Get ready: Anberlin is set to leave their mark on Manila this March 9
Being a teenager is always tough, and being one in this past decade was no exception. Thankfully, pop-punk band Anberlin made it all worthwhile. Formed in 2002 and led by frontman Stephen Christian together with Deon Rexroat, Joey Milligan, Nate Young, and Christian McAlhaney, Anberlin has made a name with powerful and infectious songs like “A Day Late” and “Glass to the Arson.”
Shortly after signing with Tooth & Nail Records in 2002, the band released their first album Blueprints for the Black Market in 2003. Their debut album proved to be a success with songs such as “Readyfuels” and “Foreign Language.”
Their sophomore album was an even greater success. Entitled Never Take Friendship Personal, Anberlin gained an even wider audience, thanks to powerhouse songs such as “Paperthin Hymn” and “Time & Confusion.” With Never Take Friendship Personal, Anberlin not only set themselves apart from other pop-punk bands, but also cemented their reputation as a rock and roll force to contend with.
After two successful albums, Anberlin released Cities in 2007, gifting the world with songs like “Adelaide” and one of my personal favorites “Dismantle.Repair.” Just a year later, they released another album called New Surrender. With this album, what was old became new, with the band reworking old songs such as “Feel Good Drag.” The band also gave us their most upbeat song yet. Called “Haight Street,” I can say that this song will get you hooked within seconds.
In 2010, the band released their latest album Dark is the Way, Light is a Place with “Impossible” as their carrier single. It was also in 2010 that the band announced they would be coming to Manila in this March to rock the house at A.Venue in Makati.
UNO was able to interview guitarist Christian McAlhaney via email to find out about where the band got their name, and about their albums, world domination, and hints at what songs they’ll be playing for the Filipino crowd.
I’m sure you get this a lot, but what does [the name] Anberlin mean or represent? Where did the name come from, and who suggested it? What were some of the other band names that were suggested or considered?
It has a pretty deep meaning for all of us actually. When we all first started playing together we had more of a hippy, New Agey, jam bandy kind of sound. I can’t remember who first suggested it, but someone came up with the name Amber Wind, and we just all fell in love with that immediately. As time went by, our sound progressed and changed to what it is now, and Amber Wind just didn’t have the same ring to it that it used to, so after much brainstorming we came up with Anberlin.
You guys have a distinct sound for each album. Also, each song has its own rhyme and reason. What song, from each album, is your favorite?
Blueprints: “Readyfuels.” Never Take…: “Dance Dance Christa Päffgen.” Cities: “Unwinding Cable Car.” Lost Songs: “The Haunting.” New Surrender: “Blame Me! Blame Me!” Dark is the Way: “Prey Tell”
Arguably, your most successful album is Never Take Friendship Personal, could you share your experiences in creating that album? How did it differ from your other albums?
It was different for me than the past two albums because I recorded on those (New Surrender, Dark is the Way) and not on Never Take, but I heard they had an amazing time recording that one.
Hey it’s Jayvee. It’s been a hectic week in Barcelona, covering the Mobile World Congress. For those uninformed, MWC is kinda like Fashion Week, but instead of new trends in fashion being announced in Paris, we’ve got all the new trends in smartphones and tablet devices announced in Barcelona. If it’s got a SIM card slot, it’s probably here.
Before, MWC used to be a stuck-up, ultra-technical conference for telcos. This year, we’re seeing more fun and casual things. Twitter is here. So is Facebook. And Google. Angry Birds too.
Stay tuned! I’ll be giving you the lowdown on what to expect in 2011.
Oh and we have our charming little DJ friend Andi9 with us on this trip!
EVERYBODY knows who Deftones are. That’s how amazing this band is. Ever since they were formed in 1988 in Sacramento, California, they haven’t stopped making and playing songs we fans like to call masterpieces.
The band consist of Chino Moreno on lead vocals and guitar, Stephen Carpenter on guitar, Chi Cheng on bass, Frank Delgado on keyboards and turntables, and Abe Cunningham on drums and percussion. To date, they have released SIX brilliant albums from Adrenaline (1994–1996), Around the Fur (1997–1999), White Pony (2000–2002), Deftones (2003–2005), Saturday Night Wrist (2006–2007), and the latest and most amazing yet, Diamond Eyes (2010-present). Read more…
What does it really take to shoot underwater photos?
“Are the pygmies still there?”
The spotter nods, implying something that Jan and the rest of the group already know. At about 80 ft deep, there is a white fan coral about 1 meter high in full plumage. There’s a pygmy seahorse somewhere there. That’s what we’re looking for today.
Take a grain of rice, split it in two, and then throw one half into the ocean. That grain, split, is roughly the size of one of nature’s smallest creatures. In all irony, they’re also one of the more territorial, with their tails clasping on to the veins of fan coral, their natural habitat. To add to the frustration, pygmies take on the color and texture of the host corals. Jan, the group’s fearless leader checks his buoyancy control device, fins, straps, and tank, making sure everything’s in place. Read more…
UNO recently sat down for an interview with Rafe Bartholomew, author of Pacific Rims: Beermen Ballin’ in Flip-Flops and the Philippines’ Unlikely Love Affair with Basketball
Interview by Oliver X.A. Reyes | Also published in UNO October 2010 issue
Rafe Bartholomew, currently an editor of Harper’s Magazine, obtained a Fulbright grant to study the phenomenon of basketball in the Philippines. A one-year study turned into a three-year residence and possibly a lifelong passion for the Philippines.
You mentioned David Halberstam’s The Breaks of the Game as among the influences of Pacific Rims. When I read Halberstam’s book at 13, it was my first exposure to a lot of aspects about American culture, things like the racial divide. What I gather from Pacific Rims is that, through our basketball culture, you were able to unlock a lot of things about Philippine culture at large. Was this expected? Did you have that expectation when you first arrived in the Philippines?
The simple answer is: no. I don’t know if it’s embarrassing to admit now, but the truth is I don’t think I knew very much about the Philippines before I began living here. I was able to read a little bit of history books; I was able to try and learn a little bit about basketball through the Internet, although back in 2004 and 2005, the Internet wasn’t as rich with Philippine basketball information. Now there are a lot of blogs that do stuff– there’s a little bit more now out there. I feel like starting today would be a little bit easier than if we started back then. When I was just beginning to think about it, I was really going on inspiration and sort-of-almost-like faith, this hunch, that I was able to find in that other book which was Alexander Wolff’s Big Game, Small World. The images that were in that chapter where it just describes as playing in tsinelas, guys sort of caring for their basketball courts, I remember the guy polishing his backboard–that level of passion; what basketball had meant to them, these people Wolff was meeting, for them to do those things. That gave me this hunch that I would find something really special if I got the chance to come out here. But I don’t think I knew enough to really have conceived of exactly how it would all come together, and to really have guessed that basketball would be this way; to really follow it into a total discussion of, like you’re saying, Philippine culture at large.
We went all the way to the hills of Antipolo to dine at Laya with photographer and longboarding champ Carina Altomonte
By Denise J. Mallabo | Photos by Wiji Lacsamana
It’s tough to dine out with friends, if most of you are fans of meat and some of your mates are vegetarians—especially if you encounter restaurants that have pseudo-vegetarian dishes on their menu, and yet you can still see ground pork and chicken scattered all over your order.
And then there are restaurants like Laya (which means “freedom” in Tagalog), a place where you can stuff yourself with Thai/Filipino fusion food, a great supporter of everything that is good about meat but that still takes the time to ask the three most important questions for every vegetarian: What kind of vegetarian are you? Do you eat dairy? Do you still eat eggs? That was how this establishment won over veggie lover Carina Altomonte.
A few Saturdays ago, UNO treated part-time lens woman, part-time daredevil (and full-time restaurateur) Carina to an entire five-course meal in the charming restaurant owned by musicians and husband and wife team Irene and Ricci Gurango. Aside from being busy with her restaurant Nomnomnom Happy Food, which she co-owns with two equally talented friends, Carina regularly shoots for a section in this magazine (kindly turn your magazine to page 76, that’s her superb work right there). This UP Fine Arts graduate was recently bestowed the title of “queen of the hill” for her longboarding skills—she triumphed on the downhill course in the women’s division in the recently-concluded Gravity Games Asia held in Subic. Now let’s see how Laya scored with Carina’s persnickety palette.
How long have you been a vegetarian? I’ve been vegetarian for 20 years. I’m 29 years old and I started when I was 9 years old and parang more and more I noticed that there are a lot more choices now sa dishes when I eat out. When I was younger, wala talaga masyado. It’s quite wonderful to have a five-course meal that’s all vegetarian friendly.
What were you thinking?! You were 9! I was thinking, “Why won’t my mom prepare me baon na may karne?” Just kidding, my mom started it. She got into Raja Yoga so all the dishes that she cooked were vegetarian, yun na din yung pinapabaon sa amin. When we were younger we didn’t have a lot of options, we only eat the food that’s in the house tapos when we got older she was the one who told us, “bahala na kayo.” I decided to stick to it since I’ve gotten used to it and I’ve come up with my own beliefs as to why I want to stay vegetarian also.
Having tasted meat before you turned 10, don’t you miss it? Don’t you have those days where you want to say “F it! I WANT LECHON!”?
No, not at all. When I was a kid I missed it a lot of course like any other kid would, I loved my fried chicken. But now I don’t really mind, there’s so much food to choose from! I love my gulay… and cheese… and wine… and chocolates… and cakes…
What do you eat to prepare for a long day of work and skating? I try my best to keep a balanced diet. I make sure I get enough protein (beans, legumes, soya), carbo, fiber (salads, fruits, leafy veggies) and water in me. I get to do more stuff when I fuel myself well.
How do you find the overall look of Laya? The place is very very relaxing, it reminds me of Thai restaurants—but more resort-like because of the pool and the location.
How did you find that good-looking appetizer and soup that was in front of you earlier? The Nori Vegetable Roll with Mango Papaya Aioli was really good, very light. I didn’t find anything lacking, especially the dressing, sarap! The Pumpkin and Cashew Nut Soup reminds me of Indian food.
That salad looks interesting, how did you like it? It’s simple, refreshing and the best part was the hint of ginger.
How was the Thai Vegetable Curry with Saffron Cashew Rice Pilaf as your main dish? The main dish was alright. The eggplant was a little hilaw but of course I was able to eat all the veggies I could get my hands on. I found the salad, the soup and the appetizer more interesting.
How was your dessert? Turon siya with Choc-Nut so everything was familiar, but it’s nice to have them together for a change; they made it a bit more fascinating.
Who would you bring here to Laya? I would take my special someone. It would also be nice to take my family here kasi ang ganda ganda ng location. From start to end you don’t feel so “blah” [makes 'overstuffed' motions], tama lang yung amount of food na binibigay para ma-appreciate mo until dessert. It’s really a fusion, the food that they serve is not so far off from each other, the vegetarian and I think the non-vegetarian options.
What can you say about restaurants like Laya that cater to both meat lovers and vegetarians? Very considerate of them, and I’m very thankful.
Laya Sierra Madre Road, Grand Height Subdivision, Antipolo City
6pm-10pm Friday and Saturday
11am-2pm Saturday and Sunday
Open on weekdays but only for private dining with advance reservation (minimum of 15 guests)
Tel. Nos. for reservations: (02) 994-7978 and (0917) 8464322
UNO caught up with owners Irene and Ricci Gurango and asked them how Laya came about and how they can still make music with food on their minds.
Why did you name your restaurant Laya? The word Laya means freedom in Tagalog, and that’s what we want to give our guests when they come here, the freedom to make their dining experience at Laya.
What made you come up with the idea of it to be a personal dining type of restaurant?
I guess because we want to elevate the whole experience of dining out. We wanted a place where each guest will experience something different from what another guest will experience since almost everything is very personalized.
Can you explain the concept behind the Thai/Fil fusion food in Laya?
We have a theme for each weekend actually (Taste of Siam wherein we feature traditional Thai dishes, Asian Hawker Food Fest, Light & Healthy Asia, etc.) and the one that’s becoming really popular is the one you guys were able to try, the Pinoy Kulinarya menu. We didn’t want a static menu kasi so we change our menu every weekend but it always revolves around Southeast Asian flavors.
Irene, do you and Ricci still have the time to play in your individual bands since both of you are extremely hands-on with Laya? How do you juggle your time?
I just got home from a gig with my band Chubibo in Saguijo that I left for halfway through tonight’s dinner service. Since we’re only open on weekends, we can still gig on weekdays. And when gigs do fall on weekends, most of the time the gigs are scheduled late so we just make sure they’re scheduled after a dinner service. It’s really tough but we’re slowly getting used to sleepless weekends!
Ricci, what was your training before you became chef in your own restaurant? Did you go to any cooking classes/schools?
I took up Culinary Arts at Global Academy in Pasig then spent a couple of weeks in Bangkok, Thailand to study Thai cuisine after that. I took a course at the Blue Elephant Cooking School under Chef Nooror Somany Steppe. My wife and I really love Thai cuisine so naturally, that’s what I wanted to specialize in.
Any big plans for Laya?
We’re working on plans for the bed and breakfast but we don’t know yet when that’s going to materialize. Soon, we hope! But for now, we just want to concentrate on improving our food and thinking of ways to make the dining experience at Laya even more special.
On the 13th of November, 2009, following ten rounds of bantamweight division boxing versus Colombian Luis Melendez, Filipino fighter Z “The Dream” Gorres hit the canvas of the Mandalay Bay House of Blues ring in Las Vegas, Nevada, just minutes after being announced the winner of the contest—the very contest that would have lined him up for a championship rematch with reigning WBO Bantamweight champion Mexican Fernando Montiel.
The 27-year-old Cebuano will spend his next days in coma after undergoing brain surgery at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, suffering from subdural hematoma or blood clot in the brain. He will not get to do the rematch that would have catapulted him to world boxing stardom.
Photo by Dong Secuya
Z is one of the most humble and kindest boxers I’ve ever met. I’ve seen him at training and he’s such a disciplined hard worker. What he may give up in length at times in the ring he makes up in speed and ring smarts. He lost a close controversial (split decision) title fight to Fernando Montiel in Cebu in 2007. Many thought he won that fight. I do too. In my eyes, he’s one of world our champions, too.
—TJ Manotoc, ANC Sportscaster
Buchoy might have lost his shot at a world title but I would rather see him as a champion father to his four kids and a champion husband as well.
Buchoy is a highly-skilled boxer and would have made it as a world champion. But I guess God has a better plan for Buchoy, who can now tell that boxing might be a way to rise from poverty, but it remains as one of the most dangerous sports.
—Chino Trinidad, Sportscaster/Columnist, GMA 7
Z is now awake and in recovery stage; financial help would be greatly appreciated by the Gorres family. You may send your donations through the PAYPAL account of Datches Gorres, Z’s wife, at datchesgorres@yahoo.com.
The odds have been mostly a tie in the past few hours till Helga posted this on Flickr. Malcolm Gladwell calls this the Tipping Point. We call it WINNER.
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