The Power Of Friends

I decided to take a risk and venture into the unknown. I said goodbye to my beloved school, and left Concept Magic behind. I was jobless, (almost) penniless, and headed for America to stay with my sister and her family in Ohio, as well as visit some relatives in California during the latter part of my trip. I'm actually thinking of just staying there for good - finding a job and converting my tourist visa into a working visa - after all, I'm planning to stay for four months... or more.

Why I was able to organize an event on the eve of my US flight is beyond me. Nevertheless, the night of May 17 was spent in Carbon Bar (in front of Pier 1 Julia Vargas) with great music and people. It was a benefit show by the Spirit Questors, and it was all for one of our members who needed the funds to support an ailing parent. The show featured bands, such as Save Art and Rub-A-Dub, and later on, we had an informal jamming session with Spirit Questors and guests (including yours truly of course!)

Here's a video of me singing my own version of "Weak" by SWV accompanied by my trusty guitarist, Ian. I actually miss doing gigs, and it was a truly poignant experience for me to be able to sing in front of an audience again.





Seeing the power of friends in helping out somebody in need is truly a moving experience. (We love you Eric!) It was a success! Thanks to Francis of Carbon Bar for giving us the venue for free! Love the Subaru! :-)

And it was three hours after that event wherein I saw myself boarding an airplane headed for North America.

(For more information on the Spirit Questors and how to join us, click here.)


*Video courtesy of Ms. Kat Fucio

Iron Man

Marvel produces yet another action-packed movie to put viewers on the edge of their seats.

Before I watched Iron Man, I never got to watch any of its previews, nor read its synopsis. I didn't even try to look at its promotional posters. In short, I didn't even know what to expect upon watching it.

Well, after settling down comfortably in one of Eastwood Cinema's plush seats while munching on nachos and fries, I had the tiniest inkling that this movie was something out of the ordinary. In fact, it's not even your everyday superhero story - which, by the way I believe, gave us viewers a more entertaining alternative to all those recently produced Spiderman flicks.

Iron Man starts out elaborately in an Arabian setting that involves the kidnap of a weapon manufacturing magnate and genius, Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey, Jr.) Stark is coerced by an Arab terrorist group to help them build an extremely destructive missile, but instead, builds an armored suit to help him escape. Later on, he decides to use this invention to battle against villainy and terrorism.

Power-packed with amazing CGI, digital effects, witty dialogue, and a bit of twisted humor, Iron Man falls under your basic category of a good versus evil plot - with an uncanny twist. Downey, being used to roles of a gentler nature, succumbs to the challenge of the "arrogant hero" archetype - precisely because Tony Stark doesn't exhibit any of the usual notions that society has of what qualities a hero should possess. He's a conceited, wealthy playboy who, in the beginning, cared only about his own interests and being in the limelight. I believe this is what made the movie different from other superhero movies that have been produced. In contrast to the regular superhero icon who would rather keep his true identity a secret, Tony Stark defies that standard and creates one of his own. His arrogant nature (despite being a compassionate do-gooder in the end) compels him to breach the "superhero code of secrecy" and chooses to disclose to the public who he really is!

While Iron Man has been around for many decades, the 2008 reproduction depicts the story in an entirely new and different perspective. Aside from the heavily invested technology and character tweaks, the film gives us an outlook on current political and socio-cultural issues - thus making it easier to relate with circumstances presented within the scenes.

All in all, Iron Man is definitely a must-see. While it features the fundamental plot concerning the quest to conquer evil, it aims to go beyond the criteria set by other superhero films, and instead, revolutionizes the genre on its own. :-)