Category Archives: Men

Songs from The Beatles Days: My Top 15 Favorite George Harrison Songs

When you hear ‘The Beatles’, people normally associate the band with John Lennon or Paul McCartney. Well, I cannot blame them. George Harrison is rather known as the ‘quiet Beatle’ anyway. Guess what? He is my favorite.

George Harrison

This week, I plan to write some articles in relation to George Harrison for my self-imposed ‘George Harrison Challenge’. I will start with the easiest and that is by ranking my Top 15 Favorite George Harrison Songs that he wrote and sung as part of The Beatles.

Are you ready?

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My iTunes Festival 2013 Experience: Jessie J and Lawson

It’s been two weeks since I enjoyed my first ever iTunes Festival Experience! It was a night full of music, fun and surprises!

Jessie J with the boys of Lawson

Jessie J with the boys of Lawson (from Jessie J’s FB)

I joined the online promo for the iTunes Festival 2013  just for the heck of it. No expectations or whatsoever. It is the reason why I was amused when I received an e-mail that I got picked and I can bring one friend with me. I originally planned to go with my mom or my cousin, but they both declined. Just happy that my blogger friend Catherine is free that day so yeah, my other free ticket didn’t go to waste!

iTunes Festival - Jessie J

Jessie J encouraging her Heartbeats to sing with her 😀

For some reason, I think Jessie J is my lucky charm. I was also given the opportunity to get involved in a ‘special party’ a few months ago. Now, I am about to see her perform live!
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An Evening with Matt Goss – ‘Life You Imagine’ album showcase

Remember my blog confession about my dream to watch a Matt Goss show? Some might say ‘It’s easy – Fly to Vegas and catch one of his shows at Caesar’s Palace!‘. It’s not that easy for a Philippine passport holder like me. My only hope to see him is if he gets a chance to do a show in Manila (although I am aware that the probability of this thing to happen is just 10%) or just pray that he’ll do a show in London while I’m still here.

Will I be able to see this lovely man in London instead of Vegas?

Will I be able to see this lovely man in London instead of Vegas?

Then something unexpected happened. There were rumors that Matt Goss might visit London to do a show to promote his new album. No specific date given, but the show will take place within the year. Hmmm… When will I, will I see him in person?

While waiting in NAIA – 1 Boarding Gate for my flight to Birmingham, I saw a tweet confirming that tickets to the Matt Goss Album Showcase will be on sale the next day! Wah. Imagine how excited and at the same time anxious I was. With a note that there will be limited tickets for grabs, I simply couldn’t keep still. I NEED TO GET A TICKET AND WATCH THE SHOW!!!

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The Matt Goss Appreciation Post

I’d love to be considered one of the quintessential British men who hasn’t given up, has seen the world and is strong, healthy with plenty of fire left in him. Maybe after reading my story, you might agree.”

– Excerpts from Matt Goss: More Than You Know

When I arrived home from the 6-hour bus trip from Baguio to Manila, my mind is already programmed to take a deep sleep once I reunite with my bed. I was quite surprised when I saw a big envelope in my bed. One of the books I purchased in eBay arrived. I am still on a high after reading Geri Halliwell’s If Only. Time to read a man’s perspective!

Getting to know Matt Goss through his music

Getting to know Matt Goss through his music

I smiled upon seeing the hardcopy of Matt Goss: More Than You Know. It is the autobiography of ex-Bros lead singer Matt Goss. He may not be popular here in the Philippines, but I believe that once upon a time, he made a lot of teenage girls (and gays) worldwide scream for more.

 

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80’s Boy Band BROS: Will the former pop stars be famous… again?

It’s time for me to feature a boy band that won the hearts of young girls worldwide in the late 80’s. I would like to reintroduce – BROS.

80's Boy Band BROS: Craig Logan, Matt and Luke Goss

80’s Boy Band BROS: Craig Logan, Matt and Luke Goss

I rediscovered Bros through a documentary about British pop. The original Bros line-up includes Matt Goss (lead vocals), Luke Goss (drums) and Craig Logan (bass). Matt and Luke are identical twins and Craig is their high school friend.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOJ8JKZlFZY&w=420&h=315]

I remember stumbling to their music video for ‘When Will I Be Famous?’ as a kid (again, thanks to MTV Classics!). I even thought the lead singer is a woman (try to watch the music video :P). The Bros mania is considered short, but phenomenal in the 80’s. Young girls loved them and mothers consider them as ideal sons.

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The Rise and Fall of East 17 – What Went Wrong?

Twenty years ago, the music world’s perception of boy bands include good-looking young boys who can sing, dance and make young girls (and gays) fall for them. Take That’s marketing strategy worked. Gary, Howard, Jason, Mark and Robbie are the types of guys your mom would want you to marry. The good boy image they project meant they need to follow some very strict rules like no partying in public, do not comment on political or social issues and no girlfriends.

East 17 - The Original 'Bad Boys' of British Pop.. hip-hop and RnB

East 17 – The Original ‘Bad Boys’ of British Pop.. hip-hop and RnB

East 17 did the opposite. Actually, I was surprised when I found out that East 17 were the ‘rival’ group of Take That. While Gary Barlow and the boys loved to sing ballads and revival hits, East 17 were original in the sense that Tony Mortimer wrote majority of their songs (all originals… am I right?), they’re not afraid to speak their mind and they’re sincerely project the ‘i-don’t-care-I-will-live-my-life-just-deal-with-it’ type of image.

People close to my age here in the Philippines might remember East 17 when they became E-17 on the late 90’s for the song ‘Each Time’ (included in the Now 5 compilation album). As a fan of MTV Asia Classic (every weekdays 11-11:30am), I’ve seen the music videos of the boys for House of Love, Deep and Stay Another Day.

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TAKE THAT! – UK’s Top Boy Band of the 90’s are Back For Good

The Big Reunion relived my love for boy and girl bands. I am proud to say that I grew up in an era where pop music dominated the charts and most artists wrote their own material. For some reason, I prefer British acts over the American ones. I wrote a number of posts on how the Spice Girls inspired me to do better as a child and how the music of various artist mold me into an imaginative person like me today.

The Boys of Take That - A Happy Ending

The Boys of Take That – A Happy Ending

One of the Boy Bands who dominated the charts in the early 90’s is Take That. When you do the math, I was just five years old when the five boys from Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent made girls and gays giggle with their charisma. Honestly, I had a big crush on Robbie Williams when he emerged as a solo artist in the late 90’s. The MTV Asia addict that I am, I often catch the videos of Take That through MTV Classic. If the USA have the New Kids On The Block, UK is definitely proud of Take That!

The story of Take That is passable for a telenovela series. An ambitious manager named Nigel Martin-Smith held auditions for the next important boy band. He met Gary Barlow while he’s performing in a local pub. He is amazed with his songwriting and his vocal abilities. He then figured out that this talented fella may not be able to make it as a successful solo artist. The audition for the remaining Take That members was launched

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The Big Reunion: 5ive and 911

It’s all in the number. 5ive and 911 are two of the most popular boybands Britain produced in the 90’s. I figured out recently that post pop bands would do a Southeast Asian tour first before invading their own country and if they make it big in the rest of Europe, they’re set to conquer the United States of America!

5IVE and 911 - British Boy Bands we loved in the 90's!

5IVE and 911 – British Boy Bands we loved in the 90’s!

5ive… when they were introduced to the media before, they were dubbed as the ‘Spice Boys’ by the press because they were discovered by the people behind ‘Touch’ (original name of the Spice Girls). Aside from their good looks and dance moves, their music is a fusion of pop and rock. 5ive is the boy band with an edge. When I got accepted at the school dance troupe in high school, ‘Keep on Moving’ is our ‘premiere’ dance presentation. Good times!

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Richard Gutierrez: Let the Seduction Begin!

Richard Gutierrez is everywhere nowadays. For weeks now, he’s been busy promoting his new film entitled ‘Seduction’, which serves as Regal Films’ opening Salvo for 2013. The movie is the movie comeback project of veteran director Peque Gallaga. It is a sexy-drama full of love, lust and desire.

Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati

The Seduction of Richard Gutierrez

Chard started out as a child actor (together with his twin brother Raymond, who is a successful TV host now). He took a brief hiatus from showbiz and emerged as one of the most important homegrown talents of the Kapuso network. He was re-introduced via the Saturday teen-oriented show, Click. I remember his character name was Enzo and he was paired with Mimi (played by Chynna Ortaleza). Can you still remember who his twin sister in the show is? Yep, Angel Locsin as Charley. As an avid viewer of the show way back, I wished they never casted Richard and Angel as siblings because they’d make a good onscreen couple.

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Case of the Missing Scarf

I remember clearly when this photo was taken. Behind me is a mystery man whom I’ve been following online since last year. We met in person during my first night in Siem Reap and I am still in awe up to this day that I finally met him. No, I am not in love with this person in a romantic way. I just felt like I found a big brother in him and he’s been giving me tips about traveling, blogging and life. He’s the man!

With the Mystery Man one morning at Siem Reap River

We were at the wet market of Siem Reap with a friend minutes before this photo was taken. I was scheduled to take the 8AM bus ride (Siem Reap-Bangkok) and I booked my ticket a night before. I wanted to go to the wet market to see a certain rare find there, but we failed to see it. We decided to just walk ’till we reach the Siem Reap River and to our guesthouse.

To cut the intro short, I ended up not taking the bus trip even if I made it just on time. I am aware that I just wasted $10, but I know that I will gain more knowledge and memories once I extend my stay for two more nights.

The mystery man handed me a scarf a night before my actual departure from Siem Reap. He told me that I can use the scarf on my upcoming trips. I am touched with this simple gesture. Ang sweet lang hehe.

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