The Innocent Bystander

Honey I'm Back!!!

2010-04-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

After a 4 year hiatus---the Innocent Bystander is so back. A lot of things went past...hmmm...let's see---the IPad...Avatar....facebook gucci handbags....and lots and lots of good stuff. So as the Jack Nicholson Joker would say it..I'd like to pose a deciphered question.

"Ever Dance with the Devil on a pale moonlight?

Dong Abay: The Return of the Comeback

2006-08-15T06:43:00.000-07:00

"Once the music leaves your head, it's already compromised"

-Quote from Sonic Youth's Liner notes from the album Dirty

Saturday August 12 was a special day.

I was getting ready to watch idol Dong Abay perform at the Saguijo. Damn---the last time I saw him perform was 12 years ago at 70's bistro with tatang joey pepe smith. I can very vividly remember the rowdy crowd that night---upstaged by a rowdier Dong...and a totally wasted Pepe smith. Those were the days when been beer was cheap at 18 and you could enjoy sisig for a tad 60 bucks.

2006 and it seems music got itself in a damn big hurry. Every shitpile that you can listen to has become more accessible, more user friendly. Unfortunately, it has evolved to being equally distant, disembodied more christina "aguilerish"...or shall I say american idolish. For chrissakes I was listening to the new Audioslave album --Revelations and it still could'nt sink in. Welcome to Reality Music--where college radio has been declared extinct and all you'd ever need is a google toolbar. (translation lw).

If you've read my previous post a few milleniums back, you'd know why I had to get the whole crew to watch Dong Abay perform---the guy is just a gem to behold. Now, I wouldn't go into a track by track review of the FLIPINO album--doing that will just ruin the listening experience. Let me just put it this way, the only way to go into musical multiple orgasms is to relive the experience "live". With Dong Abay...it's exponentially califragelistic.

On that sweltering night of August 12th---SAGUIJO was the perfect place to see the "MAN". The 11PM gig seemed forever as the rich, spoiled cono kids of the i-pod generation started to mill around with what was touted as the venue's "main stage"---12 tables with around 35 seats to house your bel air ass. And so one, no, two bands performed---they all sucked that I lost count---the 1st band sounded, looked like Cooky Chua and Color it Red....on downers.well I'll be damned if it ain't Cooky "color it red" Chua

Around 11:30---The stage that would normally house 30--swelled to 60 then around 75 when Dong Abay and his posse took the stage (a clear indication that the two early bands did suck). People were already chanting "whoooohoooo" and "more"..and the fucking set never even started yet. So after around 10 minutes of soundcheck DongAbay--the band launched full assault.

Wow.

Again. Wow.

In my lifetime, there are only 2 artists that I've watched live worthy of the epithet talent and energy. Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine (no seriously). Dong Abay makes them look like The Brady Bunch. The band---napalmed thru 6 songs off the FLIPINO album and man, was it ever so consuming. They started off with "Perpekto" then "Tuyo" ,"Mateo Singko" ,"Bombardment", "Kukote" and "WWIII". The encore was the killer "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo. I was hoping they'd sing "DYAD"---but it seemed out of place for a crowd that was on aural climax. Never have I seen a crowd in a small sardine packed venue to be so pumped up---so flaky and bonkers that SAGUIJO was transformed into a mini gucci bags Madison Square Garden.We were possessed by this Man

7 Songs. No Sweat. The band hasn't even warmed up yet. They clear the stage to offer humility to the next bunch of kids with badly tuned guitars. Sometimes the world isn't fair. And so I vow to, in the next six months get my mp3 recorder and bootleg the live stuff on the road. So many songs to listen to--yet so little time.

Catch DongAbay Live this September at the Following Venues:

sept. 5 - 70s bistro, anonas, q.c.
sept. 6 - big sky mind, broadway, q.c.
sept. 12- mag:net katips
sept. 28- mayrics, espana, manila

posing with the FLIPINO IDOL!

Again. Mabuhay Ka Dong!

Que Horror

2006-08-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

After 8 months since it premiered in Manila last year, British Filmmaker Neil Marshall's The Descent is sweeping the US as we speak.

Something about horror films bothers the shit out of me. It's not the scares or the gore, it's the longing to be scared gucci handbags shitless. Everytime, I see one---I can't help but ask for more. There's a certain pleasure in getting to see "the" ultimate horror movie- you get to view it from a safe distance only to be agonized by half-awake daydreams when the lights are out. I'm a sucker for these things but at the same time I could use a corner of the room as my barracks when these things haunt me. I admit, I get scared spot on when the "images" torment me long after I leave the theater.

To honor these nightmares I present to you the top 10 scariest m0vies that I've witnessed in this dang existence of mine. By the way...fans of The Ring and The Blair Witch Project will be disappointed.

10. Alien--yep, the scene where this guy eats spaghetti and lo and behold "periscope" alien shoots out of his stomach.

9. XTRO---this is b-movie scary...especially that part when xtro impregnates a young and truly mouthwatering maryam d' abo

8. Hellraiser--Clive barker is a genius in creating the Xenobites. Favorite pinhead line "We have such sights to show you"

7. Dawn of the Dead (original version)--zombies are always scary. Especially if they go around in bazillions eating flesh and terrorizing the earth

6. Saw-- This is a disturbing movie...but I admire it for injecting a twist in the entire storyline.

5. Hostel--Another disturbing movie, because of the bleak remoteness of eastern europe--I liked the part when they showed the camphone and it says "I Go Home"...Creepy.

4. Prince of Darkness---this is the movie that made me think twice of swimming in 20 foot pools. You'd never know what you'd see on the other side.

3. The Descent---this movie earns the distinction of being the scariest piece of shit in decades. It has all the elements of fright, claustrophobia, terror and most of all hopelessness---a pathway to unforgiving damnation.

2. Event Horizon---Event what? Yep, this is a movie that faintly whispers in the night that learning latin ain't that cool...."Liberate Tu te Me, ex inferis"

1. Exorcist---You guessed it..nothing tops the most evil film of all time....proof? Ever heard of inverted spiderwalking?

I am having goosebumps as I type this. I am sleeping with the friggin lights on.

Latasia Fusion

2006-07-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

This is easily THE BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT in THE PHILIPPINES. It is also the MOST AFFORDABLE VEGETARIAN RESTO this side of the world.

To make this claim I will have to share to you a bit of my personal vegan recital.

I started re-reading Harvey and Marilyn Diamond's Fit for Life 10 years ago since I was diagnosed with an endocrine disorder. It teaches us the principle of natural hygiene and how it can cleanse our bodies of all the diseases known to man. All you need to do is adhere to a vegan and frugarian diet, subsisting on raw fruits and veggies as a means to enervate ourselves and stave off maladies like cancer etc.

I didn't pay that much attention

Six months ago, my doctor prescribed that I go on fruit and veggie detox as my body couldn't self heal anymore because of the acquired toxins. I'd have gout, kidney stones and all the other stuff geriatric patients would have...and I'm only 33.

And as the healing begins so does my permanent vegan journey. (btw since commiting to a strict vegan and fruit diet, I have become pain free for the past 5 months)

For the past 6 months as I've been experimenting with my own body and taste buds---I have discovered a couple of places where one can start the journey to self healing.

1. Fruit Magic-- A juice bar where you can have your juice "freshly juiced" without the sugar and syrup (the best way to take fruit, is to take it fresh, raw and on it's own and in the morning without anything to enjoy the powerful healing properties) . Buying juice at Fuit Magic is like paying for a place to have some fruits extracted from a juicer. This however comes with a hefty price tag...a large drink of Pure pineapple would normally cost around 85 bucks. In the absence of a juicer, this place is heaven sent....however...I still strongly recommend that you buy a juicer.

2. Subway Sandwiches---yes, Subway is the only place where you can get a sandwich called "veggie delite"...raw veggies in a soft wheat sub. I dunno if it's the veggies or the bread but the sandwich tastes so damn good you wouldn't even notice you were eating.... well...veggies. Be sure to order the veggie delite with everything in it. Recommended dressing is honey-mustard...oh and please have the cheese omitted.

Subway sandwiches are a bit pricey...at 110 bucks for a six inch and 200 bucks for a footlong.

3. Bodhi---Here's the chinese version of vegan eating..the good thing about this place is that they're found almost at all SM foodcourts and then some. BODHI takes pride in filipinizing the vegan fastfood culture...most of the dishes are fil-chinese inspired: siopao, sweet and sour, bbq, pancit, chop suey, maki-mi and asado. Most of the meals are made of mock meat, gluten based and Textured vegetable protein meat substitutes which isn't really a bad thing...but somehow defeats the consumption of veggies as 80% of the meals are starch based. BODHI is also pricey as an order (with rice) would normally cost 60-75 pesos. Some of the dishes have a hint of MSG as well.

4. GREENS- If you're a tofu addict...you've come to the right place...it's a joint that has perfected the Tofu Kebab recipe that it's the only reason for the resto's existence. Most of the other dishes are meh and are served sparingly with a hefty price tag. If there's a consolation to the place it's got great ambiance and cute gucci bags garden.

5. Daily Veggie Cafe- This is hardcore chinese/buddhist vegan dining. The meals are served devoid of onions, garlic and the other so called irritants. Like Bodhi, the dishes are gluten based and are a bit pricey. You can however buy frozen TVP, gluten and mock meat from this place as they have three enormous freezers to house such.

6. Likha Diwa sa Gulod- A filipino inspired vegan joint near UP diliman. This place has become a haven for artists, and pesco vegetarians. It's a place to hang out more than to take vegetarian cooking seriously. They also sell Varona gluten and dehydrated wheat gluten. Food here is a mix of fil/chi/western fusion. They take pride in their organic coffee and organic foodstuffs. Price is ok but not exactly inexpensive. A meal would cost 60-90.

7. Peaceful Belly (Formerly Satya's)-- This place has showbiz footprints everywhere as Claudine and Raymart used to frequent this place for their veggie fix. The food is filipino inspired and is quite OK...They take pride in serving meals exclusively with brown rice. A meal is quite expensive--from 90-120. They also have a wellness center where this doctor (claims to have graduated from the School of natural hygiene abroad) prescribes detox diets to patients who have successfully cured themselves of Stage 4 cancer.

8. Chimera Neo Vegan Cafe--This place is one of the advocates of melding "fresh and raw veggies" (veggie wraps with tofu/salsa etc...) with the mock meat, gluten and TVP in their moviehouse snacks. They're menu is generally western inspired which is really good. They serve generous heapings of lettuce, cukes and tomatoes in their wraps and sandwiches (which is what being vegan is all about). They also take pride in their tofu chips and thier different pasta selections. Meals can sometimes be a bit pricey at 120-200 per person.

Latasia Fusion

The first time I came across this joint was when it was just a small temporary kiosk during one of the UP Fairs set up at a one of the campus dorms. It was the only place among the stalls that served "vegan fare".

The food selection was already a point of curiosty for the UP community:

Vegan Shawarma--Cukes, carrots, turnips, lettuce embraced by generous heapings of mock shawarma meat in warm pita bed. Slathered by tangy garlic sauce.

Vegan Tacos/ Fajitas- Fresh Sweet and sour Salsa, Mock Mexican Beef, lettuce and onions in warm tortilla/taco shells

Pesto Pasta, Sweet Spaghetti, Mock Chicken Curry, Caldereta and this buttered flat bread smothered with tahini, sesame seeds and pesto called Barberi (Iranian Flat Bread)

The Vegan Shawarma is the BEST so far. In fact the taste is even better than it's anemic flavored bovine counterparts. The shawarma is literally bursting in flavor....a hint of authentic mid eastern and western flavors fighting for attention--the finale is a sweet garlicky sensation complimented by crunchy veggies. Yum. I have to admit, nowhere on earth have I tasted shawarma like this. This is Latasia's secret weapon. It makes for daily addiction.

The other stuff on the food list is sheer gastronomic pleasure. Imagine being able to enjoy Italian, European and American vegan dishes that actually taste good that you can't get enough of them.

The good news is prices for all of the above is at an inexpensive average of 40 Bucks! The joy in this experience is that there is finally a place like this.

When I learned that they opened a branch at the UP katipunan area, imagine the sheer elation I felt. Yay! Healthy food that's affordable and gourmet tasting. That's the best way to describe Latasia, gourmet tasting. Located inconspicously near the Magsaysay outpost, the place's exteriors is colored purple---yes colored purple. Landmark? You'll see this HUGE Stop! Sign outside the walls.

Inside, you'll see a counter that houses the daily fare. Everyday is a food experience at Latasia-as the menu changes everyday--7 days a week. On some days they'd have Sweet Spaghetti pasta, Mock Burger Steak with mushroom gravy, Mock Fish Fillet in garlic dip (ala lapu lapu/mahi mahi), Mock Duck Steak(yes! Duck Steak), Mock Blue Marlin....WOW!!!!
On some days, it's Caldereta, Asian Pad Thai Noodles, Mock Fried Chicken, Tinola, Afritada, Mock Meatballs, Nilaga, Sinigang, Mock beef Steak, Pesto Spaghetti, Tacos, Nachos, Kebabs, Asado, Lengua, Korean Beef Stew, Tofu medley, Mock Chicken Rosemary, Adobo, Pasta Alfredo, Hummus, Pancit canton, Miki Bihon...the list goes on and on. On Sundays you get treated to the best Pinoy vegan breakfast with herbed rice and Mock Eggs (yes, you heard it veggie eggs)...fare includes mock hotdogs, tapa, tocino, longganisa.

All servings come with a side dish veggie salad (an assurance that your getting fresh, raw vegetables)

Oh btw, did I not mention that they have A raw fruit Juice Bar. A first in it's class--a smorgasboard of fresh n' ripe pineapples, apples, oranges, banana, mangoes all pulverized by this great blender/juicer to ensure that all the living enzymes goes to your health drink. They also have great desserts like muesli bars, bananu nuts, "choco roll etc"

The place is a great place to enjoy food and also read up on some of the reasons why we have to go Vegan---as it turns out--the owners Alex and Fortune are also animal rights advocates which make this gem of a place even more worth numerous visits.

Taste: 5 out 5 stars
Servings: 5 out of 5 stars
Value for Money: 5 out of 5 stars
Location: 3 out of 5 stars
Ambiance: 2 out of 5 stars
Service: 4 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4 Out of 5. Highly Recommended

http://latasiafusion.agapeia.com/
Latasia Fusion
Magsaysay St. Cor Katipunan Ave
besides UP Diliman Guard Outpost

With Teeth: Nine Inch Nails: My Album Review

2006-07-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

oint
An auteur is someone who audaciously crafts single-handed art using all possible tools at his disposal.

They consciously invent with the use of all things within grasp...break new ground, bend and distort the rules to perfection gucci handbags.

Trent Reznor is an auteur.

Trent Reznor = Nine Inch Nails.

It's been six years since the last NIN album, "The Fragile"- a collective opus in the post-tormented nineties of dissafected youth. The Fragile was perhaps NIN's most atmospheric work--it's a swan song to the Bill Clinton "safe" era.

If techno formula and it's redefinition is to Depeche Mode-- deconstruction is to
Nine Inch Nails. While both share the propensity to take drum machines and bit-processing synthesizers further
into stretchdom, credit the latter for taking the machine and whatever remains of it's chirps and bleeps to Hell and back. Nine Inch Nails is industrial music's Event Horizon. The skipper is Reznor; proud as ever to have taken the devil with him on few occassions.

Ever seen the movie 7even? Listen to the soundtrack. Classic Reznor.

I came across Nine Inch Nails during 1994. Being a grunge/indie/college radio enthusiast---the only band I felt that could pull off a full length show and totally get away with it using a full orchestration of synth and keyboards were Depeche Mode. Exceptions were occasionally handed out to 80's synth god Howard Jones and Thomas Dolby.

Then I chanced upon "The Downward Spiral" from a CD that our band's drummer "bootlegged" from somebody's CD player. Perhaps it was out of sheer curiosity that made me listen to noise being looped endlessly into a wider spectrum of more noise. If 16 tracks of noise could give you tinnitis, you have no idea what 36 tracks of pure scratching, gnashing and banging, hissing melodic noise would do. It appears that at one point during the last part of NIN's "Mr. Self Destruct" I swear I could've heard the sound reverberating into my medulla oblongata. As a result, 3 songs into the "The Downward Spiral"-- I was a convert. I have never heard nor witnessed such vast amount of genius ever put into magnetic/ digital format. The sound was tormenting yet liberating; 3 parts cyberpunk anger, 1 part mozart. 3 parts scream, 1 part whisper.

This was the start of my worship. And six years of waiting seemed like an eternity to witness rock music's second coming.

"With Teeth" is Nine Inch Nails 4th non-independent studio album. A homecoming of sorts.
If you expect the same familiar Dante's infernal journey to noise and more noise then "The Downward Spiral 2" it's not.

"With Teeth" captures the atmosphere and post-apocalyptic angst on a post 9/11 note without being political. The album takes us back to hell, not in a high school kind of way. It brings us closer to a "real hell". old age, escapism, nihilism, getting in touch with the non-safety and the terror we've successfully brought to ourselves. It's an album that encompassess all genres, embraces them and weaves them into wounded, tattered sonic frontispiece. The landscape is devoid to whisper to a scream, it's either ALL SCREAM or devastatingly soft whispers of falsetto rage. This time, sonic bliss is not achieved thru badass I don't give a rat's dick scrape the wallpaper off noise. Surprisingly, the angriest sounds are the sweetest.

Standout Tracks:

The Albums opener "All the Love in the World" sounds like a cross between a Billy Joel littany and that pepsi techno sundown commercial. The piece is danceable almost too sweet to remind us of pitchforks and horns. Reznor speaks of "Watching all the insects march along/Seem to know just right where they belong.", as he expresses disgust to those who can easily conform, fit in, and find their safe place in society....all for the sake of being posers and pseudos. The song reaches perfect sardonic sarcasm at the end of the last note..when a scream finally cements the hate, the retribution of unfair and unjust hero worhip.

"You Know What you Are" literally and figuratively hammers the same message of poser self-introspection. Shades of Dostoyevski's Notes from the Underground. This song also heralds Dave Grohl taking over the skins showing the drum machines who's boss.

"The Hand that Feeds" is one of the most accessible NIN tracks to come out in years. Much like the MTV friendly 1990 single "Head Like a Hole", this multilayered sound blitz is a subconscious tirade against the Bush war campaign. "Inside your heart it is black and its hollow and its cold", is a reference to the political apathy and lack of concern of many Americans during the Iraq war. The beat is infectious, trippingly danceable with a dangerously tagged ringmaster tailend-- "Will you bite, the hands that feeds you, will you stay down on your knees".

"Only". One of the standout tracks that jettisons us back to eighties when new wave was cool and Devo ruled college radio. The groove is mostly influenced by Jackson's "Billie Jean" interspersed with a tinge of Level 42's "Something about You". Be warned however that this song is also the darkest, most honestly brutal take on nihilism..."there is no you, there is only me, there is no fucking you, there is only me...only...only...only. It is also by far, a testament to Reznor's genius to fuse industrial noise murmurs/whispers into the bridge..."I just wake you up, to hurt myself" repeatedly, like it was Santa's gift to zoloft nation.

"Getting Smaller" sounds like punk being molested by techno. The song is perhaps the closest Reznor could get to deny old age...."I'm just a face in the crowd, nothing to worry about...I'm getting smaller. I just behave and obey, I'm afraid I just might fade away."

"Line Begins to Blur" feels like it was sung from a megaphone, a much visceral take on abuse and escapism.
"Beside you In Time" is a Bowie-esque ala fatboy Slim "Bird's of Prey" homage to electronica. It' Reznor's way of saying "Who's your Daddy?".

And the best track in the album by far is the closer "Right where it Belongs". The track boasts of a simple melancholy piano loop reminsicent of a straightjacketed Brian Wilson. The 4 minute piece is a journey to both spectrums of sound, at first seemingly from beneath the grave and finally ending in a concert hall amidst the cheers of thousands. Knowing Reznor, it could be a metaphor for rebirth, much so as it is a backmasked metaphor for the chilling reality of life's meaningless fear of the unknown. It is pure poetic genius. "You keep looking but you can't find the woods / While you're hiding in the trees" is such a beautiful line for the often complicated task of soul-searching.

There are smaller quests you can go on with a single song, or you can take the whole ride and listen to the album. "With Teeth" is no different. Sometimes I find myself lost in the soundscapes... feeling like they could wisk me away to another, fantastic or even frightening place. Other times I just enjoy the mashes. Let's face it. There is an endless amount of CRAP out there right now. It's hard to find any kind of honesty in music these days. Because of that, I find myself listening to a lot of hard stuff.. just for the mash of it. Reznor's music IS honesty to the core in my opinion. He does what he wants to do, a true auteur.

Unfortunately, I'll probably be waiting until I turn 38 for the 3rd coming.
By that time Trent Reznor will be 46.

-George

(review taken from my multily site--2005)

Dong Abay

2006-07-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

1993, when I was majoring in Film and Audio Visual Communications at UP diliman I had this college mate who belonged to a cinematography class as an elective to the myriad of electives in mass communication. If I got it right, it was a class under Fine Arts Professor Enrique.

We'd usually hang out at the Mass comm steps (film side) sucking on our winston reds. We were just casual acquaintances--he'd talk about the US bases, alternative cinema, U2 and the Clash. I'd just listen to his narratives, like it was just any conversation between a speaker and his disinterested audience. But I liked the guy simply because he wasn't mayabang. Everyday that sem, we'd just hang out for about 10-15 minutes ... talk nonsense and smoke.

One day, he invites me to watch his band perform. Wow, this character has a band? Uhhmm he likes U2 and The Clash....old school music. During that time, anything that didn't sound like Pearl jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Jane's Addiction or the Smashing Pumpkins wasn't worth listening to. To me music should sound like grunge-bar none. I was wrong.

Naturally I said yes, but didn't bother go. I had a band of my own, a cover band whom I thought was the greatest band on earth. I thought we sounded good and that we could be famous doing grunge gucci handbags covers.

Again, I was wrong.

Two months around February of 1994, me and a couple of FA students went to the UP fair to see the different "indie" bands perform...The e-heads were already taking off and phreaking afterimage was a radio staple. Towards one of the sets, a band came up onstage and did the best motherfucking punk- alterna rock rendition of songs that were both catchy, socially conscious and poetic at the same time. The vocalist was frenetic, crazy and passionate. And yes, the songs were all original and done in filipino. damn. Sheer Genius, that I even felt that this band was even better than the eraserheads (later I learned that we can't compare the two).

But the thing that blew me away most was that I recognized the vocalist. Shit, it's Mr. Clash...it's Mr. Winston Reds...Dong Abay... the dude that I'd hang out with and make tambay.

Dong Abay from the famous band YANO. The band that ushered in together with the e-heads the rennaisance in philippine musicscape. The band--that changed pinoy rock as we knew it. From then on the rest was History and I was an instant fan. I followed YANO as they gigged from 70's Bistro, to DREDD to Mayrics and UP. It was a great year, and it was also a great time to be alive!!!

1996 was the last that I heard of YANO in their sophomore album. I had already graduated from the university and had to deal with the corporate world just to earn a living. The musicscape had changed with grunge dying it's natural death and the boy band, spice girls britney era was malignantly creeping in...the e-heads were at their height..dangerously veering into extinction as Rivermaya waited in the wings for the torch to be passed.

YANO was never to be heard of. And so was Dong Abay...oh well maybe the dude got tired of making music...maybe, he like me had been siphoned by this thing called corporate sewage.

2002...I saw PIPOL and I saw the legend that was Dong Abay and the depression he went through...I pitied the guy, but my respect for him grew to immense proportions. He was totally revivified with his new band PAN. Instantly, I bought my copy at Nella Sarabia's UP shopping center outlet.

PAN was a classic. This was like a second coming of sorts, even better. Here you can see the pure genius that is Dong Abay...poetry, simplicity, inspiration, passion. This was unadulterated fertile pinoy music in it's purest form. To date, I only admire and respect two songwriters these past 3 decades...Gary Granada and Dong Abay.

PAN's Parnaso ng Payaso was like Led Zeps sophomore album. It was like The Who's Quadrophenia-atmospheric and organic that every ditty grows on you like ear candy. You never get tired listening to it. The album closes with an optimistic, yet reassuring note that Dong Abay will indeed be here to stay.

Present

A month ago, while sampling the new Red Hot Chilli Peppers album at Tower I saw what perhaps would be another happy moment in my music life. I saw FLIPINO... and a familiar name attached to the album sleeve. This time, a self named band that becomes a fitting tribute to the best surviving pinoy rock songwriter of all time. I couldn't review the album as I am still in the process of letting it grow on me. My initial listen confirms the genius that is Dong...the songs are much simpler, less layered, lesser instruments...much tamed and less angsty. But the fight is still there. Fists clenched but this time more cultivated and settled.

One of these days...I wish to see Dong Abay perform live. In the meantime, I have included one of his love songs "DYAD" in my soon to be wife's wedding site.

Dong, mabuhay ka! You deserve to be a national artist, pare.

As I am not worthy to do a decent review, please refer to these sites:

http://micomicolet.livejournal.com/160713.html

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/01/06/I2006010653260.html

This is Dong Abay's Official site:

http://dongabay.blogdrive.com

Btw guys check out the comments below....he he, sumagot ang idol ko! Yehey!

WILL WORK FOR REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

2006-07-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was diagnosed with a defective endocrine sytem, the indulgences of life's simple pleasures have eluded me. For the past 5 months I have subscribed to being frugarian and vegetarian as a means to prolong my life here in earth.

But what if you are faced with something that truly weakens you as a man. A longing so great that you get to abandon all rationality, albeit for just one waft of something mundane but absolutely one of the greatest of all mortal sins.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Like kryptonite, Reese's peanut butter cups has stood the test of time as the greatest weakness modern life has to offer. I mean who couldn't stand a "cup" of pure, salted, firmly impacted grade A peanut butter, blanketed by smooth and slushy milk choclit (the sweet kind you dodo, not the praline kind). For chrissakes I even have reese's website bookmarked so that I can peek through the "factory" once in every little while. By this, I feel life's purpose has been achieved by this gucci bags glorious little cuppa joy. An unmistakable amount of control.

I swear one day, I'll either die from heart disease or you'll find me OD'ing on a ton of reese's. (if and only I decided to leave this life of mine)

Which is why, I felt so "yeah bring it on" when I got invited to go duty free shopping last weekend. For the information of many--Duty Free philippines has the prestige of holding a shelf full of reese's peanut butter cups on one of their hershey stalls. This was more of a reunion than a trip to the grocery--at least for the reese's. So far there are only two places where i consistently see this little critter--Hi-top supermart and Duty Free, that it makes you wonder whether the confection was semi-retired like it's other "nutty" counterparts like payday or baby ruth.

5PM Sunday.

Went past the perfume and other collateral candies spread all over the floorspace. who needs to smell good anyway. As far as I am concerned there is only one variety of kryptonite, and it comes in small orange wrappers.

I walk the aisles seemingly afloat with jet propulsion only to find.....

Out of Stock!!!! AARRRGHHHHHHHH.

If only to satisfy my olfactory desires. Just to see those amazingly formed confections...Just a smell dude.

So to put me out of my self indulgent misery, I skirted thru Duty Free like I was on a psuedo interested treasure hunt. And lo and behold I have dug two finds that taunts the pirate that makes captain Jack Sparrow, er well, Jack Sparrow.

POCARI SWEAT-- I wouldnt want to know POCARI, much more would I want to get a taste of his/her sweat...this bottle of fizz happens to be an energy drink that is so popular in Japan, so says my call center collegue Kevin Smith.

ANTI-MONKEY BUTT POWDER---Never in my whole 33 years of existence would I get to meet this gem of a discovery.

One of these days I shall get myself one of these and apply it generously to my boss' hairy ass.