OUT OF THE BOX: Walang Hanggang Paghihintay

WALANG HANGGANG PAGHIHINTAY

Apat Na Kwento ng Naulilang Pag-ibig

a short film by Popo Diaz

“Walang Hanggang Paghihintay – Apat Na Kwento ng Naulilang Pag-ibig” is the story of four individuals who eulogize the passing of the love of their life. In the short film, water is referred to as a great love lost. From the farmer’s perspective, he realizes too late that without water he cannot harvest his fields even if he toils all day. The woman, talks about the hurt and the pain that one feels when losing a loved one. She goes about her day to day chores trying to put a brave face but inside she is in mourning. A young lady, refers to water as her first love, reminiscing about the times they spent together and wondering if she will ever experience such a love again. Lastly, a boy expresses an ode about water and referring to it as his best friend with whom he has spent the best days of his youth. Each declares promises that they would change so that their lost love will return. All express the hope the one day they will be reunited this great love. - POPO DIAZ

This is Popo's first (attempt) in making a short film. Invited by his boss, Monster Jimenez, to join the short film competition, his inspiration came from very unique and diverse places - taking a bath, his fascination with eulogies and Fernando Amorsolo.

The film is an entry to the 1st Clean Water Video Contest and will be screened at NCCA theater tomorrow, April 22, 2010 at 1pm.

*Author's Note: Popo Diaz's Walang Hanggang Paghihintay - Apat Na Kwento ng Naulilang Pag-ibig is the grand prize winner of the 1st Clean Water Video Contest.

INTERVIEW: CoolieDread

If you are not from Cebu and not into reggae chances are, you have not heard of CoolieDread and The Microphone Commander. 

Started as a DJ/MC duo in 2005, CoolieDread (James D'Lonsod) and Microphone Commander (Greggy Polo) paved the way for dancehall reggae. From a duo, they expanded into becoming a full band with a drummer, bassist, two guitar players, a keyboardist and three MCs.

For half a decade, CDMC has been touring and promoting Filipino reggae music all over the country. But, all good things must come to an end and on Saturday, April 17, CDMC will be having their farewell gig at The Outpost. Cebuanos and reggae-lovers alike are baffled by this decision.

The Independent Crowd brings you this interview with CoolieDread as he sheds light on this unforeseen declaration.

TIC: You've been in the business for five years and there are not that many reggae bands out there, but why did you decide to stay in Cebu? Why not go to Manila?

CD:  First reason was to finish the album in Cebu. Second, we haven’t got any deals that would convince the rest of the band to move to Manila when we first started. Third, most of us were yet to finish college. 

TIC: But, I'm sure you have had offers...

CD: We were offered record deals but none of them could satisfy our wants as a group. So, it would have been really risky if we moved to Manila without venturing more and playing in other places. 

TIC: Would you say that CDMC has reached its peak already?

CD: No. The band is too young. Too much room for improvement, I would've wanted for us to tour the whole country extensively and do several albums. 

TIC: Let's face it, reggae is not as big in other provinces as it is here in Cebu. 

CD: Back in the early 90's, Cebu has already been active in educating people about reggae. The Bob Marley Foundation would hold regular reggae radio shows, parties and music festival like The Annual Bob Marley Fest, which is now known as Cebu Reggae Fest. In 2002, there were roughly about 40 reggae bands just in Cebu and that is a fact. But, radio stations from other cities are now starting to play our music and have reggae sessions in bars, which I think are a good thing.

TIC: Advocating reggae seems really arduous, but what has been the most challenging thing the band has to go through?

CD: The greatest challenge for CDMC was our 2006 Motorola Manila Bar Tour. For two months, we lived together in one roof, performing every night and arguing now and then.

TIC: Any memorable gigs?

CD: September 31, 2006. Winning the Motorola Rock’Moto Band Competition to Endorse Motorola Products for a year. That started it all.

TIC: You mentioned that you wanted more for CDMC. But, why are you having a farewell gig already?

CD: I don't know if I'm coming back after six months in China. Budoy (of Jr. Kilat) and I (his DJ) were chosen to perform with the Philippine Pavilion in Shanghai World Expo 2010. The band has also come to an agreement not to perform without the complete original members. They said, they would be crippled since I initiated everything.

TIC: With you going to China, what's the next step for the other members?

CD:  I cannot speak for the whole group but I am sure that they will be moving to other bands and continue with their music. 

TIC: With CDMC's farewell, which band will take over the reggae scene?

CD: Sefyla, Stiff, Skankin Brews and Pohaku (or Skank My Mood)

TIC: That was a good five-year run for CDMC, for sure, you will be missed.

CD: I can see that in the next couple of years, there will be more DJ’s and electronic musicians in Cebu’s music scene. All indie bands will still be around, but will somehow still be underground till they themselves start to elevate the music business to another level.

TIC: What do you want to say to the fans?

CD: Always remember that even CDMC will not be around, we sure did have some fun years jamming, we knew you’ll always be part of us, that forever in our minds: We always “ROCK TO THE RIDDIM”

Microphone Commanders:
Gene Gong - Gene Caballes - Vocals
WajahRhymes - Ryan Yu - Vocals
CoolieDread - James D'Lonsod - Vocals, dj samples
The Band:
Eric Yrigan - Drums
Mark Villanueva - Bass
Francis “ Dang” Yrigan - Guitars
Paul “Pauldo” Cañada - Guitars
Yani Sagun - Keyboards & Synths

FEATURE: Kerwin Go and Eskrimadors

A Los Angeles trained filmmaker, 34- year-old Kerwin Go recently garnered local industry success with his documentary Eskrimadors, a look on the history and journey of Filipino martial art Eskrima or Arnis. The film had its world premiere January 30 at SM Cebu and, on February 20, it closed Cinema Rehiyon Film Festival held at the Cultural Center of Philippines . Both screenings earned rave reviews from critics, FMA enthusiasts, and regular moviegoers.


Born and raised in Cebu City, Kerwin was one of the principal founders of RCTV, Real Cebu Television Channel 36. He led create original local programming which became really quite popular. Aside from  local accomplishments, he served as Director of Photography to two feature films for an LA production company. 


For Eskrimadors, Kerwin multi-tasked as director, producer and writer of the documentary. He said, "I was inspired to do Eskrimadors because I wanted to do a film that spoke about my culture and identity. Cebu is the mecca of Eskrima. Eskrima is as Cebuano as anything can get."


"The goal of Eskrimadors was to shed light on this very under-appreciated part of our culture and heritage.  It is somewhat of a dying art form here in the Philippines and we were compelled to do whatever it was in our power to help preserve and promote it."


With a thumbs-up from critics and FMA aficionados and a jam-packed world premiere,  Kerwin mentioned that he was blown away by how the film was accepted. 


"The reception to Eskrimadors is nothing short of amazing. People come up to us afterwards to thank us for making the movie. They say it moves them and makes them proud to be Filipino. Even foreigners in attendance say that they are inspired by it. Its a great feeling and a validation of the hard work we put into making the film."


Eskrimadors is now available on DVD through Amazon's Createspace Order-On-Demand service. 

MUSIC AWARDS: Asia Pacific Voice Independent Music Awards

Organized by Voize Malaysia, the Asia Pacific Voice Independent Music Awards  or AVIMA, is dedicated to highlighting independent music from Asia.


Now on it's second year, the 2010 AVIMA promises to be bigger and better.


Here's a list of nominees from the Philippines:


Best Pop/R&B Song 
Let's Make Babies -  The Bernadettes
Best Pop/R&B Act
Hi-C
Best Rock Song
Soap - Wolfgang
Best Rock Group
Wolfgang
Best Rock Vocalist
Basti - Wolfgang
Best Hip-hop/Urban Song
All rights reversed - Loonie
Best Hip-hop/Urban Solo
D-Coy
Best Hip-Hop Group 
Mobbstarr
Best Electro/Dance Song
Morning Swim - Turbogoth
Best Electro/Dance Act
Turbogoth
Moody Melancholic Masterpiece
Sana - Up Dharma Down
Pump - Mobbstarr
blind - Musical o
Best Female Vocalist Overall
Armi Millaire
Best Remix
I want to have your baby (Abortion Remix) - The Bernadettes
Morning Swim (Drowned Remix) - Turbogoth
Best Collaboration
Another One remix - Mobbstarr, Dannie boi, and Chingy (Philippines/USA)
Pambansang Kamao - D-coy feat beatmatics
Feel Good Song of the Year
The Sight of Love - The Camerawalls
Most Mindblowing Music Video
Sana - Up Dharma Down
Physical - Hi-C
Ibrahim - Wolfgang


Click on this LINK and start voting. 

OUT OF THE BOX: Vote for Mark and Hazel

A week ago, I was whiling away my time in front of the computer and found a contest for couples who'd like to spend six months getting paid going to exciting honeymoon destinations. 

This is one of those times I wish I was in a relationship. But, I'm not. So, the only couple I could think of who deserves this treat are my good friends, Mark Esguerra and Hazel Biana. I told them to submit a video asap and out of thousands of applicants, they got into the top 50 - this is despite submitting a video three days before the deadline.

So from top 50, the organizers will choose the top 10 applicants. Mark and Hazel are the only Filipino in the contest and they are currently number one. But, they need more votes, people!

So, click on the link AND VOTE. Spread the word!!

LIST: The 50 Greatest Independent Films

The following is Empire Magazine's compilation cum tribute to the best films produced by the independent industry. 
Do you agree with the list?

50. El Mariachi (1992), d. Robert Rodriguez

49. Run Lola Run (1998, Ger.), d. Tom Tykwer

48. Cube (1997, Can.), d. Vincenzo Natali

47. Blood Feast (1963), d. Herschell Gordon Lewis

46. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), d. Tobe Hooper 

45. Mad Max (1979, Aus.), d. George Miller

44. Amores Perros (2000, Mex.), d. Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu 

43. Shadows (1959), d. John Cassavetes

42. Swingers (1996), d. Doug Liman

41. Dead Man's Shoes (2004, UK), d. Shane Meadows 

40. The Descent (2005, UK), d. Neil Marshall

39. The Passion Of The Christ (2004, It./US), d. Mel Gibson

38. Grosse Point Blank (1997), d. George Armitage

37. Being John Malkovich (1999), d. Spike Jonze

36. Buffalo '66 (1998), d. Vincent Gallo

35. THX-1138 (1971), d. George Lucas

34. The Blair Witch Project (1999), d. Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sanchez 

33. Shallow Grave (1994, UK), d. Danny Boyle 

32. Two Lane Blacktop (1971), d. Monte Hellman 

31. Pink Flamingos (1972), d. John Waters

30. Sweet Sweetback Baadassss' Song (1971), d. Melvin Van Peebles

29. Bad Lieutenant (1992), d. Abel Ferrara

28. In The Company Of Men (1997), d. Neil LaBute

27. Dark Star (1974), d. John Carpenter

26. Lost in Translation (2003), d. Sofia Coppola 

25. Drugstore Cowboy (1989), d. Gus Van Sant

24. Happiness (1998), d. Todd Solondz

23. The Evil Dead (1981), d. Sam Raimi
22. Nosferatu, A Symphony Of Terror (1922, Ger.) (aka Nosferatu - eine Symphonie des Grauens), d. F.W. Murnau 

21. Roger And Me (1989), d. Michael Moore

20. Slacker (1991), d. Richard Linklater

19. Lone Star (1996), d. John Sayles

18. Withnail And I (1987, UK), d. Bruce Robinson

17. City of God (2002, Braz.), d. Kátia Lund, Fernando Meirelles

16. She's Gotta Have It (1986), d. Spike Lee

15. Blood Simple (1984), d. Joel Coen

14. Stranger Than Paradise (1984, W. Ger/US), d. Jim Jarmusch

13. Memento (2000), d. Christopher Nolan

12. Eraserhead (1977), d. David Lynch

11. Bad Taste (1987, NZ), d. Peter Jackson

10. Mean Streets (1973), d. Martin Scorsese

9. Sideways (2004), d. Alexander Payne 

8. The Usual Suspects (1995), d. Bryan Singer

7. sex, lies, and videotape (1989), d. Steven Soderbergh

6. Night of the Living Dead (1968), d. George Romero

5. Monty Python's Life Of Brian (1979, UK), d. Terry Jones 

4. Clerks (1994), d. Kevin Smith

3. The Terminator (1984), d. James Cameron

2. Donnie Darko (2001), d. Richard Kelly

1. Reservoir Dogs (1992), d. Quentin Tarantino