'Til Death Do Us Part : Pulp Summer Slam 13

I've been waiting for months for April 27, 2013. In fact, I thought I'd be waiting decades to see my favorite band. I always tell myself, the one band I won't ever miss seeing live if they come to the Philippines is Circa Survive and yes, I stayed true to my words.

Coming across a promotion picture of Pulp Summer Slam 13 in Facebook caught my attention when Circa Survive was right there being bold and sparkling (at least in my own vision). I thought they'd only be coming here to perform after a few more years or never ever. Seeing that little Safe Camp sign in the picture gave me chills-- they're coming to the Philippines! I told my friends who are also huge Circa fans and we bought concert tickets in a heartbeat... the rest is history.

On our way to Manila was a super dooper delayed flight and we got lost at the airport as to where to get a cab. We were so freakin' tired but we endured all these hassles just to see them and Coheed and Cambria.

04.27.13 -- 12:30 PM -- lining up for the gates. Beyond the gate was an intensive bag check. Good thing we came prepared, making sure to leave behind the sharp and pointed so we came through smoothly. Upon entrance, we were greeted by freebies! Yep, that's with an "s". Free beer, pizza, soda, bandana, sim card, and magazine. My friends and I were smiling the whole time talking about how our PhP 400 was way cheap for what we were getting at the concert. We were getting more than what we paid for.

Our coffin ticket

Freebies stubs

Local front acts were Chicosci, Philia-- with the very beautiful front woman, Arci (I went lesbo all of a sudden), and Mr. Bones (in the rain). It was pouring like hell but no rain could make us leave the most awesome spot we had. We were soaking but we didn't care because we came all the way from our little island to Quezon City just to get live musical high. We had to wait more than an hour before the international line up began since the Pulp crew had to patch things up because the rain messed up the stage.

Arci of Philia

A Skylit Drive did an awesome performance. Although it was my first time to hear their songs, I enjoyed them a lot; we even jumped along with heads banging. They were throwing drumsticks and picks after their show and because of the biggest fan (electric) before us, the bassist's pick got swept by the wind at our spot. At least we had a little souvenir. Yay!

A Skylit Drive

While A Skylit Drive was playing, we kept on hyper extending our necks to look at Anthony, Nick, Brendan, Colin, and Steve at the side of the stage getting all ready and pumped up to play.

Finally, Circa Survive live! We were in awe. I just couldn't believe my eyes and ears that they were right in front of us playing what I only used to listen to in my music player and watch in Youtube. I might sound cheesy but I don't care, it was a dream come true! Anthony kept telling the crowd, "Thanks for being nice to us, Manila!" I wanted to tell them I love them, actually I was screaming that a lot of times. We were so close to the stage that I could clearly see Anthony's blue eyes as he looked down at us as we were singing and screaming their songs. It was pure coincidence that at our spot by the stage were a lot of Circa Survive fans, making our singing more audible from the stage. Anthony kept coming back right at the area where we were, doing his signature moves. We were swept away! Woooooh! Thought they were only going to play a few songs, I only realized they played 10 when I counted them after their performance. It's cool that they played songs from all 4 albums. They opened with Act Appalled and ended with Get Out which is way too perfect. In between were Sharp Practice, Birth of the Economic Hitman, Glass Arrows, Strange Terrain, Living Together, In the Morning and Amazing, The Difference Between Medicine and Poison is the Dose, In Fear and Faith.  I hoped for these songs to be played and yes, they were granted. I'm more than satisfied and happy, I'm in musical heaven! Seeing them live was way awesome it felt unreal, I felt like dreaming. I can't wait 'til they come back or where ever in the world I might see them again. I hope I could do a meet and greet with them soon. Whoah! I'm still in dream land by this time while writing this... seriously. Hah!

Circa Survive making the sunset more awesome

Anthony and his signature moves

Nick and Brendan making the best music

I don't want excuses, I don't want apologies!

Steve and Colin perfecting the sound

Anthony and the green lights

Finally, Circa Survive in the Philippines!

Anthony!

Up next was Dragonforce (I was still floating in CS dreams. Hah!). Whoah! The shredding, shredding, and some more shredding. These guys know how to handle their guitars, I swear it was more than some good handling. They were really good!

Shredding

We waited about 30 to 45 minutes while Coheed and Cambria was setting up. I was already so tired, my feet and legs were almost giving up. Imagine standing up the whole time from 12 noon  and by this time it was already around 9 pm. Never thought I could endure it that long. These are the joys and pains of major concerts. When C&C played... whoah! We were equally swept away! They were so good, I could eat their music. Hah! And Claudio's hair... it looks so soft it enchanted me there. Welcome Home ended their performance and my... it was the best! It was the only time they walked away from their gadgets. Finally, Claudio up close!

Bye bye beautiful!

Right after C&C, we decided to finally take a seat at the bleachers. We would've wanted to stay at our spot until the end of the show but it was absolutely impossible, our feet were killing us already. When we turned around, I was amazed at how the stadium was packed with people. I didn't realize there were over 30,000 people watching. The bands kept saying that it was the biggest crowd they had to date, and I agreed after seeing the sea of people behind us. It was overwhelming to describe.

30,000 people

As I Lay Dying performing for the sea of people

We had to watch the performance of As I Lay Dying and Cannibal Corpse from afar, but it was better than not seeing them at all live. They were both awesome! I even felt a bit jealous of the people in the crowd because they really looked like they had a lot of fun. Anyway, I had my fair share earlier. That should be enough.

Windmilling is the way to go! Yeah!

On our way home, we were so tired but we could say all the hassle and costs were paid off by this great experience. It was my first time in a really huge crowd and first time to see international bands play live. Seven international bands at once, wow! What more can I ask for? I'm gonna ask for more awesome line ups like this next year and more!

At last I could scream... Yay! Finally saw Circa Survive! Amen to that!

Celebrating Women's Beauty, Strength, and Grace

March is declared as Women's month, a time to celebrate the beauty, strength and grace of women all over the world. Boholana artists guild, Baji, celebrates it every year with a month-long art exhibit. Being the frustrated artist that I am, I have been participating since the pioneering exhibition last 2011. The theme for this year was Babay'ng Buhat which stands for a woman's way in Bisayan language. Artists submitted works that symbolize the lifestyle and image of women. Artworks ranged from paintings, photographs, poetry, to installation art. I felt honored to join amazing artists from all over the province of Bohol, including renowned ma'am Nene Lungay. 

As for my submission, I created my work especially for the exhibit. My painting symbolizes how a woman endures pain to accomplish goals, entitled Pain=Gain.

My work with artist's note

Below are Baji 2013: Babay'ng Buhat artworks. See how talented Boholana artists are.

Participating Boholana artists for Baji 2013

I'm making it a tradition to take a picture with the logo every year

Remembering

In the middle of dawn I remain awake
Rummaging through keepsakes and memories
Reminded of moments that passed through time
Those not forgotten and erased
Just hidden in a treasure box to be kept safe

Oceans and different directions
Creating gaps between confidants
However only physical and geographical
Invisible strings of the soul remain
Continuing the tangle and bond maintained

The times may gradually change us
Each thought may wander where ever
But once in a while a soft nudge
Heartstrings pulled back to reminisce, to recollect
And realizing friendships pure and true we hold still

~melancholik

Davao Vacay

My first vacation for 2013-- off to Davao! Thanks to airplane promo fares, it's much easier to travel these days. I haven't been to Davao since I was in grade school. When I saw Davao being one of the destinations for the flight promo, I immediately told my mom to buy us tickets so we could visit her siblings there. Good thing she agreed; we booked tickets for January 25.

We had our trip arranged by my cousin who works in a travel agency, we were basically on a relaxed trip since everything was settled. She booked us in D'Leonor for 2 nights. We didn't expect we'd be staying in a suite room. It was complete with living room, kitchen with appliances and two bathrooms. It felt like our little home away from home-- comfy and homey.

Our home away from home

Day 1:

First stop was Eden Nature Park. When we arrived at around 11 am, we first checked with the front desk for our day tour reservation. We got booked for 2 pm so we had a little time to kill before lunch, strolling around their Pasyalan, taking pictures of the feathered friends and having pictorials around the beautiful scenery of the park.

By 12 noon, we were already hungry and ready to feast on the lunch buffet at the Vista Restaurant. The resto was packed with tourists, we even found it hard to get a table so we took seats outside where tables were set-up. The food was delicious and colorful my plate looked like a feast. The PhP 470.00 meal rate was worth it, with awesome food variety. While munching, several peacocks roam around freely. If you're not used to these creatures getting near you, better eat inside, but they're actually harmless as long as you leave them be. At around 1:30, we were all ready for our guided shuttle tour. By 2 pm we were off to see the wonders of the park. I didn't realize how vast the park was until the tour started. There were varieties of trees, both fruit bearing and non-fruit bearing, mangostene, durian, and pine to name a few. There was an area that highlighted the cultural history of Mindanao called Tinubdan. There are a variety of activities to do at the park like fishing, hiking, and zip-lining. It was an awesome getaway from city living with all the greeneries and cool air.

The entrance

Amphitheater

Wishing well at Lola's Garden

Tinubdan

The Japanese Tunnel was our next destination.  The tunnel stretched for miles and miles, parts of it lead to Samal Island, the NCCC Mall, and even Mt. Apo. I can't imagine how long of a tunnel it is but the area left for tourism is only short since the rest of it is dangerous to pass through because there are already many houses and establishments built above them. Along the tunnel, the guide showed us an actual meeting table, prison cell, guns and bullet casings that the Japanese left behind during World War II. It was an interesting destination; somewhat like entering a time capsule of the 1940's.

Before going down the tunnel

Right at this spot was a Buddha with its neck filled with diamonds

Up to 10 Filipino prisoners were detained here. Unimaginable!

Posing for the tunnel

We shopped for souvenirs afterwards at Aldevinco, taking home bags, t-shirts, wallets, and keychains for ourselves and for pasalubong at a low price. For durian and mangostene candies, the driver brought us to Lola Abon's Durian Candy Factory, claiming they sold the best durian candies and he was probably right because their candies tasted really good.

For dinner, we had a bite to eat at Jack's Ridge overlooking the city lights of Davao. It was raining real hard but the beautiful sight was not even tampered by the pouring rain. Romantic and breathtaking-- two words for the place.

Day 2:

We spent the whole day at Pearl Farm Resort, experiencing the white sand beach of Samal island. We took the boat ride from the city at the Marina, it was about 45 minutes tops to the resort. There was an area in the resort under renovation, it was kind of an eyesore but everything else was pretty good. We strolled around and came across women of Mandaya tribe who were selling beaded accessories, we bought  bracelets as souvenirs. We headed to the neighboring islet which was still part of the resort, enjoying the white sand  beach trying to get a tan. Part of the day tour package was a lunch buffet, a really huge one at that with a wide variety of food from seafood to Chinese dishes to Filipino recipes to western cuisine which my eyes could all muster but my stomach can't. Anyway, I tasted everything I could just to get back what we paid for and it was worth it. I couldn't stand after that. Hah! Call it gluttony but nah... who cares?! We took a dip at the pool while waiting for our massage schedule, just enjoying the water and savoring the tourist life. Aside from the food, the other highlight for our day at Pearl Farm was the relaxing arm and shoulder massage. We were looking for the cheapest massage since we wouldn't want to burden our mother for any more bills. Haha! But  seriously, the massage felt more expensive. At PhP 200, my sister and I felt so relaxed and rejuvenated  All my muscle pains were miraculously removed from my body. I'm not exaggerating  the massage therapist was really good at her craft. Our day at the resort was great, enjoying the vacay life as much as we could was awesome.

The water bungalows

Pearl Farm Villas

My my... if only I had a stomach with unlimited expansion

The pomelo was excellent! The best I've tasted so far.

This was the pool near the entrance of the resort

Day 3:

Farewell Davao City; hello Tagum City and New Corella. It was a one hour bus ride from Davao City to Tagum. I'm pretty impressed with their huge highways rowed with palm trees that gives the trip good vibes. When we arrived, our uncle picked us up at the bus stop and he drove us around the city. We checked out their two cathedrals, the old one had big statues of angels and saints while the new church had a huge  Sacred Heart of Jesus statue with a big rosary below it surrounding the fish pond. Afterwards, we drove by their city hall which was still in the process of contruction but it was probably 90% done and it kinda looked like a mall. I'm amazed by the architectural design, I haven't seen a city hall quite like it before here in the Philippines. When we were done with Tagum, we went off to New Corella where our uncle and aunt lives. By the evening, we went to Matin-ao Inland Resort to take a dip in their 10 feet deep pool. My cousins said it was famous among locals and tourists alike having 7 pools in different shapes and sizes (they even have a heart shaped pool), including one half-olympic sized pool. It was raining but we took a swim anyway since we were leaving early the next day so we savored what the water had to offer. It was a short but fun reunion with our relatives.

I'm loving this highway

Sacred Heart of Jesus & a huge rosary at Tagum's new Cathedral

The rainy dip at Matin-ao Inland Resort

Day 4:

On our way back to Davao City, we were caught in traffic because of the flood. The night before was a long night of rain. Davao has been flooding recently since typhoon Pablo. Our uncle was supposed to drive us all the way to the airport but his car couldn't get through the flood because it was pretty high so we transferred to a bus. Most buses that drove by were full, good thing there was one with vacant seats. What was supposed to be a one hour ride to our destination became two hours because of the traffic. That was our first experience of knee-deep flood (but we didn't have to take a dip). So far we didn't hear of any fatalities due to that flood which is positive news. We hoped and pray for the safety of the people in Davao. After two hours of travel, we arrived just in time for check-in. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Davao.

Traffic jam!

This flood stretches to a couple of municipalities

Our trip to Davao was a great experience. It was our first travel for the year 2013 and I hope for more getaways for this year and the years to come. Ah, the joys of travelling! I'm hungry for more and I'm so ready. Keep it coming!