Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Broken Social Scene at the Mosaic Music Festival

Why I didn't have my camera with me is a mistake I'd rather forget. But BSS@MMF is a blast!

Aia de Leon (Imago) helped open the show with 7/4 (Shoreline). Dancing in her bright-coloured leotards, it was hard to miss her energetic presence onstage. Predictably, they sang Lover's Pit and Fire Eye'd Boy. Not that I'm complaining. With no Feist in the line up that night, Swimmers wasn't sung. Boo.

A few friends came over to Singapore and it was nice having a slice of Manila for a few days. We feasted on bbq chicken wings, grilled sting ray, char kway teow, and all the Kickapoo Joy Juice one can drink. With the frequent influx of visitors to Casa Borromeo, we hardly feel out of touch with the goings-on back home. We still get copies of friends' latest albums, bottles of Cheez Whiz (yummy processed cheese that we can't seem to find in Singapore!), and other MSG-laden goodies a few times each year.

I love how events like these just compel people to travel just to experience it. Can't wait for the next big gig and I wonder who else will be coming to Singapore this year. Radiohead? DCFC?

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Surreal in Manila

After moving to Singapore, travelling has been reduced to a minimum (no more MNL-SIN-JKT lagare). Most of the meetings now happen here, which suits me fine (I'm terribly enjoying cocooning at home with the hubby, Xbox360, PS3 and Wii in tow).

When I was told that we had to be in Manila for a few days, I was both excited and slightly thrown off at the thought of taking a work-related trip in reverse. It meant seeing family, friends, ex-colleagues, and perhaps sneaking in a much-needed visit to the salon vs. exploring a new city with pasalubong in tow.

I felt lightheaded as we wove our way through rush hour traffic towards the Makati CBD. Whether it was the early flight we had to take or simply being home for a few days left me disoriented. The jams I cursed each day are suddenly an alien experience.

Moving between our client's office and the temporary HQ that is my old agency, I didn't even have to make myself remember where things were. But the rhythm that my body remembered felt distant and temporary - it's like being there but not really. You don't have the luxury of having a beer run at 6pm, an indulgent lunch at Apt 1B, or sharing a hearty dinner with the folks after work. Weekends are not spent lazily browsing at Fully Booked or enjoying a plateful of pasta at Cibo.

And for the first time, it hit me.

I don't come home to Manila anymore.