Jacky Chang Tops My FABE OPM Countdown Once Again

 

The current princess of Visayan pop, Jacky Chang tops my FABE OPM Top 10 once again.  'Vega' moves to the top spot this week, extending the dominance of Visayan songs to 7 weeks at the top.

Here are my ten favorite songs by OPM artists for the week ending March 31, 2023 

#1 Vega                                                Jacky Chang (#2)

#2 Sulti Pa Lang Ka                          Kurt Fick / Jacky Chang (#3)

#3 WYAT (Where You At)                SB19 (#4)   

#4  Ozone - Itulak ang Pinto           Unique Salonga (#5)

#5 Muli                                                Ace Banzuelo (#6)

#6 Need It From You                        Manila Grey (#7)

#7 Pero                                                Zack Tabudlo (#8)

#8 Tumitigil and Mundo                BGYO (#9)

#9 Dati-Dati                                    Sarah Geronimo (#10)

#10 Puede Ba                                  Maymay Entrata / Viktoria (NEW)

Harry Styles Gets His Fourth #1 Hit in My International Countdown

 

Harry Styles tops my FABE International Top 10 countdown this week for the fourth time, as 'Daylight' moves to the top spot.

Here are my ten favorite songs by international artists for the week ending March 31, 2023 -

#1 Daylight (#2)

       Harry Styles 

#2 Daydreaming (#3)

      Harry Styles

#3 Alibis (#8)

      Gregory Douglass

#4 Far Away (#9)

      Carly Rae Jepsen

#5 All Your Exes (#10)

        Julia Michaels

#6  Iffy (RE)

       Chris Brown

#7  Despues de la Playa (NEW)

       Bad Bunny

#8 You Proof (NEW)

       Morgan Wallen

#9 Angel Baby (NEW)

      Troye Sivan

#10 I Ain't Worried (NEW)

      OneRepublic

MY TOP 10 OPM SONGS FOR 2022

 

I know this post is so long overdue but since I juggle so many roles nowadays - it does take time for me to post stuff like this.  Anyway, better late than never, and also these posts are just for posterity for me, so I would be able to trace back my ever-changing taste in music.

I think most of the OPM artists in my yearend Top 10 are new even to me and they do represent the future of the genre - which I think are in very good hands - as these guys are very prolific in releasing new music.

Anyhow, here are my ten favorite OPM songs for 2022 -

#1 Parasyut                                             Meowfie

#2 Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit       Unique Salonga

#3 Mapa                                                  SB19

#4 Isa Lang                                            Arthur Nery

#5 Dinamalayan                                   Ferdinand Aragon

#6 Asan Ka Na Ba                                 Zack Tabudlo

#7 puydi ba                                            Fin and Fil

#8 Manghuhula                                    Ethan Loukas

#9 Pagsamo                                           Arthur Nery

#10 Isa Ka Saad                                    Eliza Maturan

Morgan Wallen Puts Country Music Back on Top

 

Morgan Wallen brings back country to the top of My FABE International Top 10 countdown, as 'One Thing at a Time' moves to the top.

Here are my ten favorite songs by international artists for the week ending March 24, 2023 -

#1 One Thing at a Time (7)

      Morgan Wallen

#2 Daylight (#2)

       Harry Styles 

#3 Daydreaming (#3)

      Harry Styles

#4 Alibis (#8)

      Gregory Douglass

#5 Far Away (#9)

      Carly Rae Jepsen

#6 All Your Exes (#10)

        Julia Michaels

#7  Iffy (RE)

       Chris Brown

#8  Sticky (NEW)

       Drake

#9 Cigarettes (NEW)

      Juice WRLD

#10 Lavender Haze (NEW)

        Taylor Swift

Mic Kindica Continues the Visayan Dominance in My OPM Top 10 Countdown

 Visayan performers continue their domination of My FABE OPM Top 10 countdown.  This week, it is Mic Kindica's turn at the top with 'My Baleleng'.  It is his first time to top my OPM countdown.

Here are my ten favorite OPM songs for the week ending March 24, 2023 -

#1 My Baleleng                                  Mic Kindica (#2)

#2 Vega                                                Jacky Chang (#3)

#3 Sulti Pa Lang Ka                          Kurt Fick / Jacky Chang (#4)

#4 WYAT (Where You At)                SB19 (#5)   

#5  Ozone - Itulak ang Pinto           Unique Salonga (#6)

#6 Muli                                                Ace Banzuelo (#7)

#7 Need It From You                        Manila Grey (#8)

#8 Pero                                                Zack Tabudlo (#9)

#9 Tumitigil and Mundo                BGYO (#10)

#10 Dati-Dati                                    Sarah Geronimo (NEW)

CONCERT REVIEW: Harry Styles - Finally Watching Live a Grammy Album of the Year Award Winner

 I am not really a One Direction fan but Harry Styles is the third member of the boy group that I have seen live.  First was Niall Horan, then Louis Tomlinson last year, and then Harry last week.

I was a big fan of his Fine Line album and was disappointed when it missed a Grammy Album of the Year nomination.  However, it won Best Pop Performance.  Although his latest album won Album of the Year, it's not quite my favorite but I can understand why the voters gravitated to it as it had several outstanding songs and I was very fortunate to have finally seen the live version of the album as Harry Styles performed most of them in his current tour Love on Tour.

One weird aspect about touring today is that the audience already knows your setlist, and because of social media, fans already 'know' what is going to happen and what to expect during the show.  There is no more element of surprise.  That is a reality we have to live with now, now that cellphones and gadgets are quite handy in recording live performances.

However, it is still possible to enjoy the live performances of the artist, and since I did not watch any Youtube video of his concert, I thoroughly enjoyed his show.  His voice was in top form and although, as my niece pointed out, that he sometimes resorts to singing some of his songs a key lower, that is understandable, since he still has a very loooonnngg tour ahead - and he has to preserve and take care of his voice.

It is commendable though how he went all out in Sign O' the Times and several other songs.  

Another plus for Harry is his incredible rapport with the audience.  He really knows how to  work the crowd.  He is not shy or hesitant in showing his love for the audience.  You can really sense that he is quite grateful that he is given this opportunity to entertain his fans with his songs.

Harry also has an interesting relationship with his fans, urging them to show themselves in their most outrageous clothes, so that night, a lot of the women were donning boa feathers and wore really sexy clothes.  Even for the men, some wore a skirt and the overall color scheme for everyone was the colors of the rainbow.  It was great to watch the sea of colors.  

We arrived at the venue at 11AM and the show was still at 8PM.  However, the crowd of fans were very nice and well-behaved that there were no problems in the queueing.  I also met a lot of new friends among the fans.  We all had a common shared love for Harry's music.

Till the next concert tour then!

CONCERT REVIEW: David Foster and Friends - A Glorious Night of Wonderful Voices and A Continuous Parade of Hits

 

I first encountered David Foster's music in high school through his hit instrumental song the 'Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire' which peaked at the Billboard Top 20.  Incidentally, it was the song that opened his show last night.  

I had already seen him live 8 years ago at the Araneta Coliseum which featured Charice when she was still a woman.  Fast forward to last night, David retains the concept of his show which showcases the best vocal talents he has discovered these past few years which included Pia Toscano and Daniel Emmett.

To say that the show was an aural spectacle is an understatement.  Everyone in the show, from his wife, Katharine McPhee, to local superstars Martin Nievera and Morissette, to the aforementioned two singers, gave fabulous renditions of all of David Foster's hit.  They not only gave justice to each of the songs, their performances were spot on note-wise.  

David is also a consummate storyteller so he regaled the audience with the back story of the songs he wrote especially his 'hate' for the Top Gun hit, Take My Breath Away.  Better to watch the remaining five shows to find out why LOL

His wife, Katharine McPhee was also a revelation.  She has had a minor hit in the US, my favorite 'Over It', but during the show, she showed the range that she can do - from a Broadway track, to a country song, to Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You'.  She was also funny and quite disarming with her storytelling.

What I can guarantee is that it is an entertaining show and their voices and performance will take your breath away.  Definitely worth the ticket price!

Kent Charcos' 'Da Vao' Extends the Cebuano Songs Domination in My OPM Countdown

 Kent Charcos tops My FABE OPM Top 10 countdown this week with Da Vao, extending the Cebuano songs streak at the top for four consecutive weeks.

Here are my ten favorite OPM songs for the week ending March 17, 2023 -

#1 Da Vao                                            Kent Charcos (#2)

#2 My Baleleng                                  Mic Kindica (#3)

#3 Vega                                                Jacky Chang (#4)

#4 Sulti Pa Lang Ka                          Kurt Fick / Jacky Chang (#5)

#5 WYAT (Where You At)                SB19 (#6)   

#6  Ozone - Itulak ang Pinto           Unique Salonga (#7)

#7 Muli                                                Ace Banzuelo (#8)

#8 Need It From You                        Manila Grey (#9)

#9 Pero                                                Zack Tabudlo (#10)

#10 Tumitigil and Mundo                BGYO (NEW)

Harry Styles Tops My International Top 10 Countdown

 

Due to his concert here in Manila this week, Harry Styles puts six songs in My International Top 10 Countdown.  This is his third #1 song in this countdown.

Here are my ten favorite songs for the week ending March 17, 2023 -

#1 Satellite (NEW)

      Harry Styles

#2 Daylight (NEW)

       Harry Styles 

#3 Daydreaming (NEW)

      Harry Styles

#4 Love of My Life (NEW)

      Harry Styles

#5 Keep Driving (NEW)

      Harry Styles 

#6 Cinema (NEW)

       Harry Styles

#7 One Thing at a Time (2)

      Morgan Wallen

#8 Alibis (3)

      Gregory Douglass

#9 Far Away (4)

      Carly Rae Jepsen

#10 All Your Exes (5)

        Julia Michaels

WANTED: SINGLE DAD SUPPORT GROUP - GAY OR OTHERWISE

 

Since I am a single gay man in my 50s trying my best to raise two teenagers who are my niece and nephew (they are my deceased brother's kids), I have come to appreciate greatly what single mothers have to go through to raise their kids.  The only difference is that these women can always use the law we have right now to force their batugan husbands to support their children.

As for me, the kids chose me as their legal guardian and the transition from their Dad to me taking care of them was seamless since they also grew up with me, so dealing with their Papa's death was not very traumatic.  The COVID episode in our lives was very emotionally, financially, physically draining and I am glad it is over.

I am also taking care of my 81 year old mother so my hands are really full.  I am also a solo breadwinner so it has been quite a challenging time in my life which I did not really expect.

I was living a bachelor life for so long till my brother died. 

There are many challenges being a single gay Dad.  First is the financial challenges.  Sending kids to school now costs a lot of money so it is always a challenge for me to pay their very expensive tuition fees LOL  It also does not end with tuition alone - there are the books, the school bus and the daily hatid sundo ritual.  Second, I find it hard to share my problems with someone.  I can't share to Mama anymore because she is a senior already and I do not want to burden her with mundane everyday bill problems LOL.  She has already paid her dues.  Sometimes, I cannot share with my women friends because of the difference in POV, or so I think.  Women do think differently than men and I have seen that in how my sisters and mother and aunties make decisions and deal with life.  My sisters hate me because I am gay so they have disowned us already - me and the children.  Third, I also have to think of my personal needs and my life.  It's true that you kind of obliterate yourself when you are raising kids.  They consume almost all your space LOL  So balancing everything is not easy.  I had a lot of hobbies being single so it has been a challenge maintaining them now.  Fourth is looking for sex.  Yes, sex!  I am not dead yet and I do need to get laid at least four times a month.  It used to be easier as a bachelor since I have my own space and bat cave.  I do not have that now.  I have to think twice or thrice for bringing a man home who is usually a stranger.  I have thought of getting a boyfriend but I think it would add to my already busy schedule!  He has to compete with my time with the kids and my Mom and my business so mahirap.  And, I am old already and in the gay world, I am already invincible.  They just want my money LOL

I think a support group of single Dads would be helpful para lang may makausap.  I may not need their help but more as a sounding board.  Parang therapist baga with less gastos.

Women are lucky because they bond faster and share their problems much easier.  Even for gay men, sharing does not come easy.  We are always wary of Maritess and what info to share.  But I think the idea that I can share it with maybe three or four very close male friends who are also raising their kids alone would be nice.  Para I won't feel too alone in dealing with all these day-to-day challenges.

PHILIPPINE ARENA CONCERT EXPERIENCE: Have a Lot of Patience Going Home

Trapped in the parking lot 11PM

We finally 'escaped' the traffic mix by 12:15AM

Patience is the key LOL

 We were very excited to watch Harry Styles at the Philippine Arena tonight. We thought the trip there would be a hassle considering the volume of people watching the show so we arrived there at 11:30 AM.  Yes!  A full 8 1/2 hours BEFORE the show.

Anyhow, it was not the going there that was the problem. It was the going home experience.  The concert finished at 9:45PM and it took Laura and I another hour of going around the arena and doing our picture taking before we decided to go to the parking area at 11PM.

The vehicles in the arena were not moving anymore at that time.  I don't really know why it was taking so much time to leave the arena.  I just thought that the sheer volume of the cars in the area caused this incredible bottleneck of cars wanting to leave the venue.

I decided to sleep in our van since I was also very tired from watching the show.  I woke up around 12 midnight and I noticed that we were slowly moving out of the venue already.  That sped things up and by 12:15AM, we were already at the toll gates going home to Manila.

The trip home took thirty minutes and by 12:45AM, we were home already.  

This blog post is just to warn everyone watching a show at the Philippine Arena to either leave just as the concert finishes - so they can immediately avoid the traffic and the rush going home - or to lay back and relax at the wide arena grounds for about an hour or two till the traffic starts to move.

It's really a waste of gasoline to be idling for more than an hour and the ill effects it gives to the environment.

I just wish the traffic leaving the arena could be fixed so that it wouldn't take that long to go home.

We were actually forewarned already that the trip home would be 2-3 hours.  They were telling the truth.

Fanboying on Jamie Lee Curtis and Her Amazing Oscar Win

 

When I was watching Jamie Lee Curtis in Everything Everywhere All At Once in that scene where she was talking to the couple played by Yeoh and Quan, I was impressed by how funny and absurd she was at the same time.  Her character was just being a dick on this couple who were obviously having a hard time paying their taxes.

A few months later, her name was being floated around as an Oscar nominee, and I was very ecstatic for her!  My brothers, Vic and Michael, are big fans of hers because of the Halloween franchise and A Fish Called Wanda.

I saw A Fish Called Wanda as a young 17 year old on VHS tape mind you (do you still remember those?) and I was impressed at how egregiously funny it was!  Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, John Cleese were all delightfully crazy and Jamie Lee Curtis topped the cake by being sly and sexy.  I fell in love with her then and there LOL

I thought she was a comedic actress but turned out she can do a lot of other stuff, from action (True Lies), horror (Halloween) and again, comedy.  I admit I  was disappointed when she missed the Oscar Best Actress list of 1989 but when you do check the nominees - it was like the Super Bowl of Best Actresses that year with Meryl Streep (A Cry in the Dark), Sigourney Weaver (Gorillas in the Mist), Melanie Griffith (Working Girl), Glenn Close (Dangerous Liaisons) and the eventual winner that year Jodie Foster (The Accused).

She did however, get a Golden Globe nod for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.  

Fast forward three decades later, she finally gets the recognition from her peers through EEAO and we are all ecstatic for her!  Her pedigree though (both her parents, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh) both got Oscar nominations so it was not farfetched that she too could achieve it.

Girlyman Puts Folk Pop Back at the Top of My FABE International Top 10 Countdown

 Girlyman tops My FABE International Top 10 Countdown this week with 'Young James Dean'.  

Here are my ten favorite songs by international artists for the week ending March 10, 2023 -

#1 Young James Dean              Girlyman (#2)

#2 One Thing at a Time            Morgan Wallen (#3)

#3 Alibis                                      Gregory Douglass (#4)

#4 Far Away                               Carly Rae Jepsen (#5)

#5 All Your Exes                         Julia Michaels (#6)

#6 Iffy                                          Chris Brown (#7)

#7 Obsessed With You             Central Cee (NEW)

#8 Glimpse of Us                       Joji (NEW)

#9 Lil Bit                                      Nelly / Florida Georgia Line (NEW)

#10 Irresponsible                       Dan + Shay (NEW)

John Erscel Puts Another Visayan Song at the Top of My OPM Top 10 Countdown

 

John Erscel gets his very first #1 song in My OPM Top 10 Countdown with 'Hawid'.  He continues the three week streak where a Visayan song has topped my local countdown.  

Here are my ten favorite songs by OPM artists for  the week ending March 10, 2023 -

#1  Hawid                                            John Erscel (#2)

#2 Da Vao                                            Kent Charcos (#3)

#3 My Baleleng                                  Mic Kindica (#4)

#4 Vega                                                Jacky Chang (#5)

#5 Sulti Pa Lang Ka                          Kurt Fick / Jacky Chang (#6)

#6 WYAT (Where You At)                SB19 (#7)   

#7  Ozone - Itulak ang Pinto           Unique Salonga (#8)

#8 Muli                                                Ace Banzuelo (#9)

#9 Need It From You                        Manila Grey (#10)

#10 Pero                                               Zack Tabudlo (NEW)

Mary Anchit Continues the Dominance of Visayan Songs in My FABE OPM Top 10 Countdown

 

Mary Anchit continues the dominance of Visayan songs in My FABE OPM Top 10 Countdown with 'Isayaw Tika'.  

Here are my ten favorite OPM songs for the week ending March 3, 2023 -

#1 Isayaw Tika                                   Mary Anchit (#2)

#2  Hawid                                            John Erscel (#3)

#3 Da Vao                                            Kent Charcos (#4)

#4 My Baleleng                                  Mic Kindica (#5)

#5 Vega                                                Jacky Chang (#6)

#6 Sulti Pa Lang Ka                          Kurt Fick / Jacky Chang (#7)

#7 WYAT (Where You At)                SB19 (#8)   

#8  Ozone - Itulak ang Pinto           Unique Salonga (#9)

#9 Muli                                              Ace Banzuelo (#10)

#10 Need It From You                    Manila Grey (NEW)

PJ Harvey Gets Her Third #1 in My Fabe International Top 10 Countdown

 

PJ Harvey gets her third #1 song from her Let England Shake album.  Here are my ten favorite songs by international artists for the week ending March 3, 2023 -

#1 The Colour of the Earth      PJ Harvey (#2)

#2 Young James Dean              Girlyman (#3)

#3 One Thing at a Time            Morgan Wallen (#4)

#4 Alibis                                      Gregory Douglass (#5)

#5 Far Away                               Carly Rae Jepsen (#6)

#6 All Your Exes                         Julia Michaels (#7)

#7 Iffy                                          Chris Brown (#8)

#8 Lying                                      Dan + Shay (NEW)

#9 Cherry Flavoured                 The Neighborhood (NEW)

#10 Waves                                   Fiji Blue (NEW)