The spell is working oh-oh!

Alphabeat's album 'The Beat Is' was released late 2009, but I guess it's gotten buried in my playlist that it was only a few weeks ago that I got to really listen to it. Result: a belated obsession with its first track. I've been playing it multiple times every day for the past week, and I'm still not over it. The song is incredibly catchy, and from the video, you could see that the band is genuinely having fun and taking joy in what they're doing. Plus, they're always styled spectacularly well.

I've loved Alphabeat ever since they came out in 2007, I think, and they're just getting better. Below are videos of '10,000 Nights' (my favorite Alphabeat song ever) and 'What is Happening' (my favorite video). Enjoy!

R. M. de Leon: Very Abstract and Hyper Figurative

After a year of blogging inactivity, I return to urge you to visit the art exhibit of a brilliant artist friend.

Last night, R. M. de Leon opened his fifth major solo exhibit at the Altro Mondo Gallery in Greenbelt 5. I thought it was a stunning presentation of very confident and masterful paintings. There was playfulness in the cartoon characters exploded into near-obscurity and abstraction, but there was depth of thought, too.

The photos below hardly do the works any justice. The scale, when you see them in person, matter in experiencing this art. Do visit if you have the chance.


Altro Mondo's facade


'Landscape with Animal Ears'


'Pink Anemones with Bell Overture'










'Red with Two Goofys,' 'Red with Dopey,' 'Red Flag and Dwarfs' Feet'

'Bashful'




'Brute Force 1 & 2'

Never Let Me Go

My friend Wanggo reminded me about this novel when, a few weeks ago, he sent me the trailer of its forthcoming film adaptation.

(Watch the trailer here)

Wanggo reminded me that I was the one who urged the novel upon him, and how he wept upon reading it.

I've just finished re-reading Kazuo Ishiguro's fine work today, and I think I must have been a zombie when I read it the first time. I did want to burst into tears this time from unbearable sadness. From something unsettling and weird that also only feels familiar, the story becomes one of deep pathos that truly hits close to home. Never Let Me Go is the work of a master at the peak of his game.

A Weekend in Accessories

My dream is to have a completely inconspicuous and self-effacing wardrobe. Clothes that speak only of simplicity. Of other things--fun, perhaps, and a bit of frivolity--I would like the accessories to speak.

Hat, Topman; Glasses, Wisdom in Archaeology, Powerplant Mall; Socks and bow tie, Celio

Patrik Ervell

Patrik Ervell is, for me, one of the best new menswear designers around. He combines subdued palettes with mildly quirky proportions and excellent styling. The clip above is the featured animation on his website's landing page, which I think is breathtaking.

Staring at the page nonstop, I couldn't help wishing I were the guy there, wearing all those wonderful clothes.

My Summer in Shoes

Three pairs are unassuming. One said Pop!


Pure simplicity from Zara


The impossible to keep clean: Camel suede boots from 5CM


A bit of levity in the intense, serious election season: pink suede loafers from Kartel


Full circle: Pure simplicity from Zara

The New Old Reliable

Azuthai Restaurant in Pasay Road is barely two years old, but it already feels like an old reliable. The taste level and service--both excellent--had been largely invariable on each of my visits there. They say a good dining experience makes you want to do two things at once: to replicate it exactly and to share it immediately with people who are dear to you. I'm happy I got to do both recently with my friends Kate, whom I was with when I first tried the place; and GP, a good friend who has not been there.

Azuthai is a worthy addition to the family of restaurants that includes Milky Way (Filipino), Tsukiji (Japanese), Cirkulo (Spanish) , each of which is distinguished in its cuisine and is housed in the same building.

Come to think of it, the mayor, if he knows his food, should accord that building the privileges of a major landmark.


Shrimp Cake


Glass Noodle Salad


Duck Curry



Kale with Crispy Pork


Phad Thai


My excellent dinner companions

Consumerism, I Missed You

So this is what I was up to the past few months, volunteering for the Aquino presidential campaign. I didn't know it would take up so much of my life! But it's all worth it when you feel like you're fighting for your country's soul. It's so sweet when your candidate wins.

Now that it's over, I'm personally putting all talks of politics on hold. It's time to lighten up once again. Consumerism, I missed you! Music, art, books and clothes--you have my attention back.