It's Time to Begin, So Count It In!

 My boot-scootin' baby is drivin' me crazy...

Taxi and Jeepney

Journal 002. If Bachelor Girl has a song titled "Buses and Trains," I have a blog entry titled "Taxi and Jeepney." Hehe.

Taxi. Just when I thought I could be early to work last Tuesday, stomach trouble strikes. Then the jeepneys were few and all full, forcing me to take a taxi. Instantly gone was my P100 (and I forgot to ask for a receipt), but at least I've learned that it's only 4.3 kilometers from home to the office. I could pay the minimum fare on the jeep then next time!

Jeepney. My two cents: (1) Ayaw kuhita ang driver kung motunol ka og plete. Use your mouth (but don't shout) to let him know. Your pagpanguhit might startle him and cause an unnecessary vehicular accident. Also don't give any fare to the driver when he is maneuvering a turn; it might distract him and make him lose his concentration. Road safety should always be a priority. (2) I believe it's our responsibility as commuters to bring enough coins and/or small bills with us especially in the morning. As we often read: "Sinsilyo lang sa buntag." Just saw a father and son walk off the jeep without paying their fare after the driver refused to accept their P100 bill, as he didn't have change for it yet. If that's your technique to get a free ride, well I say that's an ugly thing to do. As for drivers and conductors, I just request you to please give us the correct change (as well as honor discounts for students and senior citizens). After all, it's also been said: "Ang tamang magsukli, maraming suki."

Dear Jollibee

Si Ronald ba ang may gawa niyan?!

Pebble Talk: Pilot Edition

Journal 001. Dear Mark and Courtney, I've read from Kresia's blog about her wishing that more of her friends post more about what's going in their lives. Well, here's one from me. Sort of.

Rise and Shine. Woke up today with bright daylight, I really thought it was already late and I overslept. Yet, it was still 6:15am, good enough time to get up out of bed. (I usually wake up between 6:00 and 6:30 in the morning, with my cellphone alarm set at 6 o' clock, plus up to a couple of snoozes.) And it was raining! I thought it was a gonna be a difficult commute to the office but thankfully, the rain stopped as I was preparing for work.

Cold. Our workplace's temperature is too low. I urinate too many times. Plus today, my newly cut short hair also somehow contributed to a headache caused by the two aircons blowing its cold air directly on my head (one in front, one at the back). You know, less hair, less protection. But a new pwesto away from the ice-breathers would also most likely help. Now here's hoping my headache would be gone when I wake up tomorrow.

Long Queue. After Saturday's grand opening of the Krispy Kreme stores in Cebu (Ayala Center and IT Park), the lines are still long when me and Godsend Debbie checked it out tonight. So we just decided to postpone our first Krispy Kreme purchase until either we have time to endure the queue, or if the queue ain't too long anymore. But it's gotta be sometime this week! The earlier, the better.

Pendragon. My opening sentence (mentioning Mark and Courtney) is a reference to Pendragon, a ten-volume book series I really recommend. Its author, DJ MacHale, also has a current trilogy called Morpheus Road. Which reminds me, I gotta read Book 2 real soon!

20111024

TV and Software

Ako na Lang. Ruling the MYX Daily Top 10 today is Zia Quizon's "Ako na Lang." At Chart Central PH, there are comments doubting MYX's credibility and accusing it of bias, likely because of its unlikely #1. But I say the song is such a welcome entry, and it's deserving enough to be on top. The track is fresh and original. The first time I saw Zia's video, my first reaction was: "Woah, that face has that voice?!" But it's cool, her voice is good, as well as the song. She could just make it successfully even without associating her with her famous parents.

Top 14. The presentation of tonight's MYX Mobile Top Picks was certainly messy. After the Bottom 4 videos were shown, Anne Curtis's "Sukob Na" was introduced as the #10 entry, but the number on the upper left indicated #7 (or was it #6?). Things got realigned by #4, but it all got crystal clear during the recap; surprisingly we got a Top 14 this week instead of the usual Top 10. Oh-kay!

Buggy. The Notepad application on Windows XP (version 5.1) is buggy. I'm reminded of it while I'm composing this journal entry. I won't go into much detail about it, but it has something to do with word wrapping. You've probably already experienced it too. So Microsoft never bothered to provide a fix for this, huh? Or maybe this would be their advice: upgrade now to Notepad 6.1 on Windows 7! Edit: The same bug still exists on Windows 7. Well, there's always Textpad or Notepad++.

No More Popups. Avira has just released a new version of their anti-virus software. Previously, their free version features a prominent pop-up every time it downloads program component and virus definition updates (once a day). But not anymore, the pop-ups are all gone! And that's certainly good news. So upgrade your computer's umbrella now, because superior protection just got more awesome.

OPC Song Picks [2011.10.23]

Two new number ones debut on the OPC Song Picks this week: The Power of 9 rules the overall chart with "The Boys," while Juris tops the Pinoy tally with "Kahit Di Mo Sabihin" (yup, I'm quite a late-bloomer in including this good OPM song on the list). We also have new entries from Beyoncé, Erik Santos and Ginoong Vitalis.

Here's Girls' Generation with the music video for the Korean version of "The Boys" (I would have embedded the English version but its official Youtube upload by SM Town has not been made available in the Philippines):

Overall Top 10
October 23-29, 2011

1. Girls' Generation - The Boys
2. Beyoncé - Love on Top
3. We Are Leo - Live for Love
4. Brokedown Cadillac - Can You Hear Me
5. Avril Lavigne - Wish You Were Here
6. MercyMe - The Generous Mr. Lovewell
7. Bruno Mars - It Will Rain
8. Blush - Undivided (feat. Snoop Dogg)
9. Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All
10. Marié Digby - Your Love

Pinoy Top 10
October 23-29, 2011

1. Juris - Kahit Di Mo Sabihin
2. Parokya ni Edgar - One Hit Combo (feat. Gloc-9)
3. Erik Santos - Sana Ikaw
4. Ginoong Vitalis - Pilit
5. Sarah Geronimo - Bakit Pa Ba
6. Rivermaya - Nowhere to Run (feat. Julianne Tarroja)
7. Maria Aragon - Born This Way
8. Yeng Constantino - Paniwalaan Mo
9. Erik Santos - Kulang Ako Kung Wala Ka
10. Rachelle Ann Go - Masasabi Mo Ba

Jones Brothers Pizza

So is this pizza store owned by Nick, Kevin and Joe Jones?

SoundSessions Top Picks [October 2005]

Last month, I gave you the SoundSessions Top Picks for September 2005, so this month, I'm going to give you, yup, the top songs for October 2005! Again, this is a personal music chart based on my and my friends' preferences. Here were our picks, topped by the smoking hot Pinoy Big Brother theme:

Top Picks for October 2005
Period covered: September 1-30, 2005

1. Orange and Lemons - Pinoy Ako
2. Bonnie Bailey - Ever After (Eric's Beach Mix)
3. Sponge Cola - Gemini
4. James Blunt - You're Beautiful
5. Michael Cruz - Crazy for You [PREVIOUSLY AT #14]
6. Kyla - Till They Take My Heart Away [PREVIOUSLY AT #13]
7. Crazy Frog - Axel F
8. Yasmien Kurdi - I Know [PREVIOUSLY AT #11]
9. Nina - I Love You Goodbye
10. The Black Eyed Peas - Don't Lie
11. Janno Gibbs - Fallin' [PREVIOUSLY AT #8]
12. Hilary Duff - Wake Up
13. Britney Spears - Someday (I Will Understand)
14. Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends [PREVIOUSLY AT #10]
15. Cueshe - Stay
16. Lifehouse - You and Me [PREVIOUSLY AT #6]
17. Sean Paul - We Be Burnin'
18. Hale - Kahit Pa
19. The Ambassadors - Ulipon Sa Gugmang Giatay
20. Bamboo  - Hallelujah

This chart was originally published on October 1, 2005 at The Talkthrough with Johnny Talker.

Avenue Na, Street Pa!

Is it telling us that there is a street somewhere at the end of Mango Ave?

OPC Song Picks [2011.10.16]

Blush is a five-piece multinational girl band composed of Angeli (from the Philippines), Ji Hae (from South Korea), Alisha (from India), Victoria (from China) and Natsuko (from Japan). Here's the video for their single "Undivided" featuring Snoop Dogg, which debuts this week at #6:

Overall Top 10
October 16-22, 2011

1. We Are Leo - Live for Love
2. Bruno Mars - It Will Rain
3. Brokedown Cadillac - Can You Hear Me
4. Avril Lavigne - Wish You Were Here
5. MercyMe - The Generous Mr. Lovewell
6. Blush - Undivided (feat. Snoop Dogg)
7. Jennifer Lopez - Papi
8. Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All
9. Chantelle Barry - You Should Be Here
10. Marié Digby - Your Love

Pinoy Top 10
October 16-22, 2011

1. Parokya ni Edgar - One Hit Combo (feat. Gloc-9)
2. Rivermaya - Nowhere to Run (feat. Julianne Tarroja)
3. Sarah Geronimo - Bakit Pa Ba
4. Maria Aragon - Born This Way
5. Yeng Constantino - Paniwalaan Mo
6. Rachelle Ann Go - Masasabi Mo Ba
7. Bunny Malunda - For Your Information
8. BBS - Pawiin (feat. Kean Cipriano & Jay Durias)
9. Giniling Festival - Hipon
10. David DiMuzio - Naiisip Mo Ba

Men at Work

Just what would it mean if the word "down" is omitted?

OPC Song Picks [2011.10.09]

Lots of fresh tracks this week on the OPC Song Picks! There are some new Pinoy goodies from Parokya ni Edgar and Gloc-9, Maria Aragon as well as Giniling Festival. MercyMe's "Move" has moved out but "The Generous Mr. Lovewell" has taken over. We also have a Christmas track from Chantelle Barry, but making a grand entrance this week is American country act Brokedown Cadillac. Their song "Can You Hear Me" debuts at #1!

Overall Top 10

October 9-15, 2011

1. Brokedown Cadillac - Can You Hear Me
2. We Are Leo - Live for Love
3. Bruno Mars - It Will Rain
4. Avril Lavigne - Wish You Were Here
5. Jennifer Lopez - Papi
6. MercyMe - The Generous Mr. Lovewell
7. Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All
8. Chantelle Barry - You Should Be Here
9. Marié Digby - Your Love
10. Parokya ni Edgar - One Hit Combo (feat. Gloc-9)

Pinoy Top 10

October 9-15, 2011

1. Parokya ni Edgar - One Hit Combo (feat. Gloc-9)
2. Rivermaya - Nowhere to Run (feat. Julianne Tarroja)
3. Sarah Geronimo - Bakit Pa Ba
4. Maria Aragon - Born This Way
5. Yeng Constantino - Paniwalaan Mo
6. Rachelle Ann Go - Masasabi Mo Ba
7. BBS - Pawiin (feat. Kean Cipriano & Jay Durias)
8. Bunny Malunda - For Your Information
9. Giniling Festival - Hipon
10. David DiMuzio - Naiisip Mo Ba

OPC Song Picks [2011.10.02]

After the September and 3rd Quarter picks, we go back to the regular weekly top picks. We Are Leo stays on top as they continue to "Live for Love," while we have new entries from Bruno Mars, Jennifer Lopez and Rachelle Ann Go.

MercyMe's "Move" moves down to the bottom of the Overall Top 10, so before they finally move out, here's the band performing the song live and acoustic on K-LOVE Radio. As usual, the list follows after the video.

Overall Top 10

October 2-8, 2011

1. We Are Leo - Live for Love
2. Bruno Mars - It Will Rain
3. Avril Lavigne - Wish You Were Here
4. Jennifer Lopez - Papi
5. Marié Digby - Your Love
6. Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All
7. Leona Lewis - Collide (with Avicii)
8. Sarah Geronimo - Bakit Pa Ba
9. Rivermaya - Nowhere to Run (feat. Julianne Tarroja)
10. MercyMe - Move

Pinoy Top 10

October 2-8, 2011

1. Sarah Geronimo - Bakit Pa Ba
2. Rivermaya - Nowhere to Run (feat. Julianne Tarroja)
3. Yeng Constantino - Paniwalaan Mo
4. Rachelle Ann Go - Masasabi Mo Ba
5. BBS - Pawiin (feat. Kean Cipriano & Jay Durias)
6. Bunny Malunda - For Your Information
7. David DiMuzio - Naiisip Mo Ba
8. Marlou Morales - Forever I Won't Forget You
9. Angeline Quinto - Kunin Mo na ang Lahat sa Akin
10. Yeng Constantino - Siguro

OPC Quarterly Picks [Q3 2011]

Time to recall what happened on this blog's song picks from July to September. Looking at the music videos that I include in each post, only Rebecca Black is in the Overall Top 10 for Quarter 3 that hasn't been featured previously. While others find her really annoying, I would go on the record to say that yeah, she doesn't have the best voice quality, but it's tolerable. With the right songs, she might just do okay in the music scene.

She actually reminds me of Lolly, of "Viva La Radio" fame who also did a cover of "Mickey" (though I'd prefer Lolly over Becky). Anyway, here's Miss Friday with "My Moment" which is #8 on the tally. The full list follows after the embedded video.

Overall Top 10
3rd Quarter of 2011

1. Stars Go Dim - Hesitate [VIDEO]
2. The Script - Science & Faith [VIDEO]
3. David DiMuzio - Naiisip Mo Ba [VIDEO]
   
4. Simple Plan - Jet Lag (feat. Natasha Bedingfield) [VIDEO]
5. Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly [VIDEO]
6. Lady Antebellum - We Owned the Night [VIDEO]
7. Avril Lavigne - Smile [VIDEO]
8. Rebecca Black - My Moment
9. Weird Al Yankovic - Perform This Way [VIDEO]
10. Yeng Constantino - Siguro [VIDEO]

Pinoy Top 10
3rd Quarter of 2011

1. David DiMuzio - Naiisip Mo Ba [VIDEO]
   
2. Yeng Constantino - Siguro [VIDEO]
3. BBS - Pawiin (feat. Kean Cipriano & Jay Durias)
4. Rivermaya - Nowhere to Run (feat. Julianne Tarroja) [VIDEO]
5. Sheng Belmonte - Gigil
6. Sarah Geronimo - Bakit Pa Ba
7. Marlou Morales - Forever I Won't Forget You
8. Bunny Malunda - For Your Information [VIDEO]
9. Gloc-9 - Elmer (feat. Jaq Dionisio & Jomal Linao)
10. BBS - Wala na Tayo (feat. Kean Cipriano & Eunice)

OPC Monthly Tally [September 2011]

Lady Antebellum not only owns the night, they also own the month of September! They top the overall tally here at OPC with "We Owned the Night." Here's a live music video of that song (the official music video on Youtube is not available when accessed from the Philippines) followed by the 9th monthly honor roll.

Overall Top 10
September 2011

1. Lady Antebellum - We Owned the Night
2. Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All
3. Leona Lewis - Collide (with Avicii)
4. Avril Lavigne - Wish You Were Here
5. Gym Class Heroes - Stereo Hearts (feat. Adam Levine)
6. Patrick Stump - This City (Remix) (feat. Lupe Fiasco)
7. Rivermaya - Nowhere to Run (feat. Julianne Tarroja)
8. Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly
9. Stars Go Dim - Hesitate
10. We Are Leo - Live for Love

Pinoy Top 10
September 2011

1. Rivermaya - Nowhere to Run (feat. Julianne Tarroja)
2. Sarah Geronimo - Bakit Pa Ba
3. Yeng Constantino - Paniwalaan Mo
4. BBS - Pawiin (feat. Kean Cipriano & Jay Durias)
5. David DiMuzio - Naiisip Mo Ba
6. Marlou Morales - Forever I Won't Forget You
7. Angeline Quinto - Kunin Mo na ang Lahat sa Akin
8. Yeng Constantino - Siguro
9. Bunny Malunda - For Your Information
10. BBS - Wala na Tayo (feat. Kean Cipriano & Eunice)