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CALCULATING KIRI

“You indecent bitch!” – Sesang

The last night of the UP Sarswela Festival 2009 was the only performance I was able to watch among the lineup of various “modernized” sarswelas. The sarswela or zarzuela originated from Spain. It is a satire of sorts which involves dialogue, music, and dance often with comic relief. The sarswelas presented in the festival were tweaked a little to represent the changing paradigm of modern times.

 

            “Ang Kiri” (I am not sure with the translation, but from what I understood from the play it can be translated to a scarlet woman or a ‘malandi’ in the Filipino language…please correct me if I’m wrong) is a story of finding love only to lose it forever. It is about our never ending search for the right person who will complete us…only to lose that person to another.

 

            Sesang is a beautiful and charming woman admired by many and gossiped about by all. Amidst her opulent lifestyle and many suitors who shower her with gifts and admiration, she remains “loyal” only to Don Ramon for one reason—financial security.

 

            That is until she met the provincial boy Jacinto. His innocence and pure intentions to love someone as “impure” as Sesang, caused the scarlet woman to fall for him despite all odds. Unfortunately for Sesang, Jacinto is also in love with Pilar, his first love from the province and her seamstress.

 

            And so the vicious cycle of torn love, misery and loneliness begins.

 

            But there is of course comic relief in the persona of Sesang’s fat, obnoxious, gay butler Amboy. He who extorts money from her many suitors to get both master and servant the comfortable life they want. He who is supposedly the only other person who is able to enter her room. He who is her most trusted keeper of her secrets. He who left her once her money is all gone.

 

            Then there is Pepe. Her poet friend. Her friend who loves her more than a friend. Her friend who is willing to love her despite her fixation with Jacinto. Her friend whom she would rather not have than become a lover.

 

            Last of course is Jacinto. The puritan lover. He who does not seek riches but is given many by Sesang. He who cannot fight for Sesang because his mother disapproves of her. He who leaves her when she needed him most. He who easily forgot her when part of her died when she lost him.

 

            I pity Sesang. All she wanted was to be loved. While it might be true that she also wanted the richness the world has to offer, she was only seeking compensation for the “love” she has given to the many men who rumpled her sheets. The men who wanted her but not needed her.

 

            There is a Sesang in all of us. We give. They take. We need. They take it away. Then we are left alone again. There will always be an Amboy, a Pepe, or a Jacinto in our lives. It is up to us who we want to stay.

 

But sooner or later they will still leave us.

EVOL IS LOVE SPELLED BACKWARDS

Being the random person that I am, I decided to do something completely different this past Valentines. I don’t usually do mushy stuff, primarily because I don’t have anyone to do it to, but this year I decided to do something completely un-Jean-ish. I gave love.

In the form of chocolaty goodness.

I gave the precious apples of MCO—Cherrie, Kea, Ivy—and the golden apple herself Ana heart-shaped chocolate lollipops with their names on it to celebrate their singleness amidst the day of crazy loving.

Technically it wasn’t Valentines yet, but Cupid has a lot to do and has so little time.

So I kneeled before the bitches and showered them with my “undying devotion”. Now why the hell would I do that? Because I believe in charity. These people don’t have anyone to give them gifts on Valentines, so I became their Valentine. Good karma will of course happen and so I will have my Valentine the next time around too.

I never do anything without an ulterior motive folks…hahahaha (evil laugh!)

And so the day transpired and the night came.

Along with Jedd (Boy JJ—Jumping Jedd…you know what I’m talking about), Bikay (Girl Habulin ng Bobo), Rach (Vice Chair Lasengga), Kea (Girl with Red Obi Pimped to Robert), and Robert (Bikay’s friend who was forcibly pimped to Kea) we had the time of our lives by drinking Red Horse at the Sunken Garden.

By the time Bikay and I went inside to watch Love Rage 3 (presented by Pan Xenia Fraternity, Adelfe Enu Crea Sorority, UP Cursor, UP Circuit, Enchanted Kingdom, Penshoppe, Watsons, and Bacchus), everybody else were about to go home…coz they were already tipsy! Hahahaha! I had the last laugh because even though I drank the most number of beers, I was still relatively sober. Ang lakas pa ng loob ni Jedd na makipagpustahan na lasing na ako! Eat my shorts! Hahaha!

Anyway, inside the concert, which by the way sucked because it was stopped around 1 am due to the JJ’s (Jumping Jologs) repeated fence trashing and brick throwing, nothing much happened. Performances by Bamboo, Sugarfree, Urbandub, Kjwan, Itchyworms, Greyhoundz, Razorback, Typecast, Moonstar88, Silent Sanctuary, Kitchie Nadal, Stonefree, Mayonnaise, Cambio, Hilera, Soapdish, Giniling Festival, De Lara, Valley of Chrome, Fuse, Zelle, Salamin, Fuerzza, Chubibo, Top Junk, Intolerant, Menaya, Playphonics, Sopiz, Kelevra and many more, were all short and unfab. I totally wasted my 90 bucks.

Good thing the fireworks display was great and I was able to take good pics.

So that was how I celebrated the day of hearts: by fucking with people’s minds and drinking booze. Some things never change like Chuck Bass’ womanizing and my evol bitchin.

 

DEAR B…

Love has a quota. Out of five people only one will be happy in love. Four will never be truly happy. At least according to Lucas’ theory of love.
I was never a fan of love.
Love hurts. Love is tanga. Love is for the weak.
But it is such a magical concept: one of the better neuro-chemical sensations which our hypothalamus brings about.
And so in this month of broken hearts, single-awareness and capitalistic gain through chocolates, hearts, and cupids, I bring you my first ever Valentine blog!
Reading Ricky Lee’s fictional novel, Para Kay B (O Kung Paano Dinevastate ng Pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa Atin), is a far cry from the usual love story read by your maid under her sheets every night. It explores the aches, the pains, the excitement and anticlimactic endings love brings. It explores the love of a memory, forbidden love, the hardship of not knowing how to love, love with the same sex, and of course the ever tragic fatuous love. There is no happy ending, no prince charming, no happily ever after. Just ilusyonadang frogs.

I won’t ruin your day by providing a synopsis of the novel. Read it yourself. It will be worth it. Besides I’m not in the mood of summarizing a book’s worth of concepts. It is a compelling read. Well, at least for me. I don’t usually read books.

Lee’s characters are so real, so surreal, you see them. It is a paradox of reality and literary genius. It is like watching an unfolding telenovela filled with so many twists, turns, and tragic stories, it makes “A Walk to Remember” look like a feel-good movie.

I especially loved Erica’s story, the girl from Maldiaga who doesn’t know how to love. Sandra’s was just plain sad. A certified capital “S”. The other stories were okay, but those two really stuck to the core of my being. Favorite characters are a different side though. I love AJ from Ester’s story. His witty lines and positive outlook provides much needed comic relief. Lucas is a great guy to have in someone’s life…sans the emo-ness regarding Bessie.

To give you a taste of Para Kay B’s artistic genius, I will share some of the more striking quotes the book has to offer:

“For my love transcends boundaries and reaches out to the unloved, the unsure, and the unloving.” – Bessie

“Hindi kita papatulan, dahil ‘yang pekpek mo pakawala! Isa siyang pekpek na me pakpak! Isa kang 100% certified pokpok! Sa tatlong salitang iyan lang masa-summarize ang buong existence mo—pekpek, pakpak, pokpok!” – Ester kay Bessie

“Di man ako kasingganda ng mga Nanay n’yo, di man ako kasingkinis ng mga Ate n’yo, h’wag kayong pakaksiguro dahil isa lang naman ako sa mga pinatuwad ng Tatay at Kuya n’yo!” – AJ

PRAdsKuhan 2008

I don’t know if anyof you guys have noticed, but a lot of my blog post titles these days have the year 2008 on it.

Anyway…

The very first PR+Advertising Society Christmas Party was a successful soiree of sorts last Dec.15. Both members and some of the interns went to partake in an afternoon of pure alcoholic bliss and gluttony.

But talk is cheap. Why don’t I just show you guys how the whole thing went.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but for me these pictures deserve only a word each…

MATA.

FEELINGERA.

LASENGGA.

GINAHASA.

SUNOG BAGA.

BOTELYA.

BRATINELLA.

CAMERA.

CAMPUTA.

CH*P@!

HA-HA!

KWELA.

LA FEA.

PULA.

RAPSA.

YO-MAMA.

PAMILYA.

OBLATION RUN 2008

The much awaited annual demonstration of running naked men has again come and gone.

This year’s Oblation Run has again attracted hundreds of curious onlookers, peeping mediamen, and gawping voyeurs. But compared to last year’s Run, at least according to what I remember, APO runners were fewer this year.

Despite the smaller number of participating runners, the socio-political message of the UP tradition still shined through. The call for political change and GMA’s ouster is again the resounding call throughout the AS lobby.

Majority of the students who came and watched are of course after the chance to stare at male organs hanging like shriveled worms, but I would like to believe that they were also able to catch the underlying message of the Run.

It is of course a welcome change to break the monotony of droning academic work, but let us not forget that the Oblation Run is not just a venue for men to openly show their manhood (or lack of it…), it is also a tradition which reminisces UP’s mission of sacrificing for the country and its people.

MICROCOSM[E]

This has got to be my longest hiatus from the blogging world so far! Imagine, almost a month of disconnect from the blogging world. It’s enough to drive me insane. Not being able to share shit about anything is just so depressing, especially since my blog is one of my very few outlets of letting out stress and other shit. Enough with the crap talk…here goes!

Perhaps one of my more noteworthy accomplishments this month, even for the whole semester, is my interview with fashion and conceptual photographer Niccolo Cosme. Cosme is the brain behind the super successful Project Headshot Clinic, as well as various fashion editorials, and advertisements.
For my final paper for my J111 (Feature Writing) class, I chose to do a profile feature regarding this outstanding photographer and visual artist. Not only was I able to interview him face to face, I was also able to observe him up-close as he works in a photo shoot for Imagine Magazine.

I first heard of him from my orgmate Kea. I had no idea what a big shot Cosme is in the world of photography until Kea told me all about him. I was able to see some of his works before, especially the Maldita ads, and back then I was already impressed with his concepts. But I was more impressed by his creative vision when he talked in a symposium held last month at CMC.

I just hope I did him justice with my article.

Niccolo Cosme through the looking glass: the man behind the lens

Niccolo Cosme’s rise in the world of fashion and conceptual photography is stellar. At the young age of 28 he has already built his name and proved his worth. So observing how he does what he does was like peering through the looking glass.

Niccolo Cosme is not new to the world of films. His father, TV show director and writer Caesar Cosme, gave him his very first camera as a very young kid. Back in college at the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, he experienced the thrill of photojournalism in covering the second People Power Revolution.

But why hasn’t he continued with photojournalism? The BA Communications graduate simply wanted the freedom which conceptual photography brings. He relishes the creative control which is lost in photojournalism.

But his taste for the odd and eccentric, values which are important in newsworthy photographs was not lost in his quest for fashion and conceptual photography. He always wants his works to have the “what?!” factor. He wants his audience to look back at his work and see it again for its striking twist.

One of his more popular works is an advertising campaign he did for clothing brand Maldita. His challenge came in the form of Cherie Gil, TV and movie actress known for her villainess roles. His striking twist: to present Gil’s softer side despite her strong physical features, and even stronger personality. His “what?!” factor: Cherie holding a grasshopper at her fingertips.

When asked who his dream subject is, he would smilingly say former first lady Imelda Marcos. “Imelda is crazy… and she’s an icon, she’s not safe. Parang may kagat,” he said.

Indeed he has a taste for the dramatic and theatric.

I had the privilege of observing the man behind the lens in a fashion shoot he was doing for Imagine, a biannual style and culture magazine. For its December issue it will feature songs from different bands, and based on these songs different fashion editorials will be portrayed.

He collaborated with stylist and fashion designer Kenneth Chua in developing the concept for the song “Nang Gabing Nanaginip si Marcy na May Nagmamahal sa Kanya” by Ang Bandang Shirley. Cosme’s concept recreates an Alice in Wonderland-like dream world where the song’s characters come alive in colorful fashion garbs courtesy of Chua.

“Yung style niya ng photography may kwento. Yung total package niya hindi lang basta nakatayo. (His style of photography always has a story. His total package is not limited to just models standing.),” said Chua.

During the shoot the photographer does not just take the image. He creates it and makes it his own. He becomes a playwright.

As he adjusts the lights inside the studio, he sees a different world through his camera. Just like the prudent stage director, he prepared a story board to guide him in creating his fantasy world. The physical stage may only show the actors for now, but knowing Niccolo Cosme’s ability, the final show would involve many theatrics in the end.

For Imagine Editor-In-Chief Joyce Fernandez, Niccolo Cosme is a breath of fresh air among the photographers she has worked with. “He has a different sensibility from other photographers. He is more artsy, and I find that very refreshing,” said Fernandez.

Besides honing his skills as a photographer, he has also honed his skills as a visual artist. He edits his works seamlessly to suit the different worlds he creates.

Many of his works may look dark and melancholic as he is inspired by the gothic theme mostly. But some of his creations are also light and surreal.
Having been brought-up in a house near a church in Cavite, it is no wonder why he is fascinated by the Baroque and Renaissance themes.

He enjoys seeing exaggerated movements in his models’ poses. But he is not easily satisfied. His attention to detail is so great that the slightest twitch of the mouth or movement of the dress can make all the difference in his image.

Despite working with Cosme for the first time, model Zach Nelson looks forward to working with him again. He believes the photographer is “very intelligent and very creative.”

For Gilmarie Pacamarran working with Cosme for the first time is exciting as she has heard a lot about him from her fellow models and even from modeling agents. She has seen some of his works and is eager to be part of them.

As much as Cosme likes to create fantasy worlds with his camera, he is still very much in touch with reality.

Project Headshot Clinic is one project he is proud of. What started as a vanity headshot pictorial for various online social networking sites, later turned to an advocacy project which would even reach foreign shores.

His original intent for Project Headshot was to promote individuals through their headshots. But last May he launched the second installment of PH with Project Headshot Clinic – Headshot Clinic One World.

This time his headshots were for a cause: world peace and unity. His “glorified beauty pageant” has the same aim as any beauty pageant, promoting peace by showing every individual’s diverse beauty.

But he took it one step further. Through his project he was able to travel to countries like Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Singapore.

At first it was hard to explain to foreigners what the project was all about, but as it gained popularity, more and more people embraced the idea.

He was also able to promote peace in a different way. In his travels he was able to see the different troubles faced by our neighboring countries. His eyes were opened to the terrors of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.

“When I got back here I was able to share my stories, thankful that we are not experiencing something like that,” he said. He added that it was a good learning experience for him and that “To advocate peace, is to educate people.”

His exposure in the foreign market and strong foundation back home has also merited him one of his more distinct achievements so far.

Just this year an international photography book was published in Germany featuring the various works of photographers from all over the world. Only two Filipinos were included in the book. One was him; the other was Raymond Isaac, another well-known fashion photographer in the country.

Considering the gap between the two of them in terms of age and experience in the industry, it is indeed quite an honor to appear in a book alongside Raymond Isaac.

“If a foreigner looks at the book, it doesn’t say the age or status of the photographer. We actually come up as equals in the book,” said Cosme.

Niccolo Cosme’s stellar rise sees no end just yet. Ten years from now he might dabble in film making he says, but nothing is for certain.

“I don’t look that far ahead. I really don’t know, we just have to wait and see,” he ended.

Whatever his plans may be, it would certainly be interesting to continue looking at Niccolo Cosme through the looking glass, as he creates more wonderlands in the world of conceptual and fashion photography. #

For more about Niccolo Cosme and his works, visit The Head Hunter