CONTENTS VOLUME 6 2011
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Nixon
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LDP
034
Toby’s Arena Shangri-La
Essential equipment for life’s little adventures.
contents
Features
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New Releases
022
Event Recap
Nike Footscape Zebra + Leopard
Boxfresh Launch at Secret Fresh
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Sounds
038
Ira Tan
The hip-hop cerberus who came to own it.
Anticipated follow up albums, old artists in new projects, the turning point approaches in the generations music.
From schooling kids to painting streets.
Toby’s Sports has brought in “the largest selection of name-brand sports footwear, apparel, equipment and fitness products from the world’s best brands.
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Crime Kicks
See the sneakers that danny & the rest of oceans 11 could’ve possibly rocked while pulling a job on andy garcia.
Cover Story
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Sneakers Dictate the Color Dress like a pro with your sneakers taking the lead.
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Kaching
New Balance 576 “Pub Pack” Kings Head
X-girl
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XLARGE®’s sister company launched by Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon shows you what real girl clothings mantra is all about.
Janka Cederstam X New Balance 580 “Mita Mad Hectic”
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078
Sneaker Selection
Sneakers to satisfy the hunger in you. Eat up.
084
Paraphernalia
These gears are as important as your lunch money. Rock ‘em right.
91
The Parties You Missed
Paramita T-shirt Launch Party. SBTG x UNSCHLD x TITAN Deer Valley Launch Today x Future Anniversary. Clavel Party.
www.msclavel.com
2011 SIX
Staff and Crew EDOUARD CANLAS editor-in-chief
HANIKO
associate editor
YENTOWNKID & CO. concept and design
DALEMATIC GARCIA design consultant
SAM KIYOUMARSI photographer
KEVIN CABANBAN
sales & marketing
NHEZ AGUILAR
advertising account officer
BERNIE GONZALES
sales & distribution officer
contributors ARYAN MAGAT NIX PERNIA SEBASTIAN TAY MIKE MENDOZA HECTOR YUZON JOHN ESTOQUE CAMILLE BANZON ADOBORAT HANS PIMENTEL
MSCLAVEL 2011 BOYBRIGHTBOY MULTIMEDIA CORP. info@msclavel.com 703-2531
are registered trademarks of Ellesse International SpA ellesse and
www.ellesseheritage.com facebook.com/ellesseheritage
@ellesseheritage
EURO FOOTWEAR ICON, FEIYUE STEPS INTO THE PHILIPPINES In line with widening its network of distribution in Asia, Feiyue is proud to be stocking its latest collection from August Feiyue’s goal to strengthen its foothold in Asia started with the set up of its Asia office in Singapore in August 2010. Since then, Feiyue has been seen shaking the sneaker scene in Asia. In line with widening its distributions in Asia, Feiyue is proud to be stocking its latest collection in the Philippine market, looking to benefit from the growing demand of highdesign sneakers in the country. It makes it first march into Shoe Salon, Philippine’s answer to the sneaker hub. European shoe label Feiyue (pronounced “Feî-ué” literally means “Flying Forward” in Chinese), made waves in 2006 when it was later acquired by a French team of sneaker enthusiasts who then sent it through a series of improvements in both quality and design. Without losing any of its authentic vintage charm, these changes transformed Feiyue into the innovative and trendy brand it is today – and more than ever, Feiyue is ready to conquer new markets. Feiyue sneakers have jumped beyond the French trendsetters and are now being sold in more than 20 countries and centering on Asia and the Philippines’ hip and fashion-forward youth. Feiyue aims to create an accessible, fashionable product; one that develops inspired partnerships that are in tune with it’s creative DNA and core values As a brand, Feiyue remains committed to artistic culture and expressive freedom. Not afraid of branching out and experimenting with other mediums, it’s this philosophy that has given birth to a diverse community of colleagues and contributors, who continue to make Feiyue the brand it is today. Feiyue’s collaborations with artists and creative communities are also a core component of the brand becoming ‘an inspired citizen of the world’. Past collaborators includes CELINE, Steph.Cop. NSBQ, Ubiquity Records and André Saraiva. Feiyue is available in Shoe Salon stores at the 2nd floor of Glorietta 3, 2nd floor of Power Plant Mall and Level 2 Trinoma.
KACELA NAPPA LEATHER
Become a fan: GBX Philippines Follow us: gbxshoes WWW.GBX.PH
LOSE FATS EVEN BEFORE ENTERING THE GYM ! ! ! with SVELTELIPO (RF TRIPOLAR) & LIPOSCULPT (ULTRASOUND CAVITATION)
color codes
18 00 34 40
13 00 35 00
12 60 00 00
11 00 55 21
00 02 02 00
00 00 41 69
combination A
99 25 00 45
99 04 00 45
04 00 39 16
31 11 00 00
05 00 03010
combination B
new release
leopard zebra nike footscape
FRESH AND HOT! Boxfresh! British streetstyle has hit Manila shores! Last 29th of July, Secret Fresh Gallery in Ronac Art Center marked the start of a new movement: The Boxfresh Movement.
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Boxfresh, a common slang term for something fashionably cool or innovative, is a 22-year old streetwear brand inspired by the UK music scene in the 1980’s. Boxfresh hails itself as “the original street wear brand”- bold declaration from a brand that has an eclectic mix of funky, fun and fashionable footwear, apparel and accessories.
But why not? The launch itself is worth the story. Manila’s cool set came out to party and celebrate the arrival of the iconic British streetwear brand. Veering away from the usual fashion show, Boxfresh showcased its products in, pun intended, an “out-of-the-box” approach collaborating with Pilipinas Street Plan artists, Whoop, Tripp, A.lien and Bjorn
BOXFRESH LAUNCH Calleja, one of the brightest minds in graphic design and street art today. Their art installations decked in ultra hip Boxfresh apparel and footwear illustrated different types of movement – hanging, running, topsy-turvy and everything else. “Streetwear has changed quite a lot over
the years and Boxfresh has kept itself updated and fresh. We are excited with the Philippine market, given that Manila is a melting pot of hip hop scene and fashion-forward individuals.” Managing Director for Pentland Daniel Morris has said.
Fountains of Wayne Sky Full of Holes Yep Roc If there’s a recurring motif in Fountains Of Wayne’s music, it’s this: triteness aims in the direction of reality, because it’s more often than not a falsehood. This is conveyed unswervingly in the sardonic musical tales of Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood, which document the trivial yet cosmically hilarious bias normally found in American suburbia, and more slyly in the smooth, polished casing of their sugary melodies and production. Casually, Sky Full Of Holes replays the bubblegum power-pop that Fountains Of Wayne has unfailingly churned since the mid-’90s, when the group was as out of place with grunge and rap-rock as it is now in the midst of hipster indie bands. Delve a bit more, however, and Sky Full Of Holes advances a continuing saga that has unveiled over the span of several records.
The Horrors Skying XL The Horrors know misleading looks like the back of their hands. Their mid-‘00s breakthrough saw the music critics wallow in soap suds, hype rising with foreseeable disdain crawling forth from (possibly justly) pessimistic bloggers. Garage-punk storm, packaging (and music) that had hints of something particularly goth: while the group displayed a pretty image, the fashion-over- matter naysayers were numerous. But the distorted riffs of The Horrors’ 2007 first album Strange House would relent to something intangible. By blindsiding with an attack calculated to cause a rift, the five-person band was able to veer away behind a second album that repackaged themselves as possibly drug-enhanced Krautrock cosmonauts. That album, Primary Colours, couldn’t have been more critically acclaimed. Critics sang different tunes, and the Mercury Prize panel responded with a nomination. In a year of weak competition, it should have won. From the modular melodies and spellbinding hooks of Primary Colours, markedly ‘70s in devise, they barreled their way through the ‘80s with fist-clenching synth-propelled pop-rock at the peak of its mainstream prowess. This much is definitely apparent from this album’s first single, “Still Life,” which showcases such similarities with Simple Minds that it’s a surprise more intense sleuthing doesn’t expose it to be a forgotten track written by Jim Kerr during 1982. It’s at once appealing, backwards musical arrangement starting a cut that stretches for more than five minutes without ever coming off as lethargic, or overstaying its welcome. At the heart of it all, lead vocalist Faris Badwin is in the best singing form. The subtlety he puts across completely goes well with music that is glossy in all the correct ways, nonchalant and decisive and audible but never sung without feeling. Opening track “Changing the Rain” treads the same stylish direction. There’s no negative quality to be found with Skying - really, each cut here hits the spot, and while The Horrors are obviously a group who has no problems whatsoever with changing drastically from album to album (and “borrow” a few riffs here and there), only the most bad-mannered of spectators could refuse to accept that they’ve now come up with two of the best Brit records of the last few years.
Having already tackled the finality of puberty (1999’s Utopia Parkway), post-college blues (2003’s Welcome Interstate Managers), and thirty-something single life (2007’s Traffic And Weather), Fountains Of Wayne unquestioningly resolves into the adult life on Sky Full Of Holes. It isn’t an effortless progression for the central character of “The Summer Place,” who contemplates about her past as an adolescent shoplifter and takes mushrooms to assuage her adult ennui. The business partners in “Richie And Ruben” haven’t surrendered on their ambitions, but taking into consideration that they can’t seem get the ball rolling - exemplified through a laundry list of collapses narrated by Collingwood in his shrill, abstractedly aloof voice – maybe the persistence isn’t a good thing. Packed with tunes about grown-up topics like fatherhood (“Action Hero”), dull family trips (“A Dip In The Ocean”) and psychological sadness (“Hate To See You Like This”), Sky Full Of Holes could be the most un-trendy Fountains Of Wayne album yet, as un-hip as they already were. But like the seemingly unimportant personas they sing about so vibrantly, Schlesinger and Collingwood don’t withdraw away from the commonplace they utilize it as armor.
Richard Buckner Our Blood Merge Richard Buckner has glanced unremittingly at solitude, infidelity, bereavement, disarticulation, thirst, and world-weariness to enlighten his lyrical aspirations. What it all leads to is a striking, obstinate, gloomy pool of work that looks severely into the domesticity and aspect of human relations. His aural methods have shifted, and are at his grandest on Our Blood, where the employment of vintage keyboards matches the room taken up by guitars. Our Blood is Buckner’s first album since 2006’s Meadow. He underwent a number of hindrances: busted equipment leading in the album’s cost, then the robbery of a laptop that had new mixes and more astounding ones. These nine new tunes are a serene, ambient, sonic depiction of battle, bewilderment, aggravation, and the helplessness to let go. Electric guitars and Buddy Cage’s pedal steel beautify “Traitor.” It most directly bears a resemblance - in type and feeling - the tracks on his monumental Bloomed album, but its texture is thoroughly dissimilar; it’s a ballad of the most stressed kind. On “Thief,” throbbing organs and a Wurlitzer piano act together with tom-toms and guitars as Buckner sings “Give it back, broken-in and stolen from the mourning....watching the gone go by, baited and kept alive, shaking you loose....” While it’s anallegation, it’s also an appeal: despite everything, he yearns for the culprit’s return, pardon already in place. “Collusion” is accompanied by guitars before keyboards enter the fray after the first verse, and scrutinizes disappointment and lonesomeness by a persona who understandingly illustrates the closure of the song’s theme and state of affiars.
Boston Spaceships Let It Beard Guided by Voices To recall, approximately half a dozen years since Robert Pollard came to the decision to hang up Guided by Voices and start a formal solo career, and Pollard’s albums have been fruitful except for the part where he seldom relived the exhilarating good times of his work with GBV and implying he can’t distinguish his quality work from his poor ones by himself. However, Pollard has also been working with other musicians on a multitude of side projects, and this is where Pollard’s game remains distinct - check out his stuff with the Keane Brothers, Circus Devils, Lifeguards, and especially Boston Spaceships, his side project with John Moen of The Decemberists, and you’ll find Pollard is still one of the best pop songwriters in indie rock. The conclusion seems to be that Pollard is most effective when he has laudable collborators with him in the studio, and the fifth Boston Spaceships album, Let It Beard, definitely proves this. Let It Beard is the most daring record of Pollard’s career, a rambling, 70-minute trip through hard rock, indie pop, lo-fi psychedelia, low-key prog rock, and anything else that crisscrosses through Pollard’s creative genius, and while anyone who knows Pollard’s music would anticipate an onslaught of small-scale songs, most of the twenty-six tunes on Let It Beard are true songs, not portions, and the greatest cuts here can compete with the oomph and guile of Guided by Voices’ latter-day highlights like Isolation Drills and Earthquake Glue.
Toro y Moi Underneath the Pine Carpark Toro y Moi's first album, Causers of This, corresponds securely in the newly conceived chillwave tradition. Chaz Bundick (the only member of the group) fashioned music that was obscure, lethargic and flooded with plenty of serene melody and a laidback late-night geniality and appeal. On the follow-up, Bundick could have repeated things and it would have been just fine, thanks to his way with a melody and the innovation he put into the lo-fi arrangements. Instead, Underneath the Pine takes some of the chill out of the wave and sheds away much of the shadows. The end result is a gleaming, terrific matter that keeps all the hooks and sense of the debut outing but adds some vigor and pop propinquity. The principal adjustment, aside from the more resolute production, is that in between albums Bundick seems to have mostly abandoned his shoegaze fixation andfound Stereolab and their method on space age bachelor pad music. A good number of the tracks on Underneath have the pealing guitars, blocky organ parts, squiggly synths, and mechanized rhythms, as well as the taut and looping vocal harmonies that Stereolab perfected. Bundick adds some smooth rock chord changes to the mix, and the consequential sound - while decidedly indicative of the Lab - actually winds up sounding rather inimitable. The piano that shows up every now and then is a pleasant flourish that separates Underneath from the chillwave aesthetic. The unabashedly happy dance tracks on the album are also a step forward. While Causers’ "Low Shoulder" was danceable enough, “New Beat” and “Still Sound” jump feet-first onto the dancefloor with firm rocking beats, pumping basslines, and seductively delivered vocals. The keyboards on both cuts are kind of thrilling too; the iridescent piano runs on "Still Sound" and the tacky but super-funky synth on "New Beat" are wonderful. Based on these songs, Bundick could effortlessly slip out of this whole chillwave thing and turn into a disco hero. Within the framework of the album, though, they offer an enhancement of liveliness and pleasure that makes the album really pop. Underneath the Pine is an enhancement in every way on Causers of This, and it should be the beginning of a lengthy and fascinating run of records by Bundick and Toro y Moi.
Marvin Gaye What’s Goin On [40 th Anniversary Edition] Motown What’s Going On is not only Marvin Gaye’s tour de force, it’s the most significant and fervent soul music album, brought by one of its most premium voices, a man at last at liberty to express his views and so move from R&B sex symbol to an honest-to-goodness recording artist. With What’s Going On, Gaye concentrated on what had happened to the American dream of the yesteryears, as it correlated to inner-city putrefaction, ecological blues, military turmoil, police brutality, joblessness and hardship. These viewpoints had been surfacing between 1967 and 1970, for the duration of which he felt more and more imprisoned by Motown’s outdated hit assembly line and controlled from articulating himself honestly through his songs. Besides solidifying Marvin Gaye’s status as one of the most vital artists in pop music, What’s Going On was hands down the supreme record released from the predominantly singles-oriented Motown hit machine, and perhaps the most soulful album of all time. Created as testimony from the perspective of a Vietnam veteran (Gaye’s sibling Frankie had come back from a three-year tour of duty in 1967), What’s Going On isn’t just the uncertainty of a befuddled soldier coming home to an odd place that has changed drastically, but a guarantee that listeners would be enlightened by what they heard (there’s definitely a reason why there’s no question mark in the album title). Rather than freeing listeners from their difficulties, Gaye used the record to mull over on the atmosphere of the early ‘70s, prevalent with public strife, drug addiction, fostered children, and the presence of insurrections. At turns disheartened and positive, infuriated and triumphant, Gaye reserved the most uplifting, profoundly stirred feats of his career for “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology),” “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler),” and “Save the Children.” The songs however, provided only part of a transformation; so little could’ve been done with the Motown sound of past Marvin Gaye classics such as “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” or even “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” What’s Going On, as he envisaged and came up with it, was like no other album that came before it dreamy, gloomy, and jazzy, a chain of laidback grooves with an intense bottom, overflowing with thick basslines along with bongos, conga, and other percussion. To revere the 40th anniversary of the record, Motown released a special edition of What’s Going On that has two CDs and one LP, in a 12” gatefold package. Disc one is the newly remastered original album and includes the various mono single versions and original single mixes heard on past reissues. Disc 2 is The Detroit Instrumental Sessions and More, featuring eighteen cuts of typically unreleased material, slack fusion jams (suggestive of acts such as Funkadelic to James Brown) recorded in late 1971 and early 1972 by a supergroup featuring Gaye on keyboards and percussion, Ray Parker, Jr., Wah Wah Watson, Michael Henderson, and Hamilton Bohannon. The LP is the full album in its Original Detroit Mix, a more sinister and down-to-earth mix that displays the album as it was initially recorded and mixed before Gaye and his cohorts brought it to Los Angeles for the somewhat more vivacious mix that was released in May 1971.
WoMEN’S accESSoriES & SoftgoodS 2011
goldeN royAl
the max low slung hobo tangled braided belt the time teller Acetate the vega the 42-20 chrono
Lyrically Deranged Poets
Photos by Eric Dc Fernandez
Lyrical. Deranged. Poets. Three words that boldly tell you who and what they are. LDP is Alex, Rjay Ty and Raymond “Abra” Abracoso. You might have heard about LDP because of Abra’s participation in FlipTop or of Rjay guesting in Solenn Heussaff’s debut major album but LDP is so much more than those. LDP is one rap group who has the talent and the potential to bring back Pinoy Rap in the forefront of the music scene.
How did you guys find each other and formed LDP?
How does Abra’s participation in FlipTop help LDP?
ABRA: When there are only few of you in one school who actually rap and are into hiphop, then yeah, ‘matic na yan. CSA Makati, represent!
ABRA: C’mon, Rjay and Alex! Flatter me!
ALEX: I actually met Rjay at a recollection during my junior year at CSA. I noticed he was rocking Timberland then found out he rapped. Along the run, I also met Abra. We used to cypher after classes sometimes and yeah, I guess that’s where it all started. RJAY: I initially brought the crew together and came up with the name. Everything else was instantaneous. What’s good, CSA? Your bio says you guys “bridge the gap between mainstream and underground hip-hop”. RJAY: We keep it constantly moving in both areas, mainstream and underground, by making sure that our songs are heard on the radio, on TV. At the same time, contributing to the underground by releasing free and exclusive songs online, supporting relevant movements and events. “Loyalty feeds the movement”. Word to our friends from the Turbulence Crew. ALEX: (We do it) with versatility. I believe by being able to satisfy any crowd regardless of what genre of music they listen to. We can make music that they would appreciate. ABRA: Vivid verses + catchy choruses + breathtaking beats. What does each of you bring to LDP? ALEX: Individually, we each have different approaches to how we compose and flow which when put together makes perfect harmony. ABRA: Hard-hitting, mind-blowing finger-lickin’ good punch lines!
and
RJAY: Listen to our songs and find out for yourself! Haha! You will be able to catch a good number of our tracks floating around the net for free download. Our first album is still available and trust me when I say it’s your money’s worth. Who are your musical influences? ALEX: I grew up listening to everything. Honestly, I never really picked out any specific artist but the people who really stood out were Tech N9ne, Joe Budden, Eminem, 2Pac and Bone Thugs n Harmony. ABRA: Eminem, Francis M, Gloc-9, Parokya ni Edgar and Stick Figgas. RJAY: Audible, Nimbus9, Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, Kanye, Blue Scholars, Drake, Pharrell, Bambu, Talib Kweli, Andre 3000, The Weeknd and Slaughter House to name a few. It would take forever to name all the artists that have influenced me!
ALEX: With the rising number of people watching Fliptop on a national scale, Abra’s participation pretty much endorses LDP to them, which has been a good thing so far. RJAY: Abra’s participation in the local battle scene has greatly helped us bring our music to a broader audience. People who weren’t really into hip-hop back then are now in front of their computer monitors searching for newly released songs, music videos and battles, thanks to Fliptop & Sunugan. How come Rjay and Alex don’t battle? ABRA: Believe me, these guys can battle but they choose not to. For a true artist, creating good music is more fulfilling than talking about how ugly your rap battle opponent is. ALEX: Everyone keeps asking me the same question! Personally, I enjoy watching battles and I do have my personal reasons why I don’t want to (battle), a short temper being one of the major ones. Hahaha! But you never know, I might just change my mind one day. Shout-outs to Fliptop and Sunugan! RJAY: I could if I wanted to but I want to be remembered for the songs that I’ve written rather than the punchlines that I could throw against a rival emcee. Well, that’s the way that I think about it, at least for now. Don’t get me wrong; I am a fan of rap battles. I just don’t think I should get into it right now because I’m pretty sure that it would affect my views and the way I create music. Abra, who do you consider as your toughest battle rap opponent? ABRA: Myself. I freestyle in the shower then battle (with) myself in front of the mirror. Tamang trip lang. What was your most memorable gig? RJAY: LDP: DEFENSE 2010. Our first and very own concert at Music Museum. It was a wonderful experience to put the show together and share it with our favorite artists. Thank you to everyone present that night. That night was for you! ABRA: The Community 2007 at the Basement in Libis- first LDP performance in front of the local hip-hop community. Shoutout to B-Roc of Turbulence Productions! ALEX: The Community ‘07 at Jaipur. We had the whole place screaming afterwards! That is one day I will never ever forget. Rjay, how’s Heussaff?
it
working
with
Solenn
ABRA: Look at Rjay’s profile pic on Facebook. The smile says it all!
ALEX: Haha! That’s my mannnnn!!! RJAY: Working on a track with Solenn was a great experience. I bet I would have enjoyed it more if we had the chance to record together. I didn’t get to meet her until her birthday celebration a couple of weeks back. She’s a really cool girl. Make sure that you guys check out our track “Ladies Night (Remix)” which is the bonus track in her selftitled debut album! Thanks for having me, Solenn! Describe the state of Pinoy hip-hop today. ALEX: Hip-hop in the Philippines is growing and you can see it with the progress done in every camp. Everyone’s making moves and I believe it’s going to get even better. We just gotta keep the negativity away and we shall prosper. RJAY: It is boldly growing. New, impressive artists are popping up left and right while the older generation steadily pushes. This applies not just with the music but also to Philippine hiphop in general. Keep elevating! ABRA: (It’s) Finally back on track and aiming towards something great. The thing I like most about Pinoy hip-hop now is that it’s exciting! You’ll never know what to expect from today’s artists and producers! Why rap here in the Philippines? ABRA: Why not? It’s more challenging, more fun and more exciting! ALEX: I had the opportunity to, so I took it. I always look at it as a blessing regardless of the numerous obstacles that could come my way- especially knowing I ain’t really from here. And trust me, it’s hard being a black kid in the Philippines. RJAY: Why would I want to do it elsewhere? This is where I grew up. Our country is very rich in culture and being able to combine that with hip-hop is dope. As much as I’ve been an artist, I’ve also been a spectator of local hip-hop all my life. I’ve been watching it grow all these years and it’s a beautiful thing. I’m just excited for what lies ahead of us. Alex, what made you decide to rap in the P.I.? ALEX: It’s not like I handpicked the Philippines to rap in. My dad was appointed an ambassador at the embassy here so we moved here and then everything pretty much just happened from there. Some things are just meant to be. How did you choose the people who made the cameos in “Here To Own It”? ALEX: “Here To Own It” is pretty much selfexplanatory. We choose the people in the video because those people are the ones who are making waves in the art scene today and are most definitely owning it.
ABRA: ‘Cause the movers of today are the owners of tomorrow. RJAY: The plan was to make the video as real as it could be so we decided to have our friends from the local scene, who we think are the “movers of today”, jump on it. Real people with real stories. Brilliance by Dominic Nuesa. How much are you guys into sneakers? ABRA: I only have a few sneakers, haha! But I make sure I pick the ones that suit me best. ALEX: I’ve always been a fan of sneakers and I always make sure I have a pair of something limited. I would say I’ve been through more than ten sneakers in the past five years. RJAY: A lot! I’ve been into sneakers since I was a kid but to be specific, I started saving up for them when I was in the sixth grade. Currently, I have nine sneakers. I had a good number of kicks that gave up on me just this year! Of all your sneakers, which pair would you consider your best catch? ALEX: Adidas Star Wars Collection Darth Vaders. ABRA: My black & white Zoo York kicks. RJAY: My Ransom Dune Black at present. All time best would be my All White AF1 Sheed Low. Unfortunately though, it has served its purpose. What would you think an LDP sneaker line would look like? ABRA: Fascinating. Haha! ALEX: Awesome! That’s a market I personally would like to penetrate. RJAY: Deranged! I think it would be cool. What’s next from LDP? ABRA: We’ve got an LDP mixtape coming out soon. Solo albums, EP’s and LP’s dropping within this year. Of course, the muchanticipated second LDP album will just be a surprise! Abangan! ALEX: Haha! Why ruin the grand surprise? We appreciate the support everyone has been giving us and we hope you continue to, as we will keep on making great music! FLIPMUSIC! LDPeace! Rjay: We’ve got a lot in store for you guys this 2011 and 2012 and I mean a lot! Stay in the loop! Shout-outs to the Deranged Team, FlipMusic, WIPcaps, Turbulence Productions, UNSCHLD, Team Sunday, Ronac fam, fans, friends and family! LDPeace!!! FOR MORE UPDATES:facebook.com/ lyricallyderangedpoets, facebook.com/ aabraa, facebook.com/rjayofldp, twitter.com/ ldpoets, twitter.com/aabraa1, twitter.com/ derangedpoet, derangedpoet.blogspot.com.
Photos by Eric Dc Fernandez
TOBY’S ARENA SHOWGROU N D I N S H A N G R I - L A
Back in 1978, Toby’s Forms and Shapes sold imported Disney goods and toys in a small corner of Greenhills Shopping Center. The pet project of Roberto “Bobby” Claudio was named after his eldest son who was just five years old then. When the holiday season is over, Bobby noticed that the hype of skateboards was still at a consistent high. That observation led to a brilliant idea- convert his retail space into a sporting goods store that will supply an arsenal of sports apparel, shoes and accessories and cater to athletes and to individuals with active lifestyles. At a time when Raon was considered to be the mecca of all things including sports items, Toby’s proved to be ahead of its time and paved the way for the sports chain concept. Toby’s Forms and Shapes became Toby’s Sports and Hobbies. It was later put under the umbrella of the corporate name, Quorum International Inc. Bobby, his son Toby and brothers Jose “Jojo” and Rod Claudio, all having the same passion for sports, started to re-launch the
company as Toby’s Sports. They continued to expand and build a chain of sports stores all over the Philippines that offer the best and the widest collection of international products imaginable. It is a one-stop sports shop yet they also made sure that the ambience of each store sported a modern look to encourage existing and to entice potential clients to join in the company’s rally for a dynamic way of life. As the years rolled by, Toby’s took their vision to the next level. Making sure that they are always one step ahead and on top of their game, they opened the biggest sports superstore in the country in 2001Toby’s Sports Arena. It featured different games and activities that engaged the customers. It was a free for all experience to learn something new that can eventually lead to acquiring a new sport, hobby or a healthier lifestyle. The two most popular in-store games were the Toby’s Basketball Shootout and The Rock, an indoor wall climbing activity.
The store boasts of a staff line up of highly competent and dedicated individuals who underwent rigorous product knowledge training, making them qualified to give the right advice and the best opinion on shopping for the top equipment for each sport to match each individual’s needs. On the first floor of Shangri-la Mall, the company opened their recent branch- Toby’s Arena. The colossal space was designed by Japanese Architect Takatoshi Kimachi, following his vision of a “future stadium.” Arena bears a “sleek, modern aesthetic that is at par with the best retail sports concepts of the world”, a proud statement from Mr. Toby Claudio himself, who is the current Vice President for Operations and Business Development of Quorum International Inc. Today, Toby’s Sports has brought in “the largest selection of name-brand sports footwear, apparel, equipment and fitness products from the world’s best brands, carrying over 100,000 sports products from 148 internationally known brands, covering 46 different sports.”
How does Toby’s Arena stay ahead in the game? We really plan to work on acquiring and organizing a better selection of the best sports, fitness and active sports inspired lifestyle gear in our stores. Whether you’re an elite athlete, weekend warrior or a sneakerhead, we’ll show you the widest selection of gear you can choose from. What are Toby’s top five best sellers? Nike and adidas – basketball. adidas Originals, Vans,Converse. Radii – Lifestyle. Brooks, Newton – running. Manhattan Portage – bags. What local brands do you carry? Toby’s has a strong range of house brands of the best quality for sport equipment that also offer great value: Equipe – apparel and balls. RSL - badminton. Core –fitness gear. Titans – boxing. Champion – basketball and pingpong. Toby’s sports gear. Which international brands made it to your shelves? Nike, Adidas, Reebok, New Balance, Newton, Brooks, Puma, Vans, Zooyork, Converse, Prince, Yonex, Wilson, Head, Babolat, Quicksilver, Merrel, Oakley and many more. How do you choose which brands to carry? We choose the brands that represent the
best in performance and style. Now, we are starting to expand to other growing categories like action sports (surf and skate), outdoor and multi-sports (run, bike and swim). Runnr handles our running corner and we have the best selection of running and triathlon brands in the country. We’ve also expanded our lifestyle range with new sneaker brands like Zuriick and Radii and bags from Manhattan Portage in our urbanAthletics corner. We hear there’s a basketball corner we must check out… The new Toby’s Arena showcases a new basketball corner patterned after the House of Hoops in the US. It features an expanded line of basketball gear from authentic performance and lifestyle brands. We’re bringing in more products such as the full line of Jordans, exclusive styles from Nike. We are even bringing back brands like Dada Supreme back to Manila. Will you start selling more football related items because of the attention brought about by the Azkals? After what we have done for running and multisport with Runnr, we’re definitely cooking up a lot of things for a new soccer section that we’re already working on. For those who are curious of celebrity shoppers and their purchased goods from Toby’s Arena… Leading the exciting line-up of shoppers who checked out the new Toby’s Arena are: JC Intal of the Barangay Ginebra Kings (Adidas shoes), top Running Coach Rio de la Cruz (Nike running
shoes), Talk & Text team captain Jimmy Alapag (Nike shirt) and power-forward Kelly Williams (Nike sneakers), Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard forward Gabe Norwood (Nike backpack), Badminton legends Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion (YONEX RACQUET), Velvet Channel VJ and blogger Patty Laurel (Volcom bikini and Manhattan Portage bag), Magic 89.9 DJ Sam YG (Adidas shirt and jacket), Celebrity & Rebisco brand endorser Juddha Paolo (sneakers), Triathlete and editor-in-chief of The Bull Runner magazine and blog (Speedo swimsuit and Halo headband), Jaymie Pizarro and the Biggest Loser’s trainer Coach Jim Saret (fitness accessories). Now, if there were a sneaker that can represent your store, what would it be? Bo Jackson’s original Nike trainers because we can help you perform in any sport and you come to Toby’s because every day is a chance to play another sport or start a new hobby. And what kind of characterize Manila?
sneakers
would
Kobe 5’s. Because Filipinos just love basketball and love their Kobe’s . What’s next for Toby’s Arena? We’ve been hard at work to bring up the arena concept to the next level. Our newest Arena in Shangri-la is the product of that hard work. It really represents the next generation of the Toby’s concept. You can expect to see all our stores with that clean and modern look.
Some details to check out at Toby’s Arena: 1. Toby’s House Brands. High-grade products at great value. 2. A Basketball Corner patterned from the House of Hoops in the US. 3. Running Corner by RUNNR. They offer a Gait Analysis service to assess foot and leg work for a more improved performance. 4. Lifestyle Corner represented by urbanAthletics featuring sneaker brands Zuriick/ ZRK and Radii and bags from Manhattan Portage. They also have the regulars like Vans, Adidas Originals, Nike 6.0. 5. Core fitness gear, Champion basketball and pingpong, Equipe apparels and balls, Titans boxing, RSL badminton.
The Kids Are Alright It’s not often you come across a soft-spoken pre-school teacher who can also paint on a three-storey high wall without fuss. Ira Tan is an exceptional artist who draws her inspiration from all sorts of experiences- from her daily encounters with kids to the street culture that’s flamboyantly present in our society. Her art serves as a shared imperative to improve our social and environmental protocols, and it’s safe to say that her work shatters the pressing reaction to graffiti as ‘eyesores’. She decked out a spot near her home where people dump their trash, and after her signature Roboturtle character was painted, the garbage piles disappeared and no one dared to mess up that corner again. She entwines her interests into unique varieties of art forms that inspire different kinds of audiences, resulting to a collective positivity that all of us could use. She prefers to be addressed as Teacher Ira, and her personality is a calm mixture of knowledge, natural imaginative skill and caring instincts that make up an ideal pre-school teacher and revolutionary artist. Aside from teaching, painting and doing graffiti, she runs the independent clothing line ‘Bubble Laway’ that showcases her signature designs on shirts and canvas shoes.
How did you get started in teaching?
Tell us about your graffiti.
I presently teach at Creative Space, a private pre-school in Pasig. I teach art to nursery up to Grade 1 students. Ang first job ko actually, believe it or not, was at House of Praise as a sales supervisor, which was so far from my Humanities course. I suddenly wanted to apply as a teacher pero sa pre-schools lang.
I’m a member of Pilipinas Street Plan, but I’m more comfortable doing graffiti by myself. Kasi, like the spots I get to see, I already have an idea what to put there. I always think that if I invite people, ano kaya ang mangyayari sa vision ko na gusto kong ilagay doon? Minsan I’d like to invite other people too kasi gusto ko ang (graffiti) character nila at pang-collaboration na rin.
Sa first pre-school job ko, I felt na parang ito na talaga ang para sa akin. It’s not like work for me because it’s so fun to be around the kids. Every day is a different day. Tapos nung binalikan ko ang bedroom ko noong high school sa Zamboanga, nakita ko na nagcut-out pala ako ng pictures of kids from magazines and they’re collaged all over my room. Parang naisip ko, “Oo nga pala, ito pala talaga ang para sa akin”. How long have you been a pre-school art teacher? I started seven years ago. Have you always seen yourself as a teacher? Actually, I’ve never imagined myself to be a teacher kasi when I was asked before about it, it’s really the last job I want to have. Parang pag wala na talaga, doon lang ako magiging teacher. But it came to a point that I realized na ito pala ang destiny ko. I was meant to be a teacher. From the very start, I really loved being with kids and I love interacting with them. I studied Humanities in college and I took a Masters Degree in Education habang nagtuturo na ako, then it went on from there. What is your main objective as an instructor? For me, gusto ko mag-enjoy sila sa school and I like them to learn through play. I don’t like to teach in a traditional school. I’d rather teach in a progressive school kasi I believe in the philosophy of progressive education na it’s not just textbooks and all. I like them to really understand what they’re learning and experience everything around them. That’s how the kids learn best. What are some of your artistic techniques that you share with the kids? Sa Prep and Grade 1, I get my ideas from them kasi they tell me what they like to know. Nung nagkaron sila ng interest sa origami, that’s what I taught them. I start with the basics and teach them to appreciate the simplest things like the pencil, kasi minsan gusto nila paint na agad. I teach them that you can make art with the simplest things. What is your design philosophy? I started drawing when I was in grade school and I don’t really have a design philosophy. It’s more of what inspires me, like current events and other artists as well. I get inspired by others’ techniques and by how I can relate to people with my art because I don’t want to make art that’s only for me. How did you start doing artwork? What is your preferred medium? I started by copying caricatures from MAD magazine. That’s how I really started loving art. I bring them on both sides and just copy the caricatures. I started with 2D and I’m comfortable using pencil and paper. Then I used different kinds of paint, depende kung ano ang ibibigay ng mommy ko at that time because she knows I love art. I tried experimenting with paint without really studying the medium. Just recently I tried customizing toys.
Do describe the fulfillment you get from doing your art. I started doing street art in 2008 and the thrill that comes with it for me is interacting with people, as opposed to doing your art in your studio or at your home na ikaw lang mag-isa. Pag nasa labas ka, you don’t know who you’re going to meet and most of the time, you meet new people. Minsan ibang artists din, mga professors and sometimes just ordinary people who come up to you and just ask about your paintings or talk to you about your art. I like interacting with people that way. What do you want people to think when they see the work that you put on the streets? Minsan, nasa isip ko yung mga bata. Gusto kong matuwa sila pag makita nila. I always want to have a positive message with my work. Kung hindi positive message, positive image. Gusto ko colorful or something that the young and the old will appreciate. Gusto ko magustuhan ng lahat. I wish for them to interact with it, that it’s not just something na kapag nakita nila, okay na. I want them to know that there’s a story behind it. Do you like wearing sneakers? I’m a sneakers type of person. I’m not into heels and I just wear them kapag kailangan. I’m really a sneakers and rubber shoes girl. I like Chuck Taylors and Sanuk. You also customize sneakers. When I met the artists from Pilipinas Street Plan, nakita kong nagcucustomize din sila ng shoes. Naaliw ako then I asked them where they buy their paintbrushes and tapes. Actually, I haven’t done custom sneakers lately because of the projects that come in. It’s not really pang-shoes lang, may bini-build akong brand now, yung Bubble Laway, that started from shirts. I’m focusing on shirt designs first then siguro soon, may lalabas na shoe designs. Tell us more about Bubble Laway. I design and sometimes I ask other people’s help, especially sa Photoshop. Dati ko pa talaga gusto magkaroon ng shirt na ako ang nag-design, since ngayon marami na ring artists na naglalabas ng mga shirts. May nakilala akong nagpri-print ng shirts and that happened by chance. When I went on a trip to Hong Kong, nakakainspire ang mga artists doon. They have lines of various things, ang mga artworks nila pini-print nila sa wallets, sa notebooks, sa shirts, sa shoes. Yun din ang vision ko. It (Bubble Laway) will start with shirts tapos magkakaron ng zipper pulls, hats, whatever. Have you done something that no other pre-school teacher has done? Hindi ko ma-compare kasi hindi ko naman alam yung ginagawa ng lahat ng teachers. Pero I don’t like to restrict myself kung ano ang nasa lesson plan ko. Isa pa ang naituro kong love ng mga bata sa street art kasi alam nila na nagpa-paint ako sa streets. Nag-paint ako malapit sa school and every time kapag nadadaanan iyon when we have field trips, parati silang sumisigaw na “Pinaint ‘yan ni Teacher Ira!”. Familiar sila sa character kong Roboturtle. Nakakataba rin ng puso because they like to draw the Roboturtle all the time, nagpapaturo sila kung paano i-drawing iyon and sometimes they like it painted on their faces. One of my kinder kids, she let me draw it on paper tapos she’ll trace it daw para alam niya kung pano i-draw yun. Nakakatuwa rin.
A Clothing Line with a Rock n’ Roll Bloodline
When Eric Bonerz observed that XLARGE® is missing a girls’ line of apparel that would tie up with the XLARGE® aesthetic, he tapped the creative resources of Kim Gordon and Daisy Von Furth to design a collection, like what The Beasty Boys did for XLARGE®. X-girl came to life in 1994. Daisy Von Furth has worked at the XLARGE® store in New York. She has honed her skills in the early 90’s at fashion magazines Mirabella and Sassy. She has styled a fashion shoot by Spike Jonze. And she has styled some rock bands plus music videos like the “Big Gay Heart” by the Lemonheads and “Sugar Kane” by Sonic Youth. Kim Gordon is the bass player of the band Sonic Youth. She is also part of Free Kitten band (with former Pussy Galore guitarist Julie Cafritz). Kim is not only a co-designer of the brand but was also a partner in the company. The duo of Kim and Daisy whipped up a powerful creative storm that is apparent in the X-girl line, with inspiration from music, art and girl power. X-girl’s clean lines and simple tailoring and funky and offbeat designs tie into the XLARGE® boy style in terms of casualness but with the touch of playful femininity.
What does X-girl bring to the table in terms of style and design? X-girl: “Real Girl’s Clothing”- a simple and unwearying style. The shirts now are designed long land lean, not tight and small as was when X-girl started in the 90’s, which was not the original intention. Then again, the tiny sizing did not affect the sales. The look, teeny-tiny t-shirts you could hope to squeeze into, became popular as if it was X-girl’s objective. Did you have a lot of support when you were starting out? X-girl: Yes. Our denim were very popular and sold out the moment we had them in stock. And those jeans were definitely tight. A little bit big in the waist, narrow leg, tight everywhere else but not all the way down. No room to roam, everything held in. That’s how X-girl did it. What sets X-girl apart? X-girl: The colors and graphic we use are different from others. Especially our collaboration with other artists such as Mike Mills and Billy Valdes. Any collaboration we should look out for? X-girl: FRM XG SUED adidas Originals for X-girl. A suede upper and original graphic print insole. Three different color shoelaces
attached to customize your shoe depending on your mood. An original X-girl designed charm is also attached, making the shoes a premium special item. X-girl tries to keep their items at a certain price point to be accessible to the everyday people. The designers think it makes it more fun by having people take their clothes less seriously but enjoy the clothes more. What kind of girls do you want to see in X-girl? X-girl: Girls who love music, street culture, fashion and has her own style. Most importantly, someone who loves X-girl! Real, everyday girls favor X-girl apparel since this kind of girls is the heart and focus of the X-girl line. The collections are less trendy but never boring. The dresses have a hint of the glamorous but it can be worn any day. The X-girl look has taken on a Tokyo street style since moving its design and production team to Japan. Truly “Real Girl’s Clothing”. Very beautiful. Very wearable. X-girl: Hello, X-girl fans! We promise to continue to make great items. And (we) hope to expand to the Philippines someday. Look out!
X-GIRL
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Acer Iconia Tab A500
Combining style and performance, the 10.1-in. Acer Iconia Tab A500 matches the lifestyle needs of a modern urban professional The future is in good hands. The young Filipino professionals of today are a hardworking bunch. Never mind the extended hours, the harrowing metropolitan commute, or the mischievous weather conditions: Filipinos are made to persist and perform. This grace under pressure is demonstrated not just by attitude, but by appearance, too. All along the avenues of Manila’s business and commercial districts — in this case, Bonifacio High Street — one notices the smart, positive disposition of the longsleeved or elegantly-bloused executives, workmen, and workwomen: their stride of confidence, their cheerful reception of duty, their infectious style. Delivering the perfect match for modern-day Filipino professionals is Acer, which recently unveiled the good-looking and hard-working Acer Iconia Tab A500, its first 10.1-inch tablet based on the Android™ 3.0 (Honeycomb) platform. Designed for productivity-minded users who are unwilling to compromise style and originality, the tablet is, judging by looks alone, a visual stunner. Its slim silver alpine casing is brushed with waves of aluminum, evoking a modern vogue and vibe not commonly seen in traditional consumer electronics.
The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is 0.52-inch thin and weighs 1.69 pounds, but its sexy surface and voluptuously-curved edges say nothing of the tablet’s heavyweight feature set. Packing the power of the Android™ 3.0 operating system, the breathtaking visuals and ultra-fast processing of the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 dual-core super chip, the fluidity of a 1280x800 multi-touch screen display, and the responsiveness of a 6-axis motion sensing system, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 is a booster, made to meet modern demands in business, technology, gaming, social, and lifestyle. An impressive battery life — not to mention built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS connectivity — makes the tablet an extremely dependable mobile device, suitable for use at the office, in the boardroom, on the road, at a café, in the club, at the condo, and in pretty much every corner of urban space. The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is certainly made to perform for extended periods of time: up to 8 hours of HD media playback and console-quality gaming, 10 hours of seamless Internet and E-mail browsing (the tablet comes with its own Flash-compatible Web browser, Gmail client, and social media apps), and 18 hours of standby time. That’s more than enough oomph to last anyone whose day-to-day activities typically go overtime.
The ability of the Acer Iconia Tab A500 to match contemporary sense and sensibility is also evident in a valuable set of features designed to please not just the eyes or the fingertips, but the whole sensory system. Dolby® Mobile technology, for example, enhances the audio performance of the tablet’s high-fidelity stereo speakers. Three built-in HD games — “Hero of Sparta,” “Let’s Golf,” and “Need for Speed: Shift” — kill idle, unrewarding time and pump the adrenaline. Integrated e-book readers like the Acer LumiRead and Google Books™ stimulate the mental faculties with their wide-ranged selections of books and magazines. There’s also the innovative Acer Social Jogger app, which, combined with the Acer Iconia Tab A500’s two built-in cameras (rear and front), makes keeping in touch and up-to-date a cinch. These, and more, enable Acer’s 10.1-inch tablet to work in perfect tune with the rhythms of the urban professional lifestyle. And there couldn’t be anything more fitting: stunning in both looks and performance, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 is a sophisticated device worthy of the good hands that hold it.
Your One-Stop Shop Aesthetic Center YJC Beauty and Slim Center is a pioneer in aesthetic surgery and skin care expert changing the lives of thousands of people who have been reborn with their new you, since 1986. The center offers a complete line up of surgical and non-surgical services, slimming and weight management, height increase, health spa, dental services and hair salon --- truly your one-stop-shop aesthetic choice.
SERVICES COSMETIC SURGERY FACE Facelift (Traditional) Facelift (Aptos Thread) Forehead lift Browlift Blepharoplasty Rhinoplasty (Nose lift / Nose Reduction/Alar Trimming) Double Chin removal (via liposuction) Otoplasty Cleft Chin Creation Dimples Creation Lip Reduction Cheek Augmentation Chin Augmentation
NON-SURGICAL Glutathione IV injection (per session) Botox injection Placenta injection (mesolift) Lip augmentation Sclerotherapy or varicose veins removal Natural Facelift Hairgrowth (w/mesotheraphy) Dandruff Hair treatment Scar Treatment Stretch marks Treatment Hair Removal (upper lip hair/underarm/ hands//bikini line/legs) Natural Eyebag Removal Natural Eye wrinkle Removal
BODY Liposuction Tummy Tuck Breast Augmentation Breast Reduction Male Breast Reduction Breast lift Nipple Reduction Buttocks Enlargement (Hydrogel or Implants)
SKIN CARE TREATMENT Facial Treatment Face & Body Bleaching Chemical Peel Diamond Peel Jet Peel Pimple Treatment Open Pores Treatment
OTHER SURGERY Permanent Removal of Excessive Body odor (via liposuction) Penile Enlargement Vaginoplasty Female Circumcision Vaginal Lip Trimming or Labioplasty
YJC is located at Unit 647, 6th Flr., 168 Shopping Mall Phase 5, Soler St., Binondo Manila Tel No. 788.9601 Mobile No. 0922.814.5984 Email Address: gandangyjc@gmail.com Clinic Hours: 8:30AM to 7.30PM Open: Mon to Sun
OTHER SERVICES Advanced Slimming Height Increase Permanent Make up (Eyebrow/Eyeliner/Lip Liner/Full Lips/Nipple) Tattoo removal Permanent Hair/Mole/Warts Removal Spa Treatments (Hand spa/reflexology, Foot spa/reflexology/Whole body massage/ reflexology DENTAL Orthodontic Treatment (upper and lower / upper or lower) Tooth Whitening (Laser) Porcelain jacket & Fixed Bridge (per piece) Plastic jacket (per piece) Tooth Extraction Dental Filling Oral Prophylaxis Full Denture (upper and lower/ upper or lower) Partial Denture (acrylic or 1 piece metal) Elastic Denture Root Canal Therapy Retainer (plain or with design) X-ray Periodental Treatment (per session) Tooth Implant (per implant body)
CHILL SESSION.
THE PARTIES YOU MISSED PARTY SEASON.
paramitarmy x tigasouth shirt launch party, last home, pioneer
95
sbtg x unschld x titan – deer valley titans, burgos circle, taguig
today x future anniversary, the, cubao x
clavel party, robot, makati
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