What’s their name? It’s The Ting Tings. May 27, 2008

Armed with drums, large bass drum, bit of guitar, bit of bass guitar, arsenal of loop machines and synths, this Brit indie pop duo will certainly blow your minds. Funk-pop music has its new face today. I can’t imagine that a duo would kick it off to the charts and would eventually be heard on an iTunes TV ad. The last time I heard a band using technology to create music is Trent Reznor, the sole proprietor of the “band” Nine Inch Nails. I’m not really sure about other bands who make it with one or two members only.

Their music is not much of a poetic masterpiece but i can guarantee that with their melodies and tones, definitely anything can sound good. Katie White (a blonde actually) and Jules De Martino make up the band along with the equipment that i said above. White provides a distinct voice that matches the groovy beats of Jules’ drums. (I definitely love Katie)

The Ting Tings has a debut album out in the market which is called “We started Nothing” under Sony BMG. You should hear everything especially their tracks “The Great DJ” and “Shut up and let me go” that features cool drum beats and melodies. 

That’s it. Buy their CD. Kaaching!

 

Lethal Combination: Pacman vs. Diaz May 15, 2008

JUNE 29, 2008, Manila time. A phenomenal fight between two of the most exciting boxers in their weight class as well as the whole planet will be underway. Both equipped with deadly punches in their arsenal, both fighters are so determined to win by knock out or even exhaust all 12 rounds for the decision. Pacman, on one hand, definitely has speed that he can make use throughout the fight and the power punch that can rock anyone that will be its target. Although, Pacman did not have a very convincing win on his last fight against Marquez that later on made him the WBC Super Featherweight champion. On the other hand, Diaz has the “punch” that he is working on in his long training for the fight but he definitely lags behind Pacman when it comes to speed. Both fighters will surely give us an entertaining and explosive match that would definitely be unforgettable.

In their press conference, both seem to be happy and excited about their fight. No intimidation and ego boosters or whatsoever is going on between them and they are probably thinking that it is not needed to promote a good fight. Both fighter has something to prove here and it is to be the best, Pacman eyeing for his 4th title in his 4th weight class and Diaz is aiming for his name to be recognized for beating Pacman.

A lot of theories are going on forums whether Hatton or campbell would be Pacman’s next target. A Unification title fight perhaps? Or supremacy in 5 weight classes he went through. One thing is for sure, Pacman is bagging some sacks of money.

China’s Submerged Weapons in South China Sea May 14, 2008

ACCORDING to Foxnews.com and inteldaily.com, China has been building and now operating asubmerged nuclear facility that is home for some 094-class nuclear submarine that can carry 12 nuclear missles each. The said naval base is located in the Hainan Island in the South China Sea. According to the news, it is clearly a threat for the US naval power if China would have a control over that part of the world. Furthermore, China has not been responding to the invitations by the media.

China has been dubbed as the “Sleeping Giant” and they truly are. They have been very secretive about this initiative to build a nuclear naval base and in that case, the neighboring states should be somehow alarmed about the intentions and aspirations of China. The strategic location of the base is overseeing the whole of the Southeast Asia and thus, showing its strength to the states in the geographical position that would come their way in the future. I’m talking about Vietnam, Indonesia, The Philippines and of course, Taiwan. It is very possible that China is preparing something for Taiwan and the Spratly Islands that is contested by many states. An absorption and complete realization of the One China Policy? or even a complete control over the South East Asian Region. We can predict it that way but there are so many factors to consider. Economic ties, especially when China’s economy is boosting and probably it is where they get their military funding for building this kind of weaponry.

If we are going to consult George Modelski, is this probably a factor for the next global war? A next world power? Perhaps it is, but who knows. Its a probability as social science scholars say. If this would happen, so help us God.

NBA Playoffs’ Routine May 13, 2008

THE NBA Playoffs is now on its half to the finals and this conference semis caught my attention. I don’t know if this routine is happening every playoffs but i see that every teams’ win is actually from their home court and only Detroit deviated from this routine when they beat Orlando in their crib. Could this be a theory that would predict the winner of a certain series? If Team A stated two games in their home and won, and the next two game would be in Team B’s home and they won, the next alternating games would show who will be the winner, especially the game 7. If game 7 would be in Team A’s home, series tied 3-3, most likely that team A will win the series. We can compare this to what happened between the Hawks and Celtics. Both teams won in their hometown and when the deciding game comes, it was in Boston and they won the series convincingly.

This theory is just a theory, and it might not be applicable if there’s a sweep, like what KB24 and the rest of the Lakers did, or if there’s a sudden change in momentum.

With a ball that is round, we can’t really say who will win. Anything could happen.

Thousand miles from the white houses… May 10, 2008

YES. I was there when Vanessa Carlton, a popular pop/jazz/pianist performer, shook Glorietta, not with a bomb explosion, but with a sweet and passionate serenade of both her old and new songs. It is a chance of a lifetime for her hardcore fans that can’t wait to see her perform not only because the venue is accessible for all of her fans, most of all, IT’s FREE! Indeed, it is such a wonderful treat for those who can’t go a thousand miles more to see her. What’s funny is that, when you are in the activity center and you start to look around, many people that are unaware  of what’s happening are starting to tell their companion, “Hey! that sounds like Vanessa Carlton singing in the background…” Surprisingly, they just can’t believe their eyes that it was Vanessa. Her light voice surrounds the activity center making the ambiance so passionate and memorable not only for her fans in front of the stage but also for families celebrating pre-mother’s day.

The only downside of it is that when you don’t have coupon, you will not have the chance to sit in front and have a photo op after the show. I guess that was the only thing that makes the performance, extra-special for those who had the coupon. After all, this serenading poet never fails her fans and music lovers when she performs.

Iron what? May 3, 2008

YES. I have seen the most anticipated, reviewed, high rated, iron-hard movie phenomenon of the year. Dubbed as second to Spiderman when it comes to opening week profit, and for me, the greatest, humane and convincing super-hero movie of all time without any supernatural capabilities or whatsoever. Exploiting the human tendency to be innovative, inventive and creative, Iron Man showed the true capabilities of human mind thru technology. Unlike any other hero film, Iron Man exposed how warfare and military profiteering ruin people’s lives from depressed countries which is something that we are familiar, i.e. Desert Storm, War in Iraq.

Before anyone starts to vomit about the never ending reviews about this film like, Tony Stark is a weapons manufacturer blah blah blah, I would like to tell you that I will never do that. You should watch the film if you want to know the details behind the characters. (Don’t worry, if there are any skeptics, the film is great. ask RottenTomatoes.com). 

Now, the good points of this film are: exhibits human intelligence unlike any hero film (besides Batman, I think so), the performance of Robert Downey that is not actually for an Oscar, but never failed to justify the character Tony Stark, and of course the suit (You might want to bid for it if its available for bidding, i’d do that). The bad points: not much, but the only thing that bugs me is the absence of explanatory scenes. I mean by that is the scene that would explain what happen next on a certain scene like what happened to the rest of the shrapnel after the battle between Iron Monger and Iron Man and the likes. All in all, the film is very powerful although the Iron Man character is not that popular as that of Spiderman but this film made a special place in our hearts.

War Machine, you got to be true to your promise: “Next time, Baby!”

I have encountered this “too good to be true” movie last night entitled, “IRON MAN”. It was so cool and so awesome that i have only two words about it:

“Watch it!”