I am not usually a music junkie. I don’t keep track of certain artists for their songs, because I tend to just appreciate good music when I hear it, but I don’t actively seek out information about the artist, or the album, or its release date, or its record label. Do you get the picture?

But lately, I have been addicted to one particular artist, and when I say addicted, I mean I play her songs on loop 25 hours a day, 8 days a week. Again, do you get the picture?

I was actually just busily idling my time away on that boring day of April (notice the oxymoronic statement there), when I came across a blog entry that featured one of her songs. Adele was singing ‘Turning Tables’ in an AOL acoustic session, and I was immediately captivated by her musicality, the profound lyrics, her enthralling voice, and most especially, her heartfelt rendition.

Yes, I am talking about THE Adele.

After watching that video, I immediately scoured the internet for more of her songs, and in no time, I was able to download all her songs from her self-titled album. I was smitten, and regardless of how many times I listened to her songs, they were still poignantly painful to listen to.

‘Don’t You Remember’, a hauntingly sad song about wanting a lover back, particularly tugged at my heart’s strings, and I am just in awe at how profoundly honest its lyrics are. Listen:

‘Cause I know I have a fickle heart,

And a bitterness,

And a wandering eye,

And a heaviness in my head.

But don’t you remember the reason you loved me before?

Baby please remember me once more.’

It couldn’t get any more painful than that. Adele says it without restraint, and as she does so, she infuses her rich brand of musicality into her songs.

Brilliant, just absolutely brilliant.

Now, I have more reasons not to watch American Idol. I swear, the sentiments are verging on hate, not just indifference, because this talent show is clearly going down the drain with America’s consistently wrong choices for who it eliminates.

The last casualty, as everyone knows, is the extremely talented Casey Abrams. Compared to the remaining AI contenders, Casey was an absolute favorite from the start — and this was not just because of his innate charm, because more than this, his musical chops is just simply incomparable to the rest.

Yes, he may not have the most memorable voice in the bunch, but the soulfulness of his voice is always something that I’ve always looked forward to hearing week after week after week. He may be a white man — yes, conceded — but his musical style is distinctly jazzy and bluesy.

Which is why it evades all reasoning why he was eliminated in the last episode. No one in the bunch deserved to advance further into the finals than Casey, especially with the earlier eliminations of the powerful belter Pia Toscano and the unconventional Paul McDonald.

My personal take on why this fiasco had to happen: unmemorable judges’ comments.

If you listen to what the judges have to say this season, their comments mainly constitute of praises to high heavens, even when at times, even a nincompoop knows that the rendition was boring and sleepy. Obviously, what steered the direction of voter’s choices before was Simon’s unapologetic critiques.

He called an atrocity an atrocity, and he praised a beautiful piece when he saw one.

Yes, everyone may have said that Simon has not been missed thus far in the show, but at the rate things are going, I sure do miss his honest comments — because I think that he has managed, in the past, to keep the really good singers in the competition and prune out those who are mediocre, boring and predictable.

Right now, however, it’s a voting frenzy — as the judges themselves are the ones leading the voters into the abyss.

I may be no Grammy Award winner, but I sure do have my own opinion when it comes to the contestants’ performances this season. Here’s mine for the Top 9 performances, although I will try my best to just keep my comments short and concise (and probably brutal):

Theme: Rock and Roll

Jacob Lusk: Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson

To be completely honest, I do not like him. He may be a great singer, but he does not have the complete package. Jacob is not marketable, he prances around like a drag queen, and he just has this ethos that makes you appreciate his singing, but not make you itch to vote for him. I’d rather vote for another contestant, thank you very much.

Haley Reinhart: Piece of my Heart by Janis Joplin

I felt like it was a little screechy, but the song choice really helped her a lot. She sounded great with the tempo, and she knew exactly where she wanted the song to go to.

Casey Abrams: Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival

For two weeks in a row, I don’t think his performances had been exemplary. I think he is too self-conscious, to the point of holding back and not letting his natural instincts guide him through his performances. The culprits: America’s stupidity for making him the bottom contestant during the top 11 results show and the advice of the judges for him to stop growling.

I think he sings best when he adds that kind of flavor to his songs — that is who he is: a renegade artist who has soul and is unapologetic about it. Let’s admit it, his voice is not the most distinct among the bunch, but during the early parts of the competition, he was able to successfully infuse flavor into his songs.

But right now, it seems like he just wants to play it safe all the time, in hopes of not getting America’s ire (or apathy) for his being fearless. If he lets this continue in the coming weeks, then without a doubt, he will become forgettable and predictable sooner than he can let out a grooooowl.

Lauren Alaina: Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin

I used to think that this girl had the range that can propel her all the way to the finals. Her performance tonight though, was an eye-opener for me, and it confirmed so many deep-seated doubts that I had about her and her capabilities as a potential artist.

Her performance failed to deliver (obviously not up to par with Aretha, or even with Kelly Clarkson), pretty predictable (she did not know which notes to sustain or fire up), and just so-so.

At first, I thought she had the range that can help sustain her — but lately, I’m beginning to think that she never had it in her in the first place. If she can prove to America that she has the capacity to challenge herself and that her high notes are as sultry as her low registers, then perhaps her chances of making it far can improve.

James Durbin: While My Guitar Gently Weeps by George Harrison

I don’t like this dude. Arrogance personified. He has not even made it big yet, but he already thinks so highly of himself. Attitude problem perhaps? Yes, I know, he may be able to hit the high notes and shriek like a kid who is still approaching puberty, but I am perfectly content with Adam Lambert, thank you very much.

Scotty McCreery: That’s Alright Mama by Elvis Presley

He got lucky tonight that he was able to sing an Elvis song. I know that the judges constantly tell him that he is not a one trick pony, but it is obvious, even to a nincompoop, that he is the king of all one trick ponies.

If you look back on his performances for the past five weeks, all he did were country songs that were mixed with soul, rock, and other half-genres. I don’t know about you, but it baffles me why the judges seem to be hard on the other contestants to explore other genres, but when it comes to this country boy, they are all praises. This, for me, even begs the question: Is this show scripted?

Pia Toscano: River Deep, Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner

Personally, I felt that that was the best performance of the night. Like the judges, I was a little bit worried that for the past weeks, she seemed to be only capable of doing ballads — but beautiful ballads, mind you. So for this week, she worked the stage like a pro and sang her up tempo song with impeccable sheen. Pia also has a distinct sound to her voice, one that is neither generic nor forgettable.

The judges comments: She needs to watch how the greats do their concerts. How Mariah, Celine, Whitney all move when up on the stage — because, apparently for them, she still needs to push it further. Didn’t she push it already with her song choice this week, not to mention she did her ‘pushing’ really well?

Given that most of the judges’ comments to almost all of the contestants that night were positive, their reception to Pia’s performance may be misconstrued by the American public to be one of the poorer ones that night. Gah. It seems like with her, they will never be satisfied. I need to stop, before all the blood gets to my head.

Stefano Langone: When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge

He is definitely one of the best contenders this year. In my book, he needs to be in the Top 5 — if only for his distinct voice quality, his range, and his charisma. I seriously do not get what the judges meant when they told him in a previous episode that there was a disconnect in his performances.

Sometimes, Randy and Jennifer give very abstract critiques, and they do not even offer a plan of action so the ‘imagined’ problem will go away. He sings well, he’s not just an AI winner material.

Paul McDonald: Fulsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash

I really, really, really like this bluesy singer. If only for his distinct voice quality, and his emotionally-drenched performances, I think he deserves to go far, say Top 5 or 6.

Tonight, he delivered again. But I do agree with the judges that perhaps, it will be a challenge to convince America that his uniqueness can be the real deal.

He is unconventional, but that does not mean that he is not good. If ever  he gets cut soon, it’s not because he has less talent. It just means that America, just like in previous seasons, would have it wrong again.

So there goes my three cents worth for AI’s top 9 performances. If you agree with what I had to say, then well and good. If you don’t, then hey, I’m no Simon Cowell — so chill.

Clint Gamboa, another American Idol contender with Filipino roots, is also a top 24 finalist in AI’s 10th season. Gamboa is 26 years old, and prior to joining the popular reality TV show, he’s been working as a karaoke bar host. For two consecutive years, moreover, he has been the grand winner of a prestigious karaoke contest in California.

Even when Gamboa seems to have the pipes for the cut-throat singing competition, a lot of viewers were ticked off when he decided to kick out a 15-year old group member during Hollywood week.  Naturally, 15-year old Jaecee cried, and because of this, a lot of viewers started to think of Gamboa as a bully.

On a more personal level though, I think he is a good singer, but being on AI also means being charismatic. If he does not get his act together soon, or if he does not successfully debunk the impression of him being arrogant and obnoxious, then he might not make it so far in the competition.

But just the same, good luck kabayan!

I have always been an American Idol junkie, and for this season, I have found another reason to be hooked to this worldly-popular reality TV show.

Thia Megia, a 15-year old high school student from Mountain House, California, made it to the top 24 cut. She may be the youngest AI contender for this season, but her voice quality is distinct and distinguishable. Of course, it does not hurt that both her parents are Filipinos who have since relocated to the US, and she had been previously been a semifinalist in America’s Got Talent.

All the best to you Thia Megia, and I hope you’d make it till the end!

“In order to be great, you just have to do what’s right.”

-Ezylryb to Soren, on how to be great.

The ‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole’ is a master storyteller’s epic narration of a young owl’s journey from his dreams of becoming a hero to actually becoming one. The first of a 3-book series by Kathryn Lasky, it is a poignant story of heroism and valor — and how one can achieve greatness by simply treading the path to righteousness. Righteousness, after all, is what beatifies normal beings and propels them into the heights of greatness.

As a young owl, Soren was always fascinated by stories of epic battles and legendary owl warriors who were part of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole, a group of warrior owls who were widely-revered by the Owl Kingdom for their unmatched bravery and honour. But through time, because no owl has been to Ga’Hoole to prove the Guardians’ existence, they have faded into being myths, and anecdotal accounts were what remained of their existence.

One night however, Soren and Kludd, his older brother, were taken hostage by marauders from St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. Their captors were part of a group of owls who were commandeered by Metal Beak, a Sooty Owl who was bent on subjugating the entire Owl Kingdom by using flecks, a radioactive element that targeted the gizzards of owls. Together with his equally draconian and messianic wife, Nyra, they sent owl soldiers far and wide to scour for owlets that can work for them, either as soldiers or pellet pickers.

Those who opposed this imposition were tricked into looking at the sun and being moon-blinked, which made them forget their past when they awoke — making them unquestioning laborers for Metal Beak’s dark empire. The story takes an unusual twist when Soren flies away from the dark kingdom, aided by a Barn Owl, and together with a handful of friends, he makes his way into Ga’Hoole — but his brother chooses to stay with Metal Beak and serve his army in ridding the Owl Kingdom of unpure ones.

From this departure of life destiny, Soren and Kludd become warriors for different empires: Kludd for a dark owl who was intoxicated by the grandeur of power, and Soren, who was imbued with the noble zeal of protecting the Owl Kingdom from purist encroachments.

In the inevitable battle between the proverbial good and evil, one owl is immortalized in the pedestals of greatness, whereas the other meets his demise in both an actual and metaphorical inferno of ferocious firestorm.

The appeal of ‘Legends of the Guardian’, for me, lies in its subtle take on the universal dichotomy of the selflessness of good and the incomprehensible madness of evil. Of course, it does not hurt that the visuals were stunning and the storyline was sporadically peppered with random statements that glorified righteousness and shunned evil in all its forms.

The Owls of Ga’Hoole, very subtly, traces the very origin of greatness — and in this winding journey of self-discovery that commences with self-actualization, greatness manifests in the simplest of acts. For in this intricate conflation of dreams, betrayal, and heroism, Soren realizes that by placing his heart in its rightful place, he can become the owl warrior that he has always wanted to become.

If only for highlighting the sparkle of goodness amid the gloom and darkness of evil, ‘The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole’ is a beautiful movie that captures goodness in its most pristine form. It is a coming-of-age story that simplifies the intricacies of our dreams, as it teaches us how our hearts can lead us to the path of righteousness, and ultimately, greatness.

just when i thought my life could net get any weirder, a friend approached me and he had this to say:

“we have decided that you will represent our department in the upcoming mr. <name of school, hehe>…and you will be pleased because it will be covered by many sponsors, blah blah, blah”

at first, i was amused — because who would’ve thought that someone would actually consider fielding me in an actual beauty contest <haha, the beauty part sends shivers down my spine, lol>. not because i think less of myself or worse, i think highly of myself, but because contests such as this and myself make up for an odd — no bizarre — pair. haha.

i politely declined, and suggested that perhaps, i would’ve agreed if it were an academic thing, or something that would highlight my other talents — but strutting my stuff in front of an audience which expects you to answer ‘world peace’ consecutively?

hell no. haha.

but, he continued, they have already arrived at a consensus — thereby implying that it not mattered what i thought or what my decision would be — fact for them is, i would agree to be pinned a number and have my share of the limelight.

haha. i couldn’t stop laughing deep inside.

perhaps, it’s just my personal crusade — beauty pageants have always been part of my list of pet peeves. as a self-respecting human being, i have resolved not to take part in activities which try to glamourize the entire concept of inner beauty and strength — because, at the end of each contest, it does not really matter how well-versed you are with the recent kidnapping situation in the philippines, or what the repercussions of a black democratic president are to the US, because what’s taken into account is how aesthetically-pleasing you are <we need to be politically-correct here,lol> and how you conform to the societal consensus of what constitutes acceptable beauty to most people.

or perhaps, your wit may guarantee you the crown, but you need to be at least ‘unoffensive’ to the eyes. haha.

gahd, the ideas that people entertain when they are high or perhaps intoxicated — no offense meant to my friend, but it would do him no good if he decides to push through with his plan — because, just as oil and water do not make for a good mixture, i also intend to stay afloat and keep what little self-respect i have left, than be subdued by this farce concept of individual empowerment.

i was pleasantly surprised today by a text message just when i least expected it.

i was doing nothing really, just idling the time away, when out of the blue — someone sent me a message — a friend i honestly thought i would no longer hear from.

it was from ronna libby, a high school debater from science high, who was supposed to be initiated into our university debate society (of which i am a member), but had to back out because she was chosen as one of the teen housemates in the recent pbb teen edition plus.

anyway, ronna was just voted out from pbb and she texted to thank everyone who supported her during the time that she was part of the show. honestly, i was relieved that she got out of the show sooner — though it would’ve been great if she was the big winner — because ronna has got so much potential in her. apart from being team a for science high, she has so much ambition for herself — as a matter of fact, that was what we first talked about during our first encounter — that she wanted to take up either political science or accountancy for college — and she opted for updiliman (presumably because her sister also studied there, and is currently a professor in the engineering dept). i remember telling her to pursue her dreams because, my bias aside, updiliman is the ideal school for anyone who aspires to be great.

anyway, at least she can now enroll and start working on her college education. and she would be a welcome addition to the debate society — she would not just kick ass in debate tournaments, but attract attention as well from other debaters — all in all, good publicity for our school. kidding haha.

anyway, i hope all the other housemates will also opt to finish their schooling, because cliche as it may sound, the fame and fanfare of showbiz is but fleeting. char. hehe —

it’s amazing how the accumulation of years can alter the way one thinks.

this afternoon, just when I was slowly submitting that it would be one of those lazy summer afternoons spent senselessly channel surfing and thinking about nothing really, i chanced upon a movie that i have probably seen twice or thrice before.

this time however, the movie had taken on a totally different meaning.

the movie was gattaca, which is a futuristic movie wherein people’s identities were no longer determined by their capabilities, but by a series of processes which predetermined their existence later on in life. the sophisticated technology enabled medical practitioners to predict if a child was someone potentially great, or conversely, a mediocre citizen in the future — so they stratified society according to these established standards — such that even before people established their own niche in society, they already had a future mapped out for them.

the movie takes on an interesting turn however, when vincent, who was diagnosed to be sickly (or a degenerate, as how society tagged him) and thus incapable of greatness, decided to fight the odds and disprove society’s consensual construction on the notions of greatness and obscurity.

he braved the tide, and went against society, albeit covertly, and in the end, he triumphed against the skewed societal conventions that were deeply entrenched and firmly established. he showed, by being daring and discarding the unreasonably rigid prerequisites for greatness that were in place, that the human spirit can transcend the most sophisticated of standards and do away with the predetermined notions of existence — because after all, the human spirit is much more complex than a series of DNAs (which really prevents one from self-actualization).

as i have said earlier, i’ve probably seen the movie twice or thrice before — but on very different times and circumstances in my life, such that i never fully appreciated the movie not just for its cinematic, but philosophical worth as well. if i remember it correctly, i was asleep the whole time when i first attempted to watch the movie. note that i used the word ‘attempt’

it was on second year high school, and i was expecting a visual spectacle of laser guns, light sabers, and silver-suited extra-terrestrial beings battling it out with the earth’s finest — so when i was dismayed by the seriousness of the movie’s tone right at the start, i thought it better to just doze off and look for the visual spectacle elsewhere.

but this time, it got me thinking –

gattaca challenges the way people think — because instead of submitting to societal standards which inevitably do away with a person’s potential, the movie compels us to rethink how society comes up with its standards — but it does not end there, for it encourages people to rise from the depths of apathy and rally against the tyrants which determine the fate and course of our existence. tyrants, after all, do everything to convince their unsuspecting subjects that their perversion of society is the way to go — in the hopes of normalizing oppression and perpetuating their continued dominance.

but then again, the human spirit is capable of so much more — and it cannot be held captive by these deceptive ploys — because even if the tyrant is initially successful in transforming society according to his whims, he can never completely do away with the human spirit — because all of us, no matter how insignificant we may appear to society, are endowed with wisdom and heart — and it is this intrinsic human attribute which, among all other things, determines how our lives will turn out in the long run.