a Free Mind

Good evening people. I am getting prepared for my 4th Chemotherapy cycle, and I will be admitted tonight at The Medical City. I will be doing some tests tomorrow, wish me luck. Friday I begin my 4th cycle which is a Hi-Dose kind, as will be taking 6 grams of Cytarabin™ a day every other day for 3 days.

I will be at the 14th floor of the TMC, as usual. I brought alot reading materials (bible included!) and dvds to keep me company while I do my treatment. I will be doing my radiation treatment by February and my PBSCT (Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant) will be done by March.

I look forward to the pain as I know my journey is on full speed ahead. I will not be bold to say that without asking a favor from you all. PLEASE PRAY for me as I undergo treatment. Your prayers, as always, have sustained me. And am sure the Lord will listen to all our prayers. To His will I submit myself.

God bless you, my friend.

PS: I will be needing blood donors for blood and platelets. Please go to the lower ground floor of The Medical City and donate blood in my name. For platelets Apheresis you may go have yourself screened at the Phil. Nat'l Red Cross at the Pier in Manila. I am type O positive. Thank you again.

Day 3 was just 2 days ago. It was another good day for me. My voice was good, as Robert would put it, I was "in the zone". Ely came with Jerome. (former Teeth and Pupil axeman) Just like in the first track, Ely played keyboards again and even did some vocals.

We did a funkier, more modern version of the track we did for day 2. So that track we did the last time would be a bonus track for the album.

Present for recording was Robert the producer, and Anjee the engineer/computer guy. For playing we had Carlo and Janno on guitar, Otep on drums, FV on bass, and Ely at the keys.

We were visited by the crew for Wish ko Lang who had a kid named Benson who wanted to meet me. (watch the episode on Jan. 27 for a tentative date) Other visitors were Wendell of Pupil, NU Rock Awards Drummer of the year 2008 (naks) and Vic Valenciano of Sony Philippines. The FMCC Boys were there again to be with me, Willy and Margo. Frank my son, also went to the studio late at night. Pia arrived a little later than Frank.

I did vocals then went home by 11:30 pm. It was a good day 3 for The Sickos.

Day 2 at Tracks was an exciting day for the Sickos project. (At least for me) Since last recording was Nov. 10, by Nov. 11 I was admitted at The Medical City for 43 days, and it was quite awhile since our first song. I was so happy to see them all. Ely, Robert, Anjee, Carlo, Noel Tanda, FV, Otep, and even the FMCC boys were there, Willy and Itoy. Jef Tam did some magic tricks for us as well.

The second day saw us doing a cover song from a 1960's band called The Hollies. I just love doing this music thing and sometimes I think it is really my medicine. No let me rephrase that, i don't think it, IT IS MY MEDICINE PERIOD.

We had a long day, and it was fun. The Startalk crew went there, and so did Manie and Glenn of Filipino pictures who was there to cover the day for our documentary.

Day 3 is in another post.

One of the best gifts a person can receive is a gift that is personally made by the gift-giver.
These are pictures of us during Christmas Noche Buena at our house in Antipolo, and these sequences of pictures is about our son Frank. He is my junior and he has greatly inspired and impressed me by the things that he is able to do. Question is what can he not do?

At 15 years old he has mixed, produced and engineered tracks for me for different projects like The Don Bosco Album, Rapublic of the Philippines volumes 1 & 2, assorted vocal recordings of my verses for collaborations with these artists Gloc 9, Andrew E.,Loonie, Stick Figgas, Slick & Sly Kane, and Death Threat.

At 16, he also worked as second camera man for our music video "Private Diane" (feat. Death Threat, Ely Buendia and myself) and that was what? Way back in 2003.

He is currently a student in UP from the Fine Arts department. He moonlights in a couple of bands as well, as drummer, vocalist, guitarist and is adept with the computer in making music.

He was just recently recruited to the FMCC family as a designer under my steed, and he succesfullly pitched a new line, with a very ingenious name and logo, coming soon.

Here we are, as parents, opening our gifts during Christmas time, and it is really touching to see what our son has become, so talented, and so thoughtful. He painted these using watercolor and these works were studies and project submissions for his school. I got the Nike painting and his mom got the Qee painting.

Frank, I love you anak. Welcome to the FMCC family. I am very proud of you. God blessed us by giving us a son such as you. And may He bless you and yours all the days of your life.

PS: Watch out for the NEW LINE of FMCC.

Hello people! I just got my mp3 data discs together yesterday. These cd's look nice and they have quite nice content. Musoc, Pictures, Documents and easter eggs.

You may read personal letters, watch videos (transfer videos to your computer for a faster experience), hear ringtones, remixes, hear rare tracks and the list continues.

They will be a joy to collect. The complete collection of 8 singles will be available as a full album called "F-Word".

Right now we have released 2 singles "Sino Magsasabi" and "Thou Shalt not Blink". They are available now at Broadway. (few copies of "Sino Magsasabi" remain)
Get your tees and get your cds. Music and fashion go hand in hand. As long as I make music, there will be clothing. FMCC jeans coming soon. And the jacket? This rainy season is the sked for the release, 2009. Dogtags? More to come next week.

Look at my singles. Got mine! Get urs!

Jeffrey Tam visited me and Ely B. during our recording session yesterday at Tracks studio in Pasig. He is now officially an FMCC "influencer" and wearer of our apparel.

Jeff is an old friend of mine, long before he even became the celebrity that he is now. He used to visit me during my dj stint as the Mouth on 89 DMZ back in late 80's to mid-90's. Right now I am proud of him, for he has morphed into many personas with all his talent. From rapper, to actor/comedian, to illusionist/street magician, radio personality, photographer and businessman, he has truly used his talents to the fullest.

I was delighted to see him and was also treated to a "live performance" of his "mahikalye". All of us at the Studio, me and my wife, Ely B., The FMCC boys Willy and Margo, plus the band members and engineers, we were all amazed at his skills and his tricks.

This is my advice to people who watch magicians/illusionists. Enjoy yourself, don't be a bitch, just be a kid and believe what you see and experience. It is enjoyable. I am glad when he told me that his peg was Cyril Takayama (google him) who I am in awe of. He is much better than his western counterparts. Jeff has the talent, and I am sure he is already a worldclass act.

I will be helping him by doing his music for his dvd special, and I am appealing to people to get a glimpse of his sleight of hand genius by attending a competition this monday, Jan. 12, 2009.
Win or lose, Jeff Tam is no. 1 in my book.

Check the details:

2009 magfi close up magic competition finals, january 12,2009 monday at the rotary club bldg. in roces ave. ( near moomba restaurant)
7pm / free seating first come first serve. entrance fee is 100 pesos

Jeff, Good luck tol, represent the 3 Stars & a Sun!!!! God bless you my friend.
 

Here it is finally, the second offering from a series of 8 tracks. "Thou Shalt not Blink" is a song I did originally for Bearwin Meily's magic special. It was done in a collaborative effort with Robert "The Youth" Javier at the T.A.P.E. studio in Broadway. With instrumentation provided by Jonathan Ong, who incidentally has done award winning music for Nickelodeon in the U.S.

I have made many theme songs for TV/Movies, like "Pintados", "Full Haus", "Engkanto", "Estribo Gang", "Tong-its" just to name a few. It is very rare for me to include commisioned work in my albums.

This particular track, "Thou Shalt not Blink" came out real nice. The remix (done by Raimund Marasigan) will be included in the third single, so just keep collecting them 8 singles. It's free anyway, just get 2 FMCC t-shirts (or 1 polo shirt) and you can avail of this single. It contains an easter egg full of goodies like the "dirty" version of "Sinong Magsasabi", home made videos, a personal letter to you, the owner, plus pictures of the FMCC boys, me & Robert Javier in studio.

Both singles "Sinong Magsasabi" and "Thou Shalt not Blink" are available at Broadway. Right now, this January.

Am sure you will be getting these singles. Why? Simply because classic FMCC tees like "Pride", "Super Proxy", "Mikropono Bling" will be available again this month. And the LS3 as well. =)

PS: Collect all 8 singles, put them cds together like a puzzle and you will see something special. Again, another ingenious idea from me. Have fun y'all. Enjoy the ride.

This post was abit late but better late than never. These are pictures of the week that was from Christmas day lunch at my sister Maricar's house up until Dec. 31st New year's celebration at our abode in Antipolo. As you can see, I have produced a family of shooters. They have all grown to love photography just like me. I have "given" and handed down my cameras as gifts to those that love to shoot. I gave Pia my Leica D-lux 3, gave Frank my 5D, gave Nicolo my 30D, and passed on to Maxene my Canon G9 and to Elmo my Canon G7.

Here are some of the pictures using my Canon EOS 5D Mark II, using the 50mm f/1.4 USM lens.
I am still learning how to use the new cam but the ISO capability of this beast is awesome. I am in awe of Nikon's D3 but it has alot of buttons. I was contemplating on getting that. But upon learning of the Mark II's release last November, I knew I would be upgrading.

The group shot you see is one of me and my brother Henry, my bro-in-law Neil, together with my sisters, Susan, Vicky, Maricar, my aunt Pangking, her daughter Roan, and Pia. Other siblings who are in the US, are Malot, Victor and Pye. Martin, the youngest dropped by early in the day, Decmber 25.

The second group pic is my fam, Pia, Nicolo, Maxene, Frank, Elmo, Arkin and Clara (minus Unna who was in Zamboanga w/ Bryan and kids, and of course Saab who is at a party somewhere)

Happy New year to all of you reading this. May the Lord continue to bless us all this 2009. Do not be afraid to ask Him anything. Before I even prayed Father, you answered. Thank you!

"And it will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

Jose Rizal died for us December 30, 1896. Today is his day. In a lamp at his "selda" he hid his last piece "Mi Ultimo Adios" which had these words, "Adios patria adorada.." (Goodbye my beloved country)

He was ahead of his time. With his novels "Noli Mi Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" he showed everyone his courage. He was a visionary and he saw things that continue up this day.

If Rizal were alive today I would want to have some coffee with him. Talk to him, learn from him, and break bread with him. I look up to the man. I even made a song about him back in the late 90's. It's called "Idol ko si Rizal".

I guess if we just loved our country so much we would be willing to die for it. I would. But a dead me is a useless me. I am more useful alive. As long as I live, I will continue to espouse his dedication to uplift our country and our people.

We are a people with heritage. Period. Before we were colonized by Spain we had a culture, we had governance, we had commerce, and we had our art.

Long live Rizal and the other heroes like Bonifacio, del Pilar, Mabini who fought for our independence.

Long live THE FILIPINO AND FILIPINA.

Good day people. Let me introduce you to the KW1. For His & Hers.

Theses tees are available NOW @ 3 Stars & a Sun, Broadway. Tomorrow it shall be available at Macapagal and Robinson's Place, Imus.

This is a first in a series of Kaleidoscope World tees. Variants will follow in different colors and different designs.

While many have opted to jump in the bandwagon trying to "filipinize the Philippines" and have sold their souls to the devil by pirating us, we decided to move on. It started with the 3S&S series, which will spearhead our entry into my poetry and music as inspiration for the new designs. Others try but their designs at best is lame. Ours are insane.

Look at the Kaleidoscope World tee, look closely, the word is spelled and written backwards.(We at FMCC we speak datkilab very well, for 25 years now) You can only read it through a mirror. Now that's insane. The next batch, the KW2 is a winner as well.

Same with the LS3, a bald guy on the mic, that idea was mine, and it's insane. And it's sold out.

The KW1, get one now before it's gone.

Be insane and get ur own.

This is available now at Broadway and Macapagal. Serially numbered 0001-1000. It will say at the back 3622-0001 and so on and so forth. The 3622 stands for FMCC by text based on the phone keypads.

Of course mine is 3622-0001

Retail price Php 450

These are the shots that made me bag my trophy from the Camera Club of the Philippines this 2008. I rarely share my shots but then some of my loyal readers wahted to see them, then I guess they deserve to do so.

The winning shot that bagged first place is the grashopper shot and that was for the La Mesa Dam OTS. The other shot that bagged second place and got me photographer of the month was the bride shot and it was during the Taal OTS. The spider shot got a high mark too.

Let me share with you the "story" behind the shots.

Baby Grasshoppers- It was actually a Saturday, and our OTS was from 6 am-6 pm, and I arrived at 6 am, rushing as usual as it was an Eat Bulaga day, I had to be in Broadway by 10 am as I was opening the show with a song number. I shot the spider shot at around 7 am, then had breakfast. I said to myself, I have one shot already I need another. (as we have to submit 2 entries) As I was walking, my driver, Bart, said "sir ano ito?" pointing to leaves that had a "cocoon looking mass of gray and green" from where I was standing. He looked closely and said, "ito sir pang laban". I saw THE SHOT. I got my tripod, and had to be helped up the ledge as there was a canal. I got a good footing, set the tripod and fired 7 exposures using a macro lens. A Sigma 150mm macro f/2.8 shot the shot. I never saw anything like it. It seemed like they were posing for me. I was annoyed by one leaf, I tried to cut it, then they all jumped and flew away. I forgot they were "alive". That leaf is half an inch wide. So imagine how small and cute they were. We see penguins, people, cattle in large numbers, BUT NEVER BABY GRASSHOPPERS. And I nailed the shot. I left the place at 9 am and made it to Broadway, and do my opening number.

Bride- It was a signal number 2 in Taal. There was a storm and an actual wedding. Her veil was flying all over the place, even when I was outside. This was shot from the right place, and I was the first at this spot. I nailed this shot and bagged 2nd place. My friend, Raul got 1st place. It looks mysterious some even say ghastly. I like it.

Spider- "Said the spider to the fly...welcome"....I said I was lucky to get a spider but with a fly that flew into the web, I was on a roll. Friend and mentor, Bien Bautista said "It's better to be lucky than good. As you become good, you become luckier." I guess I am getting there.


PS: Santa gave me a gift this Christmas- a Canon EOS 5D Mark II

The new tee is available now at Broadway and at Macapagal, the PINAS All Day, All Night White.

The variants in darker colors will follow. This is yet another commitment to promote our land with our brand. This Carlo Maniquiz creation was further enhanced, during one lunch at CPK in Shangrila. Upon seeing this tee, we decided to put the logo in the letter A.

At FMCC, we work as a team. Every guy has his position and everyone helps anyone at any given time. The sales crew is a team as well, working overtime, sacrificing for the good of the team. In the end, we have good results.

I can confidently say, this Christmas season, even this 2008, FMCC IS THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER BRAND IN THE LAND.

2009 LOOKS BRIGHT.

After 43 days in the TMC hospital (The Medical City) was finally sent home last Dec. 24th. I made it home in time for Noche Buena and Christmas Day.

After 6 days of Chemotherapy (using Mitoxantrone ® and Cytarabin ®), after losing my hair, after a bout with Sepsis, and Septic Shock last Dec. 4, after 10 days in the ICU, after being confined Nov. 12 after that fateful recording for the Sickos project with me and Ely B., after 6 packs of RBC and 3 packs of Apheresis platelets, after countless antibiotics and drugs and like Meropenem ®, Clindamycin ®, Diflucan ®, Prednisone ® etc..,after 3 Bone Marrow Aspirations this cycle, after countless of days watching The Asian Food Channel, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, The Animal Planet, ESPN, CNN and BBC,after releasing the latest FMCC LS3 featuring a BALD me on the microphone, after many days of eating a neutropenic diet, after many subcutaneous injections of GCSF ®, and after many prayers said and heard....from my bed, I sat, stood up, and walked again.

I am alive. Belated Merry Christmas to y'all.

I won again a trophy for the Camera Club of the Philippines 2008 Annual Awards!!!!

Last year I won the same award but it was a different trophy, it was a Hasselblad. This year it's a Leica moulded trophy.

I distinctly remember going into the hospital August 5, 2008 and I have been absent from the meetings ever since. I would join straight from the hospital. It keeps me alive and sane, this photography thing and music making. Both are my passion. And of course, the biggest source of strength is the Lord and my family.

I really love this club, and I love the competition. It's really a club of gentlemen, who share the same love for the craft. And mind you these gentlemen are great talents as well. Age doesn't matter in this group, and in my perception, we are all just kids playing with toys that capture time.

I am happy for winning this. It just makes me strive to be alive, and compete next year. The themes are awesome, and I am so excited. Dec. 1 was the Christmas party, and I wasn't able to go, so these awards were brought to my room 1405 of the Medical City by my sponsor and good friend, Leo Riingen.

It's my third Christmas with this club, as I attended the 2006 one as an observer. Leo was sworn in as incoming president that year. It was the first time I ever saw trophies, medals, and some works and indeed, it made me hesitant to join.

But I did join. And I did it. And I did it well. This is a VICTORY that I share and dedicate to all the sick people everywhere.

Here is one for the girlfriends and wifeys. I know all the menfolk have their white and orange half tones, but this here is for their better halves.

This is real nice on the eyes, the color is really soothing. There's a touch of purple, white and the dots are really nice. Of course the 3 Stars icon is a mettalic blue on the left side of the chest.

This ships on Friday at the 3 Stars & a Sun store in Broadway, and the other stores after.

Suabe 'to.

These shirts are available now at Broadway,Macapagal and Robinson's Imus.

The Leukemia Shirt 2 is considered a Special Edition tee, and will retail for P850.00. It is in orange as it is the color for Leukemia. (and Multiple Sclerosis) Just like the Cancer Philippines tee, it features birds flying for freedom. And it glows so nice in the dark. This is what you may use in clubs and bars. Time to party, yet still make a statement. ;)

The Defender Black on the other hand, is a very good variant from the white. I want mine!!!

Either shirt are pure collectibles. Actually all our shirts are. =)


Get ur own!

I got my supplies 2 nights ago. These are available now at all stores. I'm loving 'em both, but the orange is a heartbreaker. Gotta use that when I get outta here from the 14th floor.

Developments? We are trying our best to come up with a national and international system of servicing orders.

We are also coming up with a buttoned down polo, for more formal affairs and for the fathers in us. It's gonna get exciting. We love our products so much, EVEN I BUY FOR MY FRIENDS and FAMILY. I CANNOT STEP OUT OF THE HOUSE ANYMORE WITHOUT WEARING MY BRAND.

That's LOYALTY for my ROYAL TEES.

PS: MY gruelling-wanna-vomit-superPAIN-everydayFEVER-Hi dosage Chemotherapy is over.
       I am feverless for 48 hours now. Pray I get a MATCH for my BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT soon from one of my siblings.

Thank you for your prayers. God bless you all. I love you all.

Remember this shirt? I wore this last October 25, 2008, at Eat Bulaga.
Well it's out now. You may get it at Broadway, Macapagal, and Robinson's Place Imus.

This is just the second in series of "Cancer Awareness" shirts, and rest assured we will continue our commitment in this battle with this disease.

This is the "Cancer Philippines" tee. Why is it so? Our great hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, put it so aptly with a book called "Noli MI Tangere" (Touch Me Not) and this is the social cancer that he saw a hundred or so years ago that inspired him to write this book.

This cancer happens to this day. Everytime I watch the Senate & Congressional hearings about the scams and the corruption, it validates my perception that there is a moral and social cancer in our country. The disease has spread and is deep in our system.

The CANCER PHILIPPINES TEE- get one now.

For as long as WE, the responsible men and women of our country, fight this battle, we will not allow our country to rot and die. This cancer is more evil than the medical one. For real.

Mabuhay tayong lahat.