Flip Floats in the subject line. Don’t forget your name, age and daytime phone number in the message. ask for? Check out www.teambloodred.com for Entries will be accepted until June 25 only. their other products. Congratulations to the winners of sun visors from loadsofstuff.multiply.com : Priscilla Grey, Charmaine dela Cruz, Rayna Ma, Quennie Paunil and Samir Ballouz. You will receive an email on how to claim your freebie.

spotlight

QUILT IT! Words by Michael Lesesne Photos by Jen Brown

Local Artis Draws Inte Acclaim

st’’Colony ernational

They are not painters, sculptors, or poets. They are the quilters of Caohagan Island. Caohagan is a tiny island in the Olongo group, between Mactan and Bohol. Only ninety families live there, and most of the women are quilt makers. Fishing is the primary work for the men of the island, and there is one small primary school for the children. A quilt is a handmade bed covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of stitching, typically applied in a decorative design. These local artists use local scenes of the sea, the land, and the air to bring their quilts to life. They are vibrant and colorful. How did quilting come to Caohagan? Katsuhiko Sakiyama and his wife Junko, have lived on Caohagan for many years. Junko taught quilting in Japan before coming to the Philippines, and fourteen years ago she began to teach the local women how to quilt. The stitching part came quickly as most of the women knew how to sew. The artistic element is another story. Traditionally, the artistic front piece of a quilt is carefully constructed with the aid of compass, ruler, and square. The women of Caohagan took a different path and went freehand. They cut and constructed scenes of tropical seas and fish, local flora and fauna, scenes of their daily lives. They used brightly colored fabric to enliven their work, and spurred each other to become better artists. Each individual creates and sews her finished quilt. It takes up to six months for one quilt to go from start to finish. There are hours upon hours of sewing straight lines by hand. Most of the rest of the world uses specialized sewing machines to sew those quilting lines. That is not an option on Caohagan. Electricity is available there for only a few hours in the evenings and there are no machines available. What started with just a few women grew over the years: more of the local women began quilting and slowly they began selling the quilts. For years, the only sales came from the few tourists that visited Caohagan, plus a small market in Japan. Then Yokohama happened. In 1999, the Caohagan quilts were displayed at a quilt exhibition in Yokohama, Japan. Dozens of orders for these quilts were made and delivered. The appreciation of these quilts spread throughout Japan. The quilt world was opening to these unique pieces. Earlier this year, this prestigious International Quilt Study Center & Museum in the United States accepted a Caohagan quilt into their permanent collection. It is the world’s largest museum dedicated to quilts. Their mission is to collect, preserve, study, and exhibit quilts from many cultures, countries, and times. The Caohagan quilt is the only admission from the Philippines. This October there will be an exhibition of fifty Caohagan quilts to be shown at the Peace Museum in Kyoto. This will be a grand coming out party for the quilters and their artifacts. The quilts will be hung on the walls of the museum and treated as works of art. To see some of these beautiful quilts, you can visit Caohagan and meet the ladies who create these works of art. The quilt workshop is open daily until five in the afternoon. There is no ferry service, so private boat is the way to go. Captain Steve Browne offers charter service to Caohagan from the Cebu Yacht Club in Mactan. He can be reached by sending email to club.panga@ gmail.com. Take a day and enjoy this local treasure. You won’t be sorry.

funkytown

review

Words by Dexter Sy Photos by Apiong Bagares

Execution Style GREYHOUNDZ ALBUM LAUNCH

When I got to Nuvo Restobar, I had to wonder if I didn’t make a mistake, as it was just slightly livelier than a ghost town. Did I get the date wrong? Was it supposed to be at a different venue? Has an album launching ever been “rained out” before? Soon enough though, people started coming in in droves (a surprising number wore Queso shirts so that you had to wonder if they were at the right concert) and it didn’t take long for the venue to fill up. By the time the evening’s stars came out to shine, elbow room was at an all-time low. It was a less than perfect experience for yours truly. For one thing, Nuvo Restobar was seriously too small to host an event of that magnitude. My mild claustrophobia and dislike for crowded places having been triggered, I had to take occasional breaks to step outside and take a hundred deep breaths or two. I guess I’m just not the gig-rat type. But credit to the organizers for making it all work out. Local rising stars Rescue A Hero started the gig with their brand of mellowed-out rock, followed by the sharply contrasting Campbell, who entertained the crowd with their well-rehearsed, well-choreographed “headbang number”. The music wouldn’t have been

half-bad either if only the growls sounded remotely like actual words. Detached came up next – the vocalist was acting a little loopy, but I suppose its all part of the “detached” act. Pointblank played next, coming in top form if not for some minor technical difficulties. I’m not a fan of the band but the guitar riffs were off the hook and the whole performance was powerful to say the least. Picture Filled was temporarily impeded by a broken guitar string but nonetheless managed to dish out their brand of heavy music. The next band, The Line Divides, has been my recent favorite act to watch and listen to in the local rock circuit. Tonight, they proved that the first single they released on MySpace, “Daydream Dance”, was no fluke by playing some of the best songs I’ve heard come out of the local indie scene in a long time. I’m looking forward to this band’s album launch next month. After The Line Divides, two more bands, Melophobic and Powerspoonz, brought out their heavy wares to the still-growing crowd. And then, the night was owned by Greyhoundz. Credit Greyhoundz for their longevity. Consider the number of “new metal” OPM bands in the past decade or so and how soon they faded into obscurity, and you could easily conclude that new metal was a passing fad. But this band, the origin of the “Hu-Pow” movement’s name, are still around and not just quietly, but loud and heavy and as powerful as ever. These guys are nicer than their music would have them be. As they walked onto the stage, they were handing out high-fives like a call center recruiter hands out fliers. Throughout their set, Reg Rubio charmed the crowd with his near-flawless Bisaya, amidst jeers of “adik” and “hubog” from the crowd, which he slyly acknowledged with a grin. The band warmed up the crowd with their latest single “Dragonflies” - a powerful reggaeton-influenced A-bomb, getting the crowd frantically screaming along to the violent lyrics. They introduced several songs from the new album like “Death Grip”, and got the capacity crowd even more pumped up by playing the very first single from the album “Shoot To Kill” and the video game soundtrack “Battlecry”. Taking the energy a notch higher, the band gave in to the crowd’s pleas and started bringing out the old stuff – from the beer commercial jingle “Alak Pa”

(which made its way to the new album despite its age) to “Pigface”, the band’s breakthrough and arguably greatest hit. What impressed me most in Greyhoundz’s set, and what had my attention for most of the time, was Nino Avenido’s borderline-insane bass playing. I knew he was a great bassist from his MTV Pilipinas all-star performance and his work with the Out of Body Special, but I just never noticed it much from the Greyhoundz’s records. But see him live, Jesus Christ, if his bass guitar were invisible, you’d never guess what kind of twisted instrument he was playing by looking at his hand movements. I had my doubts before, but now I’m fairly convinced that this guy’s the greatest bass player in mainstream Philippine music today. Then again, maybe it’s just the hype of seeing these guys live for the first time. By the time it became apparent to me that the party was going to go on well into dawn, I decided to call it a night, while the band was covering “Mottaka” (because of all the Queso shirts in sight, I’m guessing). I went home with a ringing in my ear, and it was damn worth it. This was a night that would make the rounds in tagay talks for weeks to come. To download and view photos of the event visit www.bitemegazine.muliply.com

Food Drink Nightlife CEBU CITY Abaseria (Filipino Deli & Cafe) 32 Pres. Quirino Street Villa Aurora, Mabolo Tel: 234 4160

Abuhan Uno (Filipino) F. Ramos Street Tel: 253-1881

After Hours Tapas Lounge

where to bite

Cafe Georg

Grand Majestic

La Tegola Cucina Italiana

(International) Archbishop Reyes Avenue Tel: 234 0887

(Chinese) Archbishop Reyes Avenue Tel: 232-1103 / 231 6982

Cafe Laguna (Filipino)

Gustavian

(Italian) Busay Hills Tel: 419-2220 Foodland, Banilad Tel: 345 6080

Ayala Terraces Tel: 233-8600 Ayala Center Tel: 231-0922

Casa Verde (Filipino)

(International) Crossroads Arcade, Banilad Tel: 231 6550

V. Ranudo Extension Tel: 253 8234 The Walk, I.T. Park Tel: 412 3336

AK&7 Bar & Discoteque

Chateau de Busay

Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad Tel: 344 7653 Ayala Terraces Tel: 417 1281

Handuraw (Pizza)

Lai Garden (Chinese) Crossroads Arcade, Banilad Tel: 234 1580

Lemongrass

Gorordo Avenue 232 6401 One Mango Avenue 416 3200

(Thai/Vietnamese) Ayala Terraces Tel: 233 8601

Iamik’s Chicken & Beer

Gaisano Country Mall Tel: 231 2478 / 231 2878

Lighthouse Restaurant

The Gallery, Mabolo Tel: 233 3328 / 232 4285

(Italian) Busay Hills Tel: 231 2000 / 231 2039

(Filipino) 77 Tres Borces Street Mabolo Tel: 09228426457

Alberto Biano Homade Pizza

Darras & Bowler

Ila Puti

Parklane Hotel Archbishop Reyes Avenue Tel: 411 7000

(Asian Fusion) Asia Town I.T. Park Tel: 415 8800

Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Nivel Hills, Lahug

(Continental) 74. F. Llamas St. Crossroads Arcade, Banilad Punta Princesa Labangon Tel: 267 7440 / 09234421650 Tel: 345-0945

Manuel’s

Da Vinci’s Pizza

Jazz n Blues

Filipino Restaurant 81 Don Jose Avila Street Capitol Site Tel: 253 7921

Asia Town I.T. Park Tel: 415 8881

F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo Tel: 232 2698

Blu Bar & Grill Cafe Marco El Viento Restaurant & Pool Bar Tel: 253 1111

David’s Steak & Seafood

K1 Family KTV

Marriott Hotel Cebu City

Anzani

(International) F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo Tel: 231 0157

Crossroads Arcade, Banilad Tel: 412 1111 / 412 2222

Cebu Business Park Garden Cafe Palm Lounge Pool Bar Tel: 415 6100 / 415 6101

Alejandro’s

Panorama Heights Nivel Hills, Lahug Tel: 236 0097

Aziza (International) Archbishop Reyes Avenue Tel: 234 1685 / 234 1681

Kalye 80’s Restaurant

10 Dove Street

Rahman Street, Mango Ave. Tel: 255 4505

(International) Sto. Nino Village, Banilad Tel: 346 0618

Kanyoen Yakiniku Restaurant

East Ocean

(Japanese) F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo Tel: 232-2989

Crossroads Arcade, Banilad Tel: 234 0788

(Chinese) Old Banilad Road Tel: 231-3898

Bigby’s Cafe & Restaurant

Formo Restaurant & Lounge

(Malaysian) Parkmall Tel: 421 1828

3rd floor Ayala Terraces Tel: 234 2395

Banilad Town Center Tel: 416 2170 / 416 1990

Krua Thai

Bo’s Coffee Club Ayala Terraces

Gerry’s Grill

Banri Noodle House

Tel: 234 2492 SM City Fiesta Strip Tel: 412 9233 Capitol Site Tel: 255 4969 Banilad Town Center Tel: 345 2342 Raintree Mall Tel: 236 0116 Banilad Town Center Tel: 345 2342 Asia Town I.T. Park Tel: 412 0267 Synergies I.T. Center Tel: 238 8168

Brown Cup St. Patrick’s Square Tel: 4126353 Skyrise Bldg., I.T. Park Tel: 4158482

(Filipino) Ayala Center Tel: 415 8284 / 232 4159

Ginza (Japanese) Old Banilad Road Tel: 232 5406

Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Sicilian Roast (Italian) Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad Tel: 343-9901

Golden Cowrie (Filipino) Salinas Drive, Lahug Tel: 233-4243

KK Restaurant

Mooon Cafe (International) 4242 E. Osmena St., Guadalupe Tel: 253-3635 The Walk, Asia Town I.T. Park Tel: 412 8795 Ayala Terraces Tel: 417 1701

Off Roads Coffee F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo Tel: 231 8881

Banilad Town Centre Tel: 344 2800 SM City Fiesta Strip Tel: 231 8338

Olio Bar & Restaurant

Kukuks Nest

Persian Palate

Gorordo Avenue, Lahug Tel: 231 5180

(Indian & Persian) Ayala Center

La Buona Forchetta Da Paolo (Italian) Advent Compound Acacia Street, Lahug Tel: 231-3398

La Marea (Pastries & Coffee) Crossroads Arcade, Banilad Tel: 416-2919 Paseo Arcenas Banawa Tel: 412 2577 The Walk, Asia Town I.T. Park Tel: 412 6484

(Continental) Crossroads Arcade, Banilad Tel: 232-3589

Tel: 232 5898 Mango Square Tel: 253 6745

Pino Restaurant (Filipino) Malvar Street, Lahug Tel: 232 3637

Pump Grand Convention Center Archbishop Reyes Avenue Tel: 232 3637

where to bite

Food Drink Nightlife

R & R Store

Wine Shop

1298-A V. Rama Avenue Tel: 253 0758

(Spanish) Gorordo Avenue, Lahug Tel: 233 3744

Spice Fusion (Asian) Banilad Town Center Tel: 344 2923 SM City Tel: 238 9591

Yellow Cab Pizza Co. Banilad Town Center

Starbucks

G/F Pacific Star Bldg F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo Tel: 234-2388

Ayala Garden Row Tel: 231 8456 SM Fiesta Strip Tel: 231 6455

Sunflower City Disco Salinas Drive, Lahug Tel: 231 8413

The Ching Palace Salinas Drive, Lahug Tel: 417 2988

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Asia Town I.T. Park Tel: 412 1388 SM City North Wing Tel: 412 5118 Ayala Terraces Tel: 417 1399

The Loft Restobar Asiatown I.T. Park, Lahug Tel: 231 3284

The Outpost Bar & Restaurant Cebu Veterans Drive, Lahug Tel: 417 2929

The Tinder Box (International) Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Banilad Tel: 234-1681

Turtle’s Nest Book Cafe Gorordo Avenue, Lahug Tel: 236-1982

Vudu Crossroads Arcade, Banilad Tel: 234 0836 / 232 1457

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel Salinas Drive, Lahug Cafe Fortuna Cafe Uno La Gondolo (Italian) Madeleine Mizu (Japanese) Port Seafood Restaurant Sally’s Piano Bar Tin Gow (Chinese) Treff Bar Tel: 232 6888 / 232 6880

Tel: 345 8163 / 345 2222

Yumeya Kihei (Japanese)

Z Bar Archbishop Reyes Avenue Banilad Tel: 416 1300

City Garden Coffee

(Filipino) Mactan Shrine Punta Engano Road Tel: 340 6448

Plantation Bay Resort & Spa Marigondon Kilamanjaro Kafe Fiji Restaurant Mogambo Springs Spa Savannah Grill Palermo Tel: 340-5900 / 340 5988

Shangri-La Resort & Spa Punta Engano Road

Ichiriki Chaya

Acqua Beach Bar Buko Bar & Grill Chi Spa Chill Out Bar Cowrie Cove Tea of Spring Tel: 231-0288

(Japanese) A.S. Fortuna Street, Banilad Tel: 345 1300

The Marlin Bar & Restaurant

M.L. Quezon Street Cabancalan Tel: 348 5362

MANDAUE CITY

Kagura (Japanese) A.S. Fortuna Street, Banilad Tel: 346 0088 / 346 7776

Kaona (Filipino) A.S. Fortuna corner H. Cortez Streets , Banilad Tel: 343 9994

Nonki (Japanese) A.S. Fortuna Street, Banilad Tel: 422 3159

MACTAN Pier One Parkmall, North Reclamation Tel: 422-8686

Abaca Boutique Resort & Restaurant Punta Engano Road Tel: 495 3461 / 236 0311

Hilton Cebu Resort & Spa Punta Engano Road Manny O’s Wines & Tapas Sanctuary Bar Sapphire Pool Bar Seas Restaurant Pink Lobby Bar Vanilla Beach Cafe Tel: 492 7777 / 492 7704

MB’s Tavern, Restaurant & European Deli Basak, Lapu-Lapu City Tel: 341 3610

Manna Sutukil

Cebu Yacht Club Lapu- Lapu City, Mactan Tel. 341-4754

Krua Thai Marina Mall, MEPZ Tel. 495-4818

La Tegola Cucina Italiana

Lapu-lapu City Tel. 342-8379

Meddah Spa Crossroads Arcade Archbishop Reyes Avenue Banilad Tel. 234-2080

Sawadee Spa MLD Building Archbishop Reyes Avenue Banilad Tel. 234 4171

The Spa at Cebu 1 Paseo Saturnino Maria Luisa Road Banilad Tel. 412-0888 / 416-3888

Yoga Thai Massage Sanciangco 416-8366 Gorordo 232-7510 A.C. Cortez Mandaue 343-3563

FITNESS Baseline Recreation Center Juana Osmena Street Tel. 253-1457

Cebu Holiday & Fitness Center Molave Street Camputhaw Tel. 231-0408

(Italian) Marina Mall, MEPZ Tel. 340-9070

Fight Club

Magellan’s Landing

Fitness First

(International) Marina Mall, MEPZ Tel: 341-0918

Rasa Marina (Singaporean/Malaysian) Marina Mall, MEPZ Tel. 341-0919

SPAS Cebu Holiday Spa Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue Banilad Tel. 234 4791

Felisa Spa Gorordo Avenue Tel. 233 4139

Holiday Gym & Spa M. Cuenco Avenue Tel. 234 4791

Noah’s Stone & Spa Resort Abuno, Pajac

Banilad Town Centre

4F Ayala Center Cebu 234 2222